2 big tourneys this week – the WON Bass US Open on Lake Mohave, NV/AZ, and the new half-a-mil for 1st/no-FFS Ultimate Angler Championship on Guntersville. A lot of guys are stoked about that $500K as they should be. I mean, it's like winning 5 Elite events and 3+ Bass Pro Tours in 1 year. And then gov'ts will peel half of that away....

Fire ants update: Big war this weekend when they moved into our patio. They got me pretty good (10 bites) but I killed about a hundred...but they're still not gone. Still saying non-toxic: orange oil, Dawn dish soap, boiling water, borax and diatomaceous earth. If I can't wipe 'em out once and for all, gonna let the exterminator man go full toxic. ☠️

Kinda hilarious I went from trapping woodchucks in NJ to battling dang ants in TX. Alright enough of that, let's bass!

And gitcha Blaster social fix here:

2-timer because he won the recent Bassmaster EQ, at Wheeler Lake, AL, and in mid-Aug won the Open at Leech Lake. Looks like Laker is a chip off the ol' flat top! 😁

Here's 5 with him:

1. How did you catch 'em at Wheeler?

> "They were up in a little shale spot on the point of a bar. The bait was funneling in...the current flushed the bait to me. In practice I caught 1 2-lber in there, and then those big ones showed up from the river every day. They were replenishing every day.

> "I would just sit there – I wouldn't move for 8 hours. Every 30 to 55 minutes I'd get a bite or 2. I'd hit a little window where there'd be 2 or 3 that'd blow me up, and I think that was new fish showing up because they were so aggressive.

> "I had to walk the bait a certain way. I had to had to really slosh it. That's what's so special about that [Livingston] Walking Boss: it's weighted in a way with that #2 treble on the back – the bait sits up.

> "The guy who designed it, he's a brainiac. He took a lot of concepts and put them all together. There's a deeper cup in the nose of it, the bait itself you can can walk in one place.

> "My casts would take 4-5 minutes because of how slow I was walking that bait. You could sit there and make it turn a 90 both ways every time you hit it. You slow it down it down gets quieter, but that sound inside of it – dude I'm telling you, I'm a firm believer that that [Livingston chip] sound is the main reason I caught 'em.

> "There was somebody else in there with me...I beat him with that topwater bait by 21 lbs, and he was throwing a topwater bait too, same color. So it was definitely specific. It was crazy how weird I had to work that bait."

2. Were you just casting it over the bar and working it back?

> "I'd land it on the other side of the bar in the deep water. At each edge is where I'd get blown up at, or they'd follow it off the edge forever. If you watch that drone footage of me, you'll see that 4-lber I caught on day 3 – he flashed at it 4 times on that cast before he got it. I never knew he was there.

> "He trailed it forever. I never knew they did that."

3. Regular fishermen like me – I'm gonna start to zone out if I'm not getting a bite. How do you maintain the focus to – after you get a bite after 30 or 60 minutes – not to blow it? 

> "That was the hardest part. Thats where mental comes into it. The short answer is it takes time throwing it.

> "I've spent so many years doing nothing but that. I'm a topwater junky – it's what I love doing. So when I go do it, I'll make myself throw it all day. You kinda get into the swing of things of how important it is and you don't zone out anymore. You've got to train your brain to focus on it.

> "It's just like the guys who run the Scope all the time. They know if they don't see a bass for 3 hours, they're going to see one eventually. I've got that mentality...I'm throwing it and I'm committed to it, eventually I'm gonna blow it up and I've gotta be ready."

4. Why did you choose to stick with topwater?

> "It gets a bigger bite. It generates bigger fish on the TN River especially. And they bite it all day, contrary to popular belief. It's not just a morning deal or an evening deal.

> "My bite window started at about 9:00-9:30 and went til lunchtime – and I had a couple bites after lunchtime. ...it had to be sun overhead bright so they could really see it I feel like."

5. Everybody's gonna want to know why you didn't Scope and fish a minnow.

> "I wanted to win really bad. I've been saying it all year – I've been wanting to win it all year, ever since they swapped us from Pickwick to there.... And I knew that if I did what everybody else did and I went and Scoped...did the Scoping minnow deal, I was gonna finish the same as everybody else.

> "It's so hard to set yourself apart from the rest of that incredible field if you're doing the same thing they're doing. You've got to do something different so set yourself apart."

His winning gear

> Livingston Lures Walking Boss (bone cracker) – "I had 2 #4 Owner ST-41s on the front, and a [stock] #2 feathered treble on the back."

> Why no red treble on the front – "They were eating it so good I didn't need it."

> 55-lb Daiwa Samurai Braid (green) – Why no mono leader: "Mono sinks it – I don't like it. I like straight braid."

> 7' 4" MH Daiwa Randy Howell Big Topwater Rod, Daiwa Kage 150 Reel (8.1 "so I could catch up with 'em"). "You can launch it a long ways. I think it's money dude."

Quick note: Did you know that Opens finishes/points don't count for Elite qualification? Only this 3-tournament EQ season. Not sure that tells a full-year Elite-level story? If you have any strong feelings on that, pls let me know.

🤣 Even though Laker and Randy don't share the same haircut and (probably?) never will, 2 things they both do share are a lot of joy (through Jesus!) and a great sense of humor. So here we go:

1. Is it safe to assume you'll be fishing a topwater at Okeechobee [the last EQ]? 😁

> "Oh 100% [laughs]. If I wouldn't there'd be a problem.

Follow-up: Can we also assume it'll have red hooks?

> "This time it will. Those FL fish are a little bit lazier so I'm gonna put the red hooks on it."

Follow-up: How early in your life did your dad start brainwashing you with red hook propaganda? 😆

> "From the second that he ever showed me a topwater bait [laughs]."

[Hahaha I believe it! Randy was probably like, I don't care if I can't convince anyone else, my own son WILL fish red hooks! 🤣]

2. My kids are athletes and it was important to them to be better than me. Do you feel the same way about your dad?

> "I just want to be as good as him. He is a legend, a literal legend. 

> "I know he's my dad and I want to talk smack about him. But I can't even do that. I looked at his stats the other day because I was wanting to mess with him. It's insane the amount of money he's made, the number of checks he's made. He's made a check in over half of the tournaments he's fished in his life. His stats are stupid."

[That's pretty dang good Randy!]

3. What is the #1 most helpful piece of advice your dad gave you?

> "Do not focus on your failures. That is the #1 thing.

> "You're gonna lose a whole lot more in this sport than you're ever gonna win, so if you focus on the failures that's all you're ever going to be thinking about.

> "'You gotta follow the Nick Saban rule,' he keeps saying – you have 24 hours to celebrate and 24 hours to get over a bad day. Then you're onto the next thing and it's in the past."

Bonus Q: Since you take your trophies to dinner and give them hugs and kisses, can we say that you have 3 trophy wives? 🤣

> "[Laughs] I do, but the original one is still the best!"

Here they all are lol:

Not sure if you know or know of James, but if not he's a good dude who guides a ton of folks every year on Fork. And you know the reason they're there: beeg feesh!

Certain times of the year James and his clients try fooling the bigs with swimbaits. So that plus the fact that he's been involved with testing and refining the new BEAST stuff – I had to call him. Here's 5:

1. How long have you been fishing this new BEAST stuff?

> "It's been probably about a year to 18 months. I started throwing the test models way back...in the fall of 2024. ...I used [the prototypes] the first part of the 2025 swimbait season here at Fork. Basically Feb, Mar and April I got some real heavy time on 'em.

> "...the production models with the logo and everything, they got me those in Apr, and I've been using those too along with the prototypes."

2. Can you run the rods down?

> "You've got a smaller one, a 7' 5 [MH] – that one's not a 2-piece. That's for...line-throughs, smaller soft swimbaits and like your Nessies and stuff like that. That thing is light and has enough length tat there's still enough backbone for a big fish.

> "You can even use it for jigs and big shakey head worms [and other stuff].

> "The rods that are 2 pieces [so they can fit in rod lockers and vehicles] are more bait-specific. The next one up is [the] 7' 9 [H] which I like the best. It's for more glide-bait type stuff...6-8" glides.... It's got a lot more rigidity to the tip, but it's long enough to where you can send those baits a long way.

> "Then once you start to go to oversize glides – 10, 12 and 13-inch glides – then you've got the 8' XH. It can handle that stuff, so they've got enough to fit the range of serious swimbaiters.

> "The handles are long on 'em. That's one of the most important things a swimbait guy looks for – can he can tuck it up under his arm while he's slow-rolling that reel all day. They got that handle length right....

> "It's the best rod you can have that is a production rod, that is not a custom.... Your swimbaiters know what the good stuff is and it's hard to find a lot of that in mass-produced stuff. But these are actually rods that have a custom feel to it without breaking the bank...[not] having to spend $600-800 for a custom rod that's hand-wrapped and the eyes tuned a certain way and all that."

[Eyes tuned? Interesting.]

3. How do you like the BEAST reels?

> "They're phenomenal, and they're not the big oversize frame that you have with the [old Abu] Toro. ...just a traditional-size frame. A little big bigger, but not as big as the Toros.

> "...a nice fit to the hand, something that's comfortable, and for someone like myself who has small hands, it's not hard to palm them.... Just like the rod, you really want it to be comfortable all day. Because guys that are dedicated to it, they're throwing it all day long every day.

> "It's kind of like a pair of shoes if you're a runner. You're gonna want the comfortable shoes, running shoes, that are gonna help you win the race, not something that's gonna give you a...sore spot on your foot. It's the same with your hands and body with rod and reel designs."

4. Why do you fish swimbaits? A lot of people think they're mostly just a follow bait but you're a guide so....

> "First of all it's the most natural-presentation bait you can get – to me it is. To try to fool them in their natural environment, That's why people are willing to spend...I have some that are $300-500 apiece and there's stuff out there that's even more expensive than that.

> "All it boils down to is which ones have the most lifelike retrieve, action and sink rate and what have you.

> "And it's not something that a lot of people are throwing so obviously the fish don't see it as often, and I think that's a big deal on Fork. Especially Fork.

> "...you're willing to swing for the fences, and you don't know if you're going to catch 1 fish, no fish or 30 fish. You're fishing for that bite – it's the feel of that bite.... It's the most violent strike I think bass can have on a lure.

> "That's why it's like a rush to people...it's like a fix. They're fishing for the next bite. That's why so many people are so adamant about it and...that's all they do."

5. What's a good setup for guys who want to try it but don't want to be catapulting heavy baits out there all day long?

> "I would go with the 7' 5 BEAST Rod and the BEAST 200 Reel.

> "I always say 20-lb line: Whether it's that a big fish gets on there or you're trying to preserve the cost of the bait, a little bit heavy line never hurts.

> "And then as far as baits go...the Berkley CullShad is an easy, hassle-free bait to learn to run. Just throw it out there and reel it in. Same with your Nessies and the new ChopBlock that's [Berkley is] fixing to release....

> "I'd have something that's a line-through, like a 3:16 or a Berkley CullShad, and a glide-style bait like the Nessie or ChopBlock."

> "It's overwhelming to [most] people to throw those big heavy baits anyway. So start off smaller to medium, and just work your way up. Not just with the baits but with the equipment. Because otherwise if you try to take on some of that monster stuff right away, it's pretty overwhelming."

A few notes

1. The 200- and 300-size BEAST reels are for bass folks. The 400-size and BEAST spinning reels (and I assume the 2 longer rods James did not mention) are designed for Euro toothy-fish hunters.

2. Abu says these setups are great for A-rigging too.

3. Interesting to see that what looked like "random" baits at the time – the CullShad, Nessie and the new ChopBlock – I bet were actually planned as part of a swimbait "system" that we are now seeing with the BEAST stuff (Abu and Berkley are owned by the same company).

4. Few reel specs fyi:

A-Sym Body design – Palm-ready sizing with a large braking system. Fits in your hand like a traditional REVO. Powerful reel allows you to fish fatigue-free.

Duragear III – Increased cranking power and efficiency with up to a 21% bigger gear size. Monster-sized beefy main gear delivers lots of power for fighting big fish and throwing big baits.

Power stack carbon matrix drag system – Up to 30+ lbs of smooth, consistent drag pressure so the line is released smoothly/consistently = no drag "catching" so fish can jump/pull off.

Fyi the new BEAST stuff is on the Abu site, but I don't see it on TW yet. Same deal with the new ChopBlock glide.

1. We lost Larry Rea

One of the best newspaper outdoor writers, he worked out of Memphis. Did not know he was a saved man. Please pray for his wife and the rest of his family. Bless you brother. ✝️🙏

2. What Mark Menendez is feeling...

..and probably a couple other guys:

3. Bryant Smith won the Cali Delta BAM and his wife said...

> "If I'm coming to the weigh-in, you better win."

Take that Sherry VanDam! 😁

4. Pro boats for sale

Easton Fothergill's Classic-winning boat

One of I believe less than 50 Classic-winning boats so it has the mojo! 2025 Skeeter FXR21, Yamaha, Humminbird, Garmin and Minn Kota.

Cliff Crochet's Ranger Z520R

Even though it was owned by a Cajun Baby, it is a full-sized boat! 🤣 Merc, Lowrance, Poles.

5. NPFL championship won by NC's Scott Hamrick

On Hartwell, SC, but it was a championship for last year's field, which means not this year's top guys and FFS was allowed. I sure would like to see the Elites and/or BPT and/or NPFL go to a year-end championship, which used to be the case and they do now in the triple-As.

Anyhow, Scott said he was flipping creek docks with a custom Shoot Lures Jig with a Strike King Menace. Here's the top 10:

1. Scott Hamrick -- 45‑12
2. Michael Stout -- 45‑10
3. Will Harkins -- 45‑01
4. Patrick Walters -- 44‑11
5. Kyle Welcher -- 43‑07
6. Zack Birge -- 43‑02
7. Drew Cook -- 42‑13
8. Jason Burroughs -- 42‑00
9. Timothy Reams -- 41‑01
10. Mike Quinlin -- 40‑11

6. AL: Flint Davis charged in Smith Lake crash

At least a few people have posted a reel of the crash from a bystander's GoPro or whatever. They're doing it for clicks of course, which is horrible because 3 people died in that crash. For that reason, I did not watch it.

Based on what folks are saying, I would say this to every angler: If you are sitting in your driver's seat and can't see the entire horizon, you could be liable if something happens. On that note, gotta mention the Aqua-Vu The Captain camera system.

7. First 3 named to ACA's Collegiate All-Academic Team

Love it, congrats!

8. All-gal team won the MLF Abu Garcia HS tourney on Pickwick

Sisters I guess? Lyndsey G and Audrey G of Lumpkin County HS had 16-02, won by 1.5 lbs. Nice! 💪💪

9. VT: White River Valley first HS to be state champs 2x

Congrats! 💪

Headline of the Day

The best baits to catch big autumn roach

Pretty sure anything you leave on the floor overnight will work! 🤣

Matt Becker rigging tip for bigger minnows

Says rigging it straight is particularly important for bigger minnows, and gives this tip for helping them roll more (full 9-min YT video here):

> "Typically you would go through the middle or the top of the bait, but with this [Yamamoto] Hinge Minnow I want to start towards the bottom.

> "...I want to bend it up just slightly, and then start threading on this bait like you normally would.

> "Most of that minnow is toward the top [of the jighead], almost to your line tie. ...that's going to keep the head above the tail, and...that's gonna help the bait rock and roll a lot easier than if you just rigged it straight on.

> "That little rigging hack right there – on any [bigger] minnow but especially the [Hinge Minnow] – that right there is gonna get you some more bites."

Looks like TW only has the Hinge in 6", but says it comes in 7, 5 and 3.5 too.

"The fish don't wake up one day and say, 'I think I'm going to bite a worm that is yellow with blue dots.'"

- Davy Hite talkin' 'bout bait colors on the Bassmasters. Well Davy, I'd say it this way: If someone makes a worm that's yellow with blue dots, somewhere a bass wants it...and therefore I better have 2 bags of 'em. 😁

Matty Pangrac caught a smallmouth with a tail like some weird Amazon River feesh:

Nirvana wins legal case against naked baby on album cover

Nekkid baby ain't playin' man! 😁

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