Don Wirth
More double-digit fish have been caught during wintertime “Day on the Lake” outings than any other season.
But on one frigid January morning back in 2007, Lane was shivering like a frightened bunny rabbit.
Now is a great time to take inventory of your soft plastics and restock your boxes. – Big Bite Baits
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Have a favorite shape and color that you use alot of each year. Many of our shapes are available in 100pks which offer a great value. Click here.
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We have new colors in our popular Suicide Shad that match popular crankbait colors. See colors like Rayburn Red, Morning Dawn and Bleeding Shad here.
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Got Questions? Call the Coach
Do you have product or rigging questions about our baits? Call the “the Coach”, Les Bratcher at 877-222-7429 on Monday, Tuesdays or Thursdays from 8am-4pm cst.
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Pipkens’ tips for tactical tubing January 20, 2018 by David A Brown
For a young guy, Chad Pipkens has great respect for the old ways, especially when it comes to tubes. Kind of a throwback deal that has yielded much of its popularity to drop shots and maybe even the Ned rig, tubing still merits consideration.
“It’s kind of an art that’s been left behind, but it’s a good small profile that represents crawfish, sunfish, perch and other forage,” the Michigan pro said. “And don’t think this is just for smallmouth; you can catch some good largemouth on this bait too.”
LIVETARGET’s Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait is the most versatile, fish-catching machine…ever
Your “Desert Island” Bait
LIVETARGET’s Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait is the most versatile, fish-catching machine…ever
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Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (January 19, 2017) – You’ve entertained this question before, while wading your favorite stream in search of trout, or riding the waves in pursuit of walleyes, or simply watching a crackling fire reduce to glowing coals: if you were castaway on a deserted island, and your survival depended on one lure, just one lure, which would you choose?
Most anglers would forego a specialist lure – one that occupies a limited niche in their tackle collection – in favor of a premium generalist lure: one that is intelligently designed to catch anything that swims, possessing an action designed for effectiveness in any soft-water scenario. The profile and finish of this one lure would be ultra-realistic, ensuring that even the wariest predator in the clearest water would readily accept it as alive. Moreover, this one lure would be precision engineered using premium materials and components to withstand the rigors of survival fishing. After all, our very life depends on it.
So what lure should be tucked discretely into your carry-on luggage before your next over-water flight, just in case? That one lure is the Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait from LIVETARGET, which combines ultra-realistic profiles and finishes with a meticulously-engineered action and premium components to create a must-cast bait.
The rainbow smelt is a primary forage fish throughout North America. A long, slender baitfish renowned for congregating into voluminous, shimmering schools, the rainbow smelt a favorite of dipnet-wielding “smelters” along the shores of the Great Lakes, and is a dietary staple for many freshwater and saltwater apex predators. The Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait from LIVETARGET derives its inspiration from this silver-sided morsel, in both appearance and action.
While engineered to emulate a specific baitfish species, the Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait has quickly become a favorite outside of its living counterpart’s geographic confines. The lure’s irresistible action, combined with its baitfish-inspired looks, drives largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass bonkers. Indeed, the smallest RS70 Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait effectively replicates an emerald shiner or a young-of-the-year shad, and bass can’t help themselves. There are certainly times and places for the new generation of softball-sized crankbaits that run deeper than Middle Earth, but when the goal is to simply get bit, playing for volume, the downsized RS70 Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait simply catches more fish.
Steeped in the LIVETARGET Match-The-Hatch® philosophy, the Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait replicates the profile, patterns, and anatomical features of its living counterpart.
Produced through a highly intellectualized design process, the shape and finishes of the Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait are designed to convince the wariest gamefish that our artificial offering is indeed, a Live Target. Nowhere else will you find a bait with such highly-detailed, three-dimensional fins, eyes, opercles and scales, with patterns, colors, transitions, and highlights that reflect Nature’s handiwork.
Great looks are just the beginning of the Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait story. Its tight shimmering action on the retrieve recalls the movements of a living rainbow smelt, and is highly effective at dispersing visual flash to attract predators over long distances.
Pause your retrieve, and the Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait suspends perfectly, creating a moment of intense vulnerability that triggers behemoth bass bites in cold and warm water. A unique weight transfer system in the larger RS91 and RS115 models propels the Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait great distances on the cast, and produces a deep knocking rattle within an internal sound chamber to attract and trigger fish in stained or turbid waters or in low-light conditions. Ready to break out the planer boards and cover some water? The Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait is also a highly effective trolling bait, fooling trout, salmon and walleyes in the north and sumo stripers in the south. LIVETARGET’s ultra-versatile Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait doesn’t just belong in your tackle collection, it is the one lure that deserves to be on the end of your line, all of the time.
The Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait from LIVETARGET is available now, in both shallow and deep-diving models, in three sizes ranging from 2 ¾” to 4 ½” that reach depths of 3-9 ft on the retrieve. Three color patterns, including ultra-realistic silver/black and silver/blue, complemented by a metallic gold/black, ensure that you’ll find the perfect LIVETARGET Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait for your local water conditions and predator fish of choice.
Whether castaway on a deserted island, or drifting contentedly just down the shore from the cabin, one lure will make the difference between an empty frying pan and a full belly, and can produce hero shots of trophy fish instead of fishless pictures of the sunset: the exceptional LIVETARGET Rainbow Smelt Jerkbait. Cast one today, and learn how the LIVETARGET philosophy can help you compete, and win, on the water.
Mossy Oak Becomes Supporting Sponsor Of Bassmaster College Series
Jan. 19, 2018
Mossy Oak Becomes Supporting Sponsor Of Bassmaster College Series
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mossy Oak, the Official Camo Pattern of B.A.S.S., has signed on as a supporting sponsor of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, B.A.S.S. announced today.
The agreement builds upon Mossy Oak’s expansion into the sportfishing arena, including the launch of its new Elements Agua fishing lifestyle pattern during the annual ICAST fishing tackle trade show in Orlando last summer, when it also became the Official Pattern of B.A.S.S. The Mossy Oak Elements Agua B.A.S.S. Edition Pattern features the B.A.S.S. logo embedded in the camo design.
Mossy Oak recently claimed the title sponsorship of B.A.S.S.’s popular high school fishing series, which is now known as the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. In addition, Mossy Oak is the presenting sponsor of a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament, the Huk Performance Fishing Elite at Upper Chesapeake Bay presented by Mossy Oak Fishing.
“At Mossy Oak, it is of the utmost importance to pass on our outdoors traditions of fishing, hunting and taking care of the land,” said Ben Maki, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Mossy Oak. “B.A.S.S. offers so many opportunities for young people to compete in the sport they love. We really wanted to get behind their efforts of supporting future anglers and outdoors enthusiasts.”
“The Bassmaster College Series continues to grow in size and importance and level of competition,” said Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. College and High School Series senior manager. “Not only does it develop lifelong anglers, it also provides a stepping stone into professional fishing careers for the best of the best college competitors. The support from Mossy Oak will enable us to continue to expand our college bass fishing program and reach more young people throughout the country.”
The 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series kicks off next weekend (Jan. 25-27) at Toledo Bend Reservoir at Many, La. Other College Series tournaments this season include the Southern Tour on Pickwick Lake at Florence, Ala., April 19-21; the Eastern Tour on Cherokee Lake at Jefferson City, Tenn., May 10-12; and the Western Tour on Clear Lake at Lakeport, Calif., May 23-25.
The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, to be held at a date and location that will be announced later, will crown America’s top college bass fishing team. In addition, the highest finishers in that event will battle individually for a lone berth in the 2019 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
To learn more about Mossy Oak Elements, visit www.mossyoak.com. For pattern licensing information, visit www.why.mossyoak.com.
About Haas Outdoors Inc.
Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak. For more than 30 years, Mossy Oak has been a leading outdoors lifestyle brand that specializes 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, Mossy Oak Productions, MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, Nativ Living, GameKeepers, GameKeepers Kennels and Mossy Oak Properties. Mossy Oak is the official camouflage of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association and Mack’s Prairie Wings.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
Add New9 Fishing Phone Wallpapers You Should Use Right Now! MTB
Add New9 Fishing Phone Wallpapers You Should Use Right Now!
We all love fishing. That’s why we’re here! With stickers, posters, decals, even tattoos, we show the whole world how much we love fishing day in and day out. Now, it’s time to put that love on display from our smartphones. Here are 10 fishing phone wallpapers you can use to make your phone look awesome!
1. Big City Fishin’
2. Fish Sniffin’
3. Buncha Baits
4. Black N White Jumpin’ Bass
5. Jumpin’ Bass In Living Color
6. Good Boy
7. Words To Live By
8. Hello Down There
9. Caught No Fish Sunset
To download, simply tap the images and download when they open in another tab. Then go by your phones settings to set them as a wallpaper. Take some screenshots to share with us, and let us know what other types we should make!
Catch More Fish With Mystery Tackle Box
Gear up and catch more fish! With a Mystery Tackle Box Subscription, you’ll get a box of baits hand delivered to your door each month. In addition to the best new baits you’ll have access to our expert tips, how-to videos, fishing decals, MTB exclusive baits, and more. With baits up to 40% off retail, this is one service every angler needs to try!
SPAIN BECOMES EIGHTH COUNTRY TO JOIN FLW INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONING PROGRAM
SPAIN BECOMES EIGHTH COUNTRY TO JOIN FLW INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONING PROGRAM
César Pecellín Muñoz of Spain Signs Exclusive Licensing Agreement to Run FLW Bass-Fishing Tournaments
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MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 18, 2018) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that Spain has signed an exclusive licensing agreement and will begin offering anglers the opportunity to compete in FLW-sanctioned bass fishing tournaments in 2018. The agreement was signed by FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel and César Pecellín Muñoz of FLW Spain.
“The sport of bass fishing is very important in Spain, and the opportunity to compete with the world’s finest anglers that FLW provides our competitors makes this the perfect partnership,” said Muñoz. “The FLW sanctioning program is the best way for the international community to get involved with bass fishing, and we are very happy to be a part of it.”
FLW Spain plans to run a series of events to determine which four anglers will represent the country in the International Division at the 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship. Two anglers will compete as pros, while the other two will compete as co-anglers. FLW will provide the use of a fully-rigged Ranger boat for the Spanish team to use in the championship event, which will be held Nov. 1-3 on Lake Guntersville, in Guntersville, Alabama.
The top pro award at the Costa FLW Series Championship is $95,000, including a Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard if the pro is Ranger Cup qualified, and the top co-angler award is a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard. The highest finishing pro from the International Division at the Costa FLW Series Championship will advance to the following year’s Forrest Wood Cup for the chance to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.
“We’re proud to welcome Spain into the FLW family as the eighth country to join our rapidly growing international tournament program,” said Fennel. “FLW Spain will provide Spanish anglers the opportunity to showcase their bass-fishing talent on the world stage. We look forward to having two pros and two co-anglers from Spain in the 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship and watching them compete alongside the best anglers from around the world on Lake Guntersville in November.”
Spain is now the eighth country to sign on for the international sanctioning program, joining Canada, China, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and South Korea.
Additional FLW qualifying tournaments in other countries will continue to be forthcoming. Watch FLWFishing.com for details.
Daily Limit: Roumbanis, Hartman prep for season By Mike Suchan
Daily Limit: Roumbanis, Hartman prep for season
Mike Suchan
Jamie Hartman, Ronnie Moore, Tommy Sanders and Fred Roumbanis shot videos one morning last week.
Pro anglers are busy breaking in their boats and prepping baits. They’re out pre-practicing at lakes and visiting the JM studio – yep, bass fishing season is almost here.
Bassmaster Elite Series angler Fred Roumbanis made his first ever appearance at the Little Rock arm of B.A.S.S., where he drove about an hour from his home near Lake Dardanelle. His new neighbor arrived soon after for their day of interviews.
“We should have ridden over together,” sophomore Elite Jamie Hartman told Roumbanis.
How to Choose Soft Plastics for Bass Fishing by David A Brown
Mike Iaconelli shares some insight on how he decides which plastic and what size he fishes for bass.
Selecting the right size plastic bait for bass fishing is a decision Mike Iaconelli faces every time he hits the water. After two decades of professional bass fishing, a lot of it has become intuitive; nevertheless, the Bassmaster Elite Series pro has never abandoned the selection he’s used all these years.
Here’s a look at how the 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion selects his plastics.
The Mystery Tackle Box Table Rock Lake Fishing Guide – MTB
The Mystery Tackle Box Table Rock Lake Fishing Guide
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Missouri’s Table Rock Lake fishing offers the best chance in the Midwest for a Triple Crown catch of bass.
Table Rock Lake Fishing Overview
Source: Crest Lodge
Several Midwestern lakes provide an opportunity to catch a couple of species of bass during a day, but Table Rock’s abundance of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass gives you the best chance to catch this threesome in the same day.
The 43,100-acre reservoir in southwest Missouri has great bass fishing year-round and is annually ranked in Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes listing. Main tributaries dumping into the lake include the White and Kings rivers and Long Creek, all flowing north from Arkansas, and the James River flowing south from Springfield, Mo.
Table Rock Lake Fishing Geography
The lake is large enough for anglers to fish three distinct sections: lower lake near the dam, middle lake in the Kimberling City area and upper lake in the far reaches of the White and James rivers. The lower lake features the clearest water and consists of pea gravel banks, rock ledges, bluffs, pole timber and cedars. The mid-lake section features the same structure and cover as the lower end but has more stained water. Spring rains tend to dirty the water in the upper lake and warm it quicker than the other sections. The upper end also features more mud banks and stump fields than the lower and mid-lake areas.
Table Rock Lake Fishing The Spawn Cycles
Source: White River Outfitters
The prespawn and spawn stages in March and April are the prime times for a Triple Crown catch at Table Rock. Normally by the second week of March some spawning fish start showing up unless it has been a severely cold winter. By the first week of April all three species of bass will be spawning from the dam area to Baxter or Campbell Point. A full-blown spawn on the whole lake usually occurs during the full moon in the middle of April.
All three species can be taken in the same areas and on the same lures when the fish move into the shallows during the spring. Throw a suspending stickbait to catch smallmouth and spotted bass along the ledge rocks and largemouth from the bluff ends or cedar trees. Running swimbaits such as Yum Money Minnows next to the hardwood trees along points also produces all three species of bass.
When the spawn is on, look for smallmouth in the pea gravel pockets and spotted bass and largemouth in steeper pockets filled with bigger rocks and boat docks. A jig bounced along the bottom produces some fish but a local favorite setup for spawning bass is a split shot rig with a 1/4-ounce weight and a Zoom Fish Doctor or Centipede in watermelon candy or green pumpkin hues.
“Scrubbing” a grub and shaking a shaky head rig are also productive tactics for nesting bass in April. You can catch all three species on a smoke color 4- or 5-inch single-tail plastic grub with a 1/4-ounce jighead that you “scrub” (winding the lure so it continuously hits the bottom and then occasionally stopping to let it settle). The shaky head rig (a brown-and-purple 4-inch stickworm impaled on a 1/4-ounce jighead) also triggers strikes from bedding bass.
Table Rock Lake Fishing Tactics
Source: Table Rock Pro
Table Rock offers Triple Crown catches in quantity and quality during the spring. The lake will yield several 5- and 6-pound smallmouth then and some 7- and 8-pound largemouth along with an occasional 5-pound spotted bass.
Deep-diving crankbaits, Carolina rigs and live nightcrawlers on split shot rigs produce bass during summertime days. When the summertime heat is on, night fishing with spinnerbaits and plastic worms is a popular tactic for Table Rock bass. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and a variety of topwater lures work great for all three species of bass in the fall.
Table Rock lake’s winter bass fishing sets it apart from other Midwestern lakes. During January and February you can catch all three species on jigging spoons and Rapala Jigging Raps on points and around deep standing timber.
Table Rock Lake Fishing Species
Source: Ozark Anglers
Although bass are the main attraction for anglers, Table Rock also offers some great fishing for crappie, especially in the James, Kings and Long Creek arms of the lake. You can catch plenty of 12-inch or larger crappie on 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jigs in brush piles.
Bluegill abound throughout the lake and easily fall for worms or crickets. Goggle-eye weighing 1 to 1 1/2 pounds are caught in the spring with drop shot rigs along pea gravel points and cuts.
White bass make spawning runs up the James and Kings rivers where the fish are caught on in-line spinners, lipless crankbaitsand spoons.
Spread throughout the lake are several full-service marinas where you can rent a fishing boat. Plenty of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launch ramps in various parts of Table Rock offer public access to the lake.
For information on lodging and dining options at Table Rock Lake, check it out here!
Catch More Fish With Mystery Tackle Box
Gear up and catch more fish! With a Mystery Tackle Box Subscription, you’ll get a box of baits hand delivered to your door each month. In addition to the best new baits you’ll have access to our expert tips, how-to videos, fishing decals, MTB exclusive baits, and more. With baits up to 40% off retail, this is one service every angler needs to try!