Lotta Redcrest tiddybits below. I was asked if there's any TV coverage of it so here you go from MLF: TV coverage will be 7 am ET, July 2 and July 9 on Discovery. It's a 2-hour show. A 1-hour "special episode" of Redcrest will be 2 pm ET, Sunday, July 17 on CBS.
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Reminder: If your email program cuts off the bottom of this email, click "View this email in your browser" up top to see the whole thing. Sorry bout that – email programs keep changing stuff.
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Is it time to get rid of drag on baitcasters?
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Notice no star drag. That's because there is no drag! I was like, "Cliff, you don't like drag?" And he was all, "No." 😁 Really he said:
> "The only thing drag's ever done for me is get in the way or not do its duty."
No drag = kinda genius, honestly. I mean, who needs drag? And all you guys who channel-lock/vice-grip your drag down, problem solved.
Reel's available May 5 on Tackle Warehouse. Thought Cliff told me it was 7.4:1 but on TW it says 10.5:1. 🤷🏻♂️
Have wondered aloud here in the BB whether baitcasters could do with a shallower spool because:
- For most techniques we don't need to/can't cast a whole spool
- Retrieve ratio stays more consistent
- Not as much $$ line needed
But I gotta say I never thought about drag even though I crank mine all the way down. Let's see what happens with our favorite reels....
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"Anglers discovering that the position of a bass on the scale can slightly affect the weight is the reason the rules allow up to 2 additional re-weighs."
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Lotta little strategy deals on the MLF that are new to us because that format is new. Love it.
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Some stuff from Redcrest.
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First one that could be attended so here's a little tour:
1 dude's 2c
Lotta peeps there asked me, "Jay, how are you so handsome and muscular?" Oops sorry 🤣 I mean they asked: "What do you think?" Most times the underlying Q was, "How does it compare to the Classic?"
In my 2c it's a meaningless comparison – apples to oranges. My answer was that a whole lot of the greatest pro bass fishermen ever are fishing the Bass Pro Tour. That's just a fact from documented tournament history. OF COURSE I'm in no way saying the Elites aren't good because that would be crazy – believe you get my meaning.
The bottom line for me about Redcrest/MLF: I'm paying attention. Why would I not? It's my job mang!
I'll also say this about Redcrest:
- Good job MLF, it's for real no doubt.
- Glad I went, good time, Expo was good.
- I won't miss one.
- The entire Expo watching, ooing and aahing over Luke's and Bobby's fish catches in the last 5 minutes was very cool.
PSA: Any folks not paying attention to what MLF is doing might want to reconsider. Kinda like a bigfoot sighting: If you don't see one, you probably won't believe it's for real. But if you do see one, you know what you saw man! It was mind-blowing...huge, scary and hairy which in MLF translates to: JT Kenney, Bobby Lane and JT Kenney...😂
Few forward-facin' sonar observations
- During the tourney Edwin Evers said he'd take his eyes off Active Target when a fish got near his bait because the day before he would just watch the screen and was pulling the bait away from them.
- From this tournament looks like Live sonar means jerkbaits and maybe other baits can now be used in dirtier water than in the past. Super innerestin'.
- Several guys fishing jerkbaits were looking for ones that got down deeper than most and/or got down quicker.
- Ott DeFoe didn't have Live sonar at all last year and still finished 2nd to Jacob Wheeler in the points.
Stuff I bought there
1. Speed Spool bearings and handles
He also said: lower physical effort per cast, increase casting distance by 30-40%, the bait gets to target faster and a couple other things. Also bought a couple of his longer carbon fiber handles, another deal where once you have 'em you supposedly don't go back. We'll see!
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2. Tonic polarized shades
Definitely many good sunglasses. I always stop and talk to folks in that biz, to see if they get the bass market – to see if they're serious about it. Never heard of Tonic, waved down by a bass-head (sorry I forgot your name man and thanks again!) and what I found:
- Aussie-based company, which got my attention because those Mako glasses from a few years back I loved and were Aussie too.
- Photochromic (get darker/lighter) bronze lenses are better for seeing fish than mirrored brown – which hurt because mirrors look way cooler. But to test 'em out for real, I got the photochromics.
- Supposedly Tonics use the best Japan glass made with a proprietary/confidential mined substance.
These deals are legit great. I bought 4 bags BUT the toffee ones (an 11 outta 10) were sold out, along with the milk chocolate ones – which means people were goin' back to get 'em. I got white and dark chocolate, both outstanding. Guess if you wrap burlap in chocolate I'll eat it tho....
Asked Edwin about how to pronounce it and he said, "Pea-khan [like in Genghis Khan 😁]. You pee in a can. It's 'pea-kahn.'" So there you go.
Misc quick hits
1. Jacob Wheeler's AOY speech was real dang good. The stories he told about growing up far from a silver spoon helped me understand why he's such a hard worker and perfectionist. One line: "I had to overcome a lot of adversity just to go fishing."
Loved how he kept riding his bike down to the local tourney launch ramp and begging to be taken out. Most important: He thanked his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for it all. 👊
2. Good to see James Elam still has donuts on his jersey – so he's not getting uppity and goin' with croissants...which I think is pronounced "kwah-sah." 😂
3. Jason Lambert and another pro I can't remember right now stressed to me that speed – high speed – is the deal in cranking. Forget slow cranking, fish it fast for the reaction bite.
4. Jared Lintner got a little ticked when I accused him of dying his mustache and then lying about not dying it. 🤔 Got it on vid, coming soon! Lol, love Jared man....
5. One highlight was David Dudley educating Jared and I on how to cook a steak in a way I will never be able to do it – 975 degrees.
6. MLF sponsor Bally's had a slot machine at the deal and guess who won?
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Dang man, those guys win everything! 😁 Okay those are AOY checks. They also got rings...big rings...and are on a really big team....
7. What's Big Rig Bassin'? They sponsor Justin Lucas and Matt Lee, and make a deal that attaches to every troller except MotorGuide 😥 so you can attach and take off your 360 pole/transducer using just quick clamps/latches.
Lightweight, believe it's machined aluminum, cool little deal. Think my notes say $399 for the mount compatible with Minn Kota, $499 for the mount plus the right bracket for the other trollers minus MG.
8. The new Abu Zenon casting reels are insanely light. Held one of 'em on a Zenon casting rod and it felt like I was holding a straw made by a flying unicorn: Crazy lightweight! Abu mad scientist Andrew Wheeler said that rod/reel rig was about 65% of the weight of your standard rod/reel setup – so almost 50% lighter which is crazy!
9. Bill Lewis head man Wes Higgins said that their new "Gracie's goldfish" color, which has been sellin' well, was actually designed by his daughter just doodlin' around. He kinda blew it off at first but now she owns him man!
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10. Rabid Baits – Good name, based in VT, make soft-plastics with "wildlife materials," which basically means fur. Craws and worms use rabbit, soft jerkbait and damiki use fox. Check it:
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11. Was challenged by the Grundens folks to trade in my shoes for SeaKnit Lace Up Boat Shoes and walk around the Expo for a bit. Night and day difference – cushiony and comfortable, plus they're for-real boat shoes and grip like velcro. I will own those deals in at least 2 colors (orange and blue I think).
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12. Didn't know that Mossback Fish Habitat founder David King started the biz because he frew up fishing Beaver Lake, AR when it was full of brush and trees, but later in life all of that had literally dissolved. "So I just had a passion for coming up with something to make that lake like it was." He started the biz 12-13 years ago out of his garage, and it's still there...just kidding I have no idea where it is now lol.
Amazing all the ways folks are led to contribute in our little/big world.
13. Toro mowers etc. seems for real about bass-heads. Took their temperature a little cuz I like to know who's in it for the long haul to support us. Can't say definitively for 'em but they said the right stuff. Let's see what happens...
Also their zero-turn mowers are about the size of a Volkswagen and look fun to drive. Wish I had enough grass for one....
14. Last deal: Not just 1 but TWO lemurs – the Madagascar critters – were "walking" around the Expo. Like pets. But only 1 of 'em had a diaper?? 😬
A few more shots
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Top row L to R
- The display on the new Tundras reminds me of a sonar screen...which I kinda liked!
- Iron Cross Automotive had the best-lookin' Tundra there. The new Tundras look WAY better lifted. Almost a requirement.
Middle shot
- DC and JD keepin' the sandwiches warm...😁
Bottom row L to R
- How Andy Montgomery keeps his balance when interviewed...?
- Anyone recognize this legendary OK angler? Hint: 2 letters. Talked with him for a bit, good to see him again. Seems like he's doing fine and still fishin'.
- Some dude hanging out backstage...🧐
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A little more about MLF's fisheries management division.
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Is it really about "fisheries management"? Sorta. The way I understand it it's not really the same as DNR-type fish management. It's way more comprehensive and higher-tech than that, and also different.
Gary Klein is behind it because he wants to "ensure that young anglers and new anglers have the same opportunities I had...14-lb largemouths, 8-lb smallmouths. I want to ensure the future of fishing." He actually means more GOOD fishing, which I think is why he's never fished in NJ...🤣
Gary went out and got a guy named Steven Bardin to head those efforts for MLF. Here they are:
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I spent a while talking with Steven – fascinatin' dude. Don't have the space to say all they're doing but here's a few tidbits:
> The "Lunker DNA Initiative": Basically MLF is taking DNA samples of every tourney fish 7 lbs or larger with the goal of finding the best genetic mix to grow the bigs everywhere. This year the BPT, the Pro Circuit and Toyota Series will all have the DNA kits.
> Steven might know more about growing big bass than anyone because he does that for real for folks who can afford it – meaning private lakes. Or at least he knows more about growin' 'em than anyone I've ever talked to.
> In my 2c there's a lotta cool stuff in bassin's future that has to do with data. Not talkin' Live sonar, more like BassGold-type stuff just way better – because more 'n wider data = better/more helpful to fishermen. MLF is compiling a large chunk of such data. Let's see what happens.
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1. Here's Luke Clausen's and Zack Birge's Redcrest cranks.
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Short/to the point YT vid. If you are still using EWG hooks for flippin', Seth says his hooking percentage went way up with a 3/0 straight shank.
I know some folks don't "believe" in it, but he always has and if you think KVD or the other guys put stuff on their boats they don't at least think they need, you cray.
Okay just "fish free," not the Willy part:
> It's no coincidence that most anglers have better practices than tournaments. During the practice period they are free flowing and creative. But during competition they get locked into 1 pattern and don't use their brains.
Hold up: Isn't fishing by instinct NOT using your brain? 🤔
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😁
Not sure if you saw the ad for that team tourney – the General Tire Team Invitational – some of the MLF pros fished. Looks like it could be cool. Airs this Sat, Apr 2, 2-4 pm ET on Outdoor Channel.
Such like:
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Lol!
8. IN: Benefit tourney THIS SATURDAY to help a tourney angler.
St. Joseph River at 6 Span Bridge in Elkhart. Proceeds will help Dennis Losee, who recently had a stroke. Bunch of bass-heads from IN and MI recently built him a ramp and deck to help him get into his home. 👊 Props to you gents!
Can't link it but go to: michianaoutdoorsnews com and search for Louie Stout.
OH Ivie a while back, don't think those fishing deets were known at the time?
Sounds like not enough bass being kept:
> ...the expansion of smallmouth and largemouth bass (separately or combined) daily and possession limits from 3 to 5, and from 6 to 10, respectively. Based on abundant opportunities for anglers to pursue these species, and biological and creel data which shows most bass are caught and immediately released by anglers regardless of daily limits, the NDG&F expanded the limits statewide....
GA fish biologist Jackson Sibley was fishing a Rapala Shad Rap for white bass and caught this 4-lb 0.5-oz spot:
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> "It is being over-sprayed, which hurts the lake's water quality.... Fortunately they are never going to get rid of it. Hydrilla is the best vegetation to find some of our larger bass, but's there's only isolated patches around the lake. If you can locate hydrilla on this lake, you'll catch bass."
Also "privately placed brushpiles," which are the best kind....
Low water right now but the ramp is still open, it says.
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That's my boat! 😍 Just regular folks talkin'. If you're in the market, it's worth a watch/listen.
Talkin' wally-eyes but and it is MN, which is a little behind in stuff, but:
> ...there is little evidence suggesting an impending problem. As to fishing pressure, boats and electronics, I don't think boats or electronics are fundamentally all that different from 20 years ago. The biggest angling changes happened from the 1960s to 1980s.
Who's Jen? She's the bait paintmaster who is conspirin' with Mike Bucca to relieve bass-heads of funds. She's also a military veteran, an ex-musician and probably some more stuff. Longer vid but a good one – Catch Co vids are a 10:
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Supposed to be better than the FG, though guys in the comments don't think so. Vid is for braid to mono as well, not sure about fluoro.
Congrats to 'em!
> ...Austin Dillon will race the No. 3 Huk Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, May 8.
Alexandra Cattelan, came from doing electric vehicle-type stuff in automotive. Brunswick owns Merc, MotorGuide, Lowrance, etc.
22. Asian carp updates.
How 'bout just killing 'em? I mean, aren't they just 100% bad?
PSA
Got one of these for this season? Might be a good idea:
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On BassBlaster.rocks right now...
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From a post on the Bassin'masters ^:
> "A straight-tail worm is all about fall rate and letting it fall as naturally as possible, letting it have that super natural flow through the water. If you think about a worm with a big tail – that has a manufactured action that controls it whereas a straight-tail worm moves as naturally as it can in the current.
> "Whenever it's tough, like in the post-spawn, that's when I use a straight tail.... It's for when they've been on the bank for a little while, they've seen a lot of different types of stuff, they're not extremely aggressive, the water starts to clear up, the fish can see what's going on, so that seems to be when it excels.
> "I use it as a wacky rig, Neko rig, shaky head, punch shot, a flipping bait, a Ned rig, drop shot and weightless." ...his goal is to find the optimal way to fish his straight tail worm around the structure he's targeting.
> "Around rocks, brush or deeper laydowns, a shakey head might be the best option because it stands up when it hits the bottom and it (can be rigged) weedless,. But if you're trying to get into some sparse grass, you might want to fish it on a Texas rig that can penetrate better.
> "The bigger the hook you put in a worm, the more it restricts the natural action. You also want to go as light as you can...that shorter shank hook will give it better action in the water."
Tips from Elitist Wes Logan in there too.
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"Coming out and seeing 20 cameras pointing at me was awesome. I guess I was 'the man.' I truly felt like a rock star."
- Bobby Lane talkin' 'bout steppin' outta the limo the guys took from the lake to the Expo (about 90 minutes one way). Bobby does know some rock stars btw:
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So you really wanna be a pro basser? Lookit the straight-up ice on Ryan Salzman's jacket – when he was fishing the Fork BPT:
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🤔 Not one line about how they KNOW it's the same flamingo? Is there only one flamingo between KS and TX? Maybe there is, who knows....
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Jay Kumar's BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best and funniest (sometimes worst) stuff in bassin', 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'!
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