Category Archives: Announcements

Announcements, Product Reviews, Sponsors

Optimum Baits to Launch new 4″ Baby Line Thru Swimbait at 2011 ICAST

Optimum Baits has some new stuff to showcase at this year’s ICAST show which is next week.  One thing that is pretty exciting is the new 4″ Baby Line Thru Swimbait, this completes the full lineup of this popular style swimbait that already has 3″, 5″, 6″ & 7″ sizes. Optimum is also adding new colors, like a new Crappie colored swimbait and many more.  Also, watch for a new swimbait style from Optimum that will be announced at the show as well, can’t tell you anymore at this point….


2 different colors of the new 4 inch BLT


Comparing 5 inch BLT (bottom) to 4 inch BLT (top)

This new 4″ bait should be popular for northern anglers trying to build confidence in swimbaits.  I got a few of the early production baits to try out, with my busy schedule I only had a short window to test these from shore for about 15 minutes on a local lake.  I caught two nice bass, shown below and you can see that 3lb fish choked it!  Looks like a real winner and can be a great switch up bait for lakes that get a ton of spinnerbait pressure!


Get these 4″ BLT’s now at www.BassTackleDepot.com

 Optimum Baits - Leaders in SwimBaits!


Announcements, General, Sponsors

Still time to save on bass fishing gear you need

Hey all, got a late tax refund burning a hole in your pocket or at least didn’t owe as much as last year?

BassTackleDepot.com is having a sweet little sale thru April 25th, Save 15% off almost everything in their awesome store!
http://www.basstackledepot.com/btd/sstockup.jpg
Sale runs thru 4-25
Online Orders Only
Discounts will display in your cart
Some
Restrictions May Apply, example: Jackall, Koppers, Reaction
Innovations, Shimano, TroKar, Gift Cards, & Wright & McGill

In Stock At BassTackleDepot!!


Picasso Tungsten Flippin


Xcite Raptor Tail Jr.


Luck E Strike Rick Clunn


Bomber Balsa Model B


Sebile Spin Shad


MattLures Ultimate U2


Gambler EZ Swimmer


Eakins Jigs


Jackall G90
Announcements, Conservation, General

Minnesotans for an Early Bass Fishing Season

The great majority of Bass anglers in Minnesota would do just about anything to get an earlier bass season in some form, whether it be experimental regulation lakes, catch & release season or just an earlier start date.  Well time to organize and unite, check out this Facebook Group and discussion board, time to get involved if we you want to see this become a reality.
http://www.mnearlybassseason.com

I am totally behind this idea, here is my general stance on the situation:
“I believe the only way this changes is to convince law makers that we
are losing money to WI & IA because of our long closed season. Tons
of guys travel out of state, spend money on licenses, gas, food &
lodging to fish bass legally, not to mention, potentially the state
could save money on trying to enforce the extended close season or use
the resources to enforce poaching or exotic species issues.

Not
to mention, an earlier season extends our tourism season, more
opportunity for more anglers to travel to MN and spend their money in
our local economy.

So in the end, we need to put a business case together!”

Hope you are interested in joining the cause!


Announcements, Bass Basics, General

Some upcoming events

In case it has creeped up on you and you dind’t realize it, next week is the Northwest Sportshow.  If you are a serious bass angler, it is clearly the best show all year around this area.  I will probably go one of the first evenings and most of the day on Saturday.  I plan to bring my camera & video camera, hopefully capture what’s new & cool, then bring it to you here on the blog. 

Here are a seminars that could be helpful to us bass anglers:

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
7:00 pm Fishing Electronics Made Simple Scott Petersen Room 101 H
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, April 01, 2011
1:00 pm Fishing Electronics Made Simple Scott Petersen Room 101 H
Saturday, April 02, 2011
4:00 pm Bass Fishing Tips and Tricks for River Fishing Brad Leifermann Room 101 H
7:00 pm Bass Fishing Tips and Tricks for River Fishing Brad Leifermann Room 101 H

When:              Wednesday, March 30                1:00-9:00p.m.
                       Thursday, March 31                     1:00-9:00p.m,
                        Friday, April 1                              11:00a.m.-9:00p.m.
                        Saturday, April 2                          10:00a.m.-9:00p.m.
                        Sunday, April 3                             10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
 
Where:            Minneapolis Convention Center
                       1301 Second Avenue South
                       Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
Tickets:           Adults (16 and older) $10; Senior Day, (Thursday, March 31st only,
                       62+) $5; Children (15 and younger) FREE
 
Advance tickets can be purchased online at NorthwestSportshow.com 


Web:               Visit us at NorthwestSportshow.com, on Twitter @NWSportshow, or 
                        find us on Facebook

Also of note, a fellow bass buddy of mine, Glenn Walker, has a bass fishing basics seminar on April 9th at Belzer’s down in Lakeville.  Looks like fun stuff, some giveaways, I think I will probably drop in for this one as well.


Announcements, Fantasy Bass Fishing Corner, Product Reviews, Sponsors

Beaver Lake & St. John’s River Fantasy Winners

Just shipped some prizes today.  Congrats to Carl Spande of MN for winning the prize for Beaver Lake event.  Because Carl is a Facebook Fan of this blog, he brings down a pack of Optimum Double Diamond Swimmers.  I think Carl will find these great as a swimbait or large swim jig trailer!

Still waiting to hear from my Harris Chain winner, but Cody Salzmann (Facebook Fan) of IL almost won the whole thing, not quite, but he still wins an IMA Roumba wake bait.  I think Cody will find this a super product bait once the bait get shallow for him this spring!.

In other news, check out the great bass Cory Cook has been catching on his IMA Flit jerkbait that he won from an earlier tourney, also a Facebook fan.

Maybe Cory can get his mug in the next pic, ha!  Thanks for the pictures Cory!   You have set a standard for future winners!

Announcements, Gifts for Bass Fishing Rubes, Sponsors

Last Minute Shopper 20% Off Bass Fishing Sale

ONLINE ORDERS ONLY NO PHONE ORDERS
Offer good thru 12/15/09 12am PST.
*FREE SHIPPING OVER $50.00, NO TAX OUTSIDE CA.
Prices shown are in U.S. funds and are subject to change.
In stock items only while supplies last. No back orders.
Offers good while supplies last.
20% off does not include Jackall, Shimano, Reaction Innovations, Powell Rods and other restrictions may apply,
Sale prices will be displayed in your cart.

Announcements, General, Gifts for Bass Fishing Rubes, Sponsors

Black Friday Bass Fishing Insanity Sale Event

Sick Sick Sale!  Time to stock up for 2011, there will not be better deals then right now, plus the more you spend, the better the incentives get!  This is as good as it gets for Black Friday Bass Fishing Deals!

BLACK FRIDAY STARTS NOW!!!!!!!!!
21% OFF SITE WIDE!! Click Here http://www.basstackledepot.com
http://www.basstackledepot.com/btd/BF10.jpg

BTD CUSTOMERS ALWAYS SAVE MORE!!!


Announcements, Bass Fishing Podcasts, Fun Fishing, Multimedia, Sponsors

A Good Contest

Buy a Dobyn’s Rod between now and the end of the year, fill out a form and submit it for a chance to win a fully rigged Ranger Z521 not to mention other great prizes, like Minnkota trolling motors, Hummingbird sonar and more Dobyn’s Rods.  Entry form & details here .  Get your Dobyn’s Rods at BassTackleDepot.com !

Other things to catch up on….

Check out a recent Twin City Limits podcast with Mark Zona, Terry Butcher, & Bradley Roy.

Also, I recently bought some new video editing software , here is my first attempt.

Nothing too special, but when I get some good clips out fishing, I can trim them up and polish them up a bit before posting to YouTube now.


Announcements, BASS Tour, Federation News

BASS Unveils Qualifying Structure for 2012 Bassmaster Classic, Elite Series

BASS announced Monday a new qualifying structure for the 2012 BassmasterClassic and Bassmaster Elite Series, expanding the Classic field toinclude an enhanced cross section of anglers and putting an increasedemphasis on performance in single events.
My comments and thoughts highlighted in red below where I have a take.

While the overall number of Classic spots (36) awarded through the EliteSeries will remain unchanged, in 2011 each Bassmaster Elite Seriesregular-season event winner will receive an automatic berth into the2012 Classic. The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standingswill still determine the majority of the Classic qualifiers as the top28 in those rankings will also advance to the Classic.
All the more reason to fish for the Win, guys like Kevin Short wished this rule would’ve been in effect for this year.  I like this twist!

Following the Elite format, each of the nine Open event winners willreceive automatic spots in the 2012 Classic. With each pro-level eventwinner receiving a Classic berth, BASS has upped the cache of the BassPro Shops Bassmaster Opens by allocating nine Classic berths, up fromsix, to the Series. The traditional points system used in the Opens willonly determine future Elite Series qualifiers and will have no bearingon Classic berths.
Not sure, if I am all behind this, but could increase participation, since you are never out of it and could increase jack-potting by locals at events.  I kind of like rewarding the best over 3 total events, but I can live with it.

The Classic field will increase to 54 – assuming all competitors are ingood standing – clearing the way for a guaranteed entry for the 2011College Bass Champion. The entire qualifying structure, for both theElites and the Classic, can be found below.
I think a few more anglers is good, as long as they don’t get too much larger, if its 75 anglers in a few year, loses prestige.

Providing a dedicated avenue for the College Bass Champion, again to beheld in Little Rock, AR, in 2011 and aired on ESPNU, will enhance theprofile of college bass fishing and represent an added, youth componentto the Classic. There are currently 220 colleges registered to competeto qualify for the 2011 College Championship. The qualification processfor college anglers can be found at www.collegebass.com.
Good for the sport, although, not sure how “qualified” these anglers are, guess we will see how they fair in Classic.  Wonder if any pros, will return to school to fish????

The defending Classic champion will automatically qualify as in yearspast. Additionally, six Federation Nation anglers will continue toqualify as well as the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Championoperated by American Bass Anglers. In the case of double-qualifiers,BASS will work down the Elite Series AOY list.
Good to see Federation Nation spots did not get trimmed

The 2011 Classic and Elite Series qualifying implications will remain aspreviously released. In 2012, the Elite Series field will encompass 90competitors. BASS has a renewed emphasis on restricting the Elites tosmaller fields, putting more focus on individual anglers and creatingincreased brand-building opportunities for the best anglers in theworld.
Like it!

As such, the 2011 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standingswill advance 73 anglers into the 2012 Elite Series. The top five inpoints standings in each of the three Open Series will also receive 2012Elite qualifying berths and if any of those competitors decline, BASSwill work down the Open standings to fill the five berths.Additionally, the 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion and the 2011Federation Nation Champion can elect to fish the Elites. Alldouble-qualifiers will work down the Elite Series AOY standings.

As BASS previously laid out, only active Elite anglers have threeexemptions – former Bassmaster Classic champions, former Toyota TundraBassmaster Angler of the Year winners and anglers with 10 or moreClassic experiences – that can be applied if an angler fails to qualifythrough the outlined avenues.

With the revamp of the qualifying structure, the 2011 Bass Pro ShopsBassmaster Open payout has also been revised. In addition to theClassic qualifying berth, the winner of each event will receive $10,000and a $45,000 boat package. The total prize package – including theClassic berth – reflects the prestige of scoring an Open victory.
I have heard some griping here, some guys want an all cash prize, but if sponsors are contributing boats, that is great for sport, also the winners will get an automatic $10k just for showing up to Bassmaster Classic, plus with that automatic berth and publicity, they should be able to convert that to additional cash.

Each event will pay through 40th place with a more even distributiontowards the lower rung. Additionally, with the allure of increasedClassic berths, the potential of sustained full fields throughout eachdivision increases.
This is good, and I think is direct correlation to boat for winner, better for more guys to make money at sport.

Entry fees will be slightly upped – $1,250 per event on theprofessional side and $350 per event on the co-angler side — but BASShas raised the stakes for Open anglers.

The Opens will only feature the top-12 pros and co-anglers on the finalday of competition, which at each event will be held at a convenientlylocated Bass Pro Shops.
LIKE IT!!!  Now they just need to open that new Bass Pro Shops by Mall of America in Bloomington, MN

2012 Bassmaster Classic qualifications:

2011 Bassmaster Toyota Tundra AOY Standings 28
2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Regular-Season Event Winners 8
2011 Bassmaster Classic Champion 1
2011 Bassmaster Southern Opens Event Winners 3
2011 Bassmaster Central Opens Event Winners 3
2011 Bassmaster Northern Opens Event Winners 3
2011 BASS Federation Nation Qualifiers 6
2011 Bassmaster Weekend Series Champion 1
2011 Bassmaster College Bass Champion 1

* Bassmaster Elite Series regular-season winners must compete in all2011 Elite competition days to be eligible for Classic berth
** Bassmaster Open event champions must compete in entire respective Open Series division to receive Classic berth
*** Defending Bassmaster Classic champion must compete in all Elite Series events to receive Classic berth

2012 Bassmaster Elite Series qualifications

2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Toyota Tundra Bassmaster AOY Standings 73
2011 Bassmaster Southern Opens Points Standings 5
2011 Bassmaster Central Opens Points Standings 5
2011 Bassmaster Northern Opens Points Standings 5
2012 Bassmaster Classic Champion 1
2011 BASS Federation Nation Champion 1

* Exemptions include former Bassmaster Classic champions, AOY titleholders and anglers with 10 or more Classic appearances as of March 1,2011. Must be an Elite angler in good standing to use.