Not a lot of good news emanating from the Caribbean lately, but I did learn that the Blakemore (Road Runner) factory in that country has survived the earthquake that has dominated the national media for more than a week.

“We got some good news Friday about 4:00. Everyone was in the building (mostly metal construction) working overtime that day. They normally leave at 3:30 but planned to stay until 5:00 because of the workload,” said TJ Stallings, Blakemore’s marketing director.

As it turned out, the earthquake occurred at 4:58 p.m. (more…)

(This update better portrays the timeline)

During the nearly two weeks he spent in the hospital, Patrick (Pat) Marley, 70, longtime chief counsel for the Southern California Bass Council, was ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, however, before treatment could ever begin he passed away around 8 p.m. on Jan. 12.

For many in the bass fishing community his name was at least familiar. To the agencies and corporations who had to face him in court, perhaps the memories were more vivid, if a bit unpleasant. Yet for those who knew him, worked with him, fished with him or counted on him, he was a great friend and ally. (more…)

I’ve lived my life according to the rules. I have enjoyed the progression of fiberglass to graphite to boron and back to fiberglass and never have I been so weak as to sample the chemical temptations of this generation.

Yet now, diminished by age and ravaged by an arid climate that turns lake beds into parking lots, I wonder if there is any relief?

Just this week, I wanted it. (more…)

Yorba Linda’s Mike Folkestad holds down 19th place in another oh-so-tight race at Lake Shasta, this time for the FLW Series event. After the first day of competition, marked only by clouds and drizzle, Folkestad’s 9 pounds, 9 ounces has him roughly 3 pounds out of the lead.

And one thing seems certain, it’s business as usual at the scenic reservoir. “It’s pretty typical for up here,” he said after dinner. (more…)

I’ll pretty much take a dark rainy day any time of year, and a stop at Diamond Valley Lake today seemed like a good bet. And because there was a lot of scouting going on for team tournaments this weekend, going with a purpose keeps your attention.

But as Gary Klein has offered more than once, “You want to establish or eliminate water.” Today, we mostly eliminated–from dam to dam. (more…)

Probably going to be tough to beat yesterday’s kicker–while taking my own advice from January 6 on the “other” jigging bait (a Heddon Sonar)–but this morning with rain gear at the ready, I’m going to check out Diamond Valley.

I heard all the secrets: drop-shot, Carolina, Texas, wacky, jig and craw and live crickets, so we’ll probably have to narrow things down once we get there. I even threw in a swimbait and a big topwater in case the only things interested have stripes. (more…)

I’ve spent some time around with both Tommy Biffle and Denny Brauer and, as veteran anglers, none out there were more willing to go all day with a “big jig,” fishing anything from dock pilings to laydowns in less than a foot of water. Each had supreme confidence that if they never wavered, they would get those five big bites that would carry the day, and sometimes the tournament.

And though Denny got his World Title, Biffle did something many years ago at the Bassmasters Classic that has bothered me for years. (more…)

With it’s catch criteria met, Manabu Kurita’s July 2, 2009 catch of 22 pounds, 4.97 ounces, was acknowledged this morning as the co-world record by the International Game Fish Association. To no-one’s surprise, and given the coverage afforded to the Lake Biwa fish by Bassmaster Magazine, when we knew the press conference was to be shown live on bassmaster.com, it was pretty much assured the catch was going to be allowed. (more…)

Maybe not quite as big as the Dean Rojas signing with Gander Mountain, but a week away from the kick-off of the FLW National Guard West Series and Mitch Southern of Yucaipa is styling in his new wrap.

Southern’s Ranger won’t be hard to find on the water, as his new sponsor, Canidae All Natural Pet Foods, has designed a stunning lime, black and yellow creation that will knock your eyes out. In fact, Mitch won’t be alone this season, (more…)