Hibdon duo's 'new deal' 9/29/2006

"We practiced every day we could, and we fished a BFL the weekend before it went off-limits," Dion said. "We caught them good. It really opened our eye on how to catch them, then we spent the next week refining down our new deal. It's a way me and dad have never fished here, in places we've never fished before. We kind of hope it works. It was a fun learning experience."

And if the "new deal" doesn't work? "I can still beat the docks with the best of them," Dion said.

Hold up on hookset 9/29/2006
Have you ever wondered why that bass that just clobbered your worm or jig seemed to have no problem spitting out the bait after you set the hook? That used to baffle Alabama FLW Tour pro Matt Herren, but he found the cause and the solution one day while sight-fishing. For more, click here to read the newest BassFan Pro Fishing Tip.

Champlain champ 9/28/2006
Mark Rorke hails from Canada, and he'd never been to Lake Champlain prior to last week's BASS Federation Nation Eastern Divisional. He encountered conditions that were familiar to him, though, and finished first overall with a 3-day total of 48-09. For more on his victory, click here to visit BassFanArmy.com.

Looking for war footage 9/28/2006

The current project is a multi-DVD set that will chronicle the war experience in the words and images of the men and women active in the engagement. We are looking for footage that you may have shot on video related to your tour, as well as still images (photos). We're also looking for two or three people willing to appear on-camera in the production to give context to the video and still images.

If you or someone you know has footage or photos you would like to submit for consideration, or if you'd like to recount your Iraq or Afghanistan experiences on camera, please contact Scot Laney at slaney[AT symbol]bassfan.com or at 1-503-597-7030.

Day 2 Champlain cancelled 9/28/2006

Due to a tie for the final 20th-place cut spot, 21 pros advanced to fish tomorrow. Stren Rule 16 states that a 1-hour fish off is used to decide a tie in the cut position. According to FLW Outdoors, tournament director Chris Jones waived the fish-off and advanced both anglers due to the hazardous weather conditions.

Giggy = Gambler 9/28/2006
Ever heard of the Giggy head? It one of the hotter, but lesser-known, finesse jigheads out there right now. BassFans in the know might recall that Clark Wendlandt threw it at the FLW championship and finished 3rd. Wendlandt fishes for Gambler, and at the championship, he and fellow Gambler pro Mike Surman convinced Gambler owner Val Osinski that the Giggy was the real deal.

Osinski confirmed to BassFan that Gambler has now taken over sales and marketing of the Giggy head. "We're selling it as a Gambler product now," Osinksi said. "It's an awesome head, and basically, we're using it to get into the finesse market across the board."

The heads will become increasingly available through Gambler's site over the coming weeks. The unpainted head should be available now, while the black and green-pumpkin versions are coming soon. And Gambler plans to release four new finesse plastics built specifically for the head.

Morgenthaler deadline 9/27/2006
Sign-ups for the Chad Morgenthaler Bass Tournament for Special Olympics Illinois will be taken through 6 p.m. CST Friday.

Morgenthaler has teamed with Special Olympics Illinois and the Law Enforcement Torch Run to host the tournament. Partners in the event include Jasper Engines & Transmissions and the Franklin County Tourism Bureau.

The tournament, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday at Rend Lake in southern Illinois, will benefit Special Olympics Illinois athletes.

The weekend includes the 2-day team-format tournament, "beat the pro" fishing and casting contests, a family fun zone and a chance to win prizes. Other pros to participate include Greg Pugh, Terry Tucker and Terry Bolton.

Morgenthaler first became involved with the Special Olympics last year when he donated a day-long fishing trip as part of an online benefit auction. This year's tournament marks a significant increase in his involvement.

"I was inspired by the courage and enthusiasm shown by the Special Olympics athletes," Morgenthaler said. "After talking more with Special Olympics Illinois, we agreed a fishing tournament would be an exciting way to introduce the organization and its athletes to a previously untapped audience of fishermen."

> Entry is limited to the first 200 boats to register. The $210-per-boat entry fee includes the big-bass pot.

> For entry forms or more information, contact Jeff Henson at Special Olympics Illinois: (800) 394-0562, email him at jhenson@soill.org, or visit the organization's website at www.soill.org.

7-Eleven drops Citgo 9/27/2006
Numerous news outlets, including the Associated Press and Forbes, announced within the last hour that 7-Eleven stores have dropped Citgo as a gasoline supplier. The action came in the wake of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez' recent conduct at the UN General Assembly. Chavez, who controls Citgo, referred to president Bush as "the Devil."

Citgo is currently the title sponsor of BASS, but that relationship is expected to end with the conclusion of this season. Sources close to BASS say the search for a new title sponsor has been underway since earlier this year, and leading candidates include current sponsor Toyota, and Goodyear – which sponsored last month's Bassmaster Legends Major.

Shaky when, when not? 9/27/2006
Team Evinrude pro Dion Hibdon knows plastics. And like a lot of BassFans, he's turned to a shaky head more and more lately – to the point where he has trouble putting it down. That brings up an interesting quandary: As great as the shaky head is, when should you not throw it? To read his analysis, click here to visit the Team Evinrude page.

Lane on Lay 9/27/2006
Today on BassFan Radio with Terry Brown, Bass Cat pro Russ Lane talks about his year in the Elite Series and his excitement about making the Bassmaster Classic at Lay Lake – his home water. To listen, click here.

General Al down, not out 9/27/2006
The BassFan Army's General Al was recently laid up. What's a beyond-middle-aged man doing playing an aggressive kickball game with a bunch of kids? Good question. But BassFans will definitely relate to his woes when he describes having to forfeit his berth in a TBF Federation Divisional. To read the full General's Post, click here.

Ike: KVD best in world 9/27/2006

While Ike came out on top in the points, it was VanDam who ended the season ranked No. 1 in the BassFan World Rankings. Ike ended the season ranked No. 2.

What's Ike got to say about that? Plenty. "My view on Kevin has been the same ever since before I even knew him," he said. "Our history goes back to my being a kid and reading about him, then drawing him in a (Bassmaster) Invitational in 1997. In my opinion, he's the best fisherman in the world, so you're dead-on with your Rankings.

"It's humbling, and an honor, whenever you beat that guy," he added. "Whether it's AOY, the (Bassmaster) Classic, or any event – anytime you finish ahead of him, it's humbling and an honor, because you know you beat the best in the world. To be honest, I feel better about all my accomplishments because Kevin was involved. AOY means more because he was out there competing. He's the best in the world – period, bottom line."

And something happened in that '97 season that directly foreshadowed today's World Rankings. Here's how Ike tells it: "We drew each other – Kevin and I. The Invitationals back then were a sticky situation because it was pro-on-pro. He was in 1st, and I was in 4th or 5th going into the final day. We fished hard all day. We had words out there. It was kind of one of those deals.

"At the end of the day, we both caught our limits. I was happy, but at the same time, I didn't want to go out there and make an enemy. As we were going across the lake, he said one thing that gave me the best feeling. He was sort of apologizing and said, 'You kind of remind me of me when I was starting.' That was a great feeling coming from someone of his stature. It motivated me even more."

Save $5k on a Skeeter 9/26/2006

The rebates can also be combined with Yamaha's Why Wait? Buy Now! program for 3 years of Yamaha extended service – a $2,600 value with the purchase of a Yamaha 300 HPDI, a $2,600 value with a 250 HPDI, or a $2,200 value with a 225 HPDI. If combined, the grand total of savings reaches $5,100.

Whether you want to save money, or just pocket a check to use for 2007 entry fees, that's one heck of a promotion.

Mercury breaks new ground 9/26/2006
Mercury Marine recently announced it would build a new manufacturing and warehouse facility in Oshkosh, Wisc. The company broke ground on the project in early September, and the 100,000 square-foot facility is expected to open in 2007. Mercury will transfer approximately 15 jobs to the site from its existing manufacturing facility along the Fox River, and from an exhibits design and warehouse facility in Fond du Lac.

Mercury general manager of remanufacturing Ray Atchinson said: "Mercury Remanufacturing is proud to call Oshkosh home. In 1999, we set out to create the remanufacturing business to renew and remanufacture Mercury engines for our customers. We've been very successful here and look to continue to grow our business in a new, larger facility."

Angling Against Cancer 9/26/2006
BassFans are likely well aware of the work Terry Segraves does to benefit the V Foundation and its cancer research. His Angling Against Cancer Benefit and Tournament is always one of the biggest charity events of the year. This year's tournament, slated for Oct. 28–29 at Florida's Kissimmee Chain, looks rock-solid once again.

The list of tour pros already confirmed for participation include: Peter Thliveros, Mike Iaconelli, Scott Martin, Preston Clark, Kevin Wirth, Terry Scroggins, Tim Horton, Charlie Youngers, David Walker, Sam Swett, Paul Elias, Steve Daniel, and Charlie Hartley.

"I couldn't be more happy with the support of my fellow anglers," Segraves said. "They believe in the cause, and they're willing to volunteer time out from their busy schedules to help raise funds to finding a cure. This event sells itself and I gladly extend my hand to my fellow pros in friendship and mutual respect."

Segraves expects that 20 to 25 tour pros will join him at this year's Tournament. Proceeds from the event support the V Foundation, which was founded in 1993 by former North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator Jim Valvano before he lost his own battle with cancer.

The event includes an evening gala and auction on Oct. 28 where the celebrity anglers gather, sign autographs, meet, mix and mingle with the public. On the following morning, participating pros and corporate sponsors launch from Lake Toho to compete in a fishing tournament on the Kissimmee Chain.

Fans can watch their favorite team weigh in at Osceola Heritage Park during Kissimmee's Great Outdoor Fest and Expo. To learn about the tournament, or other Kissimmee Great Outdoor Days events, visit www.GreatOutdoorDays.com.

Little spot, big bags 9/25/2006
Michigan's Barry Bucciarelli and his 16-year-old son Jarrid worked a tiny area en route to winning the Fishers of Men (FOM) Midwest Regional Championship. For more on their victory, click here to visit BassFanArmy.com.

'Bama shoal bass no-go 9/25/2006
Shoal bass, as of Oct. 1, will be illegal to possess in Alabama waters. The Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer recently ran a full-length story on the new regulations, and the reasoning behind them. To read it, click here.

Gags and Buckeye 9/25/2006

"We've had a relationship for a while," Gagliardi said. "I'd help them out, and they'd help me out. I fished their stuff, especially the Spot Remover (jighead), and we just always had a handshake agreement that if I could help them out, I would.

"We came to an official agreement this year, and we're both really excited about that. Their office is only about an hour from me, and I'm good friends with the owner and his son."

Strike King deadline near 9/22/2006
There's still time to submit your wrap design for Strike King Lure Company's Design Denny's Ride promotion. The contest ends Sept. 30.

Since February, fans have had the opportunity to design Brauer's 2007 wrap. The winner will receive an all-expense paid fishing trip with Brauer, plus a supply of Strike King products.

All timely submissions will be voted on and the winner will be announced in late October. All submissions must use the required template for Brauer's boat and truck, and all artwork must incorporate the Denny Brauer #7 and Strike King Lure Co. logos.

Templates can be found here: www.strikeking.com and www.brauerbass.com.

Jawing with Bolton 9/22/2006
Today on BassFan Radio with Terry Brown, Yamaha angler Terry Bolton talks about finding the "right" bass in the fall with spinnerbaits. He breaks down locations, presentations and types of baits. To listen, click here.

New lake, no problem 9/22/2006
Alabama's Russ Lane finished 15th in the Bassmaster Elite Series points this year despite having never been to five of the lakes on the schedule. To learn how he goes about deciphering the secrets of an unfamiliar body of water, click here to read the newest BassFan Pro Fishing Tip.

Operation Adventure set 9/22/2006
A weekend-long event to help disabled servicemen and women enjoy outdoor recreational activities will be conducted Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at Camp ASCCA (Alabama's Special Camp for Children and Adults) near Jackson Gap, Ala.

The event, sponsored by the Lakeshore Foundation, is called Operation Adventure. Activities will include bass fishing, clay-target shooting, archery, small-bore rifle shooting, water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving and climbing sports.

There is no cost to military personnel with severe service-related injuries, and one guest may also attend for free. The weekend includes all meals, outdoor adventure experiences and camp activities, lodging and a travel stipend to cover airfare or mileage to and from the camp.

For more information, call (205) 313-7416.

Ray's backstories 9/21/2006
In the newest Scott On-Line column, Ray Scott dishes out some hardcore BASS trivia. But the kicker is that each answer comes with an in-depth backstory. For a refreshing dip into BASS history, click here.

Gags: his best five 9/20/2006
This week on the Team Evinrude site, Anthony Gagliardi answers a hypothetical question. What's the question? What's his answer? Click here to find out.

Practice poll 9/20/2006
A news BassFan poll asks the question: Should the FLW Tour limit its practice? To vote, click here to visit the homepage, then scroll down the left-hand side of the page until you see the poll.

Rock, kids' sports, fishing 9/20/2006
BassFan founder and CEO Jay Kumar travels a roundabout path in his latest BassFan Opinion. He talks rock music, kids sports, and of course, bass fishing. How does he put it all together? Click here to find out.

KVD one fish shy 9/20/2006

Remember he was disqualified at Santee Cooper for allowing his co-angler to drive the boat while he searched for bedding fish. Alton Jones and Randy Howell suffered the same fate at the event, and none received any AOY points.

If there had been no DQs and VanDam had caught a single keeper, he would have garnered a minimum of 70 points – more than the final difference between Iaconelli's point total and his own.

And recall, Santee was the mother of all whackfests – winner Preston Clark set the BASS 4-day weight record with 115-15. The odds of VanDam not catching a keeper in that tournament were about the same as Kobe Bryant not making a free throw if given 100 chances.

"That's just the way it goes," VanDam said Tuesday. "I've thought about it, but I've also thought about a lot of other things I could've done differently this year."

Nielsen leads Open 9/19/2006
Day 2 of the 3-day WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mead saw some movement within the Top 10. Most notably, day-1 leader Aaron Haring of California caught just 2.12 pounds today and fell to 10th. Utah's Scott Nielsen is the new leader. His 15.54 today brought his 2-day total to 27.17.

California's Joe Uribe, Jr. improved one spot and is now 2nd. He trails Nielsen by 4.17. Here's the current Top 10:

1. Scott Nielsen: 27.17
2. Joe Uribe, Jr.: 23.00
3. Tim Klinger: 22.67
4. Byron Velvick: 21.82
5. Aaron Martens: 18.67
6. Brent Ehrler: 18.52
7. Cliff Pirch: 18.37
8. Randy Qualls: 17.13
9. Mark Walsh: 16.73
10. Aaron Haring: 16.62

The big bites were much harder to come by on day 2, and most seemed to come from the Overton arm. But those fish are even more beat-up now, so Nielsen might only need 11 or 12 pounds tomorrow to clinch. He's fishing within sight of Klinger and said: "I only got five bites today, but they were the right ones. It took us all day."

Weather has been nice (air temperatures in the low 90s), but wind has been a factor. The desert gusts start up in the afternoon, and today they reached 15 to 25 mph late in the day.

Californian leads Open 9/19/2006

"It was a great day," said Haring, whose bag was anchored by a 4.05-pound largemouth. "We caught 'em early."

Post-frontal weather conditions brought light winds and a modest 88-degree high temperature, and weights were lower than anticipated for the field of 143 pros and 143 co-anglers.

Joe Uribe Jr., also of California, was 2nd with 14.13 and Scott Neilson of Utah was 3rd with 14.13. California's Brent Ehrler, who won the FLW Tour Championship last month, was 4th with 11.54.

Two-time defending champion Aaron Martens of Alabama was 8th with 10.44 and Nevada's own Byron Velvick, also a two-time champion, was 9th with 9.44.

Here's the day 1 Top 10:

1. Aaron Haring: 14.50
2. Joe Uribe: 14.13
3. Scott Nielsen: 11.63
4. Brent Ehrler: 11.54
5. Matt Shura: 10.68
6. Ben Koller: 10.67
7. Clifford Pirch: 10.53
8. Aaron Martens: 10.44
9. Byron Velvick: 9.98
10. Mark Walsh: 9.64

The 3-day tournament runs through Wednesday.

Revenge at the Rock 9/19/2006

Nine of the anglers who made the Top 12 at the recent Table Rock Bassmaster Elite Series also competed in the event that concluded the Bassmaster regular season there in the spring of 2005. Their average finish then was 71st place.

Edwin Evers (pictured at right) made the biggest turnaround – from 111th to 2nd. He couldn't possibly have duplicated his '05 finish since there were only 101 pro anglers in the field this time (there were 141 last year). The same goes for local favorite Brian Snowden, who was 9th this time but 106th last year.

Todd Faircloth, this year's winner, was 79th in '05. Kevin Short, who finished 3rd, was 48th last year. Skeet Reese went from 70th to 10th, John Murray went from 91st to 11th and Shaw Grigsby went from 68th to 12th.

Ish Monroe (7th this year) and Tommy Biffle (8th) were the only Top 12 finishers who had decent showings in '05 – they finished 32nd and 33rd, respectively.

There were eight members of the '05 Top 12 who fished at Table Rock this year, and their average place was 50th. Here's a rundown of those anglers:

Greg Hackney (1st to 32nd), Aaron Martens (2nd to 14th), Brent Chapman (3rd to 62nd), Kevin VanDam (4th to 13th), Jeff Reynolds (5th to 70th), Pete Ponds (6th to 86th), Tim Horton (8th to 88th) and Dave Wolak (10th to 38th).

Andre Moore, Stacey King, Jay Yelas and Dion Hibdon also made the Top 12 in '05, but they were FLW-only pros this year.

This year's Top 12 included tour-level rookies Bill Lowen (4th) and Jon Bondy (5th), along with William Smith Jr. (6th), a former FLW pro who fished the Bassmaster's top tour for the first time.

Ike's roller-coaster ride 9/18/2006
Newly crowned Bassmaster Angler of the Year (AOY) Mike Iaconelli talks about the low points he endured at the beginning of 2006, the highlights of his year and an old hat that he's retired and plans to hang on his AOY trophy in a new BassFan Radio interview with Terry Brown. To listen, click here.

U.S. Open history 9/18/2006
The WON Bass U.S. Open began this morning at Lake Mead, Nev. Nearly 150 boats will participate. For BassFans who haven't followed the U.S. Open over the years, here's a rundown of past winners.

1981 Greg Hines (4-day event, pro-on-pro draw)
1982 Rich Tauber
1983 Rick Clunn
1984 Jeff Munson
1985 Mike Folkestad
1986 Rick Clunn
1987 Larry Hopper
1988 Gary Klein
1989 Larry Ward
1990 Byron Velvick
1991 No tournament
1992 No tournament
1993 Pat Donoho (3-day event, shared weight begins)
1994 Kevin Wiggins
1995 Gary Yamamoto
1996 Byron Velvick
1997 John Murray
1998 Marcus Clouse
1999 John Murray
2000 Dave Gliebe
2001 Mike Folkestad
2002 Mike Folkestad
2003 John Kerr
2004 Aaron Martens
2005 Aaron Martens

Boating, fishing illegal? 9/18/2006
A recent decision by Judge Robert James of the U.S. District Court, Western Division of Louisiana has severe ramifications for anglers not only in Louisiana, but in the rest of the nation as well. The decision, in effect, makes it illegal to fish the shallow-water areas of the Mississippi River in East Carroll Parish, La. without permission from landowners.

A number of organizations immediately stepped up to help fight the decision and its potential spread to all navigable U.S. waterways.

Louisiana Federation (TBF) president Steve Streeter told BassFan: "The freedom to fish anywhere has been taken away by this ruling. This is going to be a battle to the end."

According to Streeter, and other sources close to the ruling, the battle over Mississippi River recreational-fishing rights has been happening for at least 10 years. In this instance, the Walker Cottonwood Farms owns shoreline land around Louisiana's Lake Gassaway, which is located in East Carroll Parish. The Mississippi River moves through Gassaway during normal flows. A few years ago, after complaints by Walker Farms, sheriff Mark Shumate began arresting anglers for fishing Lake Gassaway.

Historically, anglers are able to fish navigable waters up to the high-water mark. The arrested anglers sued, and were successful in defending their rights to fish the lake as a navigable water. However, that decision was appealed, and three weeks ago (Aug. 29), Judge Robert G. James of the U.S. District Court overturned the prior decision and made the lake off-limits to recreational boating and fishing.

Streeter's fear is not only for anglers in East Carroll Parish, but anglers throughout the U.S. who fish navigable waterways. He noted: "Now, no one has the right to leave the navigable section of the Mississippi River, which they claim is the channel of the river. What it means in layman's terms is if you're fishing on any navigable body of water, you cannot go to the bank unless you have permission from the property owner.

"It'll be appealed – either to the Federal Appellate Court, or the U.S. Supreme Court. I'm assuming the Supreme Court is next. But we need everyone fighting it with us so we can get it in front of the U.S. Supreme Court."

BassFan is in the process of obtaining the decision, and will continue to report on developments.

A few points 9/18/2006
The first-ever Bassmaster Elite Series season is officially a wrap. BassFans know Mike Iaconelli is the 2006 Angler of the Year, but there are other stories within the final points. Here's a brief look at a few notable movements after the Table Rock finale. (Note: To view the final 2006 Elite Series points, click here.)

The Top 37 in the points receive a berth in the 2007 Bassmaster Classic.

• Gary Klein's disastrous 73rd-place finish at Table Rock nearly knocked him out of the Classic. He fell 7 spots, but ended the year in 36th. Close.
  
• Ish Monroe's 7th-place finish moved him up 11 spots to 37th, and he was the last one to make the Classic.
  
• Kota Kiriyama's 17th at Table Rock did help him improve 6 spots, but he finished 38th in the points – 4 points out of the Classic.
  
• Shaw Grigsby finished 12th at Table Rock, but remember that he was DQd and didn't fish day 4. All he needed was 9 more points to make the Classic, but he ended the season 39th in the points and will sit this one out.
  
• Davy Hite's double goose-egg and last-place finish dropped him 18 spots to 40th. No Classic.

The Top 70 in the points requalify for the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series. Those 71st and below, according to current BASS rules, must qualify through another means.

• Rookie Jon Bondy's 5th at Table Rock moved him up 12 spots to 62nd in the points. He qualified for the 2007 Series.
  
• Kevin Short finished 3rd at Table Rock and improved 19 spots to finish 67th in the points. He's in for '07.
  
• Frank Scalish saved the farm. His 17th at Table Rock was his best finish since 2003. It moved him up 11 spots to 70th in the points and he was the last man to requalify.
  
• Ken Cook never caught a fish at Table Rock and dropped 14 spots to 73rd in the points.
  
• Charlie Youngers and Dave Smith also dropped out of the 2007 Elite Series, based on their Table Rock performances.

Busch Shootout field 9/18/2006

Anglers who qualified were those with the Top 10 heaviest 1-day bags during the regular season, plus those with the heaviest 1-day catches at the 2006 Bassmaster Classic, 2006 Federation Nation National Championship and 2005 Bassmaster Open Championship. Here's a look at the full field.

Joe Conway (Federation Championship)
Preston Clark (Bassmaster Classic)
Mike McClelland (Open Championship)
Ish Monroe
Aaron Martens
Mike Wurm
Kevin Wirth
Jimmy Mize
Ken Cook
Fred Roumbanis
Denny Brauer
Greg Hackney
Mike Iaconelli

Ike on AOY 9/18/2006
Did you miss BassFan's feature with 2006 BASS Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli? We spoke with him shortly after he'd locked up the award. In case you did miss it, click here to read it.

Clough leaves BASS 9/15/2006
A BASS official said today that Noreen Clough, the organization's conservation director since 2004, has retired. Today was her final day in the position.

"We appreciate all the work Noreen has done with BASS, and we wish her well in her retirement," said director of communications Jamie Wilkinson.

She was appointed to the BASS position by then-VP and GM Dean Kessel in February 2004, replacing the retired Bruce Shupp. She'd previously been the southeast regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and concluded a 30-year career with the federal government in 1997.

She directed the BASS Conservation Program, which supports the conservation activities of members and Federation Nation chapters.

Wilkinson said BASS is actively searching for her replacement.

New Yamaha promotion 9/15/2006
Yamaha Marine Group has launched a promotion designed to help authorized participating Yamaha outboard dealers continue sales momentum into the fall by offering customers Yamaha Extended Service contracts when they buy certain eligible new two- and four-stroke Yamaha outboards.

Yamaha’s Why Wait? Y.E.S. Promotion, which starts today and runs through Nov. 21, offers a 3-year Yamaha Extended Service contract benefit (choice offered in Florida is a 36-month Yamaha Limited Warranty), worth up to $2,600, at no additional cost to the buyer of Yamaha’s most popular models. They include new and eligible 75- through 250-hp four-stroke outboards and new and eligible 150- to 300-hp two-stroke VMAX TM HPDI outboards.

The outboards must be sold by an authorized participating Yamaha dealer. Eligible models must also have been manufactured with a model year of 2004 or 2005, or have been manufactured since April 2005.

“The extended warranty promotion offers even more peace of mind to the boater, and it adds a great deal of season-end value to the purchase,” said Dale Barnes, division manager for marketing at Yamaha Marine Group. “We think our dealers can use this selling tool to their advantage as we approach cooler weather.”

The promotion applies to eligible new outboards whether they are purchased as part of a boat package or used to repower an older boat.

Customers should consult their dealer for specifics on eligible models, or click here to visit the Yamaha Marine website.

Endicott dominant 9/15/2006
Who's the hottest stick in the Midwest? It might be Missouri's Wes Endicott, who this year won the Heartland Trails Elite Angler of the Year race and Elite Championship. For the story behind his recent Championship win, click here to visit BassFanArmy.com.

Gags gets Lucky 9/14/2006

About the deal, Gagliardi said: "I'm very excited about it. It's a great company to be with – they have great products across the board – and I'm really excited to be a part of the team because of the way they promote their anglers."

His sponsor portfolio has been light. He's told BassFans numerous times that he wasn't in a rush to find sponsors. Rather, he wanted to wait for the right deals. Along with Ranger and Evinrude, he also represents Kistler rods, Gamma Line and Folgers coffee. The Gamma and Folgers deals came together prior to the start of this season.

"This was definitely worth waiting for," he noted of Lucky Craft. "I'm glad I did kind of take it slow when it came to sponsorship. The past couple of years, I've done pretty well and I haven't been in dire need of sponsors. That afforded me the time to sit back and wait for something really good to come along."

Notable is that his first win – the 2004 Kentucky Lake FLW Tour – came on a Lucky Craft Flat CB D-20. "They're baits I do throw," he said. "And I threw them a lot this year. I caught all my fish at Pickwick on a Pointer 78. So they're baits I already have confidence in. It's just a win-win situation."

Hoernke finishes 9th 9/14/2006
Texas FLW pro Sean Hoernke finished 9th out of 16 competitors in the 3rd annual Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge last weekend in Nashville, Tenn.

"It was awesome – I really had a great time," he said. "It was a neat contest with a lot of camaraderie, and everybody got to be real good friends.

"There were a lot of neat people there and the talent was better than I expected."

Competition was conducted in seven categories – baitcasting, fly casting, ATV skills, endurance, archery, rifle and shotgun. His best finish was a 2nd in baitcasting.

"I won the qualifying and then I won the first round, but then I went into the last round and had my worst score," he said. "I think I had a 220 and then a 200, but I dropped down to 180 and ended up 2nd by five points."

He was happy with his performance in ATV skills and all three shooting events, but ran up against some sturdy competition.

"In archery, I got knocked out by a guy who shot a perfect score, and in shotgun, I probably shot the 5th- or 6th-best score, but I went against the guy who won it.

"I went up against all the studs, but that's the way the brackets work out sometimes."

He said the mood of the competitors was much different than he usually encounters at a tour event.

"Bass fishing is so competitive and everybody's always uptight, but at this thing everybody was rooting for each other and constantly trying to help each other improve in different areas. For me, that was probably the best part of the whole competition."

Portions of the competition will air on OLN through October. They can also be downloaded by clicking here.

To see pictures of Hoernke in action, click here to visit his website.

First member review 9/13/2006
The BassFan Army Member Product Review program is running on all cylinders. Quite a few Army members are testing products this very minute, and the first Member Product Review was published today. To read Byron Gilland's take on the Berkley 4" Hand Pour Finesse Worm and Zoom Fork Tail Worm, click here to visit BassFanArmy.com.

Hite hits stride 9/13/2006
Davy Hite's Bassmaster Elite Series season started pretty slowly, but he turned things up with a win at Clarks Hill, and built on that with a string of consistent finishes. Today on the Team Evinrude page, he talks about his slow spring, his improvement, and why his first keeper tomorrow at Table Rock is vital. For more, click here to visit the Team Evinrude page.

Brauer on gambling 9/13/2006

For a few seasons, his philosophy had been "fish to win." But he toned down the gambling a little this year, which improved his consistency. With no pressure at Table Rock, he said he'll gamble a little more. But there is one prize he's eyeing – BASS's Horizon award for most improved – that should temper any ultra-gamble temptation.

"Basically, the last several years, I've fished strictly to win," he said. "That's really gotten me into some bad situations at times – when you take too much of a gamble. I fished a little smarter this year. I went and caught a few fish when I had to. That said, going into Table Rock, I could not catch a fish and probably still qualify for the (Bassmaster) Classic.

"That has my mind set to go for the win. But I also want to get the Horizon award. It's $25,000. So I don't want to get stupid and miss the possibility of winning that. But if it's the last day, and I have a chance to win, I will certainly gamble everything for the win."

Wagner on summer bass 9/13/2006
Minnesota BASS Federation Nation conservation director Vern Wagner is dedicated to reducing fish mortality. In a new BassFan Army Opinion, he talks about the steps anglers, and leagues, should take to reduce mortality. And he puts forth a pretty darn good idea – encourage states to form weighmaster certification programs. To read his opinion, click here.

F&S, OL being sold 9/12/2006
Time Inc. will put the majority of its Time4 Media magazines up for sale. Included in the sale will be hook-and-bullet stalwarts Field & Stream and Outdoor life. Other titles to be sold include Saltwater Sportsman, Ski, Skiing, Popular Science, Motorboating and Yachting.

In a memo to employees, Time Inc. CEO Ann Moore stated that "Time Inc. is focusing its energy, resources and investment on our largest and most profitable brands – brands that have demonstrated an ability to draw large audiences in print and digital form."

Moore further noted: " Our recent acquisition of Golf.com and greater investment in CNNMoney.com, SI.com, People.com, Time.com, InStyle.com and Time Inc. Interactive are evidence of this focused strategy."

Numerous news agencies have reported on the story, but the full memo was published by Advertising Age and can be read here.

No-info talk 9/12/2006
Today on BassFan Radio with Terry Brown, FLW pros Clark Wendlandt and Dave Lefebre discuss the recent changes to the FLW Tour rules. Topics include the no-info rule, Sunday finals and the elimination of the bracket format for the FLW Championship. To listen, click here.

$25,000 coin-flip 9/12/2006
The Berkley Big Bass Tournament presented by Bass Champs was held this past Sunday at Lake Fork. The monster 570-angler field competed for two top prizes. A Skeeter boat was awarded for the heaviest fish over the 24-inch mark, and another boat was awarded for the heaviest fish under the 16-inch slot.

Ted Robbins won the "over" award with a 10.10-pounder, but the "under" award wasn't so easy to decide. Two anglers tied twice, then decided to end it with a coin flip. That's right – a coin flip valued at over $25,000.

The full story is now up on BassFanArmy.com. To read it, click here.

PAA's official charity 9/12/2006
The Professional Anglers Association (PAA) and the Catch-A-Dream Foundation have entered into a unique partnership that will be formalized on Thursday at Little Flat Creek Ranch near Missouri's Table Rock Lake, according to a PAA release.

In a joint announcement by PAA president Mark Davis and Catch-A-Dream lifetime board member Marty Brunson, the PAA will adopt Catch-A-Dream as its official charity.

Headquartered on the campus of Mississippi State University, Catch-A-Dream is a non-profit organization that grants children in the U.S. and Canada with life-threatening illnesses the chance to experience an outdoor adventure.

Said Brunson “We are extremely excited to have a group of people like members of the PAA who understand the vision we have at Catch-A-Dream and to fully embrace it. We’ve enjoyed great support from the hunting industry across North America. Now, with the PAA on board, we have both the hunting and fishing components in the family. We are absolutely thrilled.”

Said Davis: “On behalf of the PAA, it’s a wonderful opportunity. First and foremost, it gives professional anglers the opportunity to give back. Our charitable contributions to Catch-A-Dream-will raise public awareness of both groups. We couldn’t be happier.”

For more information on Catch-A-Dream, click here. For more on the PAA, click here.

Kumar on 9/11 9/11/2006
BassFan founder and CEO Jay Kumar, a New Jersey native who grew up in the shadows of New York, today reflects on the 9/11 tragedy. To read his BassFan Opinion, click here.

Gutierrez must move up 9/11/2006

"I think I'm going to need at least a Top 20," he said. "The way this Series is, it's easy to move down, but it's tough to move up."

There are two tournaments he can point to where he should have made the cut, but didn't.

"The first one was at Amistad – I didn't make adjustments on the first day when I knew I should have. The second one was at Guntersville, where I lost a big fish on the first day, then I inadvertently let my non-boater catch that same fish on the second day.

"I also had one die on me at the ramp there, and that dead one cost me the cut."

He finished 51st at Guntersville, just 3 ounces out of the cut. He was 74th at Amistad and caught 21-01 on day 2 after making the adjustments he spoke of, but that couldn't offset an 11-02 bag on day 1.

He'll go into Table Rock with some confidence because it reminds him of two lakes in his home region – Shasta and Oroville. He finished 60th at the Rock last year (that was good enough for a check at the time).

"I didn't do too bad, and I had a lot more opportunities than what I brought to the scale. I feel good about the lake."

Three Classic berths 9/10/2006

The three anglers who finished highest in the Southern Tour points each received berths in the 2007 Bassmaster Classic. Those anglers are:

• James Niggemeyer (Lindale, Texas)
  
• Tom Hamlin (Lizella, Ga.)
  
• Boyd Duckett (Demopolis, Ala.)

"This has been a dream of mine since I started competitive fishing," Niggemeyer said of making the Classic. "I'm truly elated at the thought. Making a living at professional bass fishing is something I've always wanted. My goal this year was to qualify for the Elite Series, and now I've made the Classic."

Hamlin is the only one of the three qualifiers who's fished the Classic before. His first trip was in 2003. "The average fisherman likes to see an average Joe like me do well," he said. "My personal goal was to make the Classic and compete against the world's best. To compete against those guys will be a thrill."

Duckett said of his Classic berth: "This is what I fished for all season. The Classic is an unusual way to start off my season in the Elite Series, but I'm ready."

The Top 5 in the points each received an invitation to fish the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series. In addition to Niggemeyer, Hamlin and Duckett, Cliff Pace and Terry Scroggins (both current Elite Series pros) received invitations to fish next year's Elite Series.

> The 6th- through 25-place points finishers may compete in the wildcard qualifier (Nov. 16–18), where they will be joined by top Northern Tour finishers. The Top 10 finishers at the qualifier receive Elite Series tour cards.

> To read a previous feature about Niggemeyer, click here to visit BassFanArmy.com.

Spares save the day 9/8/2006
Veteran North Carolina pro Alvin Shaw has seen a lot of things blow out of boats over the years, so he keeps backups for just about everything on hand. That list includes several items that most anglers probably wouldn't think of. For more, click here to read the newest BassFan Pro Fishing Tip.

Frogfest set for Sept. 16 9/8/2006

Contestants can use only Snag Proof lures. The 1st-place team will earn $3,000 out of the total purse of $10,000, and big bass will be worth $500. There will also be a $20 side pot for a chance to beat the Snag Proof pros.

The event, set to launch from Goose Pond Marina, will be hosted by television personality Donny Mac. The entry fee is $125 per team. To register, call (800) 239-9090.

Bolivar, Bain on TV 9/7/2006
FLW pros Gabe Bolivar and Kim Bain will be featured tonight on the Best Damn Sports Show Period.

Bolivar, the FLW Tour Rookie of the Year (ROY), will team with cast members Rob Dibble and Rodney Peete in a fishing contest against Bain, John Salley and Chris Rose. The contest was taped during last month's FLW Tour Championship.

Other guests include Ranger Boats founder Forrest L. Wood, ex-NFL quarterback Ken Stabler and former baseball and football standout Bo Jackson.

The show airs on Fox Sports Net at 10:30 p.m. local time in most markets (check local listings).

Optimum's leg hair 9/7/2006

BassFan spoke with Optimum's Matt Paino about the genesis of the new Furbit frog and Poppin' Furbit. He said: "We'd played around with rabbit hair quite a bit in various worms. What some guys were doing was taking our Twin Teaser – which is a wacky worm with rabbit hair on each end – and using it for legs on our regular SP frog, instead of the skirted legs."

Paino, who in the past had split his time between the U.S. and Japan, also noted that rabbit-hair-leg frogs were popular in Asia for snakehead fishing. So 2 years ago he approached Hirota about making a rabbit-hair-leg frog for Optimum. The result was the new Furbit and Poppin' Furbit.

"Pretty much everyone who's seen rabbit hair in the water knows what it does, but (the hair-legs) are something completely new for the U.S. I like to think of the Furbit as an all-around frog. And if you fish it with the blade on, it's really good for open-water fishing. It's at its best on a stop-and-go retrieve, because the hair does throw off a good amount of resistance, but it can be walked right out of the package. If you trim one leg a little shorter, that'll help it walk better."

The Furbits come with a 6/0 Owner double-hook, and the weight is molded in and completely sealed off. A vent hole in the tail area allows the bait to compress on the hookset, but no water can get in. The baits aren't available yet, but should be at retail by November. Watch BassFan for updates on availability.

> In addition to its own lineup of worms, frogs and swimbaits, Optimum is also the exclusive U.S distributor for Deps. The BassFan Store carries both Deps and Optimum products. Use the search function to search by company name.

> For more about Optimum's lineup, visit OptimumBaits.com. Additionally, Optimum's detailed overview of the Furbit can he found here.

Intersex bass 9/7/2006
According to an article in the Washington Post, bass possessing both male and female characteristics have been discovered in the Potomac River and some of its tributaries. Scientists believe their hormonal systems could be fouled up due to pollution.

To read the article, click here.

Largemouths to links 9/6/2006
Arkansas pro Mike Wurm can hold his own with a fishing rod. But do you know what his golf handicap is? Would you believe it's a 2? Today on the Team Evinrude page, he talks about how his golf game benefits his fishing. And he also calls out some of the other good golfers on the tours. For the complete story, click here to visit the Team Evinrude page.

PAA/Toyota: clarification 9/6/2006

Here's the additional skinny, straight from the PAA.

• The event is "specially formatted for television coverage" by both the Outdoor Life Network and CBS. The PAA stated the CBS broadcast will be on Mothers Day 2007.

• Competition takes place April 13–15, 2007. The field will be broken into four-man teams, randomly drawn. Each day will feature two 4-hour "halves." Two members of the team will fish the first half, the other two will fish the second. In between the two halves will be a strategy session (also televised) where teams will discuss adjustments for the second half.

• The full field will fish the first 2 days, but only the five highest-scoring teams will fish the final day.

• Official scoring will be done on the water via length measurements. Each boat will have an observer – a volunteer member of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. staff – who will convert the measurements into pounds. Each team will be allowed to tally its 10 biggest fish (or 10 highest scores) per half.

• A live weigh-in will be held, where each angler may weigh one bass over 24 inches in length. The big-bass weigh-ins will be held for each half the first 2 days. A big bass champion will be crowned at the end of the first four halves.

• There will be no entry fee, and each contestant will earn a check. The total purse will be $1 million.

Yamamotos at White House 9/6/2006

"The guest list was an interesting mix of important government officials from both countries, and many of the guests were notable members of the Japanese-American community," Yamamoto reported in his weekly newsletter.

Many of the couples were separated for dinner. Gary sat two places away from President Bush at a table that also included Prime Minister Koizumi. Beverly was at Vice President Cheney's table and sat between Masaharu Morimoto (TV's Iron Chef) and Brett Hedican of the NHL champion Carolina Hurricanes (husband of Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi).

"Being invited to dinner at the White House is quite an honor and it's something Beverly and I will always remember the rest of our lives," Yamamoto said.

In the photo (left to right) are Gary Yamamoto, First Lady Laura Bush, Prime Minister Koizumi, President Bush and Beverly Yamamoto.

Kumar on Croc Hunter 9/5/2006
Whether you watched him or not, you probably know who Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin was. And you probably know that he passed away last weekend – hit by a stingray's spine.

BassFan founder and CEO Jay Kumar was a fan, and his passing made him think. For Kumar's take on Irwin, with an angle toward bass fishing, click here to read the latest BassFan Opinion.

FOM gets kids involved 9/5/2006
The Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail will launch its Legacy Series next year. Many of the trail's 53 divisions will conduct two adult/junior team tournaments, with the top teams qualifying for the national championship. For more, click here to visit BassFanArmy.com.

Skeeter Northern site: Patoka 9/5/2006

Skeeter senior VP and GM Jeff Stone said: "We have an extremely strong dealer and customer base in the northern states, and the Skeeter brand name is becoming a top choice among anglers seeking a bass-boat company that fulfills their needs on the water, but supports them off the water as well."

Stone added: "As we are dedicated to the production of high-quality and versatile boats, the word continues to spread. Anglers want to be more than just owners. The Skeeter Owner's Tournament Series is just the vehicle to welcome our owners into the Skeeter family. This event proves how hard our company will work to keep a relationship with our customer."

The Northern Owner's Tournament will feature prizes and Skeeter merchandise for all participants, along with drinks and snacks at registration. Skeeter's interactive trailer will be on-hand with games and entertainment for kids and adults. Plus, Skeeter's professional demo team will provide demo rides in Skeeter's ZX Series and i-Class Series bass boats.

As always, Skeeter owners will compete for numerous prizes and cash awards in categories that include: youth, adult, male, female and big-bass. Cash payouts will be awarded for 1st through 10th place. In addition, Skeeter will hold a random drawing at the conclusion of the tournament and the winner will receive a 2006 Skeeter SX190 powered by a Yamaha V150.

Official rules and an entry form can be found at SkeeterBoats.com. Participants may also register onsite at the event.

FLW/ConAgra deal set 9/5/2006
FLW Outdoors announced today that Slim Jim, maker of popular meat sticks, will become a premier-level sponsor in 2007 and four other ConAgra Foods, Inc. brands – Act II popcorn, Pemmican jerky, David Seeds and Crunch'n Munch – will come on board as associate sponsors.

As a premier sponsor, Slim Jim will be featured in a variety of media formats and will also sponsor a professional angling team on the FLW Tour.

Paul Lapadat, president of ConAgra's snack foods division, said: "We're pleased to step up our level of participation with FLW Outdoors. Our involvement with the ACT II brand has shown that FLW is a great platform for ConAgra Foods to promote our Snack Foods in particular. We know that FLW enthusiasts are Slim Jim enthusiasts, and look forward to expanding our relationship this year."

Act II has been the official popcorn of FLW Outdoors since 2001.

"Clearly, with the addition of four category-leading brands, ConAgra Foods has recognized the buying power of these loyal outdoor enthusiasts," said FLW Outdoors chairman Irwin Jacobs. "We're thrilled to welcome another esteemed company to our family of sponsors."

Terminator: find the diamond 9/5/2006

To help celebrate its upcoming 10th anniversary, Terminator will place a near-flawless diamond in the eye of 10 Diamond Anniversary series spinnerbaits. The brand new Diamond Anniversary series consists of 10 custom-designed spinnerbaits with blade styles and skirt colors never before available on Terminator's titanium-framed spinnerbaits. Of particular note are the new Hole-in-One skirts that are custom-colored with the ability to change the skirt quickly and easily.

If you're one of the 10 lucky BassFans to find a diamond in the eye of your new spinnerbait, you could of course keep it, or trade it to your local jeweler for more than $1,000 cash.

The promotion will launch in October. Three sizes of the Diamond Anniversary series will be available: 1/4-, 3/8- and 1/2-ounce. Each bait will sell for about $7.

Good hunting.

> For more information, keep checking for updates here and on TerminatorLures.com.

Daly's 1-year test 9/1/2006
Massachusetts angler Rob Daly wanted to find out if he could play with the big sticks, so he gave himself a year to find out. So far, he's holding ground. For the full story, click here to visit BassFanArmy.com.

Svebek on championships 9/1/2006
Two days ago, Denny Brauer gave BassFans his tips for boat preparation before a fall championship. There's more championship talk in the air, and today, FLW Tour and Series pro Carl Svebek III talks strategy.

The way he sees it, anglers at a championship can try to catch solitary shallow kickers. Or they can spend their practice time trying to find a tight, isolated group of big fish. Can you guess which strategy he recommends? To find out the answer, click here to read the newest BassFan Pro Fishing Tip.

Houston and the entry fee 9/1/2006

Like so many of yesteryear's bass fishermen, he came from humble roots – as evidenced by something he said at a photo shoot for Terminator Lures this week: "I wasn't able to fish the very first B.A.S.S. tournament that Ray Scott had because I didn't have the $125 for the entry fee."

That got us thinking: A cool $125 sounds like a bargain right now – but is it?

We tracked down a NASA "Consumer Price Index (CPI) Inflation Calculator" to find out. Turns out that $125 in 1968 dollars equals $678.50 in 2004 dollars (the latest year in the calculator).

So it looks like entry fees are out of control compared to where they used to be, right? Hold on a sec.

That first B.A.S.S. tournament – the All American at Arkansas' Beaver Lake – was won by Nashville, Tenn.'s Stan Sloane, who took home $4,000. In 2004 dollars, that equates to $21,712.

Multiply $678.50 x 6 (or 600%) and you get $4,071, or about the size of a tour-level entry fee. Multiply that $21,712 by the same 600% and you get $130,272 – about the size of a tour-level 1st-place payout.

So it looks like entry fees and payouts have gone up proportionately, right? Not really. A lot more fishermen contribute money to the pot now than they did in the original All American. And then there are event sponsors, of which Ray Scott had none in 1968. Then again, he didn't have a magazine or TV show either.

(Editor's note: We've gone as far down this road as we can with our limited math ability.)

Daves benefit next weekend 9/1/2006

Various NASCAR-associated people will compete, as well as people associated with Daves' sponsors. As an example, Tony Stewart, Jack Roush and Bobby Labonte have participated in previous years.

"SuperKids are mentally challenged adults anywhere from 18 to 50 years old," Daves said. "We're trying to raise money to build them a group home where they can live together under church supervision. We want to build the home in Prince George, Va. We already have the land and everything, and we're slowly working along."

The field will fish Lake Chesdin and the weigh-in will be held at 3:00 at the Burrowsville Ruritan Club on Rt. 10 in Burrowsville. The weigh-in will include "auctions and a lot of other good stuff for the public," Daves noted.

Last year, Tru-Tungsten pro-staff manager Tom Branch, Jr. won the event. Branch recently said: "This is one of the greatest charity events we've ever been involved with. Winning is great, but the smiles and hugs from the SuperKids make it all worth your while. It's great being a sponsor of such an outstanding man and helping his favorite charity."