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LAKE TRAVIS SET TO HOST FLW TOUR EVENT PRESENTED BY QUAKER STATE

LAKE TRAVIS SET TO HOST FLW TOUR EVENT PRESENTED BY QUAKER STATE

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JONESTOWN, Texas (Feb. 2, 2017) – The second tournament of the 22nd season of the FLW Tour, the most competitive circuit in professional bass fishing, is coming to Jonestown Feb. 16-19 with the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State. The event, hosted by the City of Jonestown and the Austin Sports Commission, will feature 330 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals and co-anglers casting for top awards of up to $125,000 cash in the Pro Division and up to $25,000 cash in the Co-angler Division.

“This tournament is going to be a lot of fun because many of us haven’t fished Lake Travis competitively,” said FLW Tour pro Tom Redington of Royse City, Texas. “A lot of the field will be making new discoveries in terms of fishable cover and structure. I think there will be a few anglers that break away and do something really unique.”

Redington said that weather conditions will be the main factor in determining where anglers decide to fish.

“It won’t be a four-day pattern where someone sits on a hole and throws the same bait all week,” said Redington. “It’s going to be different each day. In central Texas, we’re in the heat of the spawn, so if the weather continues to warm up a huge wave of bass could move up shallow into the backwaters. Lake Travis is very clear, so sight-fishing may play a role. In these areas, anglers will throw finesse baits or a worm rigged on a drop-shot.

“If it gets windy and sight-fishing isn’t an option, I see a jerkbait or crankbait doing well out deep,” continued Redington. “The water on the main lake is above full pool, which means there’s a ton of submerged cover for bass to suspend in. We may be fishing trees, rocks and bushes that are 50 feet down. Some of the points run a half-mile out into the lake. Finesse jigs and drop-shots rigged with soft-plastics will be big. If competitors want to be shallow but still fish the main lake, a spinnerbait or flipping a creature-bait will do the trick.”

Redington went on to say that there won’t be any shortage of bass caught, but finding kickers will be a challenge.

“There are some really big fish in Lake Travis – enough for a 20-pound limit,” said Redington. “But you may have four fish at three pounds apiece, and one that comes in at seven pounds to round off the limit. If it warms up, anglers could catch 60 bass a day, but getting the one that really tips the scale will be key.”

The Texas pro finished by saying that the winner will likely need a four-day cumulative catch nearing 55 pounds to win.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from Jones Brothers Park, located at 10301 Lakeside Drive, in Jonestown. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins, Feb. 16-17, will also be held at Jones Brothers Park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, Feb. 18-19, will be held at Jones Brothers Park but will begin at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Jones Brothers Park from noon to 4 p.m. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at Jones Brothers Park on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9-11 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to area youth 15 years of age and younger and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one.

As part of the FLW Tour’s community outreach initiative, FLW Tour anglers will visit middle school students at Wiley Middle School in Leander, Texas, on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. to introduce students to fishing and outdoor activities in their community. During the presentations the pro anglers will reinforce how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) relate to outdoor activities as well as boating safety.

In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 330 anglers competes in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 20 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina Aug. 11-13.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro Division.

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

A Conversation with Taylor Ashley Plus a look at his FLW Costa Win on Lake Okeechobee

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A great conversation with one of the up and coming anglers soon to be reaching the FLW Tour. Plus a look back at his win on lake Okeechobee and his thoughts on his future.

Listen to “A Conversation with Taylor Ashley” on Spreaker.

American Bass Anglers – North Carolina Opens on Lake Norman

North Carolina Opens on Lake Norman

ATHENS, Ala. – The North Carolina division of the Ram Truck Open Series will open its season for 2017 on Lake Norman near Charlotte North Carolina.

The competitors will launch from Blythe Landing located at 15901 NC Hwy 73 in Huntersville, NC.  Registration begins at 4 p.m. local time at Blythe Landing. To register for this tournament, see www.ramopenseries.com/EventDetails.php?id=8811

To enter, anglers fishing the Boater division pay $200 with Co-Anglers paying $100. First place is guaranteed a minimum $5,000 first place for Boaters. To learn more about the payout visit www.ramopenseries.com/payout.php

Anglers fishing the Boater division may weigh in up to five bass, two of which may be 12-14 inches in length with the remainder being 14 inches or greater. Co-Anglers may weigh in three bass of the same lengths.

In addition to cash and prizes for top finishers, Boater and Co-Angler competitors fishing this tournament and Ram Truck Open Series events throughout the season may also win contingency bonuses from such sponsors as Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide, T-H Marine, ABU Garcia and Livingston Lures. See the manufacturer web sites for specific details on how to qualify for these bonuses.

Registration Location:
Onsite Pre-Event Meeting Location:
ABA stage trailer Blythe Landing
15901 NC Hwy 73
Huntersville, NC. 28078
Registration will be Friday February 10, 2017 starting at 4:00pm-6:30pm local time with the pairings meeting to begin at 7:00 pm.

Host:
Visit Lake Norman
19900 West Catawba Ave. Suite 102
Cornelius, NC. 28031
Phone: (704)987-3300

Tournament Manager: Rodney Michael (256)497-0967
Email: [email protected]

Host Hotel:
Best Western
13830 Statesville Rd
Huntersville, NC. 28078
Best Western ABA Member Link

Host Dealers: 
Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep Dodge
20700 Torrence Chapel Rd
Cornelius, NC. 28031
(704)896-3800

Chatlee’s Marine
2615 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Sanford, NC. 27332
Phone: (919)775-7259

All anglers must have in your possession a valid North Carolina fishing license.

The best Ram Truck Open Series anglers from across the nation can advance to the no entry fee 2017 Ray Scott Championship, slated for Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, TN., in April of 2017.

For more information on this tournament, call Rodney Michael tournament manager, at (256)497-0967 or ABA at (256)232-0406. On line, see www.ramopenseries.com.

American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the Ram American Fishing Tour, the Ram Truck Open Series, the Ram 100% Plus Team Tour, or the American Couples Series visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Carlisle Tires, Hydrowave, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Simms, Garmin, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Dr. Dan’s, and GEICO.  American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

 

Check out the all new Swinging Buzz Bait from Bumpkin Lures

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We had the opportunity to check out some of the great products from Bumpkin Lures in Tenn at the Show & this is one of the great new products they have launched this year. You have to check it out.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Econo Lodge To Sponsor Two Bassmaster Elite Series Events In 2017

 

Feb. 1, 2017

Econo Lodge To Sponsor Two Bassmaster Elite Series Events In 2017

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Econo Lodge, a part of the Choice Hotels family of brands, will be the presenting sponsor for two Elite Series events during the 2017 season, B.A.S.S. announced today. They include April 6-9 at Toledo Bend Reservoir out of Many, La., and June 2-5 at Lake Dardanelle out of Russellville, Ark.

“Working with B.A.S.S. just makes great sense for Econo Lodge,” said Craig Mustard, head of domestic brand management at Choice Hotels. “Like the rest of the Choice Hotels family of brands, Econo Lodge celebrates that travel is not only about the destination, but also the people connections made along the way — whether for business, pleasure or even sport. Supporting events like the Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments is yet another way that we are helping to bring people together in an easy, memorable and enjoyable way.”

Additionally, Econo Lodge once again will sponsor the “Bassmaster Elite Series: Winning Ways” television show. It will have partner branding for two original one-hour programs on ESPN2 and six re-airs on ESPN2 and ESPN Classic. It sponsored the program in 2016 as well, along with a presenting sponsorship for the Bassmaster Elite on the Potomac River.

Econo Lodge is noted “as an easy stop on the road where you can find a great place to stay at a great rate, too.” It includes free continental breakfast, Wi-Fi and premium movie channels in its won’t-break-your-budget rates. It’s also part of one of the world’s leading lodging companies. With more than 6,400 hotels in more than 40 countries and territories, Choice Hotels offers 500,000 rooms to travelers around the world. Additionally, another 745 hotels are in the “development pipeline,” according to the company.

Toledo Bend will be the third of nine stops on the Elite Series tour during 2017. Just last year, Kevin VanDam notched the 21st B.A.S.S. event victory of his illustrious career, amassing 96 pounds, 2 ounces over four days at Toledo Bend. Following a long dry spell, which included missing the 2015 Classic, it was his first win in five years.

Additionally, that tournament was notable because Elite Series pros helped the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stock 10,000 Florida-strain largemouth bass fingerlings. Some of those fish might be caught this year in the Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend presented by Econo Lodge, but they probably won’t end up on the weigh-in stand for a couple more years.

Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas, will be the sixth stop on the Elite Series tour. The Elite Series last visited there in 2014, when Jason Christie claimed the first-place title with 20 bass weighing 72 pounds, 3 ounces.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

Set the Hook! with Pat Rose – Jan 28, 2017 Featuring Jesse “Crank” Wiggins & Big SMO

Set the Hook! with Pat Rose – Jan 28, 2017

Our guests were Bassmaster Open Jesse “Crank” Wiggins and Warner recording artist Big Smo.

podcastIf you missed the show, you can listen to the podcast here.

On The AirYou can listen to the show on any of the following Set the Hook! with Pat Rose radio network affiliates: Saturday 7-8 am EST on ESPN 105 1 The Zone espnchattanooga.com, 1-2 pm EST on Fox Sports Radio 1670 foxsports1670.com (IHeart Radio app), 7-8 am CST on KEWI 690 am 103.4 FM saline247.com (Tunein Radio app), Sunday 9-10 am EST on Copperhead 1240 Soddy Daisy, TN 1240wsdt.com (Tunein Radio app), 4-5 pm CST on 1480 The Fan! 5-6 pm EST on WKWN 1420 AM 106.1 FM Trenton, GA discoverdade.com/1061FM.htm (Freestream Radio app).

Please visit our sponsors page and tell them Pat sent you! If you would like to advertise on Set the Hook! with Pat Rose, give us a call at (423) 314-4541. Put Set the Hook! with Pat Rose to work for you.

Follow Pat Rose on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SetTheHookWithPatRose, he would love to add you as a friend.

Please send any comments or suggestions about this website to [email protected].

Weather Conditions, Spawning Phase Will Play A Big Role In Conroe Classic

Bassmaster Elite Series angler and Classic competitor Bradley Roy caught this giant largemouth during pre-practice on Lake Conroe. Though he didn’t have scales in the boat, he believed this to be his all-time personal best.

Photo courtesy of Bradley Roy

Jan. 31, 2017

Weather Conditions, Spawning Phase Will Play A Big Role In Conroe Classic

CONROE, Texas — Kelly Jordon is not a weatherman.

He can’t say for sure what the conditions will be when 52 of the world’s best anglers descend on Lake Conroe, an hour outside of Houston, for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, March 24-26.

But as a Texas native and a 22-year veteran of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, Jordon knows the bass are likely to be in some phase of their annual spring spawn — and he says the angler who best identifies that phase is likely to be the winner of the 47th annual event.

“Most of the bass in the lake are going to be somewhere around the spawning mode, simply because of the time of year,” said Jordon, who finished 50th in the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings and barely missed qualifying for the Classic. “If I was going to guess — depending on what the weather does — I’d say we’ll be toward the final quarter of the spawn. There will still be some fish on the beds, but there will also be a lot of postspawn fish.”

A spawn/postspawn scenario could provide a lot of options, and it could certainly lead to some giant fish being brought to the scales at the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park.

Jordon said the bluegill will likely be coming up to spawn, and big bass can often be found feeding around bluegill beds. Big male bass are also likely to be guarding recently hatched fry, and big females that are hungry from the spawn could be roaming the shallows.

Though some bass are likely to still be on the beds, Jordon said he doesn’t expect sight fishing to be a dominant technique.

“Sight fishing will definitely play,” he said. “But I don’t think somebody can win on sight fishing alone. You’re likely to see several giant fish caught off beds or maybe a key 5-pounder at a time when someone really needs it. But I don’t think it’s something you’ll be able to totally hang your hat on.”

As for the type of structure that’s likely to be most popular, Jordon said anglers will have their pick.

“The water color will depend on how much rain we get and which part of the river you’re fishing,” he said. “The water way up on the upper end could be a lot more stained than the lower end. But when you get up there, you’ll find plenty of backwater stuff, some side creeks, some marinas, some residential areas with canals, big gigantic flats — a little bit of everything.”

The lower end of the lake could appeal more to dock fishing specialists.

“Once you get down there, the lower half of the lake — if not more than half — is pretty much wall-to-wall boat docks and seawalls. Whether you want to fish shallow shoreline cover or deep shoreline cover, there’s tons of it available. You can find seawalls that may have 10 feet of water around them.

“You’ll find flat banks and deep banks. It’s a really dynamic place — and since we’ll be in the spring spawning season, the person who finds not only where the fish are, but where they’re headed, is going to be the one who’s in the best position to win.”

The abundance of boat docks, in particular, caught the attention of Classic competitor and noted shallow-water expert Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, La., during pre-practice. Before the official off-limits period began Jan. 16, he posted a blog on Bassmaster.com titled, “Docks, docks and more docks,” complete with a photo of one dock-filled bank.

Other competitors — like Florida’s Drew Benton and Georgia’s Wil Hardy II — spent at least some of their time in deeper water during the chilly pre-practice period, while Bradley Roy showed photos of some giant bass he caught during preparation for his first career trip to the Classic.

Roy’s final blog from pre-practice was titled “Crushing pre-practice” and showed the Kentucky angler holding two largemouth that appeared to be in the 6- to 7-pound range. Another of his blogs showed a gigantic largemouth that he labeled the biggest he’d ever caught, even without scales to weigh it on.

“I’ve been out scouting the Classic waters and ended today with a bang,” Roy wrote of the big fish on his Facebook page at facebook.com/probradleyroy. “Left my scales in Kentucky, but I’m sure this is my new personal best bass. Best thing is my dad was there for the whole thing. She thumped a D&L Tackle football head jig with a Cabin Creek Bait Company Express Craw on the back.”

Keith Combs — a seven-year veteran of the Elite Series and a Texas native with two previous wins on Lake Conroe in the Toyota Texas Bass Classic — said he expects to see lots of heavy bass like the one caught by Roy in practice once the tournament begins.

“I think there’ll be at least one 30-pound bag caught — if not several,” said Combs, who finished second in the 2016 AOY race. “I think there will be a 10-pounder brought to the scales every day. That’s just the way Conroe is.”

Tackle Talk: Strike King Ocho by Walker Smith 01/19/2017

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Photo by Walker Smith/Wired2Fish

Tackle Talk: Strike King Ocho

Walker Smith

01/19/2017

This stick worm, recently used by Cody Meyer to catch the potential world-record spotted bass, is a versatile choice for anglers of all skill levels.

Stick worms are one of the most effective bass fishing baits in existence. They may not look like much, but they have a funny way of coaxing nearby bass. I’ve caught many of my biggest bass on these worms on both large reservoirs and small ponds. If presented correctly, they’ll quickly save a tough day of fishing.

One particular stick worm I’ve been using for several years is the Strike King Ocho. After experimenting with several different models, this one continues to produce quality bass all year long. Whether you’re fishing a Carolina rig, shaky head, wacky rig or weightless Texas rig, I’m confident you’ll find success with the Ocho.

Set the Hook! with Pat Rose – Jan 14, 2017 – Featuring Buddy Gross,Todd Hammil & Darren Gallaher

Set the Hook! with Pat Rose – Jan 14, 2017

www.wired2fish.com

Our guests are FLW Touring Pro Buddy Gross, CEO of Wired 2 Fish Todd Hammil, from RS Nets USA Chase Eberly, and sitting in for Dan O will be Bassmaster Opens Pro and FLW Costa Series Pro Darren Gallaher.

podcastIf you missed the show, you can listen to the podcast here.

On The AirYou can listen to the show on any of the following Set the Hook! with Pat Rose radio network affiliates: Saturday 7-8 am EST on ESPN 105 1 The Zone espnchattanooga.com, 1-2 pm EST on Fox Sports Radio 1670 foxsports1670.com (IHeart Radio app), 7-8 am CST on KEWI 690 am 103.4 FM saline247.com (Tunein Radio app), Sunday 9-10 am EST on Copperhead 1240 Soddy Daisy, TN 1240wsdt.com (Tunein Radio app), 4-5 pm CST on 1480 The Fan! 5-6 pm EST on WKWN 1420 AM 106.1 FM Trenton, GA discoverdade.com/1061FM.htm (Freestream Radio app).

Please visit our sponsors page and tell them Pat sent you! If you would like to advertise on Set the Hook! with Pat Rose, give us a call at (423) 314-4541. Put Set the Hook! with Pat Rose to work for you.

Follow Pat Rose on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SetTheHookWithPatRose, he would love to add you as a friend.

Please send any comments or suggestions about this website to [email protected].

LAKE HAVASU READIES FOR COSTA FLW SERIES WESTERN DIVISION OPENER PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

LAKE HAVASU READIES FOR COSTA FLW SERIES WESTERN DIVISION OPENER PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

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LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (Jan. 31, 2017) – As many as 300 pros and co-anglers are set to compete in the Costa FLW Series Western Division opener on Lake Havasu, Feb. 9-11. The tournament, which is presented by Ranger Boats, is the first of three regular-season events scheduled in the Western Division. Pros will be competing for a top award of up to $40,000 in cash and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

“Competitors in this event are going to be relying on the prespawn bite,” said reigning Western Division Angler of the Year Roy Hawk of Lake Havasu City. “We’ve had air temperatures in the 70s, which should push main-lake temperatures into the upper 50s, and maybe even the 60s in certain backwaters. With that kind of warming trend, bass will definitely be on the move.

“Fish are going to be caught in anywhere from 5 to 25 feet of water, which means anglers will have a lot of options,” continued Hawk. “The river system flowing into the lake has a lot of shallow backwaters lined with reeds and brush to work with. Out deep on the lake, the river has created a lot of good structure. I think main-lake and secondary points will be a strong choice as well.”

Hawk said lure selection will depend on how deep anglers choose to fish. For those out on the main lake, deep-diving crankbaits, Carolina rigs, a drop-shot rigged with soft-plastics, and football-head jigs will be the deal. For the shallow bite on the river, Hawk said spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs and creature baits for flipping are ideal choices.

“On the lake, targeting smallmouth with a jerkbait could also be productive,” said Hawk. “I think the winner could catch a 20-pound limit of either largemouth or smallmouth bass. This lake has a ton of each species in the 3- to 4-pound range.”

Hawk said he expects the winner to need a three-day cumulative weight of 55 pounds.

“We’ll see a lot of 20-pound limits come in, but the winner will likely need two of them plus a 15-pound limit on the final day to wrap it up,” said Hawk.

Anglers will take off from Windsor Beach at Lake Havasu State Park, located at 699 London Bridge Road in Lake Havasu City at 7:30 a.m. MST each day. Weigh-ins will be held at the park beginning at 3 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public. The event is hosted by Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event. At Lake Havasu, pros will fish for as much as $40,000 and a Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard if Ranger Cup qualified. Co-anglers will cast for a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an additional $5,000 if Ranger Cup qualified.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western. Each division consists of three tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 2-4 on Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tennessee.

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.