Bassmaster April 2022

As you are about to read in the Upfront column in this issue, there is a new celebration in Basstown, USA, and you are the star of the party. As we looked at the faces in the crowd at our first Elite Series event held at the St. Johns River in Florida, we were reminded of the passion of B.A.S.S. members. We were reminded that our fraternity comes in every shape, size, age group, gender and ethnicity. And yes, it seems even dogs can show their B.A.S.S. pride. Members and fans celebrate our efforts daily by reading our magazines, showing up to our weigh-ins and watching our television shows. It’s our turn to celebrate you. We want to include your photo in your magazine. Actually, we want to put you…

EVER WATCH THE movie Spartacus? Careful answering, you’ll age yourself. I have not. However, I have watched the famous scene where the band of rebel slaves was captured, and the evil general says they can all go free if the leader, Spartacus (played by Kirk Douglas), stands up. One by one, slave soldiers rise and say, “I am Spartacus!” It’s a very moving moment in the movie. And the truth is, they were not lying. Each member of that rebellion embodied the passion, the cause. It’s a lesson that transcends Hollywood. Actually, the concept perfectly defines the fraternity of anglers known as B.A.S.S. members. B.A.S.S. was founded in 1968 by Ray Scott, who wanted to unify the thousands of bass fishermen to not only solidify the sport, but create a…

Josh Douglas Isle, Minn. Talk to me about the excitement of the Elite Series after your long road to get there? I’m pretty excited. I feel ready for it. I wish I knew some more of how the lakes lay out. But at the same time, you never know what to expect. I mean, it’s just a dream come true. Since I was a kid, I was always dreaming about fishing in that top tier, the Bassmaster Elite Series, and you know, not a lot of people can say they’ve made it there. What are some of the lakes that you’re anxious about this year? Right away, I’ve never been to the St. Johns River outside of driving around it a little bit in practice. Santee Cooper, I’ve never been…

1 April Fool’s Day. Don’t get caught slipping. This is your annual reminder to remain vigilant for pranks today. 2 World Autism Awareness Day. Visit AutismAnglers.org to learn more about autism and awareness in the sport of fishing. 10 Farm Animals Day. What is it about cow pies, big bass and tiny ponds that seem to go together? Leave the boat in the shed and return to your favorite farm pond today. 14 National Gardening Day. Vegetation is the unsung hero and sometimes maligned villain of bass fisheries nationwide. Study up on invasive species like Salvinia and starry stonewort to know friendly plant from foe. 22 Earth Day. A great day to recycle your used soft plastics and fishing line. Look for a recycling drop box at your favorite tackle…

Researchers at Clemson University are on a mission to evaluate Lake Hartwell’s largemouth bass population. Fueled by graduate student Deon Kerr and advisor Troy Farmer, the Clemson Black Bass Habitat Selection Project has married the university with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to enhance bass habitat around the lake. Through the project, SCDNR leverages its resources to enhance habitat, while students at Clemson tag bass with RFID technology to pattern the movements of individual fish. So far, the school and state have enhanced eight areas of Lake Hartwell with more than 105 concrete structures, 1,300 stumps, 560 tons of broken concrete slabs, 180 tons of riprap, 120 PVC fish attractors and 150 bamboo fish attractors.…

7-10 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite, Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee 14-16 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open presented by Mossy Oak Fishing, James River, Virginia 16 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Grand Lake, Oklahoma 22-23 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Norfork Lake, Arkansas 24 Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Norfork Lake, Arkansas 24 Bassmaster Junior Series, Norfork Lake, Arkansas 27-29 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Southeast Regional, Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama 28-30 St. Croix Bassmaster Central Open presented by Mossy Oak Fishing, Ross Barnett Reservoir, Mississippi…