THE BUSINESS NEWS OF FISHING.
Helping you become a better angler and delivering interesting fishing news to you in a weekly email.
1. Stat of the Day
PRESENTED BY: Sunline
2. Money Matters
PRESENTED BY: Big Bite Baits
B.A.S.S Sends Elite Anglers $2500
As tournament organizations continue to adjust to state and federal regulations by rescheduling events in an attempt to help the fight against Covid-19, B.A.S.S. has sent a $2500 advance to the entire Elite Series field to assist with expenses during the pandemic. As confirmed in Canadian Elite Series pros Chris and Cory Johnston's latest blog , B.A.S.S. issued the payment as an advance on future earnings. " And something really cool that B.A.S.S. recently did is they're sending each angler $2,500, because B.A.S.S. knows that the way we make a living is through tournaments. If tournaments are cancelled, anglers can't earn a living. So B.A.S.S. is sending the $2,500 to help everyone get by a little longer. It's like an advance — the next tournament, if you win $10,000, you'll get paid $7,500. It's a good thing. There's a little glitch in the system right now, and if everyone does what they need to do, we'll be back out there in no time, I'm sure." said Cory Johnston. Check out the entire blog here .
3. Behind the Scenes
PRESENTED BY: SPRO
Hite's Ultimate Jackhammer System
It's no accident that Arizona pro Brett Hite has won multiple titles fishing a bladed jig. Hite who has been cashing large checks utilizing the bait for years is arguably the foremost expert on the technique. With the introduction of the Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jackhammer , Evergreen Brett Hite Combat Stick Casting Rod , and Sunline DoStrike FC Fluorocarbon Hite has developed the ultimate Jackhammer system. "Every part of my Jackhammer setup plays an important role in how effective I am able to be with both fishing the bait properly, and landing the fish once I get the bites," Hite says. The bait, rod, reel, and line are all parts of a successful equation that Hite spent years developing and perfecting. "I can honestly say that I have the perfect setup for fishing this bait. The equipment I use all has a purpose and reasoning behind it based on countless hours of fishing this bait, and going through trial and error. From the Jackhammer with the Yamamoto Zako , to the 7'3" Heavy Action Evergreen Glass Rod , to the Daiwa Tatula 6:3:1 reel spooled up with 20lb Sunline DoStrike FC Fluorocarbon it all plays a crucial role in being successful with this bait." Hite concluded.
4. Anglers Tribune
Pipkens Moves The Sales Needle
Photo Courtesy Of B.A.S.S.
Elite Series pro Chad Pipkens led the first two days of the 2019 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest on Lake Fork, eventually finishing in 8th with a 4 day total of 90-12. His day one catch of 31-15, and the following day's Bassmaster LIVE coverage set off a feeding frenzy of sorts for the Damiki DC 300 crankbait that Pipkens was utilizing for much of his success. While it is well known that LIVE tournament coverage does in fact have a direct affect on bait sales, Pipkens witnessed something extremely unique in this regard. "Once the cat was out of the bag that I was catching all of those big fish on the Damiki DC 300 things started moving very quickly. The craziest part of the entire deal was that I had a lot of spectators following me who were close enough that I could literally here them on the phone with Tackle Warehouse and other retailers trying to order the bait. They were yelling to me that it was already sold out all over the place, I couldn't believe how quick it happened." said Pipkens. The Damiki DC 300 that Pipkens was using remained sold out on several popular online retailers as well as at tackle shops around the country for months after the completion of the event.
5. Baits Not Being Talked About
Photo Courtesy Finsntales
Whether you fish it with a small swivel and leader to prevent line twist, or just rig it Texas style with no weight, the floating worm is a deadly springtime offering for shallow bass. A technique that was made popular in the late 80's with baits like the Original Super Floater, the floating worm has withstood the test of time and is something many anglers still use successfully today. Various varieties of Floating Worms are available on the market, in a variety of colors and lengths.
6. What We're Watching & Listening To
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
Getting Jiggy With It
The guys at Tactical Bassin take you underneath the surface in one of their latest videos to give you the lowdown on how both Largemouth and Smallmouth react to jigs with different trailers and retrieves. Pay close attention to which jigs and trailers these fish were most aggressive with. Also pay attention to which retrieves/hops triggered the most aggressive bites. Check it out here.
7. Jersey Watch
PRESENTED BY: Denali
Gun Companies in the Fishing Business
Photo courtesy of Bassmaster and Major League Fishing
Several gun companies have sponsored anglers or fishing in recent years. Former Bassmaster Tour pro Kenyon Hill's jersey featured Smith and Wesson and more recently gun companies CMMG and Sig Sauer sponsor Fred Roumbanis and Major League Fishing respectively.
8. Regional Recommendations
Retailers across the country are adjusting to local and national guidelines for their businesses. We wanted to start a list of those retailers still operating by pick up, delivery or shipping. We will continue to update the list. You are welcome to send any additional ones for our list to info@bestontour.net. Please support these businesses if you can.
Joe's Sporting Goods ST.Paul MN  www.joessportinggoods.com
Captains Landing Venice FL  www.captainslanding.com
Chaos Fishing Lighthouse Point FL  www.chaosfishing.com
Thorne Brothers Blaine MN  www.thornebros.com
The Reel Shot Appleton WI  www.thereelshot.com
Wind Rose North Menominee MI  www.windrosenorth.com
Marine General Duluth MN  www.marinegeneral.com
Christopherson's Bait Alexandria  MN  http://www.fishingalexandria.com/
Delaney's Outdoors Park Rapids MN  www.delaneyssports.com
Scheels Fargo MULTIPLE  www.Scheels.com
Midway USA Columbia MO  www.midwayusa.com
Southern Reel Little Rock AR  www.southernreeloutfitters.com
Rogers Sporting Goods Liberty MO  www.rogerssportinggoods.com
Extreme Outdoors Branson West MO 417-272-0305
Dunns Pevely MO 636-475-4240
Hook Line and Sinker Rogers and Bentonville AR Bentonville (479-271-8118) Rogers 479-631-8118 Fish n Stuff Sherwood AR 501-834-5733
Get Outdoors Bryant AR 501-794-3474
Trader Bills Hot Springs AR 501-623-8403
K&K True Value Bettendorf IA 563-359-4474
Fin and Feather Iowa City IA 319-354-2200
Hanks Live Bait and Tackle Waterloo IA fishhanks.com (319-234-0711)
Denny Dennis Fenton MO 636-343-9447
Fitzs Fishing Osage Beach MO 573-693-9299
Aspire Mountain Home AR 870-492-2005
Lucky Lure Oklahoma City Ok 405-749-1808
Tackle Warehouse San Luis Obispo CA  www.tacklewarehouse.com
Fish307 Lake George NY  www.fish307.com
FishUSA Fairview PA  www.fishusa.com
Susquehanna Fishing Tackle Columbia PA  www.sfttackle.com
Kittery Trading Post Kittery ME  www.kitterytradingpost.com
Thousand Island Bait Store Alexandria Bay NY 315.482.9903
Tackle Supply Depot Wallingford CT  www.tacklesupplydepot.com
Tackle Direct Egg Harbor NJ  www.tackledirect.com
Warriors Tackle Supply Schnectady NY  www.warriorstacklesupply.com
Bald Eagle Jigs Mill Hall PA  www.baldeaglejigs.com
Hammonds Fishing Center Cumming Ga  www.hammondsfishing.com
Dayton Boat Dock Dayton TN  www.realdealtackle.com
Land Big Fish Dunnville KY  www.landbigfish.com
Kentucky Lake Outdoors Benton KY  www.tacklefreaks.com
Fishermans Central,  www.fishermanscentral.com
American Legacy,  www.americanlegacyfishing.com
Frank's Great Outdoors,  www.franksgreatoutdoors.com
Northwoods Wholesale Outlet,  www.northwoodsoutlet.com
The Angler,   www.theanglerinc.com
Jann's Netcraft,  www.jannsnetcraft.com
FishUSA,  www.fishusa.com
Cain Pole Richmond KY Curbside service
McKee Outdoors Maryville TN Curbside service
Backwaters Outfitters Lexington KY Curbside service
9. Best for Last
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO
Over the past few weeks, the amount of social media posts and traffic from the young student anglers is staggering. ACA is being sent fish catch pictures, tagged in posts, and receiving mentions daily as many anglers are adhering to social distancing warnings and continuing to fish at the same time. The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) now wants to introduce the “ACA Online Tournament” for anglers to participate in as they go on their daily fishing adventures. Get full details on this event and how to participate here.
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