MORE COVER still being collected...

Sure, there were a few impressive bass catches in 2011, but if you take the 12 months combined, nobody was going to be booking trips here instead of Lake Amistad. However, you’ve got to hand it to the DFG and the City of Lake Elsinore–they are still working to improve things.

As reported previously, we know there is $25,000 earmarked for bass and wiper stocking in 2012 (the latter for better keeping carp fry and shad numbers in check), however, other efforts continue. A little habitat here, a little habitat there–and of course, the work on the new ramp and marina at the City Campground keeps moving toward a May completion. (more…)

Some days are like that.

As I pulled the rig down the street this morning, I had to wait as “Blackie” our American shorthair dallied in front of me. When I got to the stop sign at the end of the block, I decided I better look things over.

On the gunnel, my new Canon teetered on the gelcoat–right where I left it–by my cell phone, which had slid on the carpet to the edge of the splashwell. (more…)

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…)

I’m always amazed at how fast the year comes to an end and in the case of California, that means that fishing license you bought way back is only good for one more trip–today.

The good news, you really don’t have to drive around looking for a place that carries them as we did in years past. Back in the day every tackle store might carry them (more…)

Bill Mays, the amicable and highly capable photographer and reporter for WON Bass pro ams in the North has been replaced, I learned today. Mays, a former NASCAR West photog as well as noted waterfowling writer, got his walking papers this morning. (more…)