|
Hope you had a good 4th! If you were working, thank you and hope you're off today or soon. If you were off, hope your thumb got ground up by some lil bitty bass teeth.
My status was DNF – back in the Bassin'Fan days "DNF" was when a pro "did not fish." Kinda bummed but it's the "my first ministry is my family" thing – I know you get it! Plus the ramps were insane – tons o' yakkers and paddle-boarders, lots of rescue folks, etc.
Might be just one BassBlaster this week? If so, there'll be one this weekend or early next week which is ICAST week! 😀 Lotsa stuff startin' to trickle out, won't try to get my brain and arms around it all til after ICAST.
Thank you to everyone who filled out the BB survey. About to shut 'er down so if you wanna take a couple minutes, now's your last chance! For everyone who did fill it out – please give our little shop some time to figure out how exactly we're gonna do this product "seeding"/testing deal.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
How Jordan Lee got 'er done at the St Clair BPT
|
|
|
Was it a surprise Jordan Lee won a tournament? Nah. In a way, J-Lee always wins – believe he's won at least one of every tournament format so far, with at least one AOY in there. Green fish, brown fish, red fish, blue fish – doesn't matter. So he's pretty dang good! Here's how he got his latest dub-ya – more deets in the full post on the BB website.
Going in and practice
> "I wanted to go fish in Canada...couple reasons. I knew that...FLW tournaments that were there the last week of June were both won in Canada – I believe Larry Nixon won one and Chad Grigsby won the other one – both in the Belle River hump area."
|
|
|
Plus the US side had been open for fishing, but not the Canadian side til BPT practice was over:
> "Obviously I knew it was a pretty big gamble not being able to fish [in practice]. So the first day I ran straight over there...just kind of riding around, trying to get a feel for it. I got a Aqua-Vu camera for the first time – since I was not able to fish, I was dropping it down.
> "I put my trolling motor down and kinda used my [Lowrance] ActiveTarget to try to see what the fish were looking like...these are bass, these aren't bass. I dropped the Aqua-Vu down and started seeing some smallmouth. They actually would follow the camera which was pretty cool. I guess they were just curious.
> "A lot of places I saw fish I didn't catch them that great in the tournament."
Tournament
> "Day 1 I ran to my first spot...my first fish of the tournament was a 5-13, so just a monster to start it off. I was like, Okay this was probably a good decision. But I didn't have another bite there.
> "...bounced around a lot, places where I thought I could get bit...never got a bite. One place I ended up catching some I found with the Aqua-Vu. Some sparse, taller cabbage – taller grass. That place I saw multiple multiple fish on the camera. I moved around that area and ended up catching a lot of my weight there.
> "Day 2 was a lot different than the first day. The wind was starting to pick up – it wasn't slick calm. It was a little bit tougher starting out. ...one of the areas with taller grass, taller cabbage, I ended up catching a lot of smaller fish there.
> "I was like, I need to find some new fish...so I decided to run a little ways. It was just rolling, the wind was howling, so I decided to stop and put the trolling motor down.
> "I was noticing that the fish were on the inside of the grass, not really the outside. One spot was an inside edge of a grassline in about 17'. I was trying to find that but...not defined, so I just stopped the boat where there wasn't much grass [and] immediately started catching fish in a whole new area. That ended up being the winning spot.
> "...grass was 5-10" off the bottom – it was really hard to see on sonar. In this one area where I started getting bit there was hardly any grass. I'm thinking there was some sand there. That's the only time I've ever caught fish on St Clair on bare bottom – it's usually sand. For whatever reason those fish love that.
> "When I'd see a smallmouth, I would catch one and there'd be 4-5 with it. So I knew they were the right-size fish, those 4.5-5 lb class fish. I ended up catching 4 of my 5 there the 2nd day. I started to get some waypoints...football-field size area in about 17'.
> "The last 2 days I ran straight to it. Day 3 I pulled up there and immediately started catching fish. I think I had 19-20 lbs in less than an hour. It was kind of weird there. They would feed really good in the morning, then it seemed like they would move....
> "They were all spitting up these big perch, which was pretty crazy – I hadn't really seen that out there.
> "Day 4 was the same. I didn't catch them off the same waypoints that I did the 3rd day. I had to troll around a lot of find them. I eventually found 'em probably 200 yards away, and once I found them I started catching them pretty consistently.
> "...not a slick bottom, just a little bit of grass on the bottom. I was just looking for fish at that point. I wasn't really worried about what was on the bottom. It seemed like when...grass would get taller I would stop seeing fish.
> "I was surprised fishing in Canada wasn't as easy as I thought it would be ...they were in really specific areas or spots. There weren't massive places where you just drifted around and caught fish."
Baits
|
|
|
> "I had 8-9 spinning rods rigged up and most of them had dropshots...same exact setup. The one I used the most was an Abu Garcia Zenon 30-size reel, 6-lb Berkley X5 Flame Green Braid to 8-lb Berkley Trilene 100% Fluoro with an FG knot, and a 6' 10" ML Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Super Finesse Rod.
> Dropshot: "1/2-oz tungsten weight, 2/0 straight shank hook, and I was threading on a 5-inch Berkley MaxScent Flatnose Jerk Shad. I actually ran out of them...so I overnighted 10 packs from Tackle Warehouse. I had't really thrown that bait a whole lot [before this tournament] so I didn't have a huge amount. I was throwing 'watermelon red magic' – that was the most perch-like and they were eating it so good. ...did throw a shad color and caught 'em on that as well.
> "The perch they were spitting up...were all bigger than your hand. Some were just monsters – they looked like a 6-inch swimbait. They were eating some big stuff so I knew I wasn't gonna scare 'em off...and I could put a bigger hook in that.... My hookup percentage was almost perfect. I wasn't worried about losing 'em which was awesome fishing for smallmouth."
> Ned rig: "If I got in a little lull, I'd pick that up just to throw something different. If it was glass calm and I was struggling.... I did catch that 6-07 on the 3rd day on the Ned rig with a MaxScent Lil General in "gobyashi" which is a St Clair staple." [Same rod, reel and line as the dropshot.]
> "...I think probably 95% of my fish I caught were on the fall. I was throwing a 1/2-oz weight...almost all of them would come up and get it. I'd watch them on ActiveTarget come up off the bottom and get it before it got to the bottom. Or they would run right over to it and I'd pick it up and they'd be on there every time. I didn't really have to work the bait.
> "I was [also] using a heavy weight so if they were moving, if they were swimming – a lot of times they would be swimming pretty fast – so if I could just get them to see the bait, they were gonna eat it."
Electronics
> "The 2 main keys were the ActiveTarget 2 – I had it set at 100' which was a pretty good cast – just panning around with that, and before I went up there I put a 52-inch [shaft Lowrance] Ghost which would allow my transducer to stay in the water when it was a little rough. I feel like that helped a lot, being able to see the fish even when it was pretty windy."
|
|
|
5 with Mr Sandy Baggins 😁
|
|
|
Every day of St Clair, Jordan said he wasn't on anything or didn't know if he was on anything, which as we know is called "professional sandbagging." 😁 So gotta start there:
1. Did it feel better to win again or sandbag everyone again?
> "[Laughs] It felt better to win again, 100%."
2. Is it 100% certain now that no one can design a tourney format you can't win?
> "I don't know. We've fished a lot of different formats. I think it's getting a little harder to win, but I'm sure someone could design something that would stump me.
> "But going back to 5 fish – it felt good to win one, knowing I still could. Been a while...."
3. Since you rode way out yonder, was calmer weather a factor in this win?
> "The calmer weather seemed to make it a little tougher on me. It felt like the fish fed better when it was windy. It would take a little longer for me to get there when it was blowing...but the fish for me definitely bit better when we had a little breeze.
> "So I was hoping it was gonna blow just a little bit. Maybe not 20, but I was hoping for that 10 mph+ wind."
4. How did you use the Aqua-Vu underwater camera?
> "I just used it in practice. If I was able to fish in practice, I probably wouldn't have used it as much.
> "I relied on it – I was confident that at least there were smallmouth swimming around.... I'd look at the bottom [composition] and if I saw fish that was great.
> "It definitely helped me win the tournament."
5. Will you use it even when you can fish in practice?
> "I think so. Honestly if there's an area where maybe I'm not sure what the fish are – they look like smallmouth or largemouth and won't bite – if the water's clear enough I can tell what species they are [with the cam]. It helped me decipher what the fish were, what species they were."
Bonus Q: You done loaning baits to Alton Jr yet??
> "I'm getting there. It's getting close. Alton's pretty much won not every tournament with my baits, but it's getting there. If you loan him one, you know he's getting ready to whack 'em.
> "This week he didn't ask for any and I was glad – I'd be willing to bet he'd beat me on my own tackle. If anyone wants to give Alton anything, he'll probably whack 'em on it."
[Bettin' Alton Sr was the first to ever to learn that lol!]
|
|
|
2nd-5th St Clair BPT baits
|
|
|
2nd: Alton "I'm just Geecrackin' 'em" Jones Jr
> Dropshot: 60mm Geecrack Imo Kemushi (gp) and Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm (gp), 1/0 straight shank finesse hook (threaded the bait on), 3/8-oz weight, 15-lb braid to 8-lb Gamma Touch fluoro, 7' ML Kistler Helium 3 Rod.
> "3/32-oz Feider Fly (black) when the water was calm and mayflies were hatching." Same rod and lines except 8-lb braid "for castability" with the light jig.
> "17' of water fishing grassline edges that had irregularities."
|
|
|
3rd: Jacob "I'm a tiger shark – for real" Wheeler
> Dropshot: "I caught them on a new Rapala [soft-plastic] bait called Ned BLT. I can't give up all the goods on it yet but I was using it on a dropshot. Threaded with a #2 VMC Redline Finesse Neko Hook."
> 3/8-oz VMC Tungsten Teardrop Drop Shot Weight, 8-lb Sufix NanoBraid (aqua camo) to 10-lb Sufix Advance Fluoro, Shimano Vanford Reel (2500), 7' M Duckett Jacob Wheeler Spin Rod.
> "I focused on 14-17' of water with scattered grass. Voids in the grass were definitely key for me.
> "It was sort of an interesting tournament. I felt like there was a 75% chance the tournament would be won in Canada. Canada is known for the 5+ lbers more than the US side is. I only caught one 5-lber the whole event and the guys in Canada were catching several. But without being able to make a cast and only being able to scout [in Canada during practice] I opted to stay in the US for the majority of the tournament.
> "It was really interesting to see how many guys actually fished in Canada in this event."
|
|
|
Keep your eyes peeped for more Aqua-Vu cams
|
|
|
Sounds like more guys are using 'em, at least on this northern/smallmouth stretch. Jordan, Alton Jr and several others – believe Gary Klein as well – on the BPT, no doubt the Elites too.
The 2 uses are to determine species first, since sometimes you can't tell even with forward-facing sonar, and bass size since a 1/2-lb bigger average is a huge deal.
Not sure if they were using the Multi Vu – same system Gussy uses – hooked into their units – or the portable Micro Revolution 5.0 HD. See if you can spot 'em....
|
|
|
Gitcha Sea Foam Top 5 of the Week, Episode 55!
|
|
|
Minn Kota started from scratch on its new Quest series trolling motors, Berkley Powerbait MaxScent won again (so did Jordan Lee!), do we need to use more transparent baits in certain conditions or situations, will we be seeing more sickle hooks – and WHERE IS THE NEXT WORLD RECORD LARGEMOUTH??
|
|
|
1. Here's a couple closeups of Wheeler's new Rapala Ned bait.
The one Jacob designed called the Rapala CrushCity Ned BLT. CrushCity is Rapala's soft-plastic brand, and you can see a bunch more of the baits in Bassmaster.com's rundown of some new ICAST intros. Here's Jacob's shot of the bait:
|
|
|
I did ask Jacob about that wing case-lookin' deal on the back of the bait and he said, "It's just cosmetic." My translation: "It's so important I'm not telling anyone about it." 🤔
2. On Em Robertson has new "white is the new black" shades.
3. Here's your Top 10 in the MLF BPT AOY race.
Top 4 are very tight:
1. Alton Jones Jr -- 390.5
2. Jacob Wheeler -- 383.5
3. Ott DeFoe -- 381.5
4. Matt Becker -- 380.5
5. Jordan Lee -- 344.5
6. Dakota Ebare -- 339.5
7. Adrian Avena -- 335.5
8. Edwin Evers -- 335.5
9. Jeff Sprague -- 331.5
10. Justin Lucas -- 330.5
Everyone got half a point for being nice to each other...😁 Okay I have no idea, all good....
4. Randy Moss went bass fishing with Goofy?
|
|
|
At Diz-Knee. Surprised the Goof didn't pass out in that costume!
5. The Rock is called cliched middle-aged for posting a bass pic.
Oooo maybe he'll be called "toxicly manly" next! 🤣
6. Berkley recalling first batch of CullShad swimbaits.
> The issues include inconsistencies in the bait's hardness and some deformities, both of which have negatively compromised the bait's action which does not allow it to work as designed.
> All replacement requests must be received by July 31, 2023. Replacement CullShad(s) will be shipped by the end of Aug.
Glad they're doin' the right thing fo sho. Go here to get the process started.
BUT...ladies 'n gents let me suggest an alternate theory for the recall, along the lines of those change machines that used to be in grocery stores. Ever wonder why they were there? Not just to convert your change into an easier-to-use certificate in the store. It was so they would get all the rare coins and older high-precious-metal coins still in circulation. Ingenious, eh?
So...what if certain Berkley pros – guys who we could call Lucas, Bertrand, Avena, Evers, etc – figured out that SOME of the "deformed" CullShads were amazing, kinda like some crankbaits of the same model are way better. Would they and Berkley launch this whole deal just to find 'em easier? 🤔 Do any people who work at Berkley fish tournaments too? 🤔🤔
Lol betting I'll find out by how folks at the Berkley booth look at me when they see me at ICAST next week hahaha! They probably think I'm nuts and they're right! 🤣 Or am I...🤔
But seriously – out of all of 'em, this is something Lucas and Evers would think up....
7. New 2.4 Z-Man TRD GobyZ.
|
|
|
> The bait's natural buoyancy gives it a nice leisurely spiral and glide on the drop. Smallmouths always react to this slow-spiraling action, like a tube only with way more visual realism and allure.
8. Gambler jumps in with forward-facing sonar baits.
|
|
|
Called the Scope It Series:
> The Scope It Min-O and Scope It Shad which use a custom blended soft plastic to maximize appearance on FFS. Available in 3" and 4" sizes, 6 colors each.
> The Scope It Jighead...design specifically shaped to cause sonar wave disruption and thus create a better return. Available in 1/8-3/8 oz with options for painted or unpainted as well as with or without eyes.
> The Scope It Hover Hook...set up a hover rig without the adding a nail weight...the Hover Hook suspends a lure in place when tension is placed on the line. Available in 1/16-1/8 oz in 3 hook sizes.
Always remember – Gambler baits DO NOT work in FL and especially not on Okeechobee....
😆 Just messin'!
9. New/improved Abu Garcia Zata rods/reels.
Alwo grey instead of green. Looks like no price increase? If so, very cool. I love the Zata reels – casting and spinning.
10. TX: Lake Jackson 12-03 12-lb women's line class record...
...caught on 10-lb Seaguar Red Label fluoro on a spin pole!
11. Rapala International talking about inventory reduction...
...happening at retail, everyone is experiencing it:
> ...challenging market conditions caused by prolonged destocking at retail and wholesale levels. This is a result of supply-chain bottlenecks and a shift in consumer spending, leading to decreased sales in major markets.
In Rapala USA, just wait til those new baits come out mang! 👀
Headline of the Day
How Montevallo became a powerhouse in growing college bass fishing landscape
Shoot that's easy – free boats, a barbershop in the locker room and a bass fishing athletes dining room!
Okay not exactly...😁
|
|
|
Great icing your livewells tips on the MLF site
Biologist Steven Bardin and some MLF pros. All good and way too much for here, but here's a couple:
> Tommy Biffle: "You must be careful not to shock the fish so use a little ice at a time. Shocking the fish will kill them and with too much ice, you get the water too cold. I only use it if the water temperature is 85°F or higher and use very little.
> "One thing you can do is take a 32-oz bottle, freeze it, and put it in the livewell in the morning to cool it down. I like to run my pumps on high all day and I use hydrogen peroxide all the time. A cap full or small pour will work and I never lose a fish." I love the frozen water bottle deal vs ice.
> Edwin Evers: "Probably one of the best practices is having big blocks of ice that melt over time, instead of bagged ice."
Real useful chart:
|
|
|
"Most people who go fishing with me never want to fish with me again."
- Surprisingly that's not Mike Iaconelli 🤣 but Triple A-level fisherman Jamey Caldwell talkin' who is this kinda guy:
> He served in the US Army for 7 years with the 75th Ranger Regiment, then another 14 years with an Army Special Missions Unit that maintained a high operational tempo in dangerous places like Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. During his military career, Caldwell was deployed to combat 14 times and carried out more than 500 missions.
> "I was in the military, jumping out of planes and doing all that adrenaline-junkie stuff. [Tourney fishing] took my passion for fishing, combined it with racing boats, betting money and a competition aspect, and it was awesome. I knew this was my new world.
> "...[higher-level tourney] fishing gave me that schedule. It gave me the camaraderie I was used to with an association of like-minded guys. And at the level I was competing in, it was a lot like the unit I was in in the military. Everybody had gone through numerous selections and had volunteered numerous times to be there. Everybody wanted to be there and worked hard to get there, so it was very similar.
> "It's just like being on a deployment, having to outsmart the enemy and stay one step ahead of them. Bass, to me, are the same way."
|
|
|
If you meet Jamey at the Black Rifle Coffee booth or someplace else, some tips from me:
1. Don't call him "snowflake" even if you have a big smile on your face and say I told you to.
2. Don't sneak up or even stand behind him for any reason whatsoever.
3. Do not challenge him to shotgun one of those very tasty Black Rifle cans of coffee, or at least don't race him and put any money on it.
There's a few more but you get my drift...😬
|
|
|
Coolest July 4th bassion' post I saw was on @doit_molds IG: 🇺🇸
|
|
|
Cuz of the Gussy win I've listened to more Canadian rock this year than I have in a long while. April Wine's "I Like to Rock" is good! They ever bust out any more real rock? (Not soft-ish rock.) If so, pls end 'em!
Another little-known Canadian band I like is Killer Dwarfs – "Stand Tall" is a fave tune. Of course Rush, but never liked Triumph....
Is it me or does one of the guys in Killer Dwarfs look kinda like Gussy??
|
|
Jay Kumar's BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best (sometimes worst) and funniest stuff in bassin', hand-picked by me – Jay Kumar. I started BassFan.com, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a bunch more in bassin'. The Blaster is the #2 daily read on any given day in the wide world o' bass so thanks for readin'!
|
Sign up another bass-head!
|
If you're forwarding every Blaster to other bass crackheads, tx much – or you can email me the addys and we'll take care of it! We'll never send spam or whatever....
|
|
Gitcha hands on the best stuff!
|
|
Gitcha BassBlaster social at these links:
|
|
|
|
