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Welcome to the BassBlaster, your daily email about all things bassin’. Hey — didja forward the BB to a bassin’ bud yet?

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Today’s Top 3

1. I’m not saying anybody’s breaking the rules and maybe I’m naïve to believe that nobody is on our circuit, but a lot of the younger guys are coming in a lot more prepared because they’ve done more Internet research and stuff like that.

– Jeff Kriet, who for sure isn’t naive but is right about the research. This brings up some important stuff about Kriet’s HydroWave units and BassGold use on the Elites, which I’ll blog about next week.

2. Check out Mark Rose’s bow display!

> Rose has three graphs mounted on the bow and two graphs on his console….

> When searching for fish, Rose relies on two console-mounted Lowrance HDS units. The flush-mounted HDS 8 is used for a split-screen view between side and down imaging, while the HDS 10 is used solely for mapping and sonar purposes.

> “My bow-mounted graphs are really a two-part deal. My two HDS 10s allow me to view my full-screen Navionics map on one screen, while looking at my 3D map on the other. I’ll usually split-screen the 3D map to view the sonar or down imaging screen. If I want to look at a Hot Spots or Lowrance map, I have a flush-mounted HDS 5 for that.”

> “I like to be able to look at different maps while I’m on the water. Navionics, Lowrance and Hot Spots maps are all great maps, but no two are the exact same. I need to get all the information I possibly can in order to get an accurate portrayal of the surrounding water.”

> “Believe it or not, I keep my graphs at their factory settings. It’s important to avoid getting too caught up in settings. You just have to get out there and study the fish.”

3. How the Spook got its name?

Never heard this one before. Read it on the Internet…could it be true?

> The original lure made by Heddon was called a Zaragossa Spook. That’s the name one of Heddon’s salesmen gave the newly invented lure while walking down Zaragossa Street in Pensacola, Fla.

> Knowing the side-to-side action that could be produced by an angler retrieving the lure and, after the salesman said he saw a prostitute walking her dog down the Zaragossa street, the salesman came up with the term “walking the dog” to describe the lure’s attractive action to fish.

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Headline of the Day

Setting the Hook is Important When Fishing for Bass with Plastic Creature Baits

Yep, kinda important…all the time….

 

Tip of the Day

Charlie Hartley: Mid-Sesaon Boat Maintenance.

If you’re like me, mid-season boat maintenance means…nothing. Charlie makes some good points:

> The first thing we should all do is change our lower unit lubricants. I’m always amazed at how little fluid there is in something that spins and moves at the speed of an outboard motor’s lower unit. It’s surprising that it holds up at all. If you doubt the importance of changing the lubricant call your dealer and ask how much a new lower unit costs.

> When you remove your prop you can check for fishing line that’s wrapped around the shaft. That’ll destroy your seals and cause you a ton of trouble over time. This is especially important now that braided line is popular.

> You’ll also want to check all the bolts and nuts on your transom, motor mounts and jack plate. Take it from me, they can and do work loose. Should they come completely apart at full power, the resulting accident can be catastrophic, even fatal in some cases.

> It’s also important to check your trailer. Make sure the bearings are greased and that the tire pressure is good. It’s silly to lose a day’s fishing over $10 and a short hour’s work.

Okay. Now I feel guilty about doing nothing, Charlie, thanks!

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Quote of the Day

Competing in the Bassmaster Classic would be like playing tennis for Auburn today and playing in Wimbledon tomorrow.

– Auburn’s Matt Lee after qualifying to fish the Classic next year.

 

Shot of the Day

Doesn’t this gal look happy? That’s what it’s all about! Make it happen this weekend, bass-heads! (Shot from B.A.S.S.’s Facebook page.)

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