Charity Bass Fishing Tournament in Redwater, Texas

Participating in a bass fishing tournament is always a lot of fun; however the Redwater Charity Bass Tournament, scheduled for April 12, will be even more rewarding because the proceeds will support the Redwater Volunteer Fire Department. Volunteer firefighters risk their lives for only one reason, to help out their neighbor. If you are a bass fisherman and live near Northeast Texas, you should check it out. The tournament will take place on Intake Hill on Wright-Patman Lake near Texarkana.

The Crazy Fisherman Company is proud to support the tournament by donating 20% of each tournament t-shirt sale to the department. You do not have to be a tournament participant to purchase a shirt. Show your support by purchasing one today. Click on the link below for more information.

Redwater Charity Bass Fishing Tournament

Save On Fishing Tackle At Bass Pro Shops

Now is the time to save money at Bass Pro Shops before the Spring and Summer fishing season begins. I have never seen quite as much on sale and for such good prices. The sale begins February 29th and runs through March 16th at all 46 stores. If you are on their mailing list you probably received a brochure in the mail; however I have a included a link below for your convenience if you would like to browse or shop online.

Basspro.com

Tom Bedell Steps Aside As CEO Of Pure Fishing

After serving as interim CEO of Pure Fishing, which was founded by his father over 70 years ago, Tom Bedell will step aside and Terry Carlson will take over as President and CEO. Bedell served as interim for almost one year after Pure Fishing was purchased by the Coleman Company. Carlson comes to Pure Fishing from Raymarine where he was CEO. In case you were unaware, Pure Fishing is made up of many brands including Berkley, Abu Garcia, Fenwick, Stren, Mitchell, Johnson, Spider, and 7 Strand.

Coleman's parent company, Jarden Inc., recently acquired K2 Inc. which is the parent company of Penn and Shakespeare, among other top brand name outdoor products. Both brands will be operated as one company, under the Pure Fishing name, based in Spirit Lake, Iowa. (As a fellow Iowan, I'm glad the company will stay in Iowa.) Coleman hopes that these three powerhouse companies will create some synergies helping each other bring innovative products to market. They believe there is tremendous potential to transfer the success of their freshwater business into the growing saltwater business. This merger will be interesting to watch.

Environmentally Friendly Soft Plastic Fishing Bait

Entrepreneur Ben Hobbins, president and CEO of Waunakee-based Lake Resources Group, has developed a new soft plastic fishing lure which he plans to be in sporting goods stores very soon. Hobbins worked with University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering and business school faculty and students to perfect a fiber-reinforced fishing lure that will prevent millions of pounds of toxic plastics from polluting waters nationwide. Most lures on the market today are easily torn or ripped off of the hook and end up on the bottom of our lakes and rivers.

Key to the technology is tiny microfibers embedded in the soft-plastic material. They're placed in the plastic in such a way that you still have a flexible lure, but it will not rip. It is estimated that each year more than 12,000 tons of rubbery "soft baits" land at the bottom of lakes, streams and rivers.

In the "soft lure" category at last year's ICAST, Hobbins' lures - called "IronClads" - finished runner-up to an entry from international fishing giant Pure Fishing. Since then, he has received accolades for the IronClads in outdoors publications and shows nationwide. Most recently, he earned the Best in Show Award at the 2008 Chicagoland Outdoors Show. It looks like Ben Hobbins and the University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering and business school have come up with a winner for the environment. I'm sure we'll hear more about this soft plastic lure in the months to come.

Custom Boat and Dock Cleats

An alternative to regular old boat and dock cleats has now arrived at the Crazy Fisherman Company. These attractive cleats are made of 316 stainless steel and will hold up to just about anything. They come in two models - bass and dolphin. The bass cleat is 6 inches and the dolphin cleat is 10 inches. The item makes a great gift for a fisherman or is just a great way for you to show a little personality on your boat or dock. You can purchase these beautiful cleats at Crazy Fisherman.

Illinois To Offer High School Fishing Championship

Illinois will become the first state to recognize fishing as an official high school sport. The Illinois High School Association voted unanimously on February 11th to sanction a state bass fishing championship in the spring of 2009. The hope is to make the program self-supporting through sponsorships. The effort to get this approved was spearheaded by Terry Brown of the Bloomington-based www.wired2fish.com.

The idea came about several years ago as IHSA staff members explored ways to involve kids in non-traditional sports. Testing the idea resulted in an overwhelmingly positive response. Though the plans are not complete at this point, it is likely that there will be sectional tournaments throughout the state that feed into a championship event. Expert coaching and fishing boats will be provided by adult mentors.

Information from a recent IHSA board meeting:

Additionally, the Board of Directors approved a recommendation from the Executive Director to add a bass fishing tournament as an IHSA activity beginning in the spring of 2009, provided that adequate sponsorships are secured in advance for the tournament.

“The level of support for a bass fishing tournament, from both our membership and from other non-school groups, has demonstrated clearly to our Board that this event is one with potential tremendous value to our schools,” said Dr. Hickman. “Implementing such an activity will enable our schools to provide another opportunity for students that will enrich their educational experience and keep with the Association’s mission.”

I anticipate high school fishing being extremely successful and spreading to other states in the near future. We'll keep you posted as we learn more. I can't wait to see how it goes.

Great Children's Fishing Book

Author Michael DeLorenzo has a passion for fishing (like I do) and loves to write children's stories. He has now written two books that not only promote reading but also help get kids hooked on fishing. The first is "Adventures With Jonny: Let's Go Fishing" and the second is "Adventures With Jonny: Ice Fishing the Coolest Sport on Earth".

Hear what the Midwest Book Review has to say:
Far more than just a simple picturebook, Adventures With Jonny: Let's Go Fishing!, A Parent And Child Fishing Adventure And Guide by Michael DeLorenzo features illustrations by Jenniffer Julich and is the story Jonny and his father as they awake at the crack of dawn and gather their gear for a full-day of fishing. Carrying young readers through a story hallmarked with a lyrical narrative style combined with creative pictures, Let's Go Fishing! tells of Jonny's exciting day-trip excursion, so well spent with his father as they catch and release quite a grand fish. A wealth of "how to" information is provided on every aspect of fishing from different kinds of hooks and baits, to the use of a fishing pole, and so much more. A welcome addition to any family, school, or community library collection, Let's Go Fishing! is enthusiastically recommended especially for all young readers and parents who share (or would like to share!) a particular and mutual interest in the timeless sport of fishing.

Click below for more information or to order.

Adventures with Jonny: Let's Go Fishing

D.O.A. Fishing Lures For Hard Core Fishermen

You may not have heard of DOA (Deadly on Anything) Fishing Lures, but the Stuart, Florida company has been around since 1989 when Mark Nichols started the company to sell imitation plastic shrimp that he had developed. Now he has developed an outstanding selection of plastic baits for both salt- and freshwater fishing. All of their soft plastic lures are impregnated with farm grown shrimp to resemble real shrimp, crabs, and a variety of bait fish. They also offer lure kits (both saltwater and freshwater) that contain a variety of baits for just about every occasion. This is a very cost effective solution for a serious fisherman.
DOA released their new BFL (Big Fish Lure) last year. Nichols spent a decade perfecting the BFL which is 8 inches in length and designed for the lunker. If you are not familiar with DOA Fishing Lures, you can check out their website at www.doalures.com.

Remote Control Trolling Catches Big Fish

Watch the video below and see what happens when kids combine their creativity with a little fishing enjoyment. I hope they won some money for this.

Fishers Of Men National Tournament Trail 2008

Now is the time to begin planning for your participation in the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail. This competition is great for first time tournament anglers who are learning about the fun and excitement of bass tournament fishing. The FOM tournament series gives bass fishermen an opportunity to compete for cash, prizes, and recognition in a unique environment with other great fishermen. The Fishers of Men Tournament Trail Series features divisions of 2-person teams competing in five regions and ultimately striving to make it to the National Championship Tournament. See the five regions below.

One of the most exciting opportunities of the Fishers of Men Tournament Trail is the Legacy Series which provides fishing tournaments made up of adult/junior teams. Can you think of a better way to have fun with your kid than competing together in a fishing tournament? This is also a great way to introduce the next generation to tournament fishing or fishing in general. The Legacy Series will consist of 35 divisions in 26 states.


For complete information visit the Fishers of Men website at www.fomntt.com or call the National Office at 877-347-3585.