Today’s Top 5
People want me to weigh in on this so:
I say this every time someone asks me about a DQ: Whether you’re B.A.S.S. or FLW or Joe’s Jackpot, it’s best to come out with ALL the info about a DQ — else it leaves questions about everyone and everything, and folks learn nothing from it (like what or what not to do). Just one guy’s opinion but…
…a DQ it is THE most sensitive thing in bassin’ bar none and imo should be handled thataway.
Can’t believe no one has interviewed the guys DQd — nothing I found, anyway….
Johnny Morris PWNs the bass boat market.
IF these %s (from here) are even close to right…
1) Ranger Percent market share 30%
2) Nitro, Percent market share < 25%
3) Skeeter Percent market share 17%
4) Triton Percent market share 8%
5) Phoenix Percent market share 6%
6) BassCat Percent market share 4%
7) Stratos Percent market share <4%
9) Legend Percent market share 2%
10) Blazer Percent market share <1%
…that means thanks to its purchase of Ranger/Stratos/Triton, Johnny/Bass Pro Shops now owns about 70% of the bass boat market. Doubt there’s been a majority like that since Forrest started the whole thing back in the day. Seriously…huge.
My only question: What else is coming from BPS?
I believe it was a very strong influence.
– Ranger Boats prez Randy Hopper talkin‘ ’bout the long-term relationship between Forrest Wood and Johnny Morris and that role in the deal. Also said:
> This alliance going forward will not only help our company but the entire sport. We need icons like these two to continue to promote all the things that are important to all our success.
Proof is in the banana puddin’, but he’s right. Here’s Forrest:
> “I think Bass Pro purchasing Ranger Boats is a good thing to have happened because we have always been going in the same direction. I know Johnny Morris, and have a high regard for him, and I think the feeling is mutual.”
Whatever Forrest says, take it to the bank. He is fo sho a great man.
Btw, the deal is just on paper right now, not final yet.
At [deep breath] the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish Off:
> 1st, Brandon Gray: Norman DD22 crankbaits and a 1/8-oz shaky head with a black Zoom Trick Worm.
> 2nd, Jon “Scooter” Griffith: Fished a tree with a 1/2-oz jigging spoon a dropshot Senko.
> 3rd, Royce Davis: Dragged a 1/4-oz wobble-head jig with a Zoom Speed Craw [not sure if Speed or Vibe] and threw a jerkbait.
I spent the last hour Tuesday and found a few water bottles and other stuff and cleaned up what I found.
– Brandon Gray “talkin’ trash” while he was practicin’ for the derby. Also be sayin’:
> Something changed in me after that. I felt more relaxed. I wanted to do something right.
News
1. Facts of Fishing trailer goes to 11.
Davy Mercer knows how to do a preview trailer right. Check it, shweet:
2. Yo-Zuri gets FLWer Clent Davis.
Less than 2 years after being brought in to run the place, Pradco showed Ron Ten Berge the door. Hope they promote from within…within the fishing side. More than very capable hands/brains there.
5. TX: Amistad still fishing tough.
12-14 lbs a good bag.
7. New Mister Twister brushy bait.
Poc’It Hawg Raiser:
> …two oversized Curly Tails on longer, flexible legs, positioned fully behind the two Side Tabs. This increases action and vibration, but also allows the Side Tabs maximum range of motion and eliminates “collapsing”, common to similar style lures, when the bait is moved forward quickly.
> Up front are two smaller Curly Tail arms for added visual attraction as well as lift and glide, especially when Carolina-rigged.
> The body is covered with a series of Poc’it chambers to increase water disturbance and slow its swim.
> Available in 17 hawg raising colors, like Hematoma, Penetration and Louisiana 220.
Here’s a pic:
Oh snap, nope, that’s the ’80s band Mr. Mister. Here’s the pic:
8. Fed spending bill has pro-lead provision.
NRA-backed:
> The NRA…wants to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from regulating the lead content of both fishing tackle and firearms ammunition.
Hollyweird said no lead ammo was used in the making of this movie:
Okay I made that last part up….
Must-Reads
1. Story about a dude inspiring Overstreet.
Most cool.
2. Piece on Classic-bound weekend warrior Brandon Gray.
Dude lost his cousin/tournament partner, quitted fishin’, sold his boat, then came back. [Nice job wif the pen Stevie “I ain’t never been” Wright.]
Tip of the Day
GA guide named Capt. Bert with a few good ones:
> I have watched river crayfish crawling between rocks when water temperatures are frigid and could barely tell that they were alive. That is how I fish hair jigs and rubber-skirted jigs this time of year. My favorite is a small football jig, and I barely move it down rocky points or other likely areas.
> This is the time of year to consider curly tailed grubs…I use a jighead built with a light wire Gamakatsu hook for maximum penetration with minimal effort. Often the fish hooks itself with this setup, and all you have to do is keep reeling.
> Think about the last fish you caught in super-cold water. Chances are very good that it was pale. During this time of year, everything is pale: minnows, bluegills and other panfish, and even the bass. Winter is a great time to bypass the firetiger colors and opt for shads, pale greens and light browns.
> If you want a little more color in stained water, use a lure with just a splash of chartreuse, orange or red.
Quote of the Day
It’s going to be the most expensive year I’ve ever fished.
– Matt “I ain’t a egret” Herren talkin‘ ’bout next years Elite Series schedule. Also said:
> “From all of the travel to the long runs, it’s going to be astronomically expensive. It’s going to be a sit-back-and-see-what-happens kind of year because anything can happen.
> “We’re going coast to coast to coast, from the Sabine River to the (California) Delta to the Thousand Islands, and you’re going to be making big, long runs at all of those. You just can’t have a bad day.”
Shot of the Day
Dudes be like, “No hace frio homes! Tenemos basses!”
Jay Kumar is the guy who created BassFan, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a whole lot more in bassin’. His BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best in bassin’, and is the #2 or #3 daily read on any given day in the wide world o’ bass. Also available as an app:
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