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Today’s Top 5
It’s officially Classic Week, so that’ll be the focus this week and next. In case you missed it: Will be in and out of the Classic War Room on Bassmaster.com. If you see me on there and have a Classic-related or Classic tackle show-related question, hit me up at bassblaster@bassgold.com and I’ll see if I can help.
1. Competitors may be able to see BASSTrack map??
Is this a sign of the MLF apocalypse? Not for sure yet but:
> The new version of BASSTrakk includes a map where the public can see where anglers are fishing– not exact GPS locations, but the general vicinity.
> The anglers were fine with the public seeing the BASSTrakk map. They agree this will generate more interest in the sport. But when tournament director Trip Weldon mentioned that competing anglers would be able to look at the BASSTrakk map during competition, several anglers voiced dissenting opinions.
Uh…yeah!
2. A-Mart doesn’t like finesse fishing?!
Aaron Martens talkin’ ’bout Classic practice:
> “Despite what you may think about my fishing style, I don’t like fishing slow. It’s true. I really don’t prefer finesse fishing. I’d much rather fish fast and cover water.
> “I can fish slow, but I have to force myself to do it. I’ve been successful at it, but I still don’t like it.”
Say wha????
3. Grigsby: weather is all mental.
It’s a snowstorm low at Grand…which means the fish will be biting, but it will mess with some competitors. Shaw said:
> “It’s like military training. You learn through experience that you can tolerate way more than you think you can. It’s all mental.”
> “You can cuss the weather, or you can focus on the next cast. I choose to shut up and fish.”
4. Classic competitors may find a…body.
Yikes. God bless Michael and his family.
> …the search for missing boater Michael Chapman. On Jan. 27, police began searching for Chapman’s body after finding his boat abandoned and empty on Grand Lake. They’ve continued to search every day since.
> “We’re out on the boat right at daylight and we search shorelines, grid patterns, expand the search according to certain wind patterns.” The area where the GRDA Police is looking for Chapman’s body is 10 square miles of water.
> GRDA Police have said if a body is not recovered by the time the Bassmaster Classic starts, they will brief all the competitors about their search. They will tell them to contact police if they see anything out of the ordinary.
With a swimbait (no maker named) that mimics a dying crappie.
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Classic-Related News
1. Cherokee Nation sponsors Jason Christie…
…who is a member of the Cherokee tribe.
2. New GLX Jig & Worm and ShakyHead rods…
…at Classic Expo. I will be there wiggling ’em!
3. Berkley doing cast for cash.
Like the halftime half-court shot.
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Other News
1. Bill Lowen sponsored by Castaway.
2. B.A.S.S. gets title sponsors for 2 Elites.
> Rigid Industries, March, Falcon.
3. New KY carp tourney on Kentucky-Barkley…
…for commercial fishermen.
4. New Abu Garcia pros.
> Elites: Josh Bertrand, Ott Defoe, Charlie Hartley, Mike Iaconelli, Jeff Kriet, Bobby Lane, Chris Lane, Bill Lowen, Brandon Palaniuk, Keith Poche, Jason Quinn, Scott Rook, Bradley Roy, Fletcher Shryock, Byron Velvick.
> Opens, FLWs, PAA: Guy Eaker, Scott Canterbury, Clay Dyer, Larry Draughn, Brent Ehler, Mark Goines, Brett Hite, Justin Lucus, Jacob Powroznik, Scott Suggs.
5. New Spiderwire pros.
> Elites: Mike Iaconelli, Skeet Reese, Bobby Lane, Jason Quinn, Brandon Card, Fletcher Shryock, Michael Simonton.
> Opens: Larry Draughn.
Contests
1. Win a Legend boat at the Classic.
2. Fish Ray Scott’s lake…if you’re an ABA member.
Tip of the Day
KVD on using electronics.
> “In all the tournaments I’ve won as of late, I’ve been able to locate potential cover without ever having to cast a line. I just lower my trolling motor, move in, see the cover I want to target at tournament time with Side Imaging and then add a waypoint to each one. It’s as simple as that.”
> “Both Side Imaging and 360 work wonders in shallow water,” he says. “With them, I can spot a weed line or a pile of rocks to cast to well before seeing it through my polarized glasses.
> “The average angler doesn’t understand just how proficient this technology makes you. Both Side Imaging and 360 have opened up a whole new underwater world to me.”
> “Heck, even a break in a sandy flat [which bass use as underwater highways] as little as a few inches can be seen in the shadows of the picture. Many times I can actually see the fish swimming along those tiny breaklines and can cast to them well before they know I’m there.” Because fish in clear water can be spooked even easier, KVD will set his Humminbird to scan out up to 75 feet each side his bass boat, but only if necessary.
> “Knowing I’m not going to be able to scan the full field of view like when fishing deep water, I’ll set the unit to show me just 50 feet out. This allows me to see shallow cover the clearest.”
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Quote of the Day
I have one box filled with a bunch of cool Rogues, so it’s no big deal if I lose one.
– Terry Scroggins maybe giving us a hint what he’ll be doing on Friday.
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Shot of the Day
MegaStrike owner Bobby Uhrig gives Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer a hit about how he feels about him at last weekend’s Philadelphia, PA fishing show. They’re friends…I think.
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