What we have known as Bass Angler Guide or BAG has a new monicker these days, but still carries the same high potency dose of bass fishing information. In fact, Bass Angler Magazine says it even better as BAM!

Publisher Mark Lassagne announced, “We are very excited to make this change; dropping the word “Guide” at the end of our name will give readers a clear focus of our direction. Moreover, we want bass anglers to know we are a magazine committed to them, not a once a year calendar or lake guide.”

But there is more to it than just content as you can see, (more…)

ALWAYS UPDATING: Give me enough time and I will have a list of bass links like everyone else. These are especially significant to KramerGoneFishing.com. You may find them great fishing stops as well:

www.bassresource.com (Hard to reciprocate on all the career help from Glenn Mays)

www.sdfish.com (You can’t look south in SoCal without touching base with Kellen Ellis)

www.bassonline.com (Florida’s number 1 fishing website; it’s all here)

www.mikefolkestad.net (If he hadn’t won the US Open three times he wouldn’t be here)

www.westernbass.com (A leader on the “hit parade”)

www.ultimatebassradio.com (Kent Brown the voice of NorCal and other foreign soil)

www.ultimatebass.com (A busy place outside of Cali; nice folks)

www.thefishingmachine.net (A fun site with multi-media interviews with PAA pros)

www.bassfan.com (Makes it look like I know the Editor-in-Chief) (more…)

AnglerSurvey, a monthly consumer monitoring service, reports the species most sought by anglers in 2008. The tables below report the freshwater and saltwater species targeted most often by anglers between January and December.

Please note the rankings report the species targeted more often, which is not the same as anglers’ preferred species or the species most commonly caught. For example, a Texas angler’s favorite fish may be freshwater trout, but does not pursue trout based on the distance to the nearest trout fishery. He may instead target bass on most trips – which is reported in the tables below – but catches more panfish over the course of the year based on that species high numbers.

The tables show largemouth bass continues to be the most targeted freshwater species across the U.S., followed by panfish, smallmouth bass and trout, respectively.  Rankings are available each month to AnglerSurvey subscribers, as well as information on where anglers shop, preferred brands, average prices paid, and more. For more information, please contact Southwick Associates.
Freshwater :
Largemouth or spotted bass 59.30%
Panfish (Crappie, Perch, Sunfish, Bluegill/Bream) 36.80%
Smallmouth bass 25.30%
Trout 20.10%
Catfish 17.40%
Walleye 14.30%
Any freshwater fish that bites 13.50%
Perch 9.40%
Striped bass (freshwater) or hybrid bass 8.70%
Pickerel, pike or muskie 8.30%
Carp 4.60%
White bass and Sunshine bass 4.50%
Steelhead 3.20%
Salmon 3.10%
Saugeye 2.10%
Other fish not on this list 2.00%

Southwick Associates, Inc. specializes in natural resource & environmental economic, business and statistical research.  Our staff is comprised of economic, business and statistics professionals throughout the U.S. who have in-depth experience measuring the values, benefits and revenues possible from fish, wildlife, and water-related natural resources plus their associated industries.  We can help clients better address many business, legal, legislative and public communication issues through the practical application of reliable and accurate economic information and statistics.

For information and other reports, visit our web site at www.southwickassociates.com

MARS UPDATE–Air safety certification from Washington DC, it turns out, is causing the delay in the arrival of the fire-fighting seaplane, and more will be known about the process on Friday. No need to bring your camera and kids just yet.

Lake Elsinore, Southern California’s largest natural lake, will be the focus of plenty of media attention over the next seven days as it sees the arrival of Hawaii Mars, the fire-fighting seaplane, endures a temporary lake closure for repairs on the the aeration system all day Thursday, while also being featured on FOX Sports West television.

The huge, red water tanker should arrive any time, it’s service crew and spotter helicopter having already arrived,  stationed just off the Lake Elsinore City Campground. (more…)

You might wonder if I would actually tout a publication that’s never run one of my stories, but the fact is, I can. And I’m doing it right here.

In their own words, the Bass Angler’s Guide (B.A.G. magazine) is really unlike any other bass magazine. Now in its 18th year of publication, the Bass Angler’s Guide continues to make a strong statement with timely articles that unveil the newest tackle and latest techniques for catching more and bigger bass. Though the B.A.G. is written from a western vantage point, our goal is to help anglers everywhere become more proficient at their craft.

“Our writers are professional anglers and guides who understand the value of sharing what they know to help our readers become more successful on the water,” (more…)

Lindner’s Angling Edge website, the Edge Store, has a Father’s Day special on tap.

Join Al Lindner along with the Angling Edge staff as they focus on ‘top to bottom” presentation techniques for largemouth bass in Largemouth Bassology. Secrets are revealed for monster largemouth. Finer points of dock fishing are explored and refined crankbait techniques are shown. Plus you’ll read about Al Lindner’s best tackle and baits for natural lakes.

The Big Bass Zone, a collaboration of Hall of Famer Bill Siemantel and veteran bass writer Michael Jones, provides the fresh ideas you need to shift your focus from just catching the big ones. Whether you fish in Missouri or California or Florida or Maine—or even Japan—whenever the black bass lurks, you’ll eventually be chasing giants in your own waters.

For more information about this Special and to get an early jump on Father’s Day go here.