THE LATEST NEWS
S-Waver Exposed
Billy Pau of Green Top Sporting Goods exposes the S-Waiver. Pau explains how and when he fishes it.
.themify_builder .video-20507-0-0-1.module-video .video-content { }
.themify_builder .video-20507-0-0-1.module-video .video-title { }
.themify_builder .video-20507-0-0-1.module-video .video-title a { }
.themify_builder .text-20507-0-0-2.module-text { }
A Headlight for Powroznik
Jacob Powroznik was about to fish for $300,000 and a Bassmaster Classic title, but he seemed more concerned about the burnt-out headlight on my Tundra, than the cold, muddy, water conditions he was facing.
“I’m serious, dude – you gotta get that fixed,” he told me three times prior to launch at the Grove, Oklahoma’s Wolf Creek Boat Ramp.
Rest easy, J-Pow, I’ve got a mechanic I can trust. A wrench-turner in denim Carhartt britches that runs a Makita screw gun faster than you crank a 6.2:1 Quantum Speed Freak spinning reel.
His name is Bill Hughart- and he’s my friend with dry, cracked, greasy hands, attached to a mechanical mind that humbled me as it dismembered the panels of my truck’s front face to reach the dead bulb with the elegance of those bass fishing freaks I’ve met from Matt Kenseth’s pit crew.
“You couldn’t have googled this on the youtube and figured-out how to change this bulb?” he challenged. “No. Not so much, dude. My youtube isn’t attached to the wrenches I don’t have,” I jabbed back.
He asked about my Mom and Dad while the Makita worked its magic. He knows our closeness. “My dad is having his second cataract procedure today – but he’s seeing like an eagle out of the first one – and was eating pizza 90 minutes after the last surgery – so I expect more success this time too.”
“Cherish ‘em, Guck. My dad’s been gone 4 years now,” emphasized Hughart.
Then talk turned back to last week’s Bassmater Classic, and the anglers I work most closely with. “Oh, The Lee Brothers, huh? – that’s cool,” said Bill. “I dated the Lee Sisters – Ug-Lee and Home-Lee.”
A new headlight to make Powroznik rest easy. Heart for parents here and gone. And humor too.
Thanks, Bill. My mechanically stupid self is dang amazed by minds like yours. And your friendship is deeply appreciated too.
“I’m for wildflowers in the window. Mechanics you can trust. I’m for crackers in my chili. And leavin’ grudges in the dust. I’m for drive-thru order takers, who can muster up a smile. I’m for takin’ in that stray dog, that’s been hangin’ ’round awhile. I’m for turning off the TV. Gettin’ off the internet. I’m for learning all the words to the Gettysburg Address. I’m for dusty pawn shop guitars. And boxers past their prime. I’m for soakin’ up the wisdom -When an old man speaks his mind. I’m for laid off factory workers, when the wolf is at the door. You don’t have to guess what I’m against – If you know What I’m For.” – written by the incredibly talented Allen Shamblin (House that Built Me) for one of my Top 10 favorite artists of all-time, Pat Green. The song “What I’m For” (2009)
Tatula Revealed at the Classic
The new Tatula CT was released last week at the Bassmaster Classic. After all the buzz about this new reel it may have been easy to be disappointed, however the team at Daiwa over delivered on this one. As if the Tatula was not great as it was the new CT takes it to the next level. Watch the video below, FLW tour pro Cody Meyer introduces the reel.
.themify_builder .video-20499-0-0-1.module-video .video-content { }
.themify_builder .video-20499-0-0-1.module-video .video-title { }
.themify_builder .video-20499-0-0-1.module-video .video-title a { }
Find out more about Cody on his Facebook page.
Get a Tatula of your own here.
.themify_builder .text-20499-0-0-2.module-text { }
Special Group and a Special Cause
TULSA, Okla., March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Special Ops Survivors Outdoor TEAM members will be attending the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 4 – 6, 2016. The team members, made up of primarily retired and active duty Green Berets, will be at the event promoting the organization, raising awareness of its mission, and honoring a local Oklahoma hero killed in Iraq in 2015.
TEAM Special Ops Survivors aims to honor the legacies of fallen heroes and survivors’ journeys as well as raise awareness about the organization through athletic events and competitions. Starting initially with mud runs and obstacle courses, the TEAM Special Ops Survivors concept can be utilized to raise funding from any athletic event. From CrossFit competitions and kickball and softball tournaments to warrior dash and fishing tournaments, the events held are only limited by the athletes’ interests. More than just raising funds, these events allow supporters to actively take part in honoring the lives and families of fallen Special Operations heroes. The organization is always looking for athletes who wish to participate and host these events.
“My life changed when I witnessed three fellow soldiers and one canine lose their lives during an attack in Afghanistan. When I had the honor of sitting down with their surviving spouses, one thing became very clear, the impact of Special Ops Survivors. The organization is a vital support for surviving spouses proving necessary resources and critical support during the healing process,” says Mark McCowan, Special Forces Master Sergeant U.S. Army and active TEAM Special Ops Survivors member who has made it his mission to ensure surviving spouses are met with as much support and resources as possible.
TEAM Special Ops Survivors events work to honor heroes like Oklahoma native Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler of Roland, Oklahoma, a highly-decorated soldier, father of four and American Delta Force commando killed in a rescue mission in Iraq in 2015. Wheeler, who was roughly a month shy of his 40th birthday, had at least 14 deployments, most in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Wheeler’s surviving spouse is thrilled that he will be remembered and honored by the Special Ops Survivors TEAM during the Bassmaster Classic.
Special Ops Survivors Outdoor TEAM members attending the Bassmaster Classic will also help promote a fundraiser sponsored by Salmo Performance Fishing Lures. The company is helping to support Special Ops Survivors at the event through the sale of camouflage hats with the TEAM Special Ops Survivors logo. These have been donated by Salmo as a fundraiser and will be available at their exhibitor space for $10 and those interested can also trade in their own hat for a TEAM hat for $5.
Special Ops Survivors’ programs are currently serving survivors more than 200 survivors across 37 states. To learn more about the organization and its services, visit Special Ops Survivors.
ABOUT SPECIAL OPS SURVIVORS
Special Ops Survivors is the only nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to serving surviving spouses of active duty Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Special Operations personnel who have died in combat or training since January 1, 1980. Over the last 13 years, the organization has grown from a small grass-roots organization to an established organization actively serving more than 200 surviving spouses from all military service branches. For more information about the organization, visit Special Ops Survivors.
.themify_builder .video-20497-0-0-1.module-video .video-content { }
.themify_builder .video-20497-0-0-1.module-video .video-title { }
.themify_builder .video-20497-0-0-1.module-video .video-title a { }
Bidding Done Today at 5 p.m. (PST)
SPOKANE, Washington – Through the course of a 15-year career as a professional bass fisherman, Luke Clausen has rung up a list of achievements that anglers around the world dream about: the 2004 FLW Championship as a Tour rookie, the 2006 Bassmaster Classic, and over $2 million in tournament earnings.
Today, though, Clausen’s focus is on another goal: to raise as much money as possible to benefit the C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation, a Pacific Northwest-based non-profit foundation whose mission is to provide fishing and outdoors experiences for disabled and disadvantaged children.
“I’m very fortunate to be able to live my dream by fishing professionally, but today, I ask for your help in making someone else’s dream come true,” said Clausen. “I would like to auction off a one-day fishing trip on any body of water that there will be an Elite Series event in 2016, an autographed tournament jersey, and a tackle pack with all the proceeds benefitting the Cast for Kids Foundation. It’s a great cause, and one that’s very near to my heart.”
Bids accepted until 5 p.m. PST today
Clausen will be accepting bids on his Facebook Page until 5 p.m. PST this evening: bidders can simply comment on the post at the top of his Facebook page, stating their bid amount. Upon completion of the bidding, Clausen will personally contact the winner to make arrangements for the fishing trip.
“The Elite Series takes us to some fantastic fisheries this year: Toledo Bend in Louisiana, the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks, just to name a few,” Clausen said. “I’m excited about the possibility of taking someone fishing on a lake that every bass angler dreams of fishing. We’ll have a great day on the water, and your money will be well spent!”
ABOUT C.A.S.T FOR KIDS
The Catch A Special Thrill (CAST) For Kids Foundation was founded in 1991 as a means to create an adaptive environment where children ages 5 to 17 and adults could share a day of fun on the water that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. The foundation hosts events around the country to assist children through CAST For Kids, and military veterans through Take A Warrior Fishing.
The high bidder in the Clausen auction will pay the full amount directly to the C.A.S.T. Foundation. The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is a non-profit 501c(3), and the winner will receive a receipt for their tax deductible donation to the Foundation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please log on to www.castforkids.org for more information about this great foundation.