THE LATEST NEWS
Spybaiting on Steroids!!!
The new pro-tuned G-Fix version was specifically developed for casting gear(though it can still be used with spinning gear and allows for use of heavier line up to 9lb without affecting the action).
It utilizes the same body as Spinbait 80, however we have increased the weight and also downsized the propellers. What that brought is besides superior casting ability is also possibility to trace much deeper range and we have frequently caught fish as deep as in 20ft+(though the average range would be 12-18 ft(4-5 meters).
Spinbait 80 G-Fix will be available in 12 colors, which include some of the proven patterns like “Ghost M Shad”, “Ghost Pearl” or “Komochi Wakasagi”, but also included are some G-Fix specific colors like “Ghot Minnow”, “Blue Back Herring” or “Emperor”.
For more information check http://duo-inc.co.jp/bass/en/realis-g…
2014 Boat Project: Part 2
Part two of the Bass East boat project is complete. The 2002 Cobra turned out better than we could have expected, here is a look at the carpet installation. We used 20oz gunmetal gray from BassBoatSeat.com, it was a perfect match to the existing carpet. We also used the carpet glue from BassBoatSeats.com. Be sure and order a couple feet more carpet than what you think you will need.
See part 1 here.
Early Morning Bite Puts Tim Johnston In Lead On Noxon
TROUT CREEK, Mont. — Some anglers in the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional worked all day to eke out a limit on Montana’s Noxon Reservoir. But not Tim Johnston. He did it in an hour and a half.
“I had five fish by 7:22 this morning,” said Johnston, a member of the Western Montana Bassmasters. Launch was at 6 a.m.
After that, Johnston basically quit fishing. He only caught one other fish the rest of the day to cull up, and he weighed in 14 pounds, 4 ounces.
Now, he’s in the overall lead at the divisional with 26 pounds, 5 ounces.
“It’s an honor to lead here,” said Johnston. “As good as all these guys are, it’s really an honor.”
Johnston was tops in his state last year and qualified for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. From there, he qualified for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. Is he ready to go back to the Classic?
“I want to go back so bad,” he said. “But that’s a long, long way away. One day at a time.” Plus, he said, “There are a lot of guys on the Montana team who also really want to go and have never been before, and I’d love for them to get that opportunity, too.”
When it comes down to it, Johnston is all about the team.
“It would be a real privilege for Montana to win here on our home water,” said Johnston. “A lot of folks here volunteer and help us out all year long, and it would mean so much to win in front of them.”
So far, Montana has the lead in the state competition, with a total cumulative weight of 213 pounds, 1 ounce. Less than 10 pounds behind is the team from Idaho with 205-10.
Montana’s lead could still disappear with a whole day of fishing left. Day 2 was much different than Day 1, and Day 3 could change just as much.
Several individuals had major weight swings today. One was Randell Bell of New Mexico, who had the unfortunate distinction on Day 1 of weighing in the smallest single bass — only 13 ounces. On Day 2, he brought in a load of 11-10. Another was Dejon Lewis of California, whose whole sack yesterday — 2-5 — was eclipsed by a single one of his bass today — a 5-8 that’s currently up for Carhartt Big Bass honors.
If no angler brings in a bigger bass on the final day, Lewis will win Carhartt Big Bass of the tournament, an award worth $500. Another award worth noting is the Livingston Lures Leader award, which is earned by the Day 2 leader. That will be Johnston, who will receive $250 from Livingston.
Johnston’s bag was bigger than any other from Day 1, but two other anglers had even bigger ones on Day 2. Jason Hickey of Idaho, who is currently in second place, brought in 14-12 today, and Harrison Bertsch, also of Idaho, weighed in 14-8.
If Johnston remains the leader on the Montana team after the Day 3 weigh-in, he’ll advance to the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 6-8, on Louisiana’s Ouachita River.
Other state leaders currently on deck to join him are Eric Hammer, Arizona; Ronald Welch, California; Scott Sheldon, Colorado; Jason Hickey, Idaho; Toby Robinson, Nevada; Earl Conway, New Mexico; Cody King, Oregon; Mike Lavallee, Utah; Clint Johanson, Washington; and David Vega, Wyoming. To advance, the angler must remain tops in his state at the end of Day 3.
Bassmaster.com will continue coverage of the event on Friday. The takeoff is at 6 a.m. MT at Lakeside Motel and Resort Boat Launch in Trout Creek, Mont. The final weigh-in is in the same place at 2 p.m. MT.
2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Boat US, Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, 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 presented by Allstate, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
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Media Contact: Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com or Helen Northcutt, 205-313-0944, hnorthcutt@bassmaster.com.
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DeFoe Among Pros Competing In Douglas Lake Open
DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Douglas Lake will host its third Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open presented by Allstate tournament this year with the season opener of the Northern Opens May 29-31.
A previous Open was held at Douglas the first week of April 2013 when Patrick Bone of Georgia won the three-day event with 65 pounds, 4 ounces, but fishing promises to be much different this time around, according to Bassmaster Elite Series competitor Ott DeFoe of nearby Knoxville, Tenn.
“That was an umbrella-rig tournament, and the bass were in the prespawn stage and a lot fatter then,” said DeFoe, who will be fishing the Northern Open on his home lake.
DeFoe predicts Douglas’ bass should be in the postspawn stage next week, even though the area experienced a cold winter that could have delayed the spawn.
“We had a little cold snap (the second week of May), but for the most part, when we finally got out of that cold, cold winter, it has been pretty normal,” DeFoe said. “I really don’t think there will be any fish left spawning, but that certainly doesn’t mean there won’t be some fish in shallow water. I am sure there will be.”
Despite a fairly dry spring, the lake level at Douglas has risen to its summer pool. “It is as full as it gets unless we get a major rain event, so there are going to be all kinds of stuff in the water to fish around,” DeFoe said. “There will be a lot of visible targets around the bank with the water as high as it is.”
Northern Open competitors will have plenty of cover, such as buckbrush and willow trees, to target for flipping and pitching. The lake also features a number of long points and humps that serve as excellent feeding spots for postspawn bass.
Dry spring weather has kept the lake level stable and the water clear at Douglas. “It has been a while, but the last time I fished there it was as clear as I have seen it in a long time, and I expect it to still be that way,” DeFoe said. Fishermen may find stained or murky water far up the tributary rivers, he added. “It just depends on the rain. If we get a lot of rain, there will be a lot of color. If not, it will be fairly clear up there as well.”
The local angler estimates visibility on the lower lake will be about 4 to 6 feet deep, and the upper end should have a visibility of 2 to 4 feet.
DeFoe said winning weights from other recent tournaments at Douglas have been down from previous years, but he expects the fishing should still be good during the Northern Open. “I have not gotten to fish there as much this year as I have in the past,” he said. “When I did, I caught a fair number. There are still plenty of fish, but it doesn’t seem like quite as many big ones being caught.”
The entire lake should be productive for the Northern Open competitors, according to DeFoe. “Typically, the lower end is where the biggest bags come from, but the fish are a lot easier to catch on the upper end,” he said.
DeFoe, a sure favorite in the event, predicts it will take about 15 pounds a day to make the Top 12 cut. He said he believes the winner will have to weigh limits in the upper teens to 20 pounds a day.
The daily takeoffs will begin at 6 a.m. ET from the Point Marina, 122 Boatdock Drive, Dandridge, TN 37725. Weigh-ins on Days 1 and 2 will also be held at the Point Marina and begin at 2 p.m. ET. Sunday, the weigh-in will be held at Bass Pro Shops (3629 Outdoor Sportsman’s Place, Kodak, TN 37764) and will begin at 3 p.m. ET.
Local host: Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Allstate
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Boat U.S., Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, 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 presented by Allstate, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
Tatula 100H Reviewed
Daiwa Tatula 100H Reel
This year I needed to replace several reels in my tournament arsenal, and after some extensive research, I picked up a few Tatula Series 100 reels from Daiwa. After attending a live chat with Daiwa Pro Andy Montgomery on BassEast.com, who when asked about the reels performance, stated: “love them! Absolutely the best reels I have used”, I was pretty excited to get my hands on one.
T-Wing System
One of the biggest technological advantages of the Tatula reel is the T-Wing system. The “T” aperture allows line to flow freely through the wide top section on outcast, reducing the normally sharp angles and friction that slow line flowing through a narrow aperture when exiting the reel. On retrieve, line drops into the narrow, lower channel of the T-wing for even distribution across the spool width. What does this mean for you? SIZEABLE improvement in casting distance, both in overhead casts and flipping/pitching while using the Tatula. The reduced line friction coming off the reel also allows those shorter finesse cats to require less effort, making it easier to hit small targets throwing square bills and chatter baits, while allowing you to toss a frog a mile. What I found the most remarkable was the ease of flipping, which led to increased accuracy when targeting small areas on the water. And as we all know, that first cast is crucial when flipping.
Easy to customize – Great Feel
Testing both the 100H and 100HS, I found that both reels were tuned quickly, consistently within 5 casts. Making adjustments for wind and weight changes was similarly easy, as both boast their Ultimate Carbon Drag (UTD) with 13.2 lbs max drag as well as magnetic “Magforce-Z” cast control. Once the UTD was set, it was simple to adjust the magnetic brake for wind. Both reels are exceptionally smooth, with 7 ball bearings and the quality construction one expects from Daiwa. With an aluminum frame, both weighed in at a very light 7.9 oz. I also liked the fact that, although the 100HS (7.3:1) and 100H (6.3:1) have different retrieve speeds, the rest of their specs are identical, creating a familiarity among all my rods that is unique.
Comfort
One of the physical aspects of the Daiwa Tatula series reels that I found impressive was their new I-Shape handle knob on a 90 mm swept handle. Ever bang your knuckles on the drag star while reeling in a large fish? You wont with the Tatula, and the oversize grips are comfortable and easy to hold on to. Most of my reels prior to the Tatula have required “Reel Grips” for added friction; not the Tatula.
Price
If increased casting distance, ease of use and lightweight construction weren’t enough, here’s where the Daiwa Tatula series truly becomes a must purchase. At $149.99, the performance and quality of this reel just cannot be matched. With looks to match the performance one expects from Daiwa, every angler should put one to the test this season, you wont be disappointed.
By Chris Murphy
Keep up with Murph on his web site and on his Facebook page.