THE LATEST NEWS
Fat CB BDS 3 / Brent Ehrler
Lucky Craft USA Pro Brent Ehrler explains how to fish with the Fat CB BDS 3. Lucky Craft’s new Fat CB is a non-rattle bait with our “air floating concept”. Thanks to optimized buoyancy made possible through the use of an intricate internal structure, this plastic crankbait behaves like a balsa wood lure and delivers outstanding obstacle deflection. The lip design and hook positions are specifically designed to come through the thickest of cover. Also, the weight of this lure is intentionally fixed for quick recovery, after the bait hits an object to come back to the center of the retrieve. In addition, the Fat CB is crafted larger, creating a wide wobble and rolling action to attract fish in a wide spread area.
Get all your Lucky Craft here.
Lowrance SpotlightScan Q&A
In today’s modern era of bass fishing, there’s nothing evolving faster than electronics technology. Over the last 15 years we have moved from an era where on-board GPS was a commodity and grayscale five inch screens were the norm, to a time when nearly every jaw-jacking basshead has big-screen color locators at both the bow and console fully equipped with side and down imaging.
These technologies are amazing and have completely changed the game in ways that we are only just starting to appreciate. You’re seeing anglers routinely win tournaments on offshore structure at lakes they had never been to prior to practice. While younger readers probably don’t appreciate the significance of that observation, old timers can recall when it took years of searching and notebooks filled with shore lineups to fruitfully probe deepwater haunts.
Where does it stop? Surely the advances in side and down imaging have brought us to the apex of underwater imaging technology. Not so fast my friends.
I remember watching intently at media day of the 2011 Bassmaster Classic when Humminbird announced the release of their 360 imaging, a motorized side scanning transducer that rotates a full 360 degrees. At the time, anglers were interested, but in the three years since I can count on one hand the number of time’s I’ve seen one installed on a pro’s boat.
As interesting as the concept of 360 imaging is, and I’m sure that it’s a valuable tool for those that use it, I was never that intrigued by the product itself. That’s probably because the Humminbird technology at the time required a dedicated stern mounted boom for the transducer, added significant weight, and retailed for a hefty $1500. Bottom line, I wasn’t going to order one no matter how interesting the concept was.
My interest then lulled for a couple years, until early 2013 when the fishing community started hearing rumors of Lowrance’s development of a directional scanning technology, to be named SpotlightScan, and which they debuted late 2013.
When I first heard about the SpotlightScan, I was interested. However, the reception of Humminbird’s 360 imaging kept me from getting too excited. Soon though, more data emerged and it became obvious that this was going to be a whole different animal. Details like user control, trolling motor mounting, and plug and play compatibility pushed me over the edge; I needed to learn more about this thing.
What better source of information than Matthew Laster, Associate Product Manager for Navico, Inc. the manufacturer of the Lowrance brand. I was able to sit down with Matthew this week and pick his brain about the SpotlightScan, how it will help you put more fish in the boat, and what the future of sonar technology may look like.
Q: What exactly is SpotlightScan?
ML: SpotlightScan is the industry’s first angler controlled directional scanning sonar. It allows anglers for the first time ever to physically focus their sonar reading in a specific direction. If there’s something out there that you want to look at, point your trolling motor head at it and you’ll get an incredibly detailed reading.
Q: How does it work?
ML: SpotlightScan uses a special transducer containing four specific sonar elements to produce unbelievable images wherever an angler desires. The transducer contains two specific “spotlight” elements, a down scanning element, and the regular 83/200khz Broadband Sounder all in one. It works in concert with a sensor installed in your trolling motor pedal to relay directional data to your HDS Gen2 or HDS Gen2 Touch head unit and give you the clearest sonar image available in the industry.
Q: What advantages doe SpotlightScan offer an angler?
ML: We expect SpotlightScan to be huge benefit to anglers in identifying and analyzing submerged cover. It functions at the same 455/800khz frequency that StructureScan uses to provide almost picture-like images of underwater structure, while being completely user controlled. For example, an angler could specifically look under deepwater docks for brush piles or figure out the best way to fish a point before ever getting on top of it. It will also be huge for ledge fisherman as they will be able to locate and focus on stumps and cover on the ledges just by pointing their trolling motor at it.
Q: What locators is the SpotlightScan Compatible with and how easy is it to install?
ML: The SpotlightScan transducer is compatible with all HDS Gen2 and HDS Gen2 Touch units. The package comes with a transducer and sensor that attaches to your trolling motor pedal. The transducer attaches quickly the same way as any other transducer using hose clamps or aftermarket mounts.
The trolling motor sensor is then installed one of two ways depending on which trolling motor brand you use. I’ve installed several of them on both Minn Kota and Motorguide trolling motors, and it takes less than 45 minutes. Most anglers should easily be able to do the sensor install at home.
Regarding compatibility, the SpotlightScan is designed to be a true plug and play option for HDS Gen2 Touch units, meaning you just swap it out with your current transducer. If you’re running HDS Gen2 units, you’ll also need to install the SonarHub module in addition to the SpotlightScan transducer.
Q: Do you need another transducer on the trolling motor to use traditional sonar?
ML: No, in addition to the SpotlightScan, the transducer also produces DownScan images, and traditional 2D Broadband images. It has everything an electronics savvy angler could need and it’s all packed into a housing that is only 5.75 inches by 3.5 inches, so it won’t affect shallow water performance or trolling motor power.
Q: How much does SpotlightScan cost, and is it available now?
ML: SpotlightScan is available right now from our entire dealer network and it retails for $499 for the transducer kit and bundled with the SonarHub for $999.
Q: What’s next from Lowrance?
ML: We’re always trying to design new technologies that will help anglers put more fish in the boat. One thing that we’re really excited about right now in addition to the SpotlightScan is CHIRP technology, which is a sonar technology that’s actually been around a while, but until now has been prohibitively expensive.
CHIRP technology takes image clarity and target separation to a new level. Essentially, instead of operating at a set frequency like a traditional 50/200khz transducer, CHIRP operates at a range of frequencies, allowing individual targets to emerge with amazing clarity. What used to be a ball of bait on your screen will actually look like a school of fish, and separating targets from the bottom becomes much easier.
We have released the Elite-7 and Elite-5 CHIRP series of locators for 2014, which will bring the CHIRP technology to a much broader group of people. The thing that really sets our system apart is that we’ve gotten CHIRP to work with our existing transducers, so you don’t have to go out and buy a $900 dollar transducer just to use it.
“Whay They Said” Day 3 Beaver Lake
Matt Arey weighed in five bass for 16-4 pounds and jumped into the lead at Beaver Lake today. Mike McDonald is the 2014 co-angler champion. Change has been the topic of the week at Beaver and more are on the way for the final round. Here are the top quotes from day 3 and a few of our thoughts too.
Mike McDonald (co-angler champ): “When its your time to win, it’s your time to win.” Congratulations Mike
Scott Martin: “Beaver lake is a great tournament lake because you have to change every day.” There is the that “change” word again.
Jason Christie: “I been rolling the dice everyday… today I rolled a pretty good dice. Jason finished 14th this week.
David Dudley (good advise) “Keep a open mind, being able to adjust will keep you on top.” This is just great advise no matter what you are doing in life.
Mask Rose (fishing at this level): “You gotta produce every day.” You can not stumble at this level of competition and expect to compete.
Casey Ashley (key to success) “I think the reason I’m catching them here is because I don’t know any better.” Don’t be fooled Casey knows how to catch them.
Andy Morgan (he could win this one): “Any body down the line can win this thing, it’s a game of efficiency .
Matt Arey (day 4 leader): “It’s gonna be tight tomorrow.” Matt weighed in 16-4 today.
Rain, storms and wind are the forecast for the final round at Beaver Lake. Another day of change will see changes on the leader board. Anyone in the top ten could bust a big bag tomorrow and grab the 2014 Beaver Lake title. Catch the live weigh in tomorrow on FlW Outdoors.
“They Said It” Day 2 Beaver Lake
Spencer Shuffield took the lead at Beaver Lake on day two of the FLW Tour. Shuffield holds a 1-pound 1-ounce lead over second place Andy Morgan. There is less than six pounds separating the top 20. Here are a few of the top quotes from day 2 and a couple from us too.
Most of the field: “Things got tougher today.” The wind did not blow.
Drew Benton: “I tied on about six Bagley crankbaits today and just went fishing.” The crankbait is getting it done on Beaver.
Jimmy Huston (day 2 performance): “We will be having fun in the fun Zone tomorrow.” Jimmy had a two day total of 11-1 but no matter how he does he is always smiling.
Randy Blaukat (on the wind): “Every time you loose the wind at Beaver it gets really tough.” You will see a theme with this.
Clark Wendlant (the theme): “With no wind it’s going to be pretty interesting today. It will be tough. Clark knows how to catch them at Beaver. In two days he weighed in 10 bass for 15-5 and failed to make the top 20 cut.
Bryan Thrift (day 1 leader): ” No today was a lot tougher, never got any good bites but I caught everything that bit. Don’t count Thrift out.
Tommy Martin (a lot tougher day) “When the wind blows everybody hates it but the fish bite a lot better when it’s windy. It was a tough day for me today, you gonna hear that again and again. And we did.
Mark Rose (on his day): “I left it all out on the lake , there wasn’t a stone unturned. I just thank the good lord for these five.” Mark is a class act.
Casey Ashley (on his day): “I left it all on the line out there you know. I just been scratching around and trying to catch everything I can catch.” Keep scratching Casey, it’s working. He is currently in 7th place.
Travis Fox (has them figured out) ” I really think I can catch them tomorrow. I really wanna go bad.” Travis will get his shot he is sitting in 16th.
Mean Mouth (cross bread): When smallmouth and spotted bass cross bread you get a “Mean Mouth” Never seen one? Watch the weigh-in tomorrow.
Andy Morgan (2nd place); ” Just tough out there on me. I just never got a good bite. Fortunate to catch a limit both days.” We bet Andy will get that “good bite by Sunday afternoon.
The conditions a Beaver Lake are changing every day, lack of wind seemed to be the biggest factor today. Lots of guys are “just going fishing” and it appears to be working, Wind is in the forecast for Saturday and more changes are to come, the fish are moving up so the bite should improve. Be sure to catch the weigh in tomorrow on FLW Outdoors.
Get all the top quotes from day 1 here.
Introducing the Victory Deep
EVOLVE Fishing Co.’s hardbait subsidiary, Soul5 Tackle Labs, releases the VICTORY DEEP 17+ deep diving crankbait. Fish holding deep- beware. The Victory Deep comes as the result of a year in development, and numerous iterations of internal body structure design. Castability, performance, premium components, and value are all cornerstones of the Soul5 product lineup, and the Victory Deep was developed with the same principles. Currently available exclusively at www.TackleWarehouse.com
“We developed the bait to bounce and dig bottom at 17 feet when fished with traditional heavy cranking gear”, says Derek Carr, EVOLVE’s founder and lead designer. “Consensus from field staff is that with 12 lb. mono, and on long casts, 20 feet is absolutely achievable”. The Victory Deep has incredible detailing, and comes complete with gorilla-strong components, VMC hooks, and the trademarked Soul5 logo stamped into the rear of the bait. All 8 currently available color patterns were designed with pro insight, and are available at this link: www.tacklewarehouse.com
“One of the first things anglers will notice when they hold the bait is the semi-flat sided profile the Victory Deep has”, notes Carr. “This gives it a beautiful action in the water; it’s not too heavy of a rolling wobble, but not too tight- it’s just right”. The bait puts out a ton of vibration, and can be bounced off deep structure or bottom to trigger monster strikes. The Soul5 line is built with one guiding philosophy: never sacrifice. “The mission with the Victory Deep, and really the future of the Soul5 lineup, is to provide anglers with the best tools possible, complete with premium stock components, killer performance, and at an unbeatable value. Stay tuned for our SoulJerk 115 hyper-responsive jerkbait; set to release in about 2 weeks.” Visit www.soul5tackle.com, and www.tacklewarehouse.com for more information and to purchase. The company is currently taking Pro and Field Staff applications via gethooked@evolvebaits..com. Please attach a resume.