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KENTUCKY LAKE SET TO HOST COSTA FLW SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

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KENTUCKY LAKE SET TO HOST COSTA FLW SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

KENTUCKY LAKE SET TO HOST COSTA FLW SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

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PARIS, Tenn. (Oct. 20, 2017) – The 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship, which will feature more than 200 of the best regional anglers from around the world, kicks off on Kentucky and Barkley lakes Nov. 2-4. The event is highlighted by a top prize of $95,000 in the Pro Division, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup – the world championship of bass fishing.

Competitors qualified for the Costa FLW Series Championship through five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – and an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the International division will qualify for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup.

“Kentucky Lake has been fishing tough lately, but it’s gotten a little better over the last week or two,” said 22-year FLW Tour veteran Terry Bolton of Paducah, Kentucky, who has logged 32 career top-10 finishes on Kentucky and Barkley lakes. “The more the temperature drops by the time the tournament starts, the better the fishing will be. If they can get some cloud cover and a little wind they’ll catch quite a few fish.

“This time of year it’s all about fishing flats,” said Bolton. “Whether they’re in the middle of the lake, in the mouths of creeks or in the back of creeks, it’s all about flats. The bites you get in the middle of the lake and in the mouths of creeks are generally bigger than in the backs of the creeks, but at times the back can produce some decent limits too.”

Bolton said covering a lot of water each day will be crucial for success. He predicted that it will take a three-day cumulative total of 15 bass nearing 50 pounds to win the tournament.

“I think it will be a power-fisherman’s tournament,” said Bolton. “The lake is low with the winter drawdown, so there isn’t a lot of cover in the water. Topwater baits will be big. Moving baits like lipless crankbaits and shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits will also be the deal. There will be a few guys who will find groups of fish, but for the rest of the field it will be about covering a lot of water.”

Anglers will take off from Paris Landing State Park, located at 16055 Highway 79 N. in Buchanan, Tennessee, at 7:30 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-ins will be held at the state park beginning at 3:30 p.m. each day. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

The Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake is hosted by the Henry County Tourism Authority.

In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

Dropping in Hydrilla By Jody White – FLW Outdoors October 19,2017

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Dropping in Hydrilla By Jody White – FLW Outdoors October 19,2017
Clark Reehm

October 19, 2017  by Jody White

Flipping a big weight in grass isn’t at all uncommon. After all, grass holds bass from Canada to Florida. If the fish are there, anglers are quick to catch on. Down in Texas in the early ’90s, “dropping” in deep hydrilla began to take hold as big weights allowed anglers to reach down into 10 or 20 feet of water for unpressured grass bass, with sometimes amazing results. The equipment is miles better now than it used to be, and the bass are a little wiser, but going after them nearly vertically in truly deep grass is still a great way to target tournament-winning bass. FLW Tour pro Clark Reehm has grown up fishing in Texas and guiding/teaching on Sam Rayburn. He’s winched up more than his share of bigguns from the grass. What follows is his prescription for successfully flipping deep grass.

Alabama Angler Turns Bad Luck Into Good At B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Hartwell

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Alabama Angler Turns Bad Luck Into Good At B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Hartwell

Marty Giddens of Alabama takes the lead on the first day of the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C., with 17 pounds, 9 ounces.

Photo by Gettys Brannon/B.A.S.S.

Oct. 19, 2017

Alabama Angler Turns Bad Luck Into Good At B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Hartwell

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ANDERSON, S.C. — Marty Giddens was so frustrated with his bad luck after practice fishing on Lake Hartwell that he was almost ready to throw in the towel.

“I would have gone home if I could have found a way,” he said. “I tried everything, but nothing worked.”

Of course, that was a lighthearted comment. The Wiregrass Bassmasters member is a finalist in the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.

He leads the tournament after the first day of competition with a five-bass limit that weighed 17 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch included the heaviest bass of the day, a 5-1 largemouth.

Giddens was understandably secretive about details of his lures and tactics. Where he lives in central Alabama offers a clue about why he leads the tournament.

The plumbing and home contractor is from Eclectic, a small town located near Lake Martin. That fishery and Lake Hartwell are similar in many ways.

“It looks and fishes a lot like Hartwell,” he admitted. “I’m trying to make some things that work there do well here.”

Both lakes feature a mixed population of spotted and largemouth bass. Annual flood-control procedures lower both lakes during fall and winter. Spotted bass gang up on shoals and points during fall to feed on schools of baitfish. All those scenarios line up with his skill set.

Giddens only caught seven bass worth bringing to the scales during four days of practice. That dry streak explains his frustration. Today, he enjoyed a flurry of action after catching his three best bass within an hour.

“I kept going back to the same pattern and never gave up,” he explained. “I pulled up on the right spot, and my guess is the fish moved up into shallower water.”

Can he duplicate the effort tomorrow?

“It should work because today it was just a totally different lake than it was in practice,” he said.

Taking second place with 14-3 was Tray Huddleston, a 32-year-old construction worker from Arkansas. He experienced the same bad luck as Giddens during practice, but a key midday adjustment turned things around for him Thursday.

“I was able to quickly capitalize on how I changed by running a lot of water,” said Huddleston, a member of the Natural State Bass Club.

A topwater lure proved key for Huddleston, who hopes to expand on his turnaround Friday. Running more water is the plan.

Oklahoman Matt Pangrac caught 13-6 to take third place. He succeeded at his goal of catching just enough bass to stay in contention for all three days of the tournament.

“I’m running a lot of water, burned a full tank of fuel running from one end to the other of the lake,” said Pangrac, a member of the North Oklahoma City Bassmasters.

“After practice, I decided it would take 12 pounds each day to make the Top 3, and that is my goal.”

Pangrac, fishing his second consecutive Nation Championship, knows well what is on the line at this tournament.

Winning the championship is only one goal. The Top 3 anglers advance to the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Coincidentally, the world championship of bass fishing is also on Lake Hartwell, March 16-18, 2018.

After the first day, the Classic qualifiers would be Giddens, Huddleston and Pangrac.

Lake Hartwell is a lowland reservoir on the border of Georgia and South Carolina. At full pool, the manmade lake spans 56,000 acres with inflows from the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers.

Unseasonably warm weather slowed the typical fall migration of the bass from the main lake into the shallower creek arms of the lake. Normally, bass concentrate in schools and feed on baitfish prior to winter. Those factors make bass easier to find and catch. But the balmy fall has made things tougher.

A plumber, U.S. Marine, farmer and nurse anesthetist represent a snapshot of what the contestants do for a living outside of bass fishing. The anglers belong to bass clubs affiliated with the B.A.S.S. Nation. The global program encompasses the United States and nine foreign nations.

Joining anglers from 47 states are those from five continents. Mexico, Japan, Australia, Portugal, Italy, Zimbabwe, Namibia, the province of Ontario and the Republic of South Africa are the foreign nations represented in the championship.

Boater and nonboater anglers from each state or nation qualified for the championship. So did Jeff Thompson, the national champion of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Tour.

On the nonboater side, Mike Powell of Utah took the lead with 14 pounds, 6 ounces.

“Being able to fish deeper water helped me improve on my pattern,” he said. Powell was paired with boater Larry Triplett of Colorado who is currently in 26th.

Green Pond Landing and Event Center is the venue for the morning launch and afternoon weigh-in events. The tournament begins at 7:30 a.m. ET with weigh-ins beginning at 3:45 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The event is hosted by Visit Anderson.

2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors
10/19-10/21
Lake Hartwell, Anderson  SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$
1.  Marty Giddens          Eclectic, AL             5  17-09    0
Day 1: 5   17-09
2.  Tray Huddleston        Russellville, AR         5  14-03    0
Day 1: 5   14-03
3.  Matt Pangrac           Norman , OK              5  13-06    0
Day 1: 5   13-06
4.  Mike Lavallee          Sandy, UT                5  13-02    0
Day 1: 5   13-02
5.  Rick Svoboda           Cockeysville , MD        5  12-15    0
Day 1: 5   12-15
6.  Kalib Lund             Glendale, AZ             5  12-08    0
Day 1: 5   12-08
7.  James Van Rooyen       Lidwigsdorf Windhoek NA  5  12-03    0
Day 1: 5   12-03
8.  Jared Thompson         Marvell, AR              5  11-07    0
Day 1: 5   11-07
9.  Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  11-05    0
Day 1: 5   11-05
10. Rick Hamer             Charleston, WV           5  10-10    0
Day 1: 5   10-10
11. Soshi Kataoka          Ohtsu-Shi Shiga-Ken Jap  5  09-14    0
Day 1: 5   09-14
12. Tadd Johnson           Lakeview, MN             5  09-11    0
Day 1: 5   09-11
13. Kyle Fox               Lakeland, FL             5  09-05    0
Day 1: 5   09-05
13. Justy Varkevisser      Johannesburg SOUTH AFRI  5  09-05    0
Day 1: 5   09-05
15. Keith Webb             Virginia Beach, VA       5  09-02    0
Day 1: 5   09-02
16. Ken Golubjatnikov      Pittsford, NY            5  09-01    0
Day 1: 5   09-01
17. Ed Berndt III          Grandon, WI              5  08-14    0
Day 1: 5   08-14
17. Luke Gritter           Otsego, MI               5  08-14    0
Day 1: 5   08-14
19. Wyatt Smith            Stroud, OK               5  08-11    0
Day 1: 5   08-11
20. Dean Silvester         Boonah Queensland AUSTR  5  08-06    0
Day 1: 5   08-06
21. David Collyer          Harare ZIMBABWE          5  08-01    0
Day 1: 5   08-01
21. Mike Seal              Richmond, IN             5  08-01    0
Day 1: 5   08-01
23. Tim Carini             Marietta, GA             5  08-00    0
Day 1: 5   08-00
24. Jamie Laiche           Gonzales, LA             5  07-15    0
Day 1: 5   07-15
24. Bryson Mort            Post Falls, ID           5  07-15    0
Day 1: 5   07-15
26. Michael McAdams        Cincinnati, OH           5  07-14    0
Day 1: 5   07-14
26. Larry Triplett         Castle Rock, CO          5  07-14    0
Day 1: 5   07-14
28. Beau Govreau           Cedar Hill, MO           5  07-13    0
Day 1: 5   07-13
29. Nicholas Papotto       Meriden , CT             5  07-11    0
Day 1: 5   07-11
30. Ben Bilott             Larimer, PA              5  07-07    0
Day 1: 5   07-07
31. Tony Lind              Auburn , WA              5  07-03    0
Day 1: 5   07-03
32. Richard Hladky         Yankton, SD              5  07-02    0
Day 1: 5   07-02
33. Tim Hartman            Effingham, IL            5  06-12    0
Day 1: 5   06-12
34. Mark Williams          Taylorsville, NC         3  06-11    0
Day 1: 3   06-11
35. Ty Faber               Pagosa Springs, CO       5  06-07    0
Day 1: 5   06-07
36. Chris Carnes           York, SC                 5  06-00    0
Day 1: 5   06-00
37. Ryan Lavigne           Gonzales, LA             5  05-14    0
Day 1: 5   05-14
38. Mark Lodge             Alfred, ME               3  05-14    0
Day 1: 3   05-14
39. Craig Torkleson        Sand Springs, OK         5  05-12    0
Day 1: 5   05-12
40. Jay Hotzak             Auroro Ontario CANADA    4  05-12    0
Day 1: 4   05-12
41. Michael Sentore        Gloucester City, NJ      5  05-10    0
Day 1: 5   05-10
42. Greg Alexander         Hebron, MD               5  05-09    0
Day 1: 5   05-09
42. James Gildea           Weston, MA               5  05-09    0
Day 1: 5   05-09
44. Jordan Bellendier      Cedar Rapids, IA         3  05-08    0
Day 1: 3   05-08
45. Gary Bonnet            Borden, IN               3  05-03    0
Day 1: 3   05-03
46. Jason Hooper           Salem, OR                4  05-02    0
Day 1: 4   05-02
47. Tom Jessop             Dalhart, TX              3  04-13    0
Day 1: 3   04-13
48. Jeff Thompson          Camby, IN                5  04-12    0
Day 1: 5   04-12
49. Brian Croteau          Blackstone, MA           4  04-11    0
Day 1: 4   04-11
50. Alfredo Kury           San Luis Potosi MEXICO   3  03-11    0
Day 1: 3   03-11
51. Steve Vann             Goldsboro, NC            2  03-08    0
Day 1: 2   03-08
52. Tim Johnston           Kalispell , MT           2  03-05    0
Day 1: 2   03-05
53. Johnny Johnson         Farmington, NM           3  03-03    0
Day 1: 3   03-03
54. Russell Phillips       Guilford, VT             3  03-01    0
Day 1: 3   03-01
55. Nick Wood              Yreka, CA                3  02-12    0
Day 1: 3   02-12
56. Justin Spraske         Ashuelot, NH             1  02-01    0
Day 1: 1   02-01
57. Chris Barnett          Russellville, TN         1  01-14    0
Day 1: 1   01-14
58. Kevin Wiggins          Las Vegas, NV            1  01-09    0
Day 1: 1   01-09
59. Luigi Papa             6132 ITALY               1  01-03    0
Day 1: 1   01-03
60. Kent Priel             No Platte, NE            1  01-00    0
Day 1: 1   01-00
61. Ramon Menezes          Fernao Ferro PORTUGAL    0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        41       253       436-09
———————————-
41       253       436-09
2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors
10/19-10/21
Lake Hartwell, Anderson  SC.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$
1.  Mike Powell            Midway, UT               5  14-06    0
Day 1: 5   14-06
2.  Mike Spurlock          Ripley, WV               5  09-05    0
Day 1: 5   09-05
3.  Garrett McCrackin      Jennings, OK             5  09-04    0
Day 1: 5   09-04
4.  Brandon Rickman        Marietta, GA             5  09-01    0
Day 1: 5   09-01
5.  Michael Restifo        Hoover, AL               4  08-11    0
Day 1: 4   08-11
6.  Andre Fidalgo          Parreira PORTUGAL        5  08-07    0
Day 1: 5   08-07
7.  Eddie Charlton         Alma, IL                 3  08-07    0
Day 1: 3   08-07
8.  Dylan Fryer            Hervey Bay Queensland A  5  08-01    0
Day 1: 5   08-01
8.  Chris Simons           Cromwell, CT             5  08-01    0
Day 1: 5   08-01
10. Steve Sage             Brownville, TN           5  07-15    0
Day 1: 5   07-15
11. Brian Velasquez        Yuma, AZ                 5  07-14    0
Day 1: 5   07-14
12. John Ryan              Troy, MI                 4  07-13    0
Day 1: 4   07-13
13. Allan Ross-Watt        Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA   4  07-09    0
Day 1: 4   07-09
14. Damien McMahon         Pilot, VA                5  06-15    0
Day 1: 5   06-15
15. Gavin Fraser           Bulawayo ZIMBABWE        5  06-11    0
Day 1: 5   06-11
16. Jody Adkins            Navarre, OH              5  06-08    0
Day 1: 5   06-08
17. Stewart Weber          Louisville, KY           5  06-07    0
Day 1: 5   06-07
18. Steven Congdon         North Stonington, CT     4  06-00    0
Day 1: 4   06-00
19. Michael Liska          Espanola, NM             4  05-14    0
Day 1: 4   05-14
20. Austin Johnson         Noxon, MT                3  05-13    0
Day 1: 3   05-13
21. Brian Cogburn          Oakdale, CA              4  05-11    0
Day 1: 4   05-11
22. Justin Dodd            Kennewick, WA            3  05-11    0
Day 1: 3   05-11
23. Mark Faber             Pagosa Springs, CO       5  05-09    0
Day 1: 5   05-09
24. John Fisette           Bowdoinham, ME           2  05-06    0
Day 1: 2   05-06
25. Brad Jamieson          Bradford Ontario CANADA  5  05-05    0
Day 1: 5   05-05
26. Chuck Harrison         Ft Collins, CO           4  05-04    0
Day 1: 4   05-04
27. James Topmiller III    Orlando, FL              4  05-02    0
Day 1: 4   05-02
28. Kevin Simon            Reserve, LA              3  05-00    0
Day 1: 3   05-00
29. Artemio Campos         Nueva Rosita MEXICO      4  04-13    0
Day 1: 4   04-13
30. Thinus Williams        Windhoek MEXICO          3  04-13    0
Day 1: 3   04-13
31. Mike Rennie            Pioche, NV               5  04-12    0
Day 1: 5   04-12
32. Bailey Madere          Madisonville, LA         4  04-12    0
Day 1: 4   04-12
33. Frank Mixon            Abilene, TX              4  04-11    0
Day 1: 4   04-11
34. Kyle Power             Cape Fair, MO            3  04-11    0
Day 1: 3   04-11
35. Rob Tipton III         Williamstown, NJ         5  04-08    0
Day 1: 5   04-08
36. Jason Betourney        Bridgeport, VT           3  04-00    0
Day 1: 3   04-00
36. Brock Enmeier          Enid, OK                 3  04-00    0
Day 1: 3   04-00
38. Will Smith             Moncks Corner, SC        2  04-00    0
Day 1: 2   04-00
39. Khris Williams         Mount Holly , NC         3  03-15    0
Day 1: 3   03-15
40. Josh Cotier            Clinton, MA              2  03-13    0
Day 1: 2   03-13
41. Chad Dorney            Macungie, PA             3  03-10    0
Day 1: 3   03-10
42. Francesco Nucciarelli  Perugia ITALY            3  03-06    0
Day 1: 3   03-06
43. Logan DeGree           Redmond, OR              3  03-05    0
Day 1: 3   03-05
44. Brett Daniel           Lamar, AR                1  03-03    0
Day 1: 1   03-03
45. Jim Burrows            Nashua, NH               2  02-15    0
Day 1: 2   02-15
46. Liam Blake             Fairport , NY            2  02-13    0
Day 1: 2   02-13
47. Nathan Tumelson        Lewiston, ID             2  02-08    0
Day 1: 2   02-08
48. Gregory Ruff Jr        Bloomington, MN          2  02-07    0
Day 1: 2   02-07
49. Spencer Strope         Orchard, NE              2  02-06    0
Day 1: 2   02-06
50. Scott Spencer          Raleigh, NC              2  02-04    0
Day 1: 2   02-04
51. Grant Callaway         Bethel, DE               2  01-11    0
Day 1: 2   01-11
52. Kevin Mullins          Brooklyn, IN             1  01-06    0
Day 1: 1   01-06
53. Luke Koch              Campbellsport, WI        1  01-04    0
Day 1: 1   01-04
54. Brian Wilson           Bloomfield, IA           1  01-03    0
Day 1: 1   01-03
55. Neal Normand           Gonzales, LA             1  00-13    0
Day 1: 1   00-13
56. Charles Capehart       Olathe, KS               1  00-12    0
Day 1: 1   00-12
56. Naoyuki Kosa           Tsu Mie JAPAN            1  00-12    0
Day 1: 1   00-12
58. Jerry Johnson          Fremont, NE              1  00-10    0
Day 1: 1   00-10
59. Mark Pryal             Silver Springs, MD       0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        17       193       292-02
———————————-
17       193       292-02

Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 266 – Chad Pipkens October 15,2017

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Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 266 – Chad Pipkens October 15,2017

Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 266 – Chad Pipkens
October 15,2017

Bass Edge Radio, presented by MegaWare KeelGuard is excited to chat with BASS Elite Series and Northern Open competitor Chad Pipkens in their latest podcast. Bass Edge Radio hosts Aaron Martin and Kurt Dove talk with Chad about is Elite re-qualification, southern impoundment largemouth and northern smallmouth fall fishing tips.

15 Basic Bass Fishing Tips for Fishing the Fall Transition – MTB

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15 Basic Bass Fishing Tips for Fishing the Fall Transition – MTB

15 Basic Bass Fishing Tips for Fishing the Fall Transition

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Creeks in reservoirs provide a year-round home for some fish, but these tributaries mainly serve as highways for both baitfish and bass during two specific seasons: The spring, and the fall transition.

In the spring bass migrate from the main lake into the warming waters of the creeks in search of an ideal spawning bank. During autumn baitfish on the main lake move into the cooling waters of the creeks where bass follow to engage in a feeding spree that can last for a couple of months.

Constantly changing weather conditions and the lake turnover contribute to sporadic fishing in the fall transition, but you can score consistently during this time by locating creek bass.  Here are 15 fishing tips for locating and catching transition bass migrating along creek channels in the fall on highland and lowland reservoirs.

Fall Transition Highland Reservoirs

  1. When the water temperature drops below 70 degrees, bass start following baitfish from the mouth of the creek to larger rock banks or any wood cover on secondary points where the fish suspend over depths of 35 to 40 feet.
  2. The pattern will change from day to day with bass either on rocks or wood.  Try points with standing timber or brush piles and if that fails to produce switch to rock ledges or boulders on points close to the creek channel break.
  3. As the water temperature drops into the lower 60s, bass make a move out of the creek channel to the 8- to 10-foot depth range either on the secondary points or in the back of the creek. When the bait moves up to the shallows, the bass will also move up with the forage.
  4. Drawdown from summer power generation causes the flats to shrink in the backs of creeks during the fall, so try to key on whatever wood cover is left in the water.
  5. If the water cools down rapidly in the fall, highland lakes bass never make the venture to the backs of the creeks. These fish will congregate near channel swings where the banks are mixed with chunk rock and pea gravel.
  6. Channel swings become primary staging areas when bass start moving back to the main lake in late fall.  Target any transition spot where the shoreline changes from ledges to smaller rock or mixed chunk-pea gravel banks for late fall bass.

Fall Transition Lowland Reservoirs

  1. Bass move into shallower water for a longer time on lowland reservoirs in the fall transition. Early in the fall bass will be along the creek channel but there will also be bass up in thin water because shad are in the shallows.   Bass can be taken from any structure in the shallow creeks from depths of 5 feet or less throughout most of the fall.
  2. As the weather cools and the water temperature drops, bass holding in standing timber along the creek channel move up shallow onto secondary points and flats.  The large expanses of shallows in lowland reservoir creeks allow bass to move back and forth from deep to skinny water throughout a fall day.
  3. Weather affects the movement of fall transition bass as wind and clouds tend to lure baitfish and bass to the shallows, while calm sunny conditions drive the fish back to standing timber along the channel drops. Start fishing shallow and if you are not catching bass there work your way out to deeper water and fish for suspended bass then.
  4. Flats on lowland reservoir creeks can stretch for hundreds of yards, so finding bass in these vast areas requires some scouting. Dissect the flat for subtle little places that are going to hold fish such as a tree row coming out along a flat.
  5. Subtle features to search for bass along flats include adjacent channel swings, fence rows, ditches or small creeks flowing into the flat.
  6. Prime locations for finding bass on vast flats are any areas of the flat that forms into a point or any hump near the creek channel.
  7. Scattered bass can be found in the shallows of the flats in early fall, but by the middle of autumn large concentrations of bass move into these areas to gorge on baitfish. You can catch these marauding bass in water 3 feet deep or less.
  8. The cooler water in mid-autumn to fall transition and the start of the lake’s turnover attract bass to the backs of the creeks. Target shallow wood cover for bass in this situation because the bigger fish are going to relate to key pieces of cover such as laydown logs.
  9. By late fall the majority of bass have pulled out of the back end or off the flats and start relating to channel structure such as bluff points, channel swings or the main lake points at the mouth of the creek.

Looking To Try Mystery Tackle Box?

Do you want to get better at fishing, try new lures, or just surprise yourself with something fun every month? Then be sure to check out Mystery Tackle Box subscription for at least one month. You’ll get the best new baits plus tips, how-to videos, decals and more. With almost 80,000 members this is one service you can’t pass up!

Seaguar’s Double-Structure Fluorocarbon marries strength, sensitivity and suppleness

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Seaguar’s Double-Structure Fluorocarbon marries strength, sensitivity and suppleness

 

New Standard in Fluorocarbon

Seaguar’s Double-Structure Fluorocarbon marries strength, sensitivity and suppleness.

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New York, NY (October 17, 2017) – Peanut butter is always better with jelly. The Fourth of July feels empty without fireworks. There are some things that are always better with a partner. Yet, in the universe of fluorocarbon fishing lines, anglers are often forced to choose between strength and suppleness, and between sensitivity and castability. If only there was a way to blend these critical characteristics into a single line; one that accentuates fluorocarbon’s advantages and eliminates potential limitations; an exceptional line that meets the exacting standards of the world’s most demanding anglers, facing situations as diverse as the many fish we chase.

The master line-smiths at Seaguar have heard these pleas, and answered them with an entirely new paradigm in fishing lines, called Double-Structure Fluorocarbons. These premium lines represent a complete revolution in line design, yielding a new standard with limitless possibilities that is exclusive to Seaguar — the originators of fluorocarbon fishing lines.

 

 

 

Double-Structure Fluorocarbons are born of an innovative process, one that unites two different fluorocarbon resins into the finest fishing line available. In Seaguar’s proprietary co-extrusion process, a strong, sensitive fluorocarbon core is encased within a soft, supple, fluorocarbon exterior. The bond between the two resins is intimate and unbreakable, and results in a Double-Structure Fluorocarbon line that exhibits the beneficial attributes of each of its two components.  Forget about having to choose between strong and supple, or between sensitive and castable. With Seaguar’s Double-Structure Fluorocarbons, you can have it all, in a single spool of 100% fluorocarbon fishing line.

Seaguar’s show pony Double-Structure Fluorocarbon is Tatsu. An amazingly strong, yet supple fluorocarbon line unlike any other, Tatsu represents the union of two custom fluorocarbon resins, creating a line that is responsible for Bassmaster Classic Champion and Seaguar Pro Denny Brauer’s biggest bass…EVER. While spooled up with 15-pound-test Tatsu on Lake Amistad, Brauer hooked, landed, and released a fish that bottomed out two 15-pound scales, and was so big, it wouldn’t even fit in his livewell. Brauer is a believer in Seaguar Tatsu, which he relies on to deliver oversized fish from heavy cover.

Now, consider the line needs of the finesse angler, who demands the most supple, thinnest diameter line possible with optimized tensile and knot strength to hold onto highly-pressured fish in crystal-clear waters. FLW Tour angler and Seaguar Pro Cody Meyer is a diehard finesse fisherman, and with three top-10 finishes this year alone, Cody knows a thing or two about finessing his way to the bank. Meyer relies on Seaguar Finesse, another Double-Structure Fluorocarbon line, to target the biggest fish in the lake with dropshot rigs and other finesse presentations. Super strong yet incredibly castable with finesse spinning tackle, Meyer depends on Seaguar Finesse to put that fifth fish in the livewell on tough tournament days.

Seaguar’s exclusive Double-Structure Fluorocarbon process is available now in Tatsu and Finesse mainlines, in addition to Seaguar Fluoro Premier and Blue Label leaders, as well as Max and Grand Max and Grand Max FX tippet material.

Two 100% fluorocarbon resins joined together as one. Only from Seaguar: Always the Best!

 

5 Wacky Rig Mistakes You Should Avoid – By Jason Sealock

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5 Wacky Rig Mistakes You Should Avoid – By Jason Sealock

5 Wacky Rig Mistakes You Should Avoid

While the wacky rig is one of the most effective bass fishing techniques around, improper technique and equipment can put you at a significant disadvantage.
 BY JASON SEALOCK
(Photo: Jason Sealock)

I’ve been fishing the wacky rig for many years, but the last few years in particular have really opened my eyes to its seasonal versatility and effectiveness. What I used to consider a spring-only technique has quickly turned into a year-round fish catcher; especially when the fishing gets tough. This is exactly why it’s one of my primary tools when I’m guiding inexperienced anglers.

If you can avoid the following common mistakes while fishing a wacky rig, I genuinely believe you’ll discover an entirely new dimension of your finesse fishing repertoire.

GEORGIA’S CARTER WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON WHEELER LAKE PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

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GEORGIA’S CARTER WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON WHEELER LAKE PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

GEORGIA’S CARTER WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON WHEELER LAKE PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

South Carolina’s Smith Claims Co-angler Title

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DECATUR, Ala. (Oct. 16, 2017) – Boater Kip Carter of Social Circle, Georgia, caught a three-day cumulative total of 15 bass weighing 42 pounds, 12 ounces, to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Wheeler Lake presented by Ranger Boats. For his efforts, Carter took home $65,200 including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and an automatic berth into the 2018 BFL All-American Championship.

“I’ve led a couple of big tournaments in the past, but fell short at the end. It feels good to finally win one,” said Carter, who pushed his career earnings to nearly $220,000 in FLW competition. “This is by far the biggest accomplishment of my fishing career.”

Carter said he stayed mid-lake the first two days of the event, fishing stained water flowing in from small streams. He used spinnerbaits and buzzbaits to catch his fish on Day One, but switched to a Bone-colored Paycheck Baits Repo Man topwater for Day Two.

“I’m pretty sure the drains had gizzard shad, and that was important, so I switched lures,” said Carter.

By Day Three on Saturday, Carter said his drainage bite had come to a halt. He only had one keeper in the livewell by 11 a.m., so he decided to target bass in tributary creeks. He continued to use his Repo Man topwater, and rotated in a Spro Bronzeye Frog.

“It turned out to be a good move,” said Carter. “I found some fish up in Flint Creek and was able to catch a few good ones. The first one I caught was 4½-pounder. That fish told me I was back in the running for the win.”

The top six boaters that qualified for the 2018 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Kip Carter, Social Circle, Ga., 15 bass, 42-12, $65,200

2nd:         Tyler Morgan, Columbus, Ga., 15 bass, 40-7, $10,100

3rd:          Brandon McGinnis, Pell City, Ala., 15 bass, 37-15, $5,000

4th:          John Duvall, Madison, Ga., 15 bass, 37-4, $3,000

5th:          Adam Wagner, Cookeville, Tenn., 15 bass, 36-13, $2,000

6th:          Grant Kelly, Milledgeville, Ga., 15 bass, 35-8, $1,800

Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:

7th:          Tony Harvey, Rogersville, Ala., 13 bass, 34-2, $1,600

8th:          Daniel Johnson, Lebanon, Tenn., 15 bass, 31-13, $1,400

9th:          Will Blount, Andalusia, Ala., 15 bass, 31-8, $1,200

10th:        Jay Melton, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 14 bass, 31-3, $1,000

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Michael Smith of Piedmont, South Carolina, won the Co-angler Division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 15 bass weighing 36 pounds, 14 ounces.

The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2018 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Michael Smith, Piedmont, S.C., 15 bass, 36-14, $45,200

2nd:         Matthew O’Connell, Brooks, Ga., 15 bass, 32-3, $5,050

3rd:          Matthew Bouldin, Smithville, Tenn., 11 bass, 26-11, $2,500

4th:          Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., 10 bass, 23-4, $1,500

5th:          Daniel Tuten, Byron, Ga., 12 bass, 21-12, $1,000

6th:          Chris Harcrow, Dawson, Ala., 15 bass, 21-3, $900

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:

7th:          Chris Wade, Acworth, Ga., 10 bass, 20-3, $800

8th:          Randall Wiggins, Birmingham, Ala., nine bass, 18-1, $700

9th:          Stanley Smith, Greensboro, Ga., 11 bass, 17-14, $600

10th:        Mark Johnson, Lebanon, Tenn., nine bass, 17-9, $500

The T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League Regional Tournament on Wheeler Lake was hosted by the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2018 All-American will be held on Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, May 31-June 2 and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier City Sports Commission and the Red River Waterway Commission. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

CHESTER’S OWEN WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON JAMES RIVER PRESENTED BY COSTA SUNGLASSES

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CHESTER’S OWEN WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON JAMES RIVER PRESENTED BY COSTA SUNGLASSES

CHESTER’S OWEN WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON JAMES RIVER PRESENTED BY COSTA SUNGLASSES

North Carolina’s Lockler Takes Home Co-angler Title

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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Oct. 16, 2017) – Boater Richard Owen of Chester, Virginia, caught a three-day cumulative total of 15 bass weighing 40 pounds, 11 ounces, to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on the James River presented by Costa Sunglasses. Owen earned $65,000 for his win, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and an automatic berth into the 2018 BFL All-American Championship.

“The win is still sinking in – I can’t believe it,” said Owen, who earned his second career-win in BFL competition.  “The James River is my home waters. I’ve waited years to qualify for a BFL Regional tournament on it.”

Owen said he fished a small area upriver, near Richmond, throughout the weekend. He sat his boat in 8 to 10 feet of water while he targeted rock jetties, wood and docks.

“The fish were relating to anything that blocked the current. They were using rocks or docks as an ambush point,” said Owen. “With the steep banks and high water, they couldn’t spread out too far. They were confined to the main channel, which really suited my style of fishing.”

Owen said he primarily used a 4-inch watermelon and blue-fleck-colored Zoom Dead Ringer worm on a 6-foot Berkley Lightning Rod.

“I worked through the area slowly, which was key for me,” said Owen. “I prefer to pick apart an area rather than cover a ton of water. It really worked out well.”

The top six boaters that qualified for the 2018 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Richard Owen, Chester, Va., 15 bass, 40-11, $65,000

2nd:         James Wall, Greensboro, N.C., 15 bass, 40-7, $10,000

3rd:          Ralph Ray, Youngsville, N.C., 15 bass, 39-10, $5,000

4th:          Chris Panetta, West Simsbury, Conn., 14 bass, 39-7, $3,000

5th:          Chris Daves, Spring Grove, Va., 15 bass, 39-4, $2,200

6th:          Jackson Pleasant , Raleigh, N.C., 14 bass, 39-2, $1,900

Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:

7th:          Jason Wilson, Lincolnton, N.C., 15 bass, 38-11, $1,600

8th:          Craig Chambers, Charlotte, N.C., 15 bass, 38-8, $1,400

9th:          Tim Teague, Belmont, N.C., 15 bass, 37-4, $2,200

10th:        Robert Stinger, Williamsburg, Va., 15 bass, 36-0, $1,000

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Adam Lockler of Charlotte, North Carolina, won the Co-angler Division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 15 bass weighing 39 pounds, 10 ounces.

The top six Co-anglers that qualified for the 2018 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Adam Lockler, Charlotte, N.C., 15 bass, 39-10, $45,100

2nd:         Ben Arnold, La Follette, Tenn., 14 bass, 27-10, $5,000

3rd:          Henry McKee, Haddon Heights, N.J., 15 bass, 25-15, $2,500

4th:          Michael Nelms, Hartwood, Va., 12 bass, 25-15, $1,550

5th:          Colton Chambers, Elizabethton, Tenn., 12 bass, 25-9, $1,000

6th:          Nathan Grose, Summersville, W. Va., 13 bass, 25-2, $900

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:

7th:          Justin Bach, Kannapolis, N.C., 11 bass, 25-1, $800

8th:          Tobey Lawson, Raleigh, N.C., 12 bass, 23-14, $700

9th:          Chris Whittaker, Waverly, Va., 14 bass, 23-3, $600

10th:        Anthony Awgul, Quakertown, Pa., 13 bass, 22-15, $500

The T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League Regional Tournament on the James River was hosted by Sports Williamsburg.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2018 All-American will be held on Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, May 31-June 2 and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier City Sports Commission and the Red River Waterway Commission. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

FLW Pro Bill McDonald dons the Angler’s Elbow Performance Therapy System and now casts without the pain

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FLW Pro Bill McDonald dons the Angler’s Elbow Performance Therapy System and now casts without the pain

Compromised Career Takes a Pain-Free Turn

FLW Pro Bill McDonald dons the Angler’s Elbow Performance Therapy System and now casts without the pain

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New York, New York (October 16, 2017) – Elbow pain can be downright debilitating for a professional angler. Angler’s elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is the most common culprit. Besides intense pain on the upper outside part of the forearm just below the elbow, significant weakness in gripping can occur. Casting, reeling, hook sets and even just holding a light-weight rod and reel combo can be painful.

The past few years, Tournament Bass Angler Bill McDonald’s career was being compromised; the chronic pain of angler’s elbow was the criminal. To say his game was starting to veer off course was an understatement. He was still catching plenty of fish, but keeping up the concentration needed during every cast did not come easy with jolts of pain bolting through his arm.

McDonald’s record has been steadfast since he started fishing professionally in the EverStart series (now Rayovac FLW series) tournaments in 1999. The Greenwood, Indiana, pro’s last ten years have been in the FLW Tour, in which he’s amassed 18 top-ten finishes and four tournament wins with career earnings of $282,901.

He needed to get rid of the pain to keep those wins coming.

Then came a chance meeting and a little word of mouth. The suggestion? To try out the Angler’s Elbow Performance Therapy System by Clinically FIT.

 

 

 

 

So McDonald went to the internet and did just that. A few days later, with the Xtensor Reverse Grip Hand Strengthener and therapy compression strap with instant reusable heat, fast freeze packs and an 8-point acupressure plate; he had the whole kit in hand. He watched the online videos and started the program a few days a week; the results were swift.

 

“Within a couple weeks of using the system I noticed I was experiencing less pain than I had in years, even after two straight days of casting crankbaits during pre-fishing for my first event of the year,” says McDonald. “Instead of having to put down my rods and be finished for the day to let my arm rest, I was able to cast non-stop for a better pre-fishing experience.”

The Angler’s Elbow Performance Therapy System is the brainchild of Scott Kupferman, CEO of Clinically FIT; whose career in health and wellness has spanned over 30 years, including a clinical exercise practice in private homes in New York City for nearly two decades.

 

The system helps heal the micro tears in the tissue of the muscle leading into the elbow tendon—created from repetitive motion like casting, setting the hook—which, over time, causes inflammation, pain and weakness in the finger extensor tendons near the bony protrusions on either side of the elbow.

In many cases, when used as instructed, anglers notice painful symptoms diminish significantly if not entirely over a period of 30 days, as well see an increase in strength and performance. Attacking elbow pain from numerous angles using a multi-therapy theory provides the healing tools needed to quickly and effectively overcome the issue.

Unlike all other elbow straps with a foam pad or air cell, the compression platform in the Elbow Compression Strap by Clinically FIT utilizes hands-free, instant reusable heat,fast-freeze packs and acupressure plate so you don’t have to stop fishing to feel immediate relief. It’s manufactured using washable, skin-friendly materials, and has an integrated “Smart Tab” to eliminate the struggle people have putting on elbow straps. The device is not only relieving pain while wrapped over the tendons and reducing the load, but heat, cold and acupressure plate are a big part of creating a healthy healing environment to speed up healing that lasts.

The Xtensor, on the other hand (pun intended), is a reverse-grip hand, wrist and elbow strengthener that you slide over the same hand as your problem elbow. Just slip your fingers into the appropriate finger bands and then open, hold and slowly relax your hand, then repeat as part of a progressive forearm/grip strengthening program. The reverse-resistance created by opening your hand—inverse of gripping and clenching—strengthens the hand muscles that open, as well give more flexibility to the ones in your palms, reducing stiffness in the hands and fingers at the same time.


“I’ve had elbow pain on and off for 40 years,” McDonald states. “I’ve been to several physical therapists, which has helped, but with their procedures it would take a long time before I felt results. The Angler’s Elbow Performance Therapy System worked so quickly it was almost surreal.

“And I’m still using the Xtensor even though my elbow pain’s gone; it’s a tool for prevention. I truly believe if you use it before getting angler’s elbow you’ll never have to experience it. Ever.”

Since starting the pain-relief regimen of the Angler’s Elbow Performance Therapy System, McDonald has met in person with Kupferman, and with a few more maneuvers added to his daily rehabilitation the full-time fishing pro is now totally free from the pain of angler’s elbow. Those moves? As simple as using the Xtensor with his wrist in different positions rather than just one. After all, an angler’s wrist twists and turns in all sort of configurations throughout the day and should be resilient in them all.

“What made Bill’s recovery so fast was his attitude,” says Kupferman. “He was willing to go through the motions and use the system as instructed. He added putting his elbow in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes as often as he could throughout the day. And because he’s willing to use the Xtensor even after his pain is gone, he should remain injury free and be in better shape for a great year of tournament fishing.”

Fishing is more physically demanding than most people realize, and one needs to get into shape before hitting the water hard if they want to keep free from injuries.

Casting, reeling, hook sets and even holding a light-weight rod and reel combo shouldn’t be painful endeavors. McDonald’s advice? Try the Angler’s Elbow Performance Therapy System Xtensor by Clinically FIT for a stronger grip and pain-free elbows when fishing.

Experiencing hand, wrist or elbow pain, or any injury or health concerns when it comes to fishing? Get in touch with Scott Kupferman at Clinically FIT at: [email protected]

 

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