Toyota’s Bonus Bucks Expands

Toyota’s Bonus Bucks Expands to Include Co-anglers and TBF members in 2010.

Bonus Bucks will now be available to co-anglers who drive Toyota Trucks and compete in sanctioned BASS and FLW events in 2010. Also new for 2010 is the expansion of the Bonus Bucks program to include tens-of-thousands of anglers from The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF). I think this is great news as they were just focused on B.A.S.S. and Pros in years past. You can find out more here.

Program Overview:

The Bonus Bucks program is totally free and is available to anglers who tow with a 2007 or newer Tundra, Sequoia, 4Runner or Tacoma and fish in Bonus Bucks sanctioned events. Plus, you don’t have to win the tournament to win the Bonus Bucks; you simply have to be the highest finishing registered participant and finish in the top 50% of the field.

Peacock Bass Time

When I think of Peacock Bass I think of the Amazon and South America...but they are here in Florida and I have never caught one. Today we went down to the edge of the Everglades on Alligator Alley (the road that connects us to Miami). Tanya caught a Peacock today and I'm jealous. Sure it wasn't huge but she caught one and I still haven't. I did catch several largemouths, one Mayan Cichlid and a sunfish...a mixed bag for sure. What a great day.

It was pretty cold for our standards, being in the 60's most of the day with a breeze. It dropped down into the 40's last night so I was expecting tough fishing, but we caught quite a few today. Most of them came on rattletraps, the flick shake and the Scooter Jig.

The coolest part of the day was on the way home when we took a detour and went through the Florida Panther Management Area. We saw the "Panther Crossing" signs and thought how cool it would be to see one. We stopped and fished the canal by the side of the road before dark and saw fish jumping but didn't catch any. We did see four gators cruising the shore for dinner. We're headed back there tomorrow to try this area again. We are thankful to be able to fish like this close to home and in late November.

Gator Cruisin' for Dinner

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Since we are lucky enough to live in Florida, late November doesn't mean we are stuck inside watching football because it's too cold outside to fish. It was in the 70's today, so we went fishing before we started cooking. It got pretty cold last night, so these Florida bass lived up to their reputation of being finicky after a cold front. The fishing was pretty slow, but I did catch a nice on a junebug worm (Netbait's T Mac). They didn't want to chase the fluke or frog, so I slowed it down and finally caught one. Tommorow we are headed down to Alligator Alley on the edge of the Everglades. Let's hope the weather cooperates. Enjoy the day and try not to eat too much.

Mini Buzzbaits are Fun!

Went fishing this afternoon after work in the pouring rain. We hit up a small canal that runs through Fort Myers. I decided I was going to throw the mini buzzbait and that's it. I have always loved fishing buzzbaits, but it seems like the time is never right. I caught a nice fat fish on it as I was reeling it right by the matted grass. You can't beat the explosion from a fish on topwater. This is why I fish for bass!

Gambler Giggy Finesse Snake - On Sale

My favorite bait for fishing a shaky head is on sale at Tackle Warehouse for just $2.49 for 12 (regular $4.29). These baits are awesome for fishing this technique. The head design is a little fatter than a regular worm, making it better when rigging on the jighead. The body tapers to a pointed tail that provides the perfect amount of tail action for finesse applications. My favorite color by far is black. I have one of these tied on at all times no matter where I go. They come in a bunch of colors and I'm sure they all work great.

Shimano Citica E Series

I have always been a hardcore Shimano fan. I own every generation of Curado, Chronarch, Castaic, Stradic...you name it. But I have never owned a Citica. I think that's about to change. I had the chance to fish with one of these and belive this reel is by far the best value you can get for $120. It's low profile, lightweight and casts like magic I think this is going to be my new flipping reel for 2010. Now I just have to decide on what rod to match it up with!

The Scooter Jig

Accent Lures has developed a great new way to fish a jig or worm on a jighead. They developed a free-range hook system that allows for a free swinging hook. This has many benefits and the action of the bait is killer. I have some of the skirted jigs, but have done really well when fishing the jighead with a plastic worm like a Zoom Trick Worm. The fish stay hooked because they can't use the weight of the jighead to help get the hook loose. Since the hook is basically just an extra wide gap hook, you can Texas rig the worm and it is just as weedless. The action of the bait is hard to describe, its a tight side to side action, like a crawdad scooting on the bottom. There is a cool video on YouTube that shows how effective fishing the skirted Scooter jig can be. Check it out here.

Screwed Up Bullet Head

I've become a huge fan of the Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper this year and hope to be adding the new Zoom Swimming Fluke to my arsenal next year. One little thing I do when fishing these baits in the grass is to use a Screwed Up bullet head. I have even tried this with Senkos and it works great. The idea is simple. It's a clear bullet with a screw. It keeps the bait from falling down on the hook when fishing in heavy cover. It barely weighs anything so it doesn't affect the bait.

Washington Anglers Face Ban on Lead Tackle

I saw that Washington State is proposing a ban on all lead fishing tackle. I am all for protecting the environment, but this could be huge. If this passes, I'm sure other states will be quick to follow. This could affect more than just your sinkers.. I hardly use any lead weights anymore, but take a look at your tackle and see how much is made up of lead. Spinnerbaits, jigs, buzzbaits, crankbaits, etc. These all have some lead content. If you are a fisherman, please pay attention to this.

Here is the entire press release:

Without evidence that lead fishing tackle is posing a threat to loon populations, a proposed ban in Washington State is completely unwarranted!

Please send a letter to the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission demanding that they reject a proposed rule that would ban the use of lead fishing tackle. The proposal is based on the assumptions that lead fishing tackle poses a threat to loon populations and that many alternatives to lead are widely available for approximately the same price - neither of which is true. The deadline for comment is December 1, 2009.

No evidence exists that concludes that lead fishing tackle is threatening loon populations. A study of common loons by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife found "no evidence of a declining population or a substantial change in distribution" in the state, and loon populations are stable or increasing throughout their range. Advocates for the proposed ban are using as evidence a finding that says over the past 13 years, nine loons are found to have died from ingesting lead fishing tackle.

Additionally, fishing tackle made from alternatives to lead can be much more expensive, in limited supply and not perform as well.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington is the fifteenth largest state in terms of annual sportfishing expenditures. Washington's 736,000 anglers spent $1.04 billion in 2006, generating $210 million in state and local tax revenue. Washington's anglers support 15,000 jobs with $513 million in salaries and wages. If Washington's anglers stopped fishing and did not spend their money elsewhere in state, the state's economy would shrink by $1.66 billion. In addition, non-residents comprise 13 percent of Washington's anglers who have a significant impact on the state's economy.

Please take action now to ensure that the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission rejects the proposed ban by sending your letter by December 1, 2009.

Media Contact

Gordon Robertson, vice president and Government Affairs lead, 703.519.9691, x237, or Mike Leonard, Policy Fellow, x230.

A Swimming Super Fluke?

If you have ever been bass fishing in your life, chances are you have used a Zoom plastic bait. The red and yellow logo is classic bass fishing. They make the old favorites but are still on the cutting edge with new products. I just came across a video from their new website (which is pretty cool by the way), and it looks like they might have an answer for the Skinny Dipper. It's a fluke but the tail looks very similar to the Dipper. I'm excited to hear more about it. Everything Zoom puts out is good, and the fluke is one of my standbys, so this should be great. Check out the sneak peak video for yourself. They say it will be available in January.

The Lazer Trokar Hooks

I admit when I first saw the Lazer Trokar hooks and heard about them I was a little skeptical. I was at ICAST this year and thought the secretive release before the tournament and promotions were cool from a marketing perspective, but still these hooks are made by Eagle Claw. I guess I just associated Eagle Claw with the cheap packs of snelled hooks I used to use for bluegill and trout fishing. Plus they cost around $2.00 each. These things better be good.

These hooks are "surgically sharpened on three sides, TroKar hooks penetrate faster than other hook-point shapes, which increases hook-up ratios. Precisely and symmetrically ground for consistent performance. Low-profile barb designed for easier penetration, yet delivers ultimate holding power."

Everything I have heard about them has been good. My buddy in Alabama swears by them and says they are worth every penny. He told me they work just like they say they do, and will hook fish with almost no pressure. I have yet to use them myself, but I can't wait to test them out. Has anybody out there used them? Comment and let me know what you think!

World Record Update!

Ok...well there really isn't any news about this monster fish, but I have been learning alot more about the guy who caught it. Manuba Kurita has been all over the place and was recently interviewed by Bassmaster Magazine. They have some of the videos on Bassmaster.com. You can see Part 1 here.

Another cool thing about Manuba is that he has started a blog. I have always enjoyed the Japanese influence in bass fishing. Their approach to fishing and creating great tackle is completely different than ours in the U.S. and I am always watching to see what they come up with next. Check out Manuba's blog here.

Cabela's Anglers Cash!

Cabela's is really stepping it up and trying their best to cater to the bass anglers. Last week they announced a major partnership with FLW Outdoors, and now the addition of the Cabela's Angler Cash contingency program. You can sign up for it here. The entire rules and requirements can be seen below. I think we are going to see alot more Cabela's hats next year on the tournament trails.

Cabela's Angler Cash Contingency Program Requirements

1. Angler must fish in a Cabela's Angler Cash qualifying tournament circuit.

Inshore Fishing Association
$1000 Cabela's Gift Card for regular events
$2500 Cabela's Gift Card for Championship

FLW Tour
$2500 Cash for qualifying events
$5000 Cash for FLW Cup

FLW Series
$1000 Cabela's Gift Card for divisional events

Masters Walleye Circuit
$500 Cabela's Gift Card for regular events
$1000 Cabela's Gift Card for Championship

Boat US Collegiate Bass Fishing
$250 Cabeala's Gift Card for regular events
$1000 Cabela's Gift Card for Championship

Texas Bass-N-Bucks Tournament Trail
$250 Cabela's Gift Card for regular events
$1000 Cabela's Gift Card for Championship

Monterey Bass Company Tournament Circuit
$250 Cabela's Gift Card for regular events
$1000 Cabela's Gift Card for Championship

Cabela's National Team Championship
$5000 Cabela's Gift Card

2. Angler must wear a Cabela's Angler Cash patch during the event if allowed by the rules of the circuit they are fishing. Patch is provided by Cabela's upon successful registration. Cabela's Angler Cash logo must be at least four inches in length and sewn or monogrammed on the upper right side of the shirt. Cabela's Angler's Cash logo must be worn from take-offs through weigh-ins during all days of qualifying tournaments.

3. Angler must place Cabela's Angler Cash windshield decal on the driver's side of their boat.

4. Angler must register for the contingency cash award prior to fishing the event. Registration may be completed online at www.cabelas.com, or e-mail at anglercash@cabelas.com.

5. Angler must provide a copy of the contingency program registration forms and indicate which qualifying events he or she will be fishing. Registration forms may be faxed to 308-255-1750 or e-mailed to anglercash@cabelas.com.

6. The highest finishing Cabela's Angler Cash participant wins that event's contingency amount. The Angler must be registered for the tournament circuit events to receive the maximum payout.

7. An extra bonus of $500 Cabela's Gift Card will be awarded to the Cabela's Angler's Cash participant winner that has purchased their boat from a Cabela's retail location.

No Entry Fee Okeechobee Tournament Set

The last No Entry Fee Gambler Lures Tournament of 2009 has been scheduled. Mark December 13, 2009 down on your calendar. Gambler Lures will host their popular no entry fee tournament out of the Clewiston boat ramp. Pick up a couple packs of your favorite Gambler lures and come out for a chance to win.

Guaranteed Payback!
1st Place $1000
2nd Place $500
3rd Place $250
4th - 5th Place $100
Plus Additional Prizes down to 11th Place