I just wanted to share with you all my new tournament jersey. I received it yesterday on the 3 week mark as promised. It is a sublimated jersey like many of the new Elite and FLW Tour Pros are wearing. I had Gemini Sports Marketing make it and I tell you, I am nothing but extremely happy with how easy the process was. The jersey looks fantastic. These pictures don’t do it justice.
There is no possible way that I can, or would even attempt to list all of the news that came out of this year’s ICAST. Possibly, the biggest splash was made by BASS when they released their Elite Series schedules for ‘09 & ‘10. On top of that they turned around the following day and announced that co-anglers will not be back for the ‘09 season and on. Do not ask me to comment on that. Besides, there have been enough comments thrown around by everybody else at this point that it has gotten obscene in some cases.
Aside from that, you can visit just about any of the major fishing sites who attended the event and get some great photos and news straight out of the event. While I am not going to comment on all of the new products that were introduced, I do have a short list of a few I am extremely excited about.
1. Quantum’s new PT Series of bait casters. I have already posted some information on these new reels here. Two things have me excited about the new reels. One is the reduction in weight. Second is the fact that they will be offering a larger assortment of left handed models.
2. American Eagle Rods has a new rod that is set to hit. I don’t have as much information as I’d like to have on the new rods, but i am being told that AER has a new rod that is using a different blank that is just as sensitive as the ones they use now, but is much lighter in weight. AER had released this year their RoumbaStix Series, which is a Roumbanis signature series rod. You can check that rod out at www.Elitebass.com . I will post more news on the new AER rods once received.
3. Vicious has come out with a new braided line. This news was no secret. Vicious had been vocal through various forums and video releases prior to ICAST about their new braid. You can expect a full product review on this line once I receive it, and I promise that I will be first in whatever line I can get it. You can check out a video on the product by clicking here. You can also get an idea of what the sizes will be available and retail prices by clicking here.
4. Spro has also released a new “4 inch BBZ shad. I have really gotten on board the swimbait train and this bait looks like it will be a great addition to my arsenal. It’s size will be a great fit to “match the hatch” for many of the east coast fisheries local to me. I would be more than happy to throw 8-12 inch wooden swimbaits, but unfortunately the bites on the east coast would be much more rare than what the west coast bubbas experience. You can check out some info on the BBZ “4 by clicking here.
What a showing ICAST 2008 made! Talks around the boards have said that Orlando will be host to ICAST ‘09, sorry Vegas.
Shouldn’t we all take this same kind of care with our equipment? I don’t know, that’s getting pretty obsesisive. Regardless, there is no denying that Charlie Hartley is a stand-up guy and one of the nicest in this sport. If I was ever in the market, I think it would be safe to say that many of us would feel comfortable buying a truck or boat off of Charlie. We all know it’s well taken care of!
Recreational boaters to include bass boaters, can breath a deep sigh of relief. Congress has voted and passed the Clean Boating Act of 2008. With that being said, they also upheld to exclude recreational boaters from federal and state permitting requirements under the Clean Boating Act designed for land based industrial facilities and ocean going ships.
If you remember when I first commented on this last year, the issue was being pushed heavily by the EPA to help restore and keep out waters clean of nuisances that are brought into many of our inland waters via bilge and ballast tanks from foreign waters. The bill will now go to President Bush who is an advocate of the outdoors.
BASS, as many of us already know, has announced the return of the Northern Opens for next year. This brings some interesting scenarios to light regarding room for advancement to the Elites and Classic qualification. BassFan has a few ideas of some possible scenarios that might play out:
BassFan.com, Posted 7/23/2008:
When BASS announced next year’s return of the Northern Bassmaster Opens, logic would conclude that the re-awakened division would feed both the Elite Series and the Classic. Currently, the Top 5 in the Southern and Central Opens get a berth in the Elite Series, while the Top 3 in each division get a berth in the Classic. A BASS official today told BassFan that news of such berths/qualifications will be announced when the Open schedule is published. That announcement is expected late next month or in September.
A couple of possible scenarios do stand out, though. The first would be a direct parallel with the Southern and Central Opens, where the future Elite Series field expands by five slots, and the Classic by three.
On the other hand, the Classic field might seem a little large at 53. It’s therefore feasible to think BASS might take only the Top 2 from each Open division, preserving the current draw of six spots (three from the Central, three from the Southerns.)
All speculation, of course.
I don’t know how many other logical scenarios could play out, but I will definitely have my eyes open. A re-introduction of the Northern Opens would make it possible for me to consider making an advance into the Open Series circuit by bringing tournaments closer in to my immediate area. I still question why BASS chose not to bring in the Western Opens as well.
Casey Ashley’s music video to his first musical release, “Fisherman” has been completed. To view the completed video or to purchase the song, click here.
GettingReel recently had some time to catch up with ESPN/BASS Womens Bassmaster Tour (WBT) angler and Geico Insurance pro Christie Bradley to try and get to know the angler and her thoughts on the WBT along with this season. This is also Gettingreel’s first installment into the ‘Pro’s Corner’.
Bradley, who is a Bealeton, Virginia native has been fishing the WBT since 2006. In that time……… Read More
In an attempt to further establish the Elite Series as exactly that, BASS has removed the co-angler from the equation starting in 2009. “This decision is the best possible thing for our sport,” said Ish Monroe, an Elite angler. “It takes the elite anglers and turns them into truly Elite anglers, where they compete against each other in the truest form of competition.”
Ish’s opinion seems to be a popular view at this point. Elite Series Pro, Kevin Short said, “This is our job, though. None of those guys are showing up trying to make their house payment or take care of their bills. They get to fish, possibly win, and go home. But in the process they can also change the outcome of one of our tournaments and impact a pro’s career.” Greg Hackney and Fred Roumbanis have also been vocal about their support with the new change.
Some disappointment still remains, mostly from industry companies. Much of this has to do with the fact that the co-anglers have direct interaction with the Pros while out on the water. Their interaction is used as an aggregate to bring inside news about tips and products to everybody in the market place. “I understand the pros feelings,” said Eric Naig of Pure Fishing, “But as a manufacturer it’s disappointing, because it’s been a great way for us to grow our pyramid of influence.
From a fan/viewer perspective and having never fished the Elite series as a co-angler, I can definitely see how this will effect the interaction between the anglers and fans. With that being said however, I also believe that this could be something that will help elevate the image of professional bass fishing and give it a positive new appeal. The equality of the playing field I think is going to level out somewhat as well.
One thing that hasn’t been brought to attention is practice periods. Many of the pros use their co-anglers/friends as practice partners while others use family members and so forth. If it hasn’t already been initiated, no practice partners in the boats during official practice periods should be initiated as well. That will also help level the playing field and put it solely on the pros ability as an Elite angler.
Busy has been the word for ESPN so far at this years ICAST. ESPN, who is owner of BASS released the Elite Series schedules for the next two years yesterday and have now released there new saltwater tournament series that is being called the, ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series.
The series will host 6 world class stand-alone events beginning Sept. 5-7 out of Key West, FL. Event coverage will air on ESPN2 in the first half of 2009.
You can expect to see world renowned anglers and guides from the sport fishing industry along with industry celebrities. “We are excited about this new series and feel the opportunity for growth is significant”, said Jamie Wilkinson, senior director of event operations and business development.
It was an exciting finish at the recent FLW Tour event on the Detroit River that finalized the roster for the 2008 Forrest Wood Cup to be held August 14-17 on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
The field will be made up of 77 Pros and 77 Co-Anglers who qualified through various arenas:
FLW Tour - 40
FLW Series - 30
FLW Strens - 5
BFL - 1
TBF - 1
To view the completed roster and for more information click here.
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GettingReel recently had some time to catch up with ESPN/BASS Womens Bassmaster Tour (WBT) angler and Geico Insurance pro Christie Bradley to try and get to know the angler and her thoughts on the WBT along with this season. This is also Gettingreel’s first installment into the ‘Pro’s Corner’.
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