THE BUSINESS NEWS OF FISHING. |
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Tackle Warehouse 2022 Spring Sale |
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It is always interesting to pull back the curtain on different sports and see how they compare to professional bass fishing. Check out this glimpse at how the 2021 earnings of some of the top PBR and PBA pros lineup against pro bass anglers. |
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The Right Tool For The Job |
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Going into the first Bassmaster Southern Open of the 2022 season on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (Lake Toho) in Kissimmee, Florida the beginning of February, Matt Pangrac wasn’t sure what to expect. Throughout a brutally tough practice, he never connected with a bass that weighed more than 3-pounds. The night before the tournament he decided to rig up a weightless Big Bite Baits Jerk Minnow on a spinning rod with 14 pound-test leader in case he needed to catch a few bucks to fill out his limit. He was staying with a fellow angler who has a house in Florida and he remembered him telling me, “Don’t do that!! These bass are mean and a big one will absolutely own you on a spinning rod in that grass.” Matt didn’t listen to the advice, and on Day Two of the tournament he pulled out the spinning rod and promptly caught three 12 ½-inch bass. However, as soon as the fourth bass bit, he knew that his buddy had given him good advice that he had ignored. Even though he was using a 7’4” medium-heavy rod, he had absolutely zero control over the big fish. Unable to turn it, the bass buried in the shallow hydrilla and Matt didn’t have the horsepower to pull it out. After about 20 seconds, it finally pulled free.
There’s always something to be learned on the water, and on Day Two of the Southern Open he learned that even though the spinning rod is his confidence setup, there are times when you just must leave it in the rod box because there’s a better tool for the job
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5. Baits Not Being Talked About |
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The Z-Man Chatterbait Mini Max is a compact bladed jig ideal for situations that call for a smaller profile and more subtle vibration. Designed with a downsized stainless Hex-shaped ChatterBlade, the Mini Max features a blade almost half the size of the original ChatterBlade. Built with Z-Mans patented direct head-to-blade Chatterbait connection, this signature combo ensures the Mini Max starts vibrating with the first turn of the reel handle and allows it to deflect off cover easily. Fitted with dual conical keeper barbs molded into the shank of the hook, soft plastic trailers remain firmly secured to the jig hook, and hand-tied silicone skirts are fastened with stainless steel wire for lasting performance. Equipped with a heavy-duty 2/0 black nickel hook, the Z-Man Chatterbait Mini Max delivers tournament caliber performance in a bite-sized morsel that triggers bites from otherwise uninspired bass. Check out the full lineup here.
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6. What We're Watching & Listening To |
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Zona Fishes With Aaron Martens |
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This episode of Zona's Awesome Fishing Show pays a special tribute to Aaron Martens. Watch as Zona and Aaron have a great day on the water at Pickwick Lake, and Zona recalls some of his fondest moments with the furious hog snatcher! Watch the full video here.
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Photo Courtesy B.A.S.S.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Paul Mueller's sponsorship lineup includes Mercury
Garmin, Lew's Reels. Gamma Fishing Line, Gamakatsu, Do-it Molds, Ima Lures, Power-Pole, Optimum Baits, Dobyns Rods ,Striker, Caymas Boats, Thayers Marine, Dove Designs Pro, and Euro Tackle
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Gamakatsu G-Bag EWM 5000 H Tackle Bag |
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If you’re looking for a spacious and durable tackle bag, look no further than the Gamakatsu G-Bag EWM 5000 H Tackle Bag. Built with an Extra Wide Mouth (EWM) opening and internal wire frame, the Gamakatsu G-Bag EWM 5000 H Tackle Bag allows anglers to sort through their tackle and find that perfect bait with ease. In addition to being able to store five Gamakatsu G-Box 3700 or eight Gamakatsu G-Box 3600 utility cases (not included) in its main compartment, the Gamakatsu G-Bag EWM 5000 H Tackle Bag also features a quick-access magnetic front pocket for stashing often needed items like pliers and braid scissor. Constructed from super tough 1680 denier polyester, the Gamakatsu G-Bag EWM 5000 H Tackle Bag also features a molded EVA base, which is both water and slip-resistant. Whether you’re strolling the bank or hopping on a buddy’s boat for the day, the Gamakatsu G-Bag EWM 5000 H Tackle Bag makes for a great companion. Check it out here.
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The Science on Why Bass Are Getting Harder to Catch |
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Spend enough time at any boat ramp from Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas to Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota and you’ll hear a common complaint: “Man, it’s getting harder and harder to catch a bass.”Your buddies will want to blame fishing pressure. And while real cause-and-effect is tricky to pin down, there is some good science to support those claims that bass may actually be getting tougher to catch. Before we dig into the research, a quick history lesson. Sixty years ago, bass fishing was primarily a Southern thing. Many new reservoirs had growing largemouth populations, plus good habitat that was easy for anglers to identify. Bass fishing was excellent—for a while.
But over time, catch rates began to decline. Angler harvest was partly to blame. So agencies implemented minimum-length and reduced-bag harvest limits to protect bass numbers. But the real game changer was an evolving catch-and-release ethos. Using bass tournaments as a stage, and with strong media support, the bass-fishing community promoted the idea of catch-and-release fishing during the 1970s. Today, live-release rates are at 85 to 95 percent among bass anglers, and fish are as abundant as ever in most waters. So…why aren’t you catching more of them? Read the full article here.
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What type of batteries are you currently running in your boat?
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Like what you see, refer a friend.
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