1. Worldwide Watson gets Smoked.
Well that happens all the time in derbies (lol kidding man!) but seriously he’s now with Quantum Reels, and as you may know their reels are called “Smokes.”
2. Why is Jacob Wheeler so good?
Innerestin’ post on the FLW site:
> J-Lee: “…I think Wheeler is one of the absolute best with his electronics right now. He runs multiple units and seems to understand what they are showing him better than just about anyone.”
> MDJ: “His absolute strength is anything topwater. He blows my mind with how much he understands about the itty-bitty nuances of topwater fishing.”
> Big Show: “Wheeler’s decision-making and willingness to change what he’s doing in the middle of a tournament day set him apart.”
Interesting to me are the common threads there: confidence and a ridiculous attention to detail.
3. Here’s ONE of Jason Christie’s rod boxes.
Either that or it’s someone’s lifetime supply of bassin’ stix stuffed in a locker:
7. Jeff Kriet is keeping his surgery collection going.
Just had shoulder surgery, and neck surgery last year. Love his post:
> For all you “young bucks” that have decided to fish for a living, your time will come!
Wonder if Kriet does it for the anesthesia…kidding. Heal up brother Jeff!
8. John Murray jersey eBay auction.
Also to benefit Jason Borofka’s son.
9. FLWer Billy McDonald goes Bassin’ Cat.
Was a long-time Ranger dude. Kevin Short has many many friends…somehow? Lol Kevin!
10. 2021 FLW Pro Circuit schedule is out.
Pretty good mix, no surprises. Important #stout deet:
> Payouts for 2021 remain the same as 2020 qualifying events and the 2020 Title, but entry fees for qualified pros have been reduced by $10,000 to $30,000 for the season.
11. Happy 86th to Ron Lindner!
Fishing, bait and media pioneer, and still sharp! Reminder that the Lindners “discovered” and coined many of the concepts and terms we all use now.
12. Robert Montgomery’s got a new book about Sam Griffin.
On amazon. Robert’s a long-time Bassmaster senior writer — gave me my start and spoke at my weddin’ — who’s known legendary Okeechobee bait-maker Sam Griffin for many years. Long while back I spent a little time in the boat with both of ’em on Okeechobee — amazing time. I felt like Sam actually “knew” the bass, if you get my meanin’:
> Part I, Life on the Lake, provides a look into Sam’s formative years, growing up on the lake, helping out his father Joe with commercial fishing…how he transitioned into the lure business. You might be surprised to learn what Sam thinks about hydrilla on Lake Okeechobee, an invasive aquatic plant much prized by most anglers.
> Part II, Baits and Bass, examines his handmade lures and reveals the fish-catching expertise…especially with wooden topwaters, his specialty. As with the Big O, arguably no one knows as much about topwater fishing as he does. [This is 100% true!]
> Part III, The Man, the Myth, the Legend, takes a look at the life of Sam Griffin, as related by relatives and friends, including me.
13. NY: 50 lbs, 2 limits, 1 boat in Lake Ontario tourney.
Glenn Van Hoesen of Smallmouthadventures.com smashed 25.97 with a 6.95 kicker, and his co had 24.55 with a 6.52! Glenn said his main deal was a Sammy Johns Finesse Football Jig (pb&j) with a Keitech Little Spider:
Only way that could maybe be better is if his last name was Van HALEN…!
> Chris Daves, Woo’s son, won the Potomac 2-dayer on a Zoom Speed Worm (gp).
> Matt Stanley won on Dale Hollow, TN fishing brush deeper than most (25-38′) with a dropshot and an 8″ Nichols Ben Parker Flutter Spoon.
> KY Lake winner Gary Singleton fished secondary bars with a 3/4-oz Hoppy’s Spinnerbait (white).
> A JackHammer and a War Eagle spinnerbait won for Richard Leadbeater at the Chesapeake Bay.
15. MO: Cops for Kids benefit tourney on Table Rock Oct 6.
Might be able to get a Vexus ride there too….
16. FL tourney fisherman uses a ‘Trap to find veggies.
> I use a
Rat-L-Trap to search out vegetation. I can slow-crank that back to the boat and if there’s anything growing off the bottom, I’ll find it.
17. IL: Des Plaines River fishing better than ever?
18. Blown away by the B&W Trailer Hitches vid.
^ On the Bassmaster site. Had no idea. That’s a REAL business in my 2c — grateful to employ folks rather than all about the $$. I’m buying a B&W hitch this weekend.
19. Jeff Kolodzinski set a new 24-hr record.
I think? Caught 2,645 fish. Crazy! “Marathon man” moonlights as a marketing dude for Johnson Outdoors/Humminbird/Minn Kota. If you’ve met Jeff, you won’t be surprised at all about how animated he is after staying up for 24 straight hours…congrats man!
20. Mustad has a new CEO in Norway.
Post doesn’t say he fishes….
21. MI gov’nor signs bill with $8 mil for Asian Carp.
For the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project. The governor actually axed the funding but the state legislature put it back.
22. MI has the frogbit.
Invasive plant with a weird name for a small lily pad since I assume it could lead to more frog fishin’?
The Hackney you describe is one of the past, a little more rough and ready, maybe even a little dangerous.
If anything he’s MORE dangerous now, in several ways. BUT that line’s not about Greg Hackney — it’s actually about Iron Maiden guit-strummer and fishin’ dude Adrian Smith’s hometown by the name of Hackney. Who knew. Adrian also said:
> “Unfortunately, like a lot of retail, the tackle shops are closing down, but I think it is really essential that we keep them because they are the soul of the angling community. People go in there and they meet each other and they have a cup of tea, talk fishing, and you can’t get that on the internet. Guitar shops are the same, exactly the same.”
100% true in my 2c, except I’ve never had a cup of tea in one…tho I’ve heard that when Jared Lintner walks into the Tackle Warehouse warehouse he gets his choice of tea, coffee, Red Bull, a peanut butter milkshake (for ‘stache dippin’) or some kinda healthy green shake deal. Not sure if I believe it…the green shake part anyhow….
1. Here’s that super-loud buzzbait Zack Birge used at Fort Gibson — the Blacks Toater. Big thanks to bass-head Gary R for the heads up!
2. Funniest response I got to seein’ those 2 spinning combos on the highway, from bass-head Steve S:
> “The spinning rods were mine, I am so done with drop-shottin’ in the hot weather! Don’t bother picking ’em up if they’re still there, they weren’t very lucky for me….”
Fort a second I thought Brandon Palaniuk wrote that…lol Brandon!
