Harris Chain Tagged Bass

Reap rewards for reporting tagged bass from Harris Chain of Lakes

January 11, 2011
Contact: Joy Hill, 352-258-3426

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists are requesting angler assistance with a research study focusing on largemouth bass in the Harris Chain of Lakes, which includes lakes Griffin, Eustis, Harris and others, in Lake County. The results of this study will provide critical information needed to improve largemouth bass fisheries.

To carry out this project, biologists have attached yellow tags along the back of the largemouth bass, just below the dorsal fin. These tags carry information detailing the reward value, a printed telephone number, e-mail address and a tag number.

So what can you do to help? If you catch one of these tagged fish, please cut the tag from the fish close to the fish’s body, then harvest or release the fish as you would normally. Please report your tagged bass by calling the number found on the tag.

Biologists would like to know the tag number, date and time of capture, where the fish was caught, fish length, and whether the fish was kept or released. Receiving this information is important for the success of this project, and rewards will be distributed to anglers who report complete capture information and return the tags to the FWC.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the largemouth tagging study, please contact basstags@MyFWC.com.

To view the most current fishing regulations for Florida, please visit MyFWC.com/Fishing.

For more information on fish and wildlife research and management in Florida, please visit us at MyFWC.com.

Bass Fishing Forecast for August

What can we say, but HOT HOT HOT. August is one of our hottest months of the year. Typically this would mean for some very slow bass fishing here in Florida lakes and rivers. Most anglers will start their day out very early in the morning, sometimes just before sun up they will be sitting on their first spot, and long before high noon, they will be loading up the boat and heading home for the day.

Normally this is a very typical day on the water in august, first light can bring some good top water action, slowing before the heat of the day strikes, and all but gone once it is hot. Most anglers feel that the bass just won’t bite in the heat, and for those who hang in tough, and drink lots of water, they can be rewarded with some great bass. Speaking from my own experience, some of my biggest bass have come in the heat of the day, generally between the hours of 11am and 4pm. Many will ask why, it is simply because you are more focused at the placement of your lure. Tighter to cover or in the slop, the places bass love to hide down here in Florida.

For those anglers here on the family vacation to Disney World, Sea World or Universal Studios, the best times are early morning or later in the afternoon. We do also now offer two different split day trips, one you fish 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours later in the afternoon, and the Break for lunch trip, which we typically break for about an hour for a sit down lunch at a local restaurant. Typically our afternoon showers will help to create a good flow from many creeks or rivers into our lakes. Give us a call and we can take care of you.

Mercury Extends Sponsorship of BASS

BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, announced that Mercury will extend its sponsorship of BASS as an official engine sponsor of the organization in 2011. As part of the agreement, Mercury will be an official sponsor of the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens and the BASS’ Federation Nation.

Fond du Lac, Wisc.-based Mercury will receive varied opportunities for exposure at BASS’ prestigious structure of tournaments. Additionally, Mercury will have a presence across BASS’ multi-media platforms, which include three industry-leading magazines and the heavily-trafficked Bassmaster.com. Mercury will also continue to reap the benefits of BASS’ ESPN2 exposure.

“The collaboration between Mercury and BASS has been wonderfully and mutually productive,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury. “BASS is the world leader in competitive bass fishing, and Mercury has long been recognized the leading builder of engines for bass anglers. We’re happy to continue to have this opportunity to join forces with BASS to provide fans of competitive bass fishing an exciting, quality schedule of tournaments and competition.”

Mercury, a BASS sponsor since 1998, had a strong on-the-water showing in BASS events in 2010. Of the 10 BASS Elite-level events, Mercury Pro XS-powered anglers scored nine victories. Kevin VanDam, who has won the last three Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year awards and the most recent Bassmaster Classic, features a Mercury Pro XS.

“Our long-standing relationship with Mercury continues to flourish,” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager, BASS. “Mercury’s success on the water at BASS events correlates with the true quality of its products.”

For more information about Mercury, visit www.mercurymarine.com.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.Bassmaster.com.

About Mercury

Mercury is a company of Brunswick Corporation. Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill “Genuine Ingenuity”(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land ‘N’ Sea, Kellogg Marine, and Diversified Marine parts and accessories distributors; Arvor, Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris FloteBote, Hatteras, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Ornvik, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Sealine, Suncruiser, Triton Aluminum, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables and foosball tables. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com./

About BASS:

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

The Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, and ESPN3.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

BassMaster Classic

Classic hopes float: The race is on for the remaining 13 berths in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic.

Six of those 13 qualifiers will come from the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens (two from each division: Northern, Southern and Central). Another six will come from the BASS Federation Nation Championship in late October. The 50th and final will be decided Nov. 6. That angler will be the 2010 champion of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers.

The 13 will join the 36 Bassmaster Elite Series qualifiers and defending champ Kevin VanDam on the Louisiana Delta, Feb. 18-20 out of New Orleans. The winner takes the sport’s most prestigious tournament trophy.

Some of the storylines to watch as anglers make their Classic bids over the next few weeks and months:

* Dave Wolak, the Northern Open points leader, bowed out of the second event, this week’s Detroit River tournament. Wolak already earned a 2011 Classic spot (his fifth) through the 2010 Elite Series. His absence in Detroit swings the door wider for other pros to snag a Classic seat.

* Ryan Said of Michigan is No. 2, 15 ticks behind Wolak. Said will be competing on home waters of the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. The Aug. 19-21 event will be his second Bassmaster tournament as a pro.

* Tracy Adams of Wilkesboro, N.C., ranks 3rd in Northern points, just 20 spots out of first. The Detroit event will be his second Bassmaster tournament.

* Andy Montgomery of South Carolina leads the Southern Open, which will wrap Oct. 9 in Georgia on Lake Seminole. Only four points behind is Elite pro Bobby Lane of Florida. Lane already qualified for the Classic via the Elite Series.

* Davy Hite, Elite pro from Ninety Six, S.C., holds down place No. 5 in the Southern circuit. He’s motivated to return to the Louisiana Delta, site of his 1999 Classic victory.

* Craig Schuff of Watauga, Texas, is proving to be a formidable competitor. He finished 1-2 in the Central’s first two events, giving him 600 points. His lead is 55 points over Keith Combs of Del Rio, Texas.

* Clark Reehm of Arkansas is the only pro in the Central Open’s top six who is not from Texas. The Central will wrap Oct. 23 in Lake Texoma – out of Denison, Texas. Reehm – 3rd with 502 points – will have to climb over Combs, 43 points ahead of him, to get to his second Classic.

California’s Lintner is first out, first in: It’s not news that the outcome of this week’s Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open tournament in Detroit will be pivotal for pros in their bids to snag 2011 Bassmaster Classic berths.

Less obvious is that several of those Classic hopefuls are not entered in that Aug. 19-21 Detroit Open.

Case in point is Jared Lintner, Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Arroyo Grande, Calif. He was first man out for the 2011 Classic, but he would be the first in if just one of his fellow Elite pros double-qualifies when the Northern circuit wraps up next month and awards two Classic berths.

“Actually, my wife has been keeping closer track of the Opens than I have,” said Lintner, who is bucking for his third Classic entry. “But I know what’s going on, what could happen.”

He (and his wife) are tracking four Elite pros competing in the Detroit Open who already earned entry through the Elite Series: Scott Rook, Mike McClelland, Michael Iaconelli and Gerald Swindle. If any one of them finishes the Northern season in the top two, then Lintner would be in the Classic.

His best hopes are with Rook; the Arkansas pro is 12th in the Open standings. Yet with two events of three remaining, any of the four could pull up. Swindle sits in 43rd; McClelland in 59th; Iaconelli in 72nd.

If the Northern scenarios don’t pan out for Lintner, he still could punch a Classic ticket via the Southern Open circuit. He has several good chances, especially with Bobby Lane. After two of three Southern Open events, Lane is No. 2.

“I can only hope he has one more good event,” Lintner said. “He looks like my best shot now.”

Lane has experience at double-qualifying. He happened to do it for the 2009 Classic, and the beneficiary was living legend Rick Clunn, who stepped into the field for his 32nd Classic.

Lintner’s also watching Florida’s Terry Scroggins, who is No. 8 heading into the final event in October on Lake Seminole out of Bainbridge, Ga.

“Seminole is a grass lake, and both Scroggins and Lane are experts in that.” Lintner pointed out.

From the Central division, Lintner can’t draw much hope. The only Elite pro in close contention is Clark Reehm, whose 3rd place in the standings could lead him into the Classic berth he did not win through the Elite season.

Lintner faults himself for not making the Classic roster on his own hook. Yet he remains optimistic.

“I’ve got good opportunities to make the Classic, that’s for sure,” he said.

WaveSpin Introduces ZTR

WaveSpin Introduces ZTR Tangle-Free Economy Reels at ICAST

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Fishing writers and retailers will be among the first to see two new 2011 model year WaveSpin reels — both at suggested prices below $50 and guaranteed tangle free — at the ICAST fishing tackle trade show, July 14 – 16 in Las Vegas.

WaveSpin’s two new ZTR (Zero Tangle Reel) 1500 and 3000 models are built off the same popular and award winning “radical” design developed by Doug Hannon. Known far and wide in the industry as The Bass Professor, Hannon patented a “waved” spool making loops irrelevant by eliminating tangles and bird nests that have left millions of anglers frustrated since the invention of the modern spinning reel 60 years ago.

Despite the down turn in the economy WaveSpin has continued to grow and now tens of thousands of “tangle-free” anglers are making more and longer, effortless casts.

“We hope to bring in even more anglers of all ages with these two lower priced reels,” said Hannon. “WaveSpin has helped introduce many families to trouble-free fishing fun.”

WaveSpin’s newest lightweight models resemble the beveled styling of the DHxL reel introduced two years ago. Three predecessors will also be featured at ICAST including the DH3000 which has won many accolades and awards, among them the 2008 Field & Stream Magazine’s “Best of the Best” for spinning reels and TackleTour.com’s Innovation Award.

WaveSpin’s Patented Tangle-Free Technology makes them the only reels of any kind or category in the history of the fishing industry that has ever guaranteed tangle-free operation. Many fishing writers and editors have stated in their reviews it’s one the most important performance features to ever be added to a fishing reel in decades. It’s also why WaveSpin was chosen as the “Official reel of Walt Disney World’s guided fishing excursions.”

Both new WaveSpin ZTR reels feature:

• 4 stainless ball bearings
• Folding Soft Grip Paddle Handle
• One Year Warranty
• Light Weight Graphite Body (ZTR 1500 is 8 oz, ZTR 3000 is 10 oz)
• Same great performing spool design and drag system that’s made WaveSpin a success.
• WaveSpin’s Tangle Free Guarantee

Internally each has tough multi-disc drags for more tension and smoother operation in fighting the big fish. Hannon said the ZTR 3000 is ideal for largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike and larger panfish; the smaller ZTR1500 is for finesse fishing like trout, smallmouth bass and panfish. Line weights range from 2 -12 lb mono and up to 50 lb braid.

Suggested list price for the ZTR 3000 is $49.95, the ZTR 1500 is $45.95.

The newest 2011 additions to WaveSpin’s growing family of reels will be available in stores like Cabela’s, Bass Pro, West Marine and independent tackle stores across the nation well in time for Christmas.

WaveSpin is marketed by XXX-Stream Tackle through major sporting and fishing goods stores. For more on WaveSpin go to its website at http://www.wavespinreel.com/ or contact Russ Riley, VP of sales and marketing at: 989-967-8426 or via e-mail at russ@wavespinreel.com.

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Contact: Pete Johnson, (480) 951-3654 or JohnsonCom@aol.com

SPECIFICATIONS: New WaveSpin ZTR models for 2011

WaveSpin ZTR 1500
MSRP: $45.95

Mono 2 lb (8 lb braid) 330 yards Gear Ratio: 5.0:1
Mono 4 lb (14 lb braid) 200 yards Four Stainless Ball Bearings
Mono 6 lb (20 lb braid) 160 yards One Year Warranty
Retrieval rate: 22 inches per turn Weight: 8 ounces

WaveSpin ZTR 3000
MSRP: $49.95

Mono 8 lb (30 lb braid) 200 yards Gear Ratio: 5.1:1
Mono 10 lb (40 lb braid) 160 yards Four Stainless Ball Bearings
Mono 12 lb (50 lb braid) 120 yards One Year Warranty
Retrieval rate: 26.5 inches per turn Weight: 10 ounces

Media Contact
Pete Johnson, (480) 951-3654 or JohnsonCom@aol.com

WFN Latest Fishing News

This Week, WFN Latest Fishing News

DENVER, COLORADO -WFN NEWS, the industry’s first news program reporting on the stories and events that shape the fishing industry will once again present a wide array of fishing news for viewers. This week’s episode, airing on Tuesday, May 4, at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT includes; interviews with PAA Tournament Director Randy Knight, an update on the Great Lakes Restoration program, results from the weekend’s professional tourneys and much more.

A new episode of the weekly news program airs each Tuesday night as a lead-in to the network’s primetime theme block Fly Fishing Tuesday from 8-10 pm ET. For a complete schedule, visitwww.WFN.tv.

The only weekly news show dedicated to covering the tournaments, issues and stories that anglers care about, WFN NEWS leverages the network’s regional production bureaus across North Americato uncover the stories for millions of anglers. Hosted by broadcast veteran Jim Van Horne, the show tackles professional angling, government and ministry involvement, science and technology, world records, community and regional coverage, environmental news and industry profiles.

THIS WEEK ON WFN NEWS: May 4 @ 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT features:

– PAA tournament director Randy Knight discusses the PAA’s new tournament circuit

– State fish hatcheries new revenue streams

– Great Lakes Restoration program update

– Weekend results from Bassmaster Elite Series & Skeeter Bass Champs

About WFN: World Fishing Network
WFN: World Fishing Network is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to all segments of fishing with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN’s wide-ranging programming lineup includes primetime theme nights, regional bureaus from across the nation, a selection of the best international series and the most diverse species coverage of any TV channel. Featuring popular programs hosted by the world’s top anglers, the network also delivers a weekly news program, WFN News, and the schedule includes a variety of exclusive lifestyle shows including Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi and WFN’s Reel Road Trip. WFN also delivers the beauty of fishing in stunning High Definition with WFN HD, a separate network that delivers 100 percent High Definition programming 24/7.

Originally launched in December 2005, today WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite and telecommunications distributors. In the U.S., distributors include AT&T U-verse, Charter Communications, Comcast, DISH Network and Verizon FiOS. For more information, visit www.WFN.TV.

Media Contact
Doug Drotman – WFN (631) 462-1198 or doug@drotmanpr.com