Welcome to BassFan's Dock Talk section, where you will see brief, newsworthy items that for one reason or another can't be made into full-blown news articles. Despite the name, and in keeping with BassFan's editorial policy, every effort will be made to avoid publishing outright rumors.
Merc vote: questions remain 8/31/2009 There's a lot of emotion, and some confusion, in Fond du Lac, Wisc. today.
After a petition was started by Mercury Marine employees last week, members of the IAM Local 1947 union began a revote process Saturday on contract changes proposed by Mercury Marine.
Voting continued yesterday and today, but Mercury officials said the contract offer, as previously stated, expired at midnight Saturday, and without a yes vote from the union by that deadline, the company is moving ahead with plans to relocate manufacturing to Stillwater, Okla.
Confusion starts with the hard deadline, because according to some reports, union officials believed the vote could continue under extension. Some have called the hard deadline a calculated move by Mercury.
At the same time, some have called the past-deadline vote a calculated move by the union to place blame on Mercury.
There's also some confusion about what union members believed was a bylaw that prevented second votes on identical contracts. Reports now indicate it's simply an unwritten rule.
Colleen Kottke of the Fond du Lac reporter today penned an overall look at the controversy. Click here to read it.
Mercury issued a written statement from president Mark Schwabero, who said: "We want to personally thank the business and community leaders of Fond du Lac and Stillwater, our local and state government officials and all of the committed employees of Mercury Marine who have supported us and given us their full effort during this difficult process. This has been a very difficult and stressful time for all involved but, as we said at the beginning of this process, it is our responsibility to make the best business decisions for the company to have a sustainable future. We will work closely with our teams in Fond du Lac and Stillwater to develop and communicate a smooth transition plan which we hope to implement with minimal disruption to our business and the communities."
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that some Mercury Marine employees want a revote on a proposed labor contract and are circulating a petition to that effect. The IAM Local 1947 union last weekend rejected the revised contract, which sought labor concessions. That prompted Mercury officials to announce the company would move manufacturing operations from Fond du Lac, Wisc. to Stillwater, Okla.
Although a substantial portion of the union apparently wants a revote, union officials are reportedly saying there won't be a revote unless Mercury further amends the contract. In fact, union bylaws may prohibit a second vote on an identical contract.
"'We are fighting right to the end,' said Fred Toth Jr., a 15-year Mercury employee and one of three union members who started the petition drive. 'We already have about one-fourth of this union saying they want a revote. Everybody thought if they voted this down, just like with previous contracts, they could come back and revote' on a better deal."
"'Everybody has their opinion, and they are entitled to it. But there is no plan for a second vote, or any vote, unless we have something new from the company,' said Michael King, spokesman for the union's Midwest territory office in Chicago."
"'If the union does vote again, and it's a yes vote, we are certainly okay with remaining in Fond du Lac and continuing to produce engines here. But a no vote, or the lack of a second vote, means it's time to start looking seriously at moving work to Stillwater. And we are equally okay with that," said Mercury spokesman Steve Fleming.
"'I don't think it's in anyone's best interest to put 850 people out of work and to take away job opportunities for another 500 or so people who have been laid off,' said Rick Schmidt, a Mercury Marine employee and one of the petition circulators. 'We have three guys trying to cover 10 or 12 plant gates, catching people coming in and out of work. We have had a few people who are strongly against what we are trying to do. I completely respect them, and they are definitely entitled to their opinion. But we just started getting petition signatures Wednesday afternoon, and the support has been very good.'"
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The industry this week mourned the passing of Garry Garland, who died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. No services are planned. He was preceded in death by his brother Bobby.
The Garland brothers are the fathers of the tube bait, which they named the Gitzit – a lure that revolutionized bass fishing. The tube remains one of the most popular, effective lures in the history of the sport, with applications that continue to expand.
Historical accounts differ, but the general narrative hails Bobby as the inventor of the Gitzit, with Garry as the business brains that led to the bait's success. Other narratives credit the brothers as co-inventors.
Garry's legacy lives on through Canyon Plastics – (home of the "Original Gitzit").
Check out this rig. Bass Cat resurrected the Jaguar name with a new limited-production model that spares nothing in its quest to deliver the best of everything.
The rig tapes 21'5" and is rated to 350 hp. It'll GPS in the high-60s to mid-70s and its front casting deck (at 6' wide) is large enough to land a helicopter.
The tackle-storage system is immense. The front deck includes two tackle storages, dual rod lockers, net scabbard, two additional storages, a helmet box for two helmets in the deck step and a 34-quart cooler with sandwich tray.
Seating is cockpit-style within a deep body that includes a cubby for the fire extinguisher and a throw pocket under the driver and passenger bucket-style seats. There's also a pivoting center seat for a third passenger.
There's an additional passenger rod-storage compartment (8'), plus a 6 1/2'-wide rear casting deck. Beneath the rear deck is a passenger storage compartment, spare prop and oil storage, and a very unique spare-trolling-motor compartment (which also serves for lifevest storage).
Anything that's an option on most other top-end bass wagons is standard on this baby, including a security system, lighted storage areas, dual rearview mirrors, Sony iPod USB Stereo, fully deployable telescoping hinges, boarding ladder, built-in LED recessed bow light, telescoping LED stern anchor light (no more plug-in light posts) and a four-bank charger.
Heck, the trailer even includes a grab post, tongue step and dual-axle brakes.
> For a slideshow of the rig, click here. Also click on the video below to see the rig up close and in action.
> To check out the buzz the boat has generated among Bass Cat owners, click here.
Mom, dad deliver 8/28/2009 Two new entries in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest were published today. Nathan Smith of North Carolina writes about an Ambassadeur USA 500 that he was able to purchase in 1991 only after begging for money from his mother in the store, and Rick MacDougall of Texas recalls a day more than half a century ago when he was so excited over catching fish that he accidentally threw his new rod and his new Ambassadeur 6000 overboard. His father had to hire a scuba diver to retrieve the combo, and from then on he fished with it attached to his wrist.
These are the final published entries for August, so make sure to get your submissions in for the September edition of the contest.
Does your Abu Garcia reel have some mileage? Then why not enter it in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest? Show us your "classic" or well-used Abu and you might win a new one. Click here to submit a picture of the reel, as well as a detailed story or two about its history.
It's not often that a newspaper in Alaska publishes a story about bass fishing, seeing as there are no bass in that state that's seemingly overflowing with salmon, trout and halibut. However, Mike Campbell of the Anchorage Daily News penned a pretty good one about native son Chad Griffin and his victory at the recent Oneida Bassmaster Elite Series.
The story drew quite a few comments from readers, including a humorous one about the possibility of Kevin Costner making a bass-fishing movie. To read the piece, click here.
The improved XXX 8/28/2009 The folks at Spiderwire have come up with a new formula for Super Mono XXX that boosts shock strength by 15% with no increase in stretch. Also, it comes in a new color, called brown recluse, that virtually disappears in stained water.
Mike Iaconelli confirmed via email today that he will not compete in the final Bassmaster Northern Open next month at Lake Erie. He's 2nd in the Northern points and the Top 2 gain berths in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, but he's already nailed down his Classic slot through the Elite Series points.
The Erie event will take place Sept. 24-26 out of Sandusky, Ohio. That's the week after the conclusion of the inaugural Elite Series postseason in Alabama, which Iaconelli will compete in as one of the Top 12 point-getters during the 2009 campaign.
His decision to sit out the Erie tournament boosts the Classic chances of his closest pursuers in the Northern points, particularly fellow Elite pros Kota Kiriyama (3rd) and J. Todd Tucker (4th). On the flip-side, it hinders the chances of Matt Reed, who tied for 37th in the Elite points and is in line for a Classic slot if there's a double-qualifier from the Opens.
Reed may have to hope that James Niggemeyer, the Central points leader and a Classic qualifier through the Elites, holds onto one of the Top 2 positions through the two remaining events (Sept. 3-4 at Sam Rayburn in Texas and Nov. 5-7 at the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana).
Ish Monroe announced that he's opened an online store at www.YoIshStore.com. The offerings right now include hats, T-shirts, signature series Cocoons sunglasses and tournament-worn jerseys, but he said a lot of the specialty tackle he uses will be available by the end of September.
"I have lots of people come up and ask where they can get some of the things that are in my tackle boxes, and they just haven't been available anywhere before," he said. "I'm hoping this will be a way to bring me closer to the fans and help people catch more fish."
Items that will soon be available include custom-painted Tru-Tungsten weights, Japanese-made crankbaits, the Paycheck Baits Punch Skirts that've become popular on his home water (the California Delta) and three colors of the Snag Proof Ish's Phat Frog that will be exclusive to the site for the first year.
"One color will be firestarter, which is black and red, and another will be slumpbuster, which is black and blue. I haven't decided on the third one yet, but it'll definitely be a green-colored frog."
He also said he's begun work on season 4 of the ESPN series Yo Ish and there's a chance it'll be expanded to a half-hour program for the following season.
Curt Lytle, a 12-year pro from Virginia, is retiring from professional fishing.
"I'm doing this for family reasons – not for sponsor or financial reasons," said Lytle, the father of daughters aged 5 and 3. "I want to be able to have dinner with my family every night, and that's just not something that a professional bass fisherman gets to do."
He qualified for the Bassmaster Classic and Forrest Wood Cup three times each and logged a 5th-place finish in the 2003 Classic. He won a Bassmaster Invitational at Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks in 2000, along with a pair of Strens at Beaver Lake in Arkansas. He made five Top 10s on the FLW Tour.
He ended up 116th in the Tour points race this year, with a top finish of 67th at Kentucky Lake.
The holder of a degree in mechanical engineering, he's worked part-time over the years for Chesapeake, Va.-based Donald L. Blount and Associates, an internationally recognized naval architecture, marine engineering and yacht design firm. When he first linked up with the firm it was working on the yacht Destriero, which averaged a still-unsurpassed speed of 53.1 knots on a voyage from New York to England without refueling in the early 1990s.
"I've always had a love of boats, and they've got me going at it pretty much full-time," he said.
Bass still rule 8/26/2009 AnglerSurvey, a monthly consumer monitoring service, recently released its report on the species most sought by anglers in 2008. The statistics below report the freshwater and saltwater species targeted most often by anglers between January and December.
Note the rankings report the species targeted more often, which is not the same as anglers’ preferred species or the species most commonly caught. For example, a Texas angler’s favorite fish may be freshwater trout, but that angler may not pursue trout based on the distance to the nearest trout fishery. He may instead target bass on most trips – which is reported in the numbers below – but catches more panfish over the course of the year based on those species' high numbers.
The survey statistics show largemouth bass continues to be the most targeted freshwater species across the U.S., followed by panfish, smallmouth bass and trout, respectively. Among saltwater anglers, spotted seatrout was the most sought fish, being targeted by Gulf and Atlantic anglers. Red drum, flounder and striped bass were next. Note that anglers often target more than one species per trip, with flounder and red drum frequently targeted in the same trip as spotted seatrout.
Freshwater statistics were based on more than 11,000 surveys completed last year, and saltwater numbers came from more than 4,500 surveys, also completed in 2008.
Freshwater
> Largemouth or spotted bass: 59.30%
> Panfish (crappie, perch, sunfish, bluegill/bream): 36.80%
> Smallmouth bass: 25.30%
> Trout: 20.10%
> Catfish: 17.40%
> Walleye: 14.30%
> Any freshwater fish that bites: 13.50%
> Perch: 9.40%
> Striped bass (freshwater) or hybrid bass: 8.70%
> Pickerel, pike or muskie: 8.30%
> Carp: 4.60%
> White bass and sunshine bass: 4.50%
> Steelhead: 3.20%
> Salmon: 3.10%
> Saugeye: 2.10%
> Other fish not on this list: 2.00%
Saltwater
> Spotted seatrout or weakfish: 29.50%
> Redfish, red drum, channel bass: 29.20%
> Flounder: 27.00%
> Striped bass: 24.50%
> Any saltwater fish that bites: 23.90%
> Bluefish: 21.70%
> Other fish not on this list: 18.90%
> Grouper, snapper, sea bass: 15.00%
> Mackerel: 11.40%
> Snook: 9.80%
> Shark: 8.10%
> Dolphin: 6.90%
> Tuna: 6.70%
> Rockfish (Pacific coast only): 5.70%
> Calico bass: 5.20%
> Tarpon: 5.10%
> Yellowtail: 5.00%
> Bonito: 3.90%
> Tautog (blackfish): 3.70%
> Billfish: 3.50%
> Salmon: 2.90%
> Bonefish: 1.20%
> Permit: 1.00%
One effect of next year's spring-loaded tour schedules might be a rise in fortune for the WON BASS U.S. Open.
Although the U.S. Open remains a prestigious event, it's not what it once was – like when it first rocked the bass-fishing world in 1981 with a $50,000 top prize. That's not a knock, it's just that the growth of the Bassmaster and FLW Tours, along with their purses, meant fewer and fewer big-name pros made the trip west at the end of August.
This year's U.S. Open field includes its share of studs, as well as up-and-coming Western pros.
Gary Klein won't fish the U.S. Open this year – it rubs too closely to the BASS post-season. Same for Skeet Reese, according to WON Bass.
However, this year's U.S. Open field does include Rick Clunn (a two-time winner), Dean Rojas, Aaron Martens (a two-time winner), Byron Velvick (a two-time winner) and Fred Roumbanis.
Three-time U.S. Open winner Mike Folkestad is fishing, as is Gary Dobyns, who continues to chase the title.
This year's U.S. Open is on Lake Mead, as it always is, and competition runs Aug. 31–Sept. 2. First place is $50,000 cash plus a fully rigged Nitro Z9 with a Mercury Pro XS 225.
On Aug. 30 (Sunday), Rick Clunn, Aaron Martens, Byron Velvick, Mike Folkestad and Rich Tauber will host a seminar at the Las Vegas Bass Pro Shops from 11:30 to 4:30 pm. Factory reps from tackle, boat and motor companies will also be on-hand.
Cup airs Aug. 30 8/26/2009 Coverage of the 2009 Forrest Wood Cup, which took place July 30-Aug. 2 at the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh, Pa. will air Sunday on Versus as part of the weekly FLW Outdoors program. The 1-hour show gets under way at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Louisiana's Greg Hackney, who qualified for the event through the 2008 Eastern FLW Series, captured the Cup with a 9-09 total over the final 2 days. He edged New Jersey's Mike Iaconelli, who gained his berth via the '08 Northern Strens, by 3 ounces.
Merc, union meet 8/26/2009 A meeting took place yesterday between Mercury Marine management and the IAM Local 1947 union at Mercury headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisc.
Union workers voted Sunday to reject a proposed contract from Mercury, which sought to alter the current 4-year contract under which the union is operating.
The meeting wasn't a negotiation, but was described by Mercury as the "conclusion to a meeting requested last week by union representatives."
In attendance were Mercury president Mark Schwabero, Mercury VP of Human Resources Ray Atchinson, IAM Local 1947 president Mark Zillges, and lead union negotiator Dan Longsine.
After the conclusion of the meeting, no changes to the proposed contract were made and the union didn't say if a second vote would be conducted. The union has until Aug. 29 to conduct a re-vote on the contract, if desired.
Schwabero said: "We'll continue to run the Fond du Lac manufacturing facility under the terms of the current contract, which is not competitive in this market environment, and will now develop a comprehensive plan to shift manufacturing jobs to Stillwater, (Okla.)."
Last weekend's Champlain Bassmaster Northern Open juggled the points standings quite a bit. BASS will invite the Top 2 to the Bassmaster Classic from each of the three Open divisions. In the Northerns, Frank Scalish (right) leads the points in his quest to reach the Classic and re-qualify for the Elite series.
Mike Iaconelli's 2nd in the Northern points, Kota Kiriyama's 3rd and J. Todd Tucker's 4th. All three are Elite Series pros, but only Ike is already qualified to fish the Classic. If Ike finishes in the Top 2 after the next and final event at Sandusky, Matt Reed (37th in the Elite Series points) would make the Classic.
Here's a look at the Top 5 in the points for the Centrals with two events left:
1. James Niggemeyer -- 305 (Elite pro, already has Classic berth)
2. Jerrel Pringle -- 295
3. Todd Castledine -- 290
4. Keith Caka -- 285
5. Arnie Lane -- 280
Lastly, here's a look at the Top 5 in the Southerns with one event left:
1. Terry Scroggins -- 515 (Elite pro, no Classic berth yet)
2. Greg Vinson -- 509 (Elite pro, no Classic berth yet)
3. Peter Thliveros -- 506 (Elite pro, no Classic berth yet)
4. James Charlesworth -- 503 (Fished Elite Series in 2007)
5. Mike White -- 487
Secret Lures has grown well beyond the Chubby frog, which launched the company. The company debuted its MVP jigs last year, and recently announced two new additions to the line.
The new MVP Finesse jig (top) comes in 3/16- and 5/16-ounce sizes and features a premium Mustad Sproat hook, flat-eyed design and recessed line tie. It also sports what the company calls the Pivot Divot to help rock the jig in place.
The new MVP Swim jig comes in two different configurations. The 1/4-ounce "North" version features a medium-gauge Mustad hook, while the 3/8-ounce "South" version features a heavy-gauge Mustad. Both heads offer 3D eyes, flared gills and a recessed line-tie. The skirts are easily trimmed as they contain inner and outer portions.
Brunswick Corp., parent company of Mercury, MotorGuide and Triton, announced a massive restructuring plan in spring 2008 that included plant closures, brand scuttling and layoffs. One issue that loomed in the background, however, was a labor contract soon to expire at Mercury Marine headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisc.
Mercury's contract with its union expired shortly thereafter, but the union quickly ratified a new 4-year that included several concessions.
The average union wage at the Fond du Lac plant is about $20 per hour. As the worldwide boat market continues to struggle, Mercury management recently requested changes to that contract, and presented the union with a new round of wage and benefit cuts that included a freeze on pay raises for the final 2 years of the contract, lower pay for new workers or those called back, and changes to pensions.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1947 (IAM) voted yesterday and rejected the contract. Soon afterward, Mercury management announced it would move many of its manufacturing operations to its MerCruiser I/O plant in Stillwater, Okla. – a non-union shop.
Projections of the economic impact of such a move vary. Mercury has been based in Fond du Lac since its founding 70 years ago, and such a move would immediately affect 800 jobs at the plant. If Mercury decides to move its worldwide headquarters, Fond du Lac could lose an additional 1,000 jobs. Furthermore, economic impact across the state to suppliers, shipping companies and local enterprises would be massive, with estimates predicting the loss of 6,000 additional jobs or more.
Several documents that outline Mercury management's offers to the union have been published on the Mercury site (click here for the list).
After the union voted to reject the contract, Mercury president Mark Schwabero said in a press release: "We appreciate the patient support of our employees and communities as we've gone through this process. This has been a very difficult and stressful process for all involved. We will work closely with our team in Fond du Lac to develop and communicate a transition plan for this 24-36 month process (of relocation)."
IAM Local 1947 does not offer documentation of its position on its site. Local 1947 president Mark Zillges told the Fund du Lac Reporter last week: "I would call this whole (negotiating) process disappointing. They gave us (proposals) that would not work at all. They handed us some (proposals) they knew people wouldn't accept. I don't know a guy anywhere in there that would take this garbage."
Two-Way Power Tubes 8/21/2009 A Berkley Power Tube was part of Vic Vatalaro's arsenal at last week's Dardanelle Eastern FLW Series – and event he won by nearly 6 1/2 pounds. The Ohio pro says the bait does an excellent job of imitating either a crawfish or a baitfish, giving finicky bass one look when it's on its way down and another when it reaches the bottom.
For more details on his tube tactics, click here to read the latest feature on the Catch More Fish page.
The newest BassFan Product Review covers Berkley's new Trilene TransOptic line. If you fish from the backseat, this is a line you should try. To find out why, click here.
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Recent Forrest Wood Cup champion and former FLW Tour Angler of the Year Greg Hackney has already gotten busy with his sponsor portfolio. He told BassFan that he signed two new sponsors this week, although full details on one won't emerge until later this year.
His first new sponsor is Fishouflage – a company that's been in the news more and more lately. Fishouflage signed the Lindners to a deal, which was announced previously, and has stepped up sponsorship of tournament organizations including the PAA and Masters Walleye Circuit.
Hackney will now be a part of the Fishouflage team, which also includes Chad Morgenthaler. "I started working on (the Fishouflage) deal before ICAST, then we me there and they'll be part of my boat and truck wrap, and will be on my jersey, next year," Hackney said.
"It's a really cool concept," Hackney added, in reference to the brand's fishing-oriented camouflage and lifestyle statement. "The pattern I'll use will be largemouth bass. I can also hunt in it, but what it does is label me as a fisherman. And it's almost like 3D camo. When you're far away it just looks like regular camo. But when you come up to within 10 feet, it seems like it turns 3D and the fish really come out of the pattern. It's almost like they're moving. When we first started talking I was a little skeptical, but you can't appreciate it until you actually see someone in it."
His other deal is also with an apparel company, although it didn't come together until after he'd won the Cup. The company's called Bass Mafia, and that's about all the details that are available right now.
"They have the coolest clothes for bass fishing," Hackney said. "I'll just have to wait and let everybody see it, but I think everybody who bass fishes will have to have it. I don't want to say too much about it right now. A little bit of it will be out this fall, but it's going to come on big at the (Bassmaster) Classic. That's the first time everybody will see how it really works and how it fits into what we do – especially tournament fishing.
"The could have picked anyone, and I'm just glad they picked me to be their No. 1 guy. I'm really pumped about that. Bass Mafia will be part of my boat, truck and jersey next year."
Outdoors columnist Ray Sasser penned a piece yesterday on Oneida Elite Series champion Chad Griffin, with some notable details about how Griffin came to bass fishing after being raised in Alaska. To read the column, click here.
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FLW Tour pro Ricky Shumpert passed away this week after an extended battle with personal issues. Funeral services will be held today (Friday) at 1:00 p.m. at the Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Lexington, South Carolina.
The cause of Shumpert's death has not been released.
Mr. Shumpert is survived by his parents; wife, Susan W. Shumpert of Lexington; son, Rick Shumpert of Lexington; maternal grandmother, Annie S. Gunter of West Columbia; sister, Renee West (Tom) of Gaston; brother, Randy (Jan) Shumpert of Neeses; eight nephews and one niece.
An online memorial to Shumpert has been started by the funeral home. It can be found here (click "Visit a Memorial" on the left side of the page).
Think Pittsburgh was tough? 8/19/2009 The recent Forrest Wood Cup at Pittsburgh generated quite a few opinions across the sport. Some liked to see the pros challenged by a tough bite. Others thought it was ridiculous to have a championship at a place where 5 pounds is a solid bag.
But Dardanelle in Arkansas recently gave Pittsburgh a run for the tough-bite title. On day 1 of last weekend's Dardanelle Eastern FLW Series, 30 pros blanked.
On day 4, when only the Top 10 fished, four pros blanked, two others caught less than 2 pounds, and the top bag was 8 1/2 pounds.
There were mitigating circumstances – August is the worst month at Dardanelle, largely because the bass school up and it's a needle-in-the-haystack deal. But remember, too, that rains and muddy water largely killed the bite at Pittsburgh.
We know where we'd rather fish in August. At least when you fish Pittsburgh and go hours without a bite, it's not 90-plus degrees outside with a equatorial-strength sun beating you to a pulp.
Vic Vatalaro won the Series event. Details of his winning pattern will be posted soon.
Garmin and Raymarine 8/19/2009 More trouble in the beleagured boat industry arose recently when Portsmouth, U.K.-based Raymarine ran into financial trouble. The company's main focus is electronics for leisure boats.
Currently, U.S.-based Garmin is in takeover talks with Raymarine, although nothing concrete has developed.
Garmin, of course, manufactures fishing electronics and GPS charters/plotters. Garmin remains a significant player in the recreational fishing market, although it scaled back its fishing initiatives several years ago focus on a wider net of consumers – most notably, vehicular and handheld GPS customers.
Dan Johnson (pictured) has been named PR manager of Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle. An industry veteran on the writing side, Johnson was most recently editor of the In-Fisherman Walleye Insider. Previously, he was senior editor of North American Fisherman and editor-in-chief of Outdoor News Inc.'s Minnesota and Wisconsin editions.
Johnson will work from Minnesota and share Lindy PR duties with John Thelen. PR responsibilities for all other PRACDO Fishing brands (including Yum, Smithwick, Bomber and Rebel) still reside with Lawrence Taylor.
"I'm obviously really excited about the opportunity," Johnson told BassFan. "I've been fishing with Lindy Little Joe tackle since I was 5 years old. To have a chance to be a part of this team, and a company with such a legacy that's so near and dear to my heart – I'm elated."
Nature Vision sold 8/18/2009 Brainerd, Minn.-based Nature Vision was sold to Texas-based Swordfish Financial Inc. this week.
Nature Vision, founded by Jeff Zernov, is the parent company of Aqua-Vu underwater cameras, MarCum electronics and Castaic baits, as well as the Fish Hawk, Fish TV and Cass Creek brands, among others.
'50s finned boats 8/18/2009 The New York Times recently ran a cool piece about finned boats of the '50s that were built to match the vehicles that towed them. One of the highlights is the photo of the Glastron Seaflite that looks like a '57 Chevy. Also interesting is what's considered to be the Holy Grail of fin-boat collecting – the Cadillac Sea Lark – of which only three were built.
To read the piece and check out the slide show, click here.
And as reference, here's the points standings prior to Championship Week. Remember that the points were simplified by moving one decimal place to the left and rounding. Note too that Skeet Reese actually finished the regular season with the most points, but VanDam moved ahead in the Championship Week standings after bonus points were awarded for wins this season.
1. Kevin VanDam: 205
2. Skeet Reese: 204
3. Alton Jones: 198
4. Kelly Jordon: 182
5. Todd Faircloth: 180
6. Randy Howell: 180
7. Tommy Biffle: 180
8. Mark Menendez: 180
9. Gary Klein: 179
10. Cliff Pace: 177
11. Mike Iaconelli: 175
12. Gerald Swindle: 174
Ranger, Lowrance extend deal 8/17/2009 Ranger Boats recently announced the continuation of a long-standing partnership with Lowrance Electronics/NAVICO. The news follows the recent introduction of Ranger’s 2010 models – confirming Lowrance Electronics as standard equipment on many of the company’s 40-plus models, including a number of designs with factory-installed, full-color HDS units.
“Lowrance has a strong name and great brand awareness in the marine electronics category,” said Ranger president Randy Hopper. “We continually strive to provide our customers with the ultimate fishing experience and the advantages Lowrance offers – whether it’s the new high-definition sonar, broadband radar or GPS – allow us to do just that.”
Said Lowrance director of OEM sales Sean Hatherley: “We’re extremely excited to continue our partnership with Ranger Boats. Their commitment to quality and product innovation is a passion we share at Lowrance and we look forward to providing anglers with the tools necessary to maximize their time on the water.”
Ranger’s new 2010 model lineup includes introductions designed around the ability to flush-mount popular large-screen electronics like the HDS-8 and HDS-10 from Lowrance. The Z521 Comanche features a totally redesigned console with room to center-mount an HDS-8, while the new 621VS Fisherman – also sporting a new console – provides room to flush mount the HDS-10.
Classic ins and outs 8/17/2009 With the end of the Bassmaster Classic regular season, Classic berths have been awarded to the Top 37 Elite Series pros. The Top 36 each year are guaranteed a spot, but since defending champ Skeet Reese double-qualified, BASS went down to 37th in the points.
It gets a little sticky there, because there's a three-way tie for 37th. The tiebreaker is total weight caught during full-field days, and Jami Fralick won out over Matt Reed and Mark Tucker.
Tucker and Reed might still make the Classic, because pros often double-qualify via the Bassmaster Opens, which means BASS could move further down the Elite Series points.
So who moved into the Classic by virtue of their Oneida finish? Here's a look at who moved in, as well as who fell out.
Moved In
> Jason Quinn (55th to 35th, 5th at Oneida)
> Dean Rojas (44th to 19th, 3rd at Oneida)
> Billy McCaghren (38th to 27th, 25th at Oneida)
> Denny Brauer (40th to 32nd, 41st at Oneida)
> Terry Butcher (50th to 35th, 10th at Oneida)
Fell Out
> Matt Reed (37th to 37th-place tie, 70th at Oneida)
> Mark Tucker (29th to 37th, 84th at Oneida)
> Fred Roumbanis (30th to 41st, 86th at Oneida)
> Bradley Hallman (33rd to 44th, 97th at Oneida)
> Davy Hite (36th to 47th, 88th at Oneida)
Some other notable pros who failed to qualify for the next Classic include Tim Horton, Edwin Evers, Terry Scroggins, Rick Clunn and Mark Davis, although Evers is 6th in the Central Opens with two events left and Scroggins leads the Southern Opens with one left.
Postseason field set 8/16/2009 The 12-angler field for the inaugural two-event Bassmaster Elite Series postseason that will determine the 2009 Angler of the Year (AOY) was set today following the conclusion of the final regular-season event at New York's Oneida Lake.
BASS took the anglers' regular-season point totals and moved the decimal point one place to the left (i.e. 1,983 points becomes 198). Also, Kevin VanDam, Mark Menendez and Tommy Biffle each received two bonus points for their regular-season victories.
Here's a look at the field and the number of points they'll begin the postseason with:
1. Kevin VanDam: 205
2. Skeet Reese: 204
3. Alton Jones: 198
4. Kelly Jordon: 182
5. Todd Faircloth: 180
6. Randy Howell: 180
7. Tommy Biffle: 180
8. Mark Menendez: 180
9. Gary Klein: 179
10. Cliff Pace: 177
11. Mike Iaconelli: 175
12. Gerald Swindle: 174
“Everybody’s talking about Skeet and I making it so close because the last couple of years we fought it out to the end," said VanDam, the reigning and four-time AOY. "But the other 10 guys in this are just as able to win it as we are, and that’s the thing about it that’s so much different. This right here is going to be a shootout.
"These guys are the best anglers in the world. You look at the field and they’re all guys with a lot of wins, a lot of Classics, a lot of AOY titles. It’s going to be awesome.”
The inaugural Toyota Trucks Championship Week kicks off with the Trophy Chase, set for Sept. 12-13 on Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka, Ala. The finale, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, is slated for Sept. 17-18 on the Alabama River out of Montgomery.
Biffle, who finished 8th at Oneida, and Swindle (9th) both moved into the Top 12 in the points at the final event. They bumped out Aaron Martens (93rd) and Kevin Short (81st).
The AOY will receive $200,000 out of the $785,000 postseason purse.
Ohio's Vic Vatalaro weighed just one fish Saturday, but it didn't matter: he could've zeroed on the final day and still easily won the Dardanelle Eastern FLW Series in Arkansas. His 4-day total of 39-04 gave him his sixth FLW Outdoors triumph, but first outside his home region (the Upper Midwest).
His winning margin over runner-up Nate Wellman of Michigan was 6-06.
“It was a lot of work,” he said. “I had to look around a lot. This was my first time ever being here and I ended up looking for current breaks and ended up finding the fish.”
His primary baits were a Texas-rigged Berkley Power Worm with a 1/8-ounce weight and a 3–inch Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw on the back of a 1/2-ounce War Eagle jig. Full details of his winning pattern will be posted soon.
Calif. water wars 8/14/2009 Californian Dan O'Sullivan penned a story published by Bassmaster.com this week about the water issues in his home state that are threatening one of the West's top fisheries – the California Delta. To read it, click here.
The latest published entries in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest focus on a couple of Ambassadeur 5500Cs that've been serving their owners faithfully for well over three decades. One was run over by a truck when it was still new, but was back in action shortly thereafter and is still going strong today. The other has reeled in hundreds of fish over the years, including a largemouth that weighed 12-04.
Does your Abu Garcia reel have some mileage? Then why not enter it in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest? Show us your "classic" or well-used Abu and you might win a new one. Click here to submit a picture of the reel, as well as a detailed story or two about its history.
Storm Opinion: FLW schedule 8/13/2009 BassFan editor-in-chief Jon Storm's back with part 2 of his scheduling analysis. This time, he takes a look at FLW. His beef? Cross-scheduling. To read his opinion column, click here.
Last weekend at the St. Clair River Michigan BFL, Joe Balog caught 21 pounds of smallmouths while a brutal front passed through. It was a tough bite, but he worked a super-refined pattern he's worked on all summer long. To read about the pattern, and how you can catch bigger smallmouths on Lake St. Clair, head on over to the Catch More Fish page.
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Wacky-jigheading is probably the most popular finesse technique in Japan, but it's just now starting to reach critical mass in the U.S. The clear bait leader in the category is Jackall Lures, with its Flick Shake worm and Wacky jighead. For the scoop on this deadly combo, check out the newest BassFan Product Review.
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Morgenthaler lands Carrots 8/12/2009 FLW Tour pro Chad Morgenthaler inked a deal to endorse Element 21 Carrot Stix rods.
In announcing the news, Element 21 Sports president and CEO Dr. Hearn said: "Element 21's innovations in fishing rods are attracting top anglers. We're proud to have Chad Morgenthaler be the spokesman and endorser of our Carrot Stix."
The Berkley Bass Tank will be at the Bassmaster Elite Series event in Syracuse, N.Y. this weekend. The tank is scheduled to stop Aug. 15-16 and will feature seminars and appearances by Berkley pro anglers.
Berkley sends two 4,000-gallon bass tanks all over the country to help out the everyday angler. Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning about new Berkley products and 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.”
The tank's next stop will be Oct. 9-11 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Reehm Tweets from Oneida 8/11/2009 Among Bassmaster Elite Series anglers, 3rd-year Arkansas pro Clark Reehm may be the most active when it comes to social networking. He's posted quite a few tidbits from the water about his practice for the Oneida event this week on his Twitter page.
Rheem said he asked BASS tournament director Trip Weldon if he could Tweet during the tournament itself, but was told that wouldn't be permissible because it violates the rule against cell-phone usage during an event.
FLW sues Evinrude 8/11/2009 FLW Outdoors issued a press release today to announce it has filed suit in a Minnesota state court against Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), parent company of Evinrude outboards.
According to the release, FLW Outdoors alleges that Evinrude failed "to pay its agreed upon sponsorship fees for the entire 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season," and FLW Outdoors has paid nearly $100,000 of Evinrude contingency bonuses to competitors without recompense. The release also noted: "In nearly 15 years of business and tournament operations, FLW Outdoors has never had to sue a single sponsor for failure to pay their sponsorship fees."
FLW Outdoors chairman Irwin Jacobs stated in the release: "FLW Outdoors has had a long-term sponsorship and working relationship with Evinrude as a premier sponsor of FLW Outdoors and its tournaments. In 2009, FLW Outdoors received confirmation from Evinrude officials both in writing and verbally that Evinrude had agreed to the continuance of their sponsorship with FLW Outdoors at about the same level of sponsorship fees for 2009 as they had in 2008.
"FLW Outdoors has fully supported Evinrude's sponsorship throughout the 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season," Jacobs added. "Evinrude has enjoyed all of the same contractual marketing commitments that FLW Outdoors supported Evinrude with in 2008, including, but not limited to, substantial onsite space for displaying and marketing their products at all tournament locations; Evinrude engines installed on half of all FLW Outdoors/Ranger stage and tournament boats throughout all tournaments; signage throughout all FLW Outdoors tournament locations; television commercials on all FLW Outdoors television programming worldwide; magazine advertising; Internet marketing and advertising; and heavily-promoted Evinrude on all marketing materials and advertising as part of FLW Fantasy Fishing, an international game worth $10 million in cash and prizes. Yet Evinrude has refused to pay FLW Outdoors any of the amounts it promised as consideration for those benefits."
About the payment of contingency bonuses, Jacobs stated: "Not only are we terribly disappointed in the fact that Evinrude hasn't paid any of their agreed-upon sponsorship fees for 2009, but they also haven't paid any of the committed contingency dollars on behalf of their Evinrude pro staff anglers through the 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season. FLW Outdoors has advanced on Evinrude's behalf almost $100,000 to those Evinrude Pro Staff anglers who had cash commitments from Evinrude based upon their performance this season. To date, Evinrude hasn't reimbursed FLW Outdoors a single dollar for the money that FLW Outdoors advanced on its behalf to the Evinrude Pro Staff anglers."
Although the release referenced the $100,000 total figure for contingency prizes, no money totals were given for the sponsorship package.
The news shocked a fishing industry that's struggling to survive the turbulent economic climate. The boat and motor market has been particularly hard hit and Jacobs, in June of this year, elected to take his boat-manufacturing company, Genmar Holdings Inc., into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Although FLW Outdoors and Genmar are by law separate companies, Jacobs serves as head of both, and BRP/Evinrude is listed as a creditor in the Genmar bankruptcy owed an outstanding $470,637. It's not known whether that bankruptcy filing might be related to Evinrude's alleged failure to pay FLW Outdoors. However, FLW Outdoors alleges that Evinrude failed to pay for the current tournament season, which began in January of this year, whereas the bankruptcy filing did not occur until 2 months ago.
BRP/Evinrude media relations official Julie Johnson told BassFan the company cannot offer comment at this time due to the pending legal matter.
Fishou-what? 8/10/2009 This is pretty cool – a new camo pattern just for fishermen called Fishouflage, and it's endorsed by Al Lindner. As Lindner states in the video below, the purpose isn't camouflage, it's a lifestyle statement. Hunters have their identifying camo – why not anglers too?
Rankings: Ehrler passes Reese 8/6/2009 The BassFan World Rankings have been updated to reflect the Forrest Wood Cup, and Brent Ehrler surpasses Skeet Reese to claim the No. 2 spot. For a little insight as to why, click here to view the Rankings.
Abu Garcia has chosen its July winner of the Abu Garcia FOR LIFE! contest. The honor goes to Randy Seabaugh of Cape Girardeau, Mo., who gave us all a few flashbacks with his memories of the Ambassadeur 2500C he bought in 1975.
He'll soon receive his prize – a brand new Abu Garcia Revo SX casting reel.
In hearing the news he'd won, Seabaugh said he immediately thought of his heirloom reel when he read about the contest. "It really did ring a bell. I've got the reel up in a bookcase, and entering brought back a lot of memories of my grandpa and what I sacrificed to get the reel. I just really wanted to share the story.
"One other thing I remember is that my grandpa had red 5000s," Seabaugh added. "The salesman figured a 2500C would fit my hands better, and I remember being disappointed it wasn't red too. It's funny how something so simple, a reel, can bring back years of memories of your grandparents and fishing trips and everything else. One thing my grandpa said was to keep it clean and it'll last forever. It's proven. Mine outlasted his."
To read Seabaugh's winning entry, as well as two new contest entries for August from Nick Hamra and Howard Stephens, head on over to the Abu Garcia FOR LIFE! contest page.
Does your Abu Garcia reel have some mileage? Then why not enter it in the Abu Garcia For Life! contest? Show us your "classic" or well-used Abu and you might win a new one. Click here to submit a picture of the reel, as well as a detailed story or two about its history.
Cool Slate article 8/6/2009 Thanks to BassFan James Cox who clued us into a good piece on bass fishing in Slate magazine. It's written by Sam Eifling, who writes a lot for ESPN Outdoors and the JM Associates group (now Career Sports Entertainment). Good job Sam.
Schedule: Storm sounds off 8/5/2009 Disappointed in the 2010 tour schedules? BassFan editor-in-chief Jon Storm sure is. He writes about it in a new BassFan opinion. To read it, click here.
PAA moves Corporate Cup 8/4/2009 The PAA announced today it moved the date of its Corporate Cup from next month to June 3–5, 2010. Pickwick Lake in Alabama will remain the venue.
A press release stated: "In light of new opportunities and the recent growth of the PAA, the PAA has decided to reschedule the 2009 Corporate Cup for June 3-5, 2010. The event will continue to be hosted by Florence/Lauderdale Tourism on Pickwick Lake in Florence, AL. This additional time will allow new partnerships to develop and contribute to the overall strength of the event."
Another reason for the delay is certainly the Bassmaster Elite Series post-season, which the league announced earlier this year. Day 1 of competition falls the day after the Corporate Cup. The PAA press release noted this tight scheduling.
"As a result of the new dates, anglers now receive additional practice time prior to the off-limits of the 2009 Toyota Texas Bass Classic. The change also allows the PAA to support the membership competing in the BASS Post-Season Championship and the FLW Series events in September."
The Corporate Cup pairs PAA pros with corporate folks in the effort to draw more potential sponsor eyes to the sport.
One of the coolest moments of the Cup final comes on day 4 when the Forrest Wood Cup itself is finally brought to the stage after the angler introductions. It must be agonizing for pros like Scott Suggs, who this year sat close enough to almost touch it, but probably knew in his heart it might as well be 1,000 miles away.
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For all the Eric Church fans who couldn't attend the Cup final, here's a look at the man himself. We don't have the playlist from his show, but it was a killer performance - especially if you like songs about fishing, beer and trucks.
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It was a little surprising that Steffi Leadbetter didn't sing the National Anthem at this year's Cup. She first sang in 2005, when she was 9 years old, and sang the Anthem for the next three Cups. But FLW Outdoors certainly found worthy successors in the Gaddis Sisters.
Prior to the start of this year's weigh-in, the two Gaddis Sisters sang an emotional song they composed to pay tribute to active-duty servicemen and women – their father is currently serving in Iraq. After the color presentation, the two came back out to sing the Star Spangled Banner in duet to officially open the ceremonies. It was great.
One of the loudest cheers at the final-day Cup weigh-in came when FLW Outdoors host Jason Harper first appeared onstage wearing an Evgeni Malkin Penguins jersey. The Pens won the Stanley Cup less than 2 months ago, although the team clinched the Cup in game 7 at Detroit (not the Mellon center, or "Igloo," where the Cup festivities were held in Pittsburgh).
Another giant "Jersey" roar came for Mike Iaconelli, who of course hails from the Garden State.
But Dave Lefebre probably got the biggest overall cheer at the Cup introductions. He was the only Pennsylvania angler in the field, and he worked up the crowd with his hands as he emerged from behind the curtain of lasers and smoke.
California pro Cody Meyer finished 3rd at the Forrest Wood Cup and threw a bait that some BassFans may not have heard of – the Jackall Cross Tail Shad. However, students of the sport certainly know the name.
The Cross Tail first rose to prominence back in 1999 – about the time dropshotting began to take off in the western U.S. Several dropshot baits of U.S. design were available in and around the time, such as Don Iovino and Angler's Choice worms, plus reapers and small Lunker City Fin-S-Fish. But the Cross Tail shad was arguably the first bait to hit U.S. shores that was designed solely for dropshotting (not doodling, dart-heading or splitshotting) with key characteristics like a rounded nose, flat bottom and raised tail.
Back then, it was sold under the Lake Police brand name and was hard to find. Nowadays, it carries the Jackall name and can be found easily. The BassFan Store carries them (click here to check out the order page).
On day 3 of the Forrest Wood Cup, Terry Moberly – an autoworker from Berea, Ky. – was crowned as the overall $1 million 2009 FLW Fantasy Fishing winner.
FLW Outdoors flew in the Top 5 in the overall standings, but kept the final standings a secret. Prior to the Cup weigh-in, the five finalists walked to each of the prizes, where the final standings were revealed one-by-one. For example, three finalists were left when the Ranger Reata was awarded. Guido Hibdon handed all three a bait bucket, but only one had a key-ring to mark the boat winner.
That left two finalists – Moberly and fellow Kentuckian Jeff Short – who both held placards. On a three count, the two removed the covers of their placards, which showed Moberly to be the winner. He edged Short by just 41 points in the season-ending points.
Short received a Ranger Z20 Comanche.
"If my sons hadn't urged me to enter that first tournament, I wouldn't be here today," Moberly said. "Like many things in life, you have to enter to win. And thank goodness I entered FLW Fantasy Fishing.
"This is absolutely unbelievable," he added. "After my $100,000 win, I knew I had a good head start. So, with Player's Advantage and the help of my sons, we focused and tried consistently to score as many points as possible every tournament."
Married for 24 years to his wife Debbie, Moberly says that fishing, along with other outdoors activities such as camping and hunting run deep in his family. Born and raised in Richmond, Ky., Moberly frequently fishes nearby lakes and reservoirs, including Cumberland Lake. And while he's fished a few tournaments himself, he and his wife especially enjoy watching their sons compete in fishing tournaments. Tyler competes on a bass-fishing team representing Eastern Kentucky University in FLW College Fishing, and Brandon has competed in Mountain BFLS.
What will Moberly do with his prize winnings?
"With the economy the way it is, this win couldn't have come at a better time," he said. "We'll be able to comfortably get my son Tyler through college, and I'm going to treat myself to a new Z20 Comanche Ranger boat. Beyond that, we're going to save the rest."
Chris Chappell (Oologah, Okla.) finished 3rd and won the Reata.
Danny Richardson (Knoxville, Tenn.) finished 4th and won a 2009 Chevy Malibu.
Fifth-place finisher Andre Daniel (Oak Creek, Wis.) claimed a $25,000 Walmart gift card. FLW Outdoors host Jason Harper joked as he handed Daniel the card: "I'd normally tell you not to spend it all in one place, but it looks like you have to."
An interesting side note: According the FLW Outdoors, the five most popular fantasy picks across the 2009 season were, in order: David Dudley, Clark Wendlandt, Michael Bennett, David Fritts and Andy Morgan.
At the TBF Junior Word Championship, held in conjunction with the Forrest Wood Cup, Zack Messer (Aiken, S.C.) won the 15-to-18 age bracket, while Daryk Eckert (Stockport, Ohio) topped the 11-to-14 bracket.
Messer started tournament-fishing 3 years ago when a friend brought him to a tournament in Idaho. He placed 2nd there and was hooked. "Fishing with pro Chip Harrison on day 1 and Team National Guard pro Tim Klinger today was an honor and a thrill," Messer said.
Eckert and Messer fished from the same boat. "Working together paid off for us," Eckert noted.
First-place finishers in each age bracket received a $5,000 scholarship in addition to a $200 Walmart gift card. Second-place finishers received $3,000 scholarships plus a $150 Evinrude certificate. Third-place finishers received $2,500 scholarships plus a $100 Cabela's gift card. Fourth-place finishers received $2,000 scholarships. Fifth-place finishers received $1,500 scholarships and 6th-place finishers received $1,000 scholarships.
Additionally, FLW Outdoors, on behalf of Berkley, awarded $1,000 in Berkley product to each of the state TBF chapters represented by the six finalists in each age bracket. This money, which totaled $12,000, will benefit each chapter's youth program.
What about Walmart? 8/1/2009 It seems a foregone conclusion in the industry that Walmart will significantly scale back its sponsorship of the FLW Tour and related trails after this year. There's no solid word, but it's a big-time buzz at the Forrest Wood Cup.
And it's worth noting that over the first 2 days of competition, BassFan didn't hear Walmart mentioned once onstage. Granted, that may change when the TV cameras start rolling tonight for the day-3 weigh-in, and the Cup is officially presented by BP and Castrol, but "Always Low Prices, Always," has long been a cornerstone of the Cup weigh-ins.
The most-repeated rumor BassFan's hearing is that although Walmart might no longer title-sponsor the Tour and other trails next year, it'll remain heavily engaged with the FLW Outdoors Fantasy Fishing game.
Several background happenings have fueled the talk. Specifically:
> There's no Beaver Lake Tour stop next year (and as yet, no announcement of a Walmart Open).
> Walmart has drastically reduced its fishing-tackle retail space and inventory in stores.
> Walmart president and CEO Lee Scott retired earlier this year. Scott forged the partnership with Irwin Jacobs and FLW Outdoors in 1996 that marked Walmart's first national sponsorship and began the explosive growth in pro fishing over the following 10-plus-years.
Orra: performance and value 8/1/2009 Abu Garcia has introduced its new Orra SX baitcasting reel. It has a lot of the same features as the wildly popular Revo, but can be had for a much lower price. Click on over to the Catch More Fish page to learn more about it.
Wood's words 8/1/2009 Prior to the day-2 weigh-in at the Forrest Wood Cup, Forrest and Nina Wood were formally enshrined within the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Wood was inducted into the Hall many years ago, but enshrinement is the highest honor bestowed by the hall. And this was Nina's first entry in the Hall.
The Woods join the company of fellow enshrinees such as Ted Williams, Curt Gowdy, Joan and Lee Wulff, Al and Ron Lindner, Earnest Hemingway, Carl Lowrance and Izaak Walton.
In remarks after the award presentation, Wood first offered tribute to his wife Nina: "We're all among tournament fishermen here, and we all know how important the draw can be. In the draw of life, I drew the best one there could be. It's been a great life. Fifty-eight years ago, I guess, (was) when we got married. What a thrill it's been through those years."
He added: "We don't ever want to take lightly the opportunities we have in this country. This country is the place where you have the opportunity to fulfill a dream. We have a plaque outside a little park in Flippin (Ark.) that says: 'Without a dream there's no need to work, and without work there's no need to dream.'"
Hats off to Forrest and Nina from everyone at BassFan for everything they've done for the sport of fishing, and how many hundreds of thousands of lives they've touched, and bettered, over their lifetimes. Thank you.
Several 3-pound-plus smallmouths came to the scales on day 2 of the Forrest Wood Cup in Pittsburgh, but Anthony Gagliardi (who finished 69th of 77) provided a little comedy relief when he asked host Charlie Evans to hold up a fish. Gags reached in the bag, pretended to struggle for a moment, then pulled out these toads for the cameras. The two fish weighed a combined 1-10.
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