Dan Basore, a renowned historian of fishing lures and tackle, has been named the ninth recipient of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame's Meritorious Service Award. He will be recognized at the Chicagoland Fishing Expo on January 22 at the Schaumburg Convention Center, where he will display historical lures and memorabilia.

The Discover Boating Atlanta and New England boat shows, in partnership with Progressive®, drew tens of thousands of attendees with strong sales activity. Exhibitors including MacCallum's Boat House, Bosun's Marine, Carefree Boat Club, and MarineMax reported optimism despite challenging market conditions.

The 2026 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops will launch at Kissimmee Chain of Lakes on January 22-23, alongside the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series and Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series. Top 10% of competitors earn spots in the National Championship, with Aaron Yavorsky providing insights on fishing conditions.

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies praised the U.S. Department of the Interior for issuing Secretarial Order 3447, which expands hunting and fishing access on federal lands. Association President Paul Johansen testified to Congress on the importance of public access and state-led conservation partnerships in wildlife management decisions.

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks inspected over 120,000 watercraft in 2025, identifying 38 mussel-fouled boats and 570 transporting aquatic weeds. Partners including Trout Unlimited, Walleyes Unlimited, and conservation districts operate inspection stations to prevent invasive species introduction to Montana waters.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) urges boaters to complete the Ohio Boating Education Course (OBEC) during winter months to prepare for the upcoming boating season. The free, one-day course covers boating laws, navigation rules, and safety procedures, fulfilling state requirements for operators born after January 1, 1982.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and Alzheimer's Association will host a free fly tying workshop on January 22 at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. The program demonstrates how fly tying's motor skills provide cognitive exercise to support brain health and combat Alzheimer's Disease symptoms.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting a free open house on January 28 at the Venetian Center in Leesburg, Florida. FWC biologists, including fisheries biologist Andrew Marbury, will showcase research and management projects, discussing fisheries management, habitat restoration, and hunting opportunities on the Harris Chain of Lakes.

The annual Denver Fly Fishing Show at Gaylord Rockies Convention Center features instructors including Gary Borger, Mac Brown, Capt. Bruce Chard, Charlie Craven, Ed Engle, Pat Dorsey, Alice Owsley, Philip Rowley, Whitney Gould, and Landon Mayer. The event offers seminars, fly tying, casting demonstrations, and the International Fly Fishing Film Festival with admission starting at $20.

DAIWA returns as a major sponsor of the Chicagoland Fishing Expo (January 22-25, 2026) at Schaumburg Convention Center, showcasing new products including Ballistic MQ LT and PROREX MQ LT spinning reels, TATULA cork handle bass rods, and value-oriented Crossfire LT combos for Midwest anglers targeting bass, walleye, musky, and Great Lakes salmon and steelhead.

The Missouri Department of Conservation announces trout harvest begins Feb. 1 at Rotary Lake in Jackson, Legion Lake in Perryville, Recreation Complex Pond in Sikeston, and Capaha Park Lake in Cape Girardeau. Anglers may keep four trout of any size using any bait, with MDC Fisheries Biologist Salvador Mondragon noting some larger "lunker" trout were stocked.

Virginia's Department of Wildlife Resources is soliciting public comments on fishing, boating, and nongame regulations from January 15 through February 14. Comments will be reviewed and presented at the Wildlife and Boat Committee meeting on March 18, with draft regulations presented on May 20.

A North Carolina red drum study uses satellite tags to track fish movement through two data streams: real-time opportunistic transmissions and complete archived datasets. Tagged fish like Billy, Finley, and Dwight provide researchers with detailed travel diaries and position estimates to reconstruct their coastal journeys.

Dr. Sean Powers of the University of South Alabama will lead a $5 million study across all five Gulf states examining cobia and tripletail, two data-poor saltwater species. The research, funded through Senator Katie Britt and the National Marine Fisheries Service, aims to tag approximately 500 of each species to understand migration patterns, fishing mortality, and population sustainability.

The American Sportfishing Association expressed strong support for Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's Secretarial Order expanding hunting and fishing access on public lands and waters. The order directs Interior agencies to remove outdated restrictions and establish science-based frameworks, with ASA President Glenn Hughes praising the leadership in recognizing the importance of angler access and conservation.

Keep fish hooked by modifying, replacing or maintaining your treble hook setup this spring--and check out how the right trebles can even change the sink rate and the action of many lures for bass, walleye and other freshwater gamefish as well as saltwater species.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and City Park Conservancy host the 77th Annual Big Bass Fishing Rodeo on March 28, 2026, the nation's oldest freshwater fishing rodeo. The event features adult and youth divisions, Battle for the Bass student competition, Boats on the Bayou kayak competition, and a free Fishtival with food, prizes, and fishing gear.

The Missouri Department of Conservation invites the public to a free trout fishing program at Veterans Park Lake in Fulton on February 4 from 1-3 p.m. Participants ages 7 and older will learn trout fishing techniques and fish cleaning, with registration required through MDC's website.

Vermont's Free Ice Fishing Day is Saturday, January 31, 2026, featuring an Ice Fishing Festival at Elmore State Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Let's Go Fishing Program instructors will teach ice fishing skills, safety, and regulations to 500-700 expected participants of all ages.

The latest Fly Fisherman Loop to Loop podcast presented by Patagonia features Ben Furimsky, owner of The Fly Fishing Show, discussing his role in the fly-fishing industry, global angling adventures, and conservation efforts including taimen tracking in Mongolia.

Shimano North America Fishing introduces the Stella 25000 SW D, featuring advanced technologies like INFINITYXROSS gears, INFINITYDRIVE, and XXTOUGH Drag combined with HEATSINK Drag for offshore anglers targeting big-game fish species.

Norsk Lithium® introduces two 14.8V lithium-ion batteries (30Ah and 50Ah) specifically designed for forward-facing sonar ice fishing shuttles, compatible with Garmin Panoptix, Humminbird MEGA Live, and Lowrance ActiveTarget systems. The batteries feature extended runtime, Deep Sleep™ storage mode, and Bluetooth connectivity via the Norsk Guardian® App.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites the public to a Jan. 28 meeting at the North Oakland County Fire Authority to review and provide feedback on a new draft general management plan for Seven Lakes State Park in Oakland County. Park management plan administrator Debbie Jensen will present proposed improvements and the planning process.

Darby Communications announced a partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) to support menhaden conservation efforts. The collaboration will amplify TRCP's messaging on forage fish conservation and engage anglers, conservationists, and policymakers through strategic media outreach.

Garmin unveiled the quatix 8 Pro, a nautical smartwatch featuring inReach satellite and cellular connectivity for mariners. The 47mm device includes enhanced boat mode, AMOLED display, and up to 15 days of battery life, available January 16, 2026 for $1,299.99.

Flite, a Brunswick Corporation brand, announced Series 6, a range-wide evolution of its electric hydrofoil platform spanning AIR, ICON, PRO, ULTRA, and RACE models. The update features refined design, performance enhancements including Soft Top 2 construction and optimized mast positioning, plus new FLITELab FLUX wings for enhanced glide and control.

Game & Fish Magazine marks its 50th anniversary in 2026 with a refined national model featuring expanded regional coverage and enhanced how-to content. Editorial Director John Taranto and Editor Drew Warden highlight the magazine's fresher design and improved digital offerings, with the January/February issue showcasing contributions from Craig Boddington, Mark Kayser, and David Schlake.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) urges Ohioans to prioritize safety during winter outdoor activities including ice fishing, snowmobiling, and hiking. ODNR Director Mary Mertz emphasizes proper dressing, understanding ice conditions, and taking precautions can prevent dangerous situations and save lives.

Eyeking LLC showcased Salt Life Eyewear's return to sunglasses with a $40 all-polarized collection and debuted Hatch Float from Hobie Eyewear, made from 100% upcycled kayak plastic. Sales from Hatch Float benefit the FishAmerica Foundation for conservation projects.

Justin Hamner, the 2024 Bassmaster Classic champion, officially joined the Skeeter Pro Team for 2026, along with Austin Cranford, Jace Lindsey, and Tyler Campbell. The anglers will compete using Skeeter FXR boats powered by Yamaha V MAX SHO engines throughout the season.

Outdoor Channel, presented by US Palm, debuts 'Saltwater Saturdays' airing Saturdays 8-11 a.m. ET featuring shows hosted by Kaylee Fordyce, Captain Rob Fordyce, Amanda and Emily Gale, Carter Andrews, and Capt. George Gozdz. The lineup showcases action-packed saltwater fishing and hunting adventures with expert techniques and breathtaking destinations.

The Coastal Conservation Association of California's STAR Tournament returns May 23-September 7, 2026, featuring expanded eligible species including surf perch, saltwater bass, and tuna. Anglers can win a Mako 17 Pro Skiff, $50K in prizes, and $15K in youth scholarships by registering catches via the free Fishing Chaos app.

The Alabama Bass Trail 100 Tournament Series Presented by Phoenix Boats launches its 2026 season January 17 on Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama, with 102 two-person teams competing for a $25,000 first-place prize and over $100,000 in total payouts. The limited-entry professional circuit features three championship events across Alabama, with live coverage available at AlabamaBassTrail100.org and Facebook.

Drew Gill of Mount Carmel, Illinois won the B&W Trailer Hitches Stage 1 on Lake Guntersville with 82 pounds, 4 ounces, earning $125,000 and holding off Jacob Walker and Jacob Wheeler. Gill's victory marks his third Bass Pro Tour win and fourth total MLF win, utilizing forward-facing sonar and Big Bite Baits Spotlight Minnows to dominate the championship round.

At first glance, a drum pulled from a freshwater river looks an awful lot like a black drum pulled from under a saltwater pier. Same blunt head. Same heavy shoulders. Same bottom-oriented mouth. Both even announce themselves with sound, grunting and drumming when they hit the deck. The resemblance is close enough that many people assume they’re brothers.

They aren’t. Freshwater drum and saltwater black drum evolved separately, in different systems, toward the same solution: a fish built to root along the bottom and crush whatever it finds there. What matters to anglers isn’t the family tree. It’s how those shared traits show up on the line—and on the plate.

Freshwater drum, gaspergou in Louisiana, have a body that’s deepest just ahead of the dorsal fin and then tapers toward a relatively narrow tail. Viewed from the side, the belly is almost flat, a shape that makes sense for a fish that feeds nose-down. The head is small, the eyes large, and the mouth angles downward, built to vacuum insects, crayfish, mussels, and anything else living in or on the bottom. The long single dorsal fin runs nearly the length of the back, and older fish darken noticeably, with fins shading toward charcoal.

Black drum share the same general look for the same reason. They’re also bottom feeders, built to cruise slowly and crush hard prey. The similarities are functional, not genetic. Both species rely less on speed than on leverage and pressure. Both are comfortable in current. Both feed by feel as much as sight. And both are more predictable than their reputations suggest.

In freshwater, small drum turn up everywhere—backwaters, reservoir edges, river margins—but the big ones tend to show themselves in moving water. Tailraces below dams are classic places to find them, especially when current concentrates food along seams and breaks. They spawn in open water from late spring into summer, and during that period males produce low-frequency drumming sounds that apparently bring in the females. Anglers don’t hear it, but the fish do, and that often results in a swarm of them tightly clustered. If you’re a sonar user, it looks like an impossibly large school of bass hugging bottom.

They respond to presentations that stay on the bottom and move naturally with current. Jigs tipped with soft plastics, nightcrawlers, crayfish tails, cut bait—anything that mimics or smells like what they already eat—will get picked up if it’s in the right place. The bite is often deliberate rather than sharp, more weight than thump, and anglers who expect a bass strike miss fish they never knew were there.

They also love flutter spoons, as I frequently prove when trying to catch largemouths here on Guntersville. Some days I catch 10 drum for every bass—and hey, if you’re not tournament fishing, any bite is a good bite.

Black drum follow a similar script in salt water. They’re most reliable where current meets structure: passes, jetties, bridge pilings, oyster bars. Like freshwater drum, they’re happiest with firm bottom under them and food rolling past. When conditions line up, both species can stack in surprising numbers.

Right now is a particularly good time to chase black drum because the big ones are swarming near the beaches from North Florida to South Texas to spawn. In clear water, you can actually see the schools, a darker gray area in the green water, typically within a hundred yards or so of the beach—they’re frequent winter catches off the many big piers extending into the Gulf.

Like freshwater drum they don’t require finesse or flash. Shrimp, clams, crabs, cut bait, or jigs flavored with a sliver of shrimp or mullet worked tight to bottom draw strikes.

Where both species suffer is reputation. Freshwater drum get dismissed as trash fish, often because anglers don’t target them intentionally and don’t handle them well when they do catch them. Black drum get tarred as oversize, wormy and course-fleshed fish.

Neither deserves the bad rap.

Freshwater drum flesh is firm and mild when the fish is bled and iced quickly. Smaller to mid-size fish are best, but even larger ones eat well if trimmed properly and cooked fresh. The key is not letting a bottom-feeding fish sit warm in a livewell or on a stringer. Treat it like a walleye or a catfish you plan to eat, and it holds up just fine.

Black drum follow the same rule. Younger fish are excellent table fare, especially when filleted clean and cooked simply. The rule is, if the fish still has stripes, it will be great eating. They lose their stripes at around two feet long, around age 5. Eat the larger ones at your own risk—they’re better for catch and release than for the table.

Freshwater drum and black drum look alike because water, current, and bottom feeding shape fish in predictable ways. Once you understand that, they stop being curiosities and start being targets. And once you clean and cook one properly, they stop being punchlines, too.

Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com