THE LATEST NEWS
What’s in Your Rod Box?
Gerald Swindle talks about staying organized with The Rod Glove.
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Brent Chapman’s Pro vs. Joe Presented by Realtree Episode 4
Chapman takes on Bethel University sophomore angler John Garrett
Gibson County, Tenn. – Competitive bass fishing among colleges and universities has had massive growth over the past five to ten years. Organizations like B.A.S.S. have developed outstanding programs that are helping develop the next generation of professional bass anglers. B.A.S.S. in particular, has developed a platform the enables a collegiate angler to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic every year.
One university, which has really helped paved the way for collegiate fishing programs, is Bethel University in Tennessee. Bethel University and team coach Garry Mason have developed a program that has already captured three national championships. It wasn’t hard to believe when a plethora of challenges came in from several anglers at Bethel University. Among the challengers was John Garrett, who challenged Brent to a head to head showdown on Tennessee’s Gibson County Lake.
Chapman knew he had his work cut out for him from the very beginning. He said, “From the moment I started talking to John, I knew I had my work cut out for me. I could tell he was an accomplished angler, and he knew exactly what he wanted to do on Gibson County Lake.”
A new episode will launch each Monday for the next 8 weeks completing Season One’s thirteen-episode slate. Future Season One episodes take place in Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Kansas. Season Two challenges are being accepted now on ProVsJoe.com.
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200,000 Fish Dead
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The largest fish kill of the year in Baltimore County continues to escalate. Hundreds of thousands of fish are dead in Middle River. Authorities first said algae was the reason why, but are now expanding their investigation. (re-post from WJX by Rick Ritter)
Rick Ritter has more from devastated people in that community.
What started as 100,000 dead fish is now closer to 200,000. Some say algae is not the problem.
In pictures, it’s one dead fish after the other. In person, it’s the same story, but even tougher to take in.
“To see something like this just angers the hell out of me. It really does,” said Scott Sewell, conservation director, Maryland Bass Nation.
For Sewell, this is home. He’s been fishing in the area for years and has never seen anything quite like the current kill.
Thousands of dead fish, floating helplessly in upper Middle River and several of its tributaries.
Ritter: “I can tell how passionate you are about what you do, and when you pick these fish up, I just look at your eyes… You look upset.”
Sewell: “I am… It really is. When you care so much about the environment.”
Maryland Department of the Environment first said a strain of algae was to blame.
“I really think this is more than just an algae bloom here,” Sewell said.
But after concerns from several citizens, they’re now looking at a possible discharge into the waters.
“We’re investigating it and working closely with the county,” said Ben Grumble, secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment.
Something Sewell feels is being done purposely and carelessly.
“As a retired trooper who did a lot of investigations, this one doesn’t pass the smell test,” he said.
So far, the investigation has not shown any signs of chemical pollution.
Water samples have been sent to the University of Maryland for further testing.
In the meantime, authorities recommend that anglers avoid eating fish from the area.
Blooms of this type of algae are typically seen in the late spring or summer months. The warm weather this fall might have allowed the algae to survive and grow, and recent drops in the water temperature might have caused the algae to die.
The waterways affected include Norman Creek, Hopkins Creek, Dark Head Cove and the upper Middle River.
The fish affected include largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegills, crappies, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed sunfish, carp, killifish and Atlantic menhaden.
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TTBC Dates Announced
“Toyota has been a proud supporter of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 2002, and Toyota is excited to spotlight another great fishery in the state of Texas through the TTBC,” said Katie Scallan, executive director of the Texas Bass Classic Foundation. “Toyota’s roots have been firmly planted in the great state of Texas since 1969 with the founding of independent distributor Gulf States Toyota, and for more than a decade with Toyota’s manufacturing facility in San Antonio where Tundras and Tacomas are now built. Toyota’s roots have deepened since announcing the relocation of its North American headquarters to Plano, and Toyota looks forward to continuing to promote and support the great resources Texas has to offer for many years to come.”
As host venue, Toyota Stadium will feature a wide array of family-friendly activities held in conjunction with the event. Fans can expect the return of the annual three-day, star-studded lineup of country music concerts, a large outdoor consumer expo and numerous outdoor family activities—all held in addition to the fishing action taking place at Lake Ray Roberts.
“We are looking forward to celebrating TTBC’s 10th Anniversary in the city of Frisco at Toyota Stadium,” said Lenny Francoeur, TTBC’s tournament director. “This world-class facility was built to host large scale events and will provide an amazing venue for TTBC fans and partners.”
Over the past nine years of the event’s history, the partnership between TTBC and TPWD has showcased some of the best fisheries that Texas has to offer while raising awareness of conservation efforts, and funding the department’s youth and urban outreach programs. To date, TTBC has donated $2.25 million to the TPWD and will continue its support in 2016.
“TTBC has been key to TPWD’s efforts to increase fishing opportunities in urban areas through our Neighborhood Fishin’ Program,” said Dave Terre, chief of research and management for TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division. “About 100,000 people a year benefit from this program and about 50,000 of those are new to fishing. TTBC also supports a number of other conservation and outreach efforts aimed at involving more people in the outdoors.”
2015 TTBC Champion Brent Ehrler will join the 2016 TTBC field, alongside the top 15 in 2015 Angler of the Year points from each of the FLW Tour and Bassmaster Elite Series, and five chosen exemptions. The 36 anglers will compete on Lake Ray Roberts over three days, with the field being reduced to the top-10 for the final round on Sunday, May 22.
“I love competing in Texas because their lakes are some of the healthiest and most productive in the country, thanks in large part to the efforts of TPWD,” said 2015 TTBC Champion Brent Ehrler. “I am excited to return to Lone Star State and defend my TTBC title on Lake Ray Roberts in 2016.”
Ticket and concert information will be available in early 2016. For more information and event news, visit www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com.
‘Jerkbait’ Class with Ott DeFoe
Ott DeFoe’s in-depth presentation on how, where, and when to use those great fish-catchers. Jerkbaiting is a very versatile technique that will allow you to catch more bass in a variety of situations throughout the year.
Here is a short preview from Ott’s 55 minute flipping class on The Bass University TV video library:
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Watch Ott’s entire 55 minute in-depth class, gain access to our full bass fishing video library, and begin gaining confidence in new tactics by subscribing or signing-in below:
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