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Blaylock Flash Back
Watch unbelievable footage from the 2014 Texas Toyota Bass Classic on Lake Fork in Texas where Stetson Blaylock weighed in over 102lbs of Bass in just 3 days!!!!
Keep up with Stetson on his Facebook page.
A Good Ending to a Good Year.
The end of my tournament season was really busy, starting off with the Elite Series Angler of the Year event in Escanaba, Michigan. I didn’t have much to gain or much to lose because I’d already solidified my position in the Bassmaster Classic and was out of the running for the AOY title. Nevertheless, we’d heard that the Bays de Noc were great fisheries with monster smallmouths and that you could catch them any way you wanted – dropshot, topwater, Chatterbait, swimbait, etc. That excited me, even though there wasn’t a lot of money at stake.
Unfortunately, despite it being a large body of water, it fished quite small. There was some ultra-productive water, but also a lot of dead acreage. When the wind blows it fishes even smaller and it definitely howled while we were there, to the tune of three canceled days. We finally finished up on Monday and that led to a long drive to North Carolina for the final Southern Open of the year.
I have a fair amount of experience on Norman and it was no secret that the tournament was likely to be won on docks this time of year. There are docks everywhere, so the goal was to isolate the area that had the best chance of producing the winning weight and then dial in its potential over the three days of competition.
During the practice period, I narrowed down my approach to two main presentations: For the first hour or so, when there were low-light conditions, I’d hit up to 20 or 30 spots with a ½ ounce white Lunker Lure buzzbait, trying to catch fish that had pulled up to feed overnight. If I could catch three or four keepers doing that, then I could pick up my ½ ounce Lunker Lure Limit Series jig and hit the docks. Tipped with a Missile Baits D Bomb, it very closely mimics the bluegills and crawdads that hide in that shade.
I was pretty confident that I was around the right caliber of fish, but I knew that my ability to make the top twelve would depend on whether I got a quality bite each day. On the first day of competition I got it, a 3 ½ pound largemouth that had me in 3rd place with 13-08. Then on Day Two the weather changed. It was cloudy and rainy and the fish were looser on the docks. Using the buzzbait and the jig, along with a Sammy 115 topwater, I added 11-03 and remained in 3rd place.
Heading into the final day I was only a little over 2 pounds out of the lead, but on Norman that seems like a huge deficit. There was no reason to abandon my game plan. After the rain exited it was clear and windy. My topwater bite was ok, but the jig bite died as a result of the front, so I switched from the bigger jig to a Lunker Lure shakey head tipped with a 4-inch Zoom Finesse Worm to finish out my limit. I knew that I probably couldn’t win on the little worm so once I had five in the livewell I went back to the jig. It just didn’t work out and my catch of 7-12 dropped me to 7th place.
Andy Montgomery performed masterfully to earn the win. He has a lot of history on Norman and lots of places to visit, so as my fish depleted he kept expanding. Overall, though, I’m pretty satisfied because a top ten on Norman is something to be proud of.
That tournament ended the year for me just as I started it – strong. By finishing 4th in the points in the Southern Opens I requalified for the Elite Series that way, as well as through the Elites themselves. Also, I’ll be fishing the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Lake Fork in May as well as the February Bassmaster Classic. I feel very blessed. I’ve worked hard to advance as an angler and it’s gratifying to see the fruits of those labors.
Of course none of this would’ve been possible without the help of my sponsors. A 1 ounce Lunker Lure jig fished on Denali Rods and Gamma Line gave me the confidence to swing hard all year long. Jasper Engines and Transmissions enabled me to be out there doing what I love to do. My Phoenix boat and my Humminbird electronics did not give me a moment of trouble, allowing me to focus 100 percent on my job. Few other anglers have that kind of support system.
After Norman, we headed straight to Hartwell to do a little bit of pre-Classic scouting. I didn’t fish much, instead spending hours upon hours graphing with my Humminbird 1198, both side-imaging and down-imaging, trying to refamiliarize myself with the lake’s contours. When I arrive for the official practice, I want to know not only how to navigate safely, but where every little ditch and brushpile might sit. I’ve had a great season, and that leaves me fired up about the next one.
Facebook – Chad Morgenthaler; Twitter & Instagram – CCMorgenthaler www.chadmorgenthaler.com
Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year Championship, Bays de Noc, Escanaba, Michigan
39th Place; 10 fish, 26-05
Bassmaster Southern Open, Lake Norman, Charlotte, North Carolina
7th Place 15 fish, 32-07
The Bite!
If you didn’t get to catch up with Ike at Green Top Sporting Goods on Sunday, no worries we will be posting a few videos from the event. Here is a great one, Mike spent some time discussing a buzzbait bite with a pretty excited young angler.
Get all the tackle Mike uses here.
Keep up with Ike on his Facebook page.
Livingston Lures Expands National Pro Team with Addition of Clay Dyer
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Livingston Lures is proud to announce the addition of Tennessee native Clay Dyer to the Team Livingston roster of national bass pros and fishing personalities. Dyer, a veteran of various levels of competition on the FLW and B.A.S.S. circuits, will wear the Livingston colors at the 2015 Southern and Central Opens, and possibly some select Northern Opens as he pursues his goals of qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series and Bassmaster Classic.
“My dream from childhood has been to fish as a professional angler, and with the abilities of all the anglers who compete as professionals, we as tournament anglers are all trying to find ways to put ourselves ahead of the competition,†Dyer said. “The technology that Livingston is applying to baits with Electronic Baitfish Sounds: EBS Technologyâ„¢ is making the baits just as real as whatever the fish are feeding on. It’s going to give me an edge moving forward in my career. I appreciate a company that has the same standards, beliefs and qualities as my own family, and I’m very proud to be a member of the Livingston Lures family.â€
Dyer competed in the FLW Series from 2004 to 2008, the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) in 2005, the Professional Anglers Association (P.A.A.) in 2008, and as a professional on the FLW Tour from 2006 to 2009. In 2012, Dyer fished his first B.A.S.S. Southern Open on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Tavares, Fl., and he’s stayed in the Opens ever since, fishing the Southerns and select Central Opens in 2013 and 2014.
“I’m a shallow-water power fisherman, but I think my versatility is one of my strengths,†Dyer said. “To be competitive at this level, you have to be able to catch fish in all conditions, and the advanced EBS Technologyâ„¢ will allow me to be at the top of my game.â€
In addition to his tournament career, Dyer is recognized as one of the most inspirational speakers in the country. He routinely spends 200 days a year on the road, travelling to charity events, churches, schools and outreach groups throughout the South, speaking about “how to be a champion in life†and dealing with diversity.
“I’m very excited to have Clay on Team Livingston,†said Livingston Pro & 2014 Classic champion Randy Howell. “He and I have been great friends for 15 years now, and Clay never ceases to amaze me with his determination and positive way of life! He’ll be a huge asset to Livingston, and I am thankful to call him a friend and teammate. Clay touches many people’s hearts across the country every year, and anyone who follows Clay will be motivated to live a more grateful life.â€
Notes: Dyer has been featured on multiple national media outlets, including ESPN, Fox, CNN, CBS, Newsweek, USA Today and the 700 Club. Dyer grew up in Hamilton, Ala., and considers the Tennessee River chain his home waters.
TEAM LIVINGSTON QUOTES ON CLAY DYER
Andy Morgan, 2013 & 2014 FLW Tour Angler of the Year
“Clay is a great man. He’s known very well worldwide, not only as an outdoorsman, but as a true giant among men.â€
Byron Velvick, multi-time B.A.S.S. winner
“Clay Dyer is an inspiration to anyone who may think ‘I can’t’, ‘It’s just too hard’ or ‘This just isn’t possible!’ Clay has never ceased to amaze me with his driven fortitude and burning desire to fish competitively without excuses, and ignoring any so-called limitations. I’m thrilled to call him a partner/teammate as well as a friend.â€
Stetson Blaylock, 2009 FLW Tour Rookie of the Yea
“I’m inspired by Clay’s work ethic, and feel that he is a great fit for Team Livingston. I’m pumped to have him as a part of the family.â€
Hank Cherry, 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year
“Clay is a one of a kind. I’ve known him for many years, and if anyone in this sport deserves to be sponsored, it’s him. He has been such an inspiration to me that I named my only son after him.”
“Best”… Again
CARROLLTON, Texas (Oct. 7, 2014) – Amphibia ANSI-rated floating eyegear was named Best New Product at the recent 2014 International Vision Expo West in Las Vegas, making it two “Bests” in a row for Amphibia at the annual ophthalmic conference. It was the first time in the show’s 26-year history that a company has won the distinction in back-to-back years.
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Amphibia’s new Hydrafoil (left) and Hydra series of floating eyegear are the world’s first and only floating impact resistant eyewear safety frames. The innovations were responsible for Amphibia winning Best New Product for the second year in a row at the recent International Vision Expo West in Las Vegas.
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Last year was the first appearance at the expo for the young Amphibia brand and it earned the Best New Product award for its high-end floating sunglass line. The recognition validated the company’s positioning as premium floating eyegear featuring industry-leading frames and the finest in 100 percent polarized lenses that block ultraviolet rays UVA, UVB and UVC.
The 2014 award honors Amphibia’s new half-frame Hydra series and full-frame Hydrafoil series, both with frames as well as lenses that meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and conformity rating assessments for eyeglasses. The ANSI for eye protection is Z87.1, which gives a specific impact resistance rating to protective eyewear.
“This is literally a moon-landing accomplishment for us, a place where eyegear has never gone before,” said Jeff Gibson, Amphibia president. “We are the world’s first and only floating impact resistant eyewear safety frame, meaning we’re able to maintain buoyancy while also having the density to withstand ANSI’s rigorous Z87.1 testing. This award, and winning it again for the second time in a row, is a monumental statement for the Amphibia brand.”
Guaranteed to float, all models of Amphibia sunglasses feature a manufacturing process that incorporates patent-pending AirCelâ„¢ and AirBridgeâ„¢ technology into the frames. The technology uses patented air capsules in strategic locations in frames and bridges to make the eyegear float horizontally. The feature returns submerged sunglasses to the surface and horizontal floating makes them easier to find and retrieve.
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The new Amphibia Hydra series (shown), like all Amphibia eyegear, features polycarbonate ANSI-rated lenses and patent-pending AirCell and AirBridge technology to keep glasses floating for easy recovery if they end up in the water.
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Amphibia’s TR-90 frame material is considered to be plastics’ equivalent to titanium, providing an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. The frames also feature a high silicone rubber composition specifically engineered to react to body temperatures that result in a no-slip fit.
Standard on all Amphibia sunglasses are 2mm polycarbonate ANSI-rated lenses that are shatter resistant and have a Hydrophobic Coating on lens fronts to repel water. In addition, Amphibia lenses feature a proprietary coating called AquaArmorâ„¢ that completely eliminates fogging on the inside of lens surfaces.
“You can literally hold our sunglasses over a boiling pot of water and they will not fog,” explained Gibson. “The feature is standard throughout the Amphibia lineup and unique to our brand. The other great news is that our sunglasses can also receive prescription lenses.”
The Amphibia lineup consists of seven series of floating sunglasses – Hydra, Hydrafoil, Wave, Genesis, Exodus, DepthCharge and 2112 – ranging in price from $129 – $169. Amphibia sunglasses are designed especially for outdoorspeople active on water and land.
Amphibia Sports sponsors several of professional fishing’s top pro anglers, including Stetson Blaylock, Brandon Card, Jason Christie, Grant Goldbeck, Davey Hite, Tim Horton, Jeff Kriet, Jared Lintner, Mike McClelland, Jacob Powroznik, Derek Remitz, Jason Reyes, Scott Rook, Fred Roumbanis, Jeff Sprague, Jeremy Starks, James Watson and Barry Wilson, as well as stand up paddle boarder Garrett Fletcher.
The International Vision Expo West is recognized as the world’s most inclusive ophthalmic conference for delivering an unbiased education around all aspects of medical, diagnostic, lab and practice management skills and the latest trends in eyewear fashion.
For more information, visit www.AmphibiaSports.com.