Gitcha Blaster video fix here:

Temporarily forgot that one of the baits Edwin mentioned in his 2nd-place finish at the Whitney/Waco, TX Bass Pro Tour tourney was a new "top secret" Berkley bait. Well, turns out that was this:

The new Berkley Lab Series Finesse Worm in 'violet morning dawn," which he dropshotted the 2nd and 4th days. Had a couple Qs about that AND about the very good Berkley Power Blade Spinnerbaits he designed. Here goes:

Why did you fish that new bait in that tournament?

> "When they first sent them to me, I was like, Oh this is really good. Anytime you tie a bait on and you get bit on it immediately, that gives you a lot of confidence.

> "They've got the color and action, and then when you add that MaxScent [Slime] to it, it's just 1 more layer that closes the deal on pressured fish.

> "...with FFS you see a fish come up and put their nose right on [a bait]. Obviously they're looking at it. They're seeing if it does all the right things, and man when they get a sniff of [the Lab Series], it closes the deal.

> "...when you add that layer of MaxScent [Slime] to it, it disperses in the water and they don't have to touch the bait to get a sniff of it."

How do you like the colors?

> "...by far they're the best colors we've ever had. Triple-laminate, double-laminate...awesome-looking."

What have you noticed about the baits, like how many fish on them, that kind of thing?

> "I think after a period of time that initial slime layer is no longer on there, but it still has the PowerBait [plus MaxScent layers] and still has the color and the action. The worm still works, but it's not quite as potent as when you take it out of the package.

> "How many fish per worm? It just depends on how bad they tear it up...keep biting the worm off, just like any other soft-plastic.

> "The texture and the [feel of the] plastic I feel like are the same as anything else out there. It's definitely tougher than some of our MaxScent baits, where those are literally 1 fish and done type deal if you're TX-rigging it.

> "[The Lab Series baits] just equate to everyday plastic, in my opinion, as far as how many fish catches."

Fwiw Whitney/Waco and the Classic were in a row schedule-wise. Then Dylan Nutt's twin brother Carter just finished 5th at the Wheeler Pro Circuit using the same 6.5" Lab Series Minnow his brother fished.

About those Berkley Blade Spinnerbaits

When do you fish full-size (^) vs the compact size?

> "Compact and finesse is more about water clarity – and you could add to it the speed of the bait.

> "If I'm really bringing that spinnerbait home in a clearer-water situation, I'll use the Compact version. If I'm fishing stained water, it's almost always gonna be the standard version.

> "...when you slow [the standard size] down a little bit and it adds the sound of those blades – if you reel it next to the side of the boat when it's calm, you can hear that blade turning on that shaft. It's something to do with the flatness of that blade. It's amazing.

> "It's like a megaphone coming through the water and calling fish to it. I have the utmost confidence in it.

> "We designed those blades from the ground up. Any other spinnerbait out there...they buy those blades from [a] mass-producer.... [The Power Blade] blades are very unique

> "The Compact series [below] is a quieter bait, not as loud as the full-size. The blades are completely different. They're narrower, they're a little bit more concave...."

What's your favorite trailer for them?

> "We built those with that extended skirt, so the only time I'm really adding a trailer is if I'm adding a little buoyancy or it I want a bigger-profile bait....

> "I use that Paddlin' PowerStinger sometimes, but for the most part don't put a trailer or trailer hook on it. Look at the shape of that hook, the extended shank of that hook – no other spinnerbait has a hook like that either."

Gussy made 4 words world famous when he won the Classic: Jerk Shadz, Smeltinator and 'smelt.' 😁 After a lot of experimentation with minnows and heads, he'd got on that combo and used it for years. So when Northland said they have a new Tungsten Smeltinator, I had to ask Gussy if he liked it or...?

1. You fished the regular Smeltinator so long – do you like the new tungsten version?

> "Yeah absolutely. The finishes are top-notch, the paint jobs and everything turned out really good, and obviously a lot of these places we're going, especially if you're fishing a minnow everything has to look good...and look right...smaller profiles.

> "They hit it on the head perfect."

2. Do you now only use that one?

> "Well no because the regular lineup of Smeltinator has them in 1/0 to 5/0. At Guntersville I threw 6- and 7-inch [Jerk Shadz] quite a bit so I was using the 5/0 hook. And at times I use that little 1/0 for certain bites.

> "But for the majority of 4- and 5-inch baits I'm using the tungsten now. All the tungsten heads come in 2/0 and 3/0, your 2 most standard sizes."

3. Any ways you fish or rig the tungsten version differently?

> "No not at all. It has a little bit different keeper because any pure tungsten head you gotta drop the hook into it...can't pour it around the hook [like lead]. So the bait keeper is a little different – it holds traditional plastics really well and...ElaZtech....

> "I put a dab of glue on there as well...."

😁 If you don't want to be in a depression session like that guy, here's some tidbits on these-style baits – no particular order. Also in case you haven't seen 'em on your lake yet – a LOT of folks are throwing 'em, including older folks.

1. Queen Tackle came out with their own urchin bait

Looks like they might already be out of stock?? If so, what a surprise. Says it's a different formulation and pro-designed colors.

Rigging-wise, Queen also has a new hollow line-thru nail weight – real cool idea. Here's KJ Queen talking about it on YT.

2. Looks like Davis Bait's Urchin is still in stock?

Only on their website.

Urchin Creature, 2 diameter sizes – 13mm & 17mm, 9 colors

3. Here's another version – the Bl8nkt Space Peanut

Great name! Never heard of the company so you're on your own on that deal!

4. Check the Reneau Tackle Trigger Hook and Anchor Weight

Trigger Hook:

> The weight on this hook is uniquely positioned at the rear bend of the hook and folding around underneath the "ball" of the bait. This ensures, on the fall, that the point is up on a 45-degree angle.

> It also prevents the "ball" from sliding back in the bend of the hook....

Anchor Weight:

> We've created a wire form, topped with a clear plastic cap to be inserted through the hole, positioning the weight at the bottom of the bait, preventing your bait from sliding off.

> Once the weight is inserted, then simply insert your favorite hook through the wire form and plastic cap, past the barb....

5. Even this deal is sold out on TW

6. Do you catfish?

If so, appears there's an urchin for that too – in a way:

🤯

BB's Andy "candy apple" Greene got a little lithium fever recently, and had to find out more – in this case from Ben Larson and Kyle Koisti at Norsk Lithium. Believe those guys are more into northern "fight like a boot" fish (🤣 kiddin' wally-eye guys...sorta!) but they sure know batteries!

Bear in mind that all lithiums are not created equal – literally. So what these guys are saying about Norsk might not apply to all lithiums. Here's Andy:

I'm hearing some buzz about Norsk Lithium batteries. Example: Saw a video where Bobby Lane said he's been with 3 lithium companies in the past but Norsk is the first where he ran their batteries all season and never had a single issue. Obviously Bobby spends a ton of time on the water so that's saying something. Jay is running them as well.

I talked to Ben and Kyle Koisti and hit 'em with 5 about lithiums in general and Norsk in particular.

1. What's the best Scoping battery setup?

> Ben: "Our 135Ah 16V is the go-to battery for FFS. We designed this battery specifically to run marine electronics. When using multiple screens, it gives you plenty of power – a 20% increase in runtime over 12V batteries. 

> "Guys using them Scoping are reporting better sonar returns, higher contrasts and cleaner images. This is the battery Bobby Lane is running for his electronics and FFS. [Pic up top is Bobby's setup.]

> "We also offer a 16V 105Ah if you are only running a couple of screens."

> Kyle: "Guys fishing primarily in shallow water won't see the full value of what this battery offers. But if guys are scanning deeper water with FFS, they will see a cleaner picture farther out with the 16V."

2. Why do some people think you can't have a lithium cranking battery?

> Kyle: "It comes down to what internal components the batteries have. Our cranking batteries are prepared for voltage spikes from the alternator or stator on the engine. The alternator creates energy because it's a physically moving part. You must be able to control that. 

> "Our batteries have something called Voltage Transient Suppression (VTS). If you get a voltage spike, it clamps it. VTS is not found in any other lithium batteries on the market."

> Ben: "Voltage transients are short electrical spikes that occur in a boat's electrical system when starting an engine or when things like trim motors and pumps switch on and off. Lead-acid batteries naturally absorb these spikes, but lithium batteries have low internal resistance and require engineered protection.

> "This protection is most critical when the battery is fully charged and the alternator output suddenly changes. Our VTS is a critical safety feature that continuously safeguards your outboard."

Follow-up: What's the deal with your Emergency Start Reserve (ESR) feature?

> Ben: "ESR allocates 25% of the battery's capacity in reserve by default. That means that if you have a dead battery for any reason, you'll be able to start your engine. It's like having a jump pack built into the battery.

> "You can activate the ESR and get 25% to start your engine – then your alternator takes over charging the battery."

> Kyle: "You cannot physically take our starting batteries to zero because of our ESR. You can access the ESR using our One-Touch Power Management Button on top of the battery or through our Norsk Guardian app on your phone."

3. What's the difference between your heated and non-heated batteries? Is there a benefit to everyone with heated ones or just northern folks?

> Kyle: "...it was extremely cold in the South at times throughout this winter and early spring. You can't charge your lithium battery below 32 degrees without damaging the cells. Our BMS will prevent the charge from happening. 

> "Some lithium manufacturers lowered the acceptable charging temp to avoid this disruption, but that will lower the lifespan of your lithium battery. And some anglers are using heated blankets or putting heaters in the battery box to alleviate the problem, but...we created a solution for the problem: heated batteries."

> Ben: "It's what we call our Thermal Core Heating Technology. It's an algorithm within the BMS that works with temp sensor probes inside the battery.... The BMS takes the incoming voltage from the charger and diverts it to heat the pads to get the battery to a safe charging temp. Once it reaches this level, it redirects the current back to charging.

> "The batteries are evenly heated because of thermal conductive resin that we use in our batteries.

> "Fair weather anglers might not need heated batteries, but tournament anglers that fish in all weather conditions are definitely gonna want this feature."

4. How do I preserve my lithium batteries if I have to store my boat for a season?

> Ben: "That's where our Deep Sleep storage mode comes into play. It allows you to disconnect the power from your terminals through our app or using the power management button. It's great for short-term or long-term storage because you eliminate any phantom draw from connected electronics."

> Kyle: "I would use Deep Sleep whether I'm not using the boat for a week or 3-4 months. Most people don't realize that the black box for FFS draws power all the time. That's why a lot of guys put a direct battery cutoff switch on them. Deep Sleep becomes your cutoff switch.

> "In Deep Sleep..the draw is in microvolts – one millionth of a volt. To put that in perspective: I've not used my boat since Nov. If I look at my Norsk app...they've been in Deep Sleep this entire time...and they're still at 96%."

Follow-up: Any other cool features in the app?

> Kyle: "The app shows your amp draw and estimated runtime. Last year I was trolling for walleye with my trolling motor. The app told me I was drawing 2.8Ah going 2 mph and my estimated runtime remaining was almost 29 hours. 

> "While charging, the app shows how much voltage is coming in and the estimated time to reach a full charge."

> Ben: "The app also allows you to create battery groups with custom names. 

> "Let's say you're not using one of our 24V batteries and instead have 2 of our 12V batteries wired in a series. You can use the app to pair the batteries into a series group, and it will calculate the estimated runtime for the pair working together.

> "You can also view each battery individually."

5. Is it critical to run a Norsk charger with Norsk batteries?

> Ben: "You can run any compatible lithium [LiFePO4] charger with our batteries, but our EVO-TEC onboard chargers are optimized for our batteries.

> "Our chargers have banks that have switchable voltage – you can use one bank for a 12V and one for a 16V. You can also tell them what type of battery you're charging: lead-acid, AGM or lithium."

> Kyle: "Let's say you have a 12V for your starting battery, a 16V for your electronics and a 36V for your trolling motor. You only need our 3-bank charger to charge them all at the same time.

> "Most people don't realize that batteries charge to a higher voltage than what is stamped on them. Our charger will match the top end of the voltage in our battery. For example, our 16V battery will have a top end of 17.75V. After the charge cycle, it will rest at 16.8V. Our BMS allows it to reach the top end of voltage without overcharging the battery."

> Ben: "Our chargers also are IP67 waterproof. They're potted with epoxy resins and have a variety of critical protections...over temp to reverse connections, to name a few."

Bonus Q 1: Can I run your batteries alongside AGM or lead-acid batteries?

> Kyle: "Yes. They can't connect in parallel or in a series, but both can be used independently of each other. Our chargers will charge the AGM or lead-acid batteries while charging our lithiums."

Bonus Q 2: What would you say to a guy who might not Scope but wants to run lithiums and is hesitant because of the cost?

> Kyle: "A lead-acid battery has a maximum of 500 charging cycles in its life – more like 200-300 on average. Our lithium batteries can handle 4,000+ charging cycles. [So] it takes 8 sets of lead-acid batteries to reach the lifespan of 1 set of our lithiums. 

> "So what costs more? Lithium is less expensive in the long run. Plus you have all the benefits of lithium – twice the runtime, half the weight, 5x faster charging, etc."

> Ben: "Lead-acid batteries...lose voltage under load and have a shorter lifespan. You will likely have to replace lead-acid every 2-3 seasons where our lithiums will deliver 15-20 years of performance."

FYI Norsk offers a payment plan on their website. You can also get their batteries on TW.

Here's your Top 5 rundown for Episode 131 of the Sea Foam/Sufix Lines Top 5 of the Week in Bass Fishing! Thanks for watching!

1. How Nutt cracked the Classic 🏆

2. The mystery minnow 👀

3. Coulda been won without Scope? 🤔

4. Did Scope baits dominate? 📊

5. How did we get here? ⏳

Sea Foam Marine PRO

Sufix line

#1

Garmin LiveScope

#2

Berkley Lab Series Minnow: not out yet

Berkley Lab Series Finesse Worm: not out yet

#3

Garmin LiveScope

Humminbird MEGA Live 2

Lowrance ActiveTarget 2

#5

YUM FF Sonar Minnow

Humminbird MEGA Live 2

Z-Man Scented Jerk Shadz

1. Here's Banks Shaw's baits from the Wheeler Pro Circuit win

> 4.5 Rapala CrushCity Mooch Minnow on a 1/8-oz VMC Jighead, 10-lb Sufix 832 Braid to 14-lb Sufix Advance Fluoro Leader, 7' 1" MF 13 Fishing Myth Spin Rod.

> Dropshot: Rapala CrushCity Janitor, 1/8-oz dropshot weight, 10-lb Sufix 832 Braid to 14-lb Sufix Advance Fluoro Leader, 6' 10" MF 13 Fishing Myth Rod.

> MLF said he fished spawning and staging banks plus current breaks.

2. Young tour pros don't know what a jig 'n pig is??

Too funny – Bass 365 FB vid ^.

3. Ryan Salzman spills the 🧃 on catching Gville pre-spawners (YT)

Lots of good tips and looks like those bass EAT the Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe. The Meme Lord loves those new Yo-Zuri matte colors – he's using 'matte craw' in the vid:

4. KY: Paralyzed vets tourney Apr 10 on Barkley

5. Last chance to win the bass pastor's Nitro – SUNDAY DRAWING!

Nitro Z18 with a Merc 175, Garmin LiveScope, Garmin troller and Power-Poles. $100 a ticket – I got mine! 😁

6. TX guide caught 3 13+ ShareLunkers this season

2 in 1 day and 3 in a season were both firsts for the program. All on JB Thomas. #stout

7. TX: Is it weird that most ShareLunkers are 13 and change?

I assume they picked 13 for a reason, like maybe it's the first teen? Just wondering why we're not seeing more 14s and 15s. Is it simply because they're more rare? Or are they breeding 13s?? 🤔 Just a thought....

8. LA/TX: Dragger caught an 11.90 on T-Bend in a tourney

Just in case you thought no one did it anymore:

> [Lee] Glass was Carolina-rigging a 'gp magic' Zoom Lizard on 22-lb Seaguar Tatsu line...a Shimano Curado 200K Reel...with a 7' 6" Falcon Cara Dragger II Rod.

You know if he's got that rod he's a serious dragger! 😁 Fish came on the first cast! 26.25" long and 20" girth – congrats man!

9. New GLF 3.25 Dropkick Shad and Finesse Bait "Bags"

The Dropkick Shad was only in 2.75. New bigger size can also be used on a swimbait head, A-rig and as a trailer:

> With either size, even the slowest forward motion engages the action, and true neutral buoyancy keeps the bait horizontal...3D Live Eyes and a natural matte finish....

> ...16 colors that include 4 new colors: pro blue red pearl (in the pic ^), perch, ayu and iridescent.

The Finesse Bait Bags have a see-through window, have heavy-duty zippers, and are puncture-resistant and water-resistant. A Velcro divider system makes the inside customizable.

> ...are modular and stackable, and the large size matches the most common size of stowable tackle tray, which means it fits neatly in boat compartments and tackle bags.

10. Bassin' HOF raising funds with 4 new Scalish paints

Johnny Morris, Jimmy Houston, Denny Brauer and Bob Cobb teamed up with Uncle Frank Scalish to create these limited-run colors Heddon baits colors. Man Jimmy can pick some innerestin' colors!

Baits will be for sale only on Lurenet.com on Sept 1. All proceeds will benefit the Bass Feeshn Hall of Fame.

Btw I saw Frank at the Classic – his hands had paint on 'em. I was like, "Frank were you painting baits in your hotel room??" He was all, "Yeah! How did you know?" I was like, "Lucky guess I guess!" HAHAHA! 🤣

11. Teckel has a new frog rod

6' 9" H F and $400. Interesting it's that short – they say it's good for close-quarters froggin' and yak peeps. Check Teckel topwaters on TW.

12. New V-T2 program has rewards for LIVE fish

Cool idea.

13. Hobie Hatch Float glasses made from upcycled kayak plastic

Was wondering what they were going to do with all that kayak pollution...😁 Just kiddin'!

14. NB: Largemouth and smallmouth must be kept on certain waters

Called invasives, along with a few other gamefish.

15. Keep an eye on....

Please realize that these folks will never stop, and it's not about some "cause" or "justice." It's about changing society to the way they want it.

That's not just my 2c – these "causes" and folks in 'em (and also who's funding them) have been studied. These people aren't just uninformed or misled. What they do is intentional and intertwined – they are the bad guys!

OR Petition 28 could criminalize hunting and fishing

Anti-hunting dog training provision inserted in the Farm Bill

Involving using live animals for training.

Keith Combs: Reeling through grass for pre-spawners

From an In-Fisherman post that implies Keith fishes treble-hooked baits other than XDs which we all know ain't true: 🤣

> ...Combs said it's hard to beat a drain lined with hydrilla. ...he knows he can trigger pre-spawn bass over clay, rock or gravel...but he favors a grassy drain because it creates predictable target areas.

> "...it creates an edge. [The edge is] not necessarily where I'm fishing, but it helps concentrate the fish.

> "I also like stumps – it's just an irregularity in the grass. If you get into an area with a lot of stumps, that may not be as good, but your isolated stumps are where they'll spawn when the water temperature gets right."

> ...Combs trusts his Humminbird 360 to find those stumps, inside edges and any gaps and holes where fish may settle.

> "A 3/4-oz lipless bait is a very good slow crawling option, but if the fish get really shallow, the 1/4-oz is a better option. I don't like throwing that one when I'm targeting big fish because of the smaller hooks....

> "If you can catch them on the Thunder Cricket, you want to do that because it tends to get bigger bites and it's a nearly 100% hookup ratio with a single hook....

> "This technique definitely requires concentration. It appears like you're just casting and reeling it back, but nothing can be farther from the truth. You have to feel the grass and vary your rod height to just barely touch the top of the grass and occasionally snag it."

"...had one about 6 lbs that came off at the boat. Then I had another about 5 lbs that came off at the boat."

- Time to get mad at the world for some folks (🙋‍♂️) but 18-yr-old Colton Caskey stayed cool, turned on his Scope and proceeded to win the Rayburn BFL at that spot – with that same bait, a 3/4-oz V&M Flatline Pacemaker Football Jig with a V&M J-Bug. He also C-rigged a V&M Swamp Hog.

How about not using FFS to find fish then caught on FFS!

Here's your latest HideUp bait – the Bugspike 4.3. Basically a flat craw with the Coike arms on it – kinda like their Coike Shrimp. Gonna need a wheeled suitcase to store these Coike baits without messin' 'em up! 😁

Vid showing it here.

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