RETIRING from KGF means more fishing with this guy…

The next two days you have a chance to experience the 30th annual Bass-A-Thon at Anglers Marine, in Anaheim. It is one of the most intense (and enjoyable) two days of seminars, tackle exhibitions and boat and gear sales anywhere. Click here.

I am going to be there tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 19) to celebrate those 30 years and also renew acquaintances with some of the all-timers such as Rick Clunn, Jimmy Houston and Shaw Grigsby. But also on hand will be a former California #1 bass angler Chris Zaldain and Arizona’s Johnny Johnson, 2016 U.S. Open champion.

When you throw in all the cool products displayed, the great group of anglers sharing stories and the palate-pleasing truck from (more…)

Who doesn’t like a re-release? Say, the Beatles, “Love Me Do” in ’62 and back again to #1 in ’64?

Or, so appropriate to the Halloween season, how about Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash,” first released in 1962 and then again in 1970 and 1973. Heck, I still smile when I hear: “The Coffin Bangers were about to arrive with their vocal group, the Crypt-Kicker 5.”

So I guess, that’s how Rebel Lures must feel as well.

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TEN-FOOT RODS will soon be on the market.

STORY UPDATED, 10-15–With the announcement of a new standard in rod length for B.A.S.S. competition–to a full 10 feet–there has been a lot of speculation as to what impact it will have on fishing and on the rod market. But here is a little added perspective.

“Tule dipping” preceded flipping, bass tournaments and long rod pitching. It was unrestrained and practical (even commercial). But it was not a “rod and reel” technique. Dipping rods were fiberglass poles with the line attached at the tip. There were no reels, no casting–just six feet of heavy line and often, a jig.

When Dee Thomas and partner Frank Hauck were thrashing the competition in the early days of team fishing in California, the push back from the competition was to ban the pair because of their tackle advantage. Instead, wiser heads prevailed asking Thomas and his corporate alter-ego, David Myers of Fenwick, to find the “the shortest length rod” that was still effective. (more…)

HOW GOOD it looked in 2011.

Pictures sometimes say so much more than a requiem and having stopped at the West Marina this morning, I think three photos pretty much sum up the progression–or demise of the unique, natural setting that is Lake Elsinore.

Sadly, it’s taking its last breaths.

We remember (sort of) the record rain at the end of 2010 and early 2011 (photo at left). But since that time, even with more than 4 million gallons of reclaimed water pouring in daily, evaporation has nearly sucked the basin dry.

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I think most know while I have lots of opinions, I don’t venture out unless consequences of keeping silent are just too great. That’s why I’m asking you to take a moment and read the info on the included link and sign a petition-for and in behalf of both black bass and striped bass as now reside in the California Delta. Check it out here, please.

I know humankind has pretty much lost its way when it comes to “fixing” the world. No, neither largemouth bass nor stripers were here when Adam and Eve got kicked out of the Garden of Eden, (more…)

MORE LONG and dry ramps predicted…

Grateful for the heavy precipitation in the northern half of the state this winter, it’s now time to trash your hope chest (or maybe not?) NOAA is dishing up nothing but mixed reviews for the coming winter, leading to that old axiom, “Hope for the best, but expect the worst.”

Latest El Niño report is not convincing. It says a Niña Watch is in effect as sea temperatures are going bad as it relates to SoCal precipitation (at least as those conditions tend to offer us some of the wettest winters. Pulling from the latest report:

“Collectively, these atmospheric and oceanic anomalies reflect a transition from El Niño to ENSO-neutral conditions,” which most of us could figure (more…)

Saved some sick days, did you? Took one last week to get the boat inspected and tagged. That’s kind of how things stand today [May 17] on the eve of the reopening of Diamond Valley Lake’s launching facilities, tomorrow morning [May 18]. After more than a year of low water, the wet winter in NorCal has led to enough water transfers our way to store enough to make the lake fishable again. So hello, DVL!

And there will be quite a fuss associated with the lake being back on line for boats that meet the standards–including being clean and dry from any ventures to other waters where the dreaded quagga lurks. (more…)

Tournament numbers appear static in the West.

While I don’t want to label the future of western tournament fishing as contracted, you don’t have to be a behavioral scientist to see some old patterns emerging in tournament participation.

Even with the extraordinary hype leading up to the 2016 season, the new flashy websites and the addition of television coverage, the only circuit (FLW Costa Series) with more than a regional end game is the one struggling to make a good showing.

We’ll know a bit more when that circuit hits the popular Clear Lake in mid April, but the tepid number of 125 pros (more…)

Proving there may be hope for any tournament angler willing to maintain the key elements required for success: fitness, experience, preparation, observation and confidence, Rick Clunn’s 15th career Bassmaster win in Florida is trending heavily right now. And who doesn’t like it when a legend seemingly rises from the dead? (more…)