If your email program cuts off the bottom of the email click "View this email in your browser" up top to see the whole thing. Sorry bout that – email programs keep changing stuff.
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5 with your MLF BPT AOY points leader Alton "Jr" Jones (Jr 😁)
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1. How do you feel about your chances of winning AOY?
> "I feel good about my chances. I feel like I've done well in smallmouth-dominated events....
> "There's definitely some nerves there about it, but I think that's fairly normal. I like my chances but it won't be an easy task. I've gotta have a top 10."
2. Do you like having Jacob right behind you or do you wish he was in like 20th?
> "20th would be better [laughs]. No if you're gonna win AOY, you might as well be battling the hottest anglers on the planet. You've got Jacob and Ott, 2 monsters....and Matt Becker's having an amazing season as well.
> "If you're going to win AOY, you want it to be as big as it could be. I wouldn't want to be battling anyone else really."
3. If KVD runs up on you and says, "This is my last tournament, get outta here, you're not part of the community" 😁 what will you do?
> "I'm not too worried about that one. I would respectfully decline his request and say, 'Congrats on the great career.'"
[Lol love it!]
4. Are you going to be using the Aqua-Vu camera in this one?
> "I will have it in the boat, but I don't plan on it. But I will have it with me.
> "I wouldn't be surprised if I dropped it a time or 2 on fish I can't get to bite just to check the species, but overall I don't plan on relying on it like I did at St Clair."
5. If the largemouths were just as big as the smallmouths at Saginaw Bay, which ones would you fish for?
> "If the largemouths were just as big I would probably fish for largemouths, but they're not. I'll be fishing for smallmouths. If it's calm, largemouth can't compete. It's not even close."
Bonus Q: Will you fishing any Geecrack baits?
> "Absolutely. I have a few little tricks up my sleeve I don't want to reveal yet. They just had a pro event up there, the fish have had some pressure...I've got a few [tricks]."
👀
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3 electronics Qs with Keith "XD" Combs
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Read his recent post on Bassmaster.com about using forward-facing sonar during the Elite Series break and had some Qs – here they are with some answers. Also Keith said he still has not changed his legal name to Xeith Dombs, which I guess wasn't too surprising...😁 Here we go:
1. Without giving anything away, can you explain this from your post: "I've learned an incredible amount about how both gamefish and their prey move around during the day. They might move in and out of brush, or on and off wood. It's patternable relative to the weather in ways that I'd never considered."
> "What I've been fishing the most is not necessarily bass fishing – I haven't really targeted bass, maybe 1-2 days since we've been off. I've been crappie fishing, targeting a lot of standing timber and brushpiles and stuff like that.
> "[With forward-facing sonar – he uses Humminbird Mega Live] you can tell the difference between crappie and bluegill and see bass in the brushpiles.... At Rayburn, crappie and bluegill are forage for your really big fish. In certain conditions – certain times of the day – I'm learning how this forage is setting up. It will make me see things differently when I'm fishing for bass."
2. Has all that time with forward-facing sonar given you an understanding of how to use it to benefit your style of fishing, or has it shown you that you have to change your style of fishing?
> "I'm really stubborn with it to be honest with you. I want to do things the old way, and I think there's certain times you can. But I don't ever see myself – even fishing offshore – where I'm gonna live and die by forward-facing sonar.
> "But I think it's a great tool, and if you're not using it you're really missing out."
3. You said you got your Mega 360 dialed in way more by the 'Bird techs. Does that just mean resolution or...?
> "I really think that as a whole, my boat is better than it's ever been. That's a combination of a lot of things. The right batteries [he uses Lithium Pros], the right wiring harness [Sea Clear] – a lot of it has to do with that. ...have made a huge difference in everything electronic on my boat.
> "There's a lot more that you have to do than just plug [new electronics] into your boat. It takes a little setup.
> "My 360's always been good, but I'm also running it on [a Humminbird] Apex – it's a lot cleaner and crisper. I've run 360 since like the beginning of 360, but I'm seeing more than I ever have."
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Top 10 St Lawrence Open baits breakdown
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Yep a smallmouth derbE so let's see what they smashed 'em on – info from here:
Finesse jig = 20% – TN's Brent Anderson (6th) fished this homemade 1/4-oz jig with a Z-Man TRD (gp goby):
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10% each = Football jig, Spybait
Shout-outs
1. Cory Johnston (2nd) was dropshotting a prototype 6th Sense bait that looks like it has a swimbait tail of some kind.
1. JT Thompkins -- 1087
2. Kenta Kimura -- 1080
3. John Garrett -- 1067
4. Trey McKinney -- 1034
5. Robert Gee -- 1018
6. Keith Tuma -- 1004
7. Matt Henry -- 1000
8. Jamie Bruce -- 992
9. Joey Nania -- 986
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Did you know bass prey can change color based on the bottom color?
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In this case tadpoles, but wouldn't be surprised if other critters did the same. From this study:
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The color names at the top are the bottom colors the tadpoles were on. Makes you think a little about bait color, and makes me wonder if this the reason why that "brown back" color Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm does so well on sandy/rocky bottom areas:
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Study says it's more like the tadpoles change "brightess" vs change color, but it's a color change in our world!
Also says at least one species of crab changes color/brightness on different bottoms too. If I recall right from having fish tanks years ago, crayfish get lighter on a lighter bottom too. Can anyone confirm?
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...love tap from a Chicago bus:
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Dang hate to see it. Believe he's good to fish now...hopefully....
Specifically complaints and negative talk about the MLF Bass Pro Tour. Love that Mark is transparent about his feelings and also positive overall – which in my 2c needs a lot more talking about. WAY too much negativity right now (not just in bassin'!).
- Hometown = Kenora, ON
- Hobbies: Walleye tournaments, ice fishing.
🤔
Supposed to cast farther, new colors, VMC Inline Hybrid Treble 2X Hooks. #55 runs 8-9' and the #75 runs 9-11'.
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> A weight-transfer system ensures that the Gnat can fly as far as you need it to....
> ...1/8 oz and 1.5" in length...designed to run up to 3' deep and is available in 8 proven colors....
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😁
9. New Lunkerhunt Boshi Blade Crankbait.
What I dig about these guys is they have ideas and chase 'em. They don't all end up as new baits but this one did:
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I saw that deal – the Bill Siemantel-designed FishLab BBZ Mimic Tail Trailer – and was like, Hmmm. Short version of why is: Bill says it won't materially change the action/vibration of your fave spinnerbait or bladed jig, unlike many other trailers.
Saw it in action at ICAST, it kinda waves along like a shad tail.
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> Bates Fishing Co...taking their technological advancement to the highest level of detailed milling with a 5-oz, 100-sized reel: The Hundo.
> ...gunmetal grey anodized aluminum frame, fully CNC'd from 6061-T6 bar stock on our 9-axis machine....
> ...a new cast control, the Matrix Braking System, which combines centrifugal and magnetic braking in a truly unique way.
Comes in 7.1 and 8.1, MSRP $375.00, website is here. Heard the reels are cool (they were at ICAST) but nothing more than that....
Was senior VP of marketing, now chief product and brand officer:
> This significant move underscores the company's commitment to leading and innovating in the market by aligning the brand, product, and R&D functions under Schlosser's experienced leadership.
From the outside looking in, Jon and his folks have been kicking some serious tail for a few years now so not surprised. Congrats to him!
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13. Jimmy Shepherd is getting the Wade Bourne award.
> Founder of the "Legends of the Outdoors" Hall of Fame, Garry Mason, has announced that Jim Shepherd will receive the 2023 Wade Bourne Lifetime Achievement Award in Outdoor Communications & Media at this year's annual Banquet and Induction Ceremony.
> This year's event will once again be held in Springfield, MO at the John A and Genny Morris Convention Center on Saturday, August 19th. Check-in will begin at 9:00 am and the event will start at 10:30 am.
Other peeps going in are Kevin VanDam and MLF exec VP Kathy Fennel.
Jim has done way more in media than there's space for here, but bassin' biz peeps will know him best as the founder of the outdoor wires – The Fishing Wire, The Outdoor Wire, etc. Dude is a media hammer. Congrats to 'em!
14. BFL happenin's.
Detroit River, MI – When's the last time a smallmouth tournament was won on a POPPER?? Winner Chris Hellebuyck:
> ...he decided on a perch-imitating BOOYAH Boss Pop after he saw alewife busting the surface on shallow [St Clair] river flats in 8' of water.
Champlain NY/VT – Bryan LaBelle had won probably everything on Champlain except a BFL but now he checked that box too:
> "I started out fishing for smallmouth and it wasn't working out so good, so I decided to go after largemouth."
> ...his best fish came on bruised- and elite-craw colored Beast Coast Tungsten Lil' Magnum Jigs thrown at grass and rock.
Sounds like he won it with all green fish? If so, interesting – usually it'a a mix at best.
Indian Lake, OH – Zac Mumford fished shallow transitions between rocks and weeds with crankbaits and a vibrating jig, and was able to win it after he and fellow competitor Kyle Weisenburger worked on Zac's trolling motor for an hour to get it to work again. 💪
Lake Shelbyville, IL – Matthias Kircher won it with just 4 fish but for 16-09. Caught 'em all on laydowns, most with a Zoom Ol' Monster Worm (watermelon candy).
15. Gotta shout out the YUM color "Elder's magic."
GREAT color in my 2c, at least for clearer water. Comes in regular Dinger – including the bulk 30-packs – and Ned Dinger:
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...according to the DNR:
> In the plan, several steps will verify whether northern pike are present. Next, agencies will sample for environmental-DNA, or eDNA.... If the invasion is bad enough, the state plans to set up an incident command system, like it does with wildfires.
> The Grant County and Douglas County Public Utility districts also are monitoring for northern pike eDNA, in addition to an extensive statewide eDNA monitoring system with the WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife.
2c:
- Once again no mention the real issue for salmon: dams.
- eDNA monitoring = very sketchy.
- Whole deal sounds like kinda like a new bureaucracy?
> In the Japanese market, willingness to buy new products was said to be strong among long-time fishing enthusiasts, and demand for high-priced products remained firm.
> Overseas, while sales in the North American market softened as demand cooled down, European market sales remained strong backed by stable demand.
> Propulsion segment [Merc] reported a 4% decrease in sales...offset by favorable product mix related to increased high-horsepower outboard engine demand, and higher sales to repower customers. Operating earnings in the quarter were also impacted negatively by timing related to capitalized inventory variances which was an equal benefit in the 1st quarter.
> Navico Group segment [Lowrance] reported a sales decrease of 20%, driven by lower retailer orders...partially offset by strong new product performance.
Lines of the Day
From a post talkin' 'bout ME trying to QB sneak that ban on northern bass tournaments.
Dang straight! Except for NJ. 😅
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The best head shape for rocks is round?
Some would say yes. Some would say it's a football head. Some would say a different shape. Here's a 2c from 2009, from TX's Chad Griffin who won the Oneida Elite as a rookie:
> Around riprap and rock..."95% of the time I'll be throwing a jig with a 4/0 hook and a little pea head." With the pea-shaped head design, Griffin says that the bait works over and through the rock better than any other head style without snagging.
> "A football head jig works great, except when you're dealing with big riprap where it can fall into the crevices and hang up. The pea head design slides over the rocks without becoming lodged in the cracks."
> When targeting shallow rock, Griffin fishes a 5/16- or 3/8-oz jig. The lighter jighead allows him to keep the bait from burying in the chunk rock. When fishing deep riprap, he will upgrade to a 7/16-oz pea head jig.
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"No fun talking camera if you missed cut."
- Takahiro Omori with a serious but funny post! 😁 Including all the words would not have made it better! Love Tak man, good to see him doing well....
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Do you sing with your fish? Greg DiPalma does:
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50th anniversary of one of the best American rock albums of all time in my 2c, ZZ Top's "Tres Hombres." Dedicatin' that to James Overstreet, who I believe digs that album.
It's also the 50th anniversary of the tune "China Grove" by the Doobie Bros. Did you know that Dolly Parton covered that tune? Me neither....
Last one: Did you know Steely Dan wrote a "jingle" for Schlitz Beer??
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