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Smith Mountain Lake December 2019 Fishing Report by Captain Dale Wilson

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISHING REPORT
December 2019
DALE WILSON’S
SML GUIDE SERVICE
PHONE NO: 540-297-5650 / 540-874-4950
www.captaindalewilson.us

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OVERVIEW: A gift certificate with a fishing guide makes a great Christmas gift! Fishing will be good the next several weeks. Water temperature has fallen. Most species of fish will become more active as the water temperature cools. Look for striper fishing to continue to improve! Water temperature will be in the 50’s.. The bait fish are shallow in the back of the creeks and deep in the lower end.

Largemouth Bass- Fishing will be good this month. Best lures will be drop shot rigs, crank baits, shaky heads, spoons, spinner baits, Carolina rigs and plastic worms. Most largemouth bass will be caught on points, rock piles, brush piles and docks. Best depths will be from the surface to 30 feet deep. Bass will be caught both deep and shallow. Points, rocks, stumps and brush are a key factor to finding bass this month. Please practice catch and release.

Smallmouth Bass- Fishing for smallmouth is usually great this month. Best areas will be rocks, ledges, humps and main channel points. Best lures will be Ned rigs, hair jigs, drop shot rigs, crank baits, jerk baits and Carolina rigs. Best areas will be in the mid to the lower sections of the lake. Small mouth bass will feed on crawfish this month. Cloudy days are good times to try your luck! Light line will increase your chances to catch smallmouth bass. Night fishing will be fair.

Striped Bass- Fishing will be good. Stripers will be caught in the mid to upper sections of the lake and in
the larger creeks. Best lures will be swim baits, jigging spoons and Zoom flukes fished on 1/4 to 1/2 oz. lead heads. The best depths will be from near the surface to 50 feet deep. Vertical jigging is a good method to catch stripers this month. Try to find areas with the largest concentrations of baitfish. Fishing at night will be fair this month. Some stripers will surface early morning and late afternoon this month. Live bait fished on planner boards and down lines are also good methods this month.

Crappie- Fishing for crappie will be good this month. They will be found 10 to 20 feet deep. Best areas will be in the main creeks around docks, fallen trees, stumps and brush piles in the mid to upper parts of the lake. Small live minnows and 1 ½ to 2 inch tubes or shad shaped plastic lures fished on 1/32 to 1/16 oz. lead heads will work best to catch crappie this month.

TIP OF THE Month: Fishing will be better this month! Fishing on cloudy days and at night is usually the best time to fish. Make sure you wear your life jacket and never fish alone at night! Make sure your running lights are on after dark! You can never be too careful when boating. Remember to please practice catch and release! PLEASE TAKE A KID FISHING!

Major League Fishing Announces the 2020 Bass Pro Tour Field

Major League Fishing Announces
the 2020 Bass Pro Tour Field

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 27, 2019 (Tulsa, Okla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the 2020 Bass Pro Tour field.  The roster includes 78 returning anglers, including 2019 Points and REDCREST Champion Edwin Evers and General Tire World Champion Jacob Wheeler, as well as Kevin VanDam, Mike Iaconelli, Jordan Lee, and Skeet Reese. 2020 welcomes two new additions: 2019 FLW Tour Angler of the Year David Dudley and 2019 Forrest Wood Cup Winner Bryan Thrift. 2019 Bass Pro Tour competitors Gerald Swindle and Brandon Palaniuk will not return in 2020.

“We’re tremendously excited to begin the 2020 Bass Pro Tour,” said Jim Wilburn, MLF President and CEO. “Our initial goals of growing the sport of competitive bass fishing through an angler-centric league and tour continue to manifest itself with these exceptional pros.”

The following professional anglers will compete on the 2020 Bass Pro Tour: Casey Ashley, Justin Akins, Adrian Avena, Josh Bertrand, Tommy Biffle, Zach Birge, Stephen Browning, Brent Chapman, Jason Christie, Luke Clausen, Dustin Connell, Brandon Coulter, Cliff Crochet, Mark Daniels Jr., Mark Davis, Ott DeFoe, Boyd Duckett, David Dudley, Brent Ehrler, James Elam, Paul Elias, Edwin Evers, Todd Faircloth, Shin Fukae, Anthony Gagliardi, Shaw Grigsby, Greg Hackney, Roy Hawk, Brett Hite, Timmy Horton, Randy Howell, Mike Iaconelli, Alton Jones, Alton Jones Jr., Kelly Jordon, Gary Klein, Jeff Kriet, Jason Lambert, Bobby Lane, Chris Lane, Russ Lane, Jordan Lee, Matt Lee, Dave Lefebre, Jared Lintner, Justin Lucas, Aaron Martens, Mike McClelland, Cody Meyer, Ish Monroe, Andy Montgomery, Andy Morgan, John Murray, Britt Myers, Michael Neal, Takahiro Omori, Cliff Pace, Keith Poche, Jacob Powroznik, Skeet Reese, Marty Robinson, Dean Rojas, Mark Rose, Fred Roumbanis, Bradley Roy, Terry Scoggins, Fletcher Shryock, Gerald Spohrer, Jeff Sprague, Wesley Strader, Scott Suggs, Randall Tharp, Bryan Thrift, Kevin VanDam, Jonathan VanDam, Greg Vinson, David Walker, James Watson, Jacob Wheeler, Jesse Wiggins

David Dudley joins the MLF Bass Pro Tour following an exceptional 2019 as the FLW Tour Angler of the Year.  Dudley who has earned just over $4 million in his 25-year professional career ($3.8 million at FLW, which makes him the league’s all-time highest earner) – became the only angler in FLW history to win four AOY trophies when he finished the 2019 season with 1,250 points.

Dudley has accumulated 53 career Top 10s and nine tour-level wins. Two of those wins came on fisheries on which he will compete in the 2020 Bass Pro Tour: Lake Champlain and Lake Okeechobee.

2020 will mark his 26th year as a professional angler and he said the opportunity to push himself to new levels drove his decision to make the move. “I’m motivated to start a new chapter and set new goals for myself on the Bass Pro Tour,” reflected Dudley. “This format will present some new challenges and opportunities for me to grow as an angler; I will have to practice hard this winter to compete, which makes me both nervous and excited – feelings on which I thrive as a competitor.”

 

Bryan Thrift enters the Bass Pro Tour after what some consider to be the five most successful years for a professional bass angler. In 2019 he filled out his already impressive trophy case with one piece of hardware he was missing: the 2019 Forrest Wood Cup. That August win brought Thrift’s tour-level career win total to 12, boosted his list of Top 10s to 68 (the most in FLW history), and pushed him over the $3 million in career winnings.

Thrift has put together 25 Top 10s since 2013, including 18 Top 5s. He owns four wins on fisheries where he will compete on the 2020 Bass Pro Tour (Lake Champlain, Lake Okeechobee and Lake Eufaula x 2).

“Moving to the Bass Pro Tour is an exciting opportunity that I feel grateful to have earned,” said Thrift. “Featuring the top pros in the world and no entry fee, this is THE professional league, akin to other pro sports leagues like NFL and Major League Baseball; those athletes don’t pay entry fees. I’m excited and nervous to see what I can accomplish on the (MLF) Bass Pro Tour.”

Gerald Swindle resigned his position on the Bass Pro Tour in an effort to take a different direction and focus his time on his family. “I’m looking forward to finding personal happiness as I compete with my nephew at the beginning of his career,” commented Swindle. “It’s a promise that I made to my brother and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to spend this last quarter of my career fulfilling that promise.”

Swindle finished 42nd in the points standings in the 2019 Bass ProTour with 333 points, missing a REDQUEST qualification by 28 points. He advanced to the Knockout Round three times during the season in Stages One, Five, and Six, and qualified for the MLF Patriot Cup.

Brandon Palaniuk resigned from the Bass ProTour in hopes of pursuing lifelong career goals. “These types of decisions are never easy,” reflected Palaniuk. “I want to thank the entire MLF staff, boat officials, and especially the anglers for 2019. I have learned a ton about many things, mostly myself, and the reality is that I have some goals outside of the Bass Pro Tour.”

Palaniuk finished the 2019 Bass Pro Tour season 27th in Points Championship standings with 371 points, qualifying for REDCREST. Palaniuk finished ninth in that event on the Mississippi River, marking his third Top 10 of the season, after he finishing second at Stage Seven on Table Rock Lake and ninth at Stage Four on Lake Chickamauga.

“On behalf of all the anglers on the Bass Pro Tour, we wish Gerald and Brandon great success in their careers,” commented Boyd Duckett, Board Chair of the MLF Anglers Association, the non-profit players association for Bass Pro Tour anglers. “Roster changes are commonplace in professional sports and bass fishing is no exception. We’re thrilled to welcome Bryan and David to our ranks and look forward to a competitive and exciting 2020 Bass Pro Tour.”

The 2020 Bass Pro Tour begins on Lake Eufaula (Ala.) on February 7th and ends on Lake Champlain (Vt.) in late July. Each Stage of the Bass Pro Tour is broadcast live on the Major League Fishing app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), and majorleaguefishing.com, totaling more than 325 hours of original programming. Fans can follow the fast-paced nature of the MLF format as it unfolds on the live leaderboard through “SCORETRACKER® updates.” Highlights from each Stage of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour will air on Discovery Network beginning in July 2020 and Sportsman Channel in early 2021.

“2020 is the second year of this new beginning of professional bass fishing,” exclaimed MLF Pro Greg Hackney. “Stage one of the Bass Pro Tour kicks off at Lake Eufaula in southern Alabama with both lots of giant bass and the best fisherman on the planet. Giddy-up!”

The Bass Pro Tour began in 2019 and features 80 of the best professional anglers in the world, including Kevin VanDam, Edwin Evers, Aaron Martens, Mike Iaconelli, Jordan Lee, and Skeet Reese. Each stage includes six days of competition using the Major League Fishing, catch-weigh-and-immediately-release format, where every bass over one-pound counts toward a cumulative weight total for the day. The field of 80 anglers is divided into two groups of 40 to compete on days one and two respectively for the Shotgun Round. On days three and four, the Elimination Round culls the field based on a combined 2-day total weight from each angler’s Shotgun and Elimination Round. The top 20 anglers from each group in the Elimination Round (40 total) advance to the Knockout Round on day five, which determines who will compete on that final day, the Championship Round, for the Stage title and $100,000.

 

GILL announces new and exciting pro staff relationships for 2020, including addition of B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, Scott Canterbury

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Gill Adds B.A.S.S. Elite Anglers to Growing Pro Staff

GILL announces new and exciting pro staff relationships for 2020, including addition of B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, Scott Canterbury

Burford, GA (November 25, 2019) – GILL announced several key changes to its already aggressive and growing pro staff campaign. Looking ahead to 2020, GILL will now be the title sponsor for Bassmaster Elite Series pro Luke Palmer, and the company has also added B.A.S.S. 2019 Angler of the Year, Scott Canterbury, to its pro staff, along with fellow Elite Series pros Jason Williamson, Skylar Hamilton, Chris Groh and Quentin Cappo.

Gill Pro and 2019 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, Scott Canterbury. Photo courtesy of B.A.S.S.

Oklahoma-based Palmer is looking forward to the upcoming title sponsorship appointment with GILL for the 2020 Bassmaster Elite season. “It’s a major deal for me. As a newcomer to the tour, to partner with a company of Gill’s magnitude means a lot. They are a company I can trust and they’re great people to work with. As far as the GILL performance wear is concerned, I really like it. I wear it pretty much every day. Not only does it protect me on the boat, they have a line of clothing that fits my lifestyle both on and off the water. They have clothing for pretty much every application. I’ve tried several rain suits and the GILL rain gear is the first that’s really stood up to all conditions. It keeps me dry and comfortable, which is number one for when I’m fishing under pressure,” says Palmer.

Gill Pro Jason Williamson. Photo courtesy of B.A.S.S.

Following an awesome 2019 season, including points lead for B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, Canterbury is still riding a wave of surprise and excitement, now culminating in Gill sponsorship for 2020.

“It’s a real honor to be working with a manufacturer of what is truly the best rain gear and skin protection out there. They not only design and manufacture top-notch apparel, they are incredibly easy to work with and are interested in our product feedback to keep improving their designs for comfort and efficiency,” says Canterbury. “There are a lot of rain suits on the market, but GILL gear really does what it promises and has become a must-have for me on the water. Staying dry and comfortable is a big deal in my business.”

US National Fishing Sales Manager Tim Golden is excited about the B.A.S.S. Elite team Gill has assembled: “These are definitely some of the top tournament guys, and ones to watch in the future as well. Even more importantly, they’re class-acts and great ambassadors for fishing and the Gill brand.”

Gill Pro Skylar Hamilton. Photo courtesy of B.A.S.S.

Gill Pro Chris Groh. Photo courtesy of B.A.S.S.

Gill Pro Quentin Cappo. Photo courtesy of B.A.S.S.

WAE of Fishing The Podcast Episode #6 Do I know too Much?

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In this episode we are keeping with our beginning fisherman theme but taking a different approach.  As a fisherman, as a competitive fisherman, as a teacher I am always examining what and how I do things.  I am not the end all to how to fish.  I am good, but there is always someone better.  I recently have come to the realization that I know too much to catch fish.  My knowledge and experience gets in the way of catching fish quite often.  That is the theme of today’s podcast, enjoy!

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Butch Williams & David Ethridge Win CATT Wateree Open Final Lake Wateree, SC Nov 23, 2019

Guys I’ll have the 2020 Wateree Open Schedule posted this week! We had another big year with the Opens paying back $30,725.00! 

Same as 2019 this will be the same in 2020. A team will have to enter 6 2020 Wateree Opens to be eligible to enter the 2020 Wateree Open Final! Enter 10 2020 Wateree Opens and Fish the 2020 Wateree Open Final Free!

We had 10 teams competing for $5,000.00 Saturday at Wateree. Only 3 teams paid an entry fee! Talk about some good odds! 3 places were paid and 2 BF spots! 

Butch Williams & David Ethridge brought in the best bag this past Saturday with 5 bass weighing 16.24  lbs! Add in the BONUS $ and they took home $3,250.00! Wateree has been tougher than usual and 16 lbs was a great bag on a cool and wet day!

Robbie English & Scott Williams took 2nd with 5 bass weighing 15.99 lbs! They also weighed in the 2nd BF at 4.26 lbs! They claimed $1,075.00!

Tim Haven & Craig Haven claimed 3rd with 14.07 lbs & collected $675.00! They also weighed the 1st BF at 4.50 lbs! They also received a Lews Mach Speed Stick! 

Check out the great Lews Products! Click on the Lews logo!

Get in your Christmas shopping by visiting the nearest Academy location! Click on the Academy Logo!

Alan Fletcher & Donald Hinson win the 2019 Wateree Open Points and will fish the 2020 Wateree Open Free!

10 Teams BF Weight Winnings
1 Butch Williams – David Ethridge 3.82 16.24 $3,250.00
2 Scott Williams – Robbie English 4.26 15.99 $1,075.00
3 Tim Haven – Craig Haven 4.50 14.07 $675.00
4 Brett Collins – Brad Petway 3.47 12.34
5 Alan Fletcher – Donald Hinson 2.99 12.11
6 Shane Cantley – Michael Richardson 3.38 11.52
7 Jerry Freezon 3.59 10.28
8 Scott Floyd – Greg Corvin 0.00 3.16
9 Jared Upchurch 0.00 0.00
10 Steve Phillips – Jason Bateman 0.00 0.00
Total Paid Wateree Open Final $5,000.00
Total Paid Wateree Opens 2019 $30,725.00

BASS EDGE – THE EDGE – 307 Jeff Sprague

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Bass Edge Radio, presented by Megaware KeelGuard features 2019 MLF/BPT angler Jeff Sprague in this episode of their top-rated podcast. Bass Edge hosts Aaron Martin and Kurt Dove discuss with Jeff his rapid success on the Major League Fishing platform as well as some of his favorite early summer fish catching methods. Bass Edge also brings in a special smallmouth segment with a fan favorite, Charlie Hartley!

Mark Swez & Lamar Williamson Win CATT Lake Hartwell, SC Nov 16, 2019

Next CATT Fall Lake Hartwell Qualifier is Dec 21st at Broyles!

Mark Swez & Lamar Williamson took 1st Place with 5 bass weighing 13.84 lbs!

2nd Place went to Nic Thompson & Booby Root!

11 Teams BF Weight Winnings Points
Mark Swez, Lamar Williamsion 0.00 13.84 $420.00 110
Nic Thompson Booby Root 0.00 12.12 $135.00 109
Robbie Hoover, Tyler Hoover 4.32 12.00 108
Roger Coggins, Bill Forderee 0.00 11.27 107
Bill Hunter, Jeremy Hunter 4.43 10.77 $55.00 106
Derick Bridges, David White 0.00 10.62 105
Richard Freeze, Seth Thompson 0.00 10.06 104
Jacob Fletcher, Lane Clark 0.00 8.76 103
Greg Jeter, Dwayne Perkins 0.00 8.09 102
Andy Greene, Greg Lovelace 0.00 7.86 101
Vince Blanton, Wesley Sandifer 0.00 0.00 100
Total Entrys $660.00
BONUS $ $40.00
Total Paid At Ramp $610.00
Hartwell 2019 Fall Final Fund $80.00
2020 CATT Championship Fund $10.00
2019 Hartwell Fall Final Fund Total $80.00
2020  CATT Championship Fund Total $1,715.00

Polarized Sunglasses: Do They Really Help You Fish?

Polarized Sunglasses: Do They Really Help You Fish?

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Whenever I went fishing during my childhood, I always wore sunglasses mainly to look cool. Little did I realize I was developing a habit that would be saving my eyes for 50 years of fishing trips and hopefully many more to come.

While donning a cool-looking set of shades can improve an angler’s image, there are more critical reasons why anglers should wear sunglasses. The most important thing is protection because the most important piece of equipment you put in your boat is your eyesight.

Polarized Shades Keep You Safe

Your fishing trip can turn into a nightmare if you pull a snagged lure out of a tree and it rockets back at you or if you turn around while your partner is casting with one of those 7-foot rods and his lure hits you in the face. If you are wearing sunglasses, the eyewear will help deflect hooks or sinkers away from your eyes and prevent a serious mishap that could lead to the loss of your precious sight.

Polarized Sunglasses Fend Harmful Rays

Sunglasses also offer protection from harmful ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) and glare caused by sunlight. The same ultraviolet sun rays that cause your skin to burn and eventually lead to aging skin or cancer can also cause eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration (sunspots) on the retina of the eye. A harsh glare shining off the water can also lead to eye strain and fatigue.

How Polarized Sunglasses Changed The Game

During my early years of fishing, I discovered a good pair of polarized sunglasses let me see trout in clear-water streams. The glasses cut down glare and gave me the chance to continually present my lures in front of the fish and eventually make them bite. Sight fishermen have taken advantage of polarized lenses for years to stalk their quarry.

Start Seeing More With Polarized Sunglasses

If you wear polarized lenses you can eliminate most of the surface glare and it makes your vision more comfortable. A polarized lens serves as a light filter like a Venetian blind which only allows light from a certain direction to enter the eye. Since it allows light from only a certain direction, a polarized lens then eliminates glare or scattered light. Finding a pair of sunglasses with high polarization should be a priority for anglers. Most of the good sunglass companies are going to achieve maximum polarization but not total polarization with their fishing sunglasses. A rule of thumb for picking sunglasses with maximum polarization is the darker the lens tint, the more polarization it has. So the darkest tint will offer the best polarization in any color of lenses.

Does Lens Color Really Matter?

Lens color is an option anglers should consider when choosing polarized sunglasses. Most sunglass companies make several shades of tint. Tints enhance your performance by selectively filtering light rays. A gray lens filters all light colors equally so all hues look their natural shade. Dark gray lenses than are good for all-purpose sunglasses because these lenses eliminate glare best on bright sunny days and show true colors. Brown, green and yellow lenses serve specific functions for anglers. These tints are going to enhance some colors while they bleach other colors out. A sight angler wants a tint that will enhance the colors of bass but he wants to bleach out the surrounding colors, thus enhancing the contrast between the two.

Yellow heightens contrast, but that lens tint isn’t dark enough to provide maximum polarization. So yellow lenses work best for sight fishing in shallow water on dark, overcast days.

Polarized Glasses With Brown Lenses

Amber or brown lenses are designed for overcast or hazy days and fog. These lenses offer high contrast but the lighter tint also loses polarization.
I have discovered a pure green tint is the ultimate color for sight fishing since it offers both high contrast and high polarization. The green tint almost matches the color of green in the bass’ back and enhances it. A green lens also filters out other colors such as tan or beige that you typically see on the nest and therefore enhances the bass’ image. Looking through a green lens almost gives you the feeling that you’ve taken a pencil and outlined the bass. It really makes the bass stand out.

Glass lenses provided the best optics years ago but when impact-resistant polycarbonate became available with polarization, polycarbon lenses became the standard of fishing sunglasses.

You Get What You Pay For

Buying a good pair of polycarbon lens sunglasses costs more, but your eyes will benefit in the long run. So if you buy a pair of sunglasses for $9.95 you are going to get some lens distortion and when looking at objects at a distance your eyes have to constantly change focus to compensate for the distortion in the lenses. That’s how an inexpensive sunglass lens produces eye strain because you continually have to change your focusing in that lens. Quality optical lenses will not cause your eyes to alter focusing.

Thoughtful gifts that are sure to be appreciated by any angler on your shopping list

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Great Gifts for Great Fishing!

Thoughtful gifts that are sure to be appreciated by any angler on your shopping list

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Minneapolis, MN (November 22, 2019) – You know what they’re into, but that doesn’t make buying for the angler on your holiday shopping list any easier. Allow us to cast you into enlightened waters. From stocking stuffers to full-blown jaw-droppers, you simply can’t miss with any of this year’s Great Gifts for Great Fishing!

Aqua-Vu micro Stealth 4.3 Underwater Viewing System

Major value and breathtaking live underwater video come together in one ultra-portable, easy-to-use underwater viewing system. Sure to please any angler on your list, the micro™ Stealth 4.3 from Aqua-Vu comes complete with a 4.3-inch color LCD connected to 50-feet of reinforced cable and a super stealthy micro underwater camera. State of the art viewscreen and camera optics deliver the sharpest, most clear, colorful underwater image available in an economically priced viewing system. Patent-pending magnetic battery charger assures the whole system is completely waterproof. Micro camera system includes clip-on ballast weight and two separate, adjustable viewing fins for trolling/drifting and for ice fishing. Internal Lithium-ion battery powers the micro camera system for up to 6 hours. MSRP $229.99. Learn more at aquavu.com.

LIVETARGET Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait

Stuff those stockings with LIVETARGET Lures! Rainbow Smelt are common forage to Northern gamefish species such as walleye, salmon, trout, and smallmouth bass. Available in three sizes, eight colors, and shallow- or deep-diving configurations, LIVETARGET’s Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait hosts a weight transfer system, suspends, and produces a deep ‘knock’ sound. Ideal for casting or trolling, these highly effective lures combine incredibly lifelike profiles with realistic finishes that attract fish and promote strikes. MSRP is $14.49. Learn more at livetargetlures.com.

Gill Dry Bags

Longtime favorites of maritime adventurers, GILL Dry Bags come in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of anglers, boaters and anyone else venturing into the elements. Manufactured of a puncture-resistant 100% waterproof, PVC-FREE tarpaulin with stitch-free welded construction, GILL Dry Bags come in 5L, 10L, 25L and 50L sizes to keep valuable gear dry and protected in any conditions. At an MSRP of just $35.95, the 10L Dry Bag is right-sized for most anglers and right-priced for any gift giver. Learn more at gillmarine.com.

Z-Man Bait BinderZ Doublewide

For anglers who’ve discovered the power of ElaZtech softbaits, carrying extra bags of baits is essential. It’s now easier than ever when you grab a Z-Man Bait BinderZ™ Doublewide softbait storage solution. The Bait BinderZ Doublewide offers ample real estate to house two side-by-side stacks of Z-Man ElaZtech bait bags—up to 20 packs or more. Within the tough 500-denier nylon satchel, two sets of corrosion resistant nickel-plated rings align to accept pre-punched holes on all standard size Z-Man bait bags. Re-sealable bait bags allow anglers to access individual baits without removing packaging. The Bait BinderZ Doublewide is further outfitted with clear plastic pockets sized to store an array of jigheads, terminal tackle, leader spools and other essential tools. Secure plastic clips and hook-and-loop enclosures eliminate zipper failure or breakdown via corrosion. Each Bait BinderZ Doublewide bag sports a built-in handle with a slip-free grip. MSRP is $34.99. Learn more at zmanfishing.com.

Case 9” Fillet Knife with Ballistic Nylon Sheath

For the angler who appreciates the best, this purposeful fishing knife features a fixed 9” fillet blade, a durable black synthetic handle and is ideal for cleaning a wide variety of gamefish, as well as bait prep and kitchen duty. The blade is constructed with Case Tru-Sharp™ stainless steel, which is a special high-carbon steel that helps the blade hold an edge longer than conventional steel. It also offers extraordinary strength and corrosion resistance. This durable knife measures 14” overall and incorporates an easy grip handle with a lanyard hole. A black ballistic nylon sheath is included to keep the knife protected. Made in Bradford, Pennsylvania, USA, this treasured fillet knife includes a limited lifetime warranty and retails for $47.99. Learn more at caseknives.com.

Fish Monkey Task Fleece Fishing Glove

Composed of advanced Tec Fleece, the Task Fleece Fishing Glove is tailored for maximum dexterity while casting, setting the hook and performing other critical angling functions. The high-end fleece material also offers specialized wind-blocking properties above and beyond its exceptional warmth and heat retention. Beyond the Task Fleece Glove’s sound fit and supreme comfort, Fish Monkey also stitched in a synthetic leather palm with a non-slip silicone grid that assures a rock-solid grip in all conditions. Like its other angler-centric glove designs, Fish Monkey included extras such as a touch-screen compatible index finger for seamlessly manipulating your sonar screen or dialing digits on your phone. MSRP $26.95, sizes M-2XL. Learn more at fishmonkeygloves.com.

St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod

What angler wouldn’t love a St. Croix fishing rod? That’s a trick question, because no such angler exists. Packing a fishing rod for a business trip or vacation isn’t an easy proposition… unless it’s a St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod. Choose from four different 4-piece, fast action spinning models or one casting model, each of which packs down to less than 20” and comes with a padded nylon soft case. Retail price is $130-$140. Learn more at stcroixrods.com.

Daiwa Zillion TW HD Baitcasting Reel

The new Daiwa ZILLION TW HD is a high-end reel for the discerning bass fisherman. Well suited for cranking, small swimbaits, pitching and flipping, it is a versatile, smooth operating workhorse that excels at many different roles where precision performance is requisite. The superior performance begins with long casts from the G1 Duralumin Deep Spool, constructed from a lighter, very strong alloy which allows more line capacity for its size. The T-Wing Design level-wind allows line to pay out freer, with less friction, improving distance. The 10+1 ball bearings are encased in a solid Aluminum Frame and Aluminum Side Plate making for an extremely smooth reel with tight tolerances. To prevent dirt and water intrusion, a Magsealed Ball Bearing is utilized at the most vulnerable spot on the crank. Equipped with the Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD), the reel has smooth stopping power. The Extended UVA Handle is easy to grab and applies more torque per crank. If you are looking to please the bass angler on your shopping list, you owe yourself a look at one of the smoothest operating reels on the market, the ZILLION TWS HD. Retail price is $399.99. Learn more at daiwa.com/us.

Flambeau Coastal Series 5000 Large Tackle Bag

Designed to extend the life of an angler’s gear by keeping the most harmful elements at bay in the most rigorous environmental conditions, Flambeau’s Coastal Series 5000 Large Tackle Bag with Zerust® Waterproof Ultimate Tuff Tainers® is specifically engineered to fight back against rust, UV degradation and saltwater corrosion. With tackle sealed in waterproof Tuff Tainers and shielded from corrosion by Flambeau’s patented anti-corrosion Zerust technology, the bag’s zipper-free quick-drying design features rubberized mesh irrigation gates for sand, mud, salt residue and other unwanted debris to freely flush from the compartments while allowing air to circulate after a freshwater bath. This saltwater-smart tackle bag is extreme-conditions-ready for any type of fresh or saltwater angling adventure. Overall Dimensions: 15.5″ L x 8.75″ W x 9.5″ H. Includes: (4) WP5005 Waterproof Ultimate Tuff Tainers with Zerust®. MSRP is $98.99. Learn more at flambeauoutdoors.com.

Hobie

Looking for an unforgettable reaction from a loved one this Holiday season? Give the gift of fishing access and independence. Powered by the original MirageDrive® Classic with ST Fins, the new Hobie Mirage Passport 12 is a highly manageable 12-foot pedal kayak that will take the angler on your list where they want to go with ease and world-class Hobie performance. Loaded with a ho-ho-whole lot of fishing features and fully compatible with the vast line of Hobie fishing accessories, the easy-to-own Mirage Passport 12 allows anglers to access productive fishing waters unavailable to shore anglers or other boats. MSRP is just $1,599. Learn more at hobie.com/kayaks.

Pursuit Energy

Revitalization, it’s what anglers want in an energy drink, and what they often need in the field. Each 16-ounce serving of Pursuit Energy has about the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee, and it’s the caffeine that delivers the initial boost when most wanted or needed. Additionally, Pursuit Energy’s blend of B vitamins, Inositol (a naturally derived type of carbohydrate), and Taurine (an amino acid your body naturally produces) work together with the stimulating effect of the caffeine to heighten awareness and focus by improving blood flow, oxygenation, and nerve communication within the body. Most energy drinks don’t go down so easy, they’re either too sweet and syrupy, taste like medicine – or worse, both! Pursuit Energy is made differently, and tastes like a refreshing soft drink. Multiple flavors are available.

J-Braid x8 Line

Anglers appreciate having the best fishing line, but – as with a good pair of socks – don’t always look forward to buying it. Here’s your chance to be a hero: J-Braid x8 line is a high quality 8 carrier braid made of the finest materials from Japan. 8 Strands of tightly woven fibers make for a perfectly round profile. The result is a much stronger, softer and smoother line that is more sensitive and farther casting. Available in four color choices and a variety of spool sizes in 6- to 120-lb test, J-Braid is one of the best quality and value braided lines on the market. Pick up a 165-yard spool of 8-lb J-Braid x8 line in chartreuse for about $15. Learn more at daiwa.com/us.

Raymarine Element HV Sonar/GPS

Give your favorite angler the power to make smarter decisions on the water. Whether installed on a bass boat, skiff or kayak, Raymarine’s Element HV Sonar/GPS delivers the sharpest views of the underwater world with HyperVision™ 1.2-megahertz super high-resolution sonar technology. HyperVision technology takes DownVision, SideVision, and Raymarine RealVision 3D sonar to the next level of precision imaging and fish identification, showing structures, vegetation, and fish with lifelike clarity. Element’s onboard quad-core processor delivers instantaneous chart redraw, fast response, and smooth RealVision 3D imaging, while the built-in RealBathy™ personal depth map generator produces high definition bathymetric maps on the fly. Element HV is available in 7”, 9” and 12” models starting at $549.99. Learn more at raymarine.com.

OZRadial EZ Portable Ozone Generator

Anglers often find themselves in some stinky situations. Sometimes bait is the culprit; other times it’s the fish they catch, clean, transport and cook. Ideal for stale boat cabins, compartments, vehicle interiors and in-home use, the OZ Radial EZ is a powerful, all-in-one, portable, rechargeable ozone generator that destroy odors, bacteria, dust mites, mold, fungus and mildew. OZ Radial EZ emits a powerful stream of ozone in 360 degrees in multiple operating modes, offers easy one-button operation, and will charge mobile devices via the built-in USB port. MSRP is $249.99. Learn more at ozbyscentlok.com.

Steelshad

Blade baits are a top choice for wintertime fishing – for walleye and crappie on the ice, bass on the open waters of southern reservoirs, or numerous saltwater species up and down the coasts – but these versatile baits excel throughout the year. The Original Steelshad is the blade bait the anglers on your list want. Pick up a three-pack of the Original Steelshad in the popular 3/8-oz size for just $20.95. Choose from a variety of strike-provoking colors including Silver, Gold, Trout, Firetiger, Red/Crawfish, Sexy Shad, Kentucky Shad, Original Tennessee Shad, White Shad, or Yellow Shad. New Mini-Series and Heavy-Series baits are also available. Learn more at steelshad.com.

BASS EDGE – THE EDGE – Episode 306 – Bryan Schmitt

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Bass Edge Radio interviews FLW Tour Pro Bryan Schmitt as the featured angler in thelatest podcast presented by Megaware KeelGuard .  Show hosts Aaron Martin and Kurt Dove discuss with Bryan the final 2019 FLW regular season event at Lake Champlain as well as dissecting summer grass beds on reservoirs, lakes and rivers.