|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Time Exhibitor Wins Best of Show at ICAST
Thriving in the Face of Inflation
|
Thriving in the Face of Inflation |
|
Professionalism of NPAA Captains and Guides helps keep businesses afloat. |
|
Forestville, WI (July 21, 2022) – A rising tide, it’s said, floats all boats. Unfortunately, an ebbing economy can have the opposite effect. With inflation at levels that haven’t been seen in decades and gas prices rising even more, you can bet that charter captains and fishing guides across the country are feeling a shark-sized bite right where they keep their wallets. “It’s tough to make a living on the water when the cost of fuel and other expenses keeps rising,” says National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) president, Patrick Neu. “If you’re a charter captain, licensed guide or tournament angler you’ve certainly got some challenges to overcome. As an organization, we know inflation and higher fuel prices are going to negatively impact our members. Still, we’ve seen enterprising businesspeople throughout the fishing and boating industries battle these drags on our economy before and come out stronger than ever.” Staying afloat in these rocky seas requires business owners of any type to show resolve, run things more efficiently, and view rising expenses as an opportunity to rise above the competition. That way, when the economy bounces back, you’ll be a better position to take advantage of the next bounce. Take Adam Rasmussen, owner of Rasmussen Outdoors Guide Service and Salmon Depot Charters in Sturgeon Bay, WI. With more than 15 years of experience running charters for bass, walleye and salmon, he’s seen a few ups and downs but has always managed to push ahead. Today, he runs three boats and says his phone is still ringing off the hook. |
|
|
Adam Rasmussen, owner of Rasmussen Outdoors Guide Service and Salmon Depot Charters |
|
Adam Rasmussen: Don’t Cut Corners “I’m just trying to see things through day-by-day and give my customers the best fishing experience they’ve ever had,” says Rasmussen. “Sure, I’m watching my expenses more, but I’m not cutting any corners when it comes to fishing success. I’m hitting the same spots that always produce even if it means taking a longer run to find better action. I haven’t made any adjustments to my bass and walleye trip prices as of yet. Most of those are local and if I have to eat an extra $30 in gas, that’s the price of running a professional outfit.” On salmon adventures, which require a larger boat and more running/trolling time, Rasmussen has added a $50 fuel surcharge and says he may need to increase that to $100 depending on if the price of fuel continues to rise. “I usually carry four to six people on salmon trips,” he explains. “Split that between fares and it’s only $25 or less apiece. In the short salmon season here, I can’t afford to lose $100 a day. I explain that up front and my customers seem to understand – especially those who’ve seen how hard I work in the past.” It just goes to show that honesty is the best policy continues Rasmussen – and providing a professional experience pays dividends down the road. “If you need to raise your price, keep increases reasonable. I know guys that have added a couple-hundred dollars to the price of a salmon trip. I fish from a 34-foot Pursuit, and I’ve added on $50 to cover my fuel. Which one of us will get those customers next summer?” |
|
|
Matt Steffun, Port Mansfield Fishing Charters |
|
Matt Steffun: Keep Saving Long time NPAA member Matt Steffen, of Port Mansfield, TX, also believes professionalism, honesty and a fair deal are keys to moving forward. He runs Port Mansfield Fishing Charters and points out that captains and guides need to not only cover daily expenses but to put away money from each trip in case engine maintenance or hull repair is needed down the line – even during tough economic circumstances. “When I started out, an experienced skipper took me aside and said that to survive in this business, you need to save an amount equal to about half your gas expenditure on each trip for a rainy day,” recalls Steffen. “I took that advice to heart and it’s served me well over the years. Matt has also found it important to be upfront with his customers. “When I realized I’d have to increase my price for ocean trolling trips, I put a survey on my media page and asked if anglers would prefer I add a gas surcharge or adjust the billing at the end of the trip based on how much gas was used,” Steffen said. “Everyone who answered the survey chose the surcharge.” Like Rasmussen, Steffen increased his fare for local fishing, mostly in the bays, but only by $50. He also runs an air boat for hunting tips and his price for those has remained unchanged. His offshore trips, however, increased by $300, which reduced his offshore bookings. His ‘regulars’ have continued to run with him but new prospects have sometimes chosen to book lower-priced trips offered by captains who keep prices low not putting anything aside for repairs. “That makes it a little tough for me right now,” he says, “but we’ll see what happens when they miss a month or two of the season, while trying to find money to fix their boats. Part of being professional is being responsible and planning ahead for problems. Every vessel breaks down.” |
|
|
Photo courtesy of Sand City Fishing Charters |
|
Gage Simon: Take the High Road Targeting striped bass, bluefish, fluke, scup and blackfish on Long Island Sound, Capt. Gaige Simon runs Sand City Fishing Charters out of Huntington, NY. He’s been in the boating and fishing industry for over 20 years but started his charter operation just this spring. “I hadn’t fully priced in the inflation rate and rising gas prices when I first splashed the water,” he admits, “but I’m lucky there isn’t much competition in my area. I also caught a break when the stripers and blues absolutely invaded our waters so there’s been little need to go searching for fish. I’m sure I could jack the price up and blame the gas situation right now but that’s not my style. I plan to keep my fare the same for the rest of this year. I’ll make an adjustment next season, if necessary, but only if inflation warrants it.” While Simon’s decision turned out to be an easy one – take the professional high road – he welcomed the opportunity to discuss his options. “It’s great to belong to an organization where captains talk openly about business options,” he says. “It gives newbies like me some guidance and different perspectives to think about. I’ve paid my dues in this industry, but this is my first year as a charter skipper. I’ll take all the help I can get from more experienced captains willing to share their knowledge. That’s one of the reasons I joined the NPAA.” And that’s exactly what you’re likely to get with an NPAA membership. Yes, it’s another expense–but it’s also a smart investment. “Our members learn what it truly means to be a professional and build a successful business strategy by networking with other members and attending our annual conference. At $100, our yearly dues are one of the few things in this world that hasn’t gone up in price for nearly two decades. It really is a bargain.” To learn more about the NPAA, it’s member benefits, or to join the organization visit www.npaa.net. |
Positive Mental Attitude – It’s Working for Me by Justin Largen
Positive Mental Attitude – It’s Working for Me
[print_link]
I attended a fishing expo several years ago where Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Gerald “G-Man” Swindle was one of the headliners. Instead of teaching a particular lure or technique, like the other presenters, he spoke about the mental side of fishing. He talked about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude on and off the water, and he explained how thishas helped his career. G-Man shared some personal stories, and he also passed on a tip that he learned from a sports coach, a simple method to help with a positive mindset. At this coach’s prompting, Gerald started wearing a rubber band on his wrist. Every time he’d catch himself thinking a negative thought, he would snap the rubber band and replace the negative thought with a positive one. The idea was that your brain would associate negative thoughts with physical pain, and over time you would develop a more positive outlook. I don’t know if G-Man still uses a rubber band, but he does sell cool wristbands on his website with the message, PMA: Positive Mental Attitude.
Before going any further, I should mention that I’m not the best spokesman for a positivity campaign. It feels almost hypocritical for me to bring up this subject. I tend to get easily frustrated on the water, whether it be from a lost fish, an errant cast, equipment failure or even a weather change that negatively impacts the fishing. When preparing for tournaments, I findmyself thinking about all the things that could go wrong. What if the fish I found in practice are gone during the tournament? What if I don’t catch anything and I have an embarrassing finish? I’m not the overly positive guy who brushes off adversity with a smile and keeps moving forward unfazed. Butafter hearing Gerald speak, I purchased one of his wristbands and started thinking more about my attitude. For whatever reason, I didn’t stick with it for very long. My wristband ended up in a dusty drawer and was eventually lost.
Sometime in the last year, I jumped back on the PMA train. I’d started competing in kayak tournaments, but things weren’t clicking. I was making mental mistakes and having lackluster performances. After watching some of the top kayak anglers, hearing them recap tournaments at award ceremonies or via their social media, I noticed a common thread. Aside from pro-level ability, they all had a mental toughness and positive vibe. That spurred me to do some self-reflection and start working on my mental game. I started by going back to Gerald’s wristband idea. I picked up a handful of wristbands with different motivational messages, and I’ll wear one that seems appropriate for whatever I’m doing on a given day. When practicing for tournaments, I’ll often pick one that reads, rise and grind. Other day’s I’ll choose a band that that reminds me to count my blessings. For competition days, I might wear one that says, seize the day. These little messages help keep me on track.
Another step – even more important than the wristbands –is talking to myself. It sounds simple, but it works. Just to be clear, I don’t mean loud ramblings that everyone on the lake can hear. It’s closer to a mumble or whisper but loud enough that I can hear it. When it comes to content, pretty much anything goes, but most of the time I’m talking strategy. Sometimes it’s in the form of a question like, should I stay in this area or move toanother spot? It could be a comment like, the fish stopped biting my moving baits, let’s make a change. Retrieve speed, depth, water clarity, or weather could all be topics of conversation. Verbalizing my thought process and decisions helps me stay focused.
Talking to myself also helps me reign in my emotions. When I’m amped up in the last hour of a tournament and I start fishing too fast, telling myself to calm down helps me slow down. In the same way, little pep talks can help me shake the frustration of a lost fish. They can also help wake me up if I’m in a funk. Maybe I’m feeling good after filling my limit and catch myself getting a little too relaxed. A harsh word or two can snap me out of it and get me back in the game.
I’ll share a few specific examples from a recent tournament on Lake Winnipesaukee. I’d found some quality fish guarding fry and a few late spawners holding around docks, but there weren’t very many and most were skittish. On the morning of day one, I went to one of the aggressive fish, confident that it would be relatively easy to catch. It bit my Baby D Stroyer on the first cast, swam behind a docked boat, and cut my line on theprop. This was mentally devastating. Without that fish, I wasn’t sure I could manage a limit. I thought my tournament was overin the first 15 minutes.
After a few choice words aimed at the lost fish, I started to calm myself down. I took my time retying and started talking strategy.
“Well, that one’s not going to bite again. Now what? Should we try for the bedding fish? No, let’s wait for the sun to get up a little. We should make some blind casts around those other docks. There’s still lots of time to figure things out.”
This conversation with myself didn’t magically make everything okay. I was still frustrated with the lost fish, but the pep talk got my mind refocused, and I started moving past it. About 15 minutes later I caught solid fish on back-to-back casts. Another 15 minutes and I landed my third big bass. Ultimately, I was able to channel that positive energy and put together a strong limit.
Day two of the tournament gave me another opportunity to test my mental fortitude. The morning couldn’t have started any better. I fished a different part of the lake, another area where I’d found some bed fish and fry guarders. I’d marked them with waypoints, and I was able to land four long, skinny ones withinthe first 30 minutes of competition. Then it got tough. After going 3 hours without a fish, I decided to change areas. The negative voices in my head were screaming, “You’re going to blow this.”
It took about 20 minutes to pedal back to the launch and another 40 to drive to the next ramp. I talked the whole way, reassuring myself and formulating a gameplan. With four good fish on the scoreboard, I just needed one bite, so I decided to go back to the docks from day one. If I couldn’t catch any there, I could pedal to a couple of nearby spots that held some small keepers. Surely, I could catch number five from one of these spots. While I drove, I worked to adjust my attitude. I’d beenfeeling anxious and frustrated for the last couple of hours, so Ireminded myself that I was still in a great position. I had done far better in my starting spot that I expected, and I could put myself in contention with one quality fish.
When I arrived at the ramp, my head was in a much better place. Fishing was still slow, but I continued to work, talking the whole time. “One more fish. You got this.” An hour later – though it felt like much longer – I netted what turned out to be the winning fish. Looking back, it’s almost eerie to think thatmy kayak was sitting about fifty yards from where I lost that big fish the day before.
Now for a few disclaimers. A positive mindset isn’t a magic bullet. It isn’t going to transform you into a bass pro overnight. It won’t improve your casting ability or help you pattern the fish. But it will allow you to maximize your potential, to harness the skill you already have. I’m a work in progress, but the small improvements I’ve made are having a big impact. A more positive attitude has made my time on the water more enjoyable and resulted in higher tournament finishes. So, I’ll continue to battle negative thoughts, control what I can, and accept the results with a gracious attitude. Don’t be hardheaded like I was. Jump on the positivity bandwagon and don’t look back.
Mossy Oak and Major League Fishing Announce New Licensing Agreement to Showcase MLF Merchandise and Apparel
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 20, 2022) – Mossy Oak, the leading branded camouflage and outdoor lifestyle company, announced an agreement with the Major League Fishing (MLF) wherein Mossy Oak will manage all future merchandise licensing efforts for MLF. In collaboration with MLF, Mossy Oak will work with a variety of partners within the retail space to produce MLF branded apparel and related products. Mossy Oak has been a partner with MLF since 2018 and is the league’s exclusive fishing pattern.
“At Mossy Oak, we are so appreciative and honored with our industry leading partnerships. Our best of the best positioning with national branded licensees and retailers and our top-tier tournament trail pro team led by Kevin VanDam cements our commitment to the world of fishing! As we look to further that commitment our new partnership with Major League Fishing takes it to a whole new level,” said Chris Paradise, Sr. Vice President of Mossy Oak. “Not only is Mossy Oak the Official Exclusive Pattern for MLF, we are now the worldwide licensing activation partner for all MLF brands! We cannot be more excited for what we have in store for our fishing community and the collaboration between Mossy Oak and Major League Fishing.”
“This partnership with Mossy Oak aligns with our objective to grow the sport of bass fishing,” said Michael Mulone, MLF Vice President of Strategic Business Planning. “Mossy Oak is a renowned lifestyle brand that understands the unique needs of anglers and outdoorsmen and women. The team at Mossy Oak has the experience and resources for the procurement and distribution of world-class gear and apparel. Through our partnership with Mossy Oak and new licensees, we are looking forward to introducing our brand and the sport of bass fishing to an even broader audience.”
At REDCREST, the Bass Pro Tour Championship event held in Tulsa this past March, apparel featuring the Mossy Oak fishing pattern and the MLF logo sold out on the first day of the Outdoor Sports Expo.
The Mossy Oak brand will remain prominently showcased across numerous MLF media platforms, including the MLF General Tire Team Series and the Bass Pro Tour Heavy Hitters All-Star event, at MajorLeagueFishing.com, MLF Bass Fishing Magazine and the “MLF NOW!” livestream, which broadcasts during every Bass Pro Tour and Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event.
For more information about MLF, their tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about Mossy Oak, visit MossyOak.com.
About Mossy Oak
Established in 1986, Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., and is home to Mossy Oak. For more than 30 years, Mossy Oak has been a leading outdoor lifestyle brand specializing in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoors enthusiasts. The Mossy Oak Brand and patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the parent company of Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Capture Productions, MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, Nativ Living, GameKeepers, GameKeepers Kennels, Mossy Oak Properties, and Mossy Oak GO Mossy Oak is the official camouflage of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and Mack’s Prairie Wings and the official pattern of MLF.
Follow Mossy Oak on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, the Discovery Channel, the Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, the World Fishing Network, and on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with offices in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 13 countries. In 2019, MLF expanded its portfolio of catch, weigh, and immediately release events to include the sport’s strongest five-biggest-fish format tournament circuits. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Major League Fishing – WE ARE Bass Fishing™
Bassmaster Elite Brotherhood Rescues Downey On Championship Sunday At St. Lawrence River
Bassmaster Elite Series anglers Matt Robertson and Lee Livesay, who did not make the final day cut, exchange boats with fellow pro Bob Downey (right) during Championship Sunday at last weekend’s Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at the St. Lawrence River.
Photo by Shane Durrance/B.A.S.S.
July 20, 2022
Bassmaster Elite Brotherhood Rescues Downey On Championship Sunday At St. Lawrence River
[print_link]
CLAYTON, N.Y. — Bassmaster Elite Series pros Lee Livesay of Longview, Texas, and Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., were at the weigh-in venue waiting for their time to appear on the Bassmaster LIVE Mix broadcast when they heard that fellow angler Bob Downey’s boat was malfunctioning during Championship Sunday of last weekend’s Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at the St. Lawrence River.
Livesay and Robertson, who did not make the Championship Sunday cut, jumped at the chance to help a fellow competitor. They left to pick up Livesay’s boat, filled it with gas, bought ice and some snacks and launched to go find Downey, who hails from Detroit Lakes, Minn. Livesay noted that he and Downey are not particularly close friends. In fact, Livesay didn’t even have Downey’s phone number. But as a fellow Elite Series competitor, that’s plenty close enough.
“I’d do that for anybody,” Livesay said. “And anybody would do that for any one of us.”
Swapping boats in the middle of a competition day is not a simple task. Livesay had to delete the waypoints on his Humminbird graphs. Downey had to grab just enough tackle that he needed to finish the day. They had to transfer Downey’s fish into Livesay’s livewells, where cool, iced water awaited them.
“We both had Humminbirds, so that was good,” Livesay said. “We put one of his Humminbirds in my boat.”
Downey’s outboard motor wasn’t completely disabled. It just wouldn’t get his boat up on plane.
“We stayed close just in case either boat had a problem,” Robertson said.
“It didn’t surprise me,” Downey said. “Lee and Matt are awesome dudes, good character guys. It didn’t surprise me at all that they did it, and I’m thankful they did.”
Downey started the day in second place, only 2 pounds, 15 ounces behind leader and eventual tournament winner Jay Przekurat. But his day had gone south long before his outboard malfunctioned. Downey had been fishing in the St. Lawrence River all week, and he wasn’t able to catch them there Sunday. He finished 10th with a four-day total of 91-07, but he was able to weigh in a limit of fish.
“I had some fish when they got there with Lee’s boat,” Downey said. “I was able to catch some more and get back for the weigh-in. I was happy to have a 17-pound limit and some fish to weigh on Championship Sunday.”
Downey, Robertson, Livesay and the rest of the Elite Series field will take to the water again August 18-21 for the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe in South Dakota.
MLF’s Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 6 Set to Visit Lake Champlain
Covercraft Stop 6 on Lake Champlain Presented by Wiley X to Showcase 155 Professional Anglers Competing for Top Prize up to $135,000
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (July 19, 2022) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to Plattsburgh, New York, next week, July 29 – Aug. 1, for the sixth and final event of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Presented by Fuel Me regular-season – the Covercraft Stop 6 on Lake Champlain Presented by Wiley X. The four-day event – hosted by the City of Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau – will mark the 13th time the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit has competed on Lake Champlain and will showcase 155 professional anglers competing for a total purse of more than $850,000.
“We are so excited to have Major League Fishing tournaments back on the Adirondack Coast and Lake Champlain year after year,” said Alyssa Senecal, Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau Assistant Director of Tourism & Marketing. “These tournaments not only have an incredible economic impact on our area but bring long-lasting exposure to our backyard and anglers who just keep coming back for more. Thank you to everyone at MLF for recognizing, showcasing and caring for the destination that we call home.”
When the Pro Circuit last visited the lake in 2019, pro Casey Scanlon of Eldon, Missouri, put together a four-day total of 76 pounds, 2 ounces to take home the top award of $100,000. Legendary pro Gary Yamamoto of Palestine, Texas, holds the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit record for the heaviest one-day weight on the fishery, bringing a limit to the scale weighing 24 pounds, 4 ounces back in 2011.
In its 27th season, the Pro Circuit features a roster of 155 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals competing across six regular-season events, each with a top award of up to $135,000. The field is also competing for valuable points to qualify for the 2022 Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship – held this year on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York – and the coveted Bally Bet Angler of the Year (AOY) title.
In Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition, the full field of 155 anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Friday and Saturday. The top 50 pros based on their two-day cumulative weight will advance to Sunday. Only the top 10 pros, based on cumulative weight from the first three days, will continue competition on Championship Monday, where weights will be zeroed and anglers will compete in a one-day shootout for the grand prize of up to $135,000, including a lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for qualified anglers.
Scanlon said the 2019 tournament – where he focused solely on largemouth on Ticonderoga – was his first and only time to ever fish on Lake Champlain, so he’s looking forward to getting back out on the fishery.
“I believe I’m just inside the cut for the TITLE championship, so I need a good showing at this event to make it to the TITLE,” Scanlon said. “It’s a little later than the last time we were there and there haven’t been a lot of major tournaments won in recent years in the area where I won, so that has me a little nervous. But Lake Champlain is a tremendous fishery and I’ve been doing my homework. I spent some time on the northern end of the lake last time as well, during practice, and I think the smallmouth are going to be a bigger factor this time around.”
Scanlon said he expects to still see some fish spawning, based on local tournaments currently taking place on the fishery, but he expects the fish to be transitioning to more of their summer patterns by the time the event begins.
“Champlain is full of fish, so catching fish isn’t a problem, but catching 4-pound-plus, quality fish is going to be key,” Scanlon said. “I imagine it’s going to be different than the last time I was there, so I just plan to stay on my toes, keep an open mind and try to focus on what’s going on this time around.
“It’s a big body of water, and with only two days of practice, you aren’t going to be able to see the whole lake,” Scanlon continued. “I plan to spend one day on the north end, focusing solely on smallmouth, then spend another day down south searching for largemouth.
“Champlain is a fishery where you can win on either species – and a combination of the two could be a winning pattern as well – so I just plan to get out there and try to get a good feel for which species is currently weighing heavier and is easier to catch.”
Scanlon said he predicts it will take anywhere from 74 to 80 pounds to win the four-day event.
“The fish should be finishing up the spawn and getting healthy, so we should see some good weights this time of year. You’re typically going to need 18 pounds per day or better to make the cuts and to have a shot at the championship round.”
Scanlon said it would be awesome to pull in another win on Lake Champlain.
“The tournament is shaping up a lot like it did last time for me, with the points scenario – and wins are always great – but it would be really special to go back and win it again on the same fishery,” Scanlon finished.
After four events in the 2022 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit regular season, Alabama pro Josh Butler leads the Bally Bet AOY race with 896 points. The reigning AOY, Michael Neal of Dayton, Tennessee, sits in second place with 882 points, while Guntersville, Alabama’s Justin Lucas sits in third with 863 points. Florence, Italy’s Jacopo Gallelli sits in fourth place with 863 points, while Mitch Crane of Columbus, Mississippi, rounds out the top five with 857 points.
Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. ET, Friday through Monday, from the Plattsburgh Waterfront, located at 5 Dock Street in Plattsburgh. Weigh-ins will also be held at the waterfront daily at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the event or follow the live on-the-water action all four days of competition online on MLF NOW! beginning at 7 a.m. ET at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
As part of the event, on Thursday, July 28 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET, the MLF Fisheries Management Division (FMD) will lead a clean-up event at the Plattsburgh Waterfront – the Costa Clean Water Matters Program supported by SeaArk Boats. Volunteers will clean up trash and debris from the shores of Lake Champlain, and SeaArk Boats will support the efforts by providing their revolutionary trash clean-up boat for use on the water during the clean-up. Numerous Pro Circuit anglers, including Dakota Ebare, Robby Lefere, Terry Luedtke, Jeff McClain, Jimmy Reese, Skeet Reese and John Voyles will be present at the event.
The MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Covercraft Stop 6 on Lake Champlain Presented by Wiley X will feature live on-the-water coverage and a two-hour action-packed television show that will premiere September 3 on the CBS Sports Network.
The 2022 season culminates next month with the Tackle Warehouse TITLE Presented by Mercury, the Pro Circuit Championship, where the top 48 pros in the points standings, along with 2021 TITLE Champion Jimmy Washam and 2021 AOY Michael Neal, will compete for a top prize of $235,000. The 2022 TITLE will be on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York, Aug. 16-21, and is hosted by the Town of Massena.
Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Jenko Fishing Wins Eighth-Annual ICAST Cup Presented by Major League Fishing on Lake Toho
Link to Full Image Gallery from 2022 ICAST Cup
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 19, 2022) – The Jenko Fishing team, represented by Coleton Jennings, Matt Hinman and Harbor Lovin, brought a three-bass limit totaling 21 pounds, 11 ounces to the stage to win the 2022 ICAST Cup at Lake Toho Presented by Major League Fishing (MLF) Tuesday. The four-hour bass-fishing tournament, hosted by Kissimmee Sports, was the kick-off event to ICAST 2022 and raised a total of $12,000 to benefit the industry’s angler advocacy program, Keep America Fishing™.
The field totaled 58 boats, including a handful of MLF Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and Toyota Series anglers, as well as outdoor media and industry representatives from popular tackle brand and non-profits. In its seven-year history, the charity tournament has raised more than $72,000 for Keep America Fishing.
Anchored by a 9-pound, 12-ounce kicker, the Jenko Fishing team won by a wide margin of 6 pounds, 11 ounces over the Skinny Water Marine/Lithium Battery Company team – comprised of Eric Conant, Michael Kirkland and Glen Cabezas – who brought a limit to the scale weighing 15 pounds even.
The Jenko Fishing team said they felt blessed to claim the 2022 ICAST Cup win, something that has been on their bucket list for the past couple years.
“It honestly didn’t come easy, today,” Jennings said. “The first place we stopped didn’t have much, so we left there with 7 or 8 pounds and made a run down the lake. I picked up a new prototype topwater bait that we’ve been working on for three years – it’s my pride and joy and my favorite bait that I’ve ever worked on – and you can see the results first-hand.”
The outcome of that decision and the super-secretive bait were three giant largemouth – including the 9-pound, 12-ounce kicker – that gave the trio their 21-11 limit and the opportunity to take home the ICAST Cup hardware.
“This isn’t even real life – this place is like Jurassic park,” Jennings laughed, maneuvering the three giant largemouth back into the bag.
“This bait is something we have worked so hard on,” he continued. “There hasn’t been anything super unique that has come out in a topwater bait in several years, but this bait is absolutely deadly and I’m so excited to get it out to the public.
“I mean, 21-11 in July, on only three fish – that’s incredible and it’s one of those days that you’ll never forget in your whole life,” Jennings finished.
The top 10 teams finished the tournament in:
2nd: Skinny Water Marine/Lithium Battery Company – Eric Conant, Michael Kirkland and Glen Cabezas, three bass, 15-0
3rd: Floatzilla – Douglas and Hayden Reed, three bass, 14-4
4th: Bull Bay Tackle Company – Jake Stines and Kelly Phillips, three bass, 14-1
5th: The Florida Angler – Nick Morrison and Jeff Powell, three bass, 13-15
6th: 13 Fishing – Christian Grecio and Garrett Rocamora, three bass, 13-12
7th: Hawg Tech, LLC – Robert Perez, Erik Tilson and Jerrod Brown, three bass, 13-2
8th: Thunder Rocket Lures – Jered Fontenot, Jimmy Frye and David Sartwell, three bass, 11-4
9th: Native Angler – Ben Paquin and Kwang Park, three bass, 10-15
10th: Nikko Baits – Rohan Ramsinh and Chuck Smith, three bass, 10-7
USA Bass partnered with MLF and Keep America Fishing to award the top-finishing women’s pair at the ICAST Cup a spot on the 2023 USA Pan American Bass fishing team. The highest-finishing team of female anglers was Michelle Jalaba and Hannah Wesley who brought three bass to the stage totaling 10 pounds even to earn their spot on Team USA Bass at the 2023 Pan American Bass Fishing Championship, alongside Jacob Wheeler, David Dudley, James Watson, Mark Rose, Fred Roumbanis and other top pros.
Keep America Fishing™ is leading the fight to preserve our right to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways. As the voice of the American angler, Keep America Fishing works to keep our public resources – our oceans, lakes, rivers and streams – open, clean and abundant with fish. For more information, please visit KeepAmericaFishing.org.
For more ICAST 2022 coverage, details and tournament information visit visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Hobie Releases the all-new Mirage® Passport® R Series
|
|
Hobie Releases the all-new Mirage® Passport® R Series |
|
Rotomolded R Models upgrade popular fishing and recreational pedal kayaks |
|
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (July 19, 2022) – Hobie, the leading manufacturer of premium kayaks and watersport products, launched the newest additions to their 2022 product line today with the unveiling of the Mirage Passport 12.0 R and the Mirage Passport 10.5 R. The first look of these rotomolded kayaks were made at the on the water demo day at ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show. |
|
|
|
Powered by MirageDrive® with Glide Technology and Kick-Up Fins, the new R Series models will be able to avoid obstacles with ease and navigate rocky or shallow waters thanks to the automatic retraction of Kick-Up Fins on impact and subsequent re-deployment once clear of the obstacle. With the rotomolded hull construction, available in Seagrass Green and Slate Blue, the new R models fuse a new sleek aesthetic with excellent performance and stability without sacrificing speed. |
|
|
“Since 1950, Hobie has always strived to create fun, accessible experiences on the water,” said Kelley Woolsey, Hobie Vice President of Global Sales, Service, and Marketing. “Today’s launch of the new Mirage Passport R Series kayaks echo Hobie’s values and mission of always striving to improve and update our product offering to deliver the best experience available. Hobie will always ensure that the highest quality products are available for kayakers of all experience to enjoy.” The 2022 Mirage Passport 10.5 R and the Mirage Passport 12.0 R will be available at authorized Hobie dealers starting later this month at an introductory MSRP of $1,649 and $1,869 respectively. To find a Hobie dealer, please visit: hobie.com/dealers. |
|
|
   |
Iconic Bassmaster Classic Trophy To Be Named In Honor Of Ray Scott
Beginning at the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, the famed winner’s trophy will be named in honor of Ray Scott.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
July 19, 2022
Iconic Bassmaster Classic Trophy To Be Named In Honor Of Ray Scott
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — When a world champion of fishing is crowned at the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, the angler will hoist a familiar trophy emblazoned with a legendary name. B.A.S.S. officials announced today that the famed Bassmaster Classic trophy will be named in honor of the organization’s founder Ray Scott.
Scott, who passed away in May at the age of 88, founded the first national professional bass fishing circuit, the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, in 1967 and the following year founded B.A.S.S., which grew to become the world’s largest fishing organization.
“Ray Scott’s passion and vision for bass fishing more than 50 years ago created not only the B.A.S.S. organization but our entire industry,” said Chase Anderson, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We could think of no better way to celebrate his lasting legacy than by officially naming the most iconic trophy in sportfishing — the Bassmaster Classic trophy — in his honor. It is often said that winning the Classic etches an angler’s name on the pages of bass fishing history, but it is a book that would never have been written without Ray.”
Scott’s brainchild, the Bassmaster Classic, grew from two dozen competitors and a smattering of spectators at Lake Mead, Nev., in 1971, to become the biggest event in sportfishing over the next half-century. Today, the Classic and related events such as the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo record more than 100,000 fishing fans each year and boast an economic impact of more than $30 million for host communities.
Aspirations of fishing in the Bassmaster Classic have drawn generations of anglers to tournament fishing.
“I can remember being a kid, getting up to watch The Bassmasters with Ray and Bob Cobb,” said 2022 Bassmaster Classic champion Jason Christie. “Ray Scott not only started modern-day bass fishing, but he was responsible for setting the bar on fish care and how tournament fishing should be done. I just hope whenever I’m done in this sport that I’ve lived up to the bar that Ray Scott set.”
One talented angler will be awarded the Ray Scott Bassmaster Classic trophy March 26 in Knoxville, Tenn., after three days of competition on the Tennessee River.
Ohio’s Copley Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Lake St. Clair
|
Boater Jeff Copley of Marengo, Ohio, and Strike-King co-angler Benjamin Mott of North Royalton, Ohio.
|
| HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (July 18, 2022) – Boater Jeff Copley of Marengo, Ohio, caught five bass Saturday weighing 26 pounds, 4 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine on Lake St. Clair . The tournament was the second event for the Bass Fishing League Michigan Division. Copley earned $8,407, including a $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
“We pulled up on some areas where I thought I had them pretty planned out, but I struggled for a while,” Copley said. “I ended up locating a school I had found Friday and spent the rest of the day making drifts and alternating between a swimbait and a drop-shot.” Copley said he was fishing 13 to 16 feet deep and targeting isolated grass clumps in the Anchor Bay area. Copley said he caught an estimated 20 fish during the course of the day, all of which were keepers. “I don’t typically weigh fish,” Copley said. “If they’re over four pounds, they go in the livewell, and if they’re under four pounds they get a cull tag. At one point I had culled everything that had a cull tag, and then I caught a 6-pounder. At that point I knew I had significantly more than 21 pounds. “I’ve learned from some of the best out there by fishing as a co-angler,” Copley said. “To be able to go out there and put it together myself was pretty amazing.” The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in: 1st: Jeff Copley, Marengo, Ohio, five bass, 26-4, $8,407 (includes $2,500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus) Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Copley also caught the heaviest bass of the tournament – 6 pounds, 3 ounces, to earn the day’s Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $735.
Benjamin Mott of North Royalton, Ohio, won the Strike King Co-angler Division and $2,736 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 22 pounds even. The top 10 Strike King co-anglers were: 1st: Benjamin Mott, North Royalton, Ohio, five bass, 22-0, $2,736 Matt Knox of Metamora, Illinois, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 14 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Berkley Big Bass Co-angler award of $367. After two events, Kyle Greene of Ortonville, Michigan, leads the Bass Fishing League Michigan Division Boater Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 498 points, while Greg Elswick of Goshen, Indiana, leads the Strike King Co-Angler Division AOY race with 490 points. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 13-15 Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Boaters will compete 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 fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2022 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six Regional Championships 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 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division will also earn priority entry into the MLF Toyota Series, the pathway to the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour. Proud sponsors of the 2022 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 4WP, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia, AFTCO, A.R.E. Truck Caps, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, Black Rifle Coffee, E3, Epic Baits, Favorite Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Baits, General Tire, Lew’s, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Revital Outdoors, Strike King, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, Wiley X, YETI and Yo-Zuri. 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. |
