Today’s Top 4

Doubt it but:

> A new line so thin and strong that it could replace braid is about to be launched into the market.

> The company behind the development is World Fishing Tackle, which has been working on the secret project for 2.5 years.

> The line, called Gliss, is made from extruded hmpe fibres and…combines the qualities of both a monofilament and a braid.

> “Gliss looks like a mono, but has huge advantages, including almost zero stretch. Other lines have at least three times more stretch. The low stretch means it is incredibly sensitive… It also has extremely low diameter-to-breaking strength ratios.”

> …it can be produced far more quickly and cheaply than braid…takes around 100 hours to produce 1,000 meters of braid…but he can manufacture the same length of Gliss in a matter of minutes.

Hope it comes in something other than pink.

Told me he’s cool with J-Pow…dang it. Hahaha! He won the Bays of Knots derby fishing a shallow ledge with milfoil on it, used these baits on a 1/2-oz lead head:

3.8-inch Keitech Swing Impact FAT swimbait (pro blue red pearl)

Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper swimbait (sungill)

Okay, talked to him today. He caught the most fish on the crankbait, just one fish on the jerkbait and wacky-rigged the Shim E Stik (did NOT dropshot). This 5-inch Strike King KVD Swim N Shiner (green gizzard) was also key, rigged on a 1/2-oz Strike King Squadron Swimbait Head:

Wait…what will B.A.S.S. use for a computer now?? Here’s what Ken looked like before getting rescued by the Klingons:

Hahaha just kidding Ken, congrats and enjoy the new/old gig:

> B.A.S.S. senior editor Ken Duke is returning to Fishing Tackle Retailer (FTR) as managing editor. A long-time industry professional, Duke worked on the title from 2005 to 2010 when the publication was owned by B.A.S.S.

> “Although I am new to the role of Managing Editor of FTR, I am not exactly new to the publication. I served on the staff for several years and since then I have watched its development with interest. I am excited about the challenge of keeping things growing and moving in the right direction.”

> …current publisher and founder Clem Dippel take on a new role as senior consultant. Thurston and Carlton Viers will jointly share the title of publisher.

News

1. KVD in new Z-21 next year.

2. Who’s in the Classic…for now.

3. CA: Clear Lake hosting derbies…

…while other lakes can’t due to low(er) water and NoCal.

4. The Escanaba wind.

Another masterpiece by don barone. Recommended reading.

5. CA: Lead tackle in crosshairs.

Buy stock in tungsten….

6. Feds’ 5-yr plan for Great Lakes.

Lemme guess: study, spend, ignore common sense, suggest huge $$ figure to “fix it,” nothing happens.

Tip of the Day

Randy Howell: When to finesse flip.

> “In situations where there is a good flipping bite that suddenly dies, it’s not often where the fish actually leave. Heavy cover fish almost never leave heavy cover – they just get really tightlipped.

> “A subtle bait like a Senko or an Ika is usually the way to catch those wearier fish.”

> “Most of those grass fish have never seen anything like it. Anglers are beating them all day with loud jigs and bulky plastics, then a Senko shimmies slowly in front of them. They can’t resist it.”

Shot of the Day

Love how a bass gets peeps stoked:

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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: