Play Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing For A Chance To Win Big

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February 15, 2016

Feb. 15, 2016

Play Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing For A Chance To Win Big

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bass fishing fans get a taste of competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series trail, without having to qualify or pay entry fees, by playing Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing.
The free fantasy game opens today at www.bassmasterfantasy.com.

Fantasy Fishing opens in time for the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. The Fantasy Fishing player who performs best overall during the Classic wins a $2,500 gift card to Bass Pro Shops. New this year, the player who gets second place wins a GoPro Hero 4 Black Camera valued at $499.

“Anglers can compete against their friends for a chance at prizes,” said Jim Sexton, B.A.S.S.’s vice president of digital. “We’re really excited to increase the opportunity to win this year, by adding a GoPro for second place and by increasing the number of regular-season tournaments to 10.”

To play, go to www.bassmasterfantasy.com, register, and then set your team by choosing the angler you think will perform best in each of five “buckets,” and guess the tournament winner’s weight as a tiebreaker. Then, you can choose to play in a league or on your own.

Play continues with the commencement of the Bassmaster Elite Series season, March 17. From then on through the rest of the season, the top player for each event wins a $2,500 gift card to Bass Pro Shops, and the runner-up gets a GoPro. The player who accumulates the most points over the course of the Elite Series season wins the grand prize, valued at $37,793 — a Triton 189TrX boat with a Yamaha VF150LA motor, MotorGuide trolling motor and a Lowrance Mark 5 unit.

Every day of a tournament, each player will receive a custom email that shows how his or her team performed. In addition, Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing helps players who occasionally score zero by forgetting to set their team.

“Now, if a player accidentally neglects to set a team for a tournament, we’ll pick up the player’s selections from the previous tournament,” said Sexton. “If an angler is no longer available in that bucket, we’ll add the most popular angler in that bucket to their roster. That way, the player isn’t out of contention for the grand prize just from one oversight.”

B.A.S.S. members get an extra opportunity to win. If the Fantasy Fishing winner of a tournament is also a member of B.A.S.S., he or she will earn an additional $500 gift card to Bass Pro Shops. To sign up for a B.A.S.S. membership, click here.

The number of points a Fantasy Fishing player earns is based on a scoring system similar to the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points, in which an angler is awarded points based on his finish in each tournament. In addition, points are awarded for the angler who caught the biggest bass and the biggest bag in each event.

B.A.S.S. also provides several articles on Bassmaster.com prior to each tournament offering pundit picks to help guide Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing players on their choices.

Playing Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing is free.

Be sure to choose your team before 6 a.m. ET, March 4, the first day of 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Then, update your team before the beginning of each Bassmaster Elite Series event throughout the season.

“We are looking forward to another strong competition this year in the Classic and on the Elite Series trail — and in the Fantasy Fishing leagues,” said Sexton.

Toyota Texas Bass Classic Now Part of Toyota Texas Fest Present by JBL

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February 15, 2016

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Toyota Texas Bass Classic Now Part of Toyota Texas Fest Present by JBL

Toyota Texas Bass Classic, benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, expands to include a three-day festival of events at Toyota Stadium

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FRISCO, TX – The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) is proud to announce that it is now part of Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL, a three-day festival of events to be held May 20-22 at Toyota Stadium. In addition to celebrating the 10 year anniversary of TTBC, Toyota Texas Fest will enable the event to further its mission to help broaden the audience reach and ultimately increase the awareness and funding for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL will include concerts, an outdoor festival, and fun activities for all ages.

“We are very excited to introduce the Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL. For 10 years, TTBC has been proud to support the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. We look forward to continuing this tradition through Toyota Texas Fest.” said Katie Scallan, executive director of the Texas Bass Classic Foundation.

“We are excited to extend our 20-year JBL-Toyota partnership to include the Toyota Texas Fest,” said Bill Wyman, vice president, Global Car Audio Marketing for HARMAN. “We are thrilled to connect with this avid group of outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts, to help support the community outreach initiatives of the TPWD, and to amp up the Toyota Texas Fest with the dynamic, legendary sound that is JBL.”

Fans can expect a fun and exciting event that will offer live concerts from top country music artists, an outdoor consumer expo, the TPWD Outdoor Adventure Area, a Kids Zone and the 10^th anniversary celebration of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic—the championship of professional bass fishing. Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL activities will be held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, while the championship fishing will take place on Lake Ray Roberts near Denton.

“For nearly a decade the Toyota Texas Bass Classic has provided top notch entertainment for the entire family. With the relocation to Frisco and the introduction to the Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL, we are poised to see unprecedented growth in 2016,” said Lenny Francoeur, TTBC’s tournament director.

Since TTBC’s inception over nine years ago, the partnership between TTBC and TPWD has helped raise awareness for both TPWD’s conservation efforts and helped raise funding for youth and urban outreach programs. To date, TTBC has donated $2.25 million to the TPWD and will continue its support in 2016.

Concert talent and ticket sales will be announced in the coming weeks. For additional information, visit ToyotaTexasFest.com or call 1-866-907-0143. Make sure to “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for tournament news, updates, and more!

– See more at: http://www.toyotatexasfest.com/2016/02/15/toyota-texas-bass-classic-now-part-of-toyota-texas-fest-presented-by-jbl/#sthash.2OklCegU.dpuf

Mountain Dew Partners With B.A.S.S. For 2016 Elite Events

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February 12, 2016

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Feb. 12, 2016

Mountain Dew Partners With B.A.S.S. For 2016 Elite Events

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. announced today that Mountain Dew will be a local partner for four 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series events, starting with the first tournament March 17-20 at Palatka on Florida’s St. Johns River.

“We’re excited to be teaming with an iconic brand like Mountain Dew for what promises to be one of the best Elite Series in B.A.S.S. history,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “B.A.S.S. has assembled a team of sponsors that are leaders in their industries, both within the sportfishing arena and beyond it. Mountain Dew has a history with the sport, and we are thrilled to have them in the B.A.S.S. family.”

That family also includes fan-favorite and veteran Elite Series pro Gerald Swindle of Warrior, Ala., who continues his role as a Mountain Dew athlete, branding his jersey, boat, and truck with the soft drink logo.

Besides the St. Johns tournament, Mountain Dew also will partner with B.A.S.S. to sponsor events at Winyah Bay, South Carolina, April 7-10; Wheeler Lake, Alabama, April 28-May 1; and Mississippi River, Wisconsin, Sept. 8-11. The brand will be featured in a hospitality tent, as well as exhibit space, at all four.

Mountain Dew first joined with B.A.S.S. as a supporting sponsor of all Bassmaster tours in 2013. Additionally, it was a presenting sponsor for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.

As a local partner for four Elite events in 2016, Mountain Dew also will receive exposure across B.A.S.S.’s multimedia platforms, including Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines, The Bassmasters television show, Bassmaster.com website and B.A.S.S.’s social media channels.

PLANO’S NEW ON-BOARD SERIES STOWS AND GOES, DESIGNED WITH THE HARDCORE BOATER IN MIND

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February 11, 2016

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LIKE A QUICK-FIRING LURE CARTRIDGE FOR THE BOAT

PLANO’S NEW ON-BOARD SERIES STOWS AND GOES, DESIGNED WITH THE HARDCORE BOATER IN MIND

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PLANO, IL (February 11, 2016) – Think about things that fit hand-in-glove. Consider how a matched clip or magazine slides up and into a firearm, immaculately marrying form and function. Or the precise pound-test fishing line spooled expertly on a liquid-smooth spinning reel. You get the picture…

Well, Plano has one to add; another hand-in-glove metaphor for the ages: an intelligently designed tackle bag that slides effortlessly into a boat’s dry-storage, like Cinderella into a glass slipper. Welcome the new On-Board Series from Plano.

In this era of specialization, Plano has concocted a tackle storage solution aimed squarely at the boat angler. Load the Lund. Rack the Ranger. Store it in the Skeeter. Trick-out the Tracker. Plano’s On-Board Series stows ideally in boats of all colors and creeds, freshwater and saltwater.

Plano On-Board Tackle Bag Model 3700 (403700)

A fistful of design features make the On-Board perfect for the boater. First, their low-profile silhouette ducks down and into storage lockers, under seats, even below the cockpit. Next, the On-Board Series is outfitted with an ingenious mesh panel and fabric cover for drainage.

Plano pro staffer Tom Neustrom elaborates on the drainage factor: “No matter how hard you try, or how dry a boat runs, water will find its way onto the deck. Waves, flopping fish or a good old fashioned rainstorm put water on the floor. The On-Board’s drainage feature eliminates the risk of soaking your tackle bags and ultimately rusting lures. Puts my mind at ease.

“The On-Board Series is destined to become the tackle bag for fishing guides. This I know…”

Another hallmark of Plano’s On-Board series is a strikingly comfortable handle. That might not sound like a big deal, but when you stuff and jerk the tackle bag from tight confines, you’ll appreciate the softness. The padded comfort also comes into play for the grab-and-go angler who carries heavy metals, like spoons, sinkers and bladed baits.

Plano On-Board Tackel Bag Model 3600 (403600)

Introduced with two distinctive models, the 2016 On-Board Series includes the 3700 and 3600. And there are key differences beyond the universal attributes already noted. The taller and wider 3700 (16”W x 12”L x 11.25”H) sports three exterior accessory pockets plus a clear ID slip on top, so you can broadcast, “My Tackle Bag!” As well, the 3700 is armed with five StowAway boxes with a total capacity of seven.

The leaner 3600 finds its way into even tighter confines – perfect for overstocked bass boats and smaller fishing rigs where space is at a premium. The 3600 comes water-ready with two StowAway tackle boxes and usable area for five. An interior pocket for fishing tools rounds out the 3600.

Someone once said, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Plano says the On-Board Series will fit, and it looks like a surefire hit.

Plano On-Board Tackle Bags

Model 3700 (403700)

16”W x 12”L x 11.25”H
Discreet organization and on-demand portability when weather or logistics require moving gear
Drain water from bag with mesh panel covered by fabric
Comfortable handle to easily transport off the boat
Three exterior pockets for accessories plus a clear ID slip
Fits existing size 3700 StowAway Utility Boxes

MSRP: $49.99

Model 3600 (403600)

18”W x 9.75”L x 8”H
Discreet organization and on-demand portability when weather or logistics require moving gear
Drain water from bag with mesh panel covered by fabric
Comfortable handle to easily transport off the boat
Interior pocket to organize additional gear
Fits existing size 3600 StowAway Utility Boxes

MSRP: $29.99

46 Things To Do At The 46th Bassmaster Classic

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February 11, 2016

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46 Things To Do At The 46th Bassmaster Classic

In addition to the excitement of watching the anglers launch during daily takeoffs at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, fans can participate in many activities during the 46th annual world championship of bass fishing.

Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.

Feb. 11, 2016

46 Things To Do At The 46th Bassmaster Classic

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –– There are far more than 46 things to do and see at the March 4-6 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

But, to honor the 46th annual world championship of bass fishing, this list stops at No. 46. Fishing fans and their families will discover much more than that over the three-day event.

The competition will take place on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees out of Grove, Okla. All other activities will be at the BOK Center and Cox Business Center in Tulsa, Okla.

1. Cheer on your favorite competitor at takeoffs. Come to the Hard Rock Dock to see the Top 55 anglers in the world — and the most colorful and best-equipped boats in the sport — as they line up and head out from Wolf Creek Park onto Grand Lakes O’ the Cherokees at 7 a.m., Friday–Sunday.

2. Get in your morning warm up. Enjoy a hot beverage at launch, courtesy of Toyota.

3. Enjoy the festivities. Visit the Expo Friday 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to check out all the action. Admission is free.

4. Say bon voyage. Enter the Livingston Lures “Fish with a Pro” sweepstakes for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two, to fish with a team Livingston pro on their favorite body of water. Enter at the Livingston Lures Bassmaster Classic booth or by texting “EBS BSM” to 313131.

5. Start an autograph collection. Celebrity bass pros will be on hand for autograph sessions, courtesy of the expo exhibitors. Check schedules at each booth or online at Bassmaster.com/expo.

6. Keep on rolling. Stop by the Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels booth to enter to win a free set of tires, and to cast, play and win a logo’d prize.

7. Experience LIVE coverage. Watch the tournament leaders catch bass in real time on the exclusive Classic LIVE program on Bassmaster.com. Watch hosts Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona, along with guest host Davy Hite, and they provide analysis and live updates streamed from the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo.

8. Go for a ride. Want to know what it feels like to ride like the wind? Come to the take-of site in Grove to test out the latest products from Mercury, Nitro, Skeeter, Triton and Yamaha.

9. Shop ’til you drop. Purchase the latest in clothing, accessories and other products at the expo exhibitor booths, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, the official Bassmaster Classic merchandise booth, GoPro, Huk Performance Fishing and Academy Sports + Outdoors.

10. Get into the drama of daily weigh-ins. The doors of BOK will open each day at 3:15 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Find a seat, then sit back, relax and enjoy the slate of pre-weigh-in entertainment.

11. Be social. Visit the Minn Kota photo booth where you can get a headshot taken and either print a copy on-site, have the picture emailed to you with instructions on how to properly post it to social media or directly share on social media with the iPads available at the booth.

12. Spin to win. Play the Spin-to-Win wheel at the Mercury Dockstore for a chance to win prizes including oil, trolling motors and props.

13. Kid around. Toyota brings the Ninja Turtles out of the shadows to make daily appearances at the Expo.

14. Reel ‘em in. Bring a Shimano reel to the show and the company’s service techs will perform a complimentary cleaning and lubrication.

15. Be a GoPro pro. Take a free class from the GoPro experts who will walk you through camera basics, plus give you a rundown of mounts, accessories, the GoPro app and more!

16. Stay on track. Get up-to-the-minute information from the water with BASSTrakk.

17. Take a trip. Register at the A.R.E. Truck Caps booth for their year-long contest in which two winners will be picked for all-expenses paid fishing trips with Bassmaster Elite Series pros Justin Lucas and Adrian Avena.

18. Show your swag. The Mercury swag toss runs daily where T-shirts, hats and other favorites will be scattered throughout the stands.

19. Get a guided tour. Walk through the Shimano booth to take a tour of the Hagane Design Concept offered in the new and existing bass tackle, including a special Classic introduction of the Curado 70 and Caenan 100 bait casting reels –– and the expansion of the Zodias rod series.

20. Do some star-gazing. Stay glued to Bassmaster.com for the best close-up views of the pros in action on the water.

21. Learn from the experts. Pick up some insider secrets at the Dick’s Sporting Goods 4,000 gallon fishing tank featuring many of the top names in bass fishing doing seminars every hour.

22. Discover the winning key. If you own a Toyota, show your key and receive a free gift while supplies left. You can also get an up-close look at the all-new 2016 Tacoma.

23. Catch a ride. Make the Classic experience much easier with shuttle rides from all area Dick’s Sporting Goods stores parking lots to the expo.

24. Preview the 2016 trophy. Stop by the GEICO booth to meet Gecko and take photos with him and the 2016 Bassmaster Classic trophy.

25. Register for daily prizes. Stop by the Humminbird booth to register for daily prizes in the KVD Fan to Fame contest including seat upgrades, exclusive access, gear and gift cards. The grand-prize winner will win a meet-and-greet with Kevin VanDam and the opportunity to hang out with him during the weigh-in on Sunday.

26. Be a poster child. Meet Kenny Youngblood at the Toyota booth and pick up a free commemorative Classic poster designed by Youngblood.

27. Gear up for the water. Check out the latest line of fishing wear from Huk Performance Fishing that includes UV protection for those sunny days, moisture wicking capabilities to keep you comfortable and anti-microbial technology to keep you from smelling like your catch. They will also items including rain gear, headwear and a newly released women’s clothing line.

28. Share your world. Stop by the GoPro booth for your chance to win a GoPro Hero 4 prize pack. A winner will be drawn daily at 3 p.m.

29. Bait and hook. Check out the new line of Berkley hard baits and hooks. And get some expert advice from crankbait legend David Fritts.

30. Picture yourself as the Classic champ. Come by the Mercury booth to have your picture taken with the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic Trophy, and receive a keepsake photo.

31. Make conservation a priority. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) will be assisting B.A.S.S. by hauling all the fish caught each day back to Grand Lake and releasing them in several (undisclosed) locations. Stop by the ODWC booth to talk to agency information specialists, biologists and game wardens about fishing opportunities in the state.

32. Strike a deal. Find hot buys, deeply discounted close-outs and launches of many of the newest products for 2016 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods booth. And be on the lookout for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Bass Fan Bass Hand to wave at the arena including their prize patrol –– get seen waving a bass hand for your chance to win prizes up to $100 in Dick’s gift cards.

33. Take a sneak peek. Get a preview of what’s new at Mercury Marine for 2016, including the latest engines, parts and accessories.

34. Watch the clock. Be present in the Nitro booth for their hourly giveaway items. You can also register for special promotions.

35. Try your luck. Try your hand at some bass-fishing trivia, play the slot machine game or spin the prize wheel for a chance to win some exciting prizes at the Nationwide booth.

36. Be a cover model. Get a picture of your face on the cover of Bassmaster Magazine at the B.A.S.S. booth. And while you’re there join or renew your B.A.S.S. membership.

37. Mark the spot. Note your hometown on the giant world map by the North Ballroom Gallery of the Classic Outdoor Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods to show how far you traveled to attend the Classic.

38. Build a better bait. Customize your own spinnerbait at the Toyota booth.

39. Improve your skills. Attend one of the daily seminars offered by the members of the Shimano bass crew, including Jared Lintner, Jonathon VanDam and JP Derose.

40. Enjoy some B.A.S.S. social interaction. Use the hashtag #bassmasterclassic and follow the latest updates on Facebook.com/BASS, Instagram.com/BASS_Nation, Twitter.com/BASS_Nation and Snapchat BASS_Nation.

41. Meet anglers and win prizes. Check out the Miss GEICO racing boat –– and have the chance to play games, win prizes and meet anglers at the GEICO booth.

42. Get tied in knots. Test your knot tying skills at the SpiderWire booth where you can compete with your fellow anglers for the highest break strength on the knot testing machine. Prizes will be awarded. Buy any Abu Garcia, Pflueger or Mitchell reel priced at $49.99 or higher and receive a free line fill by SpiderWire.

43. See the rising stars. See the 3rd Annual Costa Bassmaster High School Classic Saturday, March 5 at Lake Hudson in Salina, Okla., with the weigh-in at the BOK Center in Tulsa. And visit the 7th Annual College Classic Sunday, March 6 at the same locations.

44. Be a B.A.S.S. winner. Enter to win the Fish with Edwin Evers sweepstakes at the B.A.S.S booth.

45. Spin and reel. Don’t miss the display of new products at the Abu Garcia booth, including the exciting new Revo spinning reels.

46. Watch the crowning of the Classic champion. Come to the final weigh-in to see the trophy presentation at the BOK Center Arena.

2016 Bassmaster Classic Title Sponsor: GEICO

2016 Bassmaster Classic Presenting Sponsors: GoPro

2016 Bassmaster Classic Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2016 Bassmaster Classic Premier Sponsors: Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2016 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo Presenting Sponsor: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Shimano To Extend Supporting Sponsorship Of All B.A.S.S. Tournament Circuits

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February 11, 2016

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Feb. 11, 2016

Shimano To Extend Supporting Sponsorship Of All B.A.S.S. Tournament Circuits

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Shimano, maker of precision fishing tackle, has signed a multiyear deal with B.A.S.S., LLC to extend the company’s support of all B.A.S.S. tournament circuits.

Under the agreement, Shimano will continue as a supporting sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Costa Bassmaster High School Series for 2016 and 2017. Shimano’s partnership with B.A.S.S. began in 2013 when the company became a supporting sponsor of Bassmaster events.

“B.A.S.S. prides itself on associating with the very best companies, especially ones that are dedicated to preserving and growing the sport of bass fishing,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “Shimano is an excellent example of that. The Shimano brand represents quality fishing tackle, and the company is known for leading-edge efforts to promote and improve catch-and-release bass fishing.”

Shimano helped pioneer the use of live-release boats to support effective catch-and-release practices with five generations of the company’s live release boats safely returning millions of bass, walleye and other fish to the water alive and unharmed. Bassmaster live release boats wrapped by Shimano show the company’s continued support for catch and release.

For more than 80 years, Shimano has concentrated on precision engineering of reels. Shimano’s products include many all-time favorites for bass anglers such as the Chronarch, Curado and Calcutta baitcast reels and Stradic spinning reels.

“As a returning sponsor, we recognize that one of the best ways to reach avid bass anglers is to connect with them at tournaments, events, and through the media B.A.S.S. provides,” said Chris Russell, go-to-market senior manager for Shimano. “We enjoy working closely with all the anglers — from Bassmaster Elite Series pros, to regional anglers, to high school teams. We gain valuable insight on the newest trends in the industry and get to interact with anglers across the country by attending all levels of B.A.S.S. events with our Shimano Experience Team. Working with B.A.S.S. provides the platform we need and helps us connect with the best bass anglers in an effective way.”

The sponsorship agreement provides Shimano with a large booth at the 2016 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods March 4-6 in Tulsa, Okla., where the fishing tackle manufacturer will have a chance to connect with thousands of bass fishing fans. Some of the newest products Shimano will reveal at the Classic include the Curado 70 baitcast reel, a small-spool, narrow-frame model and a Caenan baitcaster designed for the weekend-style tournament angler.

In addition to displaying new products, Shimano’s Classic booth will be set up as a technology tour focusing on the company’s Hagane concept.

“The idea behind this concept is that we work on highly durable metal products and our ability to form and make them with such precision allows you a reel to last a long time, be very durable and feel smooth for a long time,” Russell said.

An on-site reel tech support, Shimano Garage, will also debut at the Classic Outdoors Expo where Classic fans can have their Shimano reels serviced for free. Shimano’s trained staff will clean and lube the reels as well as provide maintenance tips for keeping the reels running smoothly throughout the year.

The Shimano Experience Team will also treat fans to displays and demos of the company’s latest products at Bassmaster tournaments throughout the season.
For more information on Shimano bass tackle, visit fish.shimano.com or www.facebook.fishshimano.

About Shimano
Shimano American Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Shimano, Inc., a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of fishing tackle and fishing lifestyle gear. Along with its sales, service and distribution operations in Irvine, Calif., and Peterborough, Ontario, Shimano manufactures PowerPro braided fishing line in Grand Junction, Colo., G. Loomis fishing rods in Woodland, Wash., and maintains a distribution center in Ladson, S.C. Shimano also handles the sales, marketing and distribution of Jackall Lures in the U.S. and Canada.

Since 1990, the Shimano Sports Fisheries Initiative ( SSFI) has supported scientific research, habitat improvement, educational programs for young people and fishery conservation efforts across the United States and Canada. For almost 30 years Shimano Live Release boats have returned hundreds of thousands of tournament caught fish to their home waters alive and unharmed. SSFI has been at the forefront of developing science based fish handling and live release methods which have significantly reduced fish mortality in competitive tournaments of all sizes and for multiple fish species across North America. For more information, please visit http://fish.shimano.com.

Chris Brown & Wayne Ingram Win Carolina’s Bass Challenge NC Devision February 6,2016

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February 11, 2016

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Chris Brown & Wayne Ingram Win Carolina’s Bass Challenge NC Devision February 6,2016

Lake Wylie – Ebenezer Park, NC(Feb 6, 2016)

Click Here for Results

Chris Brown & Wayne Ingram won at Lake Wylie with 19.78 lbs! Also 1st place Skeeter BONUS winners adding another $4,000! Chris & Wayne took home $14,000.00!

Keith Porter & Jason Threat took home 4th and 2nd Skeeter BONUS with 16.10 lbs $5,250.00!

Thomas Hardwick & Tommy Williams claimed 6th with 15.81 lbs 3rd Skeeter BONUS $3,800.00!

Brent Long & Brock Taylor earned the 4th Skeeter BONUS & 13th Place with 14.99 lbs $1,800.00

Mike Ray & Orlando Giles weighed the BF at 6.90 lbs $1,000.00

The Outdoor Report – Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

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February 10, 2016

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The Outdoor Report

New 2016 Virginia Fishing Forecasts, Outlooks, and Rankings

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Biologists with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries spend a great deal of time managing large impoundments in Virginia. The species diversity and size of these large systems provide ample opportunities for Virginia anglers to enjoy a day spent fishing. The fish species most often targeted by Virginians is the largemouth bass. We spend a great amount of effort trying to provide the best quality fishery we possibly can by monitoring population health and setting regulations to both protect the fish population and to provide the best angling experience that we can. The following reports provide information on what anglers can expect from various fisheries in Virginia reservoirs and also provide information on largemouth bass population statistics in various large and small impoundments throughout the state.

It Takes One to Know One St.Croix Rods

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February 10, 2016

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It Takes One to Know One

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Sporting Classics Magazine selects St. Croix Rod’s classic Legend Elite for prestigious award

Park Falls, WI (February 10, 2016) – Close your eyes and visualize the elements of a masterpiece painting. Consider American artist Winslow Homer’s epic nautical work The Herring Net. Your minds-eye can see the stalwart fisherman braving the surf, fearlessly endeavoring to heave in their catch. Emmanuel Leutze’s famous oil-on-canvas Washington Crossing the Delaware is similarly iconic. Picture the unwavering General Washington, chest out and head high, flanked by gutsy oarsmen and minutemen.

Dare us to paint in an element? Stick a St. Croix rod out the stern in The Herring Net and it feels natural. Paint a St. Croix off the port of Washington’s craft and you figure they’re trolling for provisions for what would become the longest winter ever.

Point being, St. Croix is timeless and classic.

Sporting Classics Magazine thinks so, too. The lifestyle driven publication whose tagline reads, “The Heritage, The Romance, The Art of Fishing & Hunting” has selected St. Croix Rod to receive its Award of Excellence; more specifically, the revered tools, Legend Elite® spinning and casting rods.

Sporting Classics 15th annual Awards of Excellence once again salutes the “best of the best”— “those companies and individuals whose products and services are having a significant and long-lasting impact on our sporting lives.”

Nominees for the awards are submitted by senior and contributing editors, then finalized by the Sporting Classics staff. The honorees were chosen for their achievements in defining what a great sporting product should be. “Their engineering, craftsmanship, and innovations have set higher standards than ever before.”

“Our mantra with the new Legend Elite project was to make the best better,” said VP of Product Management, David Schluter, about the recently improved series. “We talked to our pro staff, diehard angler customers, and spent a lot time at the whiteboard crunching numbers, refining processes and investigating the absolute finest components available,” said Schluter.

“We knew it would be a huge undertaking but one we could really feel good about. Really, it’s like the fishing equivalent of designing that car that will go 100 miles on a gallon of gas,” continues Schluter.

To take on such an ambitious plan, St. Croix engineers used every bit of cutting edge technology, refined building processes and improvements in components to create the new benchmark rod series.

St. Croix’s standards for blank-building excellence stems largely from proprietary technologies and processes like IPC®, TET, FRS, and ART™, all integrated into the creation of the new Legend Elite.

And so, each Legend Elite enters the world as a consistent, perfect blank.

St. Croix’s exclusive Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology and their new Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) provide unique, computer designed-and-cut patterns for improved actions and increased sensitivity. They’re built with high-modulus/high-strain SCV graphite with carbon-matte scrim and reinforced with super high-modulus SCVI graphite for added power and reduced weight.

Both graphite materials utilize St. Croix’s Fortified Resin System (FRS), which combines a fortified super resin with computer operated curing ovens that provide improved temperature and time management through all stages of the blank curing cycle. Blanks manufactured with FRS are up to 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods. They are further enhanced with Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™) at strategic locations along each blank for added strength with virtually no additional weight. Two-piece models feature ART-reinforced slim-profile ferrules with exceptional strength.

Legend Elite’s new, advanced components include Fuji® Torzite® guides with solid-titanium frames for unrivalled, 100% corrosion-proof performance. It’s worth noting that Torzite is the first ceramic created specifically for fishing rod guides, and it is stronger, lighter and five times smoother than Fuji SiC, the industry’s previous gold standard.

New Legend Elite spinning rods also feature Fuji® TVS blank-touch reel seats with built-in hood, and casting rods feature Fuji® PTS blank-touch reel seats with built-in hood. Musky rods sport Fuji® PLS-LD palming reel seats with shiny grey hood for greater ergonomic and aesthetic appeal.

All models include anodized, machined-aluminum wind checks, super-grade cork handles (split-grip handles on musky models) and exclusive Kigan titanium hook-keepers. Thread wraps are protected by two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.

“We’ve all been completely blown away by the end result of the new Legend Elite project. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work. The rods have a very airy quality and practically float in the hand. Our pro staff is really excited and we think our customers will be, too,” said Jeff Schluter, VP Brand Management.

The new Legend Elites are designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, come with a protective rod sack and a 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service. They retail from $370 – $550.