THE BUSINESS NEWS OF FISHING. |
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Spend $35 Receive FREE Scissors |
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FREE is always a good thing! Spend $35 with SPRO U.S.A. and receive a complimentary pair of their Sportsman Scissors. Check out all of the details here.
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Bass Fishing HOF Conservation Grants |
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Beyond honoring and celebrating those inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, the HOF’s Board also focuses on its mission of promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing. In recognition of their on-going projects in furtherance of that mission, the Board announces financial grants to three worthy organizations whose efforts will greatly benefit the sport. Fishing’s Future (https://fishingsfuture.org), Friends of Reservoirs Foundation (www.friendsofreservoirs.com), and the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance (https://millelacssmallmouthalliance.com) will each receive a $4,000 grant to assist with their 2022 projects.
“BFHOF Board members Gene Gilliland and Casey Shedd identified and vetted these three groups not only for the success each has had in the past, but also for their future plans where our financial support can bring even more success to their efforts,” said BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “The support the HOF receives from its inductees, companies in the fishing and marine industries, and bass anglers nationwide through our induction dinner auctions and other fundraising projects enables the Board to recognize and assist those organizations who also celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing. Gilliland noted that the BFHOF financial aid will help fund the Friends of Reservoirs Foundation’s ‘Small Project’ habitat grant program where any of its 130 chapters can receive funding to encourage anglers and other reservoir users to work with the fisheries managers to address the habitat issues on impoundments nationwide.
With the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance, the HOF money will support the organizations ‘Free The Fighter’ billboard campaign around Lake Mille Lacs to promote catch-and-release smallmouth bass fishing. “This outreach program continues to reinforce the message that the Mille Lacs smallmouth fishery is unique and extremely valuable to the local economy,” said Gilliland.
Taking kids fishing is the main mission for the Fishing’s Future organization. “This group plans nearly 3,000 events every year connecting kids and families with nature through fishing adventures, said Shedd, who recommended the group for the BFHOF grant. “Our funds will be used for upcoming events focusing on bass fishing that are coordinated by one of the group’s 19 state affiliate clubs. With these financial awards, the BFHOF Board has now earmarked more than $30,000 since 2019 to various fishing organizations for bass fishing conservation and education projects.
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Unless you've been living under a rock for the last year or so you certainly noticed the run that Bass Pro Tour professional Michael Neal has been on. What you may not have realized was Neal's specific choice in hat. During his epic 2021 season Neal wore the exact same AFTCO Watrborne Trucker hat, winning a Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit AOY and claiming a BPT title in the process. At the start of the 2022 season Neal considered switching out the weathered, battle proven AFTCO hat for a fresh new model. Upon further consideration Michael chose to stick with old faithful for the first event at Sam Rayburn, and see how it went. Neal went on to win the first TWPC event of the season wearing his lucky hat. At present time Neal has won a cool $434,998 wearing the exact same hat. Needless to say the hat will not be retired anytime soon!
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5. Baits Not Being Talked About |
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A scaled-down version of the original Gamakatsu Underspin, the Gamakatsu Under Spin Head Mini is ideal for smaller finesse presentations. It features the same sticky sharp Gamakatsu Finesse Heavy Cover 60-degree hook as the original just in a smaller #1 size. The hook also features the same wide gap design as the original, which means it has plenty of bite and still allows you to rig bulkier plastics. The streamlined head design boasts lifelike recessed eyes and gill plates for added realism, and the small chrome willow leaf blade comes to life with the slightest movement. The result is a presentation that fish cannot resist. Also equipped with Gamakatsu’s Spring Lock system, the Gamakatsu Under Spin Head Mini holds swimbaits and other plastics gently but firmly, keeping the presentation straight on the hook. Check out the full lineup here. |
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6. What We're Watching & Listening To |
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Many anglers don't understand the differences in the various types of fishing line. Listen to veteran bass pro, John Crews, break down mono, fluorocarbon, and braided lines. Watch the full video here.
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Brandon Lester recently gave his fans a sneak peek at his 2022 tournament jersey. Lester's sponsorship lineup includes Mustad, Mossy Oak Fishing, Toyota, Impulse Lithium, Mustad, Vicious Fishing, Phoenix Boats, Mercury, Lowrance, Midway USA, Huk, Costa, Power-Pole, TH Marine, and Lake Hop just to name a few. |
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Enlisting the help of Denali touring anglers to make the best series of technique-specific rods, the Denali Lithium Pro Series Casting Rods have been re-designed with attributes to maximize performance with virtually every lure under the sun. By removing the silver graphics and switching to IM8+ graphite blanks, the Denali Lithium Pro Series Casting rods are 20% lighter than the previous model and have a sleek straight black finish.
Featuring a thru-blank reel seat construction and AAA cork grips, the longer rods in this lineup are fitted with full cork handles, and the 7ft and under rods come with split-grip cork and EVA foam. Equipped with 304 stainless Royal Duraloc guides for exceptional handling and bite detection, the Denali Lithium Pro Series Casting Rods provide anglers with a competitive advantage by analyzing every aspect of the rod including the handles, guides, blanks, lengths, actions, and balance.
- IM8+ Graphite Blank
- 304 Stainless Royal Duraloc Guides
- AAA Cork Handles
- Thru-blank Reel Seat
Check out the full lineup here.
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Cook Reflects On His 3 Brand Electronics Setup |
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During the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season Drew Cook chose to run all 3 major electronic brands (Garmin, Humminbird, Lowrance). We recently caught up with Drew to get some feedback on his experience with this setup, and to see what he learned from last season. "Running all 3 electronics brands gave me the ability to compare and use 3 separate data references for mapping and navigation, which gives you a great birds eye view of a fishery. Using the best features from each brand - 2D, DI, SI, 360 and Forward Facing Sonar allowed me to be super efficient, and gave me the confidence that I was leaving no stone unturned," said Cook. A year running this setup left Cook with some advice he can share with other anglers. "I highly suggest that anyone looking to run a multi graph setup invests in a quality power source. Good strong batteries are a must to give you the juice you need to get the peak performance out of the units. I personally ran a Sonar Pros cable bundle as well, which keeps all your wiring clean and prevents voltage drops. Pairing up your electronics with a solid mounting system is the final thing I would recommend that you do. This keeps your graphs from taking a beating while you are towing your boat or running in rough water, and keeps them from potentially having any unforeseen issues." Cook concluded.
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Which brand of forward facing sonar are you currently running or would like to purchase?
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Like what you see, refer a friend.
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