Classic: grub hubbub 2/26/2010

That's about as old-school as it gets, but Ike learned from the new school too and threw a grub that only recently came to market. For more about how he attacked the Classic and how he fished the grub, head on over to the Catch More Fish page.

Tidbit: Many consider the grub to be a warmwater bait, but Ike thinks it's one of the best coldwater baits you can use.

Sonar at the Classic 2/26/2010
Miles Burghoff has checked in with his second "Sonar Sound-Off" column, this one chronicling his experiences at the Bassmaster Classic. To read it, click here.

More VanDam radio 2/25/2010
A 30-minute radio interview with Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin Van Dam will be broadcast on California-based Ultimate Bass Radio on Saturday morning at 5 a.m. PST (8 a.m. EST). The show is hosted by longtime tournament pro Kent Brown and is the only all-bass fishing radio show in the West.

Fans can catch Ultimate Bass on the Internet at www.ultimatebassradio.com, where each show is archived and streamed live from the KHTK Sports 1140 studio.

“Kevin is such a great ambassador of our sport and very generous with his time," said Brown. "It's always such a pleasure to spend a little time with him. We even get to spend some time with Mark Zona from the Bassmaster TV show and Kevin’s fishing buddy."

Ultimate Bass will give away a KVD-autographed Strike King Crankbait (sexy shad) to one listener to the live show.

Indiana Fed Nation honored 2/25/2010
The Berkley Conservation Institute (BCI) awarded the Indiana BASS Federation Nation (IBFN) the annual Berkley Angler Recruitment Award. The award, worth $1,500 in fishing tackle, was presented at the BASS Federation Nation awards banquet Feb. 21 in Birmingham, Ala. BASS conservation director Chris Horton made the announcement.

The inaugural “Hoosier Outdoor Experience” at Fort Harrison State Park in September 2009 drew 13,300 participants. The event included 1 day dedicated to elementary school students, followed by a 2-day program of activities for the general public. There was no charge for attending the program and children and adults both enjoyed learning about fishing, hunting, kayaking, camping, conservation and dozens of other outdoor activities.

“The IBFN provided 10 volunteers for youth fishing on Saturday, Sept. 26th,” said Jill Snyder, IBFN conservation director. “We had a continual stream of young anglers, many who had never fished before. They learned how to bait a hook, cast and how to take a fish off the hook. We’re already making plans to double our efforts for the 2010 event this fall.”

“The Indiana BASS Federation Nation and their commitment to recruit more anglers, especially youth anglers, is to be commended,” said BCI conservation director Jim Martin. “These club members instill the very values of stewardship in our environment the Berkley Conservation Institute endorses. It is my privilege, along with the Berkley Conservation Institute, to honor the Indiana BASS Federation Nation with our Berkley Angler Recruitment Award.”

Rod deal for Bohannan 2/25/2010

“Razr Rods is extremely excited to have Greg on our pro staff,” said president Rick La Point. “He's been a friend for years and we are excited to have him on board. His fishing talent is high-caliber and we look forward to the future.

"Greg’s reputation as a Christian and devoted family man has impressed me and my staff. His character and integrity is a notch above the field. I look forward to a strong and long relationship with Greg.”

Said Bohannan: "I'm excited about the opportunity to work with Razr Rods and Rick LaPoint. They feature a light, sensitive, high-quality rod at a very affordable price. They also feature one of the best warranties in the business.

"Their unique Kevlar scrim cloth with the 58 million-modulus graphite makes for an extremely strong product and their new E-glass series is an awesome cranking rod.”

The company plans to release Greg Bohannan signature series E-glass crankbait and football jig rods later this year.

Make way for Australian star 2/25/2010

The-25-year-old recently dominated Australia's Bass Megabucks event on Lake Glenbawn in New South Wales – a 6,500-acre impoundment loaded with Australian bass. Fishing with partner Tim Morgan on Team Humminbird, the two ran a deep-water pattern, fishing through submerged treetops in the clear water.

"It was an insane bite – we'd drop jighead-rigged, paddle-tailed plastics literally through these old trees," explained Jocumsen (on the right in photo). "And if the bass didn't eat the lure on the drop, they'd engulf it on the way back through as we slow-rolled it."

Fishing 4- and 6-pound braided line with 6- and 8-pound fluororcarbon shock leaders, the pair battled the bass on light spinning tackle.

"If we went heavier, the fish were reluctant to bite. So naturally, we lost a lot fish and a lot of baits."

The team pocketed $7,900 ($7,100 U.S.) for their efforts. Undoubtedly Jocumsen will stash it away to help fund his shot at the U.S. scene – he plans to compete there more in the near future.

HOF: Jacobs' induction speech 2/24/2010
Through a tumultuous year that included the Genmar bankruptcy and significant sponsor loss at FLW Outdoors, Irwin Jacobs never formally addressed the sport or the industry as a whole. Tuesday before the Bassmaster Classic, he was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, and it has to be viewed as an important moment in the sport's history.

Jacobs's induction speech was short (about 8 minutes), very good, and quite humble. Bass Cat recently posted his speech on its Facebook page. To watch, click here.

KVD on call-in show 2/24/2010
Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam will be the featured guest on this Sunday's All Outdoors Radio Network broadcast on KCBQ 1170 AM in San Diego. The show can be heard live on the Internet by going to www.alloutdoorsradio.com and clicking the "Listen Live" button on the home page.

Hosts Ed Zieralski, Corey Sanden and Capt. John Grabowski will have Mustad's Steve Tagami in studio and VanDam will join via telephone, taking calls and answering questions from the listening audience. The show airs from 4-6 p.m. PST and the toll-free call-in number is (888) 344-1170.

Tagami will discuss new Mustad products, including the KVD Triple Grip Elite Treble Hooks that VanDam used on his rattlebaits to win the Classic. The phone lines will open at 4:45 and VanDam is scheduled to be on the air from 5:00 to 5:45.

There will be only one commercial break during VanDam's segment. Each caller who gets on the air and those left on hold at the end of the second hour will receive a pack of the Triple Grip Treble Hooks.

PAA registration on now 2/24/2010

Registration for anglers among the Top 100 in the 2009 PAA Tournament Series points standings who plan to sign up for all four 2010 10 events will taken through Friday (Feb. 26). Registration for other anglers on the points list begins March 1.

This is the first of four registration periods for anglers who wish to participate this season. Tournament entry fees are $2,500 per event with a $750 deposit per event.

Tournaments this season will include PAA member observers who will have chances to win prizes based on their pro’s performance, as well as a chance to compete in an all new Pro-Am format on Saturday. Details of both programs will be announced soon.

Here's the schedule for the season:

> July 8-10 – Lake Cherokee – Morristown, Tenn.
> Aug. 12-14 – Lake Norman – Charlotte, N.C.
> Sept. 9-11 – Lake Tawakoni – Garland, Texas
> Oct. 14-16 – Table Rock Lake – Branson, Mo.

BGE forms team 2/24/2010

Comprised of four professional Elite Series anglers – Tucker, Bradley Hallman, Chris Lane and Bobby Lane – the Egglites will promote the brand through apparel, truck and boat decals and personal appearances at Big Green Egg dealerships nationwide to help educate barbecue aficionados on the benefits of the Egg. The team also will share fishing tips and Big Green Egg grilling secrets at Elite Series events this season.

“Our partnership with J. Todd really exceeded our expectations last year, and nothing could please us more than to welcome the members of Tucker Team Egglites to the Big Green Egg family," said marketing manager Jodi Burson. "The Egglites are already off to a great start, and we look forward to following Chris, Bobby and Bradley through an exciting tournament season."

Said Tucker: “I’m proud to be a part of such a great group of Elite Anglers representing the elite outdoor cooker – The Big Green Egg. Great fishing and great grilling go hand in hand, and we’re out to prove it in 2010."

Berkley trailer to Tennessee 2/23/2010

The trailer has new videos and interactive demonstrations on line and bait. The Berkley Experience Team will present seminars scheduled throughout the day to cover the four main components of fishing: line selection, rigging techniques for bait, reel maintenance and rod selection.

Each stop has special retail promotions on line, bait, rods, reels and combos only available while the trailer is at the location.

“We are excited about having the Experience Trailer on the road in 2010 and stopping at many new locations across the country,” said senior marketing manager Andrew Marks. "Our Experience Trailer staff is ready to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”

Other elements include a knot-tying contest and demonstration, where participants can learn new knots and even win a prize. Under the tent, there will be racks filled with the latest products and big screen videos that help you experience the adventure with Berkley. The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to answer questions.

The trailer's next stop will be at the Bass Pro Shops store in Concord, N.C. from March 5-7.

Dyer part of new book 2/23/2010

Other featured playmakers include: Bill Belichick, Larry Bird, Bobby Bowden,
Bear Bryant, Truett Cathy, Tony Dungy, Lou Holtz, Michael Jordan, Archie Manning, Reggie White, Vince Lombardi, Wayne Huizenga and John Wooden, among others.

The book is available at the usual outlets. To learn more from the publisher's site, click here.

Big Bite look-back 2/21/2010

2010 Bassmaster Classic – Lay Lake, Ala.

Many BassFans felt that Florida pro Terry Scroggins would have a strong Classic. Lay Lake is filled with quality fish and there's lots of flipping to be had. When the flipping bite's on at lay, a 20- to 25-pound sack is a real possibility.

It wasn't to be and Scroggins finished 26th – first out of the day-2 cut.

Truth is, the flipping bite at Lay was totally dead – a function of the ultra-cold water temperatures. That surprised nearly everyone, since the skies where high and clear, winds light to non-existent and daily temperatures stretched into the 60s.

"Looking back, I wouldn't really have done anything differently," Scroggins said. "I missed a few key fish, and when you fish against these guys, you can't do that. It was missed opportunities that kept me out of the cut.

"All the conditions came into play," he added. "The weather was steadily changing, but what really hurt the flipping bite more than anything was they lowered the water level in the lake overnight. With it getting warmer, you'd think the fish would move up in the grass when the water level fell, but they didn't push up there."

Scroggins will spend the final day of the Classic visiting his sponsors' booths at the Classic Outdoor Expo.

KVD's Spinnerbait Guide 2/19/2010

It's a heavy-duty, weatherproof card, so you can keep it anywhere in your boat. It selects a spinnerbait based on water temperature, water clarity, forage base and skies. Using that data it recommends a head weight, body profile, blade style and color, as well as skirt color. The card provides two recommendations per condition – one for 10 feet of water or less, the other for 10-feet-plus.

It's pretty slick and it's the same system KVD has used for years.

He's also selling the FishStick, which is a scent product that's incredibly powerful. It really smells, and it comes in a stick so it can be used on hardbaits.

His other product is called the Shark Tooth line-management tool. It's a stretch band that fits around a spool of line but lets you neatly strip line off.

The products are only available at the Outdoor Expo or on KevinVanDam.com.

Tak in the Times 2/19/2010
The New York Times published a piece today on 2004 Bassmaster Classic champion Takahiro Omori and his arduous journey to the upper echelon of bass fishing. To read it, click here.

Confront the cold 2/19/2010
Conditions for the Bassmaster Classic practice probably sounded familiar to a lot of BassFans. It's been a wicked winter and water everywhere is frigid. What should you do when faced with such conditions? Classic competitor Mark Tucker offers his tips on how to confront the cold and mud today on the Catch More Fish page. Tidbit: Line size often does matter in cold, muddy water.

Horton offers trip 2/19/2010

The winner will fish with Horton on famed Pickwick Lake in northwest Alabama, his home water and one of the world’s best for giant smallmouth bass. Horton guided on the Tennessee River impoundment prior to becoming a professional angler and still hones his skills on the legendary reservoir. In addition to the trip, the winning new PAA member will also take home a sponsor prize pack valued at over $250, which includes a Carrot Stix Rod, US Reel, Bass Pro Shops gift card and PAA merchandise.

PAA membership forms with discounted fees, only for this week, will be available in the PAA membership booth of the lounge area in the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex during the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo. PAA representatives will be available to assist fans and interested anglers.

Additionally, a PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series kiosk will be located within the BPS booth in the expo’s sponsor area. That kiosk will also have information about the PAA, including upcoming tournaments and events.

The drawing for the fishing trip with Horton will be held Sunday at 3 p.m., and everyone who joins the PAA at the Classic is automatically entered for a chance to win. The winner doesn’t have to be present to claim the prizes.

The runner-up in the drawing will receive a PAA Member Observer Package for the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series event of their choice. This package includes a 3-day Member Observer experience at no charge, along with complimentary lodging and PAA Membership.

A daily drawing will be held for a prize pack to include a Carrot Stix Rod and US Reel combo, along with a BPS gift card and PAA merchandise. The daily prize pack drawings are open to everyone who registers, and contestants can register for these drawings without a PAA membership.

A variety of PAA anglers, including current president John Crews and legends Guido Hibdon and Jimmy Houston, will be making appearances at both booths throughout the weekend.

Membership prices will be discounted to $40 for a general membership, $135 for the advantage membership and $375 for the tour membership in conjunction with Classic festivities.

How many limits? 2/18/2010
BassFan surveyed some Bassmaster Classic anglers to get their predictions on how many anglers will weigh a limit on day 1. We also asked them to predict how many would bring an empty bag to the stage.

For their responses, click here.

Classic: big changes? 2/18/2010
The weather forecast for the Birmingham, Ala. area has changed, and it could have a major effect on the Bassmaster Classic. Basically, showers are no longer in the forecast for Saturday and mostly sunny conditions are expected for all 3 days of competition.

The question everyone's been asking all week is whether the water could warm sufficiently to put fish on the feed. If the fish did become active, that would widen the strike zone considerably – a huge factor in muddy water. With lots of sun now in the forecast for Saturday, and an overnight low of 41, that could be just enough to ignite a bite on Sunday and create some last-minute, big-fish heroics.

Murray checks in 2/18/2010

To read his full practice report, click here to go On Tour With the BassFan Big Sticks.

Duckett's monster: oops! 2/18/2010

Duckett told BassFan he was fishing a jig on a ledge. He got a few taps, dragged the jig along a little further, felt a few more taps and figured it was a little spotted bass. "I'm going to jack this thing," he thought out loud, then set the hook. He instantly felt weight and figured it was a drum.

"It went this way and shook its head, it went that way and shook its head, I just dragged it up toward the surface until it felt like it was going to break the line. When it came to the surface, water exploded and it started thrashing all over the place. My heart dropped into my stomach – it was a bass. It rushed around the front of the boat and I was following it, trying to keep everything down low so nobody could see.

"I bent down to grab it, flipped it over one way to take a look, flipped it over the other way and thought, 'I'll be darned, this is a 10-pound bass. I need to weigh this thing.'"

He got the fish into the boat and kept it as low as possible. He got out the scale, raised the scale just high enough to weigh the fish, and at that moment Todd Faircloth came zooming around the corner.

The monster weighed 10-05.

"That's the biggest bass I've ever caught in Lay, and you rarely hear about 10-pounders here at all," Duckett said. "I hope there's more down there, but I sure would have liked to catch that fish (during competition)."

Another Red River Classic 2/18/2010

A single venue hosting multiple Classics certainly isn't new. Lay Lake has been the site of multiple Classics, as has High Rock and other sites. Many pointed out today, however, that BASS's February Classic scheduling does limit its choice of venues to the extreme southern states as well as California.

As well, a Red River Classic in February does come with some risk, as the river is subject to wild fluctuations that time of year. Case in point: FLW Outdoors was forced to cancel its Red River FLW Tour last weekend due to dangerous water conditions.

But the Red River is widely regarded as a great fan venue – crowds were huge at last year's Classic and positive energy flowed throughout the environs.

The 2011 Classic will be held at the Louisiana Delta.

BASS also announced that its Elite Series post-season would return to the same two lakes that determined the 2009 BASS Angler of the Year – Lake Jordan and the Alabama River, both in Alabama. Last year's post-season occurred in September, but this year's post-season is scheduled for July 24–31.

About the Classic announcement, BASS VP and GM Tom Ricks stated: "BASS is excited about returning in 2012 to Louisiana and Shreveport-Bossier City for the Bassmaster Classic – the world's most prestigious fishing event. We're pleased to partner again with the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority in bringing fans worldwide another blockbuster Bassmaster Classic."

Shreveport Regional Sports Authority executive director Mary Ann Tice said: "Shreveport-Bossier City is ecstatic to once again host the fabulous Bassmaster Classic. Our community thoroughly enjoyed and was extremely proud being the host of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic and will once again wrap the arms of our community around the Classic. The Sports Authority is proud to be a partner with ESPN/BASS and the Classic sponsors, and we obviously love the anglers and welcome them with open arms back to the mighty Red River and the crown jewel of sportsman's paradise – Shreveport-Bossier City."

The wives speak 2/18/2010
Longtime fishing industry public-relations specialists Gary and Crystal Dollahon have distributed some excellent releases in the week leading up to the Bassmaster Classic. Their program, called "Classic Insight," provided info from Classic anglers who are on the pro staffs of some of the companies they represent, including Plano, Jewel, Sebile and Gene Larew.

On Valentine's Day, they switched things up a little bit and interviewed some of the anglers' wives. We thought the piece was unique and interesting enough to repoduce here.

Stefanie Kriet (Jeff Kriet)

Dollahon Public Relations: We know Jeff as the "class clown" when we see him at fishing events. Seems he always has a funny story to tell and a crowd around listening. Is he this way at home, or just when he's in the fishing circle? Also, we remember him being somewhat superstitious and wondering if you share in those, especially during Classic week?

Stefanie: Oh, that's Jeff all the time – he's definitely that way around the house. We have a 14-year-old daughter and when her friends come over they're always asking, "Is your dad here?" knowing there will be some entertainment if he is. If her answer is no, their response is often, "Heck, guess I picked the wrong weekend to visit." That could give me a complex, you know? While he's known for his pranks, he saves those for the guys and doesn't pull any on me.

Am I superstitious? No, not at all. We both know that Jeff has enough of those for all of us.

Stacy McClelland (Mike McClelland)

DPR: We've been around Mike quite a bit over the years and also see him on the TV coverage he gets, and he always appears to have the same demeanor, whether catching them or not, being a "steady Eddie" type of guy. Is that the same Mike McClelland you know?

Stacy: What you see is what you get. That is the real Mike McClelland. He's quite level headed and even-keeled all the time. He's always wanting to please everybody and rarely loses his cool. Fishing is an important part of our entire family. I love to fish, and we enjoy fishing as a family during the summer, with six lakes within 10 miles of our home (Arkansas).

Kerry Short (Kevin Short)

DPR: Okay, the pink thing has really worked well for Kevin in his boat wrap and fishing jersey, to the point that his nickname has become K-Pink. So what's the real story behind the color choice?

Kerry: Honestly, it was just because Kevin was needing a color for his boat wrap, a requirement that came with the original introduction of the Bassmaster Elite Series a few years back. We looked and studied what everybody else was doing and they looked so much alike in the common reds, whites, greens and blues that we really wanted to do something different to distinguish him from the others. One day when he came home wearing his pinkish, salmon-colored Farm Bureau-logoed work shirt, I said, "Pink," as he walked through the door.

"Pink what?" he said.

I explained that pink was the color he needed for his wrap and shirt. When we started looking for help in the design, I actually became interested in graphic design, developed his boat wrap and turned it into my career. It works out well because I can be mobile and do my job and travel with him. That's important to us both.

Sharron Biffle (Tommy Biffle)

DPR: As you know, we both had to work pretty hard to convince Tommy to get into the bathtub with his fishing clothes on and play with his "Biffle-O" for the Gene Larew TV commercial that ran on one of the ESPN fishing programs. Once he finally got into the tub and started pulling that bait around, he became quite the ham. You had to have had some interesting discussions with him that day. Care to share?

Sharron: Well, you know he can be hard-headed, but he also has a great sense of humor so he appreciated the concept of the commercial. He was just a little nervous about how it would actually look, and he was somewhat concerned with how much fun the other pros would have in giving him a hard time about it. I told him he had to trust you guys because he and I both knew you had his best interest at heart. When he reluctantly left the house and was headed out the door to meet you guys to film it he said, "You do know I have to be in the bathtub with two naked models to shoot this, right?" and was gone.

I'll have to admit I wasn't sure if he was joking or not, and then remembered what I had said about needing to trust you guys. The commercial was funny and he really did enjoy doing it. Did he get teased? Of course, but that's good for him.

Biffle's bathtub commercial is shown below.

Sherry VanDam (Kevin VanDam)

DPR: You're married to the top-ranked bass pro in the world, you are his business partner and manager, you help maintain his schedule throughout the week, plus you have twin boys who become teenagers the day after this Classic ends. So our question is, how do you know what hat to wear when?

Sherry: Just like Kevin has to be versatile on the water, I have to be the same way on this end, too. It's simply a matter of doing what you've got to do. Classic week is unbelievably busy and it's ever-changing from hour to hour. Lots of really wonderful things happening with this one – it's Kevin's 20th Classic so that's a big one, Jackson and Nicholas turn 13, and we have family members who come together at this time.

We do try to have a family night to celebrate the boys' birthdays while we're here, but we also have our big family celebration for them during the Memorial Day weekend because that's when they originally came home from the hospital. This is a big week for Kevin, and neither his parents nor I have missed one of his Classics. I'm very proud of him.

Lay Lake: rare sight 2/18/2010

The other spinning reel we saw was in the hands of Kota Kiriyama. It looked like he was at Lake Erie – finesse-fishing below the boat in relatively deep water with an eye always on the electronics.

Has Kota figured out a way to finesse the deeper spotted bass that everyone else has deemed uncatchable? We'll know Friday.

Another one-shot for McClelland 2/18/2010

That marks the second time McClelland signed a high-profile, short-term deal. The first was back in June 2008, when he ran a Tahoe Smokeless wrap for the Kentucky Lake Elite Series event. Tahoe wanted to target-market that geographic region, so it made sense for them to do a short-term package with McClelland. The Tahoe deal was actually extended by one event when BASS canceled the Mississippi River and moved the field to Old Hickory.

"I signed a little deal with Hefty for the Classic and I'm promoting their OneZip product," McClelland told BassFan. "We're working toward trying to get something together for the rest of the year."

When asked about his strategy of signing short-term contracts, he noted: "I figure it's a good way to give them a taste of what it's all about. I seem to have figured out how to put some deals together. It may not be long-term initially, but it's with the attempt to make it that way. Hopefully a deal will come together."

> McClelland's wrap is shown to right. In the bottom photo, McClelland shows how he uses Hefty OneZip Big Bags for dry stow in his boat.

Koppers signs Browning, Velvick 2/17/2010

"We're very excited about our new relationships with Byron and Stephen," said Koppers pro staff manager Victor Cook. "Both are solid anglers with great reputations in the BASS arena. They're at the top of the game and we're positioned to show the industry our intentions to participate. Stephen and Byron are truly excited about our line and we feel they will represent our brand with passion and dignity."

Said Browning: I'm really excited about their product line and impressed with the
Koppers organization. They are on the cusp of something big and I look forward to growing with them."

Added Velvick: "I became familiar with the LiveTarget line during the back half of the '09 Series. I immediately fell in love with them. Bottom line – they flat-out catch fish."

Two deals for Stone 2/17/2010

TTI-Blakemore is a conglomerate of 10 companies offering an array of fishing products. Stone will represent Daiichi, XPoint and Bleeding Bait hooks and Real Magic line lubricant and conditioner.

“I’ve been buying Daiichi trebles as replacements hooks for my crankbaits for years,” he said. “My hook-up-to-landing ratio for stock trebles on crankbaits used to be about 50 to 60 percent. When I started putting Daiichi trebles on my crankbaits, it went to over 90 percent and I’ve been a loyal Daiichi user ever since.”

Said TTI-Blakemore product manager T.J. Stallings: “We’re certainly happy to have Marty on board. He has been a Daiichi and XPoint user for a long time. I’ve been keeping him in hooks for 10 years. And in that time he has also become quite a fan of our Bleeding Bait Hooks and Real Magic.

“Marty has always been loyal to our products and now he’s officially part of our team. We look forward to working with him on researching new products in the future.”

With Buckeye, Stone joins a pro staff that features Davy Hite, Anthony Gagliardi and Tom Mann Jr.

“We’re excited that Marty has teamed up with us,” said Buckeye president Jeremy Altman. “He is a perfect fit for the Buckeye brand because of his reputation as a quality person, his industry expertise, his solid fishing résumé and his strong stage and media presence.”

Stone’s first contribution to the Buckeye line of jigs will be his own custom colors.

“The design and construction of Buckeye’s jigs are perfect, from the tie-point to the hook to the overall balance,” he said. “The only things I can suggest are some unique skirt colors that work well in other parts of the country.”

Big Flipstah giveaway 2/17/2010
Booyah Bait Company announced that it will give away Flipstah Flippin' and Pitchin' Games to the first 5,000 people who visit the Booyah booth at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo. There's a limit of one per family.

To receive the game, valued at $49.99, attendees must provide a valid email address to the Booyah staff. The address will be added to the LureNet.com database, and those consumers will receive early notice of special sales events at the website, which is the home for all of Pradco Fishing's brands (Booyah, Yum, Bomber, Rebel, Heddon, X-Calibur. etc.). Each attendee will also receive a one-time use coupon for $25 off their first $100 order at LureNet.com.

On Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m., a drawing will be held in which three prizes valued at $500 each will be given away. The prizes will be Booyah baits on Saturday and YUM soft plastics on Sunday.

Attendees can check the daily schedule at the booth for appearances by Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Edwin Evers, Tim Horton, Matt Reed and Zell Rowland.

McAlexander with RBFF 2/16/2010

What’s more, so many of them are multitasking – texting while listening to music and surfing the web – and they pack nearly 11 hours of media content into that 7 1/2 hours. RBFF thinks there’s never been a better time to reach kids where they are and get them back outside.

“The core mission of RBFF is simple – to encourage participation in boating and fishing,” said RBFF president and CEO Frank Peterson. “We believe that engaging parents and getting kids interested in the sport are some of the best ways we can fulfill that mission."

McAlexander, a past president of the Purdue University Bass Fishing Club, works for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. As a die-hard angler, he hand-makes his own fishing lures and has his own casting technique called “shooter,” which involves bending the rod back in a slingshot-like fashion.

He's also the spokesperson for N Gage Outfitters, a new lifestyle product brand that positions fishing as an exciting, extreme sport for youth. A portion of every N Gage product purchase will go toward the Take Me Fishing campaign

Bassmaster Classic attendees can meet McAlexander at the RBFF booth from 3 to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 19 and 20). He will also be involved in activities before the final weigh-in on Sunday, Feb. 21 from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Attendees will be able to purchase the N Gage product line before it’s available in retail stores.

For more about the Take Me Fishing campaign, click here.

Facts of Fishing this week 2/16/2010
Facts of Fishing FYI and its off-the-wall host, Dave Mercer, are hitting the road. For the first time, the online fishing news show will shoot on location at this year's Bassmaster Classic. A new FYI show will be shot and will air each day of the Classic, keeping fishing fans at home up to date with everything as it happens – or at least as Dave sees it – which are often two different things.

As if that's not enough, Dave will also be posting almost hourly video reports through TwitVid and on his site, www.FactsofFishing.com. As for the fishing fans attending the Classic; if you see Dave, don't be shy – say hi. Who knows, maybe you'll find yourself on FYI.

One more for Ike 2/16/2010

Effective immediately, Ike will endorse Molix spinnerbaits, bladebaits and spoons.

It might turn out to be a savvy signing for Molix, considering that Lay Lake (site of the Classic) is currently experiencing a massive shad kill due to cold weather, and nothing imitates a dying shad better than a spoon or blade.

Molix is based in Italy. BassFans first heard about the company when it named Randy Howell to its pro staff several years ago.

"I first met Mike in 1999 during the BASS Federation tournament on the Red River and we still remain good friends," said Molix GM Stefano Sammarchi. "He shares with us the same strong values based on respect for the environment, dedication and passion for fishing. Furthermore, his slogan 'Never Give Up' represents exactly the spirit of all Molix's staff, so we immediately found a strong feeling with him."

Ike noted: "Spinnerbaits, bladebaits, and spoons have always been a critical part of my tournament fishing arsenal. Since back in my early club days, I've always had a hard time finding the perfect spinnerbait for all situations. With Molix, I finally have a line of metal and wire baits with all of the attributes I need to catch fish consistently."

Berkley trailer at Classic 2/16/2010

The trailer has new videos and interactive demonstrations on line and bait. The Berkley Experience Team will present seminars scheduled throughout the day to cover the four main components of fishing: line selection, rigging techniques for bait, reel maintenance and rod selection.

Each stop has special retail promotions on line, bait, rods, reels and combos only available while the trailer is at the location.

“We are excited about having the Experience Trailer on the road in 2010 and stopping at many new locations across the country,” said senior marketing manager Andrew Marks. "Our Experience Trailer staff is ready to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”

Other elements include a knot-tying contest and demonstration, where participants can learn new knots and even win a prize. Under the tent, there will be racks filled with the latest products and big screen videos that help you experience the adventure with Berkley. The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to answer questions.

The trailer's next stop will be at the Bass Pro Shops store in Kodak, Tenn. from Feb. 26-28.

Murphy signs with Denali 2/16/2010

“Denali is extremely excited to have Michael on our pro staff,” said president Scott Estes. “Michael Murphy’s talents as a professional angler are obvious, but that is just the tip of the iceberg when you are talking about Michael’s credentials.

Michael has grown up in this industry on several fronts, and along the way has built a rock solid reputation for himself based on character and integrity, and we look forward to supporting him both now and far into the future.”

Denali plans to release a Michael Murphy signature jerkbait and topwater rod in the near future.

“I am excited about the opportunity that Denali Rods and Scott Estes has made available for me," Murphy said. "They stand behind their products with their warranty, and I am amazed at how light, sensitive, and functional these rods are at such an affordable price."

Berkley re-ups with BASS 2/15/2010

“BASS and Berkley have for decades been leaders in promoting bass fishing and conservation,” said Pure Fishing (Berkley's parent company) senior marketing director John Bartow.“Our baits and line have played major roles in the evolution of bass fishing. Our Classic champions, winners of Angler of the Year awards, tournament victors and dominant team performances have all contributed to the growth of the sport and we are excited to continue our sponsorship in the BASS programs.”

BASS and Berkley will also feature a contingency program for the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series. The Elite angler who weighs the heaviest daily limit of fish during each event will receive $500.

The Berkley pro staff includes legendary pros such as Mike Iaconelli and Skeet Reese, each a former winner of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and the Bassmaster Classic, along with 2007 Classic champion Boyd Duckett.

“Berkley’s leadership position in the industry is underscored by its dedication to anglers at all levels,” said BASS VP and GM Tom Ricks. “BASS’ long-standing agreement with Berkley is an alignment of two powerful brands with similar missions: to help people catch more fish.”

BFL postponements 2/14/2010
FLW Outdoors postponed two BFL events due to severe weather.

The North Carolina BFL at Norman, previously scheduled for yesterday, is now TBA.

The Bama opener was delayed 1 day from yesterday to today due to a snowstorm.

B'Ham weather: frigid 2/14/2010
It's been a hard, cold Bassmaster Classic pre-practice these past few days. Several inches of snow fell on Friday, and although the sun eventually crept out this weekend, air temperatures remained arctic-like and the water's still in low- to mid-40s and muddy. Yuck.

BassFan will report on the official pre-practice over the next few days, and will publish its Classic Scouting Report on Wednesday night, shortly after the pros complete their final day of official practice.

For those unfamiliar with the Classic practice and competition format, here's how it lays out:

Friday, Feb. 12 -- Pre-practice
Saturday, Feb. 13 -- Pre-practice
Sunday, Feb. 14 -- Pre-practice
Monday, Feb. 15 -- Off
Tuesday, Feb. 16 -- Off
Wednesday, Feb. 17 -- Official practice
Thursday, Feb. 18 -- Off
Friday, Feb. 19 -- Competition
Saturday, Feb. 20 -- Competition
Sunday, Feb. 21 -- Competition

To help frame the week's weather outlook, here's the weather forecast for Classic week:

> Mon., Feb. 15 - Partly Cloudy - 34°/27°
- Wind: From the W at 12 mph

> Tues., Feb. 16 - Mostly Cloudy - 28°/29°
- Wind: From the W/NW at 11 mph

> Wed., Feb. 17 - Cloudy, Overnight Snow/Rain - 48°/31°
- Wind: From the SW at 10 mph

> Thur., Feb. 18 - Mostly Sunny - 50°/31°
- Wind: From the W/NW at 7 mph

> Fri., Feb. 19 - Partly Cloudy, Overnight Snow/Rain - 48°/31°
- Wind: From the SW at 10 mph

> Sat., Feb. 20 - Partly Cloudy - 48°/31°
- Wind: From the SW at 10 mph

> Sun., Feb. 21 - Partly Cloudy - 46°/36°
- Wind: From the NW at 7 mph

Got your skiddin' stick? 2/13/2010

It shows a Kinami Palm Tree riding on the surface despite the presence of a substantial bullet weight. You've probably figured it out already, but if you click on the photo to view a larger version, you'll clearly see that it's sitting atop a layer of ice.

Kennedy had tried to flip the bait into the grass below, but it never made it to the vegetation. The Palm Tree is a pretty versatile bait, but he was unable to entice any bites while skidding it across the ice.

Forecasts call for overnight low temperatures in the Birmingham area to remain at or below the freezing mark through Wednesday. BassFan will begin publishing practice reports from the field on Monday.

Two for Crews 2/13/2010

Crews announced the deal himself and noted: "Lunker Sauce is a great product. I can tell you a number of stories where I saw a difference when using it. I promise all my soft plastics will be on the Sauce, and now, the gels can be used on hard-plastic baits like my Spro Little Johns.

"Vicious is making a quality product at prices that real people can afford," he added. "They make a sweet fluorocarbon, a fantastic mono and an awesome braid. Anglers can now go to one company and get a great line for any application without getting confused. The best part is that the company is privately owned by a wonderful family – not a big corporation that's strictly profit-driven."

Little Falls, big worries 2/13/2010

A few years ago, Brunswick's plant employed as many as 400 people, but during the recession that number was trimmed to about 180. Then Brunswick announced it would close the plant and shift aluminum production of Crestliner and Triton to other locations.

And the fact that Larson and Glastron were being sold at the Genmar bankruptcy auction certainly strained nerves in the community. But the immediate future of the Larson plant, which was down to about 200 workers from a high of 800, was recently secured when Irwin Jacobs purchased the plant back from Platinum Equity in order to manufacture some Genmar brands he now owns – namely Larson and FinCraft. Additionally, many expect Jacobs to also purchase the Champion bass-boat brand back from Platinum.

Jacobs and his investment partner John Paul DeJoria, doing business as J&D Acquisitions, recently secured a $7.4 million financing package to invest in the plant.

There's optimism in Little Falls that at least 170 jobs are now likely secure at the Larson plant, and that more workers could be called back if and when the economy improves.

Many communities in northern Minnesota are currently facing unemployment rates in the 13% to 18% range.

North and south 2/12/2010

To read all the new contest entries, head on over to the Abu Garcia For Life! contest page.

Does your Abu Garcia reel have some mileage? Then why not enter it in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest? Show us your "classic" or well-used Abu and you might win a new one. Click here to submit a picture of the reel, as well as a detailed story or two about its history. Entries must include a photo of the reel and are judged each month based on content, detail and theme.

For technical questions or problems with entry submissions, send an email to editorial@bassfan.com.

One great bargain 2/12/2010

"The real beauty of that reel is that it was affordable at a time when I couldn't afford to buy a lot of equipment," the resident of Kalama, Wash. said.

His entry was the winner among those published in January in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest hosted by BassFan in the Catch More Fish section. He's chosen to receive a new Abu Garcia Revo SX as his prize.

He couldn't recall any trophy fish caught on that particular reel, but did remember a time when he was using it at Caddo Lake on the Texas/Louisiana border, fishing among some cypress trees, and a bolt of lightning struck one of the trees. "That was pretty unusual," he said.

To read Shofner's winning entry, as well as other stories about and pictures of Abu Garcia reels, visit the Abu Garcia For Life! contest page.

And remember, you too could win a brand new reel. All it takes is a few minutes to enter.

Does your Abu Garcia reel have some mileage? Then why not enter it in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest? Show us your "classic" or well-used Abu and you might win a new one. Click here to submit a picture of the reel, as well as a detailed story or two about its history. Entries must include a photo of the reel and are judged each month based on content, detail and theme.

For technical questions or problems with entry submissions, send an email to editorial@bassfan.com.

Yamaha does deal 2/11/2010

With the Genmar bankruptcy now in the past, Yamaha renewed its sponsorship of FLW Outdoors. The news was announced today, and 2010 will mark Yamaha's 10th consecutive season as an FLW Outdoors sponsor.

Yamaha will serve as co-engine-sponsor with Evinrude.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed and a contingency award was not announced (although a contingency program could be forthcoming).

FLW Outdoors chief marketing officer and senior VP Trisha Blake said: "Yamaha's commitment to quality and cutting-edge technology has made them a leader in our industry. FLW Outdoors is proud to once again align itself with Yamaha and continue to build upon our longstanding partnership during the 2010 season."

Yamaha Marine Group marketing division manager Dale Barnes noted: "We're pleased to be a sponsor of FLW Outdoors. Our relationship with FLW Outdoors gives us a great opportunity to showcase our game-changing new outboard – the VMAX SHO."

Cast for Cash at Classic 2/11/2010

“The Cast for Cash event has been a big hit of the Classic for some time now,” said Berkley senior director of marketing John Bartow. “It is a fun opportunity for anyone to have a chance to claim a very large sum of money and the crowd simply loves it.

"Everyone at the final weigh in has an equal chance to Cast for Cash, and hopefully someone will walk out of the arena $100,000 richer. Berkley is proud to give this opportunity to the Bassmaster Classic weigh in audience.”

The participant will be given his/her choice of a Berkley/Abu Garcia spincast, spinning or baitcast rod/reel combination spooled with Berkley Trilene fishing line. Renowned angler and television host Hank Parker will provide the individual with a one-on-one practice session to become better acquainted with the tackle for the best chance to win the $100,000 prize. The actual cast will be made during a break in the weigh-in, in front of thousands of angling fans.

Berkley, an official sponsor of the Classic, will have a large booth with interactive demonstrations, bass tank with pro angler seminars and sales promotions at the event.

Wilks upgrades Secret Weapons 2/11/2010

“Secret Weapon challenged me to upgrade Assassinator’s performance – even the Clacker, a unique big-bass bait,” he said. “Each aspect of Pro Assassinator is first class, from strong, sharp Mustad hooks to wire diameter – everything is perfect.”

He retained the most popular Assassinator models while introducing new patterns like bull bream, natural shad, sunfish and his own Dustin's mud secret.

“We recruited Dustin not only for his fishing skills, but for his reputation for honesty,” said Secret Weapon president Joe Haubenreich. “He absolutely refuses to stretch the truth to promote a product, so we gave him free rein to make sure he was completely satisfied with our new Pro Assassinator line.”

Talon grabs McCaghren 2/11/2010

“I’m excited and looking forward to the opportunity to work with Talon Lures,” he said. “The Elite Series is highly competitive and I’m always looking for any available advantage; any little detail that will give me an edge. Talon Series baits will give me that advantage with a top-quality, custom product that’s built with attention to even the smallest details.”

Talon's lineup includes shakey-heads, spinnerbaits and several types of jigs.

“We’re so excited to welcome Billy to our Team Talon family," said Talon owner Andi Sanders. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Talon to work with an angler of Billy’s caliber. We are proud to have him represent our Talon and Shibui brands at the Elite Series level and look forward to a long and productive relationship.”

Smith & Hank 2/11/2010

Also, bass-fishing legend Hank Parker handpicks a grand-prize contestant each month. In addition, monthly "Elite Anglers" are chosen based on skill level to compete for the grand prize alongside monthly finalists. At the end of the year, the grand-prize winner is determined.

The 2009 grand-prize winner was recently announced, and it's Cheryl Smith of St. Charles, Ill., who won a fishing trip for two with Parker. She goes by the handle of Outdoorgirl1.

"I was up against a lot of great anglers on Berkley Big Fish," Smith said. "The website is so much fun, I can't get away from it. The voting and pictures that are submitted show that fishing is growing. Families and individuals still love to get outdoors and stay active."

Parker noted: "It's so good to have a website that's all positive. Everything about the outdoors should be all about being positive. BerkleyBigFish.com is for any angler wanting to share their story. Cheryl was the crown jewel out of the 22 anglers selected for the grand prize. She's held in high regard from her competitors and myself as well."

Swindle: Three deals 2/10/2010

One of his new deals is with Total Pain Solutions (TPS), a Fultondale, Ala.-based compounding pharmacy that produces custom topical pain-reducing medications for each individual patient. The company treats acute, chronic, and degenerative-type pain with special emphasis on workers and athletes.

Swindle, a former house-framer, endured five back surgeries between the ages of 21 and 35, and has had 10 bone spurs removed from his shoulders.

“Gerald uses our topical anti-inflammatory on his back and shoulders with a lot of success," said Grady Phillips of TPS. "He’s a great example of our ability to help people, and we strongly believe Gerald can serve as a great example to thousands of other anglers who suffer from back, elbow, shoulder and other pain that hinders their ability to fish and compete effectively."

He's also signed on with Sealy Outdoors, the producers of the renowned "Big Bass Splash" tournaments.

“Gerald’s a pro who relates extremely well to the grassroots angler," said Nicole Sealy. "His humor and compassion for everybody who shares his love of fishing is remarkable."

His expanded deal is with Wright & McGill – he'll play a bigger role in marketing the company's Trokar hooks.

“Those hooks are so sharp I’m having to use some of my new sponsor dollars to pay somebody to tie them on for me so I don’t cut myself,” he cracked.

Ike's knives, show sked 2/10/2010

“There is no personality that better defines competitive bass fishing today than Mike Iaconelli,” said SOG founder and CEO Spencer Frazer. “His energy, talent and dedication are primary drivers contributing to the growth of this sport.

"We are delighted to have Mike as our partner and look forward to combining his knowledge and insight into bass fishing with our experience in design to develop knives and tools that will enhance both the experience and success of those who share a passion for bass fishing. Like our brand, Mike is authentic. With his guidance, we’re excited to be increasing our presence in the bass fishing world.”

Said Iaconelli: “From an early age, I realized how important quality knives and tools specifically designed with the bass angler in mind were to success. SOG's dedication to quality, authenticity, innovation and the needs of the consumer have made them the leading brand among outdoorsmen and I am anxious to build their presence in the bass fishing world and to leverage their experience with my ideas for the types of knives and tools I have always dreamed of, but not been able to find.”

SOG was founded in 1986 by Frazer, a former tool and die-maker for the Top Secret Black Projects Division of the aerospace defense industry. SOG’s name was inspired by an elite joint services military unit – the Studies and Observation Group – formed in advance of the Vietnam War to conduct covert operations and sanctioned to develop and purchase their own weapons.

Also, the third season of Iaconelli's TV show, City Limits Fishing, kicks off Friday (Feb. 12) at 9 p.m. Eastern on the Versus Network. Here's a look at this season's schedule:

> Feb. 12 (Phoenix, Ariz.) – Iaconelli fishes one of the city's man-made lakes with fellow pro Brett Hite.

> Feb. 19 (Boston, Mass.) – Striped bass in Boston Harbor with friend Rich Armstrong.

> Feb. 26 (Pittsburgh, Pa.) – Pursuing bass on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.

> March 5 (Memphis, Tenn.) – Bass on the mighty Mississippi River.

> March 12 (Milwaukee, Wis.) – Monster brown trout in Milwaukee Harbor.

> March 26 (Jacksonville, Fla.) – A "saltwater slam" and redfish on the St. Johns River with guide Jim Anderson.

Kennedy: 'What'd they expect?' 2/10/2010

"I wasn't for it," he said of the cancellation. "Last year (when the Classic was held at the Red) everything was 4 or 5 inches under water and it was like a carnival ride – you couldn't move without hitting something. This year I took my aluminum boat all the way to the back of Bobo's and everything was so much easier to fish.

"I went all the way down to Pool 3 one day and with that much current, it was easy to read. Coming back, I just stayed on the inside bends and I went right over all the wing dams and all that stuff. It wasn't anything that would be all that unusual for the Red River in February."

He said he got a couple of practice bites at the back of Bobo's, which is where Boyd Duckett fished en route to the day-1 lead at last year's Classic. Skeet Reese's Classic-winning area, which was closer to the main channel, was unproductive for him.

He fished for awhile in Pool 4 on the day he made the long run downriver and got five bites in 30 minutes in one location.

"It was tougher, much tougher," he said in comparing the bite to a year ago. "But considering how much time I actually practiced and how much I spent riding, I didn't think it was all that bad. The experience from last year definitely helped."

He didn't think the conditions were overly dangerous.

"We go to a couple of places regularly that have that much current at the dam or more. Like the dam at Pickwick, where there's rocks sticking out everywhere, or the Niagara River there at Erie.

"My mother's 66 years old and a grandmother, and she's going rafting down the Colorado this year, where the average water temperature is 48 degrees. Some people pay good money to do that."

BASS captures Humminbird 2/10/2010

“Humminbird is very excited to support BASS and its tour anglers,” said business director Jeff Davison. “Side Imaging sonar has forever changed bass fishing, and as the innovation leaders who invented it, we’re committed to raising the bar yet again with technology that will help anglers catch more fish.”

The Eufaula, Ala.-based company recently signed a sponsorship deal with five-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam.

Said BASS VP and GM Tom Ricks: “Humminbird continues to deliver cutting-edge technology that anglers want while maintaining an outstanding quality and customer service reputation."

Niggemeyer's wrap 2/10/2010

Synergy produces a line of antimicrobial products for industrial, commercial and retail markets. “I am very excited about what Synergy Technologies is doing in the industry and blessed to join them in their efforts to bring the very best products to the people,” said Niggemeyer.

St Croix Rods and Niggemeyer’s 2009 boat-wrap sponsor, Bass Tackle Depot.com, will team up to provide the backdrop for the wrap on Niggemeyer’s tow vehicle.

“St Croix has been engineering the finest rods for over 60 years and I am honored to be a part of their longstanding legacy of quality and excellence,” Niggemeyer said. “I am also equally excited to continue working with a company (Bass Tackle Depot.com) that provides top quality equipment for today’s anglers – they truly are where the pros shop."

He's also inked an agreement with Bio Edge, which produces natural scents for bait and lures in potion and semi-solid wand forms.

“Bio Edge is truly the cutting edge of scent,” he said. “They have engineered a series of scents that puts the "real" stamp of approval on all my artificial offerings. I won’t fish plastics or hardbaits without them.”

Shin down with Megabass 2/9/2010

Like other Japanese companies, Megabass is headed up by a hardcore angler, in this case Yuki Ito, who's one of the most recognized and charismatic anglers in Japan.

Fukae joins fellow U.S. Megabass pro-staffers Aaron Martens and Luke Clausen.

Fukae talked to BassFan today about the deal.

"Megabass will be my rod sponsor this year and I'll run my boat with their wrap," he said. "I'm very excited about the opportunity to be added to their pro staff and to compete in the tournaments with their rods and their wrap. I'm looking forward to working together with them in both the U.S. and Japan from now on. Their new series of rods are called Orochi, which means big snake. They have a very useful performance and work great." (Translation: They kick butt.)

In other sponsor news, Fukae also signed an endorsement deal with Power-Pole and noted that he finally realized how important they are and he can't believe he didn't run with one last year.

Rookie Roy's new sponsors 2/9/2010

The Lancaster, Ky. pro qualified through the Southern Opens. Prior to that accomplishment, he won the 2004 Bassmaster Junior Championship, and at age 17, represented his state in the 2008 BASS Federation Nation Championship.

"It's truly an honor to have Abu Garcia and Berkley as sponsors," Roy said. "Both companies are the leader when it comes to innovation in the fishing industry. I'm very thankful for their support for the upcoming 2010 Elite series."

Pure Fishing marketing VP David Lund noted: "We're very excited to have Bradley fishing Abu Garcia and Berkley products. Even as a rookie, Bradley shows the determination and grit of the seasoned pro when it comes to competitive fishing."

Moore heads FLW print 2/9/2010
Industry veteran Colin Moore has been named editor-in-chief of FLW Outdoors magazine. He replaces recently departed Jason Sealock.

Moore's experience in outdoor editorial is vast and stretches back 25 years. His resume include tenures at Grand View, BASS, and was executive editor of Outdoor Life.

"I'm pleased and proud to join the FLW Outdoors team," Moore said. "For many years, this company has served the nation's sportsmen and provided them with opportunities to fulfill their dreams or just enjoy their time spent outdoors more. I look forward to the challenge of building on what my able predecessors have accomplished, and being part of the team that will explore new opportunities and ways to use the new communication tools available to us.

"Certainly, we're in the digital era now, and growing our presence on the Internet and in the various forms of social media is going to be a priority. At the same time, we're going to remain devoted to delivering the quality information that our magazine readers have come to expect from FLW Outdoors. The goal is to combine all our media platforms into a vibrant, interactive community where the folks we serve feel welcome and engaged."

"On a personal note, my wife Brenda and I are glad to be returning to our Kentucky homeland," Moore added. "Through the years, our career paths took us to a lot of wonderful places north and south, but somehow we never felt completely at home anywhere except when we were in Kentucky. So this return definitely has us excited and looking forward to spending a lot more time with our friends and families."

Interesting is that FLW Outdoors appears to be reaching into the hunting category. FLW Outdoors president and CEO Charlie Evans noted: "When we decided to expand our reach into hunting and other outdoor activities as a complement to our leadership position in the fishing industry, we knew we needed someone with a wealth of experience to help tie everything together from a content standpoint. There's only one person we wanted for this position, and it was Colin. His expertise in fishing, hunting and the entire spectrum of outdoor sports is unmatched."

Red River event jeopardized? 2/9/2010
Some FLW Tour anglers are so concerned with the conditions at the Red River in Louisiana that they've gone to FLW Outdoors officials to try to get this week's event canceled, or at least postponed. Due to heavy rains in the region, the water is extremely high and cold and there are worries that if a boat breaks down, there'd be no way of stopping it from going over the dam.

Another inch and a half of rain fell last night, so the situation is likely to worsen.

"I'm all for a tough tournament, but the thing I have a problem with is when it becomes unsafe," said Greg Pugh, who expressed his concerns to tournament director Bill Taylor today. "If you break down out there, you're going to lose your boat. That current is running 10 to 12 mph and with the 40-degree water temperature, about 5 or 6 minutes is all you could stand to be in it.

"I've only got one life and my boys only have one daddy. If something happened out there, it could be a real bad deal."

Added Andy Morgan: "I'm not a whiner and I'm used to fishing when it's flooding and nasty and cold, but it reaches a certain point where it's too bad and you have to say enough is enough. (Mechanical) failures are going to happen – it's inevitable. The smallest thing could happen and somebody might not go home, and I certainly don't want to be associated with that.

"I don't want the responsibility of having (a co-angler) out with me and we bump a stump and somebody falls in. It's crazy, and we have to stand up and make our voices heard."

A group of perhaps two dozen veteran anglers planned to get together at 2 p.m. Central time today to determine an approach to take to the 4:30 pre-tournament meeting with FLW officials.

Facts of Fishing this week 2/9/2010
Fishing funny-man Dave Mercer is back again with his humorous look at the weekly goings on within the fishing world. This week's topics include a giant catfish, betting on the Bassmaster Classic, the FLW Tour and something every angler has to do if they love fishing.

Designer Gowing's new gig 2/9/2010
Lure designer Jim Gowing recently joined forces with Bandit Lures. Gowing (Altus, Ark.) has been a lure designer for 40 years with nearly 300 models to his credit. He's best known for his design work for brands under Pradco Fishing. Just one example among many is the Rebel Crawfish.

In announcing the news, Bandit sales and marketing manager Chris Armstrong noted: "It's an honor to be working with such a legend in lure design. Jim's extensive lure knowledge is two-fold: He understands the technical aspects of lures, and just as importantly, his deep historical perspective of the lure market is a treasure trove when it comes to designing products for specific market segments."

According to Bandit, Gowing will add two new lure families to the bandit lineup.

"I've known about Bandit Lures since their inception 35 years ago," Gowing said. "I'm pleased to be joining a lure company that has such a strong, established brand. Bandit crankbaits are a fishing staple for bass anglers and I'm looking forward to helping them expand in a couple of new directions.

"On one hand I'm helping with a Bandit line of smaller lures for bank fishermen who wade creeks and walk pond banks. And on the other hand I want to assist them with a 'pro series' line of baits designed for hardcore tournament anglers. Bank anglers and tournament anglers are two different niches, but I'm very familiar with both groups in terms of what they need from a lure."

Secret signs two 2/8/2010

“We are proud to continue expanding our presence on the FLW Tour," said Secret's Nathan Gray. "These guys are accomplished anglers and we are excited about the opportunities for them to expose our products to their fans and co-anglers alike. I love the positive feedback from John and Christian. The number of pros who rely and have the utmost of confidence in our products is encouraging.”

Said Voyles: “I am very excited to be working with Secret Lures. I used the Secret Lures Chubby frog to locate the fish in practice when I finished 3rd in the Stren Series on Lake Champlain. The clear legs really increased my hook-up ratio.

"My No. 1 confidence bait is no doubt the MVP football jig. I have one tied up everywhere I go, no matter the season."

Added Romans: “Fishing with Secret lures products has been an awesome experience. The MVP football jig has become a mainstay in my fishing arsenal, helping me to catch quality fish on the Tour. When the bite gets tough, I can rely on the Tail Shaker to keep me in the game."

For more about Secret Lures, click here.

Minn Kota aligns with BASS 2/8/2010

“As the preferred trolling motor of tournament anglers, it is a perfect fit for Minn Kota to join forces with BASS, the leading authority in bass fishing,” said Minn Kota business director Judy Douglas. “We are proud to support the BASS community and contribute to the growth of competitive fishing.”

Said BASS VP and GM Tom Ricks: “Minn Kota has a long-standing reputation as a company that is committed to developing leading-edge technology into viable products for all anglers. We are pleased to be associated with a powerful brand like Minn Kota.”

Berkley trailer: Lake Mary 2/8/2010

The store is located at 3750 Flagg Lane. The phone number is (407) 804-0514.

The trailer has new videos and interactive demonstrations on line and bait. The Berkley Experience Team will present seminars scheduled throughout the day to cover the four main components of fishing: line selection, rigging techniques for bait, reel maintenance and rod selection.

Each stop has special retail promotions on line, bait, rods, reels and combos only available while the trailer is at the location.

“We are excited about having the Experience Trailer on the road in 2010 and stopping at many new locations across the country,” said senior marketing manager Andrew Marks. "Our Experience Trailer staff is ready to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”

Other elements include a knot-tying contest and demonstration, where participants can learn new knots and even win a prize. Under the tent, there will be racks filled with the latest products and big screen videos that help you experience the adventure with Berkley. The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to answer questions.

The trailer's next stop will be at the Bassmaster Classic Expo in Birmingham, Ala. from Feb. 19-21.

Stone joins TW staff 2/8/2010

Stone's role will be to bring more awareness to the company’s brand among anglers on the East Coast and to keep tournament anglers informed on the latest tackle trends on the national tours through his own website, MartyStone.com.

“This is a once-in-a-million opportunity to be associated with a company that leads the way in bringing new fishing techniques to the consumer – something that is vital to the overall growth of our sport,” he said. “When it comes to being the first retailer to have a specialty product available for the consumer, no one does it better than TackleWarehouse.com.

“The site is so simple and efficient to use, you can have tackle delivered to your home or straight to a tournament location. It’s the greatest tackle store on earth, no matter where you are.”

Said Tackle Warehouse COO Rich Zeilenga: “We are extremely excited to welcome Marty Stone to the Tackle Warehouse team. Marty brings a wealth of on-the-water and industry experience.

Marty’s professionalism, work ethic and ability to communicate effectively are all qualities that we respect and admire. We look forward to a long, successful relationship with Marty.”

Live chat with KVD 2/8/2010
Kevin VanDam will conduct a live chat session regarding the upcoming Bassmaster Classic on the forum at his website from 7 to 9 p.m. Eastern time today.

To join in, log onto www.KevinVanDam.com and click the "KVD Live Chat" box on the homepage.

Menendez and the Mafia 2/8/2010

"I'll be writing tips and how-to articles and (there will be) other never-seen-before attractions to the Internet," he said. "This website will be a great source of information for fishermen.

“I am also proud to say that the fans will be able to autograph my rig, as always. I started this tradition at the beginning of the Elite Series several years ago. It has been a hit everywhere I travel. To see a young fisherman’s face light up when I ask for their autograph on my boat is absolutely the best in rewards for me and my sponsors."

The wrap will also feature a tribute to Barkley, his longtime canine traveling partner who died last year.

"Barkley will have his picture on the sponsons of my boat. He will be with me in spirit, as always. It will be nice to be reminded of all the support I have at home.”

DeFoe with BPS 2/8/2010

"I'm very excited about the performance and room this boat offers, and I’m looking forward to representing Bass Pro Shops," said DeFoe, who last year was a member of the now-defunct FLW Land O'Lakes team. "It is such an honor that an incredible company like Bass Pro Shops would even allow my family this opportunity. I cannot thank them enough.”

The Sevierville store will host the upcoming PAA event on Lake Cherokee in July.

"We are extremely excited to have a rising star like Ott DeFoe join our pro staff and fishing team," said BPS' Chris Vaden. "Ott's known for strong values, integrity, and dedication to the sport of fishing and outdoor conservation. We look for great things to come as a result of Ott being a part of the team."

Ranger, Stratos, Champion? 2/7/2010
There'll no doubt be some shuffling in the bass brands that were recently sold as part of the Genmar bankruptcy auction. Remember that investment firm Platinum Equity purchased the Ranger, Stratos and Champion boat brands at auction. Ranger represents one of the most powerful brands in the sport and was certainly the prize purchase in terms of bass boats, but remember that Champion is a premium brand as well. Stratos, on the other hand, largely represents the value brand among the group.

Over the past several years, Champion has seemed in limbo. Its former senior managers and marketers left Genmar to form the new Phoenix boat company, and there was the feeling among many that Champion marketing was placed on the backburner in order to focus on Ranger.

Now that the bankruptcy sale has closed, Champion seems even more in limbo. Ranger president Randy Hopper recently told the Baxter Bulletin – a local Arkansas newspaper – that Stratos production will probably move from Murfressboro, Tenn. to the Ranger plant in Flippin, Ark. That news was confirmed by Anglers Marine owner Rick Grover, who wrote to BassFan and said: "The Champion line is at this time 'on hold' until the Tennessee factory can be shut down and the Stratos tooling moved to Flippin. When that's complete they'll address Champion. All past and future warrantees will be honored. Platinum management has been contacting the Champion dealers getting feedback on how to go forward with that brand in the future."

With Stratos in Flippin, that would provide the Ranger plant with value-, mid- and premium-priced products. Champion would perceivably add another premium product to the mix that would compete directly with Ranger.

Several sources close to the bankrupcty sale told BassFan they believe Irwin Jacobs is on track to purchase the Champion brand from back Platinum Equity. Such a deal would thus give Jacobs the FinCraft super-value brand and the Champion premium brand.

Interestingly, many of those same sources share the belief that Platinum Equity will also sell the Ranger brand quite sooner than expected – perhaps this year. Suitors are believed to be employees of the current Ranger company along with family members of Ranger founder Forrest Wood.

B.U. Dallas: Super Bowl party 2/4/2010

"It won't be anything official, but some guys will be hanging around and watching it," said co-organizer Pete Gluszek.

Instructors are co-organizers Gluszek and Mike Iaconelli, along with Ish Monroe, Fred Roumbanis, Peter Thliveros and Byron Velvick. There's still time to register – click here to find out how.

Hoernke rolls with Tiremax 2/4/2010

“We are proud to have a world-class angler represent us on the water,” said Tiremax president Christopher Wilkerson. “We’re equally excited to share his knowledge in the world of competitive fishing. We know this is going to be a successful season for us – with Sean’s credentials, he’ll take our program to the next level.”

Said Hoernke: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Tiremax team. I love to fish, and I’m always trying to achieve more in this sport. Working with the Tiremax team will only add to my determination, passion and energy to be the best angler on the water.”

Hoernke will debut his new Tiremax wrap at next week's FLW Tour opener at the Red River in Louisiana, where he's won events on both the FLW Outdoors and Bassmaster circuits.

Howell's new deals 2/4/2010

"The wraps look really good and I look forward to promoting the world's fastest bass prop," he said.

He's also worked out a deal with Team Daiwa and will use the company's rods and reels in this month's Bassmaster Classic and during the 2010 Elite Series campaign.

"I've very excited about the opportunity to be added to their pro staff and to use the new Steez equipment, which is the lightest made," said Howell, who was formerly with Quantum. "Daiwa also has so many good products in the lower to middle price range and I'll be using a little bit of all of it."

Other additions to his portfolio are Odyssey batteries and Do-it Molds. The latter is a leading manufacturer of products used to create homemade baits.

License sales up 2/3/2010

The 12-state index represents recreational fishing in the United States. Eight of those states recorded higher license sales increases from January through December of 2009 over the previous year, according to Southwick Associates, a research firm that monitored the license sales information.

"Although the RBFF/ASA Fishing License Sales Index is a strong indicator of fishing license sales, it isn't an exact measure of all fishing license sales nationally. However, should the 4.7 percent rise hold true nationwide, it would represent one of the largest percentage increases in fishing license sales in over 30 years," said ASA president and CEO Mike Nussman.

Said RBFF president and CEO Frank Peterson: "We feel confident that our national Take Me Fishing direct mail marketing program and other efforts designed to reach lapsed anglers contributed to the 2009 rise in fishing license sales."

According to Southwick Associates, fishing license sales increased at a faster rate in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter. Increases of 20 percent or more were common in the first quarter. However, a larger volume of sales occurred in the second quarter – the peak period for license sales nationally – and had the greatest effect on 2009 sales.

In general, more fishing licenses are sold during the second quarter (April, May, June) than any other time of the year. Although the growth rate for license sales eased slightly in the latter half of the year, sales were still up for a majority of states in the index.

State natural resource agencies reporting license sales numbers in 2009 were Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Utah. They were selected on their ability to provide consistent license sales data to illustrate both a national and regional perspective. As more states expand their data reporting capacity, the number of reporting states will increase. For participating coastal states, adjustments were made to account for new federal saltwater license requirements that went into effect in 2009.

"The typical angler spends $176 a year on just fishing tackle alone and contributes over $40 annually to conservation via license dollars and excise taxes," said Nussman. "When the license sales index moves by just a tenth of a point, 40,000 anglers have entered or quit sportfishing. Even a small uptick in the index represents big changes in recreational fishing participation."

Solar Bat stays with PAA 2/3/2010
The Professional Anglers Association (PAA) announced that Solar Bat sunglasses will continue its sponsorship of the organization through the 2010 PAA Tournament Series.

“We are excited to support the PAA as we continue to grow together," said Solar Bat founder Gary Nesty. "Exposing our products to members and fans of the PAA in conjunction with the Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series is an excellent opportunity. Our company and pro staff will be able to showcase our products in conjunction with exciting events."

El Grande inks Morgenthaler 2/2/2010
El Grande Lures of Linton, Ind. announced that it's signed Illinois FLW Tour angler Chad Morgenthaler to a sponsorship deal.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with a great soft plastics company like El Grande Lures,” Morgenthaler said. “I hope to play an instrumental part in helping to brand and market their products as they broaden and expand their business plan. It is always an honor to be included in the design process while a company ‘tweaks’ their products to maximize their effectiveness.”

Said El Grande owner Jay Schurz: “We are excited about this partnership as Chad will be instrumental in working directly with me in product design. Chad fully understands our niche in the market, which is creating big soft plastics with industry-leading color schemes. We look forward to many years of working with Chad and hope to be an integral part of helping him achieve his goals."

El Grande currently has three products in its lineup:

> The Gila Monster, an 8-inch lizard that can be Carolina-rigged or Texas rigged;
> The El Grande tube, a flipping tube meant to handle the toughest cover and fish around;
> The El Grande Sapo, a soft-plastic toad that churns the water like a buzzbait.

All three lures are available in standard colors, as well as some patterns unique to El Grande.

Lane with Buckeye 2/2/2010

“I’m so proud to be involved in product development and promotions with Buckeye Lures,” he said. “They have a large variety of innovative products, from the Circuit Breaker line of balsa crankbaits, the Wake Up bait, to the Flick-It and the ever popular Spot-Remover jighead.”

Lane, an Alabama resident, will be one of the anglers to watch in a couple of weeks when the 2010 Bassmaster Classic gets under way at Lay Lake.

Tiny fish, Fish's comeback, etc. 2/2/2010
Pro angler and fishing funnyman Dave Mercer is at it again with his weekly online show. The world's smallest fish, Scott Martin, Fish Fishburne, a gopher and Pamela Anderson are all part of this week's FYI.

To see it, click below:

'Warriors' set for April 21-23 2/2/2010

The tournament has morphed into a 3-day event. A pairings meeting featuring a special guest from the fishing industry will take place on Wednesday evening, followed by tours of Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg for some of the sponsors and fishermen on Thursday. The tournament will launch at daybreak Friday from the New Hope ramp.

Through sponsor donations, the event is conducted at no charge to the participants. To register as an angler, volunteer or sponsor, go to www.WarriorsOnTheWater.com.

Ranger welcomes Platinum 2/2/2010

Wood Manufacturing will be operated independently from the other divisions and will continue under the leadership of the existing local management. Both initiatives are designed to maintain the company’s focus on quality products and longstanding commitment to the sport of fishing. In addition, the same management team will also oversee the Stratos and Champion brands

“Ranger has always been the leader in its marketplace, with an established brand, broad product line and extremely loyal customers," said Platinum Equity's Louis Samson. "It’s an extraordinary company and we’re excited and privileged to partner with this outstanding management team. We are totally committed to helping our new partners continue to thrive and ensure their leadership position well into the future.

“Their focus on bringing quality products and services to their dealers and family of owners will only intensify through our partnership.”

Said Ranger president Randy Hopper: “We couldn’t be more pleased. Our capital structure going forward will allow us to keep our focus where it should be – building the most sought-after fishing boats in the world.”

Added company founder Forrest L. Wood: “It’s great to see this partnership promoting so many unique opportunities. The Ranger family is full of wonderful, talented folks and Nina and I are so proud to be a part of it all. We look forward to continuing the programs that have served Ranger well for more than 40 years.

"Building the best product and encouraging increased participation in a sport for all ages have always been our goals, and we all look forward to a thriving relationship with our new partner.”

According to Hopper, Ranger Boats enters 2010 with the strongest model lineup in its 40-plus-year history. The new Z521 Comanche recently received Trailer Boats magazine's 2010 Excellence in Design award for freshwater fishing boats.

Westerners move up 2/1/2010

Cody Meyer (pictured) – 3rd-place finisher in last year's Forrest Wood Cup; 2009 Western Stren Angler of the Year (AOY) and runner-up for that honor in '07 and '08.

Rusty Salewske – 5th in '09 Cup; won Western Series event at the California Delta last fall; fished the Tour full-time in '04 and '05 and the FLW Series in '06 (prior to its separation into geographic divisions).

Zack Thompson – The reigning Western Series AOY; competed on the Bassmaster Tour in '05.

Randy McAbee Jr. – The 2007 Western Series AOY.

Roy Hawk – The winner of back-to-back Western Strens last year and the '08 Western Series event at Lake Mead.

Justin Lucas – 6th in the Tour co-angler points last year and the '07 and '08 Western Series Co-Angler of the Year.

Justin Kerr – 3rd on last year's Western Series points list.

Jason Cordiale – 4th on last year's Western Series points list.

All are California residents except Hawk, who lives in Utah.

Berkley trailer: Fort Myers 2/1/2010

The store is located at 10040 Gulf Center Dr. The phone number is (239) 461-7800.

The trailer has new videos and interactive demonstrations on line and bait. The Berkley Experience Team will present seminars scheduled throughout the day to cover the four main components of fishing: line selection, rigging techniques for bait, reel maintenance and rod selection.

Each stop has special retail promotions on line, bait, rods, reels and combos only available while the trailer is at the location.

“We are excited about having the Experience Trailer on the road in 2010 and stopping at many new locations across the country,” said senior marketing manager Andrew Marks. "Our Experience Trailer staff is ready to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”

Other elements include a knot-tying contest and demonstration, where participants can learn new knots and even win a prize. Under the tent, there will be racks filled with the latest products and big screen videos that help you experience the adventure with Berkley. The Berkley Experience staff is always on hand to answer questions.

The trailer's next stop will be at the Gander Mountain Store in Lake Mary, Fla. from Feb. 11-13.

Big Bite adds two 2/1/2010

“It is a thrill to have both of these guys fishing for Big Bite Baits," said VP Scott Montgomery. "They both are great additions to our staff."

Said Lane: “It is an honor to be able to work along with the already stellar pro staff to promote Big Bite Baits. Big Bite is owned and managed by fishing fanatics with a true passion for the sport of bass fishing. I’m counting on baits like the Squirrel Tail Worm and the Fighting Frog to be a huge part of my success this season."

Added Tharp: “I’m extremely excited and honored to be a part of the Big Bite Baits pro staff family. Big Bite has come out with some fantastic products recently and I am grateful they are committed to making the best baits available.”

To see Big Bite's full line, click here.