Buckeye signs on 5/31/2007

Along with the chance to win contingency awards, BassFan Army members also receive a BIG 20% DISCOUNT on all Buckeye products. To take advantage, order baits through BuckeyeLures.com, then type "BFARMY" in the comment field. Bingo – 20% off! It's that simple.

Look for other great offers coming from Buckeye Lures in upcoming weeks.

Not a BassFan Army member yet? Click here to sign up for FREE lifetime membership, which makes you eligible for many free programs, including giveaways, contests and qualifying for the Weekend Warrior Championship.

Powell adds Martin-Wells 5/31/2007

“I had been with the same rod company for 20 years prior to joining Powell,” Martin-Wells said. “From the moment I picked up my first Powell rod, I knew that I had found a tool that was going to help take my fishing to the next level.”

She said that quality construction was the key.

“I have never felt a rod that was so light and sensitive – it helps me feel bites I know I was missing before. Besides, getting to know (Powell president) Keith Bryan has been great. I couldn’t be happier.”

Bryan said that having an angler of Martin-Wells' caliber is a tremendous asset to the company.

“Pam is a fantastic angler and a terrific person,” he said. “Her skills as an angler, along with her long history of success in the sport, are elements we look for in our team members. We are proud to welcome her to the family.”

Roumbanis, ice cream, and love 5/31/2007
The Oklahoman recently ran a cool piece about Fred Roumbanis. Interesting is that Roumbanis met his wife Julie Swisher last year at the Grand Lake Bassmaster Elite Series, and her father helped design the first reel he ever owned. "Roumbanis bought Julie Swisher an ice cream cone at the (Lowrance) picnic, and a romance blossomed," the paper wrote. To read the full story, click here.

Nutty marina gas prices 5/31/2007
A recent informal poll by the Walker Agency, which handles PR for several companies in the outdoors, pegged the average price per gallon of gas at marinas (among those who responded to the email survey) at $3.75.

The agency heard from boaters in Long Island, Hawaii, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arizona, Indiana, Connecticut and Virginia. Some highlights:

> Among those reporting, the highest price per gallon at marinas was $4.32 in coastal Alabama, with ethanol fuel costing about 10 cents less.

> Next highest were Long Island at $4.20 and southwest Florida at $4.25.

> The lowest reported cost was Virginia at $2.93, although the respondent said there was nary a boater in sight. And it was a weekday.

> A Connecticut boat dealer that sells gas on the water, and which says it tries to keep the price as low as possible, sells gas for $3.75 per gallon.

> With the exception of Virginia, all those who responded put the price in the $3.00 range with a minority over $4.00.

Short day, big fish 5/31/2007

Luckily they catch some pretty big minnows in those derbies.

Week 1 of the Miller High Life Professional Tarpon Tournament Series (PTTS) recently finished. The tournament ran from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m., and with all the fish bunched up in Boca Grand Pass, once a fish is on it's a madhouse trying to weave in and out of all the boats and keep the fish on – which is live-weighed and released.

It took week 1's winning team – Team Raymarc.net – about an hour to hook, land, weigh and release its winning fish. The good part: they won a $35,000 boat package (most tournament fishing isn't as far along on the payout scale as bass) for 3 hours of work, and their winning fish weighed 160 pounds!

> FYI, the tarpon bite "feels like a little bluegill bite," said team captain Artie Price.

(Editor's note: A little insight from BassFan.com's sister property InshoreFan.com. For more about that world, check out www.InshoreFan.com.)

Guideline offer 5/31/2007

Just click here to visit the Guideline Eyegear website, pick out your new glasses and enter BFARMY in the promotional code box upon checkout.

No matter what your eyewear needs, Guideline has Army members covered. So get yourself a pair and, as they say at Guideline, "see what you’ve been missing."

Not a BassFan Army member yet? Click here to sign up for FREE lifetime membership, which makes you eligible for many free programs, including giveaways, contests and qualifying for the Weekend Warrior Championship.

Prayer List 5/30/2007
If you haven't seen it yet in the NotePad section on our homepage, click here.

All knotted up 5/30/2007
Today on BassFan TV, Vicious and Evan Williams pro Jason Quinn gives a seminar on knot-tying with fluorocarbon line. To check it out, click here.

Recon: Clear Lake 5/30/2007
This week the Bass Recon section on BassFanArmy.com takes a look at California big-bass factory Clear Lake for this weekend's WON Bass North tournament. Read it by clicking here.

IBI on Jacobs 5/30/2007
IBI Magazine today printed some exclusive quotes from Irwin Jacobs in regards to Julie Roehm's recent lawsuit against Wal-Mart. To read the story, click here.

Our favorite quote is mentioned in the IBI piece, but was given by Jacobs to the New York Post newspaper. Jacobs is quoted as saying that Roehm's allegations in regards to him are "totally off the wall" and the Post said: "he would sue Roehm and her attorneys if she didn't retract her statements. 'I will make their lives so miserable they will wish they had never mentioned my name,' Jacobs said."

More on Hartwell 5/30/2007
To follow up on the news that the 2008 Bassmaster Classic will be held at Lake Hartwell, S.C., here's more about the lake itself.

Location

Hartwell, a Savannah River impoundment, straddles the Georgia–South Carolina border, between Lakes Russell (below) and Keowee (above). Jocassee is then above Keowee, and Clarks Hill below Russell.

The Harwell Dam was completed in 1950. It's located 7 miles downstream from where the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers join to form the Savannah River.

The host city of Greenville is 45 minutes to 1 hour from the lake.

The Fishery

Many of the trees were left standing prior to fill, so standing timber is an important cover, and trees can be found as deep as 100 feet. Humps and channel ledges comprise the dominant offshore structure. Overall though, in February, it'll be all about the points and ditches.

Largemouths and spots are both present, and 4- and 5-pound spots are available. Redeye bass, which typically run small, are also in the lake, but shouldn't be a factor. Stripers and hybrids are numerous.

Blueback herring are a primary baitfish, which means the lake fishes a lot like Clarks Hill. In other words, bluebacks roam and move a lot, and the largemouths and spots typically follow. It also means brief, but furious periods of activity, followed by hours of downtime.

Weights

Hartwell's a popular tournament venue at the triple-A, regional and local level. Brian Latimer won a recent Savannah BFL with a 20-09 sight-fishing limit.

Last year, in late May, Greg Rikard won a BFL there with a 21-00 limit. He caught his fish with a soft-plastic jerkbait.

Given that a winning spawn limit and winning post-spawn limit were both near 21 pounds, it's fairly safe to think that a winning February weight would be near that or a touch lower – maybe 19 to 20 pounds. But spread over 3 days, it might be an 18-pound-average Classic.

Locals

Among Bassmaster Elite Series pros, Davy Hite, Casey Ashley, Jason Williamson, Jason Quinn, and Marty Robinson are notably familiar with the lake. Williamson used to partner with Rickard, who won the 2006 BFL mentioned above.

The Top 37 in the 2007 Elite Series points qualify for the Hartwell Classic. Of the five anglers mentioned above, Ashley is the best in the points right now (22nd), followed by Quinn (35th), Hite (55th), Williamson (56th), and Robinson (76th).

Nixon in the Zone 5/30/2007
How does Larry Nixon, now ranked 10th in the world, 'close' tournaments? Click here to go to The Bass Buzz to find out.

BBZ: Reaction Strike 5/30/2007
In the latest Big Bass Zone update, authors Michael Jones and Bill Siemantel answer a recent letter from reader Mike Ellenstein, who asked about jigs, swimbaits and Lake Amistad. To read it, click here to enter the Big Bass Zone.

'08 Classic: Hartwell 5/30/2007
BASS just announced that the site of its 2008 Bassmaster Classic will be Lake Hartwell in South Carolina, with Greenville the host city. Competition takes place Feb. 22–24.

This marks the second time the Classic has been held in South Carolina. The first time was 1973. It was at Clarks Hill, with McCormick the host city. Rayo Breckenridge won it.

Greenville Mayor Knox White said: "The City of Greenville is excited to be chosen as the official host city for the 2008 Bassmaster Classic. We look forward to kicking off the festivities and welcoming professional anglers, industry leaders and bass-fishing enthusiasts to Greenville's vibrant community. This unique tournament is the first of its kind for Greenville and will draw considerable attendance and publicity for our beautiful region."

BASS VP and GM Tom Ricks said: "We're excited to bring the most prestigious event in bass fishing to South Carolina for a second time. The location allows us to cater to our tremendous membership base in the area, and those who can't attend the event will be treated to abundant coverage on ESPN2."

Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau president Chris Stone said: "This is a tremendous opportunity that promotes our destination and showcases our extraordinary upstate region. We're pleased that BASS and ESPN have chosen Greenville to host their 'Super Bowl of bass fishing' and look forward to a remarkable event."

Here are some other notable items:

> BASS stated that "ESPN2 will devote 13 hours of programming to the Classic through the 3-day event, including morning shows on the weekend and same-day coverage of the entire tournament."

> The total prize purse will be $1.2 million, with $500,000 again awarded for 1st place.

> The off-limits period begins Dec. 15, with pre-practice Feb. 12–14. The final practice is Feb. 20.

> The full field will again fish days 1 and 2, with a cut to the Top 25 for day 3.

> Weigh-ins will be held at the Bi-Lo Arena in Greenville. Anglers will launch daily from Portman Marina.

> The ESPN Outdoors Classic Expo will be held during competition days at the Carolina First Center (about 3 miles from the weigh-in venue).

> Like last year, the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship (WBTC) will be held concurrently. This year, the WBTC field will fish nearby Lake Keowee, which will also serve as the site for the Junior Bassmaster World Championship (also held during Classic week).

> Hartwell's about 56,000 acres, with nearly 1,000 miles of shoreline. It was the site of a 1998 Bassmaster Invitational.

The other pork rind 5/30/2007
Ever been hungry in the boat? Of course. Ever been tempted by a jar of Uncle Josh pork rinds? We don't want to know the answer to that one. But if you do like the snack-style pork rinds, it might interest you to know that Uncle Josh now lends its name to snack merchandise. To see the new items, click here.

Campbell's music deal 5/29/2007

He's promoting the album at tournaments in the Anglers Alley, and it's also available at Bass Pro Shops.

"I'm certainly a big fan – it'd be tough to run with it like I have without believing it was a good CD," he said. "It's got some classics on there and some other songs that are specifically about tournaments.

"It's been an easy sell. I've put them up in the boat and they've gone like hotcakes."

The album is headed by a catchy tune called The Bass Tournament Song. To hear it, click here.

“I am so excited to be involved in the Elite Series," said Rodney Clawson, the writer and singer of The Bass Tournament Song. "Every Saturday morning I watch the Bassmasters show to follow the pros and learn how they catch those big fish.

"All of us at EWG wish Scott the best this year. I had the opportunity to meet him while performing at the Lake Guntersville event and really enjoyed talking fishing with him."

The next offering in the Outdoor Music Series will be a hunting-themed CD, which is set for release this summer. For more, click here.

Ugly Boat: update 5/29/2007

To put your boat in the pot, all you need to do is send us a photo. Note that the boat must be in working order, and you must be a BassFan Army member to participate. Also, if you want to increase your chances of winning, make sure to give your boat a name that fits its ugly-yet-functional look.

> Click here to email your ugly boat entry.

Not a BassFan Army member yet? Click here to sign up for FREE lifetime membership, which makes you eligible for many free programs, including giveaways, contests and qualifying for the Weekend Warrior Championship.

Fish Harder e-mag 5/29/2007
Fish Harder, the parent company of Tru-Tungsten, is publishing a monthly, multi-species e-magazine that's designed to help you catch more fish. Top tournament pros and professional guides will offer tips on patterns, baits and techniques that produce for them.

To get the sign-up process started, just click here. Best of all, it's free!

More hurricanes this year? 5/29/2007
NOAA is predicting an "above-normal" hurricane season this year for the Atlantic. Its experts are projecting a 75% chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be above normal this year.

For the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA scientists predict 13 to 17 named storms, with seven to 10 becoming hurricanes – of which three to five could become major hurricanes of category 3 strength or higher.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with peak activity occurring August through October. NOAA stated: "With expectations for an active season, it is critically important that people who live in East and Gulf coastal areas as well as the Caribbean be prepared."

Of course, the NOAA experts could be wrong, as they were last year. The 2006 prediction "proved to be too high when an unexpected El Niño rapidly developed and created a hostile environment for Atlantic storms to form and strengthen," NOAA stated. "When storms did develop, steering currents kept most of them over the open water and away from land."

Gerry Bell of the NOAA Climate Prediction Center said: "There is some uncertainty this year as to whether or not La Niña will form, and if it does how strong it will be. If La Niña develops, storm activity will likely be in the upper end of the predicted range, or perhaps even higher depending on how strong La Niña becomes. Even if La Niña does not develop, the conditions associated with the ongoing active hurricane era still favor an above-normal season."

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity occurring August through October. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center will issue an updated seasonal forecast in August just prior to the historical peak of the season.

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center will issue an updated seasonal forecast in August just prior to the historical peak of the season.

Jacobs in the news 5/25/2007
Julie Roehm, a former Wal-Mart marketing chief who was reportedly fired for conflict of interest in December 2006, is suing Wal-Mart. That's not news to BassFans. What is news is that Irwin Jacobs (FLW Outdoors chairman, and chairman and CEO of Genmar Holdings Inc.) is quoted several times in news reports surrounding the suit. Wal-Mart is the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors. These developments just came to press today.

> To read the Bloomberg report on Roehm's lawsuit, which includes quotes from Jacobs, click here.

Powroznik's edge 5/25/2007
Jacob Powroznik finished 4th at the recent Wal-Mart Open (Beaver FLW Tour) and noted that Gamma Edge fluorocarbon was a key piece of equipment. That's what he used to throw his trick worm and Lake Fork Tackle Magic Shad.

"It was important to able to use such a light line for casting," he said. "It really helped for schooling fish. I was able to make real long casts, but there's almost no stretch, so I was able to make long hooksets. Some of them were short-striking me, so having that line on there helped me drive the big trailer hook home on my Magic Shad."

Evers on FOX tomorrow 5/25/2007
BassFans should note that Edwin Evers will make an appearance on the FOX & Friends TV show tomorrow. The segment will be aired live in New York's Times square.

"I've never been to New York City before," Evers said. "I'm going to talk about some of the Tracker Nitro line of boats, and Bass Pro Shops apparel and products."

He said he'll make a second appearance in mid-June. To catch Evers, tune in to FOX & Friends on FOXNews sometime around 8:00 Eastern tomorrow.

Ranger cover deal: last few days 5/25/2007
Did you miss the Ranger boat cover promotion last winter? If so, Ranger is giving away free covers for new boats sold before the end of this month. That means less than a weeks to go.

Click here for more details on the promotion. Find a Ranger dealer by entering your zip code at the bottom left of the Ranger Boats website.

Patterns winners 5/24/2007
The BassFan Patterns Game presented by Evan Williams Bourbon has concluded (we apologize for the delayed announcement), and Louisiana residents captured two of the Top 3 places in the standings. Aaron Snatic of Lake Charles, La. was the No. 1 point-getter with 2,350 and Clark Reehm of Leesville, La. tied for 2nd with Michael Belter of Reidsville, NC with 2,300.

The top finishers will win shopping sprees at the BassFan Store. More details on the winners and prizes will be posted soon.

More Army winners 5/24/2007

Congratulations guys, and we know you will enjoy the quality eyewear.

For a special offer from Guideline, scroll down a little ways.

Not a BassFan Army member yet? Click here to sign up for FREE lifetime membership, which makes you eligible for many free programs, including giveaways, contests and qualifying for the Weekend Warrior Championship.

Legends Radio: Yelas 5/24/2007
Now on Legends Radio, Jay Yelas relives his 2002 Bassmaster Classic win, recounts the pontoon story, and tells how he felt when it was all happening. To listen, click here.

Niggemeyer stung 5/24/2007

"I was down and out for 3 days," he said. "My foot swelled up real big and it got really numb. It was excruciating."

On the night of the wedding, he was on his way to his bedroom when he stepped on something that felt like a piece of glass. When he raised his foot, the 2-inch bark scorpion went flying off and hit the floor running. He dispatched it with a bottle of water he was carrying, and then examined the foot. He discovered he'd been stung on the second toe (the one next to the big one).

"It didn't seem like that big of a deal at first, but we called the hospital and they said to come down and bring the scorpion. They wanted to make sure I wasn't allergic because an allergic reaction can be really bad."

He was monitored for a while, and then sent on his way along with pain-killing and anti-inflammatory medication. He was fine until about 3 a.m.

"I woke up with the worst pain I've ever felt in my life – it felt like my foot was in a vise. For the next 2 days, I couldn't put anything on my foot and I couldn't even take a shower because I couldn't stand the water drops hitting it."

He's back home in Texas now. The vast majority of the swelling has subsided and he's able to wear sandals, but the toe that was stung is still numb. "One of the flight attendants on the plane told me that he'd been stung twice, and it can take as long as a week to completely go away."

While he was being treated at the hospital, he learned that bark scorpions are not indigenous to the Nevada desert, but arrived with the palm trees that were imported. "The doctor said that was a pretty good-sized one."

Another alleged shooting 5/24/2007
Numerous new outlets have picked up an Associated Press report about an alleged angler shooting in Georgia. The Associated Press report states that 86-year-old John Burke Yearwood of Madison, Ga. has been charged with aggravated assault in Greene County, Ga. after allegedly firing three shots at tournament anglers fishing the Oconee River. The story also states that angler Craig Barnett of Sycamore was wounded under the left arm, and produced a small-caliber bullet for authorities.

This is the third known time in 4 years that a tournament angler has claimed to be shot at. At the 2003 Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, Gary Klein accused Dale Silbernagel of firing over his boat during competition. Silbernagel was never prosecuted.

At the 2004 Alabama River Bassmaster Elite 50 in Prattville, Ala., pro Stacey King, his non-boater Bill Bonner and BASS photographer Gerald Crawford claimed they had been shot at by a local resident. King also said he found a bullet hole in the hull of his boat after the event. The alleged shooter, Paul Gray of Lowndesboro, Ala., was charged in the Lowndes County District Court with three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of criminal mischief in the third degree. He was found not guilty.

It's not yet known which event Barnett was a competitor in. His medical status is likewise unknown. Greene County Sheriff Chris Houston was not immediately available for comment.

> To read the AP story, click here.

Monroe's donkey 5/24/2007

"Yes, I have one. It's kind of funny. Julia (Kennedy) and I were talking, and text-messaging back and forth. They're kind of like having a family on the road. I kind of think of Steve and Julia as (my) brother and sister."

He added, in reference to the Rick Clunn Q&A: "We all fish under the same rules. Yet, at the same time, I also feel Rick Clunn deserved to be there. He's the greatest angler ever – that should be his exemption right there. Anyone who wins four (Bassmaster) Classics deserves to be at every event, except maybe the Bassmaster Classic if he doesn't qualify."

Monroe also noted that Julia didn't give him the donkey until the first day of competition, and it rode shotgun with him. "He sat near the windshield, right next to my Lowrance 113."

Morgenthaler at the mic 5/24/2007
Today on BassFan Radio with Terry Brown, Chad Morgenthaler talks about the differences he's seen between FLW and BASS competition, and the adjustments he's made to get into the hunt for Angler of the Year. To listen, click here.

VanDam & Remitz 5/23/2007
The BassFan World Rankings presented by Tru-Tungsten, and the BassFan Rookie of the Year Race, have been updated to reflect last week's tour-level events. VanDam's still No. 1 in the world (although by a wider margin), and Remitz still leads the Rookie Race (by an expanded margin as well).

> To view the Rankings, click here.

> To check out the Rookie Race, click here.

Skeeter auction: time running out 5/23/2007

> The auction item shown to right is an authentic jersey signed by the Skeeter pro team, and it comes in a display case. Signatures include Jay Yelas, Alton Jones, Kelly Jordon, Mark Davis, Jared Lintner, Zell Rowland, Bill Lowen, Dean Rojas, Todd Faircloth, Dustin Wilks, Matt Herren, Chris Novak, and James Charlesworth.

Winners: Whitman/Lee 5/23/2007
A few BassFan Army members recently scored big in the contingency program.

New podcasts 5/23/2007
Two new BassFan Radio podcasts are available today – Mark Tucker and Jay Yelas. If you're a subscriber (or you receive the RSS feed), you probably already have them. To subscribe, or to listen directly over the Net, click here.

Herren on jig-juggling 5/23/2007
Want to know more about jigs? Specifically, how to work through a changing jig bite without reaching for the shakey-head? In the newest BassFan Pro Fishing Tip, Matt Herren provides a bunch of answers. To read it, click here.

Recon: Lay Lake 5/23/2007
This week the Bass Recon section on BassFanArmy.com examines Alabama's Lay Lake for this weekend's Bass Maxx tournament. Read it by clicking here.

Gliebe recovering 5/23/2007

"It's affected my speech, but it's getting better all the time," he said. "I couldn't even make a noise when it happened."

The 64-year-old said the stroke occurred "out of the blue" while he was in bed. He was hospitalized for 4 days.

Doctors found a small clot in his left ventricle, which they told him would require 6 to 9 months to dissolve. He's taking blood-thinning and cholesterol-lowering medication and is on a no-cholesterol diet.

He expects to be competing in WON Bass, 100% Bass and Angler's Choice events by early 2008.

The stuffed donkey 5/23/2007

Neither Julia nor Steve wanted to comment on the Clunn Q&A, but they did hint there might be a few more handed out at the next event.

FLW AOY ups/downs 5/23/2007
There was a heck of a lot of movement in the FLW Tour Angler of the Year (AOY) race after Beaver. First, here's a look at the Top 10, along with the angler's respective points total. Red numbers indicate distance from leader.

1. Jay Yelas -- 716
2. Andy Morgan -- 709 (-7)
3. Shinichi Fukae -- 689 (-20)
4. Tracy Adams -- 684 (-32)
5. Michael Bennett -- 683 (-33)
6. Chad Morgenthaler -- 674 (-42)
7. Mark Davis -- 664 (-52)
8. Scott Suggs -- 664 (-52)
9. John Sappington -- 654 (-62)

That's a darn tight race. Note that FLW Outdoors uses a straight-up points system – 200 for 1st, 199 for 2nd, and so on. But also note that, because of the 200-angler field, the Top 10 tends to shuffle quite a bit, right up until the final cut of the season. And with two events left, there's lots of opportunity for anyone to threaten or surpass Yelas.

Next, here's a look at those currently inside the Top 50 who improved by 10 or more spots after Beaver.

Chad Morgenthaler (16th to 6th)
John Sappington (20th to 9th)
Jacob Powroznik (37th to 16th)
Vic Vatalaro (30th to 19th)
Katsutoshi Furusawa (41st to 20th)
Larry Nixon (35th to 21st)
John Devere (42nd to 22nd)
Dwayne Horton (49th to 26th)
Woo Daves (40th to 27th)
Brett Hite (43rd to 29th)
Bobby Curtis (53rd to 34th)
Glenn Browne (72nd to 37th)
Koby Kreiger (61st to 38th)
David Walker (54th to 43rd)
Tim Carroll (59th to 44th)
Ray Scheide (78th to 47th)

Keep in mind that roughly the Top 50 to 60 pros will qualify for the 2007 Forrest Wood Cup. That's because some anglers have already qualified through the 2006 FLW Series. With that thought, here's a look at who fell out of the Top 60 after Beaver. (An asterisk means the angler already has a Cup berth from the 2006 FLW Series.)

Anthony Gagliardi* (33rd to 62nd, defending AOY)
Dion Hibdon* (51st to 63rd)
Michael Murphy (47th to 64th)
Tommy Martin* (56th to 67th)
Jim Moynagh (36th to 68th)
J.T. Kenney* (44th to 69th)
Sam Newby (58th to 71st)
Harmon Davis (55th to 73rd)
Todd Auten* (50th to 75th)
George Jeane, Jr. (57th to 77th)
Randy Blaukat (48th to 83rd)

> Notable too is that Wesley Strader fell from 22nd to 60th and does not yet have a Cup berth.

Morgan: 'not involved' 5/23/2007

BassFan asked him about the AOY race, and he said it's not even on his mind.

"I don't get involved in that," he said. "I'm not thinking about AOY until all is said and done. Don't get me wrong, it'd be nice to win, and I'm fired up about being 2nd, but I'm going into the next tournament (Potomac River) trying to win it.

"If I win the next two, I'll probably be AOY," he added. "That's the way I'm looking at it. To beat (current leader Jay) Yelas, that's probably what I'll have to do. Yelas is tough. He's always been tough – both in BASS and FLW. He's the fastest man in bass fishing right now, so trying to catch him from behind is tough."

> He currently leads the FLW Eastern Series points.

Ardent XS tested 5/23/2007
BassFan Army member Cory Stuart of Aurora, Ill. recently had the chance to test the Ardent XS baitcasting reel. To read his BassFan Army Member Product Review, click here.

Future trend? 5/22/2007

To use the FLW Tour as an example, and its recent Wal-Mart Open at Beaver Lake, pretty much everyone threw some version of a shakey-head. But those fish had already been shakeyed to death. And a cold front came through that turned a lot of the biters into nippers. More than a few anglers complained of bass biting off the tails of their worms.

Anglers out West know what to do in that situation. They throw a pre-rig (yep, those old-school three-hook worms). With a pre-rigged worm, a bass that nips the tail gets snared by the small hook to the rear.

Pre-rigs run the gamut from cheapo "mart" versions to high-test tournament varietals. Out west, the biggie's always been Lobina's Westy Worm, which actually comes with two hooks. A few years ago, Lobina came out with Pro Series (top right) and Superfloat Westys, which feature molded-in weights and western-style colors. Westys have won buckets of money on the desert lakes.

Some other pre-rigs, like the Berkley Rigworm (bottom right), are meant to turn and spiral when retrieved. Word of caution here: Try using a small, low-vis swivel tied several feet up the line to control line twist.

The tradeoff with a pre-rig is obvious – they hang like the dickens in wood and weeds. But for bare rock or suspended fish, they're killer.

So is a return to pre-rigs somewhere in the near future? We're saying yes, because in this anything-goes era of finesse, anglers are willing to try anything, and secrets don't last long.

Go skinny-dipping 5/22/2007

Nixon-like Morgan 5/22/2007
Ranger and Evinrude pro Andy Morgan talks about his win at the Wal-Mart Open (Beaver FLW Tour) and discusses why he is now fishing "Larry Nixon-slow" in a new BassFan Radio interview with Terry Brown. To listen, click here.

Ray and 'the boss' 5/22/2007
In the newest Scott On-Line, Ray Scott talks ponds – specifically, the recent Pond Boss Conference & Expo, and Bob Lusk, the man behind it. For more, click here.

More on Lebowitz 5/22/2007
It appears BassFan's initial report on Keith Lebowitz likely contained an inaccuracy. Various sources recently said that Lebowitz had not "left" FLW Outdoors, as was initially reported. Rather, they said, he was let go by the company. No other information is available at this time. A request for comment submitted to FLW Outdoors went unanswered.

2 Fish of a Lifetime 5/21/2007
Two new Abu Garcia Fish of a Lifetime entries for May – a 3 1/2-pound bream and a 42-pound catfish – are now up. Read about these anglers' stories and how to enter this contest by clicking here.

One Fish of a Lifetime entrant will win a new Abu Garcia reel this month, and you can too. If you catch a fish of a lifetime – it doesn't have to be a bass! – with an Abu Garcia reel and tell us about it, you'll get your story and photo published on the Abu Garcia Fish of a Lifetime page, and will have a shot at winning a free reel. So get out there and fish!

Win some shades 5/21/2007

The result is a lens that selectively eliminates a high percentage of blue light, reducing haze and heightening visual acuity, while accentuating the brighter colors of the spectrum. Fish and structure visually pop off the bottom, and seeing the fish will help you put more of them in the boat.

Now you have the opportunity to own a pair of these high-quality, reasonably priced glasses just because you're a member of the BassFan Army and can answer a simple question: How many years has Guideline been in the eyegear business? Two lucky winners will be drawn from the correct answers.

This is an open-book test, so click here to find the answer, and then click here to submit it. Winners will be drawn on May 24.

Not a BassFan Army member yet? Click here to sign up for FREE lifetime membership, which makes you eligible for many free programs, including giveaways, contests and qualifying for the Weekend Warrior Championship.

Yelas leads FLW AOY 5/20/2007
After his second consecutive 2nd-place finish, Jay Yelas has moved into the lead in the FLW Tour Angler of the Year (AOY) race. Beaver winner Andy Morgan is now 2nd. To view the updated standings, click here.

> The Bassmaster American Major did not affect the BASS AOY race.

Roumbanis wins American 5/20/2007
Fred Roumbanis caught four fish that combined to weigh 7-04 from North Carolina's Lake Townsend to win the Bassmaster American Major with a 2-day total of 21-14. For full coverage, click here.

Safe Boating Week begins 5/19/2007

To kick off the week, here are some words from the National Safe Boating Council: "This year during National Safe Boating Week, and throughout the boating season, remember to practice safe and responsible boating, always wear your lifejacket, and be alert and aware while on the water. By practicing these simple steps you can save your life, as well as the lives of the people boating with you. Lifejackets are now more comfortable and lightweight than ever, with many new styles to fit the style you want. Safe boating saves lives, so for this year's National Safe Boating Week, and throughout the boating season, remember to Boat smart. Boat safe. WEAR IT!"

Taylor: behind the scenes 5/19/2007
The Morning News of northwest Arkansas recently ran a piece with FLW Outdoors operations director Bill Taylor. It takes a quick look at his responsibilities when a major event like the Wal-Mart Open (Beaver FLW) rolls into a town. To read it, click here.

Bondy watches history 5/18/2007

"(Kennedy) was fishing 200 yards offshore and we were working towards one another," Bondy said. "When I saw him that far offshore, I figured he must have a fever or something. Once we got to within shouting distance, he hooked one about 7 pounds, and was telling me it was his first bass ever on a swimbait. Then on the first day of the event, he gets 37 pounds on it. I said to myself, 'That boy is my hero.'"

Of course, Kennedy went on to finish 3rd at Amistad, and a few weeks later, shattered the BASS all-time weight record with a swimbait at Clear Lake.

So there it is, a little bit of history compliments of Bondy. And yep, the photo to right is the one Bondy took of Kennedy's first-ever swimbait fish. Cool.

Lebowitz leaves FLW 5/18/2007
BassFan has learned that Keith Lebowitz, co-host of FLW Outdoors TV, has left the company. Along with TV hosting, he was also a regular host at many FLW Outdoors weigh-ins.

Sources said that FLW Outdoors is seeking a replacement. How about Fish?

Nixon and the Cup 5/18/2007

And he's definitely rolling. He won the previous Norman FLW Tour, then finished a narrow 2nd at last week's Dardanelle Eastern FLW Series.

On whether Cup qualifying's on his mind this week, he said: "It's the most important thing to me right now. If I can catch that 6 or 8 (pounds today), I'll finish in the Top 30 and be gone. I won't have to worry about it until (next) spring. One more money finish out of the next two should put me in."

On whether he feels some momentum after his victory and near-win, he said: "I feel a lot of momentum. I'm kind of confident right now, and I'm subject to catch them every day when I'm confident."

Suzuki back in bass 5/18/2007
Suzuki Marine plans to re-enter the bass market with its new DF250S – a "sports four-stoke" based on a 4.0-liter V6. Details right now are slim – the info's just emerging.

The news does bring up speculation about which bass-boat companies might hang the new Suzukis. Skeeter's out – it's owned by Yamaha. Same might go for Triton, since it's owned by Brunswick (which in turn owns Mercury). But it does hang Suzukis. Ranger hangs multiple motor brands, so they're a distinct possibility, as are Champion and Stratos. There's solid word, though, that Bass Cat will hang them. Stay tuned.

> Also unclear is whether Suzuki will seek to create a bass pro staff, although it's likely that at least a few pros might run a Suzuki next year.

Ranger OT TV 5/18/2007

> Saturday, May 26 on FSN Florida, 9:30 AM EST
> Sunday, May 27 on Versus, 9:00 AM EST
> Sunday, May 27 on FSN Midwest, 12:00 PM EST
> Wednesday, May 30 on Versus, 9:30 AM EST
> Thursday, May 31 on FSN Florida, 1:30 PM EST

Montgomery ahead 5/17/2007
After day 1 at the Wal-Mart Open (Beaver FLW), South Carolina pro Andy Montgomery leads the race to the cut. For full coverage, click here.

Got an ugly boat? 5/17/2007
Do you fish out of an ugly boat? If so, and you're a BassFan Army member, send us a digital photo of you in it on the water. You could win a couple of nice prizes for it.

We'll award the winner a Minn Kota Maxxum 80-pound-thrust trolling motor with a 45-inch shaft and a Humminbird 787c2 graph. Those would be great additions to any boat, no matter how ugly.

Submit your photo by clicking here. If you want to increase your chances of winning, make sure to give your boat a name that fits its ugly-yet-functional look. Entries will be accepted through June 13.

Not a BassFan Army member yet? Click here to sign up for FREE lifetime membership, which makes you eligible for many free programs, including giveaways, contests and qualifying for the Weekend Warrior Championship.

May Fish of a Lifetime 5/17/2007
Texas' Lon Shipe won a brand new Abu Garcia reel, courtesy of Abu Garcia, for his April Abu Garcia Fish of a Lifetime story. Abu Garcia is giving away a free reel every month in this contest, and May is still wide open.

Got a story of a fish of a lifetime caught on an Abu Garcia reel? Send it here, along with at least one good photo of your fish. Please MAKE SURE you say what model of Abu Garcia reel you caught it on.

Good luck!

Kumar on 'the torch' 5/17/2007
In a new opinion piece published today, BassFan founder and CEO Jay Kumar thinks out loud about the new FLW championship – the Forrest Wood Cup – and what it means for "regular Joes." He also questions whether the symbolic torch has passed from the Classic to the Cup. To read his BassFan Opinion, click here.

Herren's helpers 5/16/2007
Skeeter and Yamaha pro Matt Herren talks about the component parts that aided him in his victory at the Dardanelle Eastern FLW Series in a new BassFan Radio interview with Terry Brown. To listen, click here.

Buzz: Crews at Clarks 5/16/2007
Today on The Bass Buzz, John Crews talks about how he got "In the Zone" at the Clarks Hill Bassmaster Elite Series event. Click here to read it.

Corkran back at helm 5/16/2007

Corkran's reinstatement comes 8 days after BASS announced that former Federation Nation director Gary Jones had left the company. Federation Nation Youth senior manager Stacy Twiggs was tabbed as the interim director at that time.

BassFan will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

Word from Beaver 5/16/2007
Reports from Beaver Lake paint a familiar picture – lots of small fish, and very few keepers. To read BassFan's Scouting Report for tomorrow's Wal-Mart Open, click here.

Recon: Potomac River 5/16/2007
This week the Bass Recon section on BassFanArmy.com reconnoiters the Potomac River for the upcoming BFL Shenandoah Division tournament. Read it by clicking here.

Three for Yelas? 5/16/2007
Jay Yelas enters this week's Wal-Mart Open (Beaver FLW Tour) with two consecutive Top 10s behind him, and some thoughts of making it three in a row. He's caught fish lots of different ways throughout practice, but hasn't yet focused on the smallmouths that everyone seems to be talking about. For his full Beaver practice report, click here to go On Tour With the BassFan Big Sticks.

BASS boats? 5/16/2007
BassFan previously reported the rumor that the Bassmaster Majors might be cancelled after this year. One other strong rumor among the pros is that BASS may permit anglers to fish out of their own boats during all competition days next season, perhaps because of a change in the Triton and Mercury sponsorship contracts. Triton and Mercury (both owned by Brunswick Corp.) are currently the sole boat and motor sponsors of BASS, and anglers in regular-season events fish from Triton/Mercs on final "TV days." Note that FLW Outdoors also requires its FLW Tour pros to fish from FLW-supplied Ranger boats during TV days. Also note that the chance to fish from their own boats is something many pros have desired for years.

BassFan asked a Mercury Marine official if Mercury and Triton would no longer be BASS's sole boat and motor sponsors next year. The official declined to comment.

BassFan asked BASS if anglers will fish from their own boats during all competition days next year, and whether there will be a change in the Triton and Mercury sponsorships of BASS.

BASS director of communications Jamie Wilkinson said: "We've demonstrated a commitment to all anglers, and would like to accommodate if possible. No decision has been made. We appreciate the continued support of Triton Boats and Mercury Marine, and look forward to continuing our relationship with them."

Stripers, mud foiled Nixon 5/16/2007

The Arkansas legend had no trouble closing out a victory at the Norman FLW Tour last month when he took the lead into the final day. He was in the same position at last week's Dardanelle Eastern FLW Series, but caught his smallest bag of the tournament on day 4 (11-06) and lost out to Matt Herren by 5 ounces.

He discovered that the shellbed that served as his primary area had been taken over by a school of small striped bass, and that the banks he was using as backups were awash in mud.

"I caught one largemouth (from the shellbed) right off the bat, but then it was just striper after striper after striper," he said. "They were all about a pound and a half. I stayed around for about 2 1/2 hours waiting for something to happen, but it never did.

"Then I thought I had a backup pattern that would give me at least 13 pounds, but the mud had eliminated so much water that there just wasn't anyplace to fish that last afternoon."

He explained that once the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers quit pulling clear water from the creeks, all of the mud from the recent rains in Oklahoma filtered all the way to the banks.

He didn't feel that fishing the Arkansas River's main channel was a viable option.

"I don't call myself a river fisherman at all and there's a lot I don't understand about river fishing. I wouldn't have fished any differently than I did, no matter what."

Lefebre on Beaver 5/16/2007

"I'm just mentally messed up right now because of the AOY thing," he said. "Instead of swinging (for the fences) like I was saying I might do, I might just try to play it conservative to make the Top 50. As of right now, I might not even bring my baitcasters (on the boat). I might go buy a couple of spinning reels and just fish all day. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. But I don't know how to approach it."

> For the record, his previous Beaver FLW Tour finishes (starting with most recent) were: 93rd, 98th, 167th, and 120th.

No $1 mil fish 5/15/2007

“We fished really hard, from early morning to late afternoon,” Wirth told the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Miss. “What we wanted to do was fish as many areas that held a high concentration of fish as possible.

"We found a lot of fish, but either we couldn’t get a bite, or we caught a fish without a tag. I’m disappointed, but it was fun out there.”

Trbovic was chosen from more than 8,000 entrants in the Early Times Kentucky Whisky Reel in a Million Contest. In addition to the million, other prizes available included a bass boat and fishing equipment.

“Everyone was feeling good on Saturday morning,” said Early Times public relations specialist Courtney Sandora. “We were hopeful that Kevin and Marko could return to the dock with a tagged fish.”

But even the skills of a professional fisherman weren't enough to overcome the odds of the big-money prize being being landed by Trbovic. With more than 550 miles of shoreline to choose from, Trbovic and Wirth had their hands full.

Both anglers caught plenty of fish – including some nice-size spotted bass – but none held the fluorescent green tag that could have landed Trbovic a myriad of prizes.

“You know, I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t catch a tagged fish, but the experience – just being here with Kevin – is hard to beat,” said Trbovic. “How many guys get to fly to Georgia, stay in a great hotel, be treated like royalty and fish a great lake with a pro – all with the chance to win $1 million? I’m so grateful.”

What's Andre throwing? 5/15/2007

Clunn on 'Major mistakes' 5/15/2007
Rick Clunn's one of the many anglers who'll sit out this week's Bassmaster American Major at High Rock Lake. BassFan sat down with him to talk about that, his take on the Majors in general, and what he thinks needs to change in the sport. The results of that conversation appear in a new Q&A. To read part 1, click here. Part 2 will be published shortly.

Bennett's Beaver bags 5/15/2007

Last year, he opened with 4-07, then followed it up with 8-00. The year before, he stuck 13-06 on day 1, then nosedived with 3-09. "I'm hoping I've learned enough in general about the lake to (catch) two decent bags," he said.

More on Jones case 5/14/2007
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch yesterday published an extensive story on Gary Jones, the man accused by authorities of cheating at the recent Wappapello Angler's Choice tournament. The story includes quotes from acquaintances, and describes reactions within the local community. The story also includes this line: "He seems to have moved out of his house in Poplar Bluff."

To read the story, click here.

Georgia Classic? 5/14/2007
Could some of the $19 million to be spent in the Go Fish Georgia campaign be put toward luring the Bassmaster Classic to Georgia? Sounds logical, and a recent story by WMAZ 13 news seems to hint at that. For more, click here.

A 1st for Herren 5/14/2007

"It's unbelievable," he said. "I've always said you'll win when you least expect it. I went out this morning behind Nixon — one of the best bass fishermen who's ever fished. All I kept telling myself was to just worry about my performance and to maximize whatever I can, however I can, and whatever's going to happen will happen. I knew I had a mountain to climb, but I couldn't really worry about it, and the good Lord blessed me."

The full details of his winning pattern will be posted soon.

Ranger kids 5/14/2007

Crews on the Chigger Craw 5/14/2007

"The bait has a compact body and great flappers. If you use a 1/4-ounce or lighter sinker, the legs and flappers won't move much and the bait kind of sails down," he said. "Then, when you pull it up fast, everything moves, and that gives it a different motion on the way up than on the way down."

That sometimes is what it takes to trigger a strike.

Przekurat going for two 5/11/2007

Because two teams fishing the ROT have a shot at qualifying directly into FLW's bass championship, the Forrest L. Wood Cup. That means Przekurat (pronounced "Shuckerrat"), who at 3rd in the points has basically already qualified for the FLW Walleye Tour Championship, has a shot at qualifying for the Cup too.

"I thought it'd be cool to have a chance to fish the walleye championship and the bass championship," he said. "That would be a first for anybody.

"I've always wanted to get my feet wet on the bass side anyway, and I thought, Why not come down here and give it a shot. It's a very cheap investment to come here and have a crack at making the (Cup). It's a no-brainer for me."

His co-angler in the ROT is fellow Walleye Tour pro Eric Olson. That means if they finish in the Top 2 at the ROT, Olson will fish as a co-angler. Two other walleye pros trying to finish in the Top 2 at the ROT are Mark Courts and Jeff Ryan.

> The Cup will be fished in early August on Arkansas' Lake Ouachita. The Walleye Tour Championship is on Lake Erie at the end of September.

> ROT anglers that go to the FLW Championship get an all-expenses-paid trip, and are provided limited edition 40th anniversary Ranger boats to practice with.

High Rock highs and lows 5/11/2007
The Bassmaster Tour returns to North Carolina's High Rock Lake next week for the first time since the 1998 Classic, and 12 anglers who competed in that event are in the field for the American Major.

That list is headed by '98 Classic champion Denny Brauer. But the Missouri veteran's success at High Rock has been mixed – he was 40th (dead last) in the '95 Classic.

Two anglers in the American field have fished all three Classics that have been held at High Rock. Kevin VanDam was 13th in '98, 6th in '95 and 18th in '94, and Gary Klein was 33rd in '98, 20th in '95 and 27th in '94.

Tommy Biffle has fished two Classics at High Rock and fared extremely well in both – he was 6th in '98 and 2nd in '94.

Here are the High Rock Classic finishes of the other anglers who'll fish next week:

Mark Tucker (8th in '98)
Kevin Wirth (9th in '98)
Zell Rowland (10th in '98, 9th in '94)
Gerald Swindle (12th in '98)
Skeet Reese (tied for 15th in '98)
Alton Jones (19th in '98)
Davy Hite (23rd in '98, 14th in '94)
Stephen Browning (27th in '98)

Yelas on ambidextrousness 5/11/2007
How many hands can you fish with? In Jay Yelas' case, the answer is "all." Why is that good? Click here to read the latest entry on The Bass Buzz.

Hastings' new plan 5/10/2007
Jonathan Manteuffel, a frequent BassFan contributor from Alabama, spoke with Aaron Hastings, winner of the season opener at Lake Travis, following Hastings' first day of practice for the Wal-Mart Open (Beaver FLW) on Wednesday. The Maryland angler said the water is 15 feet higher than last year, and he was surprised that he didn't encounter a better flipping bite.

"None of my preconceived notions worked," he said. "I thought there'd be a good flipping bite up the river, but I flipped all day and the bite, if there was one, wasn't strong.

"That told me I need to go back to the post-spawn mode – secondary points and the first and second breaks off the bank. I took all my flipping and shallow-water stuff into the room (Wednesday night) to save space in the boat."

The tournament gets under way a week from today.

Team Trails joins Army 5/10/2007
The BassFan Army is pleased to announce the addition of Team Trails to our list of sanctioned trails. Team Trails is a Mississippi-based, team-tournament organization owned and operated by Cliff and Cindy Holifield. They offer approximately 150 events covering Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana.

"I'm really excited about the addition of Team Trails," said BassFan VP of membership services Al Smith. "I've known Cliff and Cindy for several years and worked with them in a former role.

"Their dedication to the fishermen and team of quality tournament directors is what's provided Team Trails with outstanding growth over the past couple of years. They will make a great addition to the sanctioned trails list."

Said Cliff Holifield: "What we do best is please the fishermen by giving every one of them a chance to make our championship. And now, to add to all the things that we provide, we can add another great benefit like being a part of the BassFan Army. This is great, and we are looking forward to working with BassFan to help our fishermen move up one more level and have one more chance to put themselves where each of them deserves to be."

Only the team division of Team Trails will be added to the sanctioned list at this time. The couples division may be added in the future.

For more info on the organization, click here.

If you'd like to see your trail included, please let us know by clicking here.

Not a BassFan Army member yet? Click here to sign up for FREE lifetime membership, which makes you eligible for many free programs, including giveaways, contests and qualifying for the Weekend Warrior Championship.

Narrowed focus 5/10/2007
Alan Clemons of the Huntsville (Ala.) Times recently wrote a piece about Chad Brauer, who opted not to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series this year in order to spend more time with his family and focus more energy on his role as host of an outdoor TV show.

To read it, click here.

Rapala hybrid 5/10/2007

With an internal long-cast mechanism to ensure ultimate castability and incorporated features like suspending action and a feathered tail hook, the X-Rap Shad provides anglers with options to match specific fishing styles, weather conditions and species.

“On the cast or on the troll, the Shad Rap action paired with the characteristics of the X-Rap creates a one-of-a-kind action,” said Rapala director of field promotions Mark Fisher.

The X-Rap Shad is available in two sizes – a 2 1/2-inch version with a swimming depth of 6 to 11 feet and a 3 1/8-inch model that swims at 7 to 10 feet – and 15 color patterns. Colors options include purpledescent (pictured), yellow perch and hot steel.

Major fade? 5/9/2007

Although nothing could be confirmed, it is curious that BASS has yet to announce adjustments to its 2008 Majors qualifying criteria. Remember that previously, BASS announced it would shrink the 2008 Elite Series field to 75 boats, and that all 75 anglers would qualify for the 2008 Majors. But when BASS announced last month that the 2008 Elite Series field would revert back to its original 100-plus-boat field, it made no mention of the Majors.

BassFan asked BASS whether it has decided to cancel the 2008 Majors. BASS director of communications Jamie Wilkinson said: "That decision has not been made. We have yet to announce next year's schedule."

There are a few other rumors that BassFan is currently attempting to verify, and we'll keep you posted.

Cabela's supports PVA 5/9/2007

"Paralyzed Veterans is honored and deeply grateful to have a company like Cabela's on board with the PVA Bass Tour and PVA National Trapshoot Circuit," said PVA president Randy L. Pleva Sr. "And we would like to thank Cabela's for providing outdoor clothing to the disabled anglers and trapshooters who are competing in our events."

The PVA Bass Tour, a BASS-sanctioned trail, consists of five annual events stretching from Augusta, Ga., to Belton, Texas. It provides fishing opportunities to both disabled and non-disabled anglers.

The PVA National Trapshoot Circuit consists of 10 events from Myrtle Beach, S.C., to San Diego, Calif. It was created to give individuals with disabilities a chance to participate in the recreational and competitive sport of trapshooting, and one of its goals is to enable shooters with disabilities and able-bodied shooters to compete as equals.

"Cabela's is proud to partner with the Paralyzed Veterans of America," said Cabela's president and CEO Dennis Highby. "We're honored to help give these anglers and trapshooters a chance to compete in the outdoor sports they, and we, enjoy."

Founded in 1946, PVA is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. It has more than 19,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

To learn more about the PVA, click here.

Early Times winner 5/9/2007

Trbovic was randomly selected from among thousands of entrants as the winner of Early Times Kentucky Whisky's Reel in a Million contest. Twenty-five of the lake's bass will have tags corresponding to prizes, and one of those is the million-dollar fish. He and Wirth will fish for 8 hours, and he'll win the prizes regardless of whether it's him or the Kentucky tour pro who catches the tagged fish.

“Everyone at Early Times is thrilled to have Marko as our wining angler, and hope there is a happy ending to his million-dollar day on the water,” said Alan George, the company's brand director.

If Trbovic wins the grand prize, he plans to buy a new house and plenty of Early Times. “Mixing Early Times and lemonade is one of my favorite cocktails,” he said. “If I do win this contest, you can be assured I’ll be an Early Times drinker for life.”

Other available prizes include a Triton boat and gear from Pure Fishing.

About optics 5/9/2007
The folks at Guideline Polarized Eyegear have written a series of pieces about polarized fishing glasses – how they work, which features and benefits anglers should look for, the differences between lens types, and more. The first piece in the series has been published as a BassFan Opinion. To read it, click here.

Army T-Pack winner 5/9/2007

Look for a new contest soon, but remember that in order to take advantage of BassFan Army contests and giveaways, you must be a member. A lifetime membership is FREE. To sign up, click here.

Recon: Lake Anna (VA) 5/8/2007
This week the Bass Recon section on BassFanArmy.com reconnoiters Lake Anna for the upcoming US Anglers Choice Region 4 tournament there. Read it by clicking here.

Jones leaves BASS 5/8/2007

The same official confirmed that the search for a new director is under way, and that Federation Nation Youth senior manager Stacy Twiggs has assumed Jones' responsibilities on an interim basis.

A letter sent from BASS VP and GM Tom Ricks to Federation Nation leaders stated: "In the interim, Stacy Twiggs, senior manager/youth, will help coordinate the department's activities under Dave Precht's supervision."

The letter also stated: "In the wake of his (Jones') decision, I wanted to assure you that the BASS Federation Nation remains a major BASS priority, and as such, all of us on the Federation Nation team will be devoting a considerable amount of time and effort to building on the recent successes of Gary and his staff."

Jones was hired by BASS in July 2005 as director of Federation and angler relations. His duties later shifted exclusively to the Federation Nation, and Janet Bell was named director of angler relations.

Vicious adds AES 5/8/2007

Tour pros Edwin Evers and Joe Thomas worked with several optometrists to develop a product that's ready for the fishing market.

"We are extremely excited about working with Vicious Fishing and Marketing to bring our fishing sunglasses to the market," said Lance Walker, CEO of AES. "Vicious has many of the same product and business values as we do here at AES. We both want to bring the best product available for a good price.

"The combination of our touring pros, excellent field staff and the team from Vicious makes it a great fit. Our motto has been that quality is not defined by price, but rather by performance, and it's clear that the same motto holds true for the Vicious brand as well."

Said Vicious Fishing owner Jeff Martin: "When entering the eyeglass market, we had to be sure that we partnered with a reputable company that worried about quality and price equally, and no doubt AES is that company. With over 20 years in the sunglass and accessory market, AES gets it."

AES Optics for anglers will be available soon at fine retailers nationwide. You can see more by clicking here.

There will be three styles and two lens colors initially, with more on the way. Polarization levels range from 1.1 to 1.5, and models will be available at
multiple price points.

Clear(ly) Kennedy 5/7/2007
Steve Kennedy is the guest today on BassFan Radio with Terry Brown. He covers his record-setting win at Clear Lake, and how much fun he's having. To listen, click here.

Bass are like birds? 5/7/2007
Sort of. You know how songbirds see everything faster than we do? They look fast to us, we probably look slow to them. Well, turns out bass can see things that are moving faster than we can – so baits might look slower to them.

That may not make sense to you here, but it will when you read "How Bass See Motion," the latest Fish Science article on The Bass Buzz. Click here to read it.

Davis closer to Classic 5/7/2007

> Also notable is that if he finishes in the Top 5 in the Southern Open points, he'll have the option of fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series in '08.

Scroggins on fire 5/7/2007

> The details of Scroggins' winning pattern will be posted soon on BassFanArmy.com.

Kumar on BASS vs. FLW? 5/7/2007
Well, it's not exactly an opinion column about BASS vs. FLW – it's more about Larry Nixon and Kevin VanDam, and how they don't fish against each other anymore. But in his opinion column, BassFan founder and CEO Jay Kumar does raise a number of points about the way both leagues address the sport. For more, click here to read the latest BassFan Opinion.

Three for J.T.? 5/4/2007

Florida's J.T. Kenney is the lone angler with a chance to triple-qualify, and he's not far from pulling that off. If his final placement in the Tour points is four spots higher than where he sits right now, he'll have turned the hat trick.

Kenney has been a bona fide Cup double-qualifier for months now – he was the highest finisher from the Northeastern division at last fall's Stren Championship, and he also ended up 24th in the Series points.

Would the accomplishment hold great meaning for him? Uh, not really. The Floridian by way of Maryland doesn't disguise the fact that he's in this game to win money, and distinctions that don't have dollar signs attached don't get much of his attention.

"Now if it was worth $100,000, then I'd be excited about it," he said with a hearty laugh. "It'd also be great if you could carry them over, so if you didn't qualify next year, you could just cash in one of those chips.

"As it is though, it really doesn't mean a hill of beans."

How Tucker did it 5/4/2007
Want to know how Mark Tucker whacked his bass and finished 2nd at the recent Guntersville Bassmaster Elite Series? Hint: He didn't sight-fish in the afternoons, and he didn't fish the river. For his pattern info, plus pattern information for 3rd-place Terry Butcher and 4th-place Terry Scroggins, click here.

VHS: Great News! 5/4/2007
The fishing industry breathed a collective sigh of relief today when the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) revised its original federal order on viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS).

As first drafted, the federal order prevented tournament anglers from moving live fish across the borders of affected states or Canadian provinces. As one example, it was unlawful to fish the Kentucky side of the Ohio river, then weigh fish in Ohio. Likewise, Mississippi River anglers who launched in Illinois were not able to catch fish from the Iowa side of the river, then weigh them in Illinois.

The revised emergency order "will allow for the catch-and-release of VHS-susceptible fish in waters that cross state and international boundaries." So tournaments get the green light. However, this is a temporary order, and the semi-permanent interim rule has not yet been adopted, so there remains a risk that the catch-and-release angling exclusion could drop out of the final language. Also, live-bait restrictions remain the same.

APHIS spokesperson Karen Eggert told BassFan: "We've been soliciting comments during the public-meeting period, and we did receive some feedback, and have been listening to our stakeholders. We have to balance risk with what we can and can't allow. This (revision) shows that through working with our stakeholders and investigating, allowing for catch-and-release angling did not unduly increase the risk of the introduction and spread of VHS. And we'll keep that in mind as we draft the interim rule."

The role of recreational angling – including grassroots activism, fishing organizations, state fishery agencies, and the press – certainly had a role in the outcome, although the total influence is impossible to judge. BASS, for example, was one of the parties that labored to have such an exemption included.

BASS conservation director Chris Horton worked within Washington circles to help spread of the voice of anglers, which included letters to APHIS and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns.

"We were concerned that the new regulations that we were working on with APHIS, which would reduce impacts on tournaments, wouldn't be in place prior to the 2007 tournament season," Horton said. "The VHS regulations weren't a priority within the Agriculture department's administration and we wanted to change that. Apparently, our letter did some good."

> To read the revised order, click here to visit the APHIS Hot Issues page.

Yamaha's lineup 5/4/2007

> V MAX Series 2 – Available in 200 through 300 hp models, these new builds are still based on the 3.3-liter, 76-degree V6 block, and feature second-generation 1000psi HPDI fuel-feed. New, though, are redesigned pistons (to optimize contact with the cylinder sleeve), a re-programmed fuel map (to reduce combustion and exhaust temperatures), and a recalibrated oil-injection schedule (to provide a more precise amount of oil for any given engine setting, based on engine speed and load).

> 9.9F and 9.9G four-strokes –These quiet compacts are nearly the same size as comparable two-strokes and feature an SOHC, inline two-cylinder design with a 212cc aluminum block. The 9.9G is the high-thrust version.

> F350 – This is "big bertha" and the industry's first 5.3-liter V8 outboard. Designed for the heaviest offshore outboard-powered boats, it reportedly provides up to 45% more thrust than 250-class outboards. The powerhead – a 32-valve, 60-degree V8 – contains more than 600 new parts.

> F225TLR – This is a high-power, sports-style, four-stroke V6 with a 20-inch shaft. It's built with much of the same technology found in the F250, but the 20-inch shaft makes it a stronger match for many of today's popular boats, including bay boats and fish-and-skis.

Heiliger on H&H 5/4/2007
Ever wish you could call a tackle company and have the owner pick up? That happens a lot when you call H&H Rods. Today on BassFan Radio with Terry Brown, H&H owner Josh Heiliger talks about his company, his products, and his unique brand of customer service. To listen, click here.

Link lands bass 5/4/2007

Below is one of the many videos posted to YouTube that show the fishing action. Note how the Wii controller is used to cast and reel. Link does catch a fish at the end of the video (but it's not a bass).

Top 10 years 5/4/2007
The current state of the FLW Tour Angler of the Year (AOY) race is pretty interesting in terms of angler ages. Inside the Top 10, there are a bunch of young guns (even a rookie), a bunch of journeymen, and a graybeard. Below is a list of the current Top 10, with their ages in parentheses.

1. Michael Bennett (22)
2. Bryan Thrift (27)
3. Darrel Robertson (57)
4. Scott Suggs (40)
5. Tracy Adams (33)
6. Shinichi Fukae (34)
7. Dave Lefebre (36)
8. Jay Yelas (41)
9. Luke Clausen (28)
10. Andy Morgan (35)

Of course, age doesn't mean much in pro fishing. A more telling marker is the number of years each has fished at the tour level. Here's that breakdown. (Note: The number in parentheses indicates total number of years at the tour level. Current year is not included.)

1. Michael Bennett (2)
2. Bryan Thrift (rookie)
3. Darrel Robertson (15)
4. Scott Suggs (3)
5. Tracy Adams (11)
6. Shinichi Fukae (3)
7. Dave Lefebre (4)
8. Jay Yelas (20)
9. Luke Clausen (4)
10. Andy Morgan (12)
Total combined years: 74

Just one example of the "years pro" dynamic can be seen between Dave Lefebre and Jay Yelas. Although they differ in age by just 5 years, Yelas has 20 years under his belt, and Lefebre just 4.

One more comparison: Below is the Top 10 in the Bassmaster Elite Series AOY race, followed by the number of years since each angler turned pro.

1. Skeet Reese (10)
2. Kevin VanDam (17)
3. Jared Lintner (1)
4. Ish Monroe (9)
5. Derek Remitz (rookie)
6. Jeff Kriet (8)
7. Fred Roumbanis (3)
8. Aaron Martens (8)
9. Steve Kennedy (5)
10. Scott Rook (9)
Total combined years: 70

H&H Rods Day begins 5/4/2007
Today is H&H Rods Day on BassFan, which means you'll see some extra editorial about this up-and-coming Texas rod company and its pro-staffer Craig Powers.

> To read a piece with H&H Rods founder and owner Josh Heiliger, scroll down to the Dock Talk item immediately below this one.

> Today's top story features Craig Powers, who's widely regarded as one of the most accurate casters on the tours. To read it, click here.

> Watch for a BassFan Radio episode this later morning that features H&H rods.

> To learn even more about H&H rods, check out the products at HHFishingRods.com.

H&H mission = service, value 5/4/2007

Josh Heiliger founded the company was 5 years ago. He'd been building custom rods for years, but when he couldn't keep up with demand, he decided to go bigger.

The growth of H&H Rods over the past 5 years has been substantial, and the company now offers four lines of high-performance bass rods at various price points. Also important is the company's dedication to customer service.

"We're just trying to build a high-quality rod at an affordable price," Heiliger said. "Basically, our customers get a lot of rod for their money. Our XHS, for instance, rivals rods in the $300 range, but they sell for $200 to $260.

"Probably the biggest thing that separates us (from other companies) is customer service," he added. "We back all our products with a lifetime warranty. If you have a broken rod, you can replace it for a $30 exchange, no questions asked. We take care of everybody."

H&H Rods also sponsors FLW Tour pro Craig Powers, who's widely regarded as the most accurate caster at the tour level. According to Heiliger, Powers actually contacted the company after he'd bought one of the rods himself.

"We've been working with Craig Power since last summer," Heiliger said. "He purchased one of our rods at a store and contacted us, because he was overly thrilled with the product line."

The four lines of H&H rods cover various price ranges. Here's a breakdown.

HXS Series – This is an entry level series with a price tag of $60. Features include an IM6 graphite blank with stainless-steel guides, grade-A cork and an exposed-blank reel seat. As with all H&H rods, it's capable of handling braid.

HX3 Series – These retail for $130 to $140 and feature IM8 graphite blanks and low-profile stainless guides with pressed-in rings to prevent knockout. Twelve different actions are available, with plenty of spinning options, plus a flipping stick.

HX4 Series – These babies are built with high-modulus graphite, titanium-alloy guides with zirconium rings, along with features found in the above models. Price ranges from $200 to $260.

Kevlar Series – These are the highest-grade rods H&H makes, and they combine lighweight feel with strength and sensitivity. The blanks utilize high-modulus graphite with a Kevlar weave. The titanium-alloy guides (with zirconium rings) are fully plated with carbide. Seven different worm and jig models are available, which cost $300 each.

> BassFans who'd like to learn more about H&H rods are encouraged to visit HHFishingRods.com. Rods can be ordered online there, or by calling (713) 875-7827.

> The company name is an abbreviation of Heiliger & Heiliger, which is Josh and his wife Angela.

Funnyman Kriet 5/3/2007
BassFans read about Jeff Kriet's recent "mega-scrape" at Guntersville (scroll down this page to read the piece). In the newest episode of BassFan Radio Today, Kriet relives that moment, but with a twist – he pretends he's Ike, then reacts to the situation. It's hilarious. There's lots of other humor and self-jabs from Kriet in this one.

If you've already subscribed to the BassFan Radio Today podcast series, you should have the episode already. If you need to subscribe, or if you just want to listen to this or other episodes, click here to visit the BassFan Radio Today host site.

H&H day tomorrow 5/3/2007
Tomorrow is H&H Rods day on BassFan. What? Who?? We're not surprised if you haven't heard of them. They're a small, but growing, high-performance rod company out of Richmond, Texas. Tomorrow on BassFan, watch for some additional editorial about the company and pro-staffer Craig Powers, who's widely regarded as the most accurate caster in the sport.

> To learn more about H&H Rods right now, visit HHFishingRods.com.

TBF youth pro-am 5/3/2007

"The students participating were selected by their classmates and adult mentors," said TBF national youth director Mark Gintert. "We believe this event created the perfect opportunity for the students to see exactly what it's like to participate in a competitive angler's world, and have some fun doing it."

FLW Outdoors provided sponsor-wrapped boats, just like the pros use, and the TBF National Championship competitors showed the students skills required to be successful in a major tournament setting.

In the end, the Locust Middle School team, led by Taylor Frayley, pulled out a 1-pound victory over student angler Hank Holden's team. Locust's total weight of 11-15 won them a Wal-Mart gift card that will be used to buy tackle for their school fishing club.

"What an awesome event for these outstanding kids," TBF president Robert Cartlidge said. "The anglers did a fantastic job of getting these school teams on fish, FLW provided equipment, personnel and the weigh-in stage, and FSN provided the camera crews. All of that made for a very exciting time for these teens."

For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com.

Ehrler's big jump 5/3/2007

2005
> Wheeler FLW Tour: 25th
> Potomac FLW Tour: 118th

2006
> Okeechobee FLW Tour: 77th
> Murray FLW Tour: 26th
> Pickwick FLW Tour: 47th
> Beaver FLW Tour: 54th
> Kentucky Lake FLW Tour: 117th
> Champlain FLW Tour: 97th
> FLW championship: 1st

2007
> Travis FLW Tour: 56th
> Ft. Loudoun-Tellico FLW Tour: 32nd
> Norman FLW Tour: 13th

Note that since the Rankings work on a 2-year rolling cycle, each new finish replaces a previous one. So his finish at the upcoming Wal-Mart Open (Beaver FLW Tour) will replace his 25th from the 2005 Wheeler event, and in June, his finish at the Potomac will replace his 118th at the Potomac in 2005. It's impossible to predict how he'll move, but it does stand out that some inconsistency (finishes worse than 100th) are likely preventing him from climbing even higher.

Brauer podcast 5/3/2007
In the latest episode of BassFan Radio Today, Terry Brown talks with the legend Denny Brauer about a number of topics, including the current break in the pro season, how anglers have changed, and the state of rules and penalties today. Brauer also provides his perspective on Kevin VanDam.

If you've already subscribed to the podcast, you'll receive the episode automatically. You can also listen to the episode straight from the BassFan Radio Today host site (click here to listen or subscribe).

> Note: A few BassFans have written in to ask if they can receive podcasts without using iTunes. The answer (we think) is yes, but you need to subscribe to the RSS feed, rather than the podcast. Audio players with RSS functionality should then be able to track new episodes.

BBZ on tour 5/3/2007
The latest Big Bass Zone column is sure to turn a few heads. In it, authors Michael Jones and Bill Siemantel examine the use of big baits in tour-level events. They note that yes, the baits achieved remarkable catches, but they also note how the jig wins at Amistad (not the swimbait). They also question what could have been caught at Clear Lake if anglers had used swimbaits to their full potential. To read the column, click here.

Picasso pro baits too 5/3/2007

But also remember that Tru-Tungsten purchased Picasso in June 2006, and brought a similar program to that company. So the same thing's been happening over at Picasso, although a little more quietly. Available now are Picasso products like the Luke Clausen Shakedown and Gerald Swindle Powerhead jigheads, the giant Ish tube, and the Ken Cook Fantasy Football jig. (The Luke Clausen Shakedown is pictured to right.)

To check out Picasso's product line, which seems to expand every month, click here.

TTBC broadcast on CBS 5/3/2007
BassFans interested in watching the Toyota Texas Bass Classic should note that coverage will air next Sun., May 13 on CBS at 3:00 Eastern. That time is subject to change, so be sure to check your local listings as the show approaches.

Crank hooks 101 5/2/2007
Kevin Van Dam gives a tip on the proper hooks for crankbaits, one of his favorite new lures, and seeing "red" on Tipped Off Radio with Terry Brown. To listen click here. To listen, click here.

KVD speaks 5/2/2007
Today on BassFan Radio with Terry Brown, Guntersville Bassmaster Elite Series winner Kevin VanDam talks about the win, dialing in on a lake that fishes like his home water and how bait selection was critical in the tournament. To listen, click here.

Win a WWC tackle pack 5/2/2007

The tackle pack comes in a Cabela's tackle bag and is full of great products from BassFan Army sponsors, including Berkley, Picasso, Jewel, Strike King, Jackall, Spro, Bill Lewis, Snagproof, Fin-Tech, Omega, Mann's, Touchdown Lures, Vicious and maybe others.

This contest is a bit more of a challenge. First of all, you must be a BassFan Army member. Not a BassFan Army member yet? Click here to sign up for FREE lifetime membership.

Once you're a member, go to your Cabela's catalog or their website at www.Cabelas.com and find the product code and cost of the Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw in the sapphire blue color.

Email that info as well as your name, phone number and mailing address to memberservices@bassfanarmy.com. The winner will be randomly drawn from all correct entries at 5:00 p.m. CST this Monday, May 7.

Remember, you must be a BassFan Army member to participate. And once you're a member, you can win all sorts of stuff, for fishing and for just plain being a member. Just look under the Programs tab on BassFanArmy.com to see all the possibilities.

VanDam and AOY 5/2/2007

BassFan asked him whether the AOY race is on his mind this early in the season. "It's on my mind every year," he said. "But it's a long season. If I can keep from getting DQd, I think I have a little better shot than last year. I'm very familiar with the rules now (laughs)."

Also interesting was his remark that springtime is not his best season. "Typically, the spring is tougher for me," he said. "We're through that, and I'm really looking forward to the next few months."

BassFan Radio Podcasts (Updated) 5/2/2007

Ever wanted a semi-daily BassFan news and talk radio show? And if your wish was granted, you'd probably want us to podcast it, right? Consider your wish granted. The new BassFan Radio Today has just launched with full podcast capabilities.

First, a little about this show. Two to three times a week, sometimes more, BassFan will podcast BassFan Radio Today, which will be hosted by Terry Brown. Guests on the show will include BassFan luminaries like founder and CEO Jay Kumar, editor-in-chief Jon Storm, and others. Guests will also includes pros, industry folks, and just about anybody who has anything to say about bass fishing.

Two episodes are available now. The first is with Brown and Storm, who discuss the state of the bass-fishing nation. The second features Brown and Kumar, who talk about tour venues, the WBT, TV coverage, and a lot more.

To subscribe to either the RSS feed or podcast, click here. Note that this site is a placeholder for current Podcasts, and will likely change in the coming year. We'll keep you informed.

More Information

In case you don't know what a podcast is, here's the scoop. The name is derived from Apple's iPod portable media player. The advantage of a podcast is that you can subscribe to a show and it will automatically download right to your computer. You can then play new episodes wherever or however you want.

To subscribe to a podcast, you need Apple's iTunes (it's free, and if you don't have it, you want it, believe us).

With iTunes installed on your computer, next visit the BassFan Radio Today host site (located here) and click "Subscribe" (the one located next to the purple-and-black icon).

Once you subscribe, iTunes will continue to check for new BassFan Radio Today episodes whenever the iTunes application is open. Depending on how you set your iTunes player, you can check for new episodes hourly, daily, weekly, or only when you choose to.

To adjust how iTunes handles new episodes, choose "Preferences" from the iTunes pull-down menu, then select podcasts.

Once the episode is downloaded to your computer, you can burn it to CD, put it on your iPod or other MP3 device, or you can listen to it the old-fashioned way (right there on your computer).

> If you need to install iTunes, click here to get it. It runs just as well on Windows as it does on Mac operating systems.

> If you need a tutorial on how to run iTunes, and what services it offers, click here.

> All BassFan Radio programs will soon be available in podcast format, including Legends, Tipped Off and more.

Laney on rank, PAA, more 5/2/2007
In the latest Laney Opinion, columnist Scot Laney tackles a few topics, including the system by which anglers qualified for Toyota's recent event at Lake Fork. To read the Laney Opinion, click here.

Kriet's mega-scrape 5/2/2007

"I was fishing a ridge (where) shad were spawning, threw out there and lost one about 6 pounds," he said. "I didn't let it bother me. I figured, Ah, that's how it goes. Then I lost another one about 6 pounds and caught one about 3 pounds.

"I guess that got them fired up because they were blowing gizzard shad out of the water like crazy." And then "in six straight casts I lost six over 4 pounds. In one cast I hooked one, he jumped off, then hooked another one, then he came off and I had another one on right at the boat. It was awesome. It was the mega-scrape."

He didn't let it fluster him – he just enjoyed it – and ended up with 16 pounds. Three fish were 2-pounders.

Kriet said: "I was trying to think what I did wrong, so I called Hackney yesterday and he said he lost a bunch of big ones on a big spinnerbait too. I think half the time they weren't eating the bait. They were just eating the shad around the bait.

"It was pretty awesome. It was a pretty cool tournament, and I'm glad to come out of there with what I did because Guntersville scares me. It's always so easy for some and so hard for others. You're either catching their butts or not at all.

"A lot of good fishermen didn't catch them, like Brent Chapman. He catches them everywhere."

Kriet is doing pretty dang good this year. Guntersville was his fourth Top 20 in six events this year.

VanDam widens lead (again) 5/1/2007
The BassFan World Rankings presented by Tru-Tungsten have been updated to incorporate finishes from the recent Norman FLW Tour and Guntersville Bassmaster Elite Series. VanDam's still No. 1, no surprise there. But notable is that he's pulled away from the pack big-time and now leads the Rankings by more than 16 points.

To view the updated World Rankings, click here.

The BassFan Rookie of the Year Race has also been updated. Derek Remitz still leads that race, but note that FLW Tour rookie Bryan Thrift has made two of the three Tour Top 10 cuts so far, and he trails Remitz by only 4.3 points. To view the updated Rookie Race standings, click here.

Sign-up and win...winner announced 5/1/2007
Dennis Sherer from Florence, Ala. is the winner of the Minn Kota Charger in the BassFan Army's "Sign-up and Win" contest. Look for a new contest to be announced very soon!

Congratulations Dennis!

FLW: youth is served 5/1/2007

Bennett, who's finished among the Top 20 in all three events, moved up four places and Thrift climbed seven spots.

The Top 40 on the season-ending list are guaranteed berths in the Forrest Wood Cup. Norman winner Larry Nixon is now inside that mark after moving up 49 spots to 35th.

Former points leader Dave Lefebre finished 72nd at Norman and dropped six places. Darrel Robertson, who was 2nd before the tournament, lost only one rung with his 52nd-place showing.

Fifth-place finisher Scott Suggs moved up 11 spots to 4th, and runner-up Jay Yelas gained 13 spots and is now 8th. Andy Morgan jumped from 20th to 10th by finishing 12th.

Rookie Hank Cherry, who turned in a 4th-place finish on his home lake, made the biggest move of all: 118th to 65th.

Anglers who fell precipitously included Mark Davis (3rd to 13th), Keith Monson (13th to 29th), Rob Kilby (8th to 34th), Michael Murphy (18th to 47th), Koby Kreiger (19th to 61st) and Jack Wade (22nd to 66th).

The Tour returns to action in 2 weeks with the Wal-Mart Open at Arkansas' Beaver Lake.

McClelland on jigs 5/1/2007
Today on BassFan Radio with Terry Brown, Clarks Hill Bassmaster Elite Series winner Mike McClelland talks about the "little things" in jig fishing and the ability to notice the subtle differences in presentation needed during a day on the water. To listen, click here.

Alleged cheating incident 5/1/2007

To read the most recent report from KFVS, click here. The story also includes a video of broadcast reporting, with reactions from people onsite.

U.S. Angler's Choice president Rick Byrnes confirmed to BassFan that Jones was arrested at an Angler's Choice event. Byrnes said: "On April 29, 2007, the Missouri Water Patrol arrested Gary Jones of Poplar Bluff on charges of felony theft by deceit. Gary Jones had allegedly tied up fish to weigh them in at the Angler's Choice event on April 29 at Wappapello Lake in Missouri."

Byrnes added: "Angler's Choice will not tolerate these types of actions at our events, and we'll work closely with government agencies, as we did in this case, and do what we can to make sure offenders are prosecuted to the fullest extent. We're also going to look into the possibility of civil action."

Byrnes added that he believes this was the first Angler's Choice event Jones had fished.

Jones recently finished 2nd at the Bassbusters of SEMO Open, held April 21 at Wappapello.

BassFan will continue to report further developments as they occur.

The photo at right is of Jones at the April 21 Bassbusters Open. It is shown here courtesy of U.S. Angler's Choice.

April Fish of a Lifetime 5/1/2007
The last two Abu Garcia Fish of a Lifetime entries for April are now in. Read about these anglers' stories here on The Bass Buzz.

One of those four fishermen will win a new Abu Garcia reel, and you can too. If you catch a fish of a lifetime – it doesn't have to be a bass – and tell us about it, you'll get your story and photo published on The Bass Buzz and will have a shot at winning a free Abu Garcia reel. So get out there and fish!

Shirt search 5/1/2007
BassFan Jeffery Archie from Paris, Tenn. recently wrote us and asked: "Where can a 100% polyester jersey be purchased? I'm Looking for something similar to what G-Man and/or KVD wears. However, I'd like to have a Triton logo on the center, powered by Mercury."

Whether it's one of the new "sublimated" jerseys like Gerald Swindle or Kevin VanDam wears, or the more traditional look (say, Dean Rojas or Alton Jones), we recommend BassFans contact Gemini Sports Marketing for all their tournament-uniform needs. They're the company behind what most of the pros wear, and a polyester sublimated jersey, with graphics of your choice, can cost as little as $120. For more, visit GeminiSportMarketing.com, or call Brad Raymond at Gemini at (888) 604-6644.

> After the Bassmaster Classic this past February, Jay Kumar discussed the new shirts – how they're made, retail cost, and more – in a BassFan Opinion piece. To read it, click here.