Today’s Top 5

Look at the love in his eyes! #weird

AWESOME!! After 2 years away, I’m sure it’ll be tough for Mark and the kids, but selfishly I can’t wait to see him back out there.

> “I’m looking forward to coming back. I need it – it’ll be therapy and a familiar lifestyle to escape the stress of the past couple of years. My kids…are doing really well, and it’s time to get back out there and pick up the other part of my life.”

> “I haven’t done much fishing the past two years, and some of the times I’ve been out there it felt like the last place I wanted to be. It’s getting better, and now I’m looking forward to it, but I know there will be days when it seems like it’s all uphill.”

> “The group of people I work with and for – my sponsors…my friends – have stuck by me for two years. My contracts have stayed the same through this whole period, and it allowed me to be at home and take care of Donna and the kids. I’m absolutely humbled by that support, and I can never thank them enough.”

Plus drive and desire:

> For hours after school, Wall would practice pitching or flipping jigs onto plastic targets stapled to pieces of plywood, emulating casts he’d seen on televised bass tournaments and believing that one day he’d be that guy.

Guy talkin’ ’bout U of Oregon student Jacob Wall…who maybe shoulda gone to school somewhere in the South…but very cool.

– Ike “Mike” Iaconelli talkin‘ ’bout his Silly Bandz…I mean, bassin’ baits. Also said:

> Different colors look different under different water conditions. The contrast is different, too.

Btw if you ever see this in your boat, check the date on that Power Bar:

Do this:

Get this:

News

1. Hawgtech gets Russ Lane.

> Hawgtech is primarily known for their high end, aftermarket Hawg Handle reel handles made of carbon fiber material with some models being equipped with premium cork knobs.

2. MS: Ross Barnett Open in 2015?

This is where Jimmy Johnson was killed, which I guess is why the article has this friggin’ awful headline: B.A.S.S. tourney eyes return to rez after slaying. Sheesh.

3. 2015 Ray-o-Start schedule.

Championship is on the Ohio River…4 for 5 lbs a day should win it hahaha!

4. AL: Charity derby Nov. 1…

…at Smith Lake for the young woman in the middle:

Go if you can!

5. TX: No charges in Conroe boat crash.

6. Ethanol fuel treatment standards coming.

7. Win a signed Ike crankbait.

8. Help Rat-L-Trap get a grant.

Type in “Bill Lewis,” ‘Trap’s parent company.

9. New Pete Ponds Preacher Jig.

10. BFL happenin’s.

Some cool stuff:

Dion Hibdon wins on Lake of the Ozarks.

> Skippin’ docks. I know: mind-blowin’…. Used a Luck-E-Strike Guido’s Secret Bug. Btw word is Dion’s two sons are the real deal.

Chris Daves wins on the James River.
> Wonder how many James River derbies have been won by someone with that last name…. His best bait was a homemade buzzbait with a gold blade and a white/blue/chartreuse skirt.

Keep meaning to mention this, Thousand Islands BFL, 2-dayer in early Sept, won with…50-10. Dang! Won by Grae Buck, younger dude (and BB reader!), very cool.

> Caught all of his fish drop-shotting a Jackall Crosstail Shad and a Lake Fork Hyper Finesse Worm.
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Jackall_Super_Crosstail_Shad_8pk/descpage-JSCTS.html?from=bblst

Dropshotting a Crosstail Shad for smallies?? Crazy! (hahahahaha!)

Btw 2015 BFL schedule is now out here. All-American is at Kentucky Lake.

Just realized…BFL = Biffle.
 

Crack-up of the Day

From a post on Ike’s Instagram account – awesome:

Tip of the Day

Brandon Palaniuk: Dropshotting tips.

Good vid:

Quote of the Day

I love all that subtle crap you have in there.

– Hahahaha! Lew’s field promotions mgr Mike Eutsler tellin’ me why he likes the Blaster. Btw, here’s a shot of his partner in crime, Bob Brown, with some new Lew’s Custom Speed Sticks: #grammaglasses

Shot of the Day

Love this shot of Jon VanDam fishing between storms Monday. Largies were bitin’….
#shimano #gloomis

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Jay Kumar is the guy who created BassFan, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a whole lot more in bassin’. His BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best in bassin’, and is the #2 or #3 daily read on any given day in the wide world o’ bass. Also available as an app: