THE LATEST NEWS
FLW Tour Pro Kevin Stewart Opts to Fish Out West in 2016
(Elk Grove, CA – January 29, 2016) – FLW Tour pro Kevin Stewart has decided to sit out the 2016 FLW Tour season and will stay home to focus on his business.
“I really wish I was fishing the Tour again for sure” Stewart said, “but I need to get my business back going again, get my finances organized and secure a Tour title sponsor to get back in 2017.
Stewart has secured support from UnderCover Truck Bed Covers (UnderCover Sportsman) and BedRug Next Generation Bedliners (BedRug Outdoors) to fish the Western Division of the Costa FLW Series, California Tournament Trail, WONBASS NorCal Open and WONBASS U.S. Open.
“I’ve been with BedRug for a year now and adding UnderCover is really a bonus because they both have amazing products that I truly believe in and trust” Stewart added.
“Adding Kevin will be a great benefit on the lake, the ramp, at shows and thru social media because he does believe so much in our products,” said UnderCover Sportsman brand manager Westin Yancey. “We are also excited to be working with Kevin to help build more brand recognition and product knowledge for both companies.”
Stewart’s tow vehicle is equipped with an UnderCover Flex folding truck bed cover, SwingCase swing-out toolboxes and BedRug Bedliner.
“The combination of these truck accessories keeps all the gear I travel with dry, secure and organized plus adding value to my truck.” Stewart added.
Stewart also said that he was very thankful to maintain his relationship with the following sponsor partners: Damiki Fishing Tackle, The Hitch Defender, Phoenix Boats, Mercury Marine, Raymarine, Power Pole, Seaguar, STORMR, iRod and Endless Possibili-tees.
About BedRug
BedRug is well known throughout the aftermarket, a name synonymous with high quality and innovation. Located in Old Hickory, Tennessee, BedRug got its start as a manufacturer of TPO foam composites. TPO foams offer a broad range of performance attributes – ranging from softness and flexibility to thermal stability – it is a closed cell construction, which will not absorb moisture, and is similar to the foam used in life jackets. It can be fabricated into a variety of parts that are suitable for exterior applications. Most importantly, it can be laminated to other substrates – and in BedRug’s case, those additional materials include 100% polypropylene plastic non-woven “carpet” and the TPO composite that creates BedTred.
www.bedrug.com
About UnderCover
At UnderCover our focus is on Quality. When you buy UnderCover Tonneau Covers, your buying quality. Not just perceived quality, but real quality. the kind that takes real assets and hard work. Moreover, it takes a commitment to excellence to achieve that quality.
Our long-term goal, from the very beginning, was to build a company that served the needs of our customers and set the standard for high product quality, superior customer service and value. Our objective was driven by the fact that “the bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory,” and that “nothing looses customers faster than poor customer service.” So far we have been successful in delivering and supporting a product that is loved and valued.
www.undercoverinfo.com
About Kevin Stewart
I am a family man first and foremost married to my wife Susan since 1988 we have two beautiful daughters Nikki and Carly. My occupation has been involved in the towing business since 1985 with the last 11 years dedicated to our own company Arena Tow.
Bass fishing is my other passion in life, having started fishing team tournaments in 1993 then taking a 7 year break to coach competitive youth soccer across the nation allowing me to be involved with my daughters and watching them grow up then returning to competitive bass fishing in 2009 only this time to compete as a professional in the biggest tournaments the west has to offer. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to do what I love to do and have the support from my family and friends.
Kevin’s Angler Website: kevinstewartfishing.com
Facebook: facebook.com/kevin.stewart
Instagram: instagram.com/kevinstewartfishing
Strader Strides Into First At Southern Open
Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tenn., leads on Day 2 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1 held on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes out of Kissimmee, Fla. Strader brought 15 pounds, 11 ounces to the scales at Friday’s weigh-in for a two-day total of 37-4. Photo by Shaye Baker/Bassmaster
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Wesley Strader has moved into first place in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open with a game plan that seems to change by the hour.
“I just have been kind of winging it the whole time,” said Strader, who leads the pro division with 37 pounds, 4 ounces. “I seem to do better when I can wing it, just go fishing and not have any preconceived notions of what I am going to do.”
Thursday, Strader went to a spot where he expected to catch just keeper-size bass to complete his limit, but the spot produced heavyweight bass for him. Friday, the Spring City, Tenn., angler caught about a 10-pound limit from that spot. Because he knew he had enough weight to make the Top 12 cut, Strader decided to try another place he found in practice.
After arriving at the new spot, Strader noticed his partner threw a “Hail Mary” out into the middle of the lake and caught a quality bass.
“So I threw out there and caught a big one,” he said. “Then I threw out there and caught another big one.” Strader thanked his partner for putting him on those couple of bites that helped him complete a 15-11 limit.
“I kind of figured something out there at the end of the day, so maybe it will pay off tomorrow,” he said. “It seems like the later in the day it gets, the better the bite gets because Florida bass like it hot. So I could see as the water temperature got up to that 62 to 64 degrees, the fish started getting a little more aggressive.”
Strader also earned the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $250 for leading Day 2.
Winter Springs Bassmasters club member Eric Panzironi celebrated his son Landen’s seventh birthday today by catching a 16-13 limit that moved him into second place with 34-12.
“It just all came together,” said the 36-year old swimming pool maintenance man. “I found a spot that was holding fish, and I caught a limit early and then got a couple of big bites.”
“I went to the same exact spot (as Thursday), and I made about 10 casts and caught a decent one,” Panzironi said. “From there on I got a couple more. Then I caught a big one and that was pretty much it. I didn’t cull too much, maybe once or twice, but that was it.”
The Longwood, Fla., angler admits he had a terrible practice this week, but he has turned it around during the tournament.
“I barely caught a limit on Monday and Tuesday,” he said. His bite has been early as he has caught his limit by about 9:30 each morning.
The rest of the Top 5 in the pro division includes Cody Detweiler, Orlando, Fla., third place, 34-11; Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo., fourth, 34-4; and Jason Williamson, Wagener, S.C., fifth, 33-5.
Deland, Fla., boat mechanic Rob Walker leads the non-boater division with 17-14. He fishes the Kissimmee Chain often and is relying on a tactic that usually produces well for him this time of year. Walker also earned a Livingston Lures gift pack valued at $250 for being the second-day co-angler leader.
Visit Kissimmee and the Central Florida Sports Commission are hosting this Open. Saturday’s launch will be held at the Lakefront Park/Big Toho Marina in Kissimmee. The weigh-in will move to the Bass Pro Shops in Orlando and will begin at 4 p.m. ET.
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Knight Nabs Kicker Fish To Take Southern Open Lead
Brad Knight of Lancing, Tenn., takes the lead on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1 held on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes out of Kissimee, Fla. Knight brought 22 pounds, 11 ounces to the scales at Thursday’s weigh-in. Photo by James Overstreet/Bassmaster
Kissimmee, Fla. — Team tournament partners Brad Knight and Wesley Strader got one big fish on the Kissimmee Chain and are neck and neck in the pro division after the first round of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open Thursday.
Knight holds the lead with a 22-pound, 11-ounce limit that included a 9-6 bass, while Strader is in second place with 21-9.
“Wesley is a great friend of mine,” said Knight. “We have fished team tournaments together.”
Both anglers found big bass either nesting or moving up to spawn. “I had a terrible execution day because I had a chance at four or five other fish that were of that (9-6) caliber or more,” said Knight, the reigning Forrest Wood Cup champion from Lancing, Tenn. Knight noted he lost most of his bass when they burrowed into the vegetation.
“I would have liked to have had another hour today, but I just didn’t put it all together,” he said. “My fish kind of moved around and things are changing pretty rapidly for me out there. I am looking forward to going back out there tomorrow because I know where they are living. I figured out a few things this afternoon and hopefully I can put together another good bag. Some of the fish are prespawn, but they have really made a move the last day or two to spawn.”
Knight knew he was around big fish when he had a decent day of practice on Tuesday. The Tennessee angler verified that point when he caught his 9-pounder and another bass that probably weighed around 8 pounds today.
Strader found his fish in practice when he visited an area where he did well in last year’s Southern Open.
“It is just a place where they come to spawn, and I knew these fish are dying to spawn but the weather conditions haven’t been right for them to do it,” Strader said.
The Spring City, Tenn., angler tried other spots in the morning because he believed the place he found in practice was just loaded with 2-pounders. However when he didn’t have a fish in the livewell by 11:15, he decided to make a move to the keeper-size bass.
“I just went to that area where I knew there were some smaller fish up spawning,” he said. “Those 2-pounders turned into great big ones, so I am pleased with that.”
Rounding out the Top 5 in the pro division are Jade Keeton, Killen, Ala., third, 20-0; Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo., fourth, 19-10; and Jason Williamson, Wagener, S.C., fifth, 18-8.
Winter Springs, Fla., angler Nate Bloom celebrates his 40th birthday tomorrow, but he received an early birthday present when he got to fish with Koby Krieger, who was his partner when Bloom won the 2003 Southern Open at Lake Okeechobee.
Krieger turned into a good luck charm again for Bloom who caught a three-fish limit weighing 11-10 to take the lead in the non-boater division.
“My first day fishing with Koby Krieger and I am in first place,” Bloom said. “It is just meant to be.”
Hosting this event are Visit Kissimmee and the Central Florida Sports Commission. Tomorrow’s launch, weigh-in and the final day launch will be held at the Lakefront Park/Big Toho Marina. The final day weigh-in will shift to the Bass Pro Shops in Orlando.
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
–
Ardent Adds 4 Elite Anglers to the Already Stacked Team
Macon, MO (January 27, 2015) – Ardent is announcing today the expansion of our 2016 Pro Staff Program –“Team Ardent”. New members this year include several outstanding B.A.S.S. Elite Series anglers:
Matt Herren – B.A.S.S. Elite Series Angler
“Multiple gear ratios, weight, feel, dependability are few of the features a reel must have before they go on my rods. Ardent has it all with the Apex line of reels. Whether it’s the Apex Elite, Apex Grand or the Apex Magnum, I have a lightweight, dependable reel that will get the job done!”
Russ Lane – B.A.S.S. Elite Series Angler
“A good friend of mine and top FLW Tour angler Michael Neal showed me some of his Ardent reels a while back. I had no idea that they had stepped up their game that much. After using the Grand and Elite reels for several weeks, I decided to go all in with Ardent for 2016. It’s pretty impressive that they can make a reel that weighs less than 6oz. and feels so smooth and solid!”
John Hunter – B.A.S.S. Elite Series Rookie
“Going into my rookie season on the Elite Series, I wanted to fish with the best, which is why I teamed up with Ardent. The new Apex Grand reel is one of the lightest and smoothest reel money can buy.”
Brock Mosley – B.A.S.S. Elite Series Rookie
“I am excited to be a part of Team Ardent. Ardent makes one of the best reels on the market. They are super light, super strong, durable, and trust worthy when I am competing on the highest level. I look forward in working and growing with Ardent in the future.”
These top professionals will be joining other Team Ardent anglers including Denny Brauer, Pete Ponds, Fred Roumbanis, Clifford Pirch, Scott Canterbury, JT Kenney, Clayton Batts, Michael Neal, Bryan Schmitt and Jim Jones who will be competing in the B.A.S.S. Elite Series, FLW Tour & Major League Fishing tournaments.
The Team Ardent program is now entering its 10th year with over 250 North American Anglers who utilize Ardent reels, rods & reel care products. All Team Ardent members will be using a number of products this year including the Apex Grand, Apex Magnum, Wire, C-Force and Bolt spinning reels.. To learn more about becoming a Team Ardent Member contact tcole@ardentoutdoors.com
About Ardent
With headquarters in Macon, Mo., Ardent designs and manufacture fishing tackle. Catch us at www.ardentreels.com.
Gliss Continues to Receive Outstanding Reviews
As the 2016 season opens Gliss continues to receive outstanding reviews from anglers across the U.S.A.
“I used Gliss on the B.A.S.S. Elite series all of last year and it put fish in the boat that I don’t think I could of caught using other line. Gliss has zero stretch which makes it so sensitive that I can feel every little structure and most importantly when the fish picks up my bait” said Team Ardent & Team Gliss member Fred Roumbanis.
FLW Tour Angler, Team Ardent & Team Gliss member Clayton Batts reports “Gliss is the perfect match for any reel but especially a spinning reel. Using Gliss will help improve your casting accuracy and outcast any other line on the market due to it’s super thin diameter and slick coating.”
In addition to positive angler reviews Gliss is also receiving tremendous dealer and distributor sales support. Gliss will soon be available in the following dealer locations and websites: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Gander Mountain, Cabela’s and Field & Stream. The following distributors are also selling Gliss to dealers: Maurice Sporting Goods, Pitman Creek, Sportsman Supply & Nabatak. Amazon.com, Dickssportinggoods.com & Tacklewarehouse.com are experiencing tremendous sales success with Gliss.
For more information on Gliss please contact sales@ardentreels.com or visit ardentreels.com.