THE LATEST NEWS
Randy Haynes talks Raymarine
Randy’s passion for fishing started when he was a small child when he would fish in farm ponds and small lakes alongside his fishing hero’s – his Dad and Grandfather.
Even with his passion and the knowledge he learned from his Dad and Grandfather, Randy knew that there was still a lot to learn about fishing – especially understanding the dynamics of larger lakes. Randy was fortunate to meet Mr. Long who became a good friend and mentor for Randy and taught him everything he knew about deep water fishing.
In 1998, Randy moved to Pickwick, Tennessee and put his newfound knowledge to the test, learning more about the lakes and fishing local tournaments. 10 years later, Randy was persuaded by his wife and parents to enter the FLW EverStart tournament which he won. Shortly after, Randy became a member of the Professional Anglers Association who entered a 4-man team in the Corporate Cup on Pickwick Lane. Randy’s team, Haynes Hardwood Flooring (named after his business), won the event.
Winning these two events and competing against top anglers had Randy hooked and ignited his dream of competing on the professional tours.
See the entire Raymarine line up here.
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Jimmy Reese FLW Pro Announces Agreement with BOING LURES
Jason Yocum owner CEO of Boing Lures based in Indiana has agreed to a partnership agreement with FLW Touring Professional Jimmy Reese. “I am so excited about working with Jason and his company. We have been brain storming for weeks now. Jason and I have so much in common and are excited about the future of his brand. We both understand the importance of building strong long term relationships as well as giving back to the industry” Boing Lures a top water Lure company based in Indiana has been around for a few years now and really has been kept a secret by some of the Bass and FLW tour guys. “These lures flat out catch fish!” The unique sound these baits make when walking across the surface gives the fish a different low to high frequency sound for them to react to. These hand painted Boing Lures are coated with a durable epoxy to help protect the paint and look absolutely amazing.”
The strategic alliance between boing lures and FLW tour pro Jimmy Reese is built on the foundation that places a high value on family and fishing at a high level. Jimmy Reese is a consummate professional that understands fishing and helping others in the industry regardless of the level of fishing acumen that they possess. 2015 promises to be a tremendous year on the FLW tour so please stay tuned via the web links below to track his progression through the season. Boing lures would personally like to thank a few individuals: Fred Book, Todd Barnes, Tab Walker, all boing lures friends, and my father Charles Yocum.
You can check out more at https://www.facebook.com/JimmyReeseProfessionalAngler?ref=hl and www.boinglures.net and https://www.facebook.com/BoingLures?ref=br_tf
Jimmy would also like to thank his Family, friends, sponsors and his media outlets for their continuous support. Jimmy’s Sponsors are RANGER, MERCURY, GARY YAMAMOTO, LOWRANCE, TOP THIS, BED RUG, BOING LURES, FRENZY BAITS, SOLAR BAT SUNGLASSES, ROBOWORM, BIG O TIRES, GAMAKATSU AND P-LINE
Press Release: Roumbanis Lights Up 2015 with BlueWater LED
Bixby, Ok – Bassmaster Elite Series pro angler Fred Roumbanis has added BlueWater LED as a major sponsor for 2015. BlueWater LED offers high quality LED lighting for the outdoor and marine industry.
Roumbanis said, “I spend a lot of time working in my boat in parking lots of lakes and hotels around the country. Having BlueWater LED lighting on my boat will make that easier. They will also make my boat safer on the water, and my truck and trailer safer on the road. “
Roumbanis will be joining fellow Elite Series pro’s Randy Howell, Scott Ashmore, and several more national level tour pro’s on the BlueWater LED’s Pro Team. “Fred has always been a consummate pro and a talented angler. Adding him to our pro team is something we are excited about. Fred has a large fan base and is primed for a great year on tour,” said Eric Hall of BlueWater LED.
Roumbanis will be running BlueWater LEDs pro boat LED package along with both the Ultimate Trailer Kit and the truck undercarriage kit in 2015. Watch for Roumbanis on the Elite Series stage as he strives to make his 5th Bassmaster Classic. One things for sure, with BlueWater LED – you’ll see him coming.
Megabass and Aaron Martens Part Ways After 17 Years
Megabass of America, the US arm of Japan’s foremost innovator of premium fishing tackle, confirmed today that after 17 years, Megabass’ title sponsorship of Aaron Martens is ending.
“While we are of course disappointed that our professional relationship will not continue in 2015, we certainly understand Aaron’s decision to pursue a new business opportunity,” said Yuskei Murayama, Vice President of Megabass of America. “Aaron is one of the most gifted anglers of his time, and it is no surprise to us that a fledgling brand would invest heavily in his services.”
Partnered with Megabass since his early days on the West Coast circuits, Martens has quickly risen to the top of the national stage. With two Bassmaster AOY titles, three U.S. Open Championships, and multiple victories to his name, Aaron has solidified himself as one of the most consistent, talented, and feared anglers on Tour.
“In many ways, we would not be where we are today without Aaron,” said Murayama, “so we wish to take this opportunity to give thanks for the whole-hearted dedication, passion, and expertise Aaron has shared with us these past 17 years. Megabass is certainly better for it, and will continue to strive to make the kind of equipment that elevates our anglers to ever-greater success. We wish Aaron the best in this next chapter of his career.”
Aaron Martens Statement Regarding Megabass Departure
The Decision 2015….
Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward.
For the last three years, I have been fishing as a boater in the FLW Everstart/Rayovac series on what was to me, familiar water. The Potomac, in particular, is a body of water that I know well enough to have a relative sort of consistency; and by consistency, I mean coming to a weigh in with at least SOMETHING in the live well.
During the 2012 Everstart, I weighed in 4 fish for a little over 11 pounds, with a 5 lb.er that won big fish for day 1 – and was only a couple of pounds out of the cut line. Then, fishing the same water on Day 2, I blanked. Zero. Zilch. Nada. I was embarrassed. I missed what a fellow competitor described as a “monster” on a frog that broke off on 65 lb braid (always check those knots people!!), but even with that fish, I failed to execute on a body of water that I know well enough to be able to put a few in the boat every June, especially with a 12 inch minimum for keeper fish.
Last year was no better – banged them in practice on the Potomac and the James, and then just failed to execute during the tournament. Had a 7+ on the James in practice, and blanked on day one. Again, I was embarrassed and quite frankly, it was time to do some serious introspection regarding my ability.
Now truthfully, both the James and the Potomac are fickle fisheries that stump even the best anglers from time to time. Both are heavily influenced by tidal fluctuation, and are known for hot spots turning cold in a matter of minutes. The thing is, there are many who thrive on these bodies of water, and they are doing SOMETHING out there that I have either failed to recognize or just don’t know.
I ended 2014 by fishing the Bassmaster Southern Open #3 on Lake Norman, a place I have only seen once, fishing as a Co-Angler and practicing with my good friend and Fitzgerald Rods teammate, Rich Howes. My motivation was simple: I wanted to have fun and work on a few things for BassEast.com with Rich. What I ended up learning, however, was one of the most valuable lessons of my fishing career to date.
Rich is the 2013 Bassmaster Open on Lake Toho Champion who would go on to finish 2nd on Norman in 2014, and his ability to analyze and execute on the water was superior to mine in every way. His decision-making was faster, more in depth, and more wholly committed when compared to mine. Essentially, he was a far better tournament angler than I was, making and committing to decisions about his day in a manner that I wasn’t over the last three years, and it showed in his results. Sadly, I should have learned this lesson years earlier while having the opportunity to practice with FLW Tour Pro Michael Murphy, who really allowed me access to the way he thinks on the water in multiple tournaments. Unfortunately, I was too concerned about how I could WIN those events, not how I could LEARN from them, and many of those lessons were lost until today.
I fished that Open from the back deck with a new sense of how to attack the tournament, and I ended up with the best result of my career, fishing my first final day in a major event and finishing in 5th place overall. Sitting next to Andy Montgomery, the eventual Champion, as we hit the stage in the Bass Pro Shops parking lot is an experience I will never forget, and has motivated me to take a new approach in 2015.
My good friend and 2012 Potomac River Everstart Champion John Hutchins told me that I made the switch to the front of the boat too early, and honestly, I wanted to tell him to talk a long walk off a short pier (actually, it was much worse, but you get the meaning). He would tell me that I had a lot to learn about decision making, and tournament choices, and blah blah blah…. and he would always end with a smile and say “I’m just trying to help you out brother”; all I kept thinking was “I’ll show him”. Turns out he was right; I had a lot to learn AND he was genuinely trying to help, and I should have listened to him. Some lessons, however, have to be learned the hard way. FLW Tour Pro RC Cooper told me countless times how valuable fishing the tour as a Co before he made the move to the front was to him, but again, I needed to come to that realization on my own.
There is a stigma associated with fishing as a Co-Angler in our world – that those who fish from the back do so because they aren’t good enough to fish from the front. Ridiculous. When some of my “Facebook followers” saw the results from the Open that listed me as a Co, I received a lot of “atta boys!!” but just as many “you sucks” or “you’re a fake” from people who felt the need to share their opinion. I appreciated them both – having the support of my fellow fishing junkies is truly awesome, and having the motivation to show those who wallow in negativity that I will succeed adds to my competitive drive.
So, I put my ego aside for 2015 and have decided to fish the Bassmaster Southern Opens in their entirety as a Co-Angler. I’ll still be fishing from the front in the Walmart BFL’s and the ABA Weekend Series, but 2015 will be a year spent more on my growth as a tournament fisherman, and not so much on my results. Of course….a Co-angler title would be pretty sweet………Good fishing Murph
Find out more about Chris Murphy on his web site and Facebook page