With what seems like an endless buffet of tournament options available to participate in, making the right choice from a financial perspective on which ones to enter can prove to be a daunting task. Simply breaking down the entry fee to payout ratio can prove helpful in making a decision. There are many different semi-pro tour level events, and most of these events provide paths to making it to the pro-level which can also be a factor in your decision making if ascending the ranks is one of your goals. Let’s take a look at a few of the options available in 2023. Check out the payouts here!
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Fishery Management Scholarship |
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Making sure the many lakes and reservoirs in the U.S. and Canada where anglers pursue bass are healthy and vibrant relies a great deal on the efforts from federal, state, and provincial fishery management professionals. To assure those efforts are supported, and to provide financial resources for high school and college bass anglers looking to pursue careers in the fishery management field, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Board is instituting a college scholarship program for students seeking a degree in a natural resource field with an end goal of becoming a practicing fishery manager.
Up to $15,000 will be awarded in July 2023 to the selected applicants. Applications for the scholarship are now being accepted at https://www.bassfishinghof.com/scholarship. “Within many fishery management agencies, there is a definitive need to fill vacant positions with qualified individuals who understand and have a passion for both the sport of bass fishing and the science needed to manage those fisheries,” said BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “Spearheaded by Gene Gilliland, Casey Shedd, and our Conservation Committee, this new scholarship program fits in ideally with the Hall’s mission of celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport by supporting those whose future career path will focus on healthy fisheries, needed access, and clean rivers, lakes and reservoirs.”
Gilliland notes that scholarship applicants must be a high school senior who has committed to enroll or be an undergraduate and graduate student currently enrolled in a four-year college, university, or accredited graduate program. They must declare or have declared a major in biology, aquatic ecology, fisheries, marine science, or a closely related natural resources field. “We’re also asking every applicant to submit a short essay explaining their goals for a career in natural resources and to describe their dream agency job, along with proof of membership in a recognized bass fishing organization or provide a copy of a valid fishing license,” said Gilliland.
The BFHOF Fishery Management Scholarship Program form outlines all the application requirements. Gilliland also mentioned all applications will be reviewed by an independent panel that includes individuals involved in fishery management issues in both the U.S. and Canada, including Phil Morlock, Director of Government Affairs with the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association; Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy with the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation; Ross Self, Chief of Inland Fisheries for the South Carolina DNR; and Dr. Mark Rogers, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Leader at Tennessee Tech University. The application deadline is May 31, 2023 and the scholarship winners are notified by early July. For student financial aid requirements, the monetary award from the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is considered a stipend for use by the student for any school-related expenses.
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Power Pole Trolling Motor? |
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Photo Courtesy Of Major League Fishing
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Cory Johnston brought 27-3 to the scales on day one of the MLF Toyota Series on the Harris Chain to kick off his season in 2nd place. However the catch of the day might possibly be this image. Could we have finally gotten a glimpse at the elusive Power Pole trolling motor? There have not been any official announcements concerning its release, but this is certainly a new trolling motor on the scene.
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Enhanced with rattling acoustics to help draw fish in from great distances, the Strike King Rattlin' Rage Craw features an internal rattle and two realistic claw arms fitted with the same patented Rage Tail technology that made its predecessor so popular. Unique in its ability to create a huge amount of vibration, the Rattlin' Rage Craw displaces tons of water with the slightest movements of the rod tip, as the claw arms flap back and forth to create terrific bass-catching action. Perfect on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, or for use as a jig trailer, this soft plastic naturally comes to rest on the bottom in a defensive craw position to provoke bites from curious predators. Made with a custom high-grade plastic for superior action, the Strike King Rattlin' Rage Craw is a deadly craw imitation for low light conditions, stained and dirty water, or anytime you need to spice up your presentation with noise. Check out the full lineup here.
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Controlling Your Future with a Positive Mindset |
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Gerald Swindle was one of the keynote speakers at the annual NPAA conference in Ft. Myers, FL recently. Swindle touched on numerous subjects, including his PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) mantra. Check it out here.
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Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jake Whitaker recently unveiled his 2023 tournament jersey, and even had an extra one made for his daughter Mia. Whitaker's sponsors include ALX Rods, P-LIne, Blue Otter, Nu Threadz, Lowrance, Big Bite Baits, Phoenix Boats, Relion Batteries, Mercury, Power-Pole, and Mustad just to name a few. |
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Do you like FREE streaming services for outdoor programming? If so you need to check out KOTV. Featuring a wide variety of fishing and other outdoors related content, this streaming and video on demand service is packed full of quality content. Check it out here.
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Whether you like it or not the use of forward facing sonar is here to stay, and anglers are now looking for any advantage they can find to make themselves more proficient when utilizing it. One of the most difficult things to do when chasing fish on forward facing sonar is to stop, or control your boat quickly enough to target them effectively. The crappie fishing world has found a solution in Crappie Brakes. No more back washing fish, or a good looking piece of cover. Simply engage the brakes (two trolling motors) mounted on your shallow water anchors and stop the forward momentum of your boat. How long will it be before we see this at a tour level event? Only time will tell.
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Which fantasy fishing league do you plan on participating in this season?
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