Broaden your cranking scope 2/3/2012

To find out more, click here to visit the Catch More Fish page.

Layoffs at Tracker 2/3/2012
The Tulsa World reported today that Tracker Marine will lay off 112 of its 175 employees at its Miami, Okla. facility. To read the story, click here.

Logan's team to get new ballpark 2/2/2012

“We’re happy we’ve reached a point where we’re starting construction and will be on line to open for the 2013 season,” Logan said. “Both baseball and fishing are sports where one develops a personal passion. Minor league baseball is about getting kids and families out to do something that will create memories for years to come.

“And it’s the same thing with fishing. We have a passion for fishing, and taking our kids out fishing is creating an experience for them.”

The new Regions Field stadium, which will be built along 1st Ave. South between 14th and 16th streets, should take about 12 to 14 months to complete, with the official opening scheduled for the start of the Barons’ season in April 2013. The ballpark will include a minimum of 8,500 seats, 26 suites, a retail store, picnic area, press box and 250 on-site parking spaces. The Birmingham Barons date back to 1885 and are affiliated with the Chicago White Sox.

B.A.S.S. offers 'Favorite Lake' sweepstakes 2/2/2012

To enter, fans can visit the Facebook page through Feb. 29 and vote for their favorite lake in any state, regardless of where they live. It’s their opportunity to give a shout-out to their personal top fishery. The best bass lakes in all states, as determined by fans’ votes, will be printed in the May 2012 issue of Bassmaster Magazine. Plus, a daily state leaderboard can be viewed after each fan votes.

And where is America’s best bass lake — that is, the fishery the sweepstakes winner will get to test out? All fans will find out when they receive the May issue of Bassmaster, in the upcoming feature “Top 100 Bass Lakes.”

“We’ve contacted the Department of Natural Resources of every state to narrow down the field of the country’s best bass lakes,” said James Hall, editor of Bassmaster. “Based on each state’s survey processes, from electroshocking to catch-rate data to lake reputation, the state DNRs have told us what they believe are the Top 5 lakes in the state.

“We’ll funnel that list down to a blue-ribbon panel of professional anglers, outdoor writers and conservation leaders,” continued Hall. “We’ll measure it against tournament successes that we’ve seen throughout the Bassmaster trails, and take regional factors such as stocking programs and severe weather into consideration.”

The lake that’s selected by the magazine will host the winner of the sweepstakes, along with a guest, for 3 days and 2 nights. The winner will get a round-trip flight to the destination, hotel accommodations and a rental car, plus a guided fishing experience on the body of water.

The My Favorite Bass Lake sweepstakes is open to new and existing B.A.S.S. Facebook fans, age 18 or older, who reside in one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C. The B.A.S.S. Facebook page is a haven for fans of the sport: Every day, bass anglers upload photos of their best catches, get breaking news and share how-to tips and tricks.

No purchase is necessary to enter or to win. The contest is void outside the United States and wherever else prohibited by law. Fans can enter once per day, and they can earn bonus daily entries for each friend they refer who also enters the sweepstakes.

Hall of Fame banquet tickets on sale 2/1/2012

This year's inductees are 1982 Bassmaster Classic champion Paul Elias, longtime B.A.S.S. photographer Gerald Crawford, award-winning videographer Glenn Lau and bass-boat innovator Holmes Thurmond. B.A.S.S. co-owner Jerry McKinnis will be the keynote speaker and there will also be a tribute to Hall member and former Strike King owner Ray Murski, who was killed in an auto accident in December.

Silent-auction prizes will include fishing trips with leading bass-fishing celebrities, rods, reels, lures and tackle bags from all the major manufacturers, along with hunting trips and gear. The deadline for purchasing dinner tickets is Feb. 17.

For more information, call (888) 690-2277 or visit the Hall's Facebook page.

Berkley: Five for the Classic 2/1/2012

The new PowerBait offerings are the Thief and the Power Claw. The 4-inch Thief features long tentacles and a flat body that allows it to glide to the bottom. The Power Claw, also 4 inches, is designed to burn through grass, wood and open water with its bullet-shaped body.

The new HAVOC models are the Mike Iaconelli-designed Smash Tube, the Boyd Duckett-designed Juice Worm and the Bobby Lane-designed Hawk Hawg.

The Smash Tube's unique body design allows it to be fished multiple ways, and its dual-colored tentacles are another distinctive trademark. The Juice Worm, which will come in 6- and 8-inch version,s is designed to prevent rollovers during the retrieve. The Hawk Hawg is an all-seasons creature bait with oversized side appendages and a pair of long curl tails.

“Our new baits are going to be killer on the water this year,” said Berkley product manager Brad Danbom. “With new shapes in PowerBait and HAVOC coming out, it is a big time for Berkley.

"We can’t think of a better time to release these baits. The Classic is the best show on water, and we believe our baits will perform flawlessly.”

FLW, Goodwill extend 2/1/2012

Professional angler Chad Grigsby of Maple Grove, Minn., will continue to represent Goodwill on the FLW Tour.

“I’m very proud to be affiliated with Goodwill,” said Grigsby. “Goodwill agencies across the country make a positive impact in local communities through their job training programs and services, including financial education and youth mentoring, which strengthens families, neighborhoods and the communities we live in.”

In addition, FLW and Goodwill have created the Forrest L. Wood Sportsmanship and Community Leadership Award that will be presented to the FLW Tour pro who best displays an overall commitment of sportsmanship and community leadership during the 2012 season. The annual award will recognize the individual based on ethical behavior, upholding integrity, class, selflessness, conservation efforts and kindness to others both on and off the water. A committee will narrow the nominees and unveil the winner at the Forrest Wood Cup in Duluth, Ga. in August.

“The partnership between Goodwill and FLW educates members of the community on how Goodwill’s job training and career-advancement programs can help them grow their employment skills,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Thanks to FLW’s generosity and cooperative spirit, Goodwill has the opportunity to reach future donors and shoppers who can expand our employment placement programs as well as people who need our career services. As a result, we will be able to serve more people in communities across the country.”

BoatUS Collegiate sign-ups under way 2/1/2012

The BoatUS Collegiate Championship is entering its 7th consecutive year, with each year's field larger and more diverse than the prior. This year's event will be contested at Alabama's Lake Pickwick the week of May 21.

"After a long and very successful run the past 6 years at Lake Lewisville (in Texas), we're excited to take the 2012 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship to Lake Pickwick for the next 2 years so that we'll have more room to grow this event, both now and in the future," said tournament director Wade Middleton. "At this year's event we look to not only continue our record-setting trends for participation, but now also challenge the existing weight records for the event, as Lake Pickwick in May should offer plenty of opportunities for the students to catch a lot of quality bass, both largemouth and smallmouth."

In addition to prizes, students will also compete for points in the coveted ACA School of the Year race, which is the first college rankings program to recognize the top collegiate fishing teams in the country, taking into account their participation across all leagues.

MLF's PPV plan revealed 2/1/2012

“Bass fishing on steroids, that’s what this is” said MLF angler Skeet Reese of the competition staged last November at Texas' Lake Amistad. “You’re going to want to see these pay-per-view shows.”

The league will offer seven broadcasts, with one episode presented each week. Reese, a former Bassmaster Classic champion and B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, said he believes the Advance Cast programs will be “absolutely the best bargain I’ve ever seen in our industry.”

“During the Challenge Cup, we had some of the most intense competition I’ve ever experienced. It was, in many ways, the most pressure I’ve ever felt. And now the public is going to get to an opportunity to get right in the middle of that competition,” Reese said.

Mike Iaconelli said that viewers will see pro fishing through “a completely different lens” on the Advance Cast presentations.

“On these pay-per-view shows, I assure you that Major League Fishing will let you see what it was like when 24 of the greatest anglers in the world tried to find fish with no practice before the event started and very little time to find fish. I believe every angler who competed will tell you we’ve never been through anything like it. It was gut-wrenching. I can’t wait to see the broadcasts."

The Advance Cast total-event BassPass, a package of seven broadcasts, will cost $17.94, with individual episodes available for $2.99 each. (The seven-event BassPass package features a “free” week.) Major League Commissioner Don Rucks said that each Advance Cast show will offer many attractions, including:

> More than twice the coverage than what will be televised on Outdoor Channel;

> Commentary from anglers during competition about how they searched for, found and caught fish;

> Unedited angler reactions to their own frustrations and successes, as well as reactions to other competitor activity.

“I’ve been involved in competitive bass fishing for more than three decades, and I can honestly say that I’ve never been so excited about an event or a broadcast. You’ll see the strategies, the struggles and the successes of the best anglers in the world,” said Rucks, a former VP and GM of B.A.S.S. and ESPN Outdoors.

The Advance Cast that launches on Feb. 13 will feature the first day of competition. Each subsequent week will offer the next consecutive day of competition. The seventh Advance Cast broadcast will be a wrap-up show that features in-depth, on-the-water segments with the winners from each round and the Challenge Cup champion.

Sunline adds Swindle 2/1/2012

"I believe Gerald will become a great part of the Sunline team," said Sunline America president Nubuyoki Kajio. "He is a very accomplished and popular angler who will be a great asset in raising awareness of the Sunline brand in the U.S. market."

Said Swindle: “I am thrilled to be a part of the Sunline pro staff. Sunline has a superior product and it will help me fish to the best of my ability. I look forward to having the confidence to know if I can get the fish to bite, I can get them in the boat.

"What do the bass and I have in common? We have both been caught by the world's best fluorocarbon – Sunline."

Chapman signs with Bass Minder 1/31/2012

"The Lure Selection Guide is a wonderful tool to have for all anglers.” said Chapman. “Bass Minder products make you remember great rigs and lures that may not have been your initial choice. Having that visual guide to help you decide what works best depending on the conditions is great for saving time when rigging up.”

Lew's launches school program 1/31/2012

"We're pleased that Andrew Upshaw (pictured) picked Lew's as his rod and reel choice for what we believe will be a long and successful career for him," said company CEO Lynn Reeves. "Andrew qualified for the Classic during his final year of eligibility through the B.A.S.S. collegiate program. Now out of school (Stephen F. Austin University, Texas), he's 100 percent dedicated to competing at the highest level, and what better way to start than competing against the country's best anglers in the Classic next month armed with Lew's rods and reels."

Lew's President Gary Remensnyder said today's young anglers have been an often-discussed subject ever since the Lew's brand was acquired by Reeves in 2009.

"Lynn told me right up front that he liked the collegiate bass fishing programs and wanted to be involved," he said. "I couldn't have agreed more, plus I was aware of the fast-growing high school initiatives, too. We're now ready to roll out a program to benefit both levels of higher education. We want young anglers across the country to know that Lew's cares about them and wants to support their efforts."

Any high school or college fishing club/team that is recognized by the school's administration and has a designated advisor, coach or adult supervisor is eligible to apply for participation in the official Lew's school program. A club/team must consist of at least six full-time students to be eligible, and the club must remain active in accordance with participation guidelines for annual involvement. Acceptance into the Lew's program allows club members a purchase discount opportunity for rods and reels, and access to other resources helpful in growing membership and promoting the sport of fishing.

"We want this to be a meaningful program for our brand, our retail partners and the school members involved," added Remensnyder. "Acceptance is not automatic and our guidelines will be regulated. Meeting our criteria for participation validates a club's credibility, and we want the team members to be just as proud as we are of being a part of Team Lew's."

More details about the school program, including the application form and how to apply, can be found on the Lew's website
under the "Team Lew's" heading, and then by clicking on "School Programs."

Berkley trailer is 'Bama-bound 1/31/2012

The trailer has videos and interactive demonstrations along with seminars scheduled throughout the day. Each stop has special retail promotions only available while the trailer is at the location.

“We're excited about having the Experience Trailer on the road in 2012 and stopping at many new locations across the country,” said Berkley marketing director Andrew Marks. "Our Experience Trailer team is set to help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about our broad spectrum of products and how best to use them to catch more fish.”

Other elements include a knot-tying contest and demonstration, where anglers can learn new knots and compete for prizes. Under the tent, big-screen videos help anglers experience the adventure with Berkley and display racks are filled with the latest products. The Berkley Experience staff will be on hand to answer questions.

The store is located at 5000 Bass Pro Blvd. The phone number is (205) 702-7500.

Future stops are set for Feb. 10-12 at Van's in Cullman, Ala., and Feb. 17-19 at Bass Pro Shops in Baton Rouge, La.

'Cat Hunt' a success 1/31/2012

Springfield, Mo. resident Gerald Fleming is the current owner of the first Bass Cat boat ever produced, and it still sits on its original trailer and carries its original motor (you can click on the photos to see larger versions). Therefore, the 50-year-old Fleming will be allowed to trade it all in for a new Bass Cat Margay, a new Mercury 115 Pro XS motor and a new Margay 4-inch frame trailer, as per the Cat Hunt promotion that launched in mid-December.

Fleming said he purchased the boat, stamped with serial number 00801, from a private party several years ago. It'll now be restored and eventually put on display at Bass Cat headquarters in Mountain Home, Ark.

"We have two original carpet rolls of the old felt-style indoor/outdoor carpeting that I've kept tucked away almost 40 years for this occasion," said Bass Cat owner Rick Pierce. "Around 1972, everything went to the AstroTurf style and this was before that."

The company had lost track of the boat – which Bass Cat founder Ron Pierce (Rick's father) had run himself for a couple of years after it came off the line – more than a decade ago.

"We thought it was gone," Ron Pierce said. "The last we heard, we were told it was burned in a barn fire in Indiana. I can't believe it has the original engine. We are very glad to get it back."

Fleming learned about the promotion from his 23-year-old son, Joel, who'd recently taken possession of the boat and had gone to the Bass Cat website in search of tips for winterizing it. The Flemings were actually thinking about selling it this spring, so now they're extremely glad the promotion took place this year instead of next.

The younger Fleming will receive the fully transferable "finder's fee" of $5,000 toward the purchase of a new Bass Cat.

"This was certainly something that was completely unexpected," said Gerald Fleming, an employee of Kraft Foods for the past 17 years. "I told my son not to hold his breath until we'd found out for sure (that they'd won), because it all seemed pretty unlikely."

Fleming and his two sons had used the boat for crappie fishing at Table Rock and he said his wife also enjoyed having it around for recreational forays to the big lake that's about an hour from their home.

"It runs okay for a 40-year-old boat and it'll still get up and move pretty good," he said. "The only thing is it's a little dicey sometimes getting it started again after you shut off the engine. It's a good idea to keep it running.

"With a new boat, we'll probably get out and fish a little more, and it'll be nice to see that old one make its way home."

Vision 110+1: A lot to like 1/30/2012
The Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait has proven that it can entice fish when most other offerings can't (witness last year's FLW Tour event at Beaver). Now the company has come out with the Vision 110+1 – a deeper-diving version.

The new bait was highly effective on spotted bass during a recent trip to a Georgia impoundment. To read the review, click here.

Z-Man page is live 1/30/2012

To check it out, click here.

Petition to ban A-Rig online 1/30/2012

The author of the petition is listed as "Anonymous," as are many of the signers. If you scroll through the list of signatures (nearly 600 as of this writing), there are some names you'll likely recognize, although that's no hard-and-fast guarantee that it's the person you think it is since it's often very easy to use someone else's name online. There's also a link for contacting the author.

To view the petition, click here.

A-Rig propels Harris to Shasta win 1/28/2012

“Usually the wind plays into my strategy,” Harris said. “But this week, I was not really keen on the wind. I guess I really can't complain at all though. I fished last year's EverStart event and I didn't do very well, so now I'm doing great after today. It was tough, but overall, the bag sizes today were about what I expected to see.

“I threw the Alabama Rig all week. I had it rigged up with a trout ghost-colored All American Trash Fish, and I also threw it rigged it with Mother's Finest baits. I also threw Top-Shelf swimbaits and Osprey 7-inch swimbaits, but I got my better fish on the Alabama Rig."

Here's a look at the final Top 10:

1. K.C. Harris: 42-02
2. Zack Thompson: 41-05
3. Jason Milligan: 37-07
4. Matt Newman: 36-11
5. Chris Fancelli: 34-05
6. Willie Church: 33-06
7. Dave Russell: 31-01
8. Kazuki Kodama: 30-10
9. Tony Peterson: 28-14
10. Aaron Cole: 26-10

Lane, Brown prevail at Toho with 64.64 1/28/2012

He’s also kept a tally of his big tournament finishes in Florida, and his home state hasn’t been too good to him.

“I was 2nd here a year ago to Gerald Swindle, I finished 3rd in another one, 2nd in another, and had several other 3rds, 4ths and 5ths,” Lane said. “This is a good feeling, a really good feeling. These fish owed me and owed me for several years. Now we got the best of ‘em this week.”

That “we” reference was to himself and his team partner Gerald Brown of Oklahoma. They joined forces along with 17 other teams in the inaugural PAA Tour Team Challenge on Lake Toho and won with 64.64 pounds.

“This was an awesome week,” Brown said. “I really can’t explain it. I learned a lot from Bobby, and we had a great time out there.”

They used a mix of sight-fishing and casting in Lake Kissimmee (a 35-mile run from the launch). Brown threw 11-inch Gene Larew El Salto worms and a 3 1/2-inch saltwater minnow. Lane threw Berkley plastics: 10-inch junebug PowerBait worms, and Havoc Craw Fatty pitch baits, Grass Pig swimbaits and Texas-rigged Bottom Hopper straight-tail worms. They stuck with darker colors in Okeechobee, green pumpkin/red and junebug/red.

Phoenix Boats founder Gary Clouse teamed with John Kremer of Florida for 2nd place. They finished with 60.47 after catching Saturday’s best limit of 24.94 on Culprit 10-inch worms.

Chad Morgenthaler of Illinois and Glenn Browne of Florida were third with 60.11. They led after the first day with a stunning 31.89 stringer, the best of the tournament, but struggled the final two days in their top area.

Harris on top at Shasta 1/27/2012

Day-1 leader Tony Peterson came in one fish shy of a limit on day 2 and dropped to 7th.

Here's a look at the Top 10 who'll return to the water tomorrow:

1. K.C. Harris: 31-01
2. Zack Thompson: 26-10
3. Willie Church: 25-13
4. Matt Newman: 25-11
5. Kazuki Kodama: 23-06
6. Dave Russell: 23-04
7. Tony Peterson: 22-10
8. Aaron Cole: 21-11
9. Chris Fancelli: 21-04
10. Jason Milligan: 21-02

Lane, Brown take Toho lead 1/27/2012

"We battled the weather and had just two good bites, but found another area with some fish in it so we'll go back there Saturday," said Lane, who lives in Lakeland and has fished the central Florida lakes all his life. He and Brown are locking into Lake Kissimmee – about a 37-mile run from the launch – and are employing a sight-fishing/casting combo attack.

Day-1 leaders Chad Morgethaler and Glenn Brown weighed 16.34 today and fell to 2nd with 48.23 – a little more than a pound out of the lead. From there it was a sizable drop down to Brian Snowden and Jeff Hager in 3rd with 40.75.

The field was greeted by gusting wind and spitting rain Friday morning. The rain subsided mid-morning, but the wind continued most of the day. The front finally moved out of the area about 5 p.m., and sun and clear skies are expected for Saturday's final round.

For complete standings, click here.

Revo Premier spinning: 2 new sizes 1/27/2012

To find out more, click here to visit the Catch More Fish page.

KY Lake bridge hit by ship 1/27/2012
The Eggner Ferry Bridge at Kentucky Lake was struck by a ship carrying parts for a space rocket on Thursday night, destroying two spans. To read a report from MSNBC.com, click here.

Landscape deal for Combs 1/27/2012

"I was invited to fish in the 2011 TTBC Pro-Am by close friend Tim Cooper and it introduced me to the professional side of bass fishing," said BLV owner Brain Vonderau. "Tim and I drew Keith Combs for the wonderful day of breakfast, fun and great fishing. What a day it was! That evening I told Keith I was interested in participating in a sponsorship.

"The rest is history – Keith went on to win the 2011 TTBC in the most exciting sudden-death finish in professional history."

Said Combs: “I am extremely excited to be a part of the BLV team. Over the last few months owner Brian Vonderau and I have developed a great friendship. I've had the opportunity to see some of his work and it is absolutely incredible. I'm proud to have sponsors who are as passionate about their work as I am about mine.”