2019 American Bass Anglers Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour

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January 13, 2019

2019 American Bass Anglers Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour

2019 Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour

Athens, AL. American Bass Anglers (ABA) announced today the 2019 season for the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour (AFT). The tour is a draw format that offers more than seventy divisions with 600-900 tournaments per season across the eastern half of the United States. Members of ABA qualify for the year-end national championship by competing locally in a minimum of four one-day divisional qualifying events and a Divisional two-day championship.

The 2019 Championship will be held on Lake Eufaula, in Eufaula, AL October 13-18, 2019. After competing in their local divisional two-day championships, the top 500 anglers by points are invited to compete in the Championship.

Each AFT division schedules six to ten one-day events and a year-end divisional championship. Members point standings are based on their best four one-day events and their best two-day divisional championship. Many members fish multiple divisions, and they accrue points both within the division(s) and nationally.

In the 2019 Angler of the Year program, divisions will be able to submit more anglers as finalist to the program based on annual participation within their division. A division’s Angler of the Year is the top angler by points within a division who has fished in four one-day tournaments and one two-day divisional championship and fished all five of these events within a division.

•   All divisions top points holder (Division Angler of the Year) will advance to the Championship Angler of Year program
•   Divisions that average 20 or more anglers will submit one additional finalist to the Angler of Year program (total of two). The additional finalist must be second place by points in the division; no substitutions will be allowed.
•   Divisions that average 30 or more anglers will submit two additional finalists to the Angler of Year program (total of three). The additional two finalist must be second and third place by points in the division; no substitutions will be allowed.
•   Divisions that average 40 or more anglers will submit three additional finalists to the Angler of Year program (total of four). The additional three finalist must be second, third and fourth place by points in the division; no substitutions will be allowed.
•   Divisions that average 50 or more anglers will submit four additional finalists to the Angler of Year program (total of five). The additional four finalist must be second, third, fourth and fifth place by points in the division; no substitutions will be allowed.

The Angler of the Year finalists will compete at the National Championship for the title of Angler of the Year. The highest finishing AOY finalist at the National Championship will be awarded Angler of the Year and win a Triton Bass Boat rigged with a Mercury Marine Outboard.

How are points awarded?

One-day Divisional events are worth up to 200 points for first place with a one-point separation per place. Anglers not catching a fish at a one-day qualifier will be awarded 50 show points. Here is an example of points awarded at a one-day event with 20 anglers.

1st – 200, 2nd – 199, 3rd – 198, 4th – 197, 5th – 196, 6th – 195, 7th – 194, 8th – 193, 9th – 192, 10th – 191, 11th – 190, 12th – 189, 13th – 188, 14th – 187, 15th – 186, 16th – 185, 17th – 184, 18th – 183, 19th – 182, 20 – 181.

Two-day Divisional Championships are worth up to 400 points for first place with a two-point separation per place. Anglers not catching a fish at a two-day Divisional Championship will be awarded 100 show points. Here is an example of points awarded at a one-day event with 20 anglers.

1st – 400, 2nd – 398, 3rd – 396, 4th – 394, 5th – 392, 6th – 390, 7th – 388, 8th – 386, 9th – 384, 10th – 382, 11th – 380, 12th – 378, 13th – 376, 14th – 374, 15th – 372, 16th – 370, 17th – 368, 18th – 366, 19th – 364, 20 – 362.

A perfect score for the season nationally and within a division is a maximum 1,200 points.

What is the advantage of counting only your best four one-days and your best two-day championship? It allows you to only use your best tournament finishes for both your divisional and national points to qualify for the Championship and Angler of the Year Program.

The 2019 Championship will offer two more Triton Bass Boats rigged with a Mercury Marine Outboards. One will be awarded to the winner of the Championship, the second will be given away by a drawing held at the awards banquet on Friday night. To qualify for the draw boat, you must compete in the championship and be in attendance on Friday night when the drawing is held.

The only fishing rule change for 2019: The use of the A-Rig/Umbrella Rig will no longer be banned. There are simply too many forms of the Umbrella Rig to monitor, the ability to use them and which configuration will be left to the state law(s) that governs their use.

Entry fees remain the lowest in the country for the weekend angler at $70 for a one-day event, $140 for a divisional championship and $170 for the National Championship.

Anglers can register for events online or in person the morning of the tournament. Anglers should register 10 days prior to the event in order to prevent a five-dollar late fee. Angler registering onsite and becoming a member or renewing their membership are not charged a late fee.

Other ways to avoid paying a late fee:

•   Active Duty Military
•   Life Member
•   Platinum Members
•   Visiting Director
•   Hall of Fame Members

Why fish the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour?

1.   Guaranteed use of your boat in all events! The top 250 anglers at the end of the season get guaranteed use of their boat at the 2019 Championship.
2.   Low Entry Fees $70 for one-day event
3.   Qualify for the National Championship by fishing close to home.
4.   National Coverage – Directors provide results and information which is posted on americanbassanglers.com
5.   No meetings. Just show up the morning of the event and register.
6.   Be apart the largest weekend angler tournament circuit and community in the country.
7.   Large year-end Championship with three new Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, and many draw prizes and awards.
8.   One of the big reasons our members tell us why they fish the AFT is how many close friends they have made over the years. It’s about being a part of something much larger and shared interest.

Ray Scott said it best, “You will never learn as much by fishing with the same person as you do by fishing with different anglers, this is the single best way to learn how catch more bass.”

Learn more about American Bass Anglers and the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour at AmericanBassAnglers.com or call your local director or call American Bass Anglers at (256)232-0406

American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour, the Bass Pro Shops Open Series, the Bass Pro Shops Team Tour, or the Bass Pro Shops Couples Series visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Hydrowave, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Garmin, Maui Jim, Power Pole, SiriusXM, and GEICO. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or visit AmericanBassAnglers.com.

Jigging Rap Fishing 101: How To Fish A Jigging Rap Like A Pro

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January 12, 2019

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Jigging Rap Fishing 101: How To Fish A Jigging Rap Like A Pro

My home waters of Lake of the Ozarks never freezes solid enough to try these baits under ice, but I have been fishing at nearby Table Rock Lake with guides who have shown me how they use this lure to catch suspended bass during the wintertime. The lure falling in a tantalizing circle when it’s yo-yoed or bounced off the bottom is simply irresistible to the largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass the guides are targeting.

Fishing Jigging Raps During The Winter

When Table Rock guides notice wintertime bass start ignoring their jigging spoons and plastic grubs, they change to a Rapala Jigging Rap for their vertical presentation. The rap bait has a different look than a spoon and falls a lot more erratically, which closely mimics the action of a dying threadfin shad.

When vertical jigging 30 to 50 feet deep, the guides use a 3/4-ounce jigging rap in chrome-and-blue or white colors. They impart action to the lure by quickly raising their rods 2 to 3 feet high and then slowly dropping it. The key to the presentation is to allow the lure to fall on a slack line to give the lure its best action and then slowly lower your rod tip to follow the bait as it’s falling.

Jigging Rap Hacks

One of the craziest ways (yet deadly effective) I have seen a guide use the jigging rap is with a three-lure setup he called the “Cluster Rig.” His rig consisted of a swivel tied 4 to 5 inches above two 4-inch drop shot worms attached to number 4 baitholder hooks and a Rapala Jigging Rap. He tied all three lures with Palomar knots and spaced them about 18 inches apart with the 2 3/4-inch Jigging Rap (chrome blue or silver) on the bottom for weight.

Once he found baitfish on his depth finder, the guide dropped his rig and watched to see if any bass moved up to inspect his offering. He employed a dead-stick presentation holding his rod very still so the only action imparted to the lure was from boat movement.

For bass hugging the bottom as deep as 80 feet, the guide let the Jigging Rap hit the lake’s floor and then would reel the rig slowly to the top to trigger strikes.

KENTUCKY’S BOLTON VAULTS INTO LEAD AFTER DAY TWO OF FLW TOUR AT SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR PRESENTED BY POLARIS

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January 12, 2019

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KENTUCKY’S BOLTON VAULTS INTO LEAD AFTER DAY TWO OF FLW TOUR AT SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR PRESENTED BY POLARIS

23-Year FLW Tour Veteran Catches 33-pound Limit on Rapala Crankbait

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BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 11, 2019) – Rapala pro Terry Bolton of Benton, Kentucky, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Friday weighing 33 pounds, 9 ounces, to vault to the top of the leaderboard on Day Two of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented Polaris after starting the day in 10^th place. Bolton’s two day total of 10 bass weighing 54-3 will give him a 5-pound, 15-ounce advantage over second place angler Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, (48-4) who led the competition after Day One. The field of 170 anglers is now cut to just the top 30 as the world’s best bass fishing professionals continue their competition for the top award of up to $125,000.

“I think I caught more fish today than I caught all last year on Tour,” joked Bolton, a 13-time FLW Cup qualifier. “It was a really special day. I had a pretty good day yesterday and this was the same place that I caught my big ones. There is bigger fish there and it’s just a timing deal.

“I actually found the place in practice by pure luck,” Bolton continued. “I was idling along – I’m a Kentucky Lake ledge fisherman and I always watch my depth finder – and I happened to idle over the needle in the haystack. I thought there was some big ones there when I saw them, and I caught a 6-pounder and a keeper and left. Now that I’ve gotten to fish it for two days, I’m starting to figure it out.”

Bolton said that the fish are suspended, and he estimated that he caught more than 50 bass from the area on both Thursday and Friday. His baits of choice has been Rapala DT14 and Rapala DT16 crankbaits, in Demon and Caribbean Shad colors.

“It’s just something that happens here – early in the year those fish stage over the hydrilla,” Bolton said. “I’ve done it here in the past, and I know tournaments have been won here that way. When I got up around 26 to 27 pounds I started to leave. I thought, no, I’ll stay here just a little longer. Then I caught the 9-8 and I realized I was throwing back fish that were 5 pounds so I knew it was time to go.

“Tomorrow I’m going to do the exact same thing that I’ve done the last two days and just go fishing and enjoy myself. That’s what this year is all about – me having fun,” Bolton went on to say. “Last year, I had no fun. I thought about retiring. So this year I decided I’m going to come back and get back to just having fun. Now, of course, catching 33 pounds helps to have fun. But, regardless, the secret to doing well is enjoying yourself. Don’t let the highs get you too high – and this is definitely a high. But there will be lows, and you can’t let the lows get you too low.

“I may have to start over, tomorrow. But, I’m prepared for that and if so I’m going to enjoy myself.”

The top 30 pros that made the cut and will fish Saturday on Sam Rayburn Reservoir are:

1^st: Rapala pro Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., 10 bass, 54-3

2^nd: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 48-4

3^rd: Evinrude pro Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 45-4

4^th: Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., 10 bass, 44-6

5^th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 43-15

6^th: Miles Burghoff, Hixson, Tenn., 10 bass, 42-8

7^th: Billy Shelton III, La Crosse, Va., 10 bass, 42-1
8^th: Jordan Osborne, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 41-9

9^th: Sam George, Athens, Ala., 10 bass, 39-9

10^th:       Andy Wicker, Pomaria, S.C., 10 bass, 38-14
11^th:       Charles Sim, Nepean, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 38-7
12^th:       Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., 10 bass, 37-6
13^th:       Kyle Cortiana, Coweta, Okla., 10 bass, 36-10
14^th:       Bass Pro Shops pro Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 36-8
15^th:       Tom Redington, Royse City, Texas, 10 bass, 35-14
16^th:       Joseph Webster, Winfield, Ala., 10 bass, 35-2
17^th:       Yamamoto Baits pro Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Va., 10 bass, 34-5
18^th:       Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., 10 bass, 34-0
19^th:       Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 10 bass, 33-11

20^th: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., 10 bass, 33-6
21^st: Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 33-4

22^nd:       Jon Englund, Farwell, Minn., 10 bass, 32-9
23^rd:       Derek Fulps, Broken Arrow, Okla., 10 bass, 32-8
24^th:       Strike King pro Andrew Upshaw, Tulsa, Okla., 10 bass, 32-5
25^th:       Timmy Thompkins, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 10 bass, 32-0
26^th:       Casey Scanlon, Lake Ozark, Mo., 10 bass, 31-11
27^th:       Darrel Robertson, Jay, Okla., 10 bass, 31-10
28^th:       Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark., 10 bass, 31-7
29^th:       Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 10 bass, 31-6

30^th: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 31-5

Full results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Wicker earned Friday’s $500 Big Bass award in the pro division thanks to an 11-pound, 2-ounce largemouth. The fish was the 9^th largest Big Bass Award winner in FLW Tour history.

Overall there were 750 bass weighing 1,902 pounds, 8 ounces caught by 164 pros Friday. The catch included 136 five-bass limits.

In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 170 pro anglers competed in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight now advance to fish on Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris is more than $860,000, including $9,000 through 65^th place in the Pro Division. The tournament is hosted by the Jasper County Development District.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 Sam Rayburn Parkway, in Brookeland. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the pavilion, beginning at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Umphrey Family Pavilion from 2 to 6 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the pavilion on Saturday from Noon-2 p.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1^st and 2^nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.

The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air Saturday and Sunday, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. New for 2019, host Travis Moran will be joined by veteran FLW Tour pro Todd Hollowell to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.

B.A.S.S. Expanding On ESPN Networks For 2019

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January 12, 2019

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Jan. 11, 2019

B.A.S.S. Expanding On ESPN Networks For 2019

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Television’s biggest name in fishing is now entering its 20th season on ESPN. The 2019 season of the award-winning program The Bassmasters will see expanded airtime on ESPN networks as part of the sports giant’s increased coverage of B.A.S.S. fishing.

Beyond its 30 hours of coverage of Bassmaster Elite Series events and the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, ESPN has nearly doubled (54 hours) its shows on ESPN Classic for the 2019 season.

“For two decades, ESPN has had an incredibly strong relationship with B.A.S.S., giving millions of bass fishing fans innovative, quality coverage of professional bass fishing,” said Mike McKinnis, vice president of media content for JM Associates and producer of Bassmaster LIVE and The Bassmasters. “No matter the sport, ESPN has the best networks for coverage, and we’re excited that ESPN has committed fantastic coverage for our shows.” (View the schedule here, https://www.bassmaster.com/tv-schedule )

In addition to the television coverage, ESPN will now be streaming 24 hours of “Bassmaster LIVE” programming from each Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on both ESPN3 and the ESPN App – up from 18 hours per tournament in 2018. Counting nine regular-season Elite events, the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship and the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, B.A.S.S. will be live-streaming 252 hours of programming through ESPN and Bassmaster.com this year, an increase of 27 percent in streaming hours over last year.

Coverage of B.A.S.S. will also extend to ESPNU, with nine hours of programming from events in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops as well as the Mossy Oak Fishing High School Series.

The Bassmasters will begin airing on ESPN2 with back-to-back weekends from the biggest stage in tournament fishing, the Bassmaster Elite Series. March 9 will kick off with the inaugural event of the Elite season, the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River, Fla., followed the next weekend, March 16, by the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Lanier, Ga.

The GEICO Bassmaster Classic will be covered in three episodes airing on Sunday mornings, March 31, April 7 and April 14.

McKinnis noted that the recently announced agreement with the Pursuit Channel to air The Bassmasters has been expanded to 130 hours for 2019, providing for a total of 223 hours of television time to complement the on-the-water streaming programming.

“Along with our industry-leading magazines, website and social media following, the increased programming hours on ESPN networks and the Pursuit Channel, more fans will now be able to enjoy their favorite sport wherever, whenever and however they want to follow it,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “This means the biggest stage in bass fishing just got even bigger.”

ROOKIE LEBRUN CATCHES 29-POUND LIMIT, LEADS DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR AT SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR PRESENTED BY POLARIS

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January 11, 2019

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ROOKIE LEBRUN CATCHES 29-POUND LIMIT, LEADS DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR AT SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR PRESENTED BY POLARIS

Reigning BFL All-American Champion Smacks 29-2 in First Career FLW Tour Event

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BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 10, 2019) – Louisiana pro Nick LeBrun – fishing in his first career regular-season FLW Tour event – brought a massive 29-pound, 2-ounce five-bass limit to the scale Thursday to vault to the top of the leaderboard after Day One of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented Polaris. Fellow rookie Sam George of Athens, Alabama, sits in second place with five bass weighing 28-5. The season-opening FLW Tour event features a field of 170 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals casting for a top award of up to $125,000.

The fishing at flooded Sam Rayburn was excellent Thursday, with plenty of five-bass limits, multiple 8- and 9-pounders, and 10 anglers weighing limits that topped 20 pounds. LeBrun estimated that he caught around 20 fish throughout the day, but lacked the giant kicker that multiple anglers brought to the scale. His smallest fish was around 5 pounds, and his largest just 6½.

“We all have those days when we can’t do anything wrong, and today was one of those days for me,” said LeBrun, who qualified for the FLW Tour after winning the BFL All-American Championship in 2018. “I had 23 to 24 pounds by 10 a.m. I decided to run new water that I hadn’t looked at and the Good Lord blessed me with two more big bites. It’s just unbelievable.”

LeBrun said that all of his fish that he caught Thursday came off of one type of pattern. Although he remained tight-lipped about exactly what he was doing, he did share that the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap has been the biggest player for him.

“The Trap is my confidence bait,” LeBrun said. “It’s how I found them in practice and it is my search bait. It’s nothing secret – a ½-ounce Rayburn Red or Red Crawfish color. But I’ve got a few other things that I evolved throughout practice that I’m doing as well.

“I’m going to do the same thing tomorrow,” LeBrun went on to say. “I’ve got some other spots where I think big ones live and I can try to get that big bite. I’m kind of jealous of the guys catching the 8- and 9-pounders. I never had a real giant bite today, so hopefully I can get that tomorrow. If I can get a few solid ones and maybe another big one or two, I’ll be right where I need to be.”

The top 10 pros after day one on Sam Rayburn Reservoir are:

1^st: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 29-2

2^nd: Sam George, Athens, Ala., five bass, 28-5

3^rd: Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 25-7

4^th: Jordan Osborne, Longview, Texas, five bass, 25-1

5^th: Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 24-3

6^th: Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, five bass, 23-9

7^th: Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., five bass, 22-12

8^th: Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., five bass, 22-2

9^th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 20-15

10^th: Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., five bass, 20-10

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Osborne and Martin split the day’s $500 Big Bass award in the pro division after each weighed in a largemouth totaling 9-pounds, 12-ounces.

Overall there were 724 bass weighing 1,869 pounds, 3 ounces caught by 165 pros Thursday. The catch included 126 five-bass limits.

In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 170 pro anglers compete in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris is more than $860,000, including $9,000 through 65^th place in the Pro Division. The tournament is hosted by the Jasper County Development District.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 Sam Rayburn Parkway, in Brookeland. Friday’s weigh-in will be held at the pavilion beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, Jan. 12-13, will also be held at the pavilion, but will begin at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Umphrey Family Pavilion from 2 to 6 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the pavilion on Saturday, Jan. 12 from Noon-2 p.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1^st and 2^nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.

The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air on Saturday and Sunday, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. New for 2019, host Travis Moran will be joined by veteran FLW Tour pro Todd Hollowell to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.

Fish Monkey Cold Weather Series Gloves ensure peak winter fishing performance

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January 11, 2019

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Warm Hands Catch More Fish

Fish Monkey Cold Weather Series Gloves ensure peak winter fishing performance

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Destin, FL (January 10, 2019) – In January, even Florida can feel cold. Just ask professional bass angler Tim Horton, currently prepping to fish the inaugural 2019 Major League Fishing / Bass Pro Tour event at Kissimmee, Florida at the end of the month.

“Cold morning boat rides are so much more comfortable with a pair Fish Monkey Wooly gloves on my hands,” Horton observes. “Casting, tying knots and detecting bites are critical skills in my profession, so keeping hands warm and protected is a big priority. My Fish Monkeys help me fish at the highest level possible.”

Fish Monkey Wooly Half Finger Gloves

Similar to their sun gloves, Fish Monkey’s cool weather Wooly Half Finger and Backcountry II Insulated gloves are all about comfort, protection from the elements and the agility to fish effectively.

“What’s really special about my Wooly gloves is I can leave them on while I fish without any loss of dexterity or sensitivity. It’s not surprising they’re the most comfortable cool weather gloves I’ve ever worn because I get the same perfect fit with the Fish Monkey Guide Gloves I wear in the summer.”

Tailoring the most comprehensive line of fishing gloves on the planet, Fish Monkey offers seven levels of hand protection for cooler weather conditions alone. “We crafted the Wooly Half Finger glove with ultra-premium, breathable wool fibers,” says Fish Monkey president and principle designer, Tim Mossberg. “The magic of the glove is that it wicks moisture away from the hand while providing warmth and insulation, even when wet.

“Wool is a natural insulator that allows the glove to absorb up to 30-percent of its weight in water without feeling damp or heavy. We use select wool fibers as the insulator. The glove is then finished with a soft knit interior fabric and synthetic leather palm. We also tailor the glove with Fish Monkey’s trademark “second skin” fit. What goes on your hand is a not just another wool glove, but an amazingly comfortable and functional piece of hand-protection you’ve got to feel to believe.”

Fish Monkey Gloves help keep Minnesota angler Steve Pennaz on the water 12 months a year.

“The synth leather palm gives me a positive, confident grip on the rod and reel,” adds Horton. “The grip feels tacky, and gets even better when wet. It’s the same sure grip I get when clutching the steering wheel of my bass boat. That’s especially important in cold weather.”

From the Sunshine State, north to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Hall of Fame angler Steve Pennaz splits his January days between ice fishing and wading for walleyes or smallmouth bass in near-freezing rivers.

“Just got in from casting for big smallmouths on the Mighty Mississippi,” remarked Pennaz, TV host of Lake Commandos and Stone Cold Fishing. “Days like today when I’m frequently lipping bass and touching water, a pair of Backcountrys are as important as my neoprene waders.”

Constructed with water- and wind-proof bonded neoprene, the Backcountry II Insulated Half Finger Gloves offer extra fishing-friendly attributes. “We’ve added a Velcro wrist closure and finger pulls for easy-on, easy-off,” notes Mossberg. “The gloves cover and protect three-fourths of the fingers, leaving just enough fingertip to allow for knot tying, rigging and line management.

Fish Monkey Backcountry II Insulated Half Finger Gloves

“Not only do these gloves keep the core of your hands and fingers warm and dry,” adds Pennaz, “they’ve got the same synthetic leather palm for gripping fishing rods or other tools. The gloves even have a leather stripping patch to protect your index finger from cuts—whether you’re a fly fisherman or not. Intelligent designs and tons of little extras further prove this is a company run by anglers. You’ve got to love that.”

Look for Fish Monkey’s full line of angler-centric handwear at your local retailer or visit www.fishmonkeygloves.com for more information. Browse Fish Monkey’s 2019 Catalog at http://www.fishmonkeygloves.net/catalog/2019/.

Evinrude Extends FLW Sponsorship

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January 10, 2019

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Evinrude Extends FLW Sponsorship

Innovator in Outboard Engine Technology Named
Presenting Sponsor for Five FLW Events in 2019

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STURTEVANT, Wis., January 10, 2019 – Evinrude announced today a sponsorship renewal with Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), marking the 18th year of the partnership. The agreement ensures that Evinrude and its premier lineup of outboard engines will be showcased across all FLW tournament circuits and through exclusive digital content, as well as remaining the official outboard sponsor of FLW.

“FLW is extremely pleased to announce our continued partnership with Evinrude,” said Trish Blake, president, FLW Marketing Division. “2019 marks eighteen years of our longstanding relationship which reinforces the commitment both companies have towards one another and the sport of professional bass fishing. Our fans and anglers have shown tremendous loyalty to our sponsors’ products and our tournaments offer the perfect showcase to display the efficient, reliable Evinrude outboards.”

“We are very excited to continue our relationship with FLW,” said Tracy Crocker, president of the BRP Marine Group and senior vice president and general manager of Evinrude. “FLW events offer an ideal platform to demonstrate the industry-leading power, performance and value of our Evinrude E-TEC G2 outboards. We look forward to the results from this year’s tournament circuit and helping FLW, competing anglers and fans have a successful 2019 season.”

Evinrude will be prominent at all FLW-sanctioned tournaments and outdoor expos with an Evinrude booth with featured products for fans to visit and experience. The Sturtevant, Wisconsin-based company will also be seen across the FLW’s various media platforms including FLWFishing.com, “FLW Live”, the FLW social media channels, FLW Bass Fishing magazine, and the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show. Evinrude is slated to be the presenting sponsor for five events during the 2019 tournament season.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, Evinrude will continue to offer a contingency awards program for boaters competing in the T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL). To participate, an angler must be the owner of a 2016 or newer 90- to 250-hp Evinrude E-TEC or E-TEC G2 outboard engine. All contingency payouts will be administered by FLW, allowing for immediate payouts at each tournament.

Prizes are as follows:

$300 to the highest participating finisher in each qualifying tournament
$1,000 to the highest participating finisher in each of the six Regional events
$5,000 to the highest participating finisher at the BFL All-American; $1,500 to the second-highest participating finisher at the BFL All-American; $1,000 to the third-highest participating finisher at the BFL All-American; $500 to the fourth-highest participating finisher at the BFL All-American

Updated details and terms of the program will be posted at
FLWFishing.com.

Evinrude’s engine line up, from 3.5 to 300 HP, offers customers superior value across a full range of applications, and are available at authorized Evinrude dealerships worldwide. Follow Evinrude on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brpevinrude.

The Top 25 Angler’s in VA for 2018 are?

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January 10, 2019

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It’s the Bass Cast top 25 based on the level of competition, tournament placement, social media, and 2018 results

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John Crews
David Dudley
Jacob Powroznik
Jeff Lugar
David Williams
Cody Pike
Ed Loughran
Greg Ravitsky
Billy Shelton III
Justin Hicks
Wayne Vaughan
Ryan Ingalls
Ryan Powroznik
Michael Nelms
Chris Moxley
Jack Dice
Travis Lugar
Ben Jacobi
Gabriel Scott
Martin Villa
Lenny Baird
Bryan Humphreys
Tyler Trent
Brian Calloway
Jeff & Clay Ross

LIVETARGET Rocks the Mullet

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January 8, 2019

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LIVETARGET Rocks the Mullet

Unique topwater lure is all business in the front, party in the back

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Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (January 8, 2018) – Question: What do ‘80s-era rock ‘n’ rollers and saltwater predators have in common?

Answer: They both love the mullet.

Of course, the former is a dated hair style, and the latter is a gaggle of species that dine on mullet.

Commotion Mullet Hollow Body (Natural/Black) 721

Enter LIVETARGET’s innovative new mullet emulator, the Commotion Mullet Hollow Body, and you’ll see more commonality. Indeed, both are “all business in the front, party in the back.” With the retro hairdo, we’re talking short in the front and on the sides and long in the back. With LIVETARGET’s revolutionary new topwater commotion bait, it’s the “business” of anatomical hyper-realism in the front section and a party of splashing rock ‘n’ roll racket in the back, produced by a custom spinner blade tail.

Building upon their heritage in crafting the most realistic lures available, and their dominance in the arena of hollow body topwater research and development, the artisans at LIVETARGET unveil an entirely new topwater lure design, one that’s going to rock saltwater fisheries everywhere.

The groundbreaking bait couples an ultra-realistic, mullet profile hollow body topwater to a free-wheeling spinner blade tail. Precision balanced and tuned to fish slow and steady, or fast and furious, the Commotion Mullet is ready to turn the heads, and open the mouths, of inshore, nearshore, and offshore fish species.

Indeed, four ICAST New Product Showcase trophies for LIVETARGET’s Hollow Body Frog, Mouse, Sunfish, and Mullet exemplify LIVETARGET’s dominance in this category. In fact, the Commotion Mullet profile is mirrored after the iconic Hollow Body Mullet walking bait that took ICAST “Best Saltwater Soft Lure” honors in 2017.

The Commotion Mullet’s body bristles with three-dimensional, anatomically accurate features, including scales, pectoral fins, gill plates and eyes, providing not only lifelike detail, but also depth and texture to the body as it swims. Three biologically-inspired color patterns complete the visual deception, making it possible for anglers to Match-the-HatchTM wherever they fish.

Natural/Brown 723

Silver 716

Anglers are sure to be impressed with ultra-high hook up ratios! The Commotion Mullet’s soft hollow body collapses effortlessly on the strike, exposing the attacker to the full lip-piercing and fish-holding power of its extra-strong custom double hook configuration, which is pointed upward and angled just a bit away from the body.

The party gets rolling in the tail section of the Commotion Mullet, where a custom-designed Colorado spinner blade is linked to the lure’s hollow body through a robust, smooth-turning swivel. Work the Commotion Mullet with a series of twitches and jerks to elicit an erratic “plunk” sound from the tail blade, while a straight retrieve produces both sound and a visual bubble trail, helping predators locate and attack the bait from long distances. Operating in unison with the lure’s ultra-realistic, mullet profile hollow body, this spinner blade causes an irresistible commotion! And speaking of long distances, its weight-efficient and streamlined design casts a mile!

LIVETARGET’s new Commotion Mullet was designed with the saltwater angler in mind, and built to do damage on redfish, sea trout, snook, jacks, tarpon, dolphin—and about any pelagic predator. The Commotion Mullet is easy to walk slow with a 180-degrees swing, and fishes fast on a straight retrieve just as easily to maximize sound, vibration, and visual flash.

The LIVETARGET Commotion Mullet is available in two lengths and weights (3 ½” and 5/8 oz; 4” and 3/4 oz) and three biologically-inspired color patterns (721 Natural/Black, 716 Silver, and 723 Natural/Brown), making it easy for anglers to select the perfect lure for their seas. The Commotion Mullet has an MSRP of $14.49 USD.

And the Winner Is… By Bruce Callis

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January 8, 2019

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And the Winner Is…

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With the start of the new year, our thoughts turn to preparing for the upcoming tournament season and warmer weather fishing. The Elite anglers on all 3 tours will be getting started shortly as well. But for us, it is Fishing Show season. And for us here in Virginia, the big show is the Richmond Fishing Expo, January 18-20, 2019 at the Meadow Event Park, State Fairgrounds of Virginia in Doswell, Virginia. Granted, there will be a lot of shows and events this month and next, but this is the biggest here in Virginia and the one I truly look forward to each year.

Show hours to this great event are Friday, January 18th and Saturday, January 19th are from 9 am to 7 pm and Sunday, January 20th from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $9 for adults, Seniors 60+ & Military are $8, Jr. Anglers (6-12) are $5 and Children 5 & under are FREE.

From the amazing Exhibitors, to the seminars and the Elite Anglers, there is something for everyone. Exhibitors this year include Anna Marine Center, Appomattox River Company, Green Top Sporting Goods, Cabela’s, Mare, Inc., Double D Jigs, Hooker Bait and Tackle, Line Cutterz, Reelsnot, Profound Outdoors, Bruce Ingram Outdoors, and many more to offer a wide variety of amazing products to view and buy. Seminar speakers this year include Pro Anglers Timmy Horton, Edwin Evers, and John Crews, along with William Frazier, Anthony Horton, Bruce Ingram, Scott Favors, and others. The seminars will be held at the Oklahoma Bass Tub located in the front and 2 seminar rooms located in the back left and along the right wall. Something for everyone to attend and learn from all weekend long.

The kids or the kid in us can take advantage of the Mountain Trout Pond Simulator again this year and try your luck at catching a farm raised rainbow or brown trout. You may keep 2 fish or release them. Also, there will be a couple tagged fish that the angler who catches it will receive a limited edition Fishing Expo T-shirt.

Attending the show is a true must, but you can be overwhelmed with so much to do. You can go to the website, www.richmondfishingexpo.com and download a printable seminar schedule. I plan out what seminars I want to attend and allow myself time to do some walking around, but it is difficult to take in everything in just one day.

One of the best things about such an amazing show is getting to meet up with friends. With today’s social media, it is no longer just friends in our small circle, but friends from all over the state and even further. Some we may get to see once or twice a year, and the Expo is always one of those times when we get to catch up and as anglers, even talk trash or exchange fishing tips. I am truly blessed, as I have had the opportunity to truly expand my fellowship with so many fellow Virginia anglers. It doesn’t matter if we fish from the bank, from a jonboat, a kayak, or a big bass boat, we all share the same passion. And through social media, I have learned so much more about fishing here in Virginia. And the Expo is the place we all gather together to learn and meet.
Whether you plan to attend for just one day, or for all 3 days, have a plan. But remember, just like in fishing, be flexible and ready to make a change. And if you see me there, make sure to say hello. I’ll be the guy running my mouth with everyone and trying to learn more. And ask me for a BassCast sticker too.
I’ll be the real winner, because I am doing what I love. And I know each of you will be the real winner too.

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The Top 25 Angler’s in VA for 2018 are?

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