Kettlecamp Leads Oneida
Kraig Kettlecamp Bassmaster Open Lake Oneida day 1 leader – photo via Garrick Dixon BASS
After the first day of competition, Oneida local Kraid Kettlecamp sits atop the leader board with 20lbs 7oz bringing in a bag filled exclusively with largemouth. While Kettlecamp caught both brown and green fish during practice, it was the largemouth he decided to key in on during the event. To be expected, Kettlecamp was very tight-lipped regarding his pattern, but offered this:
“My key fishing areas are very specific and feature the habitat for largemouth or smallmouth,” he added. “I’m not targeting a mix like some anglers.”
Kettlecamp isn’t fully married to his pattern just yet however, as colder overnight temperatures threaten to hinder the largemouth bite and improve the chances of the four anglers directly trailing the leader. All four competitors sitting 2nd – 5th place are focusing on smallmouth bass, but since Oneida is so diverse in fish population, that could change from day to day.
2nd Place – Randy Howell
“I never miss a chance to fish Oneida, because it’s about the only tournament fishery where you can catch smallmouth and largemouth in shallow water,” said Howell, whose limit weighed 18-9.
Howell, who’s sitting in 18th place in the Bassmaster Elite Series AOY, is right in the thick of things with his bag of smallmouth that registered at 19lbs 9oz. It would be a sweet victory for Howell who finished 2nd at Oneida during the 2012 Elite Series stop.
Should the smallmouth bite become prevalent, it’s the man sitting in 3rd place that most anglers would admit has an advantage: Chad Pipkens. Pipkens is a smallmouth expert and has been an absolute force at predominately smallmouth tournaments for nearly 10 years. If, as some believe, the largemouth become more difficult to catch due to increasing pressure and an expected cold front, Pipkens should be right in his element.
Follow all the action: Bassmaster Northern Open at Oneida
Mille Lacs Wants Bass Tournaments?
Mille Lacs Smallmouth
In the past, tournaments didn’t want to get anywhere near Minnesota’s Mille Lacs lake despite the exceptional smallmouth fishing it offers. The bias was not unfounded, as previously, Mille Lacs did not allow anglers to cull their fish. Although anglers could decide whether or not to keep fish as they were caught, once they reached the boat and went in the livewell it was not permitted to release them back in the lake in favor of a better catch. So tournaments at Mille Lacs just presented too many rules issues – think about it from a tournament director’s standpoint and all of the BS he’d probably have to sort through to make rulings about what was culling and what wasn’t. Not to mention, many anglers would be gambling their success on late day catches to improve their limits.
Well, Minnesota thinks they have an answer… but do they? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has made a rule change that will allow for the “culling” practice utilized in nearly all bass tournaments.
The rule change, announced today by DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, will allow anglers to sort bass that are shorter than 18 inches, and keep the largest fish – a rule change that is essential in securing national bass tournaments.
Did you catch it? Anglers can cull through bass shorter than 18″ – a little rough math and that approximates to about 3.5lbs max. Anglers will still be limited in their ability to just go out and fish and let the scales decide the outcome. Personally, we believe the ruling is still too restrictive to bring any national events to the waters, but if the region pays up, then well, maybe.
Remember though, Lake Fork, one of the premier bass fishing destinations in the country, home of more 10lb catches than any other lake in the United States, still doesn’t have any national level tournaments save for the special Toyota Texas Bass Classic invitational.
Read the entire ruling here: Mille Lacs Hopes to Land More Bass Tournaments
Hydrowave H2
Hydrowave H2 Electronic Feeding Simulator
Have you checked out the new Hydrowave H2 unit yet? The H2 Hydrowave units seek to build off the success of the original electronic feeding simulator device which proved their worth many times over for anglers employing them on their boats. Updated for 2015, the new Hydrowave units feature 16 original and new sound options which can now be programmed to be emitted at variable time increments for more productive use. A new, larger 2.5” LCD screen makes operation even easier, and the H2 also features a new, sleek look. Even easier to use and install, the new Hydrowave H2 also features an easy access expansion port for additional sounds and a combined speaker, power cable plug-in.
Basically, it’s a new gadget most of don’t need, but it works. It really does work. Some of us can’t believe fishing has come to this, but with Garmin’s Panoptix that basically allows you to see the fish strike your lure and Livingston’s new bluetooth lures, the Hydrowave is no longer the “crazy piece of equipment” that used to be the downfall of fishing. Instead, it’s just another tool that helps you get bit more often.
Check it out: Hydrowave H2 Electonic Feeding Simulator
Urban Fishing Becoming Popular
Leo Sheng fishing urban waters – photo via Melony Roy
Leo Sheng of Philadelphia is trying to show people that despite the urban setting Philly embodies, there are still fishing opportunities to be had. Sheng, who shares his experiences on his blog: Extreme Philly Fishing – was recently interviewed by the Philadelphia CBS affiliate about his hobby:
“People would stop by when I was fishing on the Schuylkill river and ask me about it, you know are there really any fish in the river”
Sheng, an avid fisherman, seeks out new fishing opportunities within the urban expanse of Philly. Commonly armed with a backpack or shoulder pack and a two-piece spinning rod, he can target a lot of different species. One thing Sheng wants to make very clear to those who wish to follow his lead:
“I also focus a lot on fish consumption in Philadelphia, a lot of anglers think every fish in this area is safe to take home and eat which is not true,” said Sheng.
We’ve got a staff member here at Bass Quest who insists “street fishing” as he calls it, is the next big movement in fishing. In his opinion –
‘As fishing continues to become prohibitively expensive and natural resources dwindle, anglers are gonna start finding more convenient and less expensive ways to enjoy the sport. Fishing needs to be inclusive, but instead, it’s becoming way too exclusive. Inner city kids get this idea they can’t go fishing, it’s not possible. But, go to a city like Paris or Amsterdam and you’ll find a whole cult movement of fishermen walking the crowded streets with little tackle packs and two piece rods. Heck, you can catch fish within a hundred yards of the Eiffel Tower.’
You can read the entire feature here: Urban Fishing Trend Grows in Philly
Missile Baits New Website
Missile Baits is re-launching their web site. The new web site (www.MissileBaits.com) is based on a newer platform that operates faster than the previous one, which results in faster page loads. The pictures of the baits are clearer and can be zoomed in closer. Technology is constantly evolving so web site updates are part of companies that like to stay on top of their competition.
“Missile Baits is 3 and a half years old and it was time to freshen up the web site,” says pro angler and company owner, John Crews. “The new site is consistent with our current branding and has better features. I love it and I think our customers will too.”
Missile Baits will continue to sell all products they have in stock through their web site at prices that protect their retailers. There will also be links to all of the Missile Baits social media accounts, videos about products, and news about the company. The Pro Staff and Bomb Squad pages are also updated in a newer format. Keep up with Missile Baits on their new web site and their social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Must Love Fishing
Rapala Shad Rap Tattoo – photo via Rapala
Hey, it takes every kind… Gotta love the passion.