Industry News - Bass Fishing Florida

Sportsman Channel Unveils New iPhone App

Sportsman Channel Unveils New iPhone App, Promotion

New Berlin, Wisconsin – Sportsman Channel announced today the launch of their Sportsman App, an innovative iPhone application designed specifically for the American Sportsmen who makes hunting, shooting and fishing an integral part of their lives. This free app is now available at the iPhone App Store and is the first-of-its-kind in the sportsman media space. Users are able to view video clips of previously aired and currently airing Sportsman shows right on their iPhone. Additionally, they can view review information, consult full TV schedules, and email or tweet their favorite content to their friends.

The Sportsman App is compatible with any iPhone or iPod touch with operating system version 3.1.3. The application was designed and developed by Sportsman Channel in cooperation with Brightcove. Sportsman will be launching the app for the iPad very soon, and future apps and new versions will continue to be produced and released.

Visit the iTunes App Store to download and review today! http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sportsman-app/id367832821?mt=8

To help promote this new app, Sportsman Channel is giving away five iPod Touch during the month of May via three promotions on Sportsman Channel’s website plus a promotion on each of Facebook and Twitter. Please see (http://thesportsmanchannel.com/); (http://facebook.com/sportsmanchannel); and (http://twitter.com/sportsmanchnl).

“Our viewers are finding the iPhone to be a fantastic platform to experience the programming on Sportsman Channel,” said Willy Burkhardt, president of Sportsman Channel. “You can select videos by hunt, shoot or fish categories to watch the latest clips of our high-quality programming. No one else our space is offering their viewers this kind of interaction and value.”

Features of the Sportsman App include:

— Programming Clip Gallery: View clips (refreshed weekly) of all currently-airing programming;

— TV Schedule: Learn your favorite shows’ airtimes to set your DVR;

— Email/Tweet Feature: Click on the video to immediately email or tweet to your followers.

“The ability to utilize our digital and online assets to the fullest extent with our parent company, InterMedia Outdoors, is truly what sets us apart from our competitors,” said Todd D. Hansen, Chief Marketing Officer for Sportsman Channel.

About Sportsman Channel: Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities. Sportsman Channel is now available in HD, check with your local cable or satellite provider. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2006, Sportsman Channel reaches more than 25 million U.S. television households and is a part of the nation’s largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl (www.twitter.com/SPORTSMANchnl), become a Fan on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sportsmanchannel and download Sportsman App at www.itunes.com/appstore

Media Contact
Michelle Scheuermann, Sportsman Channel, 262-432-9100 ex 111, mscheuermann@thesportsmanchannel.com

Take Me Fishing and Discovery

Take Me Fishing and Discovery Education Partner

ALEXANDRIA, VA (April 21, 2010) -The Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Discovery Education announce the launch of Explore the Blue, an online initiative encouraging youth participation in on-the-water activities and aquatic conservation efforts.

Explore the Blue is a new resource empowering teachers and parents to engage students in a dialogue about the importance of outdoor recreational activities, such as boating and fishing, and the value of clean and healthy natural resources. The rich, interactive materials help students explore the world of outdoor recreation through exciting, hands-on activities. Through this initiative, students experience the magic of being on the water with family and friends, while learning about the importance of conservation efforts at the same time.

Just in time for the spring season, the first materials from Explore the Blue includes activities educators can share with parents to continue the learning process over the summer months.

These activities include:

* Model boat building exercises that teach valuable lessons about buoyancy, water displacement, surface area, and design;
* Research projects that help students inventory plants, animals and inorganic matter they may find in and around a local body of water;
* Journal writing exercises that encourage children to record descriptions of the fish they observe, notes about the weather, and any other thoughts, ideas or observations they have about their day on the water; and
* Map reading activities that support parent-student dialogues on animal habitats.

In late summer 2010, the Take Me Fishing campaign and Discovery Education will add additional instructional materials designed specifically for classroom use by educators. These materials will include a robust collection of cross-curricular lesson plans, videos, multimedia content, activities and worksheets aligned to state education standards. In addition, Take Me Fishing and Discovery Education will launch an interactive game for students that will provide them with the tools to develop and care for their own ecosystem, as well as a digital essay contest encouraging students to document their fishing and boating experiences through video and/or digital photos.

“Explore the Blue is a fantastic tool educators can use to help students understand the value of outdoor activities and the natural world around us,” said Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) President & CEO Frank Peterson. “Together, Discovery Education and our national Take Me Fishing campaign can leverage the technology popular with today’s students to grow participation in outdoor recreation and improve appreciation of our nation’s beautiful natural resources.”

For more information on the Explore the Blue initiative, visit discoveryeducation.com/exploretheblue.

About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement. Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

New i-Kam Xtreme Eyewear

New i-Kam Xtreme Eyewear Lets You Be Your Own Videographer

Hunter’s Specialties® has acquired the exclusive rights to i-Kam Xtreme™ (Patent Pending) video eyewear. i-Kam Xtreme incorporates an advanced mobile video recorder into a lightweight pair of glasses. Whether it’s your children’s latest ball game, a downhill ski run, a fishing trip, or your last hunt, now outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds have a hands-free way to record what they see and play it back for future enjoyment.

i-Kam Xtreme offers completely wireless operation, with no cords or battery packs required. It has a digital camera incorporated into the frame with 4GB of built-in memory for up to 3 hours of recording. The glasses will also accept a Micro SD card for an additional 8 GB of memory. The integral microphone captures all the sounds to go along with the video.

The glasses can be hooked directly to a PC with the supplied USB cable to view the video, or when using the Micro SD card, it can be inserted into a card reader to watch footage.

Each pair of i-Kam Xtreme glasses comes with four interchangeable lenses in smoke, brown, yellow and clear to use in all lighting conditions. Frames are available in both glossy and flat black, RealTree camouflage and white. A hard bodied carrying case, cleaning cloth, AC adapter and instruction manual are also included.

“At Hunter’s Specialties we’re always looking for exciting new products that feature cutting edge technology to add to our line,” said David Forbes, Hunter’s Specialties Co-CEO. “When we saw the quality of the video being shot by these glasses and the number of great applications for hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts, we knew this was a product worthy of our name.”

Specs:

Product Size: 170 x 160 x 40mm (folded)
Physical Weight: 1.4 oz
Speed Read: Read – 700kbs / Write – 500kbs
USB: 2.0 (HS) PC / Mac Connection (no driver needed)
Power Supply: Embedded 550mAh Li-polymer Rechargeable Battery
Power Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Power Adaptor: 5V DC/ 500mAh
Memory: Built in 4GB, Max 8GB, Supports Max 8GB Micro SD card
Resolution: 736 x 480 PlayBack Resolution
Video Format: AVI
Audio: Stereo
Recording Speed: 25 fps
Working Temp: 23F – 104F Storage Temp: -4F – 176F
LED Indicators: Recording and Battery Status
Features:

Reset Button
Audio Microphone
Digital Video Camera

4 Sets of Quality Interchangeable Lenses (colors Clear/Polarized Black/Polarized Amber/ Polarized Sunglasses) Easy PC / Mac USB Connection (no driver needed) Easy 2-Button Operation Supports Micro SD Cards (up to 8 GB)

4 GB Built in Memory (Approx. 3 hours of video) Patent Pending

For more information about other Hunter’s Specialties products, log onto the Hunter’s Specialties website atwww.hunterspec.com, write to 6000 Huntington Court NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402, or call a Consumer Service Specialist at 319-395-0321.

Media Contact
Mike Capps (573) 898-3422 or mcapps@howardcommunications.com

Smartphone Apps for Anglers

Two New Smartphone Apps for Anglers and Outdoorsmen

ATLANTA, GEORGIA –Just in time for spring and summer fishing, DataSport, Inc. announces two new Smartphone apps to help anglers outdoorsmen find the times of peak activity. For over 37 years, sportsmen around the world have trusted DataSport Inc’s reliable and accurate Fish & Game Forecast to tell the best times to catch fish, see birds and other wildlife and maximize their success in the woods and on the water. Now, thanks to two new iPhone/iTouch and Android applications, fishermen can receive the DataSport forecast grahics as well as the highly-regarded Doug Hannon’s Moon Times directly on their Android Smartphones, iPhones and iPod Touches.

The FishCast app is a simple, to-the-point application that allows users to select a date and view the forecast graph for that date. The graphs predict “excellent, “good” and “fair” activity times for hunting, fishing, bird watching and wildlife photography. They also include the current moon phase. There is no need to enter location data since the forecasts are accurate in the entire Northern Hemisphere. Information and graphics are the same for FishCast and the previously-released HuntCast which eliminates the necessity of having to download both apps.

DataSport’s newest Smartphone app, FishTimes, is a text representation of the well known Moon Times and Moon Clock designed by legendary wildlife expert, inventor, underwater photographer and designer, Doug Hannon, also known as “The Bass Professor.” “Most successful outdoor experiences have been proven to occur during periods of peak activity that can be predicted in advance,” said Hannon. “We are pleased to be able to deliver this information in these exciting new formats.”

“On a long range basis, the instant availability of the DataSport information is critical to determining the best time for planning any kind of outdoor experience,” said DataSport President, John Lehman, referring to the ability to pick out weeks with higher than normal fish and game activity. All apps can be found by searching “datasport” in the iTunes App Store or the Android Market. “Hannon’s Moon Times” are available for syndication in magazines and newspapers nationwide. “The DataSport Fish & Game Forecast” graphics are available for TV, Internet and newspaper applications nationally.

Media Contact
John Lehman (404) 252-7143

Recycled Fishing

Anglers Raise Awareness and Funds During Recycled Fish’s 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon

Council Bluffs, IA – How long can you fish? Find out at the 24-Hour Fish-A-Thon on September 10 – 11 and you could also help improve the waters you fish in. In its second year, anglers across the country compete to see who can raise the most money – and catch the most fish – while creating awareness for a good cause. Teams also compete for top prizes such as the fishing trip of the lifetime, a guided trip with a Professional Anglers Association (PAA) tour-level pro, or a getaway to a remote lodge. Additional prizes include tackle from Berkley and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

This year the event is co-sponsored by BoatUS Angler, an advocacy and services association for recreational boat owners. It offers on-the-water towing, roadside assistance and angler’s boat insurance.

“Anglers will fish around the clock and around the nation to raise awareness of problems facing our fisheries, and raise money to help solve those problems,” said organizer Teeg Stouffer, executive director of Recycled Fish, a national non-profit organization committed to “anglers living a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream.”

Proceeds are donated to Recycled Fish and the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water to support responsible fishing practices and waterway stewardship programs.

The 24-Hour Fish-A-Thon is open to freshwater anglers in all 50 states. To participate, anglers begin by becoming a Fish-A-Thon Ambassador / Team Leader at www.recycledfish.org , and sign up their team of two to four anglers. After they receive their Fish-A-Thon welcome kit in the mail, each team member’s next step is to secure pledges from family, friends or co-workers for each hour they fish, which typically range from $10 to $75 an hour.

Next they go fishing. Lines are cast Friday, September 10 at 6 pm until Saturday, September 11 at 6 pm. During the event anglers are also encouraged to pick up any trash and use tackle that is easier on the environment, such as lead-free weights or biodegradable baits and lures, and practice good catch-and-release tactics.

Every team raising a minimum of $100 will get a complimentary 24-Hour Fish-A-Thon shirt for all team members, plus additional prizes like tackle, apparel and gift cards.

Participating anglers takes photos of their fish and self-score their catch at the online Angling Masters Fish Calculator, then submit their score to the Fish-A-Thon administrator. Top prizes go to the team with the most funds raised and the team with the highest score based on their best five fish photos. Prizes are also given for the best photos, the most “unusual” trash picked up and more.

For complete Fish-A-Thon information and rules, go to www.recycledfish.org, or contact Buddy Johns at buddy@recycledfish.org.

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About Recycled Fish:

Recycled Fish is the national non-profit organization of “anglers living a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream.” The Recycled Fish “Sportsman’s Stewardship Pledge” invites anglers to embrace the Stewardship Ethic and join the organization, free of charge. The SAFE Angling Program – Sustaining Angling, Fish and Ecosystems – is a way to help anglers embrace a lifestyle of stewardship on the water. It involves catch and release fishing, including the use of single barbless hooks, biodegradable lures, and non-toxic lead-free weights. Recycled Fish also strives to educate anglers about invasive species, habitat loss, waterway litter and pollution prevention, urban fisheries, and increase participation in recreational fishing for both adults and children. For more information on the 501(c)3 group go to: www.recycledfish.com.

About BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:

Founded in 1981 and largely funded by the half a million recreational boat owning members of BoatUS, the non-profit 501(c)3 BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is an innovative leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Some nationwide programs include Clean Water Grants, Fishing Line Recycling and Help Stop The Drops, a clean refueling campaign designed to keep accidental spills out of the water.

The BoatUS Foundation has supported grassroots boater and angler educational programs for nearly 30 years and awarded over $1.1 million in grants to local boating and environmental organizations.

It provides educational outreach directly to boaters with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways and keeping boating safe for all. For more information, go to www.boatus.com/foundation.

Media Contact
Teeg Stouffer (253) 905-0420 or fishrecycler@recycledfish.org

Evinrude Launches Spring Savings Event

Sturtevant, Wisconsin – BRP announces a new consumer retail promotion for Evinrude outboard engine purchases from April 20 – July 4, 2010. Consumers who purchase an eligible Evinrude E-TEC outboard engine will qualify for the Spring Savings Event benefits; an extended protection plan, cash-back offer and up to $1,100.00 retail value in rigging equipment.

The sales promotion offers the consumer a 5-year BRP factory-backed limited warranty (3- year factory warranty PLUS an additional 2-year B.E.S.T. coverage) on eligible 25-hp and higher engines, plus an additional cash-back offer on select models (40-hp and higher) up to $1,000.00 per engine. In addition to the 5-year factory backed B.E.S.T. limited warranty and cash-back offer, consumers who purchase and take delivery of an eligible engine to repower their existing boat during the promotion are qualified to receive a discount on select rigging packages (Analog, I-Command and ICON) with a retail value up to $1,100.00. Consumers must purchase and take delivery of an eligible Evinrude E-TEC engine from a participating Evinrude dealer during the promotion period to qualify.

“As we enter into the critical spring and summer selling period, it is imperative we provide our selling networks with a strong retail incentive to drive traffic,” stated Yves Leduc, vice president – general manager for BRP’s North America Division. “The incentives offered through this promotion, coupled with the easy-to-own, low maintenance Evinrude E-TEC engine, offer the consumer a very attractive reason to buy. We will continue to deliver on our promise of spending more time on the water,” he added.

The Spring Savings Event is supported by a full advertising and media campaign including print, on-line and television. Dealers are provided a complete package of point-of-purchase materials to advertise the promotion on the showroom floor.

Evinrude engines’ reputation for dependability, quality and reliability coupled with the fact that Evinrude E-TEC is the only outboard with no dealer scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 300 hours makes the decision to power with Evinrude E-TEC an easy one. Having the lowest operating costs of any outboard engine means that powering with an Evinrude E-TEC can save consumers up to $1,600 per year in fuel and maintenance costs.

BRP’s Evinrude E-TEC engine line-up now includes 98 engine models from 15- to 300- horsepower. All engines are available at Evinrude dealerships worldwide. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brpevinrude.com or visit www.evinrude.com for more information.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as E-TEC, Can-Am all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines and karts.

www.brp.com

Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Evinrude, Johnson, Can-Am, Rotax, E-TEC and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.

Media Contact
Julie Johnson
Media Relations
Tel. 704.573.2733
julie.johnson@brp.com

Sportsman Channel Unveils New iPhone App

Take Me Fishing and Discovery

New i-Kam Xtreme Eyewear

Smartphone Apps for Anglers

Recycled Fishing

Evinrude Launches Spring Savings Event

Lake Toho

Butler Chain of Lakes

Current Orlando Fishing Reports