THE BUSINESS NEWS OF FISHING. |
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Helping you become a better angler and delivering interesting fishing news to you in a weekly email. |
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Are you tired of trying to remember what size line you have on your reels? Marking your rod handles or reels with a permanent marker, or using stickers that always seem to come off are not the solution to this issue. The Butt Dial simply slips onto the butt of any rod and allows you to set the line weight and style. Each dial features four settings for line styles. Fluoro, Braid, Mono, and Copolymer. With settings from 4lb to 80lb test this device has you covered. Check out The Butt Dial here, and stop wasting money having to re-spool line after you've forgotten what it is.
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Messer Moves To The Front |
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Billy Messer from Spartanburg, South Carolina is best known to fishing fans for traveling with Elite Series pro Scott Martin and being a part of Martin’s YouTube channel and social media platforms. It is a role that Messer never dreamed he would find himself playing. Seven years ago, the retail business owner traveled to Florida with a friend to pick up a boat that he had just purchased. “My buddy was like, ‘Dude, we should e-mail Scott Martin and see if he wants to go fishing tomorrow,’” said Messer. “We e-mailed him directly off his webpage and I left my cell phone number.” Much to their surprise, Martin called them and met up for a last-minute fishing trip the following day in Florida. Messer and Martin kept in touch following the impromptu fishing trip, and Martin invited Messer to fish as his co-angler the following season on the FLW Tour. The rest is history. For the past six seasons Messer has been an official part of “Team SMC.”
While he has fished numerous tour-level tournaments as a co-angler and has fished several MLF Toyota Series level tournaments as a boater, 2021 is the first year that Messer is fishing a full division of the Bassmaster Southern Opens as a boater. “I don’t want to be a professional fisherman. I’m just humbled and thankful that I’ve had these opportunities,” he explained.
Messer’s title sponsor for 2021 is LunkerText, described as “a new way to get great deals on great baits, via a phone text.” You can sign up at billygottatext.com. Other sponsors for the 2021 season include Favorite Fishing, P-Line, AFTCO, Titan Tungsten, Costa, Lew’s and Strike King.
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Pickwick Event Reminds Us Of Hite's Last Win |
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While watching the recent Elite Series coverage at Pickwick Lake it was hard not to be reminded of 1999 Bassmaster Classic champion Davy Hite's masterful performance below the Wilson dam. Hite logged his last of 8 career wins by dissecting the current seams with a swimbait, and was able to offer keen insight on what the anglers were targeting during the event. While Bill Lowen ultimately was victorious in an area of the lake other than the tailrace, the majority of the top 10 finishers mined the current for their weight. Fishing below a dam can pay huge dividends and Davy Hite has a unique perspective on how you should approach the scenario. Check out this article where Hite breaks down the essential elements of targeting bass below a dam, including some safety tips every angler should adhere to when fishing a tailrace.
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5. Baits Not Being Talked About |
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Get into the thickest cover confidently with the D&L Tackle Advantage Jig. Built with a recessed line-tie to protect your knot and fiber weed guard to deflect snags not hook sets, the D&L Tackle Advantage Jig easily slides in-and-out of dense cover thanks to its streamlined head shape. Backed by a beefy 4/0 hook, it has what it takes to horse the big ones out of their strongholds. Available in a variety of colors, the D&L Tackle Advantage Jig is accentuated with premium silicone skirting held in place with a rubber skirt collar. One of the best jig values in the industry at at retail of only $3.49. See all the colors and sizes here.
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6. What We're Watching & Listening To |
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Pangrac Kicks Off Southern Opens |
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Matt Pangrac kicks off the 2021 Bassmaster Open season with the first Southern Open of the year on Florida's Harris Chain. Can Matt figure out Florida's fickle bass, or will he dig himself a hole in the first event of the year? Check out the full video here.
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Photo Courtesy Major League Fishing
Hot Springs, AR pro Spencer Shufield has 5 top 12 finishes in his last 7 events. Shufield's sponsorship lineup includes Yozuri, Daiwa, Garmin, Phoenix Boats, Mercury Marine, Team Horizon, and Power Pole among others.
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Save Big On A New Mercury |
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Repowering with Mercury can be a cost-effective way to increase your power, improve your fuel economy and upgrade to new, innovative technologies. If your boat is in solid condition, repowering can often be a straightforward project for a qualified Mercury dealer, even if your boat is currently powered with another brand of outboard. Now through March 31, save with your choice of zero-down, zero-interest, zero-payment financing for six months or a rebate up to $1,500 when you repower your boat with a new 175hp-400hp Verado, FourStroke, Pro XS or Jet outboard. For added convenience, you can also take advantage of our sales event today, then take delivery when you’re ready, as late as April 30. Check out all of the details here.
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Estes Takes Denali To The Next Level |
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Scott Estes had a love for the outdoors that lead him into the fishing industry, and before he knew it, he ended up with a mix of successful outdoor businesses. What started out as a part-time job from his garage in 2008, turned into an ascending rod company. Scott found himself working day and night in 2008 as he started a rod company in his garage while working for a bass boat company during the day. In 2009, Scott quit his day job to focus fully on Denali Rods and moved into a 1200-square-foot facility.
As the business grew, the facility expanded in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018 and again in 2019 by expanding into 26,000-square-feet. Fueling that rod growth was the launch of multiple rod series including the Koverts in 2013 and the Lithiums in 2015. Being headquartered in Mountain Home, Arkansas gives Denali exposure to a wide range of fishing and centrally located shipping to reach anywhere in the US in a couple days. The rod market is very saturated with hundreds of brands available. To be successful a company needs more than just a pretty rod. Quality and performance must be combined with programs that bring a retailer all the components they need like margins, factory support, warranty support and marketing to drive product. Read a full feature on the growth here.
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What is your take on Lithium trolling motor batteries?
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Have them now and love them
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Have them and don't like them
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Thinking about getting them
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Not planning on getting them
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Like what you see, refer a friend.
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