When is it Time to Replace Line?

Take a few moments to check your line before each outing by stripping a few feet off of the reel. If it coils up or is very stiff, it needs to be replaced. Take your thumb and index finger and pinch the line between your fingers, running your fingers down the line several feet. If the line leaves a chalky residue, or you feel nicks or rough spots, replace the line.

It’s not always necessary or practical to replace all of the line on your reel. Start by striping half the line off the reel then using a uni knot or a blood knot to tie the two lines together.

Then make sure the line is spooled onto the reel in the correct manner. For baitcasting reels, the line must come off of the top of the filler spool and wind onto the reel in the same manner. Spinning reels are a little different. Position the filler spool in a manner that the line comes off counter clockwise. Wind onto the spinning reel in the same manner. This will help insure that the line does not get twisted, which could cause problems later on.

As a rule of thumb, the heavier the line, the more often it will have to be replaced. Heavier line retains “memory” that causes a coiling effect. To help extend the life of the line, try stretching it by attaching the end to a stationary object, then back off the distance of a cast. Hold the line tight for a few seconds, then reel back. Do this a few times and you’ll see the coil relax. I also use Kevin VanDam’s Line and Lure conditioner, which relaxes the line and helps prevent the coiling effect. Find more tips at http://chadmorgenthaler.com

Rattle Head Baits

Rattle Head Baits sells innovative spinner baits, buzz baits and jigs featuring our patented moveable hook enclosed in a rattle chamber within the head. All of our baits are made in the USA, are of premium construction and include top quality components

Ray Scheide signs with Denali Rods

Denali Rods would like to announce the newest member of the Denali Pro Staff, professional fisherman Ray Scheide.

“We are extremely excited to have Ray on our pro staff,” stated Denali Rods president Scott Estes. “Ray is a true professional with a tremendous fishing resume. He is a class individual both on and off the water, and we feel he is a perfect fit for the Denali Pro Team.

Scheide has a long history of fishing accomplishments including 2 FLW Tour wins, and qualifying for 5 FLW championships including this year’s Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Lanier.

“I have taken my time, looked long and hard for a rod line that fits my needs. Denali has done it!  Super light weight, great backbone for powerful hookups and sensitivity that is unmatched,” stated Scheide.

“Ray joins current Denali pro team members Michael Murphy and Mark Tyler, with more imminent signings to come,” said Estes.

For more information on Denali Rods or Ray Scheide, you can visit both respective websites at www.denalirods.com and www.flwoutdoors.com/community/profile/home.cfm?uid=24400. Denali will also be displaying at ICAST July 14^th-16^th.

Weekend Warrior Building a Stockpile of Bonus Bucks

Patrick Hatcliff is like a lot of you reading this story.  He’s a workingman that competes in BFL, TBF and Bassmaster Weekend Series events when he’s not holding a nail gun or a measuring tape.

The 46-year-old residential contractor who tows with 2008 Toyota Tundra knows what quality construction consist of, and he knows how to catch fish.

In fact, nobody collected more Bonus Bucks last year in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series trail than Hatcliff.

Apparently, he knows how to cover a lot of miles too.  Hatcliff is still pulling strong after logging 72,000 miles on his Tundra’s odometer in just over two years.  “It’s all about pulling power for me, but my wife is pretty fond of the interior comforts like heated seats and dual temperature controls,” said Hatcliff.  “We get tons of compliments on our Tundra’s good looks.  It’s pretty common for strangers to come up to me and say what an awesome looking truck it is,” he added.

“The Bonus Bucks program is a no brainer.  You’re driving a great truck, and you’re getting paid bonus money when you do well.  You don’t even have to win the tournament to get paid,” said Hatcliff who chooses slinging an XCaliburÔ XR50 Rattle Bait around Lake Guntersville’s aquatic vegetation in late February as the perfect day of fishing.

As for advice to other anglers, “My grandfather, Pappy Buddy taught me you never leave home without a #5 Shad Rap in your tackle box.  I’ll tell you not to leave home without a Carolina-rigged Lake Fork Tackle 4” Ring Fry, and to sign-up for Bonus Bucks,” said Hatcliff.

Bonus Bucks is simple.  Drive a 2007 or newer Tundra, Sequoia, 4Runner or Tacoma, send in your registration form like Patrick Hatcliff did, become the highest finishing eligible participant in your TBF, BASS Federation Nation or any other Bonus Bucks sanctioned tournament – and you win the Bonus Bucks.  To find out more, and to make sure you’re signed-up visit www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com or call Kendell at (918) 742-6424.

Jackall’s new Super Pin-Tail

drop shot bait is sure to find it’s way into your tackle box. The secret is in it’s unique Pin-Tail design that makes small vibrations which resembles an injured bait fish. Drawing fish from far distances to feed. The 3-D eyes also are very realistic and helps trigger bites when the fishing gets tough. Super life like paint design makes it hard for fish to tell if it is real or not. They would just as soon eat it then pass it by for another bass to dine on. Don’t be the one to find out from your co-angler or fishing buddies that you should of got some of these. Because you know they are not going to share when the bite gets tough.

Frank Scalish

Pro-Am Event Schedule

2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series Pro-Am – Douglas Lake

The PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series Pro-Am will offer anglers the opportunity to fish with some of the nation’s top professional anglers in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

At each Tournament Series stop, a limited number of Pros will participate in the Pro-Am tournament on Saturday. Pros who have volunteered will be selected from those who do not make the Top 30 final day cut of the Tournament Series event. The participating Pros will vary at each Tournament Series location.

The first Pro-Am will be July 10 on Douglas Lake, going out of the Headwater Ramp at Douglas Dam. The tournament is open to anyone, although official PAA Member Observers who participated in the first two days of the Tournament Series event will have priority entry.

Event Specifics:

Event: PAA BPS Tournament Series Pro-Am
Date: Saturday, July 10
Location: Douglas Lake
Participants: Open to anyone
Teams: PAA pro – randomly paired with an Amateur (must be at least a PAA general member)
Field: First 20 Teams registered
Pairings Meeting: Friday, July 9 – at conclusion of Tournament Series Weigh-in (Amateurs must be present for pairings meeting)
Entry Fee: $300 per amateur
Teams will use the “Catch, Weigh, Release” paper tournament format popularized by the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. Anglers will police themselves and keep track of the weight in their respective boats, using certified/calibrated Boga Grip scales. Tournament finishes will be based on the total weight in pounds and ounces, up to the tournament limit.

Each team will consist of one Pro and one Amateur, who must be at least a General Member of the PAA, paired by random draw. Catches will be recorded on the scorecard and counted toward the tournament limit. Field size will fluctuate between 20 and 36 teams per event, depending on location. The first 20 teams registered per event will be confirmed; additional teams will be placed on a wait list until the week of the event.

Pro-Am pairing meetings will be held lakeside on Friday at the conclusion of the Tournament Series weigh-in. Registration and check-in will be from 3-5:30 p.m. at the PAA lakeside booth and weigh-in site. Amateurs must be present for the Pairing Meeting at approximately 6 p.m.

Entry fee is $300 per amateur, per event. Prizes will be Bass Pro Shops gift cards for the Amateur winner ($500) and Pro ($250), with payout to 1-in-4 entries. A complimentary lunch will be provided by the PAA at Bass Pro Shops after the tournament. Competition will not exceed six hours and will conclude in time for Pros and Amateurs to attend the final day weigh-in at Bass Pro Shops in Kodak, Tenn.

Pro-Am Event Schedule

Saturday, July 10
7 a.m. Pros and Amateurs meet at designated launch ramp
7:30 a.m. Official Event Start Time
1 p.m. Fishing ceases and participants return to Bass Pro Shops
2 p.m. All tournament scoring cards will be submitted, regardless of number of fish caught

Chad Morganthaler on Electronics

FLW Pro Chad Morganthaler shares a few tips on the importance of electonics and how he uses them during the post spawn.


http://chadmorgenthaler.com

DREDGER SX SHAD

Basstar introduces the worlds first infinite diving crankbait, Dredger comes equipped with a built in rotating hook system for both the belly and tail hook along with the golf ball dimples on the body for a different reflection underwater. What makes the DREDGER different from other deep diving crankbaits in the market is that we have figured out a way to internally and externally balance the weight so that the bait will dive straight down to any preferred depth. The Dredger will dive straight down with no spiraling or line twists. Once the Dredger reaches its depth the bait will stand straight up keeping the hooks away from the bottom reducing chances of hang up. Unlike traditional crankbaits where the bait will only reach its target depth zone for a short time, The Dredger will dive to its target depth from where the bait lands and stay in the zone all the way back for the full retrieve. The Dredger has a fall rate that is equivalent to a jig, which means you can now throw this bait next to boat docks and pilings and watch the bait fall perfectly parallel to its target. The Dredger Crankbait has been producing a lot of bites anywhere from 40-60 feet but will dive to 100+ feet in depth if needed. With a bait so innovative and new the Dredger crankbait has been the bait to talk about for both Saltwater and Freshwater anglers. Hooks: VMC Weight: 1 1/4 oz Basstarbaits.com

High School Fishing World Finals

Winners of 2010 SAF High School Fishing World Finals to Be Offered Scholarships of a Lifetime and Spots On a Collegiate Bass Fishing Team Tens of thousands of dollars in total cash & prizes up for grabs with no entry Fee for all entries received by July 6 June 22, 2010 – There’s a lot on the line for the high school anglers in the first ever High School Fishing World Finals next month in Russellville, Arkansas on Lake Dardanelle. With collegiate bass fishing being one of the fastest growing sports in the nation, the High School Fishing World Finals will be the premier event for recruiting some of the best student anglers in the nation. Colleges are taking notice. There will be numerous sponsored awards, prizes and trophies given during the event to top competing teams and to their home high schools. But the winning team will definitely have something to be proud of and to brag to all their friends back home about. The Bass Federation’s Student Angler Federation is excited to announce that the winning 2-person team of the 2010 SAF High School Fishing World Finals will be offered a spot on the Collegiate Bass Fishing Team with the Bethel University Wildcats in McKenzie, Tennessee. Not only will they have the opportunity to fish competitively at the college level, but each team member will also be offered $4,000 per year in scholarships, renewable for 4 years. That’s $16,000 per angler, making the total scholarship amount for the winning team $32,000! Located in McKenzie, Tennessee, Bethel University is the first college in the nation to offer bass fishing as a collegiate sport. Their bass fishing team competed in the 2010 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship just this past May and are competing this week in the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Open event in Paris, TN on Kentucky Lake. The Wildcats Bass Fishing Coach is Garry Mason, a seasoned veteran of the sport from Buchanan, TN. He has been a fishing and hunting guide in the Kentucky Lake area for the past 25 years. Bethel College is a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and competes in the TranSouth Athletics Conference and Mid-South Athletic Conference. It is located about 130 miles Northwest of Nashville, TN near Paris, TN. Look for an official press release with further details within the next week.

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