While lawsuits, claims and penalties are more and more a part of the fishing/boating industry, I guess you can throw the sidescan technology patent conflict between Humminbird and Navico into the trash.

While the plaintiffs (Johnson Outdoors, Inc.) made the most noise in their suit against the “other guys,” the fact is, the settlement announced today, tells us nothing and explains even less of the dispute. The only presumption, (more…)

UPDATED, 3:15 p.m.–Just got back from Phenix’s new digs and the assortment is bigger than I could have imagined. Not only stuff for the make-your-own crowd, but soft plastics by the ton. You will find some baits and colors you can use immediately!

Some might call it a divine occurrence; others might say the “stars are aligned” and still others might just say, “It’s your lucky day (or days).” However you deem the situation, there’s a one-of-a-kind event happening this Friday and Saturday in Temecula that is almost perfect for you tackle tinkerers looking for new toys at bargain prices. (more…)

Although I could have gone through the weekend without bringing up the topic, you can be upset that the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series includes Nate Wellman this year (the guy who last year asked if he could have his co-angler’s 4-pounder taken during the day) but that case is not the same as recently convicted Mike Hart. (more…)

Western bass fishermen aren’t really ”fans” when it comes to following the sport. Nobody misses a trip to watch the Bassmasters on TV, just like many go fishing the day of the Super Bowl. We know the names of a handful of the national pros (KVD sounds familiar), and then we know the guys who win all the team tournaments.

However, that doesn’t mean we don’t share a little pride (more…)

DID YOU KNOW? Nevada requires a boating class if born after Jan. 1, 1983.

Maybe it’s that dozen years I spent as youth baseball umpire. But the staff that trained me was adamant that we carried the rule book with us every day of the year–so we would be ready to respond, no matter how strange the situation.  It proved to be great advice.

So in preparation for fishing that “big tournament” coming up in September, I guess that’s why I wasn’t totally surprised when I found a doozy in the boating regulations for Lake Mead–well, it was to me. (more…)