THE BUSINESS NEWS OF FISHING. |
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How To Make Money Without Catching A Bass |
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There are many career opportunities inside the outdoor industry for an array of skill sets that might be better than gambling your future on tournaments. Check out Bradley Hallman's on how you can make money in the fishing industry without being a professional angler. See full video here.
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Win $8000 WIth Big Bite Baits And Sunline |
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The Big Bass Bash is pleased to announce an additional prize incentive for the 2021 AFTCO Big Bass Bash, presented by Phoenix Boats ( Lake of the Ozarks - October 2nd & 3rd).
Big Bite Baits and Sunline have added an extra cash bonus available to the highest place finisher of either the top four overall anglers or the first place winner of the Ladies Division. If one of the aforementioned anglers uses Big Bite Baits or Sunline (as evidenced by lie detector), $4000 cash will be added to their winnings by each brand. Charlie Terrell, co-owner of Midwest Fish Tournaments, is excited about the new program, and thinks it adds an extra layer of strategy to the event. “We are truly excited about this partnership with Big Bite Baits and Sunline. We look forward to one of our anglers cashing in on this great incentive! If you weren't using Big Bite Baits or Sunline in one of our events previously, this is a great reason to give them a try now." Terell concluded.
Big Bite offers a wide range of plastics and jigs for the bass, panfish, walleye and saltwater markets. Big Bite utilizes the highest quality components and a proprietary soft plastic formula to produce the best products possible. Big Bite is a family-owned business making many of its products in the USA.
Sunline is a Japanese fishing line manufacturer established in 1977. The company produces every conceivable type of fishing line for all types of targets and methods. Materials include nylon, fluorocarbon, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester (polyethylene terephthalate), and metal.
Sunline maintains a top share in the Japanese fishing line market and exports its lines to more than 40 countries worldwide. Sunline America is the subsidiary of Sunline Japan responsible for distribution and marketing in the North American market. The fundamental concept at Sunline has always been to develop a thinner, stronger fishing line. The company is constantly challenging itself to give full play to its original technology in the creation of new products including patented technology like Plasma Rise. Find more information on the Big Bass Bash here.
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Key Things You Need Before Heading North |
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After fishing the Bassmaster Northern Open on 1000 Islands out of Clayton, New York, Matt Pangrac realized that fishing a swift current river connected to a Great Lake is a totally different ballgame than fishing any other body of water in the country. Matt spent 12 days practicing and competing, and even though he cashed a check and finished in 28th place, he realized that he was inadequately prepared to handle the big water. Here are some of the key things that Matt wished he had known before he headed North:
QUALITY FOOTWEAR (NOT FLIP FLOPS)
I’ve always worn flip flops in the boat, but in rough water flip flops don’t provide enough support and my feet were sliding around in the flip flops and my footing was unstable. I switched to a light, waterproof hiking shoe and the difference was incredible when it came to stability and comfort in the big waves.
PROPER MAPPING
Everything is bigger on the Great Lakes and trying to find on Lake Ontario without the best available contour lines was literally like searching for a needle in a haystack. I didn’t even realize that I had bad mapping until a fellow competitor showed me his mapping during pre-practice. I immediately ordered a chip that covered both the United States and Canada and the difference was incredible.
BUG SPRAY
Between the mosquitos and biting flies, I nearly went insane swatting at my ankles and legs until I stopped by the convenience store and purchased some insect repellent. In the middle of open water, the fish slime attracts a crazy number of flies.
WIND APP ON YOUR PHONE
Wind direction and speed is critical when it comes to fishing big water for both fishing as safety. I found that the wind direction and speed from basic predictions was unreliable, and I got caught miles offshore when the wind switched direction and started blowing. Downloading the Windy App on my iPhone really helped me decide where and when I could run the big lake.
LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING THAT DAY
The further you go into Lake Ontario, the less cell service you have. I’m used to fishing bodies of water where there are docks, marinas, and other signs of human life. When you’re fishing alone 20 miles offshore, it can be a lonely feeling. After getting stuck in 6+ foot waves one day in practice, I started telling at least one fellow competitor the general area that I was planning on fishing that day just in case something happened they would know where to start the search.
BRING MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU’LL NEED
When it comes to smallmouth fishing up North, it’s hard to beat the basics like a dropshot or Ned rig. I practiced for 10 days prior to the start of the tournament, so I was on the water for 12 days when it was all said and done. I thought that I brought enough dropshot weights and baits, but five days in I realized that I had to start rationing if I was going to make it through the tournament without running out. I had roughly 50 of the correct sized dropshot weights when I arrived, and I finished the tournament with just three.
RESEARCH WHERE THE RAMPS ARE
There is no such thing as a “short run” on 1000 Islands and Lake Ontario. There are all sorts of both public and private boat ramps scattered throughout the area and after burning through a full tank of gas each of the first three days of practice, I started trailering to ramps closer to areas that I planned on exploring. That allowed me to idle more and fish longer without worrying about fuel and it also allowed me to fish areas during windy days without putting myself or my equipment in jeopardy.
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5. Baits Not Being Talked About |
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Featuring a highly natural and streamlined baitfish profile, the Deps Frilled Shad uses a pronounced collared construction to produce a shivering swimming action and twisted body roll. Ideal for clear water or highly pressured situations, the Frilled Shad accurately mimics a wide range of baitfish with its real 3D eyes, molded gill rakers and ribbing, and ultra-realistic body shape.Check out the full lineup here.
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6. What We're Watching & Listening To |
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Swindle Real, Raw, and Honest |
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Jacob Wheeler recently secured the Bass Pro Tour AOY to top off an amazing 2021 season. Wheeler's sponsorship lineup includes Triton Boats, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Googan Baits, Rapala, Igloo, Duckett Fishing, Wiley X, RealTree, Frogg Toggs, and Toyota just to name a few. |
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At Sportsman's Wholesale they have a pretty simple motto; Shop Where The Locals Shop. This core value has been built around providing great customer service, products and prices that kept their close family, friends and fellow sportsman happy since day 1. They've grown a little since then, but haven't strayed away from their roots. Operated as a family owned business, they understand the importance of how hard we all work to enjoy the great outdoors. Shop online or shop in-store with assurance as they back all of their items and products with a satisfaction guarantee. They are adding new products every week at the best possible prices to ensure your outdoor experience is not only great, but affordable. Check out their website here, or shop in person the next time you are in the Morehead City, NC area.
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Anglers Support Their Own In Wake of Hurricane Ida |
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AFTCO and Marsh Wear’s Louisiana Guide Relief Day raises $41,642 for the IGFA Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) to support fishing guides affected by Hurricane Ida in coastal Louisiana. 100 % of profits from online sales at AFTCO.com and MarshWearClothing.com were donated to WARF after a daylong event on each website. “We were blown away by the customer response, stepping up to support the Louisiana based guides and outfitters” says Marsh Wear founder, Logan Roberts. The AFTCO x Marsh Wear donation has been earmarked to specifically address challenges faced by the fishing community in Louisiana. AFTCO President Casey Shedd was happy to help provide a platform to assist the Louisiana guide community. “We know the fishing community is a very tight knit group, but it is always special to see that in action. The response and engagement from our customers, ambassadors and partners generated $41,624 for angler relief. The AFTCO x Marsh Wear 1 day event is now over, but the needs in coastal Louisiana are still enormous. Donations through local churches and on the ground organizations are a great place to start. The American Red Cross needs funds for the near limitless immediate response efforts, and you can still make a direct financial contribution to the IGFA Warf fund here. The WARF fund was established by Costa Sunglasses and the IGFA in 2017 to support the longer term recover of fishing guides after natural disasters. It’s a great program”
Hurricane Ida swept through Louisiana and continued to the Northeastern United States leaving a wake of devastation in its path. One Louisiana guide summed up the situation as follows “I don't even know where to start. It's a logistical nightmare right now. You currently have to drive almost three hours west of my house for fuel. Lots of us lost our roofs and the contents of our homes. We have tons of debris in our yards, ranging from large 60' trees to other houses."
The Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) was created by the IGFA and Costa Sunglasses in 2017 to address the catastrophic impact that natural disasters have on captains, guides, crews and outfitters who depend on recreational fishing for their livelihood. To date $140,000 has been distributed to recreational angling associations in the Florida Keys, Texas, Puerto Rico, the Florida Panhandle and the Bahamas. The fund is administered by the IGFA, 501(c)(3).
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Did you watch the recent coverage of the St. Lawrence River Bassmaster Open on Fox Sports 1?
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Like what you see, refer a friend.
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