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Vermont’s LaBelle Claims Victory at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Champlain 

Boater Bryan LaBelle of Hinesburg, Vermont, and Strike-King co-angler Connor Kapp of Benton, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s Kapp Wins Strike King Co-Angler Division

PLATTBURGH, N.Y. (July 10, 2023) – Boater Bryan LaBelle of Hinesburg, Vermont, caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 15 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Champlain. The tournament, hosted by the City of Plattsburgh, was the second event of the season for the BFL Northeast Division. Labelle earned $5,925 for his victory.

“I started out fishing for smallmouth, and it wasn’t working out so good, so I decided to go after largemouth,” said LaBelle, who said he has been fishing Lake Champlain since he was five years old. “It came together pretty good.”

LaBelle focused on fishing the northern end of Champlain and said he managed to catch a few smallmouth – including one he included in his final weight – but most were smaller fish. He said his best fish came on bruised- and elite-craw colored Beast Coast Tungsten Lil’ Magnum Jigs thrown at grass and rock. His efforts during the day produced 30 fish – 18 of which were keepers.

LaBelle won a Toyota Series event in August of 2022 on Lake Champlain and has posted numerous wins in other tournament circuits on the fishery, but this was his first BFL victory.

“I told all my buddies, ‘I’ve never won a BFL. I’d like to win one of these,’” LaBelle said. “Leading up to it, I didn’t think it would turn out this way, but I’m glad it did.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:

                1st:        Bryan LaBelle, Hinesburg, Vt., five bass, 22-15, $5,925
                2nd:       Alec Morrison, Peru, N.Y., five bass, 21-2, $2,657 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
                3rd:       Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 19-12, $1,439
                4th:        Rob Cruvellier, Alburgh, Vt., five bass, 19-7, $1,007
                5th:        Michael Duarte, Baltimore, Md., five bass, 19-2, $827
                5th:        Brett Carnright, Plattsburgh, N.Y., five bass, 19-2, $827
                7th:        Jaden Parrish, Liberty, Texas, five bass, 19-0, $719
                8th:        Jim Sweeney, West Dover, Vt., five bass, 18-15, $611
                8th:        Brendan Vinton, Braintree, Vt., five bass, 18-15, $611
                10th:     Spencer Cookson, Sheffield, Mass., five bass, 18-12, $503

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

LaBelle also caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $610.



Connor Kapp of Benton, Pennsylvania, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,122 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 18 pounds, 7 ounces.

The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:

                1st:        Connor Kapp, Benton, Pa., five bass, 18-7, $2,122
                2nd:       Dan Housel, Carlisle, Pa., five bass, 18-1, $1,061
                3rd:       Trent Carey, York Springs, Pa., five bass, 15-10, $707
                4th:        David Hoolahan, West Deptford, N.J., five bass, 15-7, $795
                5th:        Brent Navari, Colchester, Vt., five bass, 14-12, $406
                5th:        David Cooper, Rushville, N.Y., five bass, 14-12, $606
                7th:        Peter Frumkin, Lincoln, Mass., five bass, 14-9, $354
                8th:        Bradley Sargent, Concord, N.H., five bass, 14-5, $318
                9th:        Austin Doser, Chazy, N.Y., five bass, 14-2, $283
                10th:     David Archibald, Somerset, Mass., five bass, 14-0, $398

David Hoolahan of West Deptford, New Jersey, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $300 with a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 10 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.

After two events, Alex Korol of Fairport, New York, leads the BFL Northeast Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 485 points, while David Cooper of Rushville, New York, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 484 points.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional tournament on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.

The 2023 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL 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.

Proud sponsors of the 2023 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, General Tire, Grundéns, Gill, Lew’s, Lowrance, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Mystik Lubricants, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.

For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Redesigned TATULA 100 at a Great Price

Redesigned TATULA 100 at a Great Price
Angler-appealing TATULA 100 entered into ICAST 2023 New Product Showcase and will be available to test at ICAST On the Water, Tuesday, July 11th
FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (July 10, 2023) – Just when you thought the in-demand TATULA reel family couldn’t get any better, DAIWA unleashes a redesigned, and incredibly affordable TATULA 100 that’s extremely palmable and ultra-ergonomic. Daiwa’s progressive product development team redesigned the new TATULA 100 to bring anglers an option perfect for a variety of bass fishing applications.“We’ve added two significant new features,” says DAIWA marketing manager, Marc Mills. “The first is a new, thinner and lighter 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum spool for greater casting distance and more control. We thinned down the walls of the spool while retaining its rigidity. Ultimately, we created a farther-casting reel with better braking system.”
Mills adds: “We also went to HYPERDRIVE gearing. You find that in our higher end models like STEEZ and ZILLION, but now it’s in the TATULA 100, too, allowing better rotation, durability, while keeping a super-fluid feel to allow the angler to focus more on what’s happening in the water than feeling the rotation when you turn the handle. When you do hang a fish or work a lure it’s noticeably smoother. You can’t feel the gears touch. It’s super smooth.” 
What makes the new DAIWA TATULA 100 HYPERDRIVE DESIGN so special, a feature previously reserved for higher-end DAIWA baitcasting reels?
HYPERDRIVE DESIGN provides an ultra-smooth retrieve and powerful winding performance and is comprised of four key technologies: HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT, HYPER ARMED HOUSING, and HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH. HYPER DRIVE DIGIGEAR makes the teeth of the gears more efficient at transferring power, therefore making the gear set feel smoother, more powerful, and reduces gear noise.
HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH
HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT is a two-bearing support system for the reel’s pinion gear, which means no flex and an ultra-smooth retrieve/ gear rotation. HYPER ARMED HOUSING comprises an aluminum frame and side plate for maximum rigidity and precision performance of the internal components. And lastly, HYPER TOUGH CLUTCH is a redesigned and reinforced clutch mechanism that further increases durability and performance.
HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR
DAIWA TATULA 100 FEATURES NEW HYPERDRIVE DESIGN NEW A7075 Spool T-Wing System (TWS) Zero Adjuster Aluminum frame Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD) Drag 90mm Heavy Swept Handle Available Gear Ratios: (6.3:1) (7.1:1) (8.1:1) MSRP $179.99If you’re considering a pro-grade baitcasting reel that won’t break the bank, look no further than DAIWA’s new TATULA 100… a reel intended to bring a whole new level of cutting-edge design, high-end performance, longevity, and stunning good looks to discerning anglers. 
For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us

Single Battery Solution: Powers and Starts

Single Battery Solution: Powers and Starts
NEW! NORSK Lithium 12V 180AH LiFePO4 Starting/House battery powers today’s sophisticated networks of giant graphs, live imaging, & forward-facing sonar—and exceeds Mercury Marine’s warranty requirements for outboard starting—all in ONE BATTERY
New Hope, Minn. (July 10, 2023) – Over the past few years, anglers have started running multiple graphs with 2D sonar, HD mapping, MEGA Imaging, 360 Imaging, and forward-facing sonar on huge, 10- to 19-inch high-resolution LCD screens. An on-the-water computer network communicating via ethernet and Bluetooth, but also connected via electrical wiring, today’s elaborate fish-finding systems present a huge amp draw and require lots of power.Talk to tournament pros, guides, and other serious anglers, and they’ll tell you it’s been one heck of a ride trying to supply enough power to run the maze of screens, black boxes, and transducers. Seems like everyone has been through situations where voltage alarms appear after as little as a few hours, taking anglers off the bite, forcing them to drive around to recharge their house battery off the outboard motor alternator—if the batteries are even rigged correctly to do so…Then it’s back to the garage or rigger to figure out the next step up in power to accommodate an actual full-day of fishing. Adding additional lead acid or AGM batteries—or even using smaller lithium batteries for bow electronics—typically leads to more frustration, failing to solve the power issue once-and-for-all. Yes, a huge waste of time, when we’d all rather be fishing, our investment in modern fishing electronics working as it should, unhindered by voltage alarms and shut-offs before any of us are ready to trailer the boat home.Here’s the good news: NORSK Lithium is proud to introduce a ONE BATTERY solution that powers multiple large graphs, black boxes, and transducers, while also supplying the cold cranking amps necessary to turn over giant outboards. You can see the battery in person and learn more at ICAST 2023 in Orlando, Florida, July 12-14, at Booth #833.
180AH 12V LiFePO4 Starting/House battery
180AH 12V LiFePO4 Starting/House battery with Thermal Core Technology
“The new NORSK Lithium 180AH 12V LiFePO4 Starting/House battery is the be-all, end-all battery solution for the angler struggling to power large sonar screens, while also working as a starting battery for big motors,” says NORSK Lithium Marketing Director, James Holst.“It solves a huge problem – and that’s powering modern sonar screens that can draw 3.5 to 4 amps each. And that’s before you even figure in black boxes and transducers. Non-lithium batteries simply cannot address the power issues today’s anglers face on a day-to-day basis,” adds Holst.Holst continues: “This battery has the capacity an angler needs to fish sunup to sundown and never have to worry about low voltage alarms or units powering off.”A fishing TV host and multi-media producer over the past 20-plus years, Holst has had his own issues supplying enough power to his fishing electronics along the way. With NORSK Lithium, however, he can finally run his dream rig—and fish for days on a single charge.Holst explains: “I have my boat rigged with four Humminbird APEX 13s, a 12-inch Garmin, LiveScope, MEGA 360, and MEGA Live. I recently took a trip to northern Ontario and at no point on the 7-day trip did I have to recharge the new 180AH 12V Starting/House battery we’re launching at ICAST. In fact, it never got below 62% capacity. The alternator on my Mercury 400 Verado kept everything charged as we ran from spot-to-spot. I was like, ‘finally, we’ve solved the problem’.”While most anglers are taking half measures and adding lead-acid and AGM house batteries, rigging ice fishing batteries on the bow, and making other poor attempts at providing ample power for today’s fishing electronics, he says this new NORSK Lithium battery is the “final mic drop” in power that anglers have been looking for—and in a ONE BATTERY format that acts as both Starting and House battery, thus cutting down required batteries on most boats from five to four. “The new battery’s capacity is the most important thing,” offers NORSK Lithium’s Founder/Engineering Director, Derek A. “Our new unheated and Heated Core 180AH Starting/House battery models accommodate the growing number of fish-finder screens being used on boats—and displays that are getting larger, brighter, and more power consumptive. Anglers are also running more of them. It used to be that anglers would run one or two screens; now it’s not uncommon for anglers to run three, four, or five graphs on a fishing boat. And nobody’s kept up with it on the power side, so it’s been a struggle for today’s anglers.”
NEW NORSK Lithium Exceeds Mercury Warranty RequirementsBesides supplying failure-proof power for today’s fishing electronics, NORSK Lithium’s new 180AH 12V LiFePO4 Starting/House battery meets and exceeds all of Mercury Marine’s warranty requirements for a starting battery.Mercury Marine issued a performance bulletin in November 2022 that clearly spelled out their expectations for what a starting battery is supposed to do. NORSK Lithium took those specs and engineered a lithium starting/house battery combo that went above and beyond.“Most of the lithium batteries on the market don’t even make an attempt to address Mercury’s warranty requirements,” notes Holst. “NORSK Lithium’s engineering team started with Mercury’s warranty specifications and purposely designed a battery that far exceeds the requirements. Honestly, we’ve crushed them. Designed to run off any outboard alternator, engineering tested this battery in cars to ensure its reliability. Obviously, the larger the outboard, the more output you get from the alternator. At cruising speeds with my 400 Mercury Verado, my battery was receiving about 45 amps of charge current, which to a 180AH lithium battery isn’t that much, so I was able to recover a lot of energy quickly. So, you make a 20 minute run and you’ve got 45 amps inbound to recover juice quickly.”NORSK Lithium’s Founder/Engineering Director, Derek A., adds: “As of now, Mercury is the only outboard manufacturer we know of that has issued a statement that spells out what a lithium starting battery needs to be able to do. We took their specs for lithium starting batteries and far exceeded them to ensure absolute reliability on-the-water.” Derek A. concludes: “Today’s outboard motors are more power hungry with their fuel injection systems, power steering, etc. and everyone assumes that little, lead-acid lawn tractor batteries in the back of the boat are going to power everything. That’s simply not the case, but we’ve engineered the solution.”
NORSK LITHIUM’S 180AH 12V LiFePO4 Starting/House BatteryThe new NORSK Lithium 180AH battery is ideal for the angler who wants to provide fail-proof power to multiple large HD LCD fish-finders, live imaging, and forward-facing sonar all day long – if not longer on a single charge – and provide the cold cranking amps (CCA) necessary to power big outboards.NORSK Lithium batteries are manufactured under strict ISO 9001 standards to produce the highest quality, most reliable batteries on the market. Combined with industry-leading NORSK Guardian™ App and Thermal Core heating, that makes this battery suitable for year ‘round use. Ultimately there is no better battery available to today’s angler running sophisticated, power-consumptive fishing electronics. SPECIFICATIONS Battery Type: Lithium Ion Phosphate (LiFePo4) Rated Capacity: 180AH Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 1200 Watt Hours: 2304 Voltage Range: 10-14.6V Weight: approx. 55 lbs. Size: 18.9” (l) x 10.63” (w) x 8.19” (h) Lifespan: 4,000+ Cycles, 15-20 years Warranty: 10 Year + NORSK Guardian™ app technical support MSRP: Unheated: $1,399.99; Thermal Core heating: $1,549.99 

Elite Input, Technology, and Performance from DAIWA

Elite Input, Technology, and Performance
New technique-specific DAIWA TATULA Elite AGS Bass Rod Series engineered with significant pro angler input and rigorous testing.
FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (July 10, 2023) – DAIWA continues the 10th year anniversary recognition of its TATULA brand with the introduction of the new premium-level TATULA Elite AGS bass rod series, a new 16 model lineup showcasing the latest advancements in DAIWA rod technology.Lightweight and sensitivity are the key focus points bass anglers will experience with the TATULA Elite AGS rods, where DAIWA relied on noted professional anglers including Brent Ehrler, Seth Feider, Randy Howell, Chris Johnston, Cory Johnston, Cody Meyer, Ish Monroe, Takahiro Omori, and Patrick Walters in developing the actions and powers.
TTEL741HFB shown
TTEL761MLFS shown
At the core of the TATULA Elite AGS rods are lightweight SVF Nano Plus blanks to provide each rod with its crisp action, along with X45 Bias construction to prevent blank twisting for greater strength, excellent sensitivity, and hook-setting power. DAIWA also includes its exclusive Air Guide System (AGS), considered the lightest and most sensitive guides on the market, which dampen vibrations during the cast to provide anglers with a quicker response and feel for increased lure action sensitivity. The carbon frame AGS guides are up to 40% lighter and more rigid than those made from titanium and have proven their effectiveness in reducing overall rod weight and added sensitivity. 
The Air Sensor reel seats, built with carbon fiber, provide anglers with a further increase in sensitivity throughout the entire rod. Both the AGS guides and Air Sensor reel seats are also found on DAIWA’s flagship Steez AGS bass rod series.All 16 rods in the series – 10 casting and six spinning – are designed for specific bass fishing techniques. Within the series, for those who prefer more power fishing situations will uncover frog, ‘long cast’ frog and punchin’/flippin’ rods that have Ish Monroe fingerprints all over them, and Tak Omori’s expertise in a cranking rod that has added fiberglass incorporated into the blank along with an extra-heavy power 7’3” pitching rod. Patrick Walters is the brain trust behind the 6’10” TATULA Elite AGS jerkbait rod, while Cory Johnston brings his Canadian roots background to the medium-heavy power, 7’5” soft stickbait/football jig rod. 
For those bass fishing situations where finesse techniques are needed, DAIWA relied on the ‘from above the Mason-Dixon Line’ expertise to design the 7’6” Seth Feider hair jig/Neko rig and Chris Johnston split cork grip hair jig spinning rods, with Chris also contributing to his 7’11” Ned rig spinning rod also featuring a split cork grip. Bass anglers can rely on Cody Meyer’s talents on the TATULA Elite AGS 7’4” Neko/wacky rig/tube spinning rod, and when the situation calls for shakey head/drop shot and even small swimbait techniques, Randy Howell provides his knowledge on a TATULA Elite AGS 7’3” spinning rod.For ‘power finesse’ techniques, Brent Ehrler comes through with a 7’ rod that handles 1/8- to 1-ounce lures, plus Brent completes the TATULA Elite AGS lineup with a versatile 7’3” casting rod.
TTEL801 Ish Monroe Swimbait Rod
Randy Howell notes that anglers will really notice the extreme lightness and sensitivity from the AGS guides, especially when you’re working baits on the bottom and need to feel the most subtle bites. The AGS guides tell you when to set the hook, instead of allowing the bass to shallow your bait, plus the lessened guide weight in the tip provides improved balance.“With its ‘TATULA – We’ve Got Your Bass Covered’ tagline for all TATULA-branded rods and reels, we’re able to highlight DAIWA’s manufacturing capabilities and technology developed over the years in our TATULA casting and spinning reels, and now our best in brand TATULA Elite AGS bass rods,” said DAIWA’s senior marketing director Marc Mills. “Bass anglers know the dedication DAIWA has for the sport, and the success we’ve have with the TATULA brand over the past 10 years shows it.”
TTEL751MHFB Cody Meyer Soft Stickbait/Football Jig Rod
TATULA Elite AGS FEATURES and SPECIFICATIONS 16 Technique-Specific Models Designed with DAIWA Pro Input DAIWA Exclusive Air Guide System (AGS) DAIWA Exclusive Air Sensor Reel Seats SVF NANOPLUS™ Graphite (most models) Micro-Pitch Blank Taped Tips Un-Sanded Finish Blanks for Uniform Construction X45® Bias Construction GLATECH™ Construction Limited 5 Year Warranty MSRP $299.99 to $319.99
TTEL711MHFS Randy Howell Power Spin Rod
For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us

Cole scores come-from-behind win at Bassmaster Kayak Series event on Upper Mississippi River

Tyler Cole of Delaware, Iowa, has won the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series on the Mississippi River powered by TourneyX with a two-day total of 178.5 inches. 

Photo by Mark Cisneros /B.A.S.S.

July 9, 2023

Cole scores come-from-behind win at Bassmaster Kayak Series event on Upper Mississippi River

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Tyler Cole got married last weekend.

This weekend, after winning the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX on the Upper Mississippi River, he joked he had money to pay for the wedding.

Cole, who lives in Delaware, Iowa, about 2 1/2 hours downriver from La Crosse, caught a five-bass limit Sunday that measured 90.25 inches, the highest total of the two-day derby. When added to the 88.25 limit he caught on Day 1, Cole jumped from fourth place to the top of the leaderboard, his overall catch measuring 178.5 inches.

That was 1 1/2 inches more than anyone else in the field of 129 anglers gathered from throughout the U.S.

Cole earned a $7,846 cash prize for the win, his second on the Bassmaster Kayak Series. He also won a kayak tournament on Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake in 2020.

“This one is probably more gratifying of a win just because I consider it my home water,” he said. “I come up here a lot to fish. It’s nice to win one in a place I love.”

Cole said it’s a good thing he didn’t need much time to scout the area, what with his wedding only eight days before he collected the winner’s check and trophy.

“I came up on Friday to check a spot,” he said. “It was a community hole then and it was a community hole all weekend. It’s the second tournament I’ve won with a Booyah Pad Crasher. It was the big bullfrog, the 2 1/2-incher. I worked it slow over pads next to eelgrass, right off current on the secondary channel.

“I locked the Pad Crasher in my hand and went to work. I found just the right bites. I figured I had fish to catch, but not win the tournament. But here we are.”

Cole said spring floods have made this area of the Mississippi River watershed especially productive.

“It’s as good as I’ve seen it in at least three or four years,” he said. “We had floods for a couple of weeks. I think the fish grouped up when the water went back down.”

Tennessee’s Rus Snyders finished second overall with 177 total inches and collected $3,542. He focused on largemouth bass in grassy spots, relying on a series of swim jigs and a 10-inch worm for his best catches.

The Top 13 anglers cashed checks at La Crosse, splitting a total cash purse of $25,800.

Behind Cole and Snyders are third, Missouri’s Lance Burris, 175.75; fourth, Illinois’ Todd Martens, 174.25; fifth, Minnesota’s Zach Gibbons, 174.25; sixth, New Jersey’s Greg DiPalma, 174.25; seventh, Ohio’s Drew Gregory, 173; eighth, Kentucky’s Anthony Winkleman, 171.25; ninth, Wisconsin’s Nick Berndt, 168; 10th, Iowa’s Jordan Westerman, 165.75; 11th, Tennessee’s Jim Davis, 164.5; 12th, Texas’ Weslie Gray, 164.5; and 13th, Illinois’ Kyle Brenner, 163.5.

Gregory won the $500 Big Bass Award for the 19.75-inch bass he caught Sunday. Snyders also caught a 19.75 on Sunday, but Gregory won the tiebreaker because his next-best bass was longer than Snyders’ biggest fish.

The derby on the Upper Mississippi River was the fourth of five regular-season kayak tournaments on the tour in 2023. The final event is scheduled for the Susquehanna River in Lewisburg, Penn., in October, with previous tournaments taking place on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell and Texas’ Possum Kingdom Lake.

Competing anglers vied for points in the 2023 Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race, as well as spots in the 2024 Championship, which will be held at a yet-to-be-disclosed location.

Explore La Crosse hosted the event.

Unleash the Power of Protection: Discover Why Rod Sleeves Are Essential for Your Fishing Gear! ?

Having Rod Sleeves covering your fishing rods is of utmost importance for several reasons. 

Firstly, Rod Gloves provide excellent protection for your fishing rods. The rugged outdoors can be quite harsh on your fishing gear, with potential damages ranging from scratches to dents. Rod Gloves act as a shield, preventing your rods from getting scratched or banged up during transportation or storage. This protection extends the lifespan of your rods, ensuring they remain in optimal condition for longer durations.

Secondly, Rod Gloves help in organizing and maintaining the integrity of your fishing rods. The stretchable and flexible material of Rod Gloves allows them to snugly fit over the rod blanks and guides, keeping them securely in place. This prevents the rods from tangling or getting entangled with other fishing gear, saving you valuable time and frustration on the water. Moreover, organized rods are easier to transport and store, minimizing the chances of accidental damage.

Additionally, Rod Gloves offer enhanced safety for both you and your fishing companions. The soft and cushioned material of the gloves minimizes the risk of injuries caused by accidental contact with the rod blanks or guides. This is particularly crucial during transportation, as rods without covers can potentially cause harm if they come into contact with someone or something. Rod Gloves provide a protective barrier, reducing the likelihood of such accidents.

Furthermore, Rod Gloves offer convenience and ease of use. They are designed to be lightweight and flexible, allowing for easy installation and removal. This means that you can quickly slip on or take off the covers whenever needed, without any hassle. The compact nature of Rod Gloves also makes them easily portable, enabling you to carry them in your tackle bag or backpack without taking up much space.

Lastly, Rod Gloves can help maintain the aesthetic appeal of your fishing rods. Many anglers take pride in their fishing gear, and having clean and well-maintained rods adds to the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of the fishing experience. Rod Gloves protect the exterior finish of your rods, preventing them from getting dirty, faded, or damaged by UV rays. This ensures that your rods retain their original appearance, allowing you to showcase your gear with pride.

We here at the Bass Cast are a fan of the Evolv Rod Sleeve. Its innovative design and high-quality materials make it a must-have accessory for any angler.

The EVOLV Tour Grade Rod Sleeve is made of durable scuba neoprene and automotive-grade thermoplastic elastomer. It provides ultimate protection for your fishing rod, preventing scratches and damage during transport or storage. The sleeve is versatile, fitting most standard-sized rods, and features a Velcro closure system for secure fit. It is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry. Invest in the EVOLV Tour Grade Rod Sleeve to protect your valuable fishing rod investment.

In conclusion, the importance of having Rod Gloves covering your fishing rods cannot be understated. They provide essential protection, organization, safety, convenience, and maintenance for your valuable fishing gear. Investing in Rod Gloves is a wise decision that ensures your rods remain in top condition, allowing you to enjoy countless successful and enjoyable fishing trips.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

Steve Crist & Dennis Stump Win Leesville Lake Tourney Series with 15.88lbs

Steve Crist and Dennis Stump emerged as the champions of the Leesville Lake Tourney Series, beating out sixteen other teams for a grand prize of over $700. Their expertise and knowledge of the lake set them apart from the competition. Congratulations to these skilled anglers for their well-deserved victory.

July Kerr Lake Fishing Report by Captain Rick Morris

Here we are the dog days of Summer, The water temperatures are high! The long hot days can make fishing very slow so time to fish offshore. Keep this in mind,  offshore ledges and brush pile fishing is best early in the morning the same as shallow fish,  so if you go shallow first you’re passing up the best time for offshore fishing. The best offshore places will have rock wood or brush dropping off quickly to deep water. Maybe the side of a long point on the main lake where it drops from 10 to 30 foot, obvious channel swings create this. Channel swings and fast breaks offer water, flow, food, and habitat. Seek these places out.  Time to break out 10 inch worms, large and finesse jigs, drop shot,  shaky head worms and Carolina rig. Experiment with different size plastics and different colors, size and color can make a big difference this time of year. Fish These baits very very slow. If you’re chasing fish with your #ActiveTarget (forward shooting sonar) then drop shot is still the best choice, however under spins with Swim Baits show up really nice when targeting brush piles. ?Good luck, start early and stay hydrated. www.RickMorrisFishing.Com,
instructional bass fishing or multi species family trips available with #CaptainRickMorris, @MercuryMarine, #Goboldly, #Power-Pole, #GammaFishing, #Lowrance, #FalconBassBoats, #Costa, #LewsFishing, #WarEagleLures, #RPMCUSTOMRODS.

Jeremy Miller & Bubba Barnett Win CATT Neuse River, NC Spring Final July 1, 2023

Jeremy Miller & Bubba Barnett take 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 14.37 lbs and take home $2,260.00!

Jim Hipkiss & Dennis Boykin 2nd Place with 12.27 lbs!

Jordan Tilton & Zach Gullbronson 3rd with 11.71 lbs!

Christopher Campbell & Zach Simmons 4th and the BF at 6.00 lbs!

TeamBFWeightWinnings
Jeremy Miller Bubba Barnett4.0614.37$2,260.00
Jim Hipkiss Dennis Boykin3.5612.27$1,150.00
Jordan Tilton Zach Gullbronson4.1411.71$566.00
Christopher Campbell Zach Simmons6.0011.47$354.00
Jacob Brown Josh Brown0.0011.41
Jason Nelson Zach Wallace3.8810.76
Jason Pittman Jeremy Hodge3.5310.54
Brody Brown Russell Brown0.009.87
Al Kennedy Justin Kennedy3.849.06
Tom Warner0.009.02
Van Bibbs Eddie Mazingo0.008.13
Wayne Stallings Justing Everett2.297.91
Brian Bell Parker Mills0.006.75
Robert Monroe0.004.91
Brandon Carter0.004.73
David Grantham Courtland Williams0.004.71
Dave Bell Brian Link0.002.21
Tony Crabb0.000.00
Ryan Killinger Dickie Killinger0.000.00
Zeb West0.000.00
Eric Brown0.000.00
Darrek Brown Brandon Mohiser0.000.00
Austin King Cody Aman0.000.00

Summer Bass Fishing: Crankbait Tips for Epic Catches! ??

Summer is a prime time for bass fishing, and one of the most effective lures to use during this season is a crankbait. Crankbaits mimic the movement and appearance of baitfish, making them irresistible to hungry bass. Here are some tips to help you maximize your success with crankbaits when targeting bass in the summer.

1. Vary Your Depths: Bass tend to move to different depths depending on the time of day and water temperature. Experiment with different crankbait depths to find where the bass are holding. Start with shallow-running crankbaits in the morning and evening when bass are more likely to be near the surface. As the day progresses and the water heats up, switch to deeper-running crankbaits to reach bass that have moved to deeper structures and cover.

2. Pay Attention to Water Clarity: The clarity of the water can greatly influence the type and color of crankbait you should use. In clear water, opt for natural colors such as shad patterns or translucent hues. If the water is murky or stained, go for brighter and more vibrant colors like chartreuse or firetiger. Matching the crankbait color to the water conditions will increase your chances of attracting bass.

3. Vary Your Crankbait Speed: Bass have different preferences when it comes to the speed at which they want their prey to move. Experiment with different retrieval speeds to figure out what the bass are responding to on a particular day. Start with a moderate retrieve speed and then try speeding up or slowing down until you find the right tempo that triggers strikes.

4. Target Structure and Cover: Bass love to hang out near structure and cover during the summer months, as it provides shade and ambush points. Crankbaits are excellent for fishing around structures like submerged trees, rocks, and docks. Make accurate casts near these areas and work your crankbait through the cover to entice strikes.

5. Use a Pause-and-Go Technique: Sometimes, bass prefer a crankbait that imitates a wounded or dying baitfish. To simulate this, use a pause-and-go technique during your retrieve. After a few steady cranks, pause the retrieve for a few seconds, allowing the crankbait to suspend momentarily before resuming the retrieve. This pause can often trigger a reaction strike from nearby bass.

6. Change Your Crankbait Action: Crankbaits come in different shapes and styles, each with its own unique action. Some crankbaits have a tight wobble, while others have a wide, erratic action. If one type of crankbait isn’t producing bites, switch to a different one with a different action. Changing up the crankbait’s action can often trigger a reaction from finicky bass.

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to fishing with crankbaits. Spend time on the water experimenting with different techniques, depths, and colors until you find what works best for the bass in your area. With patience and persistence, you’ll be reeling in summer bass using crankbaits like a pro.

Get started today with the SPRO John Crews Little John DD 60 Deep Diving Crankbait. The SPRO Little John DD Crankbait is 2 1/3 inch, 5/8 ounce small profile deep diver designed by B.A.S.S. Elite Series Pro John Crews. It dives 9-12 feet and comes stock with two premium Gamakatsu size 3 treble hooks. The weight transfer system has soft tungsten balls that provide it with a softer sounding subtle presentation.