bass - Bass Fishing Florida

Mike “Ike” Iaconelli

City Limits Fishing returns for third season

NEW YORK, NEW YORK -VERSUS will debut the third season of City Limits Fishing with Mike Iaconelli on Friday, February 12, at 9 p.m. ET. The six-episode series, produced by Gannett Video Enterprises, follows host and professional angler Mike “Ike” Iaconelli as he uncovers some of the best urban places to fish throughout the United States.

In each episode of City Limits Fishing, Iaconelli, the 2006 Bass Angler of the Year and runner-up in the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, is accompanied by professional and amateur anglers as they face the weekly challenge of catching a limit of fish within the boundaries of some of the country’s greatest cities, including Phoenix, Boston, Pittsburgh, Memphis, Milwaukee and Jacksonville.

“We are very excited to bring this unique show back to VERSUS for a third season,” said Jeff Macaluso, Director of Field Sports & New Media Programming for VERSUS. “Mike Iaconelli is not only entertaining and outrageous, he’s also an accomplished professional angler who lets viewers in on his unique tactics on how to catch fish in locations not frequently thought of as hotbeds for fishing.”

The complete schedule for City Limits Fishing follows, all times 9 p.m. ET (schedule subject to change):

Phoenix
Feb. 12

City Limits Fishing starts off the season by accomplishing what may seem impossible – fishing in the desert, but Iaconelli and fellow professional bass fisherman Brett Hite prove that it’s possible in man-made lakes in Phoenix and Tempe, Ariz.

Boston
Feb. 19

Beantown welcomes Iaconelli and his friend Rich Armstrong as they head to Boston Harbor to catch a limit of striped bass, but the challenge intensifies as they encounter heavy fog while on the water.

Pittsburgh
Feb. 26

In the third episode, Iaconelli heads to Pittsburgh-a place where he has enjoyed some of the biggest successes and disappointments of his professional career-to fish the three rivers, the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio.

Memphis
March 5
This episode features Iaconelli as he travels to Memphis to fish for bass on the mighty Mississippi River.

Milwaukee
March 12
Iaconelli is fishing in Milwaukee harbor attempting to catch some monster brown trout. Not only is he challenged to catch a limit, but to also catch the largest brown trout he’s ever caught in his life.

Jacksonville
March 26
Iaconelli and guide Jim Anderson go for a difficult and challenging saltwater slam in Jacksonville, FL, and they run and gun the St. Johns River, eventually finding a huge pod of redfish.

VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country, prides itself on super-serving passionate sports fans across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). The network is the cable television home of the National Hockey League (NHL), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR). VERSUS also has partnerships with top sports leagues such as NASCAR, NBA and UFC and airs collegiate sports featuring nationally-ranked teams from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West. The network is also home to the best outdoor programming on television and airs original programs not available anywhere else, including Sports Soup and Sports Jobs with Junior Seau. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

College Bass

College Bass adds new northern in Fort Madison

ATLANTA (Feb. 8, 2010) – College Bass, the nation’s top collegiate bass fishing tournament series, announced today, that for the first time in its history, it will add a North Super Regional tournament to be held in Fort Madison, Iowa with the Mississippi River as a backdrop June 5-6. The morning launch will take place each day at daybreak at the Riverview Marina and the daily weigh-in at Riverview Park (716 Riverview Drive) at 3 p.m. CT. Two-person teams from regional schools will compete in a two-day cumulative weight format with a five-fish daily limit.

“This is an exciting step that shows the continued growth of collegiate fishing,” said Hank Weldon, College Bass tournament director. “With the addition of another Super Regional competition, collegiate anglers will have even more opportunities to participate in competitive fishing at the college level.”

The high concentration of College Bass-sanctioned schools in the Midwest and Northern regions influenced the creation of the North Super Regional giving more schools the opportunity to contend for the coveted national collegiate bass fishing title. Collegiate bass clubs must compete in a Super Regional event in order to advance to the National Championship.

As host, Fort Madison will be in the national media spotlight with the Super Regional weigh-ins streamed live on www.CollegeBass.com, and special features from the regional competitions highlighted on ESPNU during the College Bass National Championship shows.

“We’re honored to be hosting the first College Bass North Super Regional” said Sandy Brown director of the Fort Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This is the ideal way for us to showcase the great fishing here in Iowa.”

College Bass anglers will contend for the North Super Regional bragging rights on the Mississippi River, the largest river system in the U.S. The Fort Madison stretch of the Mississippi River is known for its distinct characteristic of being one of the few areas of the river that runs both east and west contributing to its popularity among both competitive and leisure fishing.

Going into its sixth year, the College Bass National Championship is considered by many to be the calendar’s premier collegiate fishing event. Last year’s North Carolina State anglers Will White and Chris Wood tipped the scales to claim the 2009 College Bass National Championship crown on the Arkansas River in North Little Rock. More than 220 schools from more than 30 states and Canada participate in hundreds of College Bass sanctioned events each season.

Collegiate anglers can register to compete in the Super Regionals by contacting Hank Weldon at hweldon@careersports.com or 770-955-1300.

For more information, please visit www.CollegeBass.com.

The 2010 College Bass Tour

Tournament

Location

Date

East Super Regional

Alabama River in Montgomery, Ala.

April 10-11

West Super Regional

To be announced

April 24-25

North Super Regional

Mississippi River in Fort Madison, Iowa

June 5-6

National Championship

To be announced

July 8-10

About College Bass:

Since its inception in 2005, College Bass has been the pioneer in the emerging sport of competitive fishing at the college level with a nationally televised national championship comprised of a qualified field of student anglers. With more than 220 participating colleges and universities from more than 30 states and Canada, College Bass is a rapidly growing property with a mission of supporting student anglers and bass fishing at the club level. The 2010 season marks the sixth anniversary of the national championship event and will also feature three Super Regional events, an increase from two in 2009. Fans can follow the 2010 College Bass Tour online at www.CollegeBass.com and on ESPNU, which will televise nine hours of coverage beginning next summer

Sponsors of the 2010 College Bass Tour include Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Plano Molding Company, Strike King, Ardent Reels, Carrot Stix, Vicious Fishing, Gemini Sport Marketing and Motorguide.

Media Contact
Cama Poffenberger
Career Sports & Entertainment
770.955.1300 (office)
404.290.5906 (cell)
cpoffenberger@careersports.com

FLW AWF Title

Woods claims FLW AWF title on Sam Rayburn

JASPER, Texas (Feb. 6, 2010) – Pro Cody Woods of Jacksonville, Texas, caught three bass weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces Saturday to win the FLW American Fishing Series Texas Division tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 32 pounds, 10 ounces. For his victory, Woods earned $24,680.

“It was slow today,” Woods said. “The sun came out and I didn’t want that to happen because it turned my bite off that I had going during the tournament. I knew where there were a few fish staging and I just happened to get lucky and catch three of them.

“I was so nervous (Friday) night just (to make the cut) that I poured a whole gallon of oil in my gas tank of my boat thinking it was my oil dispenser,” Woods added. “I’ve never won anything like this before.”

During the first two days of the tournament Woods used a floating Smithwick Rogue in three feet of water to catch his fish. On Saturday he switched to a red Rat-L-Trap with red hooks and managed to catch the winning three fish. Woods paired his Rat-L-Trap with braided line and threw it over grass in eight feet of water.

“With the braided line I can feel whether I hit grass or I have a bite,” Woods said. “I can feel it when I rip out of it.”

Rounding out the top five pros were:

2nd: Randy Cisler, Mesquite, Texas, 8 bass, 31-0, $8,391

3rd: Charles Bebber, Willis, Texas, 12 bass, 30-3, $5,923

4th: Tommy Martin, Hemphill, Texas, 15 bass, 30-1, $4,936

5th: Team Chevy pro Larry Nixon, Bee Branch, Ark., 11 bass, 29-11, $4,442

Cisler caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Pro Division Friday – a 10-pound, 8-ounce bass – that earned him the day’s Big Bass award of $294.

Keith Honeycutt of Temple, Texas, won the Co-angler Division and $9,882 cash, with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 24 pounds, 6 ounces.

Honeycutt caught three bass weighing 4-11 Thursday while fishing with pro David Mullins of Coppell, Texas, to open the tournament in 24th place. On Friday he added five more bass weighing 10-14 to make the top-10 cut in second place while fishing with pro Timothy Griffin of Zapata, Texas. Finally, on Saturday, he sealed the win with five bass weighing 8-13 while fishing with Cisler.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers were:

2nd: Bo Standley, Silsbee, Texas, five bass, 20-0, $3,953

3rd: Sonny Kopech, Troup, Texas, 10 bass, 19-14, $1,976

4th: Kenneth Pellerin, Pasadena, Texas, 10 bass, 19-7, $1,729

5th: Danny Cherry, Kountze, Texas, 10 bass, 19-6, $1,482

Standley caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Thursday – a 10-pound, 3-ounce bass – that earned him the day’s Big Bass award of $196.

After three qualifying events are complete in each FLW American Series division – Central, Northern, Southeast, and Texas – the top 50 pros and 50 co-anglers based on the points standings from each division advance to the FLW American Fishing Series Invitational on Wheeler Lake, in Decatur Ala., Nov. 4-6. The highest-finishing pro and co-angler from each division at the American Fishing Series Championship will also qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including Player’s Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FantasyFishing.com.

www.FLWOutdoors.com

Media Contact
Jeff McCoy, Director of Public Relations & Communications, (612) 337-1945 (w), (612) 360-1375 (m) or jeff.mccoy@jacobsmgmt.com

Chad Gay, Public Relations Manager, (270) 703-3346 or cgay@flwoudoors.com

Julie Huber, Communications Specialist, (612) 337-1810 (w), (612) 812-9512 (m) or julie.huber@jacobs-mgmt.com

Solar Bat

Solar Bat extends support of Professional Anglers Association

Benton, KY, February 3, 2010 – Solar Bat sunglasses, makers of the ultimate outdoor optics, is continuing its support of the PAA through the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series.

Solar Bat has been supporting professional anglers since 1994 and has a very impressive prostaff including several PAA members. Team Solar Bat has a string of accomplishments including six Bassmasters Classic titles, six Angler of the Year honors and countless wins. Several of these talented team members will be fishing the PAA tournaments in 2010 and promoting the benefits of Solar Bat Sunglasses.

As a pioneer in fishing-specific glasses, Solar Bat continues to give competitive anglers everywhere an edge. Their new patent-pending Gradient Tint process elevates fishing optics even further, with lenses created specifically for changing conditions. PAA members will see the benefits of this unique feature throughout the 2010 Tournament Series. Gradient Tint is just one of many enhancements to the product line, consisting of 17 different frame styles, multiple lens options, fishing-specific goggles, the Bat Mask, as well as optics for shooting and hunting.

Solar Bat also offers 10 different styles suitable for prescriptions, including both distance and bifocal. In addition to its evolving lineup, the company has continued to enhance quality over the years. Starting in 2010, all polarized lenses will be created with enhanced molding processes based in the USA, for even crisper vision.

Enhancements and expansions are part of the growth process for Solar Bat, which also recently gave the brand some updates. Those familiar with the company will recognize an updated logo and a fresh website.

According to Dr. Gary Nesty, founder of Solar Bat, “We are excited to support the PAA as we continue to grow together. Exposing our products to members and fans of the PAA in conjunction with the Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series is an excellent opportunity. Our company and prostaff will be able to showcase our products in conjunction with exciting events, at one of the nation’s leading retailers.”

Solar Bat, and members of the prostaff, will have a presence on-site at 2010 PAA competitions, and take advantage of PAA advertising opportunities. PAA members will also have opportunities to take advantage of this renewed partnership through special “PAA-Only” programs throughout 2010.

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The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. For more information, visit www.FishPAA.com.

Solar Bat Sunglasses, founded in 1994 by optometrist and angler Dr. Gary Nesty is focused on bringing performance eyewear to outdoor enthusiasts, at affordable prices. As pioneer of the gradient tint process, Solar Bat is an innovator in eyewear for the serious angler. For more information on Solar Bat, and their products, visit www.solarbat.com.

FLW College Series

FLW College Series to tie up at Sam Rayburn

JASPER, Texas (Feb. 1, 2010) – National Guard FLW College Fishing is headed to Sam Rayburn Reservoir Feb. 6 for the second of four stops in the Texas Division series. Forty collegiate teams will be competing for a top award of $10,000 to be split evenly between the school and bass fishing club.

“The college anglers will need to focus on areas with a little bit of clearer water,” said Glen Freeman of Converse, La., who has three top-10 FLW Outdoors finishes on Sam Rayburn. “It doesn’t have to be crystal clear, but it can’t be real muddy. The backs of muddy creeks right now aren’t producing.

“They’ll need to focus on grass lines,” Freeman continued. “The whole key with the grass lines is finding if the fish are on the outside grass lines or the inside grass lines, and the weather will dictate that. But I’d sure focus on grass lines going into spawning areas and around points.”

Anglers will take off from the Umphrey Family Pavilion located at 5438 Rural Route 255 West in Sam Rayburn, Texas., at 7 a.m. Weigh-in will be held at the Umphrey Family Pavilion beginning at 2 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

Schools competing in the tournament include: Angelo State, Baylor University, Lamar University, Louisiana Tech University, LSU, LSU-Shreveport, Northeastern State, Oklahoma State University, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana University, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State Texas, Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M-Galveston, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas State University, University of Louisiana, University of North Texas, University of Oklahoma and University of Texas.

The top five teams from each tournament will qualify for the regional championship where the first-place team wins $25,000 cash for their school and a Ranger 177TR bass boat for their fishing club. The top five teams from each regional advance to the national championship where the first-place team wins $50,000 for their school and $25,000 cash and a Ranger 177TR bass boat for their fishing club.

FLW Outdoors provides boats and drivers for each competing team along with travel allowances. All participants must be registered, full-time undergraduate students at a four-year college or university and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS

www.FLWOutdoors.com

Lazer TroKar

Lazer TroKar joins collegiate bass fishing sponsors

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Forget everything you know about hooks…the rules have changed! The awe-inspiring Lazer TroKar fishhooks are for those who aren’t just out to catch fish, but are out to win.

In order to produce the wickedest fishhooks ever made, the product development team at Lazer TroKar worked with a high-tech producer of surgical needles as well as top professional anglers Skeet Reese, Shaw Grigsby Jr., Brent Chapman and Gerald Swindle to create the highest quality, technique specific line of fishhooks on the planet.

The patented geometric triangular hook point is honed on all three edges to surgical sharpness, resulting in a hook that penetrates twice as fast as any other with only half the pressure. Hook sharpness is critically important to anglers but so is hook strength. Therefore, TroKar utilizes a proprietary Q741 wire and a bolstered shank design to create a hook strong enough even to withstand the rigors of fishing with braided line.

“Partnering with the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series has been an exciting project. There is phenomenal fishing talent within the ranks of the participating collegiate anglers, and we are thrilled to have them fishing the sharpest hook on the planet…Lazer TroKar, “stated Matt Gray, TroKar Hook Manager.

Collegiate anglers will appreciate the unsurpassed quality of Lazer TroKar hooks every time they set the hook during the 2010 BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series. As the official fishhook of the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series, Lazer TroKar will reward top finishing collegiate anglers at each event with an assortment of hooks ranging in value from $100 – $500.

“We’re excited to add Lazer TroKar to the growing number of companies that support collegiate bass fishing through this dynamic tournament series. The Lazer Trokar award and incentive program further benefits collegiate bass anglers and will help them land more fish,” stated Wade Middleton, Tournament Director.

For more information about Lazer TroKar hooks, visit www.lazertrokar.com .

Mike “Ike” Iaconelli

College Bass

FLW AWF Title

Solar Bat

FLW College Series

Lazer TroKar

Lake Toho

Butler Chain of Lakes

Current Orlando Fishing Reports