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Wednesday, December 17, 2025
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Fitzgerald Bryan Thrift Series Rod Review

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Fitzgerald Bryan Thrift Series Rod Review

After testing this rod with several different types of lures, we’ve been quite impressed by its versatility, feel and power.

Walker Smith

A fishing rod’s versatility should never been overlooked. It would be nice to have a giant collection of rods for each individual bass fishing technique, but that’s not necessarily practical for a lot of anglers. So if you’re going to dish out the money for a new rod, it’s a good idea to select one that has several uses.

I’ve been testing the 6-foot, 6-inch medium-heavy Fitzgerald Bryan Thrift Series Casting Rod for the last few weeks and I’ve found it to be an excellent and versatile choice for bass anglers of all skill levels. Regardless of your preferred fishing style, I think you’ll be able to appreciate several of its design features.

Click Here To Read More

 

Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 223 – Pete Ponds

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Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 223 – Pete Ponds

Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 223 – Pete Ponds
January 1, 2016
Major League Fishing competitor and FLW Tour Angler Pete Ponds is featured on Bass Edge Radio presented by MegaWare KeelGuard. Pete, Aaron and Kurt breakdown different types of waters in this episode.

Click Here To Listen

 

FLW REELS IN LEW’S FOR 2016 SPONSORSHIP

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FLW REELS IN LEW’S FOR 2016 SPONSORSHIP

FLW REELS IN LEW’S FOR 2016 SPONSORSHIP

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MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 6, 2016) – FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that Lew’s, an industry-leading designer of fishing rods, reels, apparel and accessories, have renewed their sponsorship for 2016. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 2016 will mark the third consecutive season that the two organizations have partnered.

“FLW anglers are our foundation and I am honored to support them,” said Lew’s CEO Lynn Reeves. “We are excited about the continued partnership with FLW and look forward to a great year.”

As part of the sponsorship agreement, Lew’s will receive exposure across multiple FLW platforms, including FLWFishing.com, all tournaments and expos, social media channels and FLW Bass Fishing magazine. Lew’s will also be featured at a 100-yard casting lane at select FLW Expos – a new addition for fans in 2016. Lew’s products will also be available to FLW members for monthly giveaways.

“FLW is proud of our relationship with Lew’s and the commitment that we share to the sport of professional bass fishing,” said Trish Blake, president of marketing at FLW. “Lew’s products are a favorite amongst tournament anglers in all of FLW’s circuits, making our partnership a natural fit.”

Lew’s will also continue to offer the successful Lew’s Speed Fishing Awards Program, a contingency program for FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) anglers. Per the rules, Lew’s will award $250 cash or a $500 gift certificate for Lew’s products to the winning boater and co-angler in each BFL qualifier and super tournament if he or she meets contingency requirements. If a Lew’s Speed Fishing Awards angler does not win, the highest finisher placing in the top 20 has the choice of $125 cash or a $250 gift certificate. At the end of the season, a Lew’s Speed Fishing Awards Angler of the Year winner will be chosen based on points earned throughout the season and awarded a $1,000 gift certificate. BFL Ozark division angler Dennis Berhorst of Holts Summit, Missouri, was the 2015 Lew’s Speed Fishing Angler of the Year.

To be eligible, anglers must own Lew’s rods and/or reels manufactured after 2013 and have them registered with Lew’s. To learn more, or to register for the program, please visit lews.com.

COSTA FLW SERIES SOUTHEASTERN DIVISION OPENER SET FOR LAKE OKEECHOBEE

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COSTA FLW SERIES SOUTHEASTERN DIVISION OPENER SET FOR LAKE OKEECHOBEE

COSTA FLW SERIES SOUTHEASTERN DIVISION OPENER SET FOR LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Record Field of 250 Boaters Set to Compete for Second Consecutive Season

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OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (Jan. 5, 2016) – The Costa FLW Series is headed to Lake Okeechobee Jan. 14-16 for a tournament presented by Power Pole when 500 pros and co-anglers will take to the water for the first stop of 2016 in the Southeastern Division. The field of 250 boats will tie the record set last season for the largest FLW Series field of all-time.

“I think we’re going to see some different patterns than we’re accustomed to on Lake Okeechobee this time of year,” said Walmart FLW Tour pro Brandon McMillan of Clewiston, Florida, who has 10 previous top-10 finishes on Lake Okeechobee. “The water is unusually high at 15 feet, so sight-fishing is almost out of the equation. I don’t think anglers will be able to see fish in enough areas to put together a winning stringer.

“I also think we’ll see a majority of competitors casting instead of flipping,” McMillan continued. “Areas of open water between the north shore and Bird Island are firing well right now. Other anglers may choose to focus in on smaller stretches of water in places like Harney Pond.

“Soft swimbaits will likely be a big factor in this tournament,” said McMillan. “I also like black and blue-colored swimjigs, vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits. Due to the growing shad population, I think anything white-colored could also pay off for someone looking to mix things up.”

McMillan concluded by saying a three-day catch worth 65 pounds should be enough to win the event.

Anglers will take off from C. Scott Driver Park located at 10100 W. Highway 78 in Okeechobee at 7:30 a.m. EST each day. Weigh-ins will be held each day at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

Pros will fish for a top award of $40,000 plus a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award consisting of a Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five 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 2016 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 3-5 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri.

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.

FLW COLLEGE FISHING SOUTHERN CONFERENCE OPENER SET FOR SOMERVILLE LAKE

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FLW COLLEGE FISHING SOUTHERN CONFERENCE OPENER SET FOR SOMERVILLE LAKE

FLW COLLEGE FISHING SOUTHERN CONFERENCE OPENER SET FOR SOMERVILLE LAKE

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BRENHAM, Texas (Jan. 5, 2016) – FLW College Fishing is headed to Somerville Lake Jan. 16 for the first of three regular-season stops in the Southern Conference. A full field of college teams will be competing for a top award of $2,000 and a berth into the 2017 College Fishing National Championship.

“The bass in Lake Somerville should be starting to migrate into shallow water for the spawn,” said Keystone Light pro Jeff Sprague of Point, Texas. “But, with the amount of rain we’ve had in the area many of the fish could be misplaced so teams are going to have to cover more water than usual.

“I think a lot of competitors will focus on drains where bass move onto the flats,” Sprague continued. “Umbrella rigs and square-billed crankbaits are going to be major players. I also see jerkbaits and reaction-type baits like lipless crankbaits and vibrating jigs being a factor as well.”

Sprague said that due to unseasonably warm water temperatures, teams may have to get creative with their bait and color choices.

“I could see competitors reaching for shad- or bluegill-colored baits,” said Sprague. “I also wouldn’t count out craw colors and different shades of red – they tend to do well in these conditions.”

Sprague went on to say that the winning team will likely need a 17-pound stringer to take home top honors.

“A lot of big bass live out there in Lake Somerville,” said Sprague. “The catch is really going to depend on the weather patterns leading up to the day of the tournament.”

Anglers will take off from Lake Somerville Marina, located at 505 Marina Drive in Brenham, at 7:30 a.m. CST Saturday. Weigh-in will be held at the marina beginning at 3:30 p.m. Takeoff and weigh-in are free and open to the public.

Schools are allowed to register up until the morning of the tournament. Entries may be made either by phone or at CollegeFishing.com. Schools currently registered to compete in the Lake Somerville tournament, which is hosted by the Bryan-College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau, include:

Arkansas Tech University – Ethan Stokes, Lees Summit, Mo., and Philip Gottsponer, Morrilton, Ark.

Bacone College – Ursula Kellett and Mason Kellett, both of Henryetta, Okla.

Bossier City Community College – Hunter Moss, Mooringsport, La., and Jacob McRae, Shreveport, La.

Colorado State University – Alex Stuart, Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Adam Deakin, Broomfield, Colo.

Colorado State University-Pueblo – Austin Miles, Pueblo, Colo., and Tyler Hassler, Fountain, Colo.

Dallas Baptist University – Zackery Hines, Clyde, Texas, and Reed Foster, Combine, Texas

East Central University – Wyatt Ryan, Ada, Okla., and Cain Brinlee, Allen, Okla.

East Texas Baptist University – Randy Clark and Jay Clark, both of College Station, Texas

Louisiana State University-Shreveport – Christian Brown, Pelican, La., and Jared Rascoe, Stonewall, La.

Louisiana State University-Shreveport – James Kimbrough and Taylor Nussbaum, both of Bossier City, La.

McNeese State University – James Hovey, Joaquin, Texas, and Trent Manuel, Orange, Texas

Northwestern State University – Christian Hamous, Natchitoches, La., and Dylan Toches, Natchez, La.

Sam Houston State University – Dillon Harrell, New Caney, Texas, and Dustin Moreno, Shepherd, Texas

Stephen F. Austin State University – Robert McGonagle, San Antonio, Texas, and Robert Morgan, San Augustine, Texas

Texas A&M University – Brennan Fertig, Medina, Texas, and Evan Cook, Seabrook, Texas

Texas A&M University – Tyler Anderson, Austin, Texas, and Josh Bensema, Willis, Texas

Texas A&M University-Galveston – Grant Pietsch, Montgomery, Texas, and Garrett Goettee, Tomball, Texas

Texas Tech University – Donald Peters, Las Cruces, N.M., and Joseph Smith, Midland, Texas

University of Central Oklahoma – Andrew Madison, Mustang, Okla., and Jose Palma, Oklahoma City, Okla.

University of Central Oklahoma – Chris Zins, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Zach Holliday, Yukon, Okla.

University of Texas-Tyler – Blake Haghighi, Palestine, Texas, and Jacob Shannon, Arlington, Texas

University of Texas-Tyler – Cameron Bradbury, Wadestown, Texas, and Caleb Young, Maud, Texas

FLW College Fishing teams compete in regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 15 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2017 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow College Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing. Visit FLWFishing.com to sign up or to start a club at your school.

Ranger Incentive Program Is Open – FLW

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Ranger Incentive Program Is Open – FLW
Ranger 522D Comanche®

January 4, 2016

Ranger Boats is providing additional incentives to potential boat buyers in 2016. With limited-time-only offers, qualifying purchases of eligible models will receive benefits totaling up to $6,200 in combined retail value.

For freshwater boat buyers, the 2016 Retail Revolution sales promotion lasts from now to February 15, 2016 and is the legendary boat builder’s most lucrative retail program in recent memory. All freshwater models sold within the timeframe will receive a deluxe Ranger boat cover (retail value: $1,000), two custom Mustang inflatable PFDs (retail value: $600), a $200 credit towards premium Ranger clothing and accessories available through RangerWear.com, and a complimentary trailer assist membership with Boat U.S.

In addition, many of Ranger’s most popular freshwater models will carry even more incentives, including up to two 8-foot Power Pole Blade Series shallow-water anchors or a choice of a cash discount up to $2,000.

For more information on the 2016 Retail Revolution or to see all of the Ranger lineup, contact a local Ranger Boats dealer or visit RangerBoats.com.

COSTA DEL MAR SIGNS WITH FLW, BECOMES TITLE SPONSOR OF FLW SERIES

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COSTA DEL MAR SIGNS WITH FLW, BECOMES TITLE SPONSOR OF FLW SERIES

COSTA DEL MAR SIGNS WITH FLW, BECOMES TITLE SPONSOR OF FLW SERIES

Premier Sunglass Manufacturer Agrees To Multi-Year Deal

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MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 4, 2016) – FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that they have reached a sponsorship agreement with Costa Del Mar, a leading manufacturer of the world’s clearest polarized performance sunglasses. Effective immediately, Costa will assume title sponsorship of the FLW Series, which recently published increased paybacks at the no-entry fee championship and an impressive schedule of lakes for 2016. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In addition to their title sponsorship, Costa will also receive exposure across all FLW platforms, including more than 235 tournaments and Expos, website, social media outlets, FLW Bass Fishing magazine and the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show which is broadcast in high-definition (HD) to more than 564 million households worldwide.

“FLW is proud to be directly associated with one of the most recognized and sought after brands in the outdoors,” said FLW President of Marketing Trish Blake. “FLW and Costa Del Mar are positioned to be one of the most powerful sponsorship alliances in the industry with Costa’s long-term commitment as title sponsor of the FLW Series.”

The 2016 Costa FLW Series will consist of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Southwestern and Western. Each division will consist of three qualifying tournaments with the season culminating with a no-entry-fee championship on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, in November. Based on their finish at the 2016 FLW Series Championship, a total of 11 FLW Series pros will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup for the chance to win the biggest payday in bass fishing.

“These anglers are some of the best up-and-coming bass fisherman out there, and it’s going to be exciting to watch how they all perform in each event,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing for Costa. “We look forward to growing this relationship with FLW and with the entire bass fishing community.”

The 2016 Costa FLW Series kicks off next week, Jan. 14-16 at Lake Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Florida.

Castaway Anglers Sign-up Day at Pro’s Choice – February 6, 2016

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Castaway Anglers Sign-up Day at Pro’s Choice – February 6, 2016

CASTAWAY ANGLERS

Invites you to come by and check us out.

Where: Pro’s Choice Sporting Goods
Rt. 221 Forest, VA

When: February 6, 2016
Rain date – February 20, 2016
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM

Come talk to us about the club that puts

the fun back in to fishing!

Jimmy Thomas (434) 258-4231 [email protected]

Swift Creek Reservoir Fishing Report- JANUARY By Charlie Machek

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Swift Creek Reservoir Fishing Report- JANUARY By Charlie Machek

Swift Creek Reservoir Fishing Report- JANUARY
By Charlie Machek
Owner of Swift Creek Reservoir Guide Service
www.SwiftCreekReservoirGuideService.com

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Happy New year anglers! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and maybe got a few good fishing lures in their stocking. If you’re looking for a good new year’s resolution, you can’t go wrong with taking a kid fishing, catching more fish, or enjoying the great outdoors more often. This fall has been very mild, and that means the water temperature has not dropped down to the typical winter temps yet. The key word is YET, because January is when it really starts to get cold in Richmond, and the forecast is looking like we can expect plenty of nights dipping down into the 20’s just as the New Year gets started. If you are ready to brave the cold, there are some BIG bass to be caught in January. Just like me over all of the holidays, the bass have been feeding up all fall, and these big fish will be at their heaviest weights of the year for the next few months. The best advice I can give this time of year is to slow down, and fish deep water. Find your favorite steep bank, or creek channel drop, and fish it thoroughly. Bass can still be caught shallow, but they are going to need some deep water nearby. I would start in the 8’ range, and go on out to the 15’-20’ until you start catching some fish. Catching winter bass on the Swift Creek Reservoir can be the toughest time of year to fish. The reason for this is when the grass dies off for winter, there is nothing filtering the water, and it tends to get muddy. Cold, muddy water is a very difficult scenario, as the fish are lethargic, and they can’t see your bait from very far away. Bulky 1/2oz -3/4oz Jig and pigs fished very slowly on the bottom is a great big fish bait. Other effective bottom baits are texas rigged craws, senkos, or creature baits. For days where the fish are more active, try a rattle trap crankbait slow rolled or yo-yo’d back to the boat. Look for a steeper bank with wind blowing against it. Other options for this situation are a spinnerbait, 10’ diving crankbait, or shadrap. If you have big enough tackle, umbrella/Alabama rigs are a big time fish catcher in the winter. Typically winter is a great time for fishing a suspending jerkbait, but they are most effective in clearer water. Keep this in mind if the water is able to clear up later in the month.
January fishing for crappie is an entirely different story from the largemouth bass. Crappie will be schooled up, and feeding all month. They love to eat during the winter months, and once you find a group of them you can have nonstop fish catching action. They like deeper water, and they like to move around. At times it can be a game of hide and seek, but once you find them, they are easy to catch. On Christmas Eve we caught about 100 crappie in-between the storms. Some of my favorite baits are minnows, tiny tubes, and tiny grubs all on little crappie jigs. We practice 100% catch and release on all bass we catch, but crappie are much more sustainable, and taste delicious. Keeping enough crappie for a meal can actually help make room for other crappie to reach a bigger size. If you are prepared for the cold weather, and dressed properly, winter can be a great time to be on the water, and you typically have the entire lake to yourself! As always take a kid fishing, practice catch and release, and I’ll see you on the water!
If you have questions please contact me at [email protected] or on social media, and continue to submit your fish catch photos to be included in next month’s article.

FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE (BFL) KICKS OFF SEASON AT LAKE OKEECHOBEE

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FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE (BFL) KICKS OFF SEASON AT LAKE OKEECHOBEE

FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE (BFL) KICKS OFF SEASON AT LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Advisory for Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015

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WHAT: The 2016 FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournament season will begin Saturday, Jan. 9, when the Gator division opens the season on Lake Okeechobee. Up to 400 boaters and co-anglers will be competing for top awards of up to $8,000 and $3,000 respectively in the one-day event.

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016

Gator Division

Lake Okeechobee

C. Scott Driver Park

10100 W. Highway 78

Okeechobee, Fla.

Hosted by Okeechobee County Tourist & Development Council

NOTES: The bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee is expected to be very good. Anglers will likely be seen flipping and pitching worms or beaver-style baits into the shallow grass mats or running vibrating jigs and other moving baits along the grass lines. A five-bass limit nearing 25 pounds has historically been needed to win the Gator division opener.

The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and 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. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the FLW Series or even the Walmart 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.

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