Carrot Stix aids collegians 6/30/2009

The Under Armour College Bass National Championship will be held for the fifth time this month and will offer more than $15,000 in scholarship monies and prizes. More than 170 schools currently participate in an estimated 300 Under Armour College Bass-sanctioned events each season. Due to the growing popularity of competitive collegiate fishing, College Bass expanded its 2009 season with the addition of two super regional events to compliment its annual championship.

“The Carrot Stix is the coolest high-tech rod on the market today, so a relationship with College Bass was a natural fit," said Nataliya Hearn, CEO of Element 21. “We’re thrilled to be able to interact with passionate and talented anglers at the collegiate level. Now more than ever, college students understand and appreciate new technologies and no one has been as innovative and technologically advanced as Element 21 and the Carrot Stix.”

Steve Levi, GM of fishing properties at Career Sports & Entertainment (the agency that owns College Bass) said: “College Bass has grown tremendously each year and with this expansion, we’re opening the property so more collegiate anglers can participate in competitive bass fishing and more companies can gain exposure with this lucrative audience.”

The Under Armour College Bass National Championship will take place July 10-12 in Little Rock, Ark. The first-ever super regionals were held earlier this year at Clarks Hill Lake in Evans, Ga. March 7-8 and Lake Palestine in Tyler, Texas April 18-19, and awarded the top teams more than $11,000 in scholarships and prizes at each tournament.

For more about College Bass, click here.

Ike in Men's Journal 6/30/2009
Men's Journal published a solid article about Mike Iaconelli this week. It's not just a personality piece – it contains some insights into tournament strategy and techniques.

To read it, click here.

Unwinding on the water 6/29/2009
The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News recently published a question-and-answer piece with NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte, who talked about how fishing is his primary recreational pursuit and bass are his main quarry.

To read it, click here.

Redesigned ESPNOutdoors site 6/29/2009
ESPNOutdoors.com today unveiled its newly redesigned site, featuring the cleaner, simpler design and navigation experience of ESPN.com and a richer 16:9 video presence on the main index page. New advertising integrations and flexibilities have also been added.

The new site places particular emphasis on prominently featuring content that outdoors sports fans want most, all on the main index page. Users can now easily find the day’s top stories and videos, separate tabs featuring the latest headlines and tournament news from the Bassmaster Elite Series, a dedicated section for bloggers, tournament coverage with live webcams, real-time leaderboards, tips, product reviews, techniques, pro angler blogs, ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series Coverage, Duck Trek, sweepstakes and more.

To visit the new site, click here.

Ish rolls with FLW 6/26/2009

He caught an 11-06 bag of smallmouths today to claim the final Top-10 cut spot at the Columbia River Western FLW Series in Washington. He'll go into the final day with a deficit of about 6 1/2 pounds to leader Neil Russell of Nampa, Idaho.

In May, Monroe won a Stren event at the California Delta and placed 2nd in another Stren at Lake Oroville. Those finishes came on the heels of his victory in a Western Series tournament at the Delta last October.

Winning pattern information from the Columbia River tournament will be posted early next week.

Pitch with Power 6/26/2009
Former Bassmaster Classic champion Boyd Duckett says there comes a time every year when a Berkley Power Worm becomes a more effective bait for pitching to heavy cover than a jig, and it occurs when temperatures heat up. When the air and water are hot, bass relating to wood tend to bury themselves at the deepest part of the cover, and a big worm can find its way right to them. For the full story, click here to visit the Catch More Fish page.

Abu contest: update 6/26/2009

Eligible entries must include a photo of your vintage or well-used Abu Garcia reel – not the most memorable fish the owner caught while using it. Also, the more information provided, the better – jot down at least a paragraph or two that tells us about the special memories linked to it.

If you caught a memorable fish with it, that's great – feel free to tell us all about it. But attach a photo of the reel, not the fish.

If you've submitted an entry that falls outside the criteria, go ahead and send us another one. To visit the contest entry page, click here.

JWC at Cup 6/26/2009

The event will feature youth anglers from as many as 41 states fishing for $30,000 in scholarships and prizes. Each participating state will be represented by two junior anglers: one in the 11-to-14 age bracket and another in the 15-to-18 age bracket, both of whom will receive travel assistance to Pittsburgh.

"The National Guard Junior World Championship has quickly turned into the premier youth fishing event in the country, and this year’s program is shaping up to be another great success,” said TBF youth director Mark Gintert. “The setting at the John Murtha Amphitheater is going to offer our parents and spectators a great place to watch a tournament weigh-in and the waters of the upper Allegheny River appear to be prime for our state champion anglers to conquer. We're all looking forward to the last week of July."

The junior anglers will each be paired with a veteran angler from the area for competition on the Allegheny River. Juniors will be allowed to fish pools 6 and 7.

Qualifying for the 2009 Junior World Championship takes place up to a year in advance through each state's qualifying structure.

ICAST sold out again 6/26/2009

“Given the current business climate, people have to be smart about where and how they do business, and our exhibitors and attendees are telling us that ICAST is the right place to be,” said ASA president and CEO Mike Nussman. “Orlando is a terrific location for the industry’s trade show.

"ICAST is the only place in the world that offers attendees and exhibitors alike the opportunity to conduct business and network with industry leaders. In fact, our pre-registration numbers are looking good with the number of buyers and credentialed media up over 2008.”

International attendance at ICAST has also more than doubled since 2001, with more than 800 attendees from 55 countries attending last year's event.

Central Pro Am links with PAA 6/25/2009
The Professional Anglers Association (PAA) announced that it's joined forces with the Central Pro Am Association (CPAA) to offer the top anglers on that trail an opportunity to fish the PAA Tournament Series in 2011. The 2010 CPAA Angler of the Year and Co-Angler of the Year will receive guaranteed slots in the 2011 PAA Series and the CPAA will also provide assistance with expenses.

"This could make a couple of our Central Pro Am anglers' lifelong dreams come true," said CPAA owner Jim Thompson. "Just by fishing a season with us, two of our anglers will be competing against some of the best talent in the country in 2011."

Said PAA president John Crews: "We are excited to implement partnerships such as this. We feel it gives strength to both organizations and as a result creates more
opportunities for the anglers, which is important to the PAA.”

Also, two CPAA anglers will have receive expenses-paid berths in the 2009 PAA
Corporate Cup, to be held Sept. 10-12 at Lake Pickwick in Florence, Ala. All CPAA members in good standing who join the PAA through July 31 are eligible for the drawing.

For more about the PAA, click here. For additional info about the CPAA, click here.

Classic contenders: Two approaches 6/23/2009

Jami Fralick (top photo), who's 34th in the points, finished 75th at Oneida last year and 94th in 2006. He plans to get there for some pre-practice before the lake goes off limits on July 16.

"I haven't done well there, but I'm looking forward to going back this time," he said. "I'm going to forget everything I've fished before and go at it like it's a brand new lake. What I've been doing isn't good enough, so I need to start over."

He'll probably do more looking than fishing on the first trip.

"It's tough when a place hasn't treated you well to figure something out in 2 1/2 days of practice (just prior to the event). I don't know how much more I'll learn with 3 or 4 extra days, but hopefully things won't change much between now and (the start of the tournament)."

Conversely, Reed (37th in the points) will be sticking close to his home in Texas over the next month and a half. He was 86th at Oneida last year, but 11th in '06.

"That lake has been both good and bad to me," he said. "I'm fairly familiar with it, and it's not that big anyway. I'll be sure to keep fishing around here so I can stay in touch with what's going on.

"It's nice to have a break, but this is a long one. I'd just assume be going up there next week."

Dyer and the QB 6/19/2009
FLW Tour angler and C.A.S.T. for Kids national spokesman Clay Dyer recently spent a day fishing with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and some Seattle-area children as part of a C.A.S.T. charity fund-raiser that also featured several other Seahawks players.

To see a video clip, click here.

The new Bosley 6/19/2009

Back-to-back Top 10s, including a runner-up showing at Lake Murray, propelled him to a 19th-place finish in the '06 points, and he ended up 9th in the Cup at Logan Martin. But he endured a horrible stretch in 2007-08, with finishes of 100th or worse in eight of 11 events. Those other three placements were 81st, 87th and 94th.

"I think the venues have a lot to do with it," he said. "If you look back at the previous couple years, we fished a lot of finesse-type events, and that's not my deal. But last November I finished 4th in the Stren Championship at Table Rock, and that got my confidence back where it needed to be.

"Now I'm fishing the way I want to fish and catching five every day, one at a time. I'm fishing shallow and throwing a crankbait and a jig as much as I can and I know I'm going to catch five."

He's been remarkably consistent this year – he has no finishes higher than 39th and none worse than 76th in five tournaments. If he can avoid a bomb at Champlain next month, he'll punch his ticket for the Cup at the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh.

"I've fished for smallmouth both times I've been there and gotten my brains beat in, but this time I'm going to fish for largemouth. I know where they live and I know I can catch them."

Lowrance re-ups with BASS 6/18/2009

“As the undisputed leader for sonar/GPS systems on tour, Lowrance is proud to continue its long-standing relationship with BASS,” said marketing director Gordon Sprouse. “Our new High-Definition System sets a new standard for excellence on the water, and we look forward to bringing even greater advantages to competitive anglers in the near future.”

Lowrance designs, manufactures and markets sonar and GPS products, digital land- and marine-based cartography, handheld navigation solutions, groundbreaking radar systems and integrated weather capabilities.

Said BASS VP and GM Tom Ricks: “Lowrance has a true dedication to the industry and its continued support of anglers at all levels is impressive."

Fishing on Fox 6/18/2009
Fox News Sunday ran a feature on bass fishing over the weekend featuring Steve Chaconas, a guide on the Potomac River. Chaconas describes how a lot of his clients these days are the type-A Washington D.C. personalities who've historically gravitated toward golf as their primary recreational pursuit.

To see it, click here.

New Contest: Win A Reel! 6/17/2009

It's called the Abu Garcia, For Life! contest.

"These words are more than just a tagline – they're what drives our company," said Abu Garcia product manager Andrew Wheeler. "Our reels are designed to last a lifetime and be passed from generation to generation. From the history-making original Record to the hottest low-profile on the market today – the Revo – Abu Garcia continues to deliver performance-designed reels that last a lifetime."

Got an Abu Garcia reel with some mileage on it? Maybe it's that vintage 5500 stored in your garage in the old aluminum tackle box – the one reel you just couldn't bear to part with. Maybe it's only a few years old, but you've fished it extra-hard, or it survived a memorable tumble.

The point is, Abu Garcia feels that when you choose one of its reels, you've chosen a reel for life, and the company wants to hear about it.

Entering the contest is easy – you just need to provide a few details about the reel, tell us about some of the special memories attached to it, and submit a photo. Each month, Abu Garcia will choose the entry it likes best and award a new reel to the winner. Note that a photo must be submitted to win, and be sure to take the time to write as much as you can about the reel and what it means to you.

To visit the contest entry page, click here. And good luck!

Onion covers BASS 6/17/2009
It's either a sign that bass fishing has finally arrived, or that it's still got a loooong ways to go, but the Onion Sports Network recently published mock coverage of bass fishing. As far as Onion stories, it's not the best. Click here for the story. (Warning, some Onion stories contain foul language).

The Onion, which bills itself as "America's Finest News Source," in fact publishes written and video news parodies.

Examples of some past Onion headlines:

> ACLU Defends Nazis' Right To Burn Down ACLU Headquarters

> New Prescription Fish Tank Eliminates Need For Glasses While Looking At Fish

> Middle-Age Center Provides Safe, Positive Place For Fortysomethings To Go After Work

> Wealthy Teen Nearly Experiences Consequences

Reese passes Ehrler 6/17/2009
The hotly contested battle for the No. 2 spot in the BassFan World Ranking sees a change today, as the newest edition of the Rankings shows Reese over Ehrler by about 1 point. To view the new edition, click here.

Crews' first address 6/16/2009
John Crews, who assumed the presidency of the Professional Anglers Association last month, has issued his first State of the Association address. To read it on the PAA website, click here.

TTBC advance tickets available 6/16/2009

The daily ticket includes grounds admission to the Professional Anglers Association-sanctioned TTBC for that particular day, including the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Outdoor Adventures Area, sponsor expo, weigh-in and all concerts that day. Concerts will only be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are available for purchase at the tournament website. Use login code TTBC2009 to validate the pre-sale offer.

Once the pre-sale offer sells out, tickets will be available at their normal prices of $20 a day for Saturday and Sunday. Friday tickets will remain at $10.

Kids 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Proceeds from the TTBC benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s youth outdoor recreation programs.

Arkie assault 6/15/2009
Arkansas pros have been on a roll. Not only did they represent half of the Top 10 at last weekend's Kentucky Lake FLW Tour, and two of the Top 3 at the Mississippi Bassmaster Elite series, but Arkies have won the three most recent FLW Tour events, as well as the most recent Bassmaster Elite Series:

Stetson Blaylock (Benton) -- Norman FLW Tour
Ray Scheide (Dover) -- Walmart Open at Beaver Lake
Keith Williams (Conway) -- Kentucky Lake FLW Tour
Kevin Short (Mayflower) -- Mississippi Elite Series

Surprisingly, though, only one Arkie's in the Top 10 of each Angler of the Year race (Ron Shuffield – 7th in the FLW Tour race, and Kevin Short – 10th in BASS).

AOY Race updates 6/15/2009
The conclusions of yesterday's Mississippi Bassmaster Elite Series and Kentucky Lake FLW Tour delivered plenty of shakeups in the Angler of the Year (AOY) races.

There's just one event left in the FLW AOY race – Champlain, next month. On the BASS side, there's one event left in the regular season – Oneida, 6 weeks from now – then the Top 12 advance to Championship Week, where the AOY title will be decided by two 2-day events in Alabama.

The updated standings for both leagues can be viewed here. A few highlights:

Bassmaster Elite Series

Big worms: seeing red 6/14/2009
BassFans who've studied trends over the past several years know that the big worm's back in a big way. From Wheeler to Ouachita to Kentucky Lake, the big worm has played huge. Today on the Catch More Fish page, Scott Suggs talks about the worm's return – when it's most effective, and why he prefers reds in his big worms. For the full story, and to catch more fish, click here.

ShareLunker sponsor sought 6/12/2009
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for title sponsorship of its ShareLunker program. Headquartered at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, ShareLunker uses angler-donated largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more in a selective breeding program that produces fingerlings for stocking into Texas public waters.

To date 471 fish have been entered into the program. Anglers who donate fish receive a fiberglass replica of their catch, ShareLunker clothing and recognition at an annual banquet. The Texas resident catching the largest bass also receives a lifetime fishing license.

The RFP is intended to result in a ShareLunker sponsor that will enable the program to achieve its strategic goals, including:

> Enhancing the science of genetics and the selective breeding of largemouth bass, with the ultimate goal of producing the world record largemouth bass in Texas (Operation World Record);

> Producing and stocking more fingerlings and increasing the number of bass weighing 8 pounds or more in Texas;

> Increasing the awareness of and educating Texans on the value of this program and the importance of donating lunkers; and

> Increasing awareness of how to properly handle and care for big bass.

The sponsor will receive naming rights as well as recognition in press releases, signage and other promotional materials and venues.

“Usually, a Request for Proposals invites respondents to apply for funding,” said TPWF executive director Dick Davis, “but because of ShareLunker’s tremendous popularity and visibility, we think asking potential sponsors to compete for the right to call it their own is worth exploring. If a potential sponsor is proactive enough to submit a proposal, especially during slow economic times, that would indicate they feel the program is a perfect match for them. Therefore, they would make an excellent partner.”

The RFP sets up a competitive bidding process and requires a minimum commitment of $75,000 a year for 3 years. Potential sponsors must meet requirements detailed in the RFP.

Interested parties can download a copy of the RFP at www.TPWF.org and submit proposals until 5 p.m. on Aug. 3. The winning proposal is expected to be selected on Aug. 17.

For more information, email ddavis@tpwf.org.

How Pickett did it 6/11/2009
Did you miss the story on Lloyd Pickett's winning pattern from the recent Wheeler Southeastern Stren? If so, click here to read it.

Yelas 'disgusted' 6/10/2009
Jay Yelas is one pro who thinks he made a major mistake. He practiced north for Kentucky Lake, instead of south, and says he's "disgusted" with his practice. For his full report, click here to go On Tour With the BassFan Big Sticks.

Berkley rigs rolling 6/10/2009

One Berkley tank will be in Benton, Ky. (Kentucky Lake) at the FLW Tour Family Fun Zone and the other will be in Fort Madison, Iowa at the Mississippi River Bassmaster Elite Series. Dates for both stops are June 13-14 (Saturday and Sunday).

Berkley sends the 4,000-gallon bass tanks all over the country to aid the everyday angler. Kids and adults alike can learn about new Berkley products and pick up tips on how to use the innovative baits.

“The Berkley Bass Tanks are out on the road, giving all anglers the opportunity to hone their skills,” said Berkley marketing manager Tammy Cox, “Not only will attendees learn to 'Catch More Fish,' they will also learn about new products that will help them become a better angler.”

Upcoming tank stops are scheduled for the Champlain FLW Tour (Plattsburg, N.Y., July 11-12), Forrest Wood Cup (Pittsburgh, Pa., July 30-Aug. 2) and Oneida Bassmaster Elite Series (Syracuse, N.Y., Aug. 15-16).

Meanwhile, the Berkley Experience Trailer is headed to Big Bear Sports in Billings, Mont. and will be there this Friday through Sunday (June 12-14). It offers demonstrations and interactive games for kids and adults and gives the everyday angler the opportunity to view baits in the Berkley, as well as chances to see the baits in action. Kids and adults alike can compete in fishing games and knot-tying contests.

“We want everyone young and old alike to enjoy the Berkley experience,” said marketing manager Andrew Marks. “In addition to our bait and line interactive displays, we will have Abu Garcia reel demonstrations, interactive touch screens to learn how to 'Catch More Fish' and a showcase for our latest and most innovative fishing products.”

Special sales and promotions will be offered. The store is located at 2618 King Ave. West and the phone number is (406) 652-5999.

Upcoming trailer stops are set for June 18-20 (Gander Mountain, Lakeville, Minn.), July 30-Aug. 2 (Forrest Wood Cup, Pittsburgh, Pa.), Oct. 2-4 (Gander Mountain, Tyler, Texas), Oct. 9-11 (Gander Mountain, Garland, Texas) and Oct. 16-18 (Berkley Big Bass Tournament, Lake Fork, Texas).

Tackle, license sales steady 6/9/2009

“People want a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively, and from what we’re being told, anglers are heading outdoors and putting a line in the water,” said ASA president and CEO Mike Nussman. “Although anglers, just as the general public, seem to be deferring higher-end purchases, it’s clear that people are going fishing and purchasing tackle.”

According to RapalaUSA president Tom Mackin, business continues to be good. “I’m pleased to say that Rapala reports a double-digit sales increase in North America for the first quarter of 2009. Business is looking very strong for us.”

Gary Remensnyder, VP of sales and marketing for Pure Fishing, commented: “What we’re seeing in the outdoor marketplace points to an increase in family fishing. Fishing is an inexpensive way for families to enjoy quality time together outdoors. We’re seeing an increase in sales, particularly in products for children and women, as well as for the avid recreational angler.

"Our brands, especially Shakespeare and Berkley, benefit from this trend because of a wide product assortment ranging from beginners to the most dedicated angler."

Going hand in hand with strong tackle sales are increases in fishing license sales. A sample survey of state fish and wildlife agencies indicates that 2009 fishing license sales are up 11 percent in the first quarter (January through March) compared with the first quarter of 2008. Additionally, there are strong indications that sales in the second quarter will be stronger in 2009 than in 2008 with some state agencies reporting increases that continued through the Memorial Day weekend.

“An 11 percent overall increase in state fishing license sales is significant,” said Nussman, “particularly during the first quarter of the year when license sales tend to hold steady. In fact, these are the best numbers we’ve seen in several years.”

Interesting statistics on sportfishing (compiled by Florida-based Southwick Associates) include:

> The three states with the most anglers are Florida (2.77 million), Texas (2.52 million) and California (1.73 million):
> The top three states in terms of jobs supported by sportfishing are Florida (75,100), Texas (59,000) and Minnesota (43,100).
> The number of U.S. anglers is greater than California’s population.
> One out of every three anglers fishes for largemouth bass, America’s most popular game fish. Flounder is the most-targeted saltwater fish.
> Forty-five percent of anglers come from cities of one million or more people.
> Fifty-one percent of anglers have a household income greater than $50,000 per year and 17 percent have incomes in excess of $100,000 per year.
> Over half of all anglers have attended college.
> Twenty-five percent of anglers are women.
> Nearly half of all anglers are between 35 and 54 years of age.

New boating hazard: kill zone? 6/9/2009

"The wind was howling the last day and I was running downriver," Monroe said. "There was this huge ocean liner in front of me with two little boats around it. I thought they were tugboats. There were about 10 boats following behind me. One tug decided to turn around and come at us. I saw it was the Coast Guard and it had a cannon on front. It came up and this woman takes off her mask and says, 'We have a 100-yard kill radius around this boat – where are you going?'

"I told her, 'I'm trying to go to that cut over there,' and I pointed," Monroe added. "She said I'd have to wait until they went through. I decided to head around the bank of the island, and I told her please not to kill anyone."

Sharp calls for sit-down 6/9/2009
Harold Sharp, BASS's original tournament director, thinks tournament bass fishing is on a collision course. In a new BassFan Opinion column, he calls out the leaders of the sport and suggests a sit-down to fix the problem before it gets worse. He even suggests a fundamental change in the way tournaments are scored. To read his full BassFan Opinion, click here.

Medley weighs in 6/9/2009
Occasional opinion writer Chuck Medley's back with a new BassFan Opinion. He states: "Okay, so now we're bass fishermen who have to worry about class systems, bankruptcies, inventory financing and who knows what else?" He longs for a return to simpler times, when Bob Cobb played on Sunday nights and folks fished from smaller, more affordable rigs.

To read his full BassFan Opinion, click here.

Sittin' & not fishin' 6/8/2009
It's worth pointing out that three tour-level Tennessee River events have been won in the past year by spot-sitting and guarding.

First there was Jeremy Starks, who won the 2008 Wheeler Bassmaster Elite Series by catching his weight pretty quickly from a single spot, then sitting on top of it and playing defense.

Two weeks later, David Dudley won the Ft. Loudoun-Tellico FLW Tour from pretty much a single spot up the river. He spent most of his time laughing, catching white bass and guarding the spot.

And of course, Bobby Lane relaxed under the sun for most of the days en route to a win at last weekend's Kentucky Lake Elite Series.

All three events were in the June timeframe, which apparently proves just how concentrated the post-spawn and summer fish can get on those fisheries.

TransOptic ships 6/5/2009

Brunswick reassures dealers 6/5/2009
In the wake of the Genmar bankruptcy, Brunswick CEO Dustan McCoy distributed a letter to dealers of Brunswick boats and motors to update them on the "financial health of Brunswick."

Relevant fishing brands under the Brunswick umbrella include Mercury, MotorGuide, Triton, Lund, Lowe and Crestliner.

According to the letter, Brunswick has focused on three imperatives to weather current market conditions: 1. Maintain strong liquidity without additional borrowings, 2. Take all appropriate actions to maintain dealer health, and 3. Position the company to exit the downturn with strength.

In the letter, McCoy wrote: "Our plan requires that we manage our business to preserve and increase our cash on hand. At the end of 2008, we had $317 million in cash on our balance sheet and by March 31, 2009, we had increased this to $359 million. Our cash performance reflects the successful execution of several operating activities, and we anticipate that we'll close calendar year 2009 with cash on hand in excess of that which was available at the end of 2008.

"Importantly, while we have a revolving credit facility available for use as a source of funds, we have had no borrowings under that facility and do not anticipate a need to draw against the facility at any time in 2009...Our actions to support you mean that we will lose money on our 2009 income statement, but we understand the necessity of our actions to promote your health and the health of our industry."

Brunswick made severe cutbacks over the previous year in both personnel and manufacturing as a reaction to the struggling boat and motor market. McCoy's frequent references to available cash seem salient, since the Genmar bankrupty appears to have been precipitated by a lack of cash flow against capital loans.

Genmar: waiting for news (updated) 6/5/2009
Update 1:40 p.m. EST – BassFan is hearing that in addition to warranty claims, Genmar has the go-ahead to honor Ranger Cup contingency-money claims. Official confirmation is expected soon.

No official reports on Genmar's bankruptcy proceedings yesterday as they relate to Ranger, although there is word on the street that the walls aren't caving in and Ranger's marketing programs and sponsorships should generally be okay. Genmar did receive a green light from the judge to honor warranty and rebate claims, and GE Capital Solutions will continue to finance the company's dealer floorplan. More updates as intel becomes available.

Genmar: What'll tomorrow bring? 6/3/2009
Genmar will present its restructuring plan to the bankruptcy court tomorrow. Needless to say, it's a very big day in the history of bass fishing. BassFan editor-in-chief Jon Storm isn't ready to make any predictions about what'll happen, but he does offer some insight into the bankruptcy in a new BassFan Opinion column. He also reports on conversations he's had with industry folks over the past day and a half.

To read his opinion, click here.

Champlain monster sighting? 6/3/2009
Interesting news out of Champlain – someone apparently captured footage of an unknown creature on a cell phone. Some have speculated that it could be a "Champ" – a monster long reputed to reside in Lake Champlain. Others say it could be a young moose in distress.

If it is a Champ, maybe it'd bite a topwater?

To check out some reporting, click here. To watch the video, click here.

Jacobs speaks with Soundings 6/3/2009
Soundings Trade Only Today, a leading trade publication in the boating industry, today published an audio interview with Irwin Jacobs about the Genmar bankruptcy. To listen to the interview, click here.

A class system? 6/3/2009
Several BassFans, including former BassFan staff member Jason Bryant, offered up an idea to boost tournament participation and boat sales – create different classes within tournaments. Anglers register based on their engine class (say 100–150, 150–200, 200–250) and receive a proportion of the purse or winning prize based on their class. Bryant, for one, noted that a class system already exists for some Gulf Coast redfish tournaments.

What do you think? Click here to let us know.

> With more than 300 votes so far in the new BassFan Poll, responses are split. About half of voters favor a horsepower reduction within the leagues, while about half don't.

Ranger president issues statement 6/2/2009

“Unprecedented global economic conditions, unequaled by any seen in my personal experience, continue to affect people in all industries and walks of life. For some time now, the credit-shortage epidemic at the consumer, dealer and manufacturer levels has been a huge issue. Despite good demand for Ranger products and the strength of the brand within Genmar’s portfolio and the market as a whole, the lack of available credit forced Genmar Holdings Inc. to file for Chapter 11 reorganization on Monday, June 1.

"Genmar’s reorganization is designed to allow Ranger to uphold its commitments to its outstanding dealer network and loyal customers while fulfilling the 41-year-old reputation of its product line and business operations. Going forward, Ranger has no plans to relinquish its leadership position. Our commitment to quality construction, technological innovation and service at all levels will not wane. Likewise, we remain dedicated to our long-standing involvement with so many great tournament anglers, organizations and friends throughout the industry.

While the fishing segment has not been immune to adverse economic conditions, it has not been affected to the same degree as other boating categories. I believe that our segment has hit bottom and we are seeing recent evidence of improvement. Therefore, I expect normal business operations today and throughout the course of Genmar’s reorganization process.

While these types of circumstances are sometimes subject to rampant speculation and rumors, we encourage specific questions be emailed to info@rangerboats.com so we can provide a timely response. And remember that regardless of the market conditions, Ranger boats are still built, sold and serviced one at a time. It’s who we are and we remain firmly committed to that legendary legacy of leadership.”

Two legends enroll 6/2/2009

Yamamoto, a longtime tour pro and inventor of legendary lures that bear his name, previously owned a Toyota 4Runner. After a friendly business tip from fellow pro Shin Fukae's wife, he signed up for Toyota's Bonus Bucks program.

"I bought a 4Runner to tow my boat with, and then Shin Fukae's wife told me that I'd be foolish not to sign up for Bonus Bucks after she read about the program's benefits on one of the bass-fishing websites," Yamamoto said.

Yamamoto conjured up a comical historical account of his loyalty to Toyota. "In 1969, I bought a Toyota Crown station wagon, pulled a camping trailer behind it, strapped a fishing boat on the roof of it, and fished tournaments all over the western USA with that rig," he said.

Things really haven't changed much for Yamamoto. He still chooses a camper over a hotel room. And he still tows his boat with a Toyota. "I'll tell you, if more anglers understood how much power that 4Runner has, I think they would give it more consideration as a tow vehicle – I love mine."

Ironically, Yamamoto's lure company sponsors two-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, and 1999 Classic champ Davy Hite – and Hite also recently purchased a Toyota for his tow vehicle. Hite, who served 10 years in the Army National Guard, opted to purchase a Toyota Tundra largely because of Toyota's support of bass fishing.

"I was already convinced Toyota made a quality truck," Hite said. "I once bought a Tacoma with 269,000 miles on it. That may sound crazy, but I was convinced it would run years into the future regardless of the odometer. I was right. I drove that Tacoma until it had 340,000 miles on it, sold it to a buddy, and he's still driving it.

"The fact that Toyota is such a strong supporter of our sport, even in these economic times, means a lot to me, and it had a lot to do with my decision to buy a Tundra," Hite added. "Like most bass fishermen, I feel a loyalty to the companies who support the sport I'm passionate about. I left a lot of money on the table last year by not towing with a Tundra, and not being eligible for Bonus Bucks. Gary Yamamoto is not only my sponsor, but he's a great man and a smart businessman. I'd like to think that I followed in his footsteps and made a brilliant decision when I bought my Toyota."

Bonus Bucks is simple. Drive a 2007 or newer Tundra, Sequoia, 4Runner or Tacoma, send in your registration form like Yamamoto and Hite did, become the highest finishing eligible participant in your BASS- or FLW Outdoors-affiliated tournament, and you win the Bonus Bucks. To find out more, and to make sure you're signed up, visit ToyotaFishing.com or call Kendell at (918) 742-6424.

Genmar filing: Storm opinion 6/2/2009
Boating giant Genmar yesterday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection – the same day General Motors filed. BassFan Editor-in-Chief Jon Storm gives his thoughts on the development in a new opinion column, and makes a surprising recommendation to the leagues. To read his BassFan Opinion, click here.

Monroe's momentum 6/1/2009

He was the runner-up by just 4 ounces to local ace Dave Rush at Lake Oroville in mid-May (a tournament that was originally scheduled to take place in January, but was postponed due to low water levels). Then he blew away the field at the California Delta last week, winning by more than 12 pounds.

The two outings netted him nearly $30,000 in cash, plus a new Ranger boat.

The Elite Series visits Kentucky Lake this week, and he's been solid there recently (27th last year and 43rd in 2006). He'll need to do better than that, however, to lay the foundation for a charge into Classic contention.

Look for the Winning Pattern story from his Delta victory to be posted soon.

Murray State clinches BoatU.S. title 6/1/2009

The event, which many believe to be the premier championship at the collegiate level, was held at Lake Lewisville, Texas. Over 140 teams from more than 70 schools were registered.

Kalem Tippett and Vincent Campisano of Murray State led day 1 with 21.66 pounds, then delivered 14.50 pounds on day 2 for a 2-day total of 36.16. The team worked an offshore ledge on day 1 for four of their five fish, and the same ledge produced a winning limit on day 2.

When asked about the win, Tippett noted: "This is a huge step toward my goal of establishing a career as a bass tournament pro. We want to thank our sponsors – Hinton Archery, Neace Lukens Insurance Co., Jet-A-Marina, Laboratory Supply Co. and Mr. C Refrigeration."

The full details of the team's winning pattern will be posted soon.

Coverage of the event, as well as coverage of the 2009 regional tournaments leading up to the championship, will be televised on Versus (Saturday mornings at 12:30 EST beginning in August).

Prior winning schools include North Carolina State (2006), Texas A&M University (2007) and University of Arkansas (2008).

Final Standings
1. Murray State -- 36.16

2. University of North Texas -- 35.36

3. Northwestern State University -- 33.02

4. Eastern Kentucky University -- 29.66

5. Louisiana Tech University -- 29.56

6. Virginia Tech -- 29.45

7. University of North Alabama -- 29.09

8. Louisiana Tech University #2 -- 28.46

9. Texas Tech -- 28.25

10. University of Kentucky -- 26.83

All-American: Wagner beats Wagner 6/1/2009

He pocketed $100,000 for the win, plus another $20,000 in contingency monies, as well as a berth in this summer's Forrest Wood Cup and an option to fish the 2010 FLW Tour.

"I'm ready to go to the Forrest Wood Cup," Wagner said. "This is giving me a shot to go on the FLW Tour. This has been my dream my whole life – to be a professional fisherman – since I was 6 years old.

"I've had a good year winning two BFLs prior to this year. My birthday was yesterday, so it's been a good week. I said in my mind that I was going to win everything that I fished this year. I came here to win. It was in my mind that I was going to win. When I got here, I didn't know how I was going to win, but that was the plan and it just worked out.

"I took the gamble each day and locked through to (Pool) 13," he added. "I got lucky and found two fish in Pool 14. I had about 40 minutes in 14 before I had to lock through and was able to catch two of my key fish this week there."

He said he targeted grass and wood with a Gary Yamamoto Senko. The full details of his winning pattern will be posted soon. The final Top 10 standings from the event appear below.

Final Standings
1. Adam Wagner -- Cookeville, TN -- 5, 15-09 -- 5, 9-10 -- 4, 11-05 -- 14, 36-08 -- $100,000 + $20,000

2. Steve Wagner -- New Kent, VA -- 4, 9-04 -- 5, 10-02 -- 4, 7-10 -- 13, 27-00 -- $25,000 +

3. Chris Baldwin -- Lexington, NC -- 3, 6-07 -- 5, 9-00 -- 3, 7-08 -- 11, 22-15 -- $14,000 + $9,000

4. Mike Devere -- Berea, KY -- 5, 8-14 -- 3, 7-00 -- 4, 7-00 -- 12, 22-14 -- $13,000 + $8,000

5. Russ Moran -- Manchester, TN -- 4, 10-02 -- 4, 7-07 -- 1, 1-10 -- 9, 19-03 -- $12,000 + $7,000

6. Jeff Holder -- Bossier City, LA -- 2, 6-08 -- 3, 8-06 -- 2, 4-01 -- 7, 18-15 -- $11,000 + $6,000

7. Edward Gettys -- Scottsboro, AL -- 5, 13-10 -- 1, 1-08 -- 1, 2-06 -- 7, 17-08 -- $10,000 + $5,000

8. Larry Neal -- Piney Flats, TN -- 4, 7-02 -- 3, 7-10 -- 1, 1-06 -- 8, 16-02 -- $9,000 +

9. Gary Edwards -- Milton, KY -- 5, 12-05 -- 2, 3-06 -- 0, 0-00 -- 7, 15-11 -- $8,000 +

10. David Lowery -- Milledgeville, GA -- 3, 5-14 -- 4, 9-04 -- 0, 0-00 -- 7, 15-02 -- $7,000 + $7,000