Innholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2023 i Bassmaster

July 1 Canada Day. Celebrate the home of the reigning Bassmaster Classic champion by brushing up on smallmouth tactics. 15 National Give Something Away Day. Donate your old rod and reel combos to a local youth angler. 20 Moon Day. Familiarize yourself with how tidal swings affect bass behavior. August 4 U.S. Coast Guard Day. Study up on boater safety and become a better driver at BoatUS.org. 5 Campfire Day. Stock up on s’mores and share fish tales around a campfire. 26 National Dog Day. Make the most of summer’s dog days by ordering some new UV protective fishing gear and planning a full day out on the lake.…

Located 25 miles north of the Jefferson County hub of Watertown, the village of Clayton, N.Y., plays host to this year’s Minn Kota Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. Though home to around only 5,000 people, Clayton is far from a quiet backwater. This busy river village was voted by readers of USA Today as the top small-town cultural scene in America in both 2022 and 2023, an honor earned by a buzzing lake-life scene replete with bass fishing, diving, kayaking, museums and golf within arm’s reach of the St. Lawrence River. 1534 Year Jacques Cartier sailed into the St. Lawrence River from France 530 Miles in length of the St. Lawrence River…

The images below were submitted by Bassmaster readers, and our antique tackle expert, Rob Pavey, appraises the value of each fascinating find. To submit yours, email editorial@bassmaster.com. Olympic Reel (Japan) Gary Baker, email $30 to $40 These colorful, well-made reels were offered in the 1950s and 1960s by Olympic Tackle Co., which was one of the oldest tackle makers in Japan. The company had a large market share in the surf tackle industry in the ’60s and ’70s. Makinen Wonder Lure Steve Hullum, email $10 to $20 The Wonder Lure was made in the ’40s and ’50s by Makinen Tackle Co. of Kaleva, Mich. It was a plastic lure available in many colors. Makinen made other baits, including the Makilure and Holi-Comet. Creme Worms In Package Terry Dixon, email…

National Top 10 Lakes from the Southeastern Division 1. Lake Murray, South Carolina 2. Fellsmere Reservoir/Stick Marsh/Kenansville Lake, Florida 3. Orange Lake, Florida 4. Lake Okeechobee, Florida 5. Lake Guntersville, Alabama [69,000 acres] The rise of the Big G continues! Although the lake continues to see monumental pressure, it is standing strong, and data shows improvement over last year. For example, an Alabama Bass Trail team derby this past March saw 22 limits top 20 pounds, with the winning team bringing 29.55 to the scales. A Fishers Of Men event held in April was won with 28.16. And a SALT Invitational held in May took 28.18 to win, with the Top 5 teams weighing in more than 25 pounds. So, yes, Guntersville is baaaaack! 6. Jordan Lake, North Carolina [14,000…

“Two of the best to ever make a cast had absolutely zero margin of error and lost to a first-timer.” THINK ABOUT ALL of the veteran anglers on the Bassmaster Elite Series. There’s Brandon Palaniuk, Greg Hackney, Seth Feider, Keith Combs, Chris Zaldain, Steve Kennedy, Mike Iaconelli, Gerald Swindle, Jason Christie and Jacob Powroznik — just to name a few. A little further up the age/experience ladder, there’s Rick Clunn, David Fritts, Mark Menendez and Bernie Schultz. They have centuries of experience and millions of dollars in earnings between them — and when you see their names on the list of competitors for an event, you have to count them among the anglers with a serious chance to take home the $100,000 first-place prize and the heavily coveted Elite Series…

“Both states put a great deal of resources and effort into their black bass programs.” DID YOU KNOW that the best city for being a witch is New York, closely followed by Los Angeles? I’m not sure what sort of data went into creating this list, but I do know I couldn’t care less. The most bicycle-friendly state is Massachusetts. And if you like a cold brewski, Seattle, Wash., is ranked No. 1 for beer lovers (this hits a little closer to home). If you are like me, you love a list, as long as it matters. So, this issue includes a list that matters more than anything else to B.A.S.S. members: our annual ranking of the best bass fisheries in the nation, which, as you will see (p. 16),…

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released a new edition of its Atlas of the Biodiversity of California. The second edition of this 124-page book includes a collection of full-color maps, photographs and written accounts of California’s wildlife species and ecosystems. The atlas was developed using GIS technology to layer data that illustrates the richness and rarity of the state’s flora and fauna to provide a comprehensive overview of the state’s wild areas and their inhabitants. “This atlas represents the best available information on California’s rich diversity of plant and animal species and natural habitats,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This second edition is a beautifully rendered and timely reminder that California’s ecological diversity is special.”…

Bob Lippert Parrish, Fla. Mike Hollenbeck Fort Pierce, Fla. Brady Rogers Cadiz, Ky. Mary Hudnall Lake Baden, N.C. Family Blessings This photo is of my father and my son Noah. Noah had some claim to fame the last few times the Elites were on Champlain. Seth Feider’s big marina catch — “Where’s Noah?” — that was him. He held signs up all over the lake. I gave up fishing tournaments a few years ago. Noah was 4 and wanted to practice. I told him no, as I needed to focus. When I left, he was waiting at the door to wish me luck. That bothered me all morning. My dad was my practice partner. I told him what happened. He calmly said, “Adam, one day you will be asking him…

SRD20 Waterless Wash & Wax $23.99 | srd20.com Features: Specifically designed for boats, this formula quickly and easily cleans and protects gelcoat finishes Simply spray on dirty hull, wipe once to remove dirt or grime and the SiO2 ceramic wax remains as a protective coating Excellent option to clean hard-to-reach areas on console or inside hatches Works well on fiberglass, metal plastic and painted surfaces Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent $13.99 | sawyer.com Features: This is a treatment for your clothes and gear, not to be applied directly to skin Made of odorless permethrin, a successful application will be effective for up to six weeks or six washes Defends against mosquitoes and ticks (handy if you bank fish), as well as chiggers and a host of other biting insects Specifically formulated…

National Top 10 Lakes from the Western Division 1. Clear Lake, California 2. Lake Berryessa, California [20,700 acres] Berryessa has historically been one of the West’s top waters, but it’s been six years since this gem made the top three. Dramatically fluctuating water levels, combined with below-average rainfall, were the likely culprits in the lake’s declining bass fishery. But thanks to improving conditions, Berryessa has reclaimed its reputation. The quality of this destination’s bass was demonstrated at an Angler’s Press Future Pro Tour event in February under tough conditions in which only 18 of 63 teams brought limits to the scales. The top team at that one weighed 30.73 pounds, including a 10.44-pound big bass. 3. Diamond Valley Lake, California [4,500 acres] At less than 100 miles from downtown Los…

Date: July 29, 2022 Venue: Lake Q, a small flatland reservoir Water: 92 degrees, moderately clear Weather: Severe thunderstorms early, gradually clearing; high 84 degrees Pro: Takumi Ito, 36, Chiba, Japan. A nine-year competitive angling veteran in both Japan and the U.S., this is “Taku’s” third season on the Elite Series. He had three consecutive Top 10 finishes in 2020, then three more Top 10 finishes in 2021, including a win at the St. Lawrence River (N.Y.). He’s qualified for two Classics. Boat: Skeeter FXR with 250-horsepower Yamaha outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, Lowrance and Garmin electronics, and twin Power-Pole shallow-water anchors THE BASSMASTER ELITE Series motto is “Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams.” In my view, no angler exemplifies these three ideals better than Takumi “Taku” Ito. Big bass? Ito…

You were a guide on Toledo Bend. What changes did you notice as a guide on one of the most storied bass fisheries in the nation? I feel like I hit Toledo at one of those peak times right when I was starting to guide. It was around 2011 or 2012. I started guiding full time and the lake was amazing. It was full of hydrilla and hay grass, and our big, ocean ponies out there love that. So, I had a great time. But like most lakes, Toledo cycles back and forth and up and down all of the time. So, I have seen it go through a few years where we didn’t have as much cover in the water or as much grass. That made things tougher. Now…

July 8-9 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Mississippi River, Wisconsin 20-22 St. Croix Bassmaster Open, St. Lawrence River, New York 21-22 Bassmaster Junior National Championship, Lake Hartwell, South Carolina 27-30 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite, Lake St. Clair, Michigan 27-29 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Lake Hartwell, South Carolina August 10-12 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, Pickwick Lake, Tennessee 17-20 Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Elite, Lake Champlain, New York 24-27 Minn Kota Bassmaster Elite, St. Lawrence River, New York…

B.A.S.S. fans react to Luke Palmer’s 90-plus-pound win at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes in late April. Marvin Sheehan I was hoping someone would break 100 lbs mark. Love my great memories there. Congratulations young man, job well done. Pete Thacker Congratulations Luke. Great tournament! Good Luck the remainder of the year! Keith Longtin WE visited with him on Harris Lake, very humble and down to earth kid. Chuck Crosby Congratulations on the win in these tough conditions today!…

Is it better to run your motor at full throttle or hold it back some 500 rpm? Is it the same for 2-stroke and 4-stroke outboards? @Shermanator_sr, Instagram Good question, as so many anglers like to go as fast as they can. But here’s the thing: The best fuel economy you get with an outboard is 3/4-throttle, and you’re not giving up that much speed, says Jeff Uetrecht of Lake Drive Marine in Coldwater, Mich. “Three-quarter also gives you the best riding comfort and is an optimal range as far as [minimizing] wear and tear on a motor,” he adds. “All manufacturers will tell you that 3/4-throttle gives you the best all-around performance.” If you feel the need to run wide open, make sure you don’t exceed the maximum rpm…

AT THE DAWN of the 20th century, plug casting was still in its infancy. Most early lures were “artificial minnows” that were simple in design and could be churned out with relative ease. Next in line was the frog, which presented a far greater challenge when it came to building an effective, lifelike lure. After all, they had to swim and kick like their natural namesakes. The quest to “build a better frog” was well underway by 1900. Some inventors chose to keep their frogs simple. Others built elaborate contraptions that would make Rube Goldberg proud. All were proclaimed to catch fish — and many were designed to land fishermen. It’s important to note there are literally hundreds of frog lures of all shapes, sizes and materials that span more…

Water type: Summer patterns on a Northern lake Water temp: Mid- to upper 70s Clarity: 6 to 8 feet Depth: 10 to 30 feet Structure: Rockpiles, reefs, buoys Cover: Docks, bridges Forage: Emerald shiners, smelt, yellow perch, gobies, bluegill Weather: Partly sunny with afternoon clouds increasing Wind/current: South winds 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 mph after noon 1 CURRENT AND OPTIONS Jason Christie Dry Creek, Okla. First move: “Typically, the fish are going to be closer to the deep water,” Christie said. “The spawn is over, so the fish are going to be out in the main part of the lake or river. I’m going to be looking for that 15- to 20-foot range that’s closest to the big water.” Baits/tackle to use: For targeting structure, Christie uses…