Welcome to BassFan's Dock Talk section, where you will see brief, newsworthy items that for one reason or another can't be made into full-blown news articles. Despite the name, and in keeping with BassFan's editorial policy, every effort will be made to avoid publishing outright rumors.
Link joins Phoenix 11/20/2008 Randy Link has been hired by Phoenix Boats to be the Regional Sales Representative for the eastern U.S., which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. He was most recently a Ranger Boats sales rep.
“Randy brings with him a wealth of experience and relationships from his 20-plus years in bass boat sales,” said Phoenix president Gary Clouse.
Good news BassFans, the much-talked-about and highly anticipated Tru-Tungsten 4-inch Tru-Life swimbait began to ship today. Bass Pro Shops should have it in stock next week, with other retailers to follow.
To see what all the buzz is about, click here. Also check out the video below.
Last week, David Williams upset two-time Bassmaster Weekend Series champion Jeff Coble to earn a trip to the 2009 Red River Bassmaster Classic. BassFan just published Williams' winning pattern. To read it, click here.
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Recon: Time off, tune-up 11/20/2008 Today in the Bass Recon section of BassFanArmy.com, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kelly Jordon shares his tips for how he stays physically and mentally strong during the offseason. Tidbit: It's not all working out and studying maps, hunting's an important part of his offseason regimen, too.
Opinion: expansion and contraction 11/20/2008 In a new BassFan opinion column, editor-in-chief Jon Storm tackles the topic of contraction. There's a lot of it happening in the sport right now. Yet there's been some expansion too. But does the future hold, especially in light of the PAA's new series? For Storm's take on the whole thing, click here.
BassFans have heard of the Abu Garcia Revo Winch – the new low-geared Revo that's built for deep-cranking. But how does it perform, and can it do more than crank?
BassFan editor-in-chief Jon Storm fished the reel hard over the past 5 months, and today offers up his impressions of the tool. For his full BassFan Product Review, click here.
> Also note that Abu Garcia's currently running a holiday special. Buy any Abu reel for $74.95 and up and receive a free jacket (a $60 value). Visit AbuGarcia.com for details.
The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) has announced a partnership with the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) to serve as the postseason championship event of the inaugural PAA Tournament Series – a three-event event circuit that will get under way in January. The TTBC, which took place during the spring in each of the last 2 years, will be held October 16-18 at Lake Conroe.
“This is a very exciting adjustment for our 2009 event as it positions the TTBC as the world championship of the newly-created PAA Tournament Series,” said TTBC co-founders Dan Friedkin and Donato Ramos. “These modifications will make the TTBC one of the most prestigious titles in the world of professional bass fishing and create a year-long buzz heading into next October.”
The PAA Tournament Series will kick off January 12-17 at Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla. The second leg will take place April 6-11 at Lake Neely Henry in Gadsen, Ala. Toledo Bend in Hemphill, Texas will play host to the third event, October 5-10. Following the three Series events, the TTBC will take over the national spotlight to see which angler will capture the world title.
The TTBC format will be changed from a team to an individual angling competition. The field will be comprised of 60 anglers, all qualified members of the PAA who earn spots based on PAA Tournament Series finishes or other merits. It will remain a no-entry-fee event and will continue its focus on conservation and adherence to strict slot limits.
“The PAA is thrilled to have the Toyota Texas Bass Classic positioned as the championship of the PAA Tournament Series,” said PAA president Tim Horton. “In 2 short years the TTBC has grown to be an angler and crowd favorite and now, for the first time ever, the best of the best will compete for the rights to be the Toyota Texas Bass Classic world champion.”
David Williams had tried to get into previous big-money tournaments at Lake Norman. Every time, he’s been stuck on a waiting list and never made it into the field.
Last week, everything fell into place for the Maiden, N.C., native as he cashed a check for $100,000 after winning the Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship at Norman. More importantly, though, is he locked up the final berth in the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.
“It means a lot more to me to go the Classic,” he said. “The money’s great but there aren’t a lot of people who can say they’ve ever been to the Classic.”
Before last week, he’d only fished for what he calls “big money” once before – at the 2004 BFL All-American. Now, his 2009 schedule has a couple of those events on it. He’s also qualified for the A-A.
“I’ve got a big year coming up with the Classic and the All-American,” he added. “I like the no-entry fee tournaments with a lot of money on the line.”
Treating the Classic like just another tournament is going to be difficult for him.
“I’m just enjoying it and hope some things come out of this,” he said. “I hope to get a little help with it and go further in my career, God willing.”
With the Classic’s Dec. 15 off-limits deadline fast approaching, he hopes to make at least one trip to Shreveport/Bossier City to get a feel for what could happen there in a few months.
“I haven’t fished there but I’m going to try to go down a week or so before that to ride around and look around to get familiar with it,” he said. “From what I’ve seen so far, it looks like it’s a power-fishing river and that fits my style. I just have to get down there and find some areas I like and fish the way I want to.”
Gulp! mix up 11/18/2008 The positive properties of Gulp! are almost too long to list. It's biodegradable. It's durable. It disperses scent more efficiently than any other bait on the market. And, of course, it catches fish when just about no other bait will.
But one cool attribute of Gulp! that often goes overlooked is the fact that it's made of a water-based material, and that means it'll never lose its color or rub off on other baits. Because of that, the folks at Berkley can pile a bunch of different colors into a single tub of Gulp! juice and you never have to worry about pulling out a bait that looks like it was designed by a 4-year-old with a box of markers. That's the idea behind Berkley's new Gulp! Alive! fresh and saltwater assortment buckets.
Head over to the Catch More Fish page to check out the details on the assortment buckets.
Merc's new marketing boss 11/17/2008 As reported earlier today, Mercury Marine VP of OEM sales John Hoagland was let go from the company last week. At the time, it was unclear who would head the marketing efforts of the company moving forward – specifically, its involvement with competitive and professional fishing.
Mercury today told BassFan: "Mercury Marine last week announced a revised organizational structure designed to streamline its operations and be more focused on servicing customers and further advancing its position in the global marine marketplace. Under this new organizational structure, Mike Shedivy has been named Vice President – Marketing. His new responsibilities include overseeing Mercury's competitive-angling program, advertising, marketing communications and business development."
Shedivy was most recently GM of Mercury Propellers, which launched the highly lauded Fury prop earlier this spring.
Shedivy said: "In these challenging economic times, Mercury Marine appreciates and continues to support its dedicated staff of professional anglers and tournament organizations. Competitive angling has been an integral part of our company in the past and will remain so in the future. We look forward to the continued success of these valued partnerships."
Merc releases Hoagland 11/17/2008 John Hoagland, most recently Mercury Marine VP of OEM sales, is no longer with the company BassFan has learned. According to several sources who spoke with Hoagland, his release from the company late last week came as a surprise.
Earlier this month, Mark Schwabero was promoted to president of Mercury Marine, to replace the retired Pat Mackey. That may or may not have been a factor in Hoagland's release.
As former chief marketing officer, then VP of OEM sales, Hoagland was instrumental in driving Mercury's involvement with competitive fishing through sponsorships, pro staffs and advertising.
Mercury VP of sales Jack Malone was also reportedly released, although that news has not yet been confirmed.
Larry Draper: in memoriam 11/17/2008 The bass-fishing industry was dealt some sad news when Larry "Buck" Draper passed away suddenly last week. Many noted he died doing what he loved: He suffered a heart attack while deer-hunting.
Although BassFans may not recognize the name, Draper was a key industry player who was a Daiwa rep for 31 years. He was there nearly at the beginning, and watched the sport grow through the years as he interacted with key Daiwa pros like Larry Nixon, Denny Brauer, Jay Yelas and George Cochran. He was also a pivotal figure in Daiwa's early U.S. development. At that time, bass fishing was almost exclusively an American pursuit, and Draper funneled key feedback and information back to Japan for the development of U.S. product.
Nixon noted of his passing: "Larry was in the fishing industry ever since I got into it, and it seems like I'd known the man forever. And he was a great ambassador for the sport of fishing. The reason I say that is, even after I was no longer affiliated with the company he repped, he stayed in touch with me at least once a month. He'd always call to check on you and just say, 'How you doin' buddy?' He's one of those individuals who's really going to be missed."
George Cochran, on his way to today's funeral, told BassFan: "I'd known Larry for 35 years and he's one guy that stands out to me because he was always happy and chipper, no matter if he felt sick or what. He always smiled, always greeted everybody wholesomely, and was never negative about anything. And he got me my first sponsorship as a fisherman when I won the Arkansas state championship back in the '70s. Then when I won my first (Bassmaster) Classic, he introduced me to the head honchos at Daiwa and got me on team Daiwa, where I stayed for a long time. He was one of the hardest-working men in the tackle business and I'm going to miss him. I talked to him just last week and I still can't believe he's gone."
Daiwa VP of sales Terry Pederson told BassFan: "It's a big blow for us. We're going to miss him. He was never an employee of Daiwa – he was always an independent contractor. His title with us was 'exclusive agent for Daiwa' and he was handling two of our biggest accounts – Walmart and Bass Pro Shops."
On a personal note, Pederson added: "Larry made business his life. Being a Daiwa sales guy, he lived and breathed Daiwa. He enjoyed it, and anyone he became involved with through business – he ended up building huge relationships with them. That was really the key to his success – his ability to get to know people and work with them. He was a great friend to Daiwa and to all those people he came in contact with within the industry."
Draper was also a football player. He began his ball career with Southeastern Oklahoma State, worked his way through the semi-pros and played for the Houston Oilers for 1 year.
He's survived most immediately by his wife Frieda and son Jason.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 today at Roller-Owens Funeral Home (5509 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark.). Those wishing to inquire may contact the funeral home at (501) 791-7400 or visit RollerFuneralHomes.com/.
The funeral home's website also hosts a guestbook which the public may sign, as well as a video memorial. For Draper's memorial page, click here.
Williams wins, Classic field set 11/17/2008 David Williams of Maiden, N.C. edged two-time Bassmaster Weekend Series champion Jeff Coble (Manson, N.C.) by less than half a pound to win the Weekend Series Championship at Lake Norman, N.C. Williams is thus the final addition to the 2009 Red River Bassmaster Classic field, and the field is now set.
Here's an alphabetical look at the full Classic field. Anglers who didn't qualify through the Bassmaster Elite Series are noted with qualification route in parentheses.
1. Casey Ashley -- Donalds, S.C.
2. Kim Bain-Moore -- Alabaster, Ala. (WBT)
3. Ken Baumgardner -- Monongahela, Pa. (Federation Nation)
4. Michael Burns -- Plano, Texas (Central Opens)
5. Brent Chapman -- Lake Quivira, Kan.
6. Rick Clunn -- Ava, Mo. (Central Opens)
7. Mark Davis -- Mt. Ida, Ark.
8. Boyd Duckett -- Demopolis, Ala.
9. Jay Evans -- Corvallis, Mont. (Federation Nation)
10. Edwin Evers -- Talala, Okla.
11. Todd Faircloth -- Jasper, Texas
12. Terry Fitzpatrick -- Waukon, Iowa (Federation Nation)
13. Jami Fralick -- Martin, S.D. (Central Opens)
14. Shaw Grigsby -- Gainesville, Fla.
15. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, La.
16. Matt Herren -- Trussville, Ala. (Southern Opens)
17. Kenyon Hill -- Norman, Okla.
18. Davy Hite -- Ninety Six, S.C.
19. Randy Howell -- Springville, Ala.
20. Timmy Horton -- Muscle Shoals, Ala.
21. Bryan Hudgins -- Orange Park, Fla.
22. Michael Iaconelli -- Runnemede, N.J.
23. Alton Jones -- Waco, Texas
24. Kelly Jordon -- Mineola, Texas
25. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, Ala.
26. Kotaro Kiriyama -- Moody, Ala.
27. Gary Klein -- Weatherford, Texas
28. Bobby Lane -- Lakeland, Fla. (Southern Opens)
29. Bill Lowen -- North Bend, Ohio
30. Aaron Martens -- Leeds, Ala.
31. Mike McClelland -- Bella Vista, Ark.
32. Ish Monroe -- Hughson, Calif.
33. Rick Morris -- Virginia Beach, Va.
34. Scott Parker -- Londonberry, N.H. (Federation Nation)
35. Waine Pittman -- Villa Rica, Ga. (Federation Nation)
36. Greg Pugh -- Cullman, Ala. (Southern Opens)
37. Skeet Reese -- Auburn, Calif.
38. Dean Rojas -- Lake Havasu, Ariz.
39. Scott Rook -- Little Rock, Ark.
40. Fred Roumbanis -- Bixby, Okla.
41. Bryan Schmidt -- Olney, Texas (Federation Nation)
42. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, Fla.
43. Terry Scroggins -- San Mateo, Fla.
44. Brian Snowden -- Reeds Spring, Mo.
45. Peter Thliveros -- St. Augustine, Fla.
46. Kevin VanDam -- Kalamazoo, Mich.
47. Byron Velvick -- Del Rio, Texas
48. Dustin Wilks -- Rocky Mount, N.C.
49. David Williams -- Maiden, N.C. (Weekend Series)
50. Kevin Wirth -- Crestwood, Ky.
51. Dave Wolak -- Wake Forest, N.C.
How Curtis did it 11/14/2008 Last year, David Curtis almost won the Stren Championship because he figured out how to get gas when almost no one else could.
This year, he thumped the field because his spotted-bass area kicked out a massive 22-12 limit of T-Rock largeheads on the final day.
To read all the details about how Curtis won the recent Stren Championship, click here.
FLW Series: matchup questions 11/14/2008 BassFans who've checked out the FLW Series East/West Fishoff matchups likely noted something amiss. Here's a look.
Under the Fishoff format, the Top 30 pros from each division are invited to the Fishoff. They're seeded based on points finish, so the Eastern points winner fishes against the 30th-place Western qualifier, 2nd fishes against 29th and so on. The winner of each matchup receives a berth in the 2009 Forrest Wood Cup. In theory, top seeds have a distinct advantage, since they face off against lower-seeded pros.
FLW Outdoors described the format like this on its site:
"Top 30 pros from the BP Eastern Division and Top 30 pros from the National Guard Western Division compete in head-to-head competition with the number one seed from the BP Eastern Division facing the number 30 seed from the National Guard Western Division and the number one seed from the National Guard Western Division pitted against the number 30 seed from the BP Eastern Division, and so on."
Here's the wrinkle. Several qualifiers chose not to fish the event this year, so substitutions were made by inviting anglers outside the Top 30. But instead of re-seeding the field after the substitutions, the substitutes instead were seeded based on who they replaced.
Therefore, Art Ferguson III who finished 33rd in the Eastern points is fishing as a No. 3 seed because he replaced Andy Morgan. Ferguson will face off against 28th seed Tim Klinger.
Jake Deeds who finished 34th in the Eastern points is fishing as the 17th seed because he replaced Luke Clausen.
Other Eastern examples:
> Jonathan Newton: 32nd in points, 21st seed in place of Larry Nixon
> Tommy Biffle: 36th in points, 23rd seed in place of Chad Grigsby
And in the Western:
> RJ Bennet: 31st in points, 14th seed in place of Mike Reynolds
> Bill Spence: 32nd in points, 21st seed in place of Robert Lee
Actually, a similar system was used last year. That's why Rusty Salewske, who finished 31st in the Western points, was seeded 23rd in place of Steve Tosh and fished against 8th seeded Dave Lefebre.
BassFan currently has a communication into FLW Outdoors to request a clarification on the seeding system. BassFan will update the story if FLW Outdoors responds.
A note accompanying the current matchups does say the matchups are subject to change.
Sea Ray lays off 60 11/14/2008 Soundings Trade Only Today reports that Brunswick boat brand Sea Ray has laid off 60 employees at its Development and Engineering center in Merritt Island, Fla.
Brunswick spokesman Dan Kubera told Trade Only: "This was done as an effort to more appropriately size our work force for the current U.S. marine market."
Merc’s 5 & Drive deal 11/14/2008 Mercury announced today that it is offering a 5-year limited factory-backed, non-declining warranty on the purchase of qualifying outboard motor between now and April 15, 2009.
The deal, which carries a value of $2,420, is available at no extra cost and is applies to the following Mercury products:
> All 25 to 300 hp four-strokes, including Verado and Jet engines
> All OptiMax, including Pro XS and Jet models
> All OptiMax Jet Drive models
> All 50, 90 and 150 hp two-stroke models.
For more details, visit your local Mercury dealer or click here.
Ranger lays off 130 11/14/2008 Ranger Boats announced Thursday it has laid off 130 workers at its Flippin, Ark., plant and will extend its normal December plant shutdown to 4 weeks due to a drop in dealer orders.
The layoffs represent a 17% reduction in the workforce at the fiberglass boat maker, which also is eliminating Christmas bonuses this year. According to a report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Ranger’s human resources director Cherly Davenport told radio station KTLO the layoffs were considered temporary because the company anticipated recalling the workers in January.
To read the Democrat-Gazette’s reporting on the news, click here.
Bolivar: Feelin' froggy 11/14/2008 FLW Tour pro Gabe Bolivar has a special place in his heart for amphibians - artificial amphibians, that is. Bolivar's a top-tier toad tosser, and he just about always has a frog or toad ready for action. Today on the Catch More Fish page, Bolivar talks about why every tournament angler, or anybody who just wants to catch big fish, should incorporate a frog into their arsenal. Tidbit: Use frogs and toads in tandem for killer results.
Ish Monroe has done a considerable amount of fishing this offseason, but not in waters that are inhabited by black bass. The California Bassmaster Elite Series pro has traveled up to Alaska for salmon, halibut and rockfish, and then down to Brazil for peacock bass (that's a 14-pounder he's holding in the accompanying photo, caught on a Tru-Tungsten Tru-Life swimbait).
The Brazil trip was organized by Larry Thornhill of Tru-Tungsten. He went to Alaska with fellow western pros Dean Rojas and Bub Tosh.
"The rockfish are just like bass – they like cover and they eat the same baits," he said. "The peacocks are the meanest bass I've ever fished for. Both trips were awesome."
BerkleyBigFish.com 11/13/2008 Michael Faught participated in the Berkley Big Fish Contest and came away as the winner of an ExMark Quest zero-turn lawn mower. The Lodi, Calif., native has been an active member on BerkleyBigFish.com for the past five months, posting nearly 30 pictures of himself and family members on various fishing trips.
“Berkley Big Fish is a website for anglers at any skill level,” said Jill Harms, Berkley Sr. Marketing Manager. “It's a common 'bragging' board where anglers get to tell their stories, talk about their fish and possibly win the trip of a lifetime with Hank Parker. Everyone wants to be famous, and this website gives everyone the opportunity to be famous on the web for catching their 'Big One.'"
The Berkley Big Fish contest was launched in January 2008. With over 5,000 registered users to date, Berkley Big Fish awards users with monthly prizes in five different categories. Monthly prizes include products from sponsors like Gulp!, Berkley Trilene, PowerBait, Abu Garcia, and Gulp! Alive!
Twelve grand-prize finalists will be entered to win a trip to Lake El Salto, Mexico, for a fishing trip with Berkley pro Hank Parker. New users simply go on the website to register, then submit their best fishing photos for a chance to score the grand prize.
Schmidt: three fish = Classic 11/13/2008 How brutal were conditions at Kansas' cold and windswept Lake Milford for the recent BASS Federation National Championship? Here are a few stats for the 55-boat field:
> 37 zeroes on day 1
> 39 zeroes on day 2
> 31 double-zeroes (the event was shortened to 2 days).
Central competitor Bryan Schmidt of Olney, Texas won the whole thing with three fish for 9-12 and he, along with five other divisional winners, are headed to the Red River Bassmaster Classic in February.
Recon: Off-Season Prep 11/13/2008 Cold fronts are whipping across the country in rapid succession, and with each passing week the nation's anglers face conditions that feel a lot less like the brisk days of fall and a lot more like the dreary hold of full-on winter. In the world of tournament bass fishing that means the season is all but over. But that doesn't mean you can just kick back on the recliner or pick up a shotgun and forget about green fish until the freeze is off.
Today in the Bass Recon section of BassFanArmy.com, FLW Tour pro Charlie Weyer talks about how he uses his off-season to get an edge on the competition for next year. Tidbit: He works hard, but it's important to have a little fun, too.
Brunswick closing Cumberland plant 11/13/2008 Brunswick Corp. announced today it will close its Cumberland, Md. plant and shift production of Trophy offshore boats to its Ashland City, Tenn. plant. The closure will result in the loss of approximately 115 production and support positions.
Ashland City is the headquarters of the Triton boat brand, so it appears that continued production at that plant will remain a priority during the boat-market slump.
Brunswick chairman and CEO Dustan McCoy said in announcing the news: "As we deal with the global economic downturn and its impact on recreational marine markets, we're continuing to shrink our North American manufacturing footprint. This decision is no reflection upon the Cumberland workforce or product, but the result of our need to develop a more efficient manufacturing footprint.
"As previously announced, Brunswick has been following through on a number of measures to reduce expenses and resize the company to compete in the global marine market," McCoy added. "Over the past 2 years, we've closed 12 other North American boat plants, in addition to Cumberland, and have continually reduced production rates throughout our marine businesses. Cumberland will also observe 4 weeks of furlough, during which time all boat production temporarily is halted, while the phase-down is completed."
Brunswick stated it will offer outplacement assistance for affected employees, including severance and other support aimed at helping them transition to another job.
In other boating news, the National Marine Manufacturers Association laid off an additional 18 persons this week. So far this year, the trade group has eliminated a total of 30 positions.
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