Author: jcarrigan

NEW BASSFORCE APP INTERPRETS FISHING’S GREATEST MINDS

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date January 6, 2020
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DALLAS (JAN. 6, 2020) – A group of tournament bass fishing’s greatest minds have collaborated to introduce a powerful new app called BassForce, a virtual command center that interprets existing conditions to provide real time solutions to on-the-spot fishing scenarios.

While BassForce’s technology is called artificial intelligence, there’s nothing artificial about the vast knowledge from which the application software pulls to benefit anglers of all skill levels.

The program’s more than a quarter million data points reflect the personal situational input strategies of nine of pro bass fishing’s finest: Jason Christie, Edwin Evers, Alton Jones, Aaron Martens, Brandon Palaniuk, Skeet Reese, Gerald Swindle, Kevin VanDam and Jacob Wheeler.

This BassForce team represents nearly 200 years of combined on-the-water experience, whose collective truckload of trophies from across the country speaks volumes about their proven abilities to quickly size-up waters to produce effective patterns for the conditions at hand.

“One constant in bass fishing is, it’s always changing,” said Alton Jones, the Texas-based longtime pro who spawned the development of the app out of his own frustrations. “For example, anyone who’s fished much has witnessed a strong bite evaporate in a blink of the eye. Was it because the bass got stubborn, simply turned off or moved altogether?

“Whatever the reason or challenge, it seems someone always makes the right adjustments to catch them and that’s what this app is all about. It’s kinda like having KVD, Christie and the other guys right there in the boat with you to coach through the big decisions,” he said.

BassForce’s technology provides a computer science approach to predicting the best solutions to the seemingly endless possible fishing combinations by matching the pros’ proven experiences for success to the specific conditions the app user is facing.

“My most common questions at seminars are the ‘what if” kind,” explained Oklahoma pro Jason Christie. “What if the water is falling fast, or what if a cold front hits on tournament day, or what if the bass are striking short? And sometimes it’s the same thing I find myself wondering … what are the other guys doing right now to catch them? BassForce pulls from a wealth of knowledge to help deliver a lot of right answers.”

And BassForce is easy to use regardless of app experience. A series of prompts guide the way through the selections – including fish stage, water, cover and weather (current or forecasted weather for the location can be imported) conditions – based on what’s being experienced at the time. A summary view allows a quick check of entered information, and it all can be saved and named for later reference anytime with a single click.

Jones said BassForce is a tool that can get anglers in to a fish-catching zone quickly with what to do, right down to specific lure brands, models and colors to use. He cited a recent Lake Falcon (Texas) outing to make his point.

“I was fishing standing timber and catching a few quality bass on YUM soft plastics when I decided to see what the other BassForce pros had to offer.

“Aaron Martens recommended a flutter spoon, which surprised me for this setting and compelled me to try it. Sure enough, the spoon delivered right away and produced one of my biggest bass of the trip,” Jones said.

BassForce is available in two subscription options, either standard or premium. Standard provides access to one pro of choice, at a cost of $9.99 per month. A premium subscription gives total access to all nine BassForce pros, and costs $19.99 per month.

With the premium subscription, the user gets the Top 5 lure recommendations for each pro and also includes the Premium Match function. Premium Match shows the consensus lure choice among all of the BassForce pros, providing yet another way to get dialed in really fast on particular situations.

“No doubt BassForce shortens the learning curve for all bass anglers, and it can also definitely get a lot more of us thinking outside of the box,” offered Kevin VanDam. “I take great pride in learning something new every time I’m on the water, and many times it comes in the form of a lesson by what another pro did to catch them when I wasn’t … there’s no shame in learning. We’re constantly evolving, tweaking and changing our game plans because that’s the nature of our sport.”

On that note, both standard and premium BassForce subscribers have access to the app’s innovative Game Plan feature, which allows users to customize their fishing plans for the day according to pro input and available lure option information.

BassForce is available now to IOS devices, but also coming soon to Android. For more information about the app’s pros, features and technology, visit BassForceFishing.com.

The National Angler

IT’S STARTING – ANGLERS ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE MLF/FLW MERGER

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date December 9, 2019
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IT’S STARTING – ANGLERS ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE MLF/FLW MERGER

Looking back at last year you could see that a lot of anglers were not happy about the new style of professional fishing. MLF went away from the norm and went for a format that is better for the fish and also the tournament anglers. MLF also took a majority of the BASS Elite Series anglers with the start of the Bass Pro Tour (BPT) and that upset some of the diehard BASS followers. The events at MLF events also took a big hit when it came to criticism, not drawing the crowds. The post day follows broadcasted live also didn’t live up to the hype and were subsequently dropped after the first couple of stages for just the final.

Change is inevitable and people just don’t like it. However, the change was welcomed by the tournament pro’s that jumped over to the BPT. No entry fees and better conditions for the fish by not having to drag them around all day in a live well. Some of the professional anglers spoke out against the fans who were not supportive of the new format and were pretty blunt when it came down to the fact, they don’t care. I thought one of the pro’s responses was a little cocky and arrogant, but that was his opinion. Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one.

To top it off, the merger of MLF and FLW also upset some of the same ones that didn’t like the format. I’m not going to bore you; the article is on the home page. MLF is trying when the brought on the “Heavy Hitters” tournament and I don’t even think that was enough to calm the fans.

Several guys put in a lot of time and money to qualify for a championship tournament that paid $10k for just showing up and the potential for a life changing 1st place prize of $300k. These guys qualified for the FLW Cup only to be told that MLF/FLW would not honor their end of the deal. These guys worked hard chasing their dream and spending money only to have the door to that dream slammed shut in their face. Sadly, a company owned by millionaires and billionaires will not honor their agreement to these anglers! These anglers should be allowed to participate in the FLW title championship on the St. Lawrence River in August since it took the place of the Cup. Help me show these companies that the grassroots fishing community is more than just a revenue stream to fill their pockets!

Making ItRight Tweet

Here is the link to the petition: http://bit.ly/2s9csoU

You make your decision, but I’m going to share one final thought on this. In the professional fishing world “WHO” is the most important person or entity? It’s the fan, not the professional anglers, not the tournaments themselves, not the companies that support or produce. It’s the FAN WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT in the situation. The fans are the ones spending the money to make this world work and without the fans, you have nothing. That is what everyone needs to be thinking about, what’s best for the fan?

Semper Fish,

Joe, The National Angler

CHECK OUT THE HOTTEST SELLING TACKLE OF 2019

Major League Fishing - Bass Pro Tour/Cup Events

MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING RESPONDS TO 5 FISH FANS WITH “HEAVY HITTERS” OR DID THEY?

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date December 3, 2019
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Major League Fishing announces an original tournament, “Heavy Hitters,” on the Kissimmee Chain Lakes in Kissimmee, Florida, May 16-20, 2020 featuring nearly three- quarters of a million dollars in event payouts. This special event, the first of its kind, extends the Bass Pro Tour to nine events. The Bass Pro Tour began in 2019 and features 80 of the best professional anglers in the world, including Kevin VanDam, Edwin Evers, Aaron Martens, Mike Iaconelli, Jordan Lee, and Skeet Reese.

To qualify for Heavy Hitters, the weight of an angler’s single largest bass from each of the first five Stages of the Bass Pro Tour will be recorded. For example, if an angler’s heaviest fish in Stage One is 7 pounds; in Stage Two, 5 pounds; in Stage Three, 9 pounds; in Stage Four 8 pounds; and in Stage Five 6 pounds, that angler’s qualifying weight will be 35 pounds. The 30 anglers from the 80-angler field of the Bass Pro Tour with the highest cumulative weight across five stages earn a spot to compete in MLF’s Heavy Hitters.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to experiment with formats so we can discover new ways to present the sport of competitive bass fishing,” remarked Jim Wilburn, President and CEO of Major League Fishing. “As a young, angler-centric league, MLF strives to take notice of what’s happening in our industry and invent entertaining events that both teach trusted techniques from the best anglers in the world and invite new fans to the sport.”

The five-day tournament format will parallel REDCREST, featuring a 30-angler Shotgun Round (day one) and a 30-angler Elimination Round (day two). The top 20 anglers at the end of the two-day total qualify into a Knockout Round (days three and four). The top five anglers from each of days three and four will qualify into the 10-angler Championship Round (day five). Scorable bass vary each round. Shotgun and Elimination Rounds will score 1 pound or higher. For the Knockout Round, Major League Fishing will test a 2-pound minimum for scorable bass. In the Championship Round, MLF will test a t3-pound minimum on scorable bass on the Kissimmee Chain Lakes.

The full field of 30 anglers will receive a minimum payout of $6,000 and the tournament winner will earn $100,000. In addition to the championship purse, anglers will have the opportunity to earn a daily bonus for their biggest bass of the day based on the following graduating scale: Day One $25,000; Day Two $25,000; Day Three $50,000; Day Four $50,000; Day Five (Championship Day) $100,000. The five-day payout totals $745,000 for MLF Heavy Hitters.

Major League Fishing will live stream Heavy Hitters from Kissimmee, Fla. and produce original programming for Discovery as a part of the Bass Pro Tour television lineup.

Stage Five moves to Grand Lake
With the addition of MLF Heavy Hitters, Stage Five of the Bass Pro Tour will move to Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees, April 24-29, 2019, launching from the Wolf Creek Boat Ramp in Grove, Okla. Each stage of the Bass Pro Tour includes six days of competition using the Major League Fishing, catch-weigh-and-immediately-release format, where every bass over 1 pound counts toward a cumulative weight total for the day. The field of 80 anglers is divided into two groups of 40 to compete on days one and two respectively for the Shotgun Round. On days three and four, the Elimination Round culls the field based on a combined two-day total weight from each angler’s Shotgun and Elimination Round. The top 20 anglers from each group in the Elimination Round (40 total) advance to the Knockout Round on day five, which determines who will compete on that final day, the Championship Round, for the Stage title and $100,000.

The National Angler

BREAKING – POWER-POLE CHARGE AND GATEWAY NOW AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date November 14, 2019
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CHARGE and GATEWAY now available nationwide

TAMPA, FL – The next evolution in Total Boat Control is now available to the public from JL Marine Systems, Inc., maker of Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchors. The CHARGE Marine Power Management Station and C-Monster GATEWAY will be available from authorized Power-Pole dealers and online at power-pole.com on November 22, 2019.

CHARGE Marine Power Management

The CHARGE is the most advanced power management system available that does the work of three devices — a traditional battery charger, a charge-on-the-run and an emergency start system–all in one compact unit. CHARGE monitors power use and puts power where it’s needed most — a feat no other battery charger system can accomplish.

CHARGE is the first bi-directional power management system that has the ability to move power from battery to battery. CHARGE manages your cranking and trolling motor batteries by taking power and moving it to where it’s needed. The CHARGE Marine Power Management Station gives you power where, how and when you need it.

JL Marine vice president Robert Shamblin: “One of the key components of having total boat control is the power you have on board. Being able to see exactly where your power levels are is essential to making decisions on the water. It allows you to know how much time you can run your trolling motor which is key to spending more time on the water and ultimately catching more fish. If you run out of power you’ll have to go home early.”

“As a marine manufacturing company, we are trying to solve problems on the water. Total boat control means managing your power consumption and how that power is distributed to all of the products that are vital for boaters throughout the day.”

JL Marine national sales manager Dan Benson: “We can’t wait to have these products on the shelves of our nearly 2,000 dealers nationwide. The CHARGE represents a major expansion of the company and like our Shallow Water Anchors, we will stand behind this product with the same level of service our customers have come to expect.”

Features:

• Automatically moves power back and forth between cranking and trolling batteries

• Displays battery voltage and status data on your smartphone, Power-Pole Vision, SIMRAD or Lowrance MFD unit (requires CM2 GATEWAY).

• Complete battery maintenance – uses float mode when plugged in at home

• Charges on the run from the alternator while the motor is running

• Works with all battery types – lead acid, AGM, GEL, lithium or TPPL

• Built-in emergency power transfer feature

C-Monster GATEWAY

The C-Monster GATEWAY lets you harness the power of the C-Monster 2.0 network to connect, customize and control your boat’s Power-Pole accessories like the CHARGE Marine Power Management Station using your existing devices such as the Lowrance or Simrad MFDs.

The GATEWAY allows for immediate adoption of the wireless CM2 protocol by existing devices currently using NMEA2000 technology. Keeping your boat up-to-date with the latest technology is as simple as adding your new GATEWAY-enabled devices to the network.

Shamblin: “The GATEWAY puts all of the vital information about your Power-Pole products on the devices that you are already using. It’s another way to make your time on the water a little easier.”

Features:

· Compatible with Lowrance and Simrad MFDs and other third-party devices

· Enables C-Monster functionality on existing accessories

· Instantly connect new accessories with the touch of a button

· Seamlessly integrates multiple systems to maximize efficiency

About JL Marine Systems, Inc.

JL Marine Systems, Inc. is the Tampa, Florida-based manufacturer of Power-PoleShallow Water Anchors. With a complete line of hydraulic plus the all-electric Micro, Power-Pole anchors are perfect for all small skiffs, bass boats, flats boats, bay boats, kayaks and more. Power-Pole anchors are distributed via more than 1500 dealerships throughout the US. Visit www.power-pole.com to find a local dealer.

BASSMASTER Elite Series/Opens

B.A.S.S. ANNOUNCES NEW NATIONAL TOURNAMENT SERIES FOR KAYAK ANGLERS

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date November 14, 2019
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November 14, 2019B.A.S.S. Announces New National Tournament Series For Kayak AnglersBIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

The popularity of kayak fishing is at an all-time high, just one of the reasons B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing organization, has formed a new tournament trail aimed specifically at kayaking enthusiasts.

Today, B.A.S.S. officials announced the schedule for the inaugural Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia. The trail will feature five regular-season events in 2020 on well-known bass fisheries across the country with a championship to be held in conjunction with the 2021 Academy Outdoors + Sports Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

“You don’t have to look very hard these days to find a kayak in the bed of a truck or strapped to the roof of a SUV,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “People are bass fishing from kayaks all over the world — and they’re doing it everywhere from big lakes and rivers to small creeks and ponds.

“With this new trail, we wanted to give those anglers an opportunity to show what they can do from a small craft.”

The inaugural tournament will be held in conjunction with the 50th edition of the Bassmaster Classic on Logan Martin Lake in Pell City, Ala., on March 5. Classic competition kicks-off on nearby Lake Guntersville the next morning. Other events will be held on Lake Fork in Lake Fork Marina, Texas (March 14), Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, Tenn. (May 23), the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis. (Aug. 15) and Clear Lake in Lakeport, Calif. (Aug. 29).

Entry fees for all of the events will be $250, and each will pay 30 places. Based on a full field of 150 kayaks, the total purse for each event will be $30,000.

“Huk is proud to work with B.A.S.S. on this exciting new tournament series designed to push the limits of kayak fishing,” said Melinda Hays, Freshwater Community Manager for Huk. “Bass fishing is an integral part of our DNA here at Huk and we endeavor to inspire anglers to explore their home waters by kayak.”

In addition to title sponsor Huk and presenting sponsor Abu Garcia, the kayak series is partnering with Old Town for the inaugural season.

“Abu Garcia is always looking for a way to connect with passionate anglers,” said Jon Schlosser, VP of marketing for Abu Garcia. “With so many people fishing for bass from kayaks now, this was the perfect partnership, allowing our brand to help serve a growing segment in the sportfishing community.”

Instead of a standard weigh-in that uses scales to measure pounds and ounces, anglers will practice “catch, photograph and release” to determine the standings.

When an angler catches a bass, he or she will photograph the fish lying on a standard-issue measuring board and submit the photo through a special mobile app provided by TourneyX. The boards will measure each fish in inches down to a quarter of an inch, and the angler with the longest five-bass limit will win.

“There will be certain criteria for the photograph to be deemed a valid photograph,” B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart said. “It will have to show the fish’s nose touching a certain part of the board and the fish’s tail touching a line. It will also have to show the identifying mark on the board that is specific to that tournament.”

Once the photograph is submitted via the TourneyX app, a tournament director and judges will deem them legal or not and enter an official length. A real-time leaderboard will be available online during the tournament until an hour before weigh-in.

“This is pretty standard procedure for kayak tournament fishing,” Stewart said. “In fact, most tournament trails use this very same app when hosting kayak events.”

The Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series Championship will be held in conjunction with the 2021 Bassmaster Classic at a site to be determined. The top finishers from the kayak season will be recognized during Classic festivities.

“It’s just one more opportunity for bass anglers,” Stewart said. “That’s what we’re all about.”

Registration is now open online at https://ssl.palmcoastd.com/app/bass/registration/kayak/2020. Anglers must be a B.A.S.S. member to sign up.

2020 Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia

March 5, Lake Logan Martin, Pell City, Ala.

March 14, Lake Fork, Lake Fork Marina, Texas

May 23, Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn.

Aug. 15, Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.

Aug. 29, Clear Lake, Lakeport, Calif.

The National Angler

CALLING ALL WOMEN ANGLERS – JOIN THE LARGEST MOVEMENT IN FISHING TODAY

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date November 14, 2019
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The internet and social media have allowed a new wave of anglers to step up into the spotlight and shine. People from all walks of life now have the ability to share their knowledge and passion with the world and they are steadily influencing more and more. One of those growing groups influencing the fishing world is women. I’m watching a surge in women starting fishing careers, from blogs, YouTube channels, Instagram, and PodCasts. They are a growing population of anglers that will inspire the future and ensure the future of fishing.

I had the pleasure to meet one impressive woman angler this year at the Bassmaster Classic, Angie Scott of The Woman Angler & Adventurer. There are so many strong personalities in the fishing world and being new myself, it was pleasant to meet someone that was so kind. I didn’t know it, but that morning I made a new friend in a similar position as myself. It’s now great to have someone in the same shoes as myself and have the ability to bounce ideas off of and provide a perspective that I may not have. Angie truly represents the embodiment of women in the fishing world and she is leading the charge of building women in the industry.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Angie start full-time in her fishing career and adventures. The growth she has helped develop in such a short time is remarkable. Blessed with the opportunity to represent Qwest Pontoons this year, she took full advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate what women bring to the table in the fishing industry well. You also have to check out the Qwest Pontoons for yourself!

Click here to visit Qwest Pontoons

Angie and her cohort Capt. Barb Carey run a great podcast and provide a great environment in a Facebook Group that supports women anglers at all levels. If you haven’t already, the podcast is a must to listen to and I think you will hands down, find them informative, supporting, and motivational. Angie definitely has a knack for the podcast world and her voice provides a great atmosphere for all.

Get the latest podcast here and thank me later! https://thewomanangler.com/blogs/the-woman-angler/ep-86-redfish-roadie-bonus-rollin-in-the-minivan

Join “The Woman Angler” Facebook group here and see just how many women share the passion for fishing!

Click here https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewomanangler/

THE FUTURE

I’m not a betting person, but I’m confident to say the women anglers are the future of the sport for many reasons. They will easily provide new insight into the fishing business world. They will lead the next generation of anglers from kids, partners, husbands, and friends. Women will undoubtedly be the future of fishing from tournaments, content, and business. I look forward to seeing you all grow and the success that follows.

Semper Fish!

Joe, The National Angler

Major League Fishing - Bass Pro Tour/Cup Events

BASS FISHING LEGENDS FISH THE MLF FORMAT IN OUTDOOR CHANNEL SPECIAL PREMIER

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date November 7, 2019
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Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019 (Tulsa, Okla.) General Tire Major League Legends presented by Bass Pro Shops premieres on Outdoor Channel on Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m. ET. This one-hour special pairs bass fishing legends Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin, and Johnny Morris with Major League Fishing (MLF) Pros Edwin Evers, Ott DeFoe, Timmy Horton, and Kevin VanDam to test their skills using the MLF tournament format as seen on the Bass Pro Tour.

The action unfolds through the MLF catch, weigh, release format in which every fish, weighing at least 16 ounces, counts and culminating in a two-period, one-day weight total. Using SCORETRACKER® fans and anglers alike keep track of the changing field as each fish shifts the leader board in real-time until the clock runs down at the end of Period 2.

Viewers get an inside look into the relationships that form over years on the bass fishing tournament trails as legends and pros share stories, as well as a little tournament trash talk, while they compete for bragging rights, a trophy, and a pair of Tracker Off-Road ATVs.

Angler/Co-Angler pairings fell as follows: MLF Pro Kevin VanDam (25-time major winner) and Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris; MLF Pro Timmy Horton (six-time major winner) paired with Roland Martin, 19-time major winner; MLF Pro Ott DeFoe (seven-time major winner) and Jimmy Houston, Bass Fishing Hall of Famer; and MLF Pro Edwin Evers (13-time major winner) paired with Bill Dance, the first superstar of bass fishing.

General Tire Major League Legends presented by Bass Pro Shops will premiere on Outdoor Channel on Friday, Nov. 15, 7-8 p.m. ET with re-airs Saturday, Nov. 16, 4-5 p.m. ET and Sunday, Nov. 17, 7-8 a.m. ET.

Major League Fishing - Bass Pro Tour/Cup Events

MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING ANNOUNCES 2020 BASS PRO TOUR SCHEDULE

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date October 31, 2019
No Comments on MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING ANNOUNCES 2020 BASS PRO TOUR SCHEDULE

By Major League Fishing – October 31, 2019

Tulsa, Okla. – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the 2020 Bass Pro Tour schedule and locations. A collection of eight Stages, the Bass Pro Tour 2020 season will begin Feb. 7 on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Ala. and conclude on Jul. 26 on Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vt.

“This schedule is stocked with great fisheries and destinations,” remarked Michael Mulone, Senior Director of Events of Major League Fishing. “Working with the MLF angler advisory board and these outstanding community hosts, we have built an exciting 2020 schedule that will most benefit our fans.”

The Bass Pro Tour began in 2019 and features 80 of the best professional anglers in the world, including Kevin VanDam, Edwin Evers, Aaron Martens, Mike Iaconelli, Jordan Lee, and Skeet Reese. Each Stage includes six days of competition using the Major League Fishing, catch-weigh-and-immediately-release format, where every bass over 1 pound counts toward a cumulative weight total for the day.

The field of 80 anglers is divided into two groups of 40 to compete on days one and two, respectively, for the Shotgun Round. On days three and four, the Elimination Round culls the field based on a combined two-day total weight from each angler’s Shotgun and Elimination Round. The top 20 anglers from each group in the Elimination Round (40 total) advance to the Knockout Round on day five, which determines the final 10 who will compete on that final day, the Championship Round, for the Stage title and $100,000.

In addition to the economic impact on a host community, Major League Fishing showcases the region through their award-winning, live and linear programming. Each Stage of the Bass Pro Tour is broadcast live on the Major League Fishing app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), and MajorLeagueFishing.com, totaling more than 325 hours of original programming. Fans can follow the fast-paced nature of the MLF format as it unfolds on the live leaderboard through SCORETRACKER® updates.

Highlights from each Stage of the 2020 Bass Pro Tour will air on Discovery Network beginning in July 2020 and Sportsman Channel in early 2021.

“MLF offers the strongest broadcast presence in the industry to fans and sponsors,” said Jim Wilburn, President and CEO of Major League Fishing. “And with these lakes planned for this coming Bass Pro Tour, we know 2020 will be our best year yet as we continue to capture a broad audience of both longtime fishing fans and those new to the sport, thanks to our fast-paced, fan-friendly format.”

About Major League Fishing

Founded in 2011, Major League Fishing (MLF) brings the high-intensity sport of competitive bass fishing into America’s living rooms on Outdoor Channel, Discovery, CBS, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, Sportsman Channel, and on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). The Bass Pro Tour consists of eight events and a championship streamed live on www.MajorLeagueFishing.com and MOTV.

MLF recently announced an agreement to acquire Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), which expands their portfolio to include the largest grassroots fishing organization, including the strongest five-fish format professional bass fishing tour, the FLW Pro Circuit (formerly FLW Tour), as well as the FLW Series, FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL), and high school and college tournament circuits. For more information on the league and anglers, visit www.MajorLeagueFishing.com and follow MLF on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The National Angler

2019 FISHING HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date October 28, 2019
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Welcome to the 2019 Fishing Holiday Gift Guide

Sometime shopping for our loved ones and friends can be very stressful. We all have those family and friends who are not helpful, say they don’t want anything, or just flat out refuse to give ideas. The National Angler, has made that easy for anyone with an angler in the family or friends circle. The National Angler, has put together some of the most popular and newest fishing items on the market today

HOOK + GAFF SPORTFISHER BLACK

Designed with hardcore anglers in mind, the Sportfisher Black is built to be the ultimate sport watch during all hours of the day and night. The Sportfisher Black utilizes H3 technology to provide 24-hour illumination of the dial’s hour markers and hands — meaning that anglers can head out before dawn and don’t have to stop adventuring when the sun sets.

The trigalight® glass tubes manufactured by mb-microtec in Switzerland create luminosity that leads the way during offshore pursuits at any time of day. As any angler knows, comfort is key. That’s why Hook + Gaff intentionally placed the crown on the left side of the dial, minimizing wrist irritation when you’re reeling in reds or scoping birds from a blind. The left-side crown placement is unique — in fact, Hook + Gaff is the only watch out there that’s taken this step to improve wrist comfort. And not only is this performance-driven watch a force that can withstand the harsh elements included on a day in the water, but its black-on-black design offers a sleek, clean look.

CHECK OUT THESE TOP SELLING LURES FOR ANY ANGLER!

Fish Hippie Sherms Run Performance Button Down

From hunting and fishing, to work and leisure, the Sherms Run Performance button down is designed to take you from day to night, plugging into your everyday agenda. Designed as the ultimate performance sports shirt, the Sherms Run Performance button down starts with a quick dry 60% nylon-40% polyester blend fabric with a comfortable, silky smooth finish. The Sherms Run Performance button down is full of technical features including articulated sleeves for long days casting and reaching for gear, stain resistant coating, hidden button down collar, double chest pockets and built-in sunglass cleaner in the bottom hem. While built for performance, these shirts feature stylish patterns and a modern cut so that it can easily be worn as a sports shirt at work or under a sports jacket for an evening out.

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Fish Hippie Sherms Run Performance Button Down

Power Pole Micro Anchor

Big things come in small packages. The Power-Pole Micro-Anchor is the only all-electric shallow water anchor, designed specifically for fishing in small vessels. When you’re getting up close and personal to your target on the water in your kayak, paddleboard or Jon boat, there’s nothing better to have on-board. The Power-Pole Micro Anchor features an ultra-compact design to easily fasten on your small craft, but delivers the same big stopping power with a silent and secure hold as all other Power-Pole anchors.

CHECK OUT THESE TOP SELLING REELS FOR ANY ANGLER!

SpiiderGriip™ The most secure phone grip available

SpiiderGriip™ is the most secure grip available, giving you freedom to take your phone wherever you go with no fear of dropping it! This revolutionary device accessory gives you peace of mind to get the most out of you phone without fear of slipping, dropping or breaking. For many anglers, this is huge when bringing your electronics out on the water.

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SpiiderGriip™ The most secure phone grip available

Bote’s Aero Chair

The chair–seemingly unchanged for decades, has been reimagined. Meet the most portable, storable, lightweight, and comfortable chair around – the patent-pending Aero Chair. Yep, it’s inflatable. When deflated, it folds up to fit into the most compact of spaces. Add air, and in seconds it becomes a fully functional throne fit for well… everyone. Designed to sit low to the ground, the chair is perfect for relaxing on the sand, floating on your boat, hanging at a tailgate or just chillin’ on the back deck. Gone are the days of rusty hinges, moldy beanbags, and rotted netting. Grab a few Aero Chairs and update your outdoor seating experience.

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CHECK OUT THESE TOP SELLING RODS FOR ANY ANGLER!

Duckett Fishing’s Jacob Wheeler Series

Designed, tested, and proven by Bass Pro Tour standout, Jacob Wheeler, the Duckett Jacob Wheeler Series Casting Rodshave been carefully developed with Jacob’s input to capture the exact properties he demands on the water. Built using Duckett’s exclusive Sensi-Touch blanks, which utilize high quality, multi-modulus pre-pegs, the Duckett Jacob Wheeler Series Casting Rods are halo-sanded to achieve a lightweight construction that is rich in strength and sensitivity.

Perfectly balanced to reduce fatigue throughout a long day of competition, the Duckett Jacob Wheeler Series Casting Rods are fitted with proprietary Kigan Artus 316ss ring lock guides with hyper-lite braid proof inserts. Additionally, a semi-conventional guide train provides added strength and durability.

Creating a seamless connection between rod and angler, the Duckett Jacob Wheeler Series Casting Rods are fitted with grooved EVA grips that enhance comfort and traction in all conditions. Finished with proprietary True Split reel seats for better blank to hand transmission, the Duckett Jacob Wheeler Series Casting Rods utilize the very best that Duckett has to offer, plus input from one of the best professional anglers on tour.

Duckett Fishing’s Jacob Wheeler Series

frogg toggs® Pilot PRO ™ Jacket & Bib

The Pilot PRO™ premium rain gear jacket and bib from frogg toggs® elevates performance with the exclusive all-new DriPore Gen2 PLUS® technology providing extreme levels of comfort and performance in any environment taking water holdout to over 15,000mm and breathability to all-new heights at over 20,000 MVTR. These ultra-high performance levels of waterproofness and breathability ensure that you stay comfortable and competitive in any conditions you may face.

MLF BIG-5

BREAKING – 2020 FLW SERIES AND T-H MARINE BFL DETAILS, SCHEDULES, ENTRY DATES, AND ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Post author By jcarrigan
Post date October 24, 2019
No Comments on BREAKING – 2020 FLW SERIES AND T-H MARINE BFL DETAILS, SCHEDULES, ENTRY DATES, AND ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

This is the information that we have all been waiting for since the merger of FLW and MLF. As promised they have delivered the schedules and fees associated. It’s actually really nice to see the grassroots fees have gone down. However, I still have concerns at the top of FLW and how those anglers will take the transition to the merged format. The next thing that I’m waiting for is the angler shake-ups that should be coming soon!

October 24, 2019 by FLW & MLF Communications

Major League Fishing (MLF) and Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) announced today the expanded 2020 FLW Series and T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL) details, schedules, rules, entry fees and payouts, highlighted by lower entry fees in both circuits and an expanded FLW Series schedule, along with upping the FLW Series Championship payout to $200,000 for first place and adding a $10,000 bonus for the highest-finishing pro from each of the eight U.S. FLW Series divisions and the International Division.

The 2020 FLW Series season will consist of three events in eight divisions, up from five divisions in 2019. Anglers that fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee FLW Series Championship for a shot at winning $200,000 cash, plus lucrative contingency bonuses. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a $30,000 17-foot bass boat with a 115-hp outboard. The new win-and-you’re-in format guarantees that anglers are never out of contention to qualify for the Championship, too. Fish all three qualifiers in a division and win a tournament, and they’ll be on their way to the championship. FLW Series entry fees have been reduced to $1,700 for pros and $550 for co-anglers per tournament, while top payouts in each event remain $40,000 for pros and a $30,000 17-foot bass boat with a 115-hp outboard for co-anglers. As field sizes increase, so do payouts, with top awards reaching $65,000 for pros and $35,000 for co-anglers at 260 boats, and awards of $2,000 for pros and $550 for co-anglers extending through 65th place.

MLF and FLW are also rolling back entry fees in the BFL to give grassroots anglers – the heart and soul of the bass fishing community – the best payouts at the lowest cost available anywhere. Entry fees are now just $200 per boater and $100 per co-angler for one-day qualifiers and $300 per boater and $150 per co-angler for two-day Super Tournaments – the lowest levels since 2014. While entry fees have been lowered, BFL payouts remain the same as 2019, with boaters fishing for top awards of $6,000 plus contingency bonuses in each one-day qualifier and $9,000 plus contingency bonuses in each two-day Super Tournament. Co-anglers fish for top awards of $3,000 plus contingency bonuses in each one-day qualifier and $4,500 plus contingency bonuses in each two-day Super Tournament. Anglers also have the opportunity to qualify for six no-entry-fee Regional championships with top awards of $60,000 for boaters and $50,000 for co-anglers, a no-entry-fee Wild Card regional, the no-entry-fee All-American with top awards of $100,000 for the boater and $50,000 for the co-angler, and even the FLW Series Championship with top awards of $200,000 for the pro/boater and $30,000 for the co-angler.

“Major League Fishing was founded by tournament anglers, so we are an angler-driven league,” said Boyd Duckett,MLF co-founder and board director. “We respect and value the loyal FLW Series and BFL anglers, and we are very excited to announce the enhancements to what was already the best grassroots organization on the planet. I am confident that the anglers will be extremely satisfied with both the FLW Series and BFL circuits moving forward.”

The BFL is the stepping-stone to the FLW Series, which is now the pathway to the new 150-angler FLW Pro Circuit and ultimately MLF’s Bass Pro Tour, where 80 of the world’s top pros compete with no entry fees. The FLW Series and BFL also put anglers in front of the sport’s largest fan base, with coverage on FLWFishing.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter reaching more than 1 million fans each month.

Earlier this month, MLF announced an agreement to acquire FLW. This deal, which brings together the largest grassroots organization in the world with the best pro anglers in the world, is expected to close in the coming days.

“It’s the best of both worlds for FLW anglers – what you’ve come to know and expect from FLW, now with the power of Major League Fishing behind us,” said Kathy Fennel, FLW President of Operations. “We are proud of the fact that no other organization offers higher rewards for lower entry fees.”

CLICK HERE – 2020 FLW Series schedule, entry fee and payout information

CLICK HERE – 2020 T-H Marine Bass Fishing League schedule, entry fee and payout information