Welcome to the BassBlaster, your daily email about all things bassin’. Hey – take a sec to forward this Blaster to a bassin’ bud! Click here to forward to a bud(s)

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Today’s Top 3

1. Want To Get Paid As A College Athlete? Go Fishing

Headline in Time mag. More:

> We want the N.C.A.A. to stay out,” says Joe Landry, who fishes for LSU-Shreveport. Most schools require that anglers plow earnings from college tournaments back into the club. But they can get individual sponsorships and win cash in noncollegiate tournaments while still fishing for their school.

> Miles “Sonar” Burghoff–son of Gary Burghoff, who played Radar on M*A*S*H–says he won some $30,000 in tournaments while also fishing for the University of Central Florida. That about covered the cost of college.

> Bethel University, a small Presbyterian school in McKenzie, Tenn., even offers fishing scholarships. “The students I recruit are coming here to fish,” says Bethel coach Garry Mason, “just like kids go to Alabama to play football.”

Wait……….kids go to Alabama to play football????  (lol)

Here’s the pic that went with the article. Looks like Jordan Lee caught this’un in a cloud?

2. Bloomberg dumps on Bass Pro.

Taxpayer-subsidized yada yada yada, but here’s my favorite part:

> “Bass Pro Shops could only have happened in America – the home of the free enterprise system that rewards things like hard work, value, innovation and genuine friendly service,” the billionaire [Johnny Morris] said in a hand-written note sent to Bloomberg News. “Being included on your [billionaires] list is not my favorite thing, but then again things could be worse.”

> “I feel very blessed to have spent my whole life around the great sport of fishing. I feel especially blessed to have had the steadfast loyal support of my family and extended family of very talented and passionate Bass Pro Shops, Tracker, and Big Cedar team members by my side. Together, we’ve shared a remarkable journey – and it’s not over yet.”

3. MO stocking Bull Shoals with stripers, AR not happy.

> “MDC has been a valuable partner on many cooperative Arkansas/Missouri projects, but we simply can’t agree that this stocking is the best course of action at this time based on the comments we have received from our anglers,” said Arkansas Game and Fish Commission fisheries chief Mark Oliver.

> Striped bass weren’t originally intended for Bull Shoals Lake. A mixup in 1998 resulted in the accidental stocking of 19,000 striped bass. Arkansas officials were expecting a shipment of walleye but a truckload of striper fingerlings was delivered by mistake.

Didja check out the awesome StrikeBack spinnerbait yet?

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News

1. IL: Morton HS is IL state champs.

2. B.A.S.S. offers HS students Classic-like opportunity.

3. OH changing limits to improve basses.

> Frank Scalish: “I fish for bass all around the country, and most states have regulations to benefit bass fishing. Ohio had been in last place for so long, and still has a long way to go to catch up to the other states.”

You tell ’em, Scales!

4. OK: Fla-strain bass stocked in Clear Creek and Humphreys.

5. TX: 2 bodies found in Ray Hubbard.

Not much info yet. God bless.

6. CA: Delta fish have most mercury.

Here’s a pic:

Kidding…but that pic is real!

7. WV: DNR doing Stonewall Jackson survey.

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Tip of the Day

Dave Wolak: When to fish a mouse.

Yep, a mouse:

> Most hollow-body mouse lures are a little smaller and weigh a little less than hollow-body frogs. Most also come with a single tail as opposed to two plastic or rubber skirt legs.

> Let’s say you’re dealing with finicky bass that won’t hit a larger, louder frog because of fishing pressure or ultra-clear water. That’s when I reach for the mouse. The smaller profile, lighter weight, and single tail instead of double legs will create less of a surface disturbance.

> In several instances, I’ve had more success with a mouse that I could finesse more subtly than a frog that created a significant wake and splashed down harder.

> If you’re still in love with your hollow-body frog and don’t believe my mouse theory, try removing the frog’s legs next time the bass are hitting without committing. Instead of hitting the legs, the bass key right in on the body (where the hook is), and your connection ratio will go up.

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Quote of the Day

Earlier in my career I didn’t enjoy it as much because I was so concerned about the money, the money, the money and what you have.

– Elite Series rookie Hank Cherry on maturing as a pro basser…though he still may be early in his career?

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Shot of the Day

Is she excited or what?!

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