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MLF Bass Pro Tour taps Raleigh for March 2019 Destination

by | Dec 20, 2018 | | 0 Comments

Falls Lake is one of three lakes in the Raleigh, N.C., area to be fished as event No. 3 in the 2019 MLF Bass Pro Tour series, scheduled for March 26 – 31. The 12,000-acre lake is one of the state’s largest and has a reputation for producing quality bass fishing with just about every type of cover and structure available. (Photo courtesy N.C. Div. of Parks and Recreation.TULSA, Okla.
(Dec. 20, 2018) – Major League Fishing today announced that Raleigh, N.C., is the third destination for the 2019 Bass Pro Tour, and that three prolific nearby lakes will be used over the course of the event’s March 26-31 competition dates.
Falls Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir and Jordan Lake are the waters to share in the prestige of hosting bass fishing’s newest and highest profile tournament series, which features 80 of the best professional anglers in the country.
“North Carolina is well-known for its outdoors and natural beauty and our amazing lakes are no exception,” said Tori Collins, Associate Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance. “We’re excited to showcase the fishing-rich culture of our region and all the Raleigh area has to offer to the best anglers in the country and spectators alike.”
“Raleigh is a great example of how our Bass Pro Tour format allows us to take advantage of smaller venues with excellent fishing opportunities among multiple lakes instead of our having to pick a spot based only on size,” said MLF’s Michael Mulone. “I know our guys are excited about visiting these great bass fisheries during the prime spring period. It’s sure to be a wildly entertaining competition.”
Located in the Cape Fear River drainage, Shearon Harris Reservoir is a 4,000-acre power plant lake considered to be one of North Carolina’s most prolific bass fisheries. A Wildlife Resources Commission fact sheet reports that an impressive 41 percent of the largemouth bass surveyed in 2017 were within the lake’s 16- to 20-inch slot limit. It also noted that back-to-back tournaments in 2017 were won with five-fish limits weighing over 40 pounds.
North Carolina’s Shearon Harris Reservoir is a power plant lake with a reputation for producing good numbers and quality-sized bass. A large percent of the bass population falls within the sizes protected from angler possession by a slot limit of 16 to 20 inches, but will count in MLF competition because of the league’s catch, weight and immediate release format. (Photo courtesy of Visit Raleigh. Click to enlarge/download)
Falls Lake also gets high marks as a bass fishery. The 26-mile-long lake is said to have three very distinctive segments across its length, meaning that at least one area could be at the peak of bass spawning activity in the late March timeframe, potentially increasing the chances of a bass 10 pounds or more showing up.
Jordan Lake’s record largemouth bass stands at 14 pounds, 6 ounces. The 14,000-acre impoundment offers a diversity of angling cover and structure – ditches, islands, pockets and aquatic vegetation – that make it appealing to MLF’s anglers looking for springtime bass movement patterns.
North Carolina’s Jordan Lake is a familiar destination for several tournaments local to the region, but only a few of the 80 Bass Pro Tour anglers will likely have any previous experience on the fishery. The 14,000-acre lake provides miles of undeveloped shoreline and a wealth of offshore bass cover. 
MLF uses a conservation-minded catch, weigh and immediate-release-back-into-the-water format during competition, with no restriction as to the number of “scorable” bass allowed. As a result, the Bass Pro Tour often has the flexibility to go where other tournament trails can’t. Most other major bass tournaments rules allow anglers to catch and hold their daily limits, usually five bass, in boat livewells for a ceremonious weigh-in at the competition day’s end.
All Bass Pro Tour venues must also pass stringent MLF connectivity requirements because the MLF NOW! live stream and SCORETRACKER© are critical components to an event’s execution.
Bass Pro Tour events feature five hours of live streaming on each competition day, with free access to the real-time broadcast available at www.majorleaguefishing.com. Also, the Raleigh Bass Pro Tour event will result in a two-hour television show that will air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019. It will repeat on Sportsman Channel in first and second quarters 2020.
MLF also has programming on Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network and Discovery Channel, and all episodes are available on-demand on My Outdoor TV (MOTV).

For more information about MLF and its anglers, rules and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

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About Major League Fishing 
Developed through a joint effort between Outdoor Channel and the PBT anglers in 2011, Major League Fishing brings the high-intensity sport of competitive bass fishing into America’s living rooms in the form of riveting two-hour TV episodes. World-class anglers are filmed over the course of a six-day event. The show captures their efforts as they utilize a demanding format that allows them to weigh all the “scorable bass” they catch. Unlike other competitive fishing events, live leaderboards in the boats allow anglers to know their standings at all times. For more information about the game, visit www.majorleaguefishing.com and follow Major League Fishing on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can catch all current and past episodes of Major League Fishing on #MyOutdoorTV, the world’s leading outdoor television global, streaming service provider. Also, for more information about MLF anglers, see Game & Fish magazine, the official publication of MLF.

Save The Date

by | Dec 20, 2018 | | 0 Comments

2019 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods
March 15-17, 2019 in Knoxville, Tenn.The “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” is just 12 weeks out, and we want YOU there for the most exciting three days in fishing.

The 2019 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods is taking over downtown Knoxville, Tenn. Thousands of outdoor sports’ greatest fans will descend on the banks of the Tennessee River to follow 52 of the world’s best bass pros in their pursuit of the most coveted title in sportfishing.

The 49th annual Bassmaster Classic offers more than $1 million in payouts, including the first-place prize of $300,000.

See the biggest bass on the world’s biggest sportfishing stage, with all festivities in walking distance in downtown Knoxville.

  • Weigh-ins in the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena
  • Daily takeoffs at Volunteer Landing Marina
  • The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods at the Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall
  • A full-service media center in Thompson-Boling Arena

Make plans to arrive in Knoxville in time for the must-attend Classic Media Day Thursday, March 14.

Members of the media are invited to ride along as observers with the Classic pros, and media boats are available for those who want to follow the action on the Tennessee River, Fort Loudoun Lake and Tellico Reservoir.

Apply now for credentials at Bassmastermedia.com. We will follow up with more information about how to plan your trip.

Thanks, and Happy Holidays from B.A.S.S.!

The Bass University Takes on Edison, New Jersey, Tulsa Oklahoma, Gadsden Alabama and Columbus Ohio

by | Dec 17, 2018 | , | 0 Comments

Founded in 2010 by Mike Iaconelli and Pete Gluszek, The Bass University (BU) offers acclaimed bass fishing education programs in three formats: online, in the classroom, and on the water.  Their motto is “Never Stop Learning,” and The Bass University strives to build effective programs that help anglers of all skill levels gain confidence in new tactics and techniques to catch big bass consistently.

During warm weather, BU offers personalized on-the-water instruction with a top pro angler in one-on-one or small group sessions. Each year during the off-season of tournament bass fishing, The Bass University offers four 2-day classroom training programs taught by today’s top bass anglers.

Each Bass University event location features six top-level bass tournament anglers, who will present a total of 12 seminars over two days. Each seminar is approximately 45+ minutes and covers cutting-edge bass fishing tactics, techniques, and tackle. Bass University seminars are two-day events, but individual days can be purchased when selecting ticket options. Discounts are available for anglers 17 and under. All 2019 class ticket purchases through Dec. 31 will receive our holiday stocking stuffer! (Over $40 value for 2-day tickets) Additionally, all students receive a shirt and a loaded gift bag full of valuable tackle and special offers from our sponsors.

During the event, anglers of all skill levels learn new tactics directly from the pros and gain confidence in their own skills and techniques.  Attendees can ask questions during the round-table discussion and rub elbows with the pros during breakout sessions.  They also receive and have a chance to win great prizes throughout the weekend

Interested anglers can register online at TheBassUniversity.com/class-training to guarantee a spot in the class. Walk-in registrants are welcome if space allows, starting at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.  Special rates are available for students and youths 17 and younger.

Edison New Jersey:

Garden State Outdoor Sports
Located at 97 Sunfield Ave Edison NJ 08837. January 12th – January 13th The Bass University is coming to Edison, New Jersey with bass fishing top-level anglers, who will present many seminars over 2 days.  Each seminar is 45+ minutes and covers cutting-edge bass fishing tactics, techniques, and tackle. Top Pros include, John Crews, Cliff Crochet, Seth Feider, JT Kenney, Ish Monroe, and more to come!

Tulsa Oklahoma:
Osage Casino Hotel
Located at 951 West 36th St N, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127. January 12th – January 13th The Bass University is coming to Tulsa, Oklahoma with bass fishing top-level anglers, who will present many seminars over 2 days.  Each seminar is 45+ minutes and covers cutting-edge bass fishing tactics. Top Pros include Mark Daniels Jr., James Elam, Edwin Evers, Carl Jocumsen and James Watson.

Gadsden Alabama:

 The Venue at Coosa Landing
Located at 201 George Wallace Dr., Gadsden, Alabama 35901. January 19th – January 20th The Bass University is coming to Gadsden, Alabama with bass fishing top-level anglers, who will present many seminars over 2 days.  Each seminar is 45+ minutes and covers cutting-edge bass fishing tactics. Top Pros include, Casey Ashley, Scott Canterbury, Matt Herren, Bryan Thrift, Gerald Swindle and Jesse Wiggins.

Columbus Ohio

Bricker Building Ohio Expo Center
Located at 717 E. 17th Ave Columbus, Ohio 43211. Friday, February 8th– Saturday February 9th The Bass University is coming to Columbus Ohio with bass fishing top-level tournament anglers, who will present many seminars over 2 days.  Each seminar is 45+ minutes and covers cutting-edge bass fishing tactics. Top Pros include, Peter Gluszek, JT Kenney, Mike McClelland and more to be announced.

 

All students receive a tee shirt and a loaded gift bag full of tackle and special offers from our sponsors.

First Look at First Bite

by | Dec 17, 2018 | , | 0 Comments

Reel Food is a Kansas snack food start-up company focused on making snacks to meet the needs and tastes of anglers and other outdoorsmen.  Founder Lisa Skolnick never intended to be a food entrepreneur, but was inspired to create a shelf-stable breakfast snack for her teenage son Noah when she saw so many unhealthy options at the gas stations and convenience stores where anglers fill up just prior to hitting the water.
 
Skolnick spent two years working with the Food and Grain Science Departments at Kansas State University to create First Bite Cheesy Bacon Flavor Breakfast Pockets.  In addition to making a tasty snack, Skolnick wanted to make sure First Bite was protein-rich, had no added sugar, and was easy to eat while driving or running between spots on the water.  “I credit Noah with making me appreciate that competitive bass fishing is just like any other competitive sport.  You need to eat well and sleep well to perform well.”
 
It is a happy coincidence that Kansas State University is also home to one of the top collegiate angling teams in the nation.  Noah had several mentors and boater coaches from the Kansas State Team who volunteered their time to support Kansas high school fishing.  Meeting the collegiate anglers inspired Skolnick to create a College Care Program, where Reel Food provides product support for team fundraising efforts.
 
Skolnick is looking forward to expanding brand and product recognition in 2019.  She is also excited about watching the continued expansion of collegiate fishing and the new MLF Bass Pro Tour.
Get all the details here!

MLF Bass Pro Tour Names Texas’ Lake Conroe for Second Stop 2019

by | Dec 12, 2018 | , | 0 Comments

Beautiful Lake Conroe in Texas, located about 40 miles north of Houston, becomes the second stop for the 2019 Bass Pro Tour, Feb. 12 – 17. Aesthetically-developed shorelines and lots of boat docks, islands, bulkheads and other fish-holding structures add to the lake’s scenery and fishing diversity to make it a quality tournament destination. TULSA, Okla.
(Dec. 12, 2018) – Major League Fishing announces the venue for the second stop on its new eight-event Bass Pro Tour is Lake Conroe, a popular recreational lake in Texas located about 40 miles north of Houston. The news follows only a few days after the league announced its series opener is scheduled for Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in late January.
Many of the Bass Pro Tour’s 80-man roster, among which are seven anglers from Texas, have experience on the 21,000-acre lake that serves as an alternate drinking water supply to Houston. However, previous knowledge may not be much of a factor during the 2019 Bass Pro Tour competition dates of Feb. 12-17, because recent rains have carried new debris into the lake to create additional bass hideouts and possibly altered some of the known brushpiles and other existing cover in the lake.
“Lake Conroe is a great bass tournament fishery because it has such a diverse variety of cover including docks, islands, bulkheads, humps and standing timber,” said Michael Mulone, MLF Senior Director of Events and Partnerships. “Complementing the usual appearance of a double-digit bass caught during competition, is the great presence and support by our hosting partners and the entire angling community from the region and state.”
“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. actively supports catch-weigh-immediate release tournament practices in Texas,” said Dave Terre, Chief Inland Fisheries Management and Research, TPWD Inland Fisheries Division. “The format used by Major League Fishing maximizes survival of tournament-caught bass by totally by bypassing live well containment or a stressful stage weigh-in process.”
“They even use unique tournament rules to promote proper handling of fish while on the water. We know, based on our studies, that larger bass are particularly susceptible to stress and delayed mortality with traditional tournament formats. MLF’s low impact format may be particularly meaningful to Lake Conroe, or others lakes, where fisheries management efforts are geared towards the production of big fish. In our mind, the MLF format has the same impact as simple “catch and release” fishing – It’s practically zero!  It really can’t get any better than that,” Terre added.
Although in development over a period of years, the creation and launch of the Bass Pro Tour was officially announced in September. Its catch-weigh-immediate release format is one distinguishing characteristic from the other large tournament trails, but so is the fact that all of the rules for the new tour are decided by and voted upon by the Bass Pro Tour anglers.
Perhaps the most game-changing rule implemented by the anglers to date is when they voted to have no entry fees for participation in the 2019 Bass Pro Tour events.
MLF pro Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, will be the first to say “Don’t look for any home court advantages” for the Texas anglers. The majority of his major tournament victories over his nearly 40 years of competing have come in other states.  Click to enlarge/download)

“We control our own destiny, and that’s what makes Major League Fishing and this new tour so unique,” said MLF pro Gary Klein, a Texas-resident and co-founder of the league and the Bass Pro Tour. “We see competitive bass fishing as a major league sport and that’s the basis for all of our decisions going forward. As for the Conroe destination, I can’t be more pleased than to have a Texas lake become one of our earliest stops in 2019.”

MLF will feature five hours of live streaming during each competition day with free access to the real-time broadcast being available at www.majorleaguefishing.com. Also, the Conroe Bass Pro Tour event will result in a 2-hour television show that will air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019. It will repeat on Sportsman Channel in first and second quarters 2020.
MLF also has programming on Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network and Discovery Channel, and all episodes are available on-demand on My Outdoor TV (MOTV).
For more information about MLF and its anglers, rules and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
###
About Major League Fishing 
Developed through a joint effort between Outdoor Channel and the PBT anglers in 2011, Major League Fishing brings the high-intensity sport of competitive bass fishing into America’s living rooms in the form of riveting two-hour TV episodes. World-class anglers are filmed over the course of a six-day event. The show captures their efforts as they utilize a demanding format that allows them to weigh all the “scorable bass” they catch. Unlike other competitive fishing events, live leaderboards in the boats allow anglers to know their standings at all times. For more information about the game, visit www.majorleaguefishing.com and follow Major League Fishing on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can catch all current and past episodes of Major League Fishing on #MyOutdoorTV, the world’s leading outdoor television global, streaming service provider. Also, for more information about MLF anglers, see Game & Fish magazine, the official publication of MLF.

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