WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025   |   SUBSCRIBE    ARCHIVES   
“We wanted to bring the new and popular bass fishing jig to saltwater,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin, the company knowing underspin jigs could be equally as effective nearshore and offshore as they are on lakes and reservoirs.
Whether fishing for drum, big trout, snook or other inshore species, the Berkley PowerBait Saltwater CullShad is the angler’s go-to lure for its incredible fish-attracting abilities, and now comes pre-rigged, ready to fish out of the box.
GRASP II Rods easily change between the included GRASP pistol grip, standard palming trigger, or flat, depending on angler preference, or the specific lure or presentation at hand. No tools required.
A standout feature of the Hull Float sunglasses is their ability to float in water, ensuring easy retrieval if dropped—a practical solution for fishermen and aquatic adventurers alike.
Unlike other apps anglers rely on for mapping or social networking, Norsk Guardian™ focuses on providing real-time performance metrics, health alerts, and seamless connectivity to ensure batteries perform at their best—whether on the water or off the grid.
Highlights of the broadcast included key catches from reigning REDCREST champion Dustin Connell, 2020 Heavy Hitters Champion Jordan Lee’s strategic mastery of Lake Toho and legendary angler Kevin VanDam competing in the final tournament of his storied career.
The fall 2024 effort saw DNR crews stock seven different species at 78 locations throughout the state; in all, 590,504 fish, weighing in at 10.7 tons, were added to Michigan waters.
Anglers will take on Lake Havasu in western Arizona at a time when the bass will be schooled up in their winter patterns, according to Arizona local and Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation kayak angler Bradley Kuhlin.
About 1,000 pounds of hatchery rainbows have been stocked in the creek at Gadsden, and will be available to those buying the $10 permit. Fishing is catch and release only until April 1, after which the limit is 5 daily.
The new series includes two 6’2” conventional rods – the SGLJ62MB to handle up to 160 grams (5.5 ounces) jigs and SGLJ62MHB for up to 200 grams (7 ounces) jigs, and two 6’6” spinning rods – the SGLJ66MS (160 grams max jig weight) and the SGLJ66MHS (200 grams max jig weight).
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reeling in the new year with an upgraded TrophyCatch website, which offers anglers a refreshed, more user-friendly experience to track and share their trophy bass catches.
Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Joel Ferry named Riley Peck as the new director for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, effective Monday, Jan. 13.
The Max PRO’s complete overhaul integrates a 7+1 stainless steel ball bearing system and a Carbon Matrix Drag System. Inspired by the Abu Garcia Revo and Zenon series of spinning reels, it provides anglers with a buttery smooth drag system normally only found in higher priced options.
President Jimmy Carter was a skilled fly fisherman and fly tyer, known for his extensive angling library. He was an admired conservation proponent and was responsible for the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation act in 1980
With cutting-edge boats, larger-than-life personalities, and stunning race locations, Wave Warfare is more than a competition—it’s a story of teamwork, grit, and the unrelenting pursuit of greatness.
The lineup kicks off with the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour at 12 p.m. ET, followed at 2 p.m. ET by the Major League Fishing General Tire Series, bringing intense fishing drama and high-stakes competition. Finally, at 4 p.m. ET, tune in for Major League Fishing All Angles!
Frank Hubert caught the new state record Bowfin in Mantua Creek on December 17, 2024. The fish weighed 12 pounds, 10 ounces.
One of the most respected voices in the bass tournament industry has some thoughts on how FFS is affecting tournament bass fishing--not for the better, he opines.
The day is geared toward giving new ice anglers an opportunity to try ice fishing before purchasing equipment or a fishing license, but any angler may ice fish on any waterbody open to ice fishing statewide without a license on Free Ice Fishing Day.
The newly stocked trophy trout, raised at the department’s Bennington and Roxbury Fish Culture Stations, are part of a two-year pilot program to study whether fall stocking encourages anglers to get out on waters where fall and winter trout fishing was previously closed or marginal.
Replacing the VR5 Bowrider Series, the V20 Series introduces a sleek, sculpted hull, a spacious new deck layout, and an array of premium features tailored to boaters seeking both performance and comfort.
Live bait is effective, but irresponsible use can also lead to spread of invasive species--here are the rules for using bait in Maine's fresh waters.
Douglas has excelled on all the top-level tournament circuits, with notable success on the Toyota Series and Bass Opens beginning in 2012-13, Major League Fishing Pro Circuit for six years and two years on the Bassmaster Elite Series starting in 2022.
This year’s recipients include Captain John Bayliss, Captain Billy Borer, Captain Barry Cross, Captain Paul Dixon, Captain Gene Grimes, and Captain Kevin Nakamura.
With a team of industry veterans boasting over 150 years of combined experience, a new headquarters in Stuart, Florida, and state-of-the-art testing facilities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Quantum is poised to set the benchmark in saltwater gear.
Wisconsin DNR warns that no ice is truly "safe ice" and that conditions change continuously during winter--here are some tips to stay safe.
Acme's Jack Knife Jig is perfect for pairing with wheelhouse rattle reel setups or under that Beaver Dam Tip-Up or ice rod on your dead stick approach.
DEC Bureau of Fisheries recently implemented a new Black Bass Fishing Tournament Permit that’s required if conducting a black bass (largemouth bass and smallmouth bass) fishing tournament with 10 or more participants.
With some help from St. Croix Rod and Rod Geeks, retired Marine and law enforcement officer finds something he can hang on to.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites anglers aged 15 and older to learn the art of fly-tying from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 18 at Maramec Spring Hatchery in Saint James.
 

For many anglers, fishing as a co-angler has been the start of a tournament career, but those opportunities will be more limited in the future after a change at B.A.S.S. (BASS)

Forward facing sonar (FFS) may have claimed another victim as Bassmaster quietly announced in late December they will no longer have co-anglers or back-of-boat fishermen in their popular Bassmaster Opens.

B.A.S.S. said that participation in the program slumped significantly during and after the COVID years. They did not say this, but this is also about the same time many more tournament anglers bought and began to use FFS. 

The all-seeing sonar illuminates hundreds of quality open-water fish that anglers never knew were there before, and catches have shot up exponentially in events where the habitat and timing put the majority of fish offshore.

But in events where the boater is taking most of his fish via FFS, he’s not fishing the type of water where the back seater has a shot at fish on structure or drops or bait schools—he catches few fish and has no shot at interesting water all day long. He basically sits and watches the boat-owner fish FFS bass. 

So, he doesn’t sign up again.

Alternatively, if a remarkably generous pro lets a back-of-boat angler throw a few shots at the available fish on screen and catch a few, the scales quickly get out of whack because not everybody has a backseater and most assuredly are not sharing FFS fish. 

A co-angler could become a significant liability, rather than a potential backseat asset finding fish the pro might have missed.

(To be sure, some boaters are generous with co-anglers, leave the console graph running so they can see bottom structure and fish and generally consider them a partner aboard. But when the boater has big money and a ticket to higher competition levels on the line, having that extra rod aft can be less than appealing.)

Some anglers also said that the co-anglers occasionally spoke out of school, revealing a technique or a spot they had observed to other competitors.

And the boaters in these events rightly point out they pay much higher entry fees and face all the expenses and worries of buying and maintaining the boat, which obviously has to give them sway in how a day on the water goes.

In any case, the Bassmaster Opens will no longer have non-boaters. 

Backseaters or co-anglers have fewer opportunities to catch bass in most events, but the rise of forward scan sonar has brought the challenges to the fore.

But B.A.S.S. has plenty of other affordable tournament competitions where backseaters will remain a welcome part of the bassing scene, continue to have learning opportunities, and perhaps in a few cases make their way into the ranks of the pros.

“It was a tough call,” says Hank Weldon, Bassmaster Opens tournament director. “But, now that we have a home for our co-anglers in the new B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifiers, it just makes sense. These avid anglers will still have the opportunity to compete at a high level and our Opens pros will be able to pursue their dreams in a league that couldn’t be more fair … or more competitive.”

Co-anglers will continue to have opportunities to win big prizes, both in B.A.S.S. and MLF events, organizers say. (MLF)

The “other” tournaments are affordable as bassing competitions go: Bass Nation entry fee for a national qualifier is $400 for a boater and $200 for a co-angler. There are four national qualifiers through the B.A.S.S. Nation. Anglers can have an opportunity to make it to the Bassmaster Elite Series and the Bassmaster Classic through qualifying for the B.A.S.S Nation Championship. See full rules here: https://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-BASS-Nation-Rules-Final-1.16.24.pdf

The 2025 Bassmaster Opens will kick off at Clarks Hill Reservoir on Jan 23-25 (Full Opens Schedule), while the first B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier will be held at Pickwick Lake March 12-14.

Major League Fishing also has a continuing co-angler program, with big prizes for annual top rods. See details at www.majorleaguefishing.com.

— Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com

 
Water World Wire - 2271 N Upton St., Arlington, VA 22207
Copyright © 2023, OWDN, All Rights Reserved.