Bonefish & Tarpon Trust will induct Captain Carl Ball and the late Captain Jose Wejebe into the BTT Circle of Honor on April 16, 2026. Ball receives the Flats Stewardship Award for his conservation work, while Wejebe is posthumously honored with the Curt Gowdy Memorial Media Award for his ESPN2 show Spanish Fly.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) highlights that life jackets are critical safety gear, noting that three of six 2024 boating fatalities involved unwearer drowning victims. AZGFD offers boating safety education courses and operates life jacket loaner stations at popular lakes throughout the state.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), alongside the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA) and Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), advocates for science-based statewide wakesurfing regulations requiring 200 feet from shore in 10-foot depths. NMMA opposes restrictive bans that limit public access while supporting the Wake Responsibly campaign promoting responsible boating practices.
The 2026 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops Lunkers Trail will compete on Lake Okeechobee January 28-29, with angler Kane Weekley predicting excellent spawning conditions similar to 2023. Top 10% of teams will qualify for the National Championship, with winning teams expected to weigh over 20 pounds daily.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tri-State Steelheaders will distribute over 1,500 salmon carcasses from Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery into the Tucannon River on January 24 to enhance nutrients and support the food web for juvenile salmon, steelhead, and other wildlife species.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is accepting entries for the 2026 Vermont Student Fish Art Contest for grades K-12. Students submit illustrations and creative essays on Vermont fish species, with winners selected in four grade categories and artwork featured in the 2027 Fishing Guide and Regulations publication. Entries are due by February 28, 2026.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting a free beginner fly-tying program on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the MDC Regional Office in Columbia for participants ages 18 and older. All materials will be provided, and Conservation Educator Brian Flowers is available for questions.
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources completed a 10-month investigation resulting in 700+ criminal charges against 25 individuals for illegal commercial catfish harvesting and unlicensed pay lake operations. The statewide Operation River Raid uncovered over 300,000 pounds of unreported catfish harvest across six counties.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents completed 32 public assists and rescued five people stranded on water during a winter storm, including duck hunters in Bossier Parish and boaters on various waterways. Agents also transported 83 essential workers to Northeast Veterans Home in Monroe and Northwest Veterans Home in Bossier City.
The Seattle/Bellevue Fly Fishing Show at the Meydenbauer Center on Feb. 14-15 features instructors including Dr. Gary Borger, Mac Brown, Tim Flagler, Landon Mayer, Frank Burr, and David Paul Williams. The event offers seminars, fly tying, casting demonstrations, and theater presentations with $105,000 in door prizes available.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting on January 28 to discuss the Fisheries Management Bureau's statewide genetic management plan. The meeting will be held in person at UW-Stevens Point DeBot Dining Center and virtually via Microsoft Teams from 6 to 8 p.m.
North Carolina's speckled trout face elevated cold stun risk as winter weather approaches, with water temperatures expected to drop below the 45°F stress threshold. The Division of Marine Fisheries urges anglers to report stunned or dead trout to Marine Patrol or biologist Lucas Pensinger to support management efforts.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife selected 16 projects to receive over $10 million in grants through the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program for salmon and steelhead habitat restoration. Notable recipients include South Yuba River Citizens League, Trout Unlimited, California Conservation Corps, and Eel River Watershed Improvement Group, with projects removing fish passage barriers and restoring thousands of acres of habitat.
ODFW will host the 2026 Ocean Salmon Industry Group Meeting on February 27, 2026, to review 2025 seasons, preview 2026 salmon forecasts, and develop Oregon's preferred recreational and commercial ocean salmon season concepts through the Pacific Fishery Management Council process. The meeting will be held in-person at OSU's Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building in Newport and virtually via Microsoft Teams.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will host a public informational meeting on February 24, 2026, at Lake Claiborne State Park to discuss stocking programs, bass and catfish management, and future fisheries improvements. Contact Jeff Sibley for additional information.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife stocked over 36 million fish across eleven species at 233 locations statewide in 2025. Fish were distributed at five life stages to support Ohio's 827,000 licensed anglers, with stocking expanding fishing opportunities in waters where natural reproduction is limited.
The House Natural Resources Committee unanimously advanced the MAWS Act sponsored by Reps. Elfreth and Wittman to address invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay, and passed the MAPOceans Act by Reps. Fry and Levin to standardize boating and fishing information for federally managed waters.
Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama has been stocked with approximately 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout in Black Creek for fly fishing. This seventh-year partnership involves The City of Gadsden's Noccalula Falls Park, Rainbow Fly Fishing Club, Representative Craig Lipscomb, and Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. Anglers must possess valid Alabama Fishing Licenses and Trout Permits.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Catch a Florida Memory program is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2026 with over 45,000 catches submitted since 2016. New challenges include Secret Fish sponsored by Mustad, Veterans Challenge, Photo of the Year, and Triple Threat Throwdown featuring prizes from Bonafide, YakAttack, Mustad, and Power-Pole, along with revamped Grand Slams and updated Reel Big Fish programs.
Ladies, Let's Go Fishing Foundation hosts a saltwater inshore fishing seminar March 21-22 at Bass Pro Shops Fort Myers, featuring instruction from Captain Barry Nicholls and hands-on training in casting, knot tying, and conservation. Optional guided fishing on charter boats is available Sunday, with registration starting at $99.
The St. Johns River Water Management District spans nearly one-third of Florida and offers exceptional freshwater fishing opportunities across lakes, marshes, and river channels. Featured destinations include Headwaters Lake, Blue Cypress Lake, Lake Jesup, Lake Monroe, and Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area, each offering unique fishing experiences for bass, crappie, and other species.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program is hosting a two-day ice fishing workshop in Kalispell on February 6-7 for beginner women. The $15 workshop includes classroom instruction on ice safety and gear, plus hands-on field training at a frozen lake.
Southwick Associates' Angler Monitor is a quarterly report providing data-driven insights into U.S. anglers' fishing activity and gear purchases. The report tracks angler demographics, species pursued, tackle purchases, and shopping behavior to help manufacturers and retailers make informed business decisions amid declining participation and economic pressures.
Whitewater Fishing has launched the 2026 Slipstream Bamboo Hoodie, a lightweight fishing shirt made from 70% bamboo and 30% polyester fabric. The hoodie features flatlock seams, Lycra binding, natural UPF 15 protection, moisture-wicking properties, and antimicrobial benefits, available in three colors at $79.99 MSRP.
Streamlight, Inc. announced the launch of the PolyTac 1X, a compact multi-fuel tactical flashlight debuting at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas at Booth #11468. The rugged polymer light offers professional performance with multiple power options including USB-rechargeable SL-B9 battery pack, CR123A lithium, and AA batteries, with MSRPs of $80.00 and $89.00.
YUM released four new Dinger colors including Black Blue/Blue Firetail, Junebug/Chartreuse Firetail, Junebug Red/Red Firetail, and Black Grape. Frank Scalish, co-host of Day 4 on Bass Talk Live, explains how the Firetail colors provide contrast and visibility in dark water, and shares his favorite Ned rig and flick shake rigging strategies for bass fishing success.
German Precision Optics (GPO USA) announced that the GPO CENTURI™ 4-16x44i Super-Compact Riflescope won the 2026 NRA American Hunter Golden Bullseye Award. Owner/CEO Mike Jensen praised the scope as a game-changer featuring compact design, high magnification, and advanced ballistic technologies at an affordable price point.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold an in-person meeting February 4-5 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. The public is invited to attend starting at 8:30 a.m. EST each day, with opportunities to provide comments on agenda items.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is accepting submissions of original artwork and photographs for its 2026 hard collector's license cards. Artists and photographers can submit images in Wildlife/Hunting, Fish/Fishing, or Scenic/Other categories by February 21, with winners featured on cards and LDWF's website and social media.
Fishing Chaos and Bass Pro Shops announced a strategic partnership to support live and online fishing tournaments nationwide starting in 2026. The collaboration will provide anglers with enhanced digital features including live leaderboards and real-time score tracking, while supporting the new 2026 U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship with over $100,000 in prizes.
Yamaha Marine has extended its premier partnership with B.A.S.S. through 2028, continuing as Official Engine Sponsor and Official Motor Sponsor of B.A.S.S. Conservation. The agreement includes title sponsorship of the Redfish Cup Championship and the Yamaha Power Pay Contingency Program, supporting competitive fishing and angler development across all levels.
Hardy announces the passing of Jim Murphy, Director of Fly Fishing who spent 37 years in the industry. Jon Schlosser, Chief Product and Brand Officer at Pure Fishing, praised Murphy's dedication to the Hardy legacy and fly-fishing community. A celebration of life is scheduled for February 28th in Stuart, Florida.
Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit announced that John Augustiniak is the new General Manager of G3 Boats. Augustiniak brings over 30 years of operational leadership experience, including previous roles at Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders and Amazon, and will oversee manufacturing, operations, sales, marketing and logistics for G3 Boats.
Yamaha expands its matte brown outboard lineup with F90 and F115 models, appealing to waterfowl hunters and customization enthusiasts. The company also introduces Helm Master EX enhancements including Dock Hold, expanded bow thruster compatibility with Sleipner and Lewmar, and default trim assist settings, available Spring 2026.
Humminbird's ICE XPLORE + MEGA Live 2 Bundles paired with LakeMaster mapping deliver premium sonar, GPS, and mapping for ice fishing. Humminbird Pro guide Brad Hawthorne uses the system to locate structure, track fish behavior in real time, and help clients understand underwater patterns throughout the hardwater season.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources warns the public to avoid hazardous conditions on frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers as winter storms approach. Ice should measure at least 4 inches thick before use, and individuals must exercise extreme caution as cold water immersion can cause hypothermia and death.
Elite Series Pro Tucker Smith of Birmingham, Alabama, has joined Shimano North America Fishing's Pro-Staff. The 24-year-old won the 2025 Tackle Warehouse event on Lake Fork with 127 pounds, 8 ounces, and earned Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year honors. Smith will collaborate with Shimano on product development and gear testing.
"Canada in the Rough" enters its 22nd season on Sportsman Channel, airing Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET. Hosted by brothers Keith, Paul, and Kevin Beasley, the award-winning program showcases hunting adventures across Canada's pristine wilderness areas, featuring caribou, moose, and whitetail hunting.
Outdoor Sportsman Group expanded GAME & FISH TV to Prime Video as a free, ad-supported streaming channel featuring live Major League Fishing competitions, wilderness adventures, and wild game cooking content. The channel is now available on multiple platforms including VIZIO, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus, Plex, LocalNow, and Truth+.
Waypoint TV, led by CEO Builder Brock, launched on Hisense smart TVs at Channel 294, expanding its free 24/7 live channel and on-demand outdoor programming across connected television platforms in the United States.
Waypoint TV announced its addition to the VIDAA smart TV platform on Channel 5245, expanding access to its 24/7 live channel and on-demand outdoor entertainment library. CEO Builder Brock highlighted the expansion as key to delivering authentic fishing, hunting, conservation, and adventure programming to a broader audience across the United States.
Largemouth bass have large eyes on the top of their head, making them good surface predators.
Fish vision is built for a world where light is bent, filtered, and constantly changing. Water reshapes light as soon as it enters, scattering rays and reducing brightness. Distance compresses. Detail fades quickly.
Colors disappear in sequence, with reds going first, then orange and yellow, while green and blue penetrate deepest. In most freshwater systems, clear-water visibility tops out at roughly a boat length. In stained rivers or tannic lakes, it may be measured in inches. What remains isn’t fine detail, but contrast and motion.
Most gamefish have large eyes relative to body size, packed with rod cells that excel at detecting movement and contrast in low light, as we remember from Science 101. Cone cells, responsible for color and fine detail, are present but secondary, especially in species that feed at dawn, dusk, depth, or in turbid water.
Catfish, which rely primarily on scent, have relatively small eyes. Cave-dwelling fish have none at all. Vision isn’t better or worse than ours—it’s tuned for what matters underwater.
That explains why so many lures work despite looking nothing like prey in your hand. To a fish, a lure isn’t necessarily an imitation. It’s a moving object, and movement suggests life. If it’s small enough to eat and doesn’t trigger alarm through shape or action, the fish often decides first and evaluates later.
Largemouth bass are a good example. Their eyes sit on the sides of the head, giving them a wide field of view but limited binocular overlap straight ahead. They detect motion easily, but depth judgment tightens only at the last moment. Bass often track prey from the side and commit quickly once it enters a short strike window. That final decision is visual, even in stained water, and it’s usually based on silhouette and movement rather than detail.
This helps explain why dark baits consistently produce in muddy water and low light—not because black is “visible,” but because it throws the strongest silhouette against a lighter background.
Smallmouths are even more vision oriented than largemouths, often running down baits from a considerable distance in the clear waters where they live most of the time.
Smallmouth bass, which more often live in clearer water, are built a little differently. Their eyes face more forward, giving them better depth perception. They inspect longer and follow baits without committing, especially in bright conditions when contrast is reduced. In rivers and clear reservoirs, what anglers call “selectivity” is often a visibility problem. A lure that disappears against rock or gravel may stand out clearly against sand only a few feet away.
Walleye push low-light vision even further. Their eyes include a reflective layer that amplifies available light, making them efficient hunters at dawn, dusk, and night. The tradeoff is reduced reliance on color. Walleyes respond more to movement, flash, and contrast than precise pattern. In deep or stained water, they often strike lures they never fully “see” in a human sense. That’s also why walleyes frequently slide shallow under low light even when water temperatures suggest they shouldn’t—vision improves before comfort does.
Saltwater predators follow the same rules, scaled up. Snook live in some of the most visually complex environments fish encounter—clear flats, stained estuaries, shadowed mangroves. In clear water, they can track a lure from surprising distance, which is why sloppy retrieves or unnatural speed changes often kill a bite. In dirty water or heavy shade, contrast and predictable motion matter more than realism. An ambushing snook doesn’t always need a perfect imitation—just a clear, timely opportunity.
In open water, king mackerel represent the extreme. Built for speed and pursuit, their large, forward-tilted eyes are optimized for detecting movement against a uniform background. At trolling speeds, kings aren’t evaluating detail. They lock onto displacement, flash, and rhythm. That’s why lure size, speed, and contrast usually matter more than subtle color changes in clear Gulf water.
Fish with smaller eyes, like this giant blue catfish, are likely to depend more on scent than vision for finding food. (Tennessee River Adventures)
Across species, the pattern repeats. Bright, shallow, clear conditions let fish see everything—including your leader knots. Cloud cover, wind, and low sun angles reduce glare, sharpen silhouettes, and shorten reaction time. These conditions don’t change fish mood; they change what fish can see.
Color is usually secondary to action and silhouette. Speed controls how long a bait stays inside a fish’s visual strike window and whether it triggers a chase response. Angle matters too. Presentations that cross a fish’s field of view or quarter away from it draw more strikes than those coming straight at the fish. Minnows don’t attack predators head-on.
Modern live sonar reinforces this reality. Watching fish approach a lure, hesitate, and turn away at the last second makes it clear how visual the final decision really is. The lateral line may alert the fish that something is there, but vision confirms whether it’s worth committing.
Once you think in those terms, light, angle, contrast, and motion stop being background conditions and become tools—ones you can adjust as conditions change to catch more fish.
