Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Friday, June 12, 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026
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Berkley Report
Berkley is announcing its first line of products under the banner of Lab Series - a clear homage to the place where the world’s most advanced fishing products are conceived and brought to life - Berkley Labs in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The first products revealed under this new series are soft baits born out of a decades-long project to combine the best of the company’s scientifically-proven technologies into one soft bait, the first to capitalize fully on a fish’s senses by delivering uncompromising color, action, scent and taste.
Lab Series baits are engineered to trigger bites from fish that have seen it all. Through a small-batch layered pouring process, Berkley combines a MaxScent layer, a proven PowerBait taste layer, and a MaxScent Rapid-Release Slime that provides an explosion of fish-attracting scent the moment it hits the water. This bait platform represents a breakthrough from the leader in scent and taste, as it is the first time MaxScent and PowerBait have been combined into a single bait, allowing for a myriad of translucent color options. The small batch pouring process allows for the delivery of technique-specific finesse actions. The result of this combination is a series of baits that is built to get more fish to commit, bite and hold onto the bait.
The new series includes a minnow, a flat worm and a finesse worm. They should be available at retail level in May.
The Berkley Lab Series Platform
At the core of the Lab Series soft bait platform is a multi-stage scent delivery approach that works both immediately and throughout the life of the bait. A rapid-release powder is applied to the bait at the end of the manufacturing process. This powder is derived from the same fish-attracting formula as the proven MaxScent material. The powder activates instantly when the bait hits the water, creating a scent-producing slime that begins dispersing scent immediately. As that slime wears off throughout use, the poured MaxScent layer takes over, providing sustained scent dispersion over time. The PowerBait layers deliver the taste that convinces fish to hold on longer.
Complementing the technology is a premium package designed specifically to protect bait integrity and maintain performance until the moment it hits the water. Every bait is hand placed in a form tray, ensuring baits stay perfectly formed, scent-rich, and ready to fish. The Lab Series platform launches with three technique-driven soft baits designed around some of the most effective presentations in modern finesse fishing - the minnow, the flat worm, and the finesse worm.
Berkley Lab Series Minnow
Designed for forward-facing sonar and modern baitfish presentations, the Lab Series Minnow, the bait used by Bassmaster Classic winner Dylan Nutt, delivers a highly realistic profile and movement pattern that closely mimics natural forage. An internal air pocket allows the bait to remain perfectly level regardless of line angle, maintaining a natural posture that triggers strikes when fish are following but hesitant to commit.
Key Features:
- Scientifically engineered to trigger bites: via the four primary proven feeding stimuli - Color. Action. Scent. Taste.
- Proven in the Lab for confidence on the water: small batch, precision layered construction fuses the best of our fish-proven formulas together in one bait.
- Unlimited Color and Action: Lab Series delivers scent dispersion and taste without compromising color and action.
- Rapid Release MaxScent Slime: coating activates on contact with water for immediate scent dispersion.
- Minnow profile with purpose-driven action: fast tail quiver, natural body roll, and an internal air pocket that keeps the bait perfectly level at any line angle.
- Sizes: 5.25” - 6 count | 6.5” - 5 count
Colors: Acid Shad • Electric Shad • Gizzard Shad • Highland Shad • Limestone • Phantom Herring • Platinum Shad • Silver Shad • Threadfin • Wakasagi<
MSRP: $14.99
Berkley Lab Series Flat Worm
A staple Berkley finesse profile, the Lab Series Flat Worm refines a proven bait shape with the added advantage of Berkley’s small-batch layered pouring process and proprietary Berkley Lab materials. This construction allows the bait to deliver scent, taste, color and action in a single presentation. The compact 3.6-inch profile imitates a wide range of forage species—from gobies to threadfin shad—making it an ideal option for pressured fish that have grown conditioned to traditional presentations. The bite-sized Flat Worm design paired with subtle movement creates an easy meal that fish can’t resist.
Key Features:
- Scientifically engineered to trigger bites: via the four primary proven feeding stimuli - Color. Action. Scent. Taste.
- Proven in the Lab for confidence on the water: small batch, precision layered construction fuses the best of our fish-proven formulas together in one bait.
- Unlimited Color and Action: Lab Series delivers scent dispersion and taste without compromising color and action.
- Rapid Release MaxScent Slime: coating activates on contact with water for immediate scent dispersion.
- Flat Worm profile with purpose-driven action: bite sized morsel that imitates forage bases from Goby to Threadfin Shad.
- Size: 3.6” - 10 count
Colors: Ember Jelly Fusion • Highland Shad • Obsidian Black • Oxblood Red Flake • Platinum Shad • Prism Shad • Tactical • Violet Morning Dawn • Wakasagi
MSRP: $14.99
Berkley Lab Series Finesse Worm
The Lab Series Finesse Worm was designed specifically for today’s finesse techniques where subtle action and scent can make the difference between a follow and a bite. Built using Berkley’s small-batch layered pouring process with proprietary Berkley Lab materials, the bait delivers precise scent, taste, color and action in a single presentation. The sleek body profile produces a slow wag on the fall, transitioning into sharp, snappy quivers when worked with the rod tip. This controlled movement gives anglers an advantage when targeting fish that have become conditioned to common bait presentations.
Key Features:
- Scientifically engineered to trigger bites: via the four primary proven feeding stimuli - Color. Action. Scent. Taste.
- Proven in the Lab for confidence on the water: small batch, precision layered construction fuses the best of our fish-proven formulas together in one bait.
- Unlimited Color and Action: Lab Series delivers scent dispersion and taste without compromising color and action.
- Rapid Release MaxScent Slime: coating activates on contact with water for immediate scent dispersion.
- Finesse Worm profile with purpose-driven action: sleek body profile, subtle slow wag on the fall that transitions into sharp snappy quivers when worked.
- Size: 6" - 10 count
Colors: Bold Bluegill • Ember Jelly Fusion • Morning Dawn Red Flake • Oxblood Red Flake • Payload • Platinum Shad • Prism Shad • Spectrum • Sunset • Violet Morning Dawn
MSRP: $14.99
To learn more about Berkley Lab Series, visit www.berkley-fishing.com/pages/berkley-lab-series.
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Newport Report
Newport has announced the launch of its NK HD Series, a next-generation evolution of its flagship electric kayak motors.
Built from years of customer feedback and informed by marine-grade engineering experience, the NK HD platform introduces meaningful upgrades across durability, electronics, functionality, and overall performance — delivering a smoother, more responsive, and more confident on-water experience.
Rather than a simple refresh, the NK HD Series represents a comprehensive refinement of the proven NK platform. Reinforced steering and retract architecture improve long-term resilience under load, oversized communication cable connectors ensure consistent power delivery, and upgraded internal electronics paired with precision bearing enhancements create noticeably smoother operation. The result is anglers have more intuitive, confident command of their vessels.
“The NK HD Series is the result of listening closely to our community and engineering every detail to perform better under real-world conditions,” said Howie Strech, Brand Marketing Manager at Newport. “From reinforced hardware to upgraded electronics, this platform is built to feel smoother, stronger, and more connected on the water.”
The NK HD Series launches with two purpose-built models designed specifically for kayak anglers, NK180 HD and NK300 HD:
The NK180 HD delivers 600W (1.8HP) of brushless direct-drive power in Newport’s most versatile HD configuration. Lightweight yet rugged, it combines reinforced construction, upgraded electronics, and flexible battery compatibility into a motor built for dependable everyday performance.
https://newportvessels.com/products/kayak-motor-nk180
The NK300 HD produces 1300W (3HP) of brushless direct-drive thrust for anglers demanding maximum speed and load-handling capability. Featuring the full HD durability architecture plus refined electronics geared toward hard use in salt or fresh water, it is Newport’s most powerful kayak motor.
https://newportvessels.com/products/nk300-kayak-motor
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Shimano Report
Shimano North America Fishing has announced the Vanquish to the MagnumLite spinning reel family.
The Vanquish MagnumLite spinning reel is designed for anglers who demand ultimate sensitivity, responsiveness, and start-stop precision. Vanquish excels across various presentations, techniques, and especially any scenario where micro-control makes the difference between a cast and a connection with your bait.
“Vanquish gives anglers an immediate connection to their presentation,” said Kade Gewanter, Freshwater Marketing Manager at Shimano North America Fishing. “Its lightness and balance make it feel like an extension of the rod, while the INFINITY-series technologies deliver strength and line management.”
At the heart of Vanquish is Shimano’s INFINITY Technology suite: InfinityXross for expanded gear tooth engagement and lasting durability, InfinityDrive for powerful reeling under heavy load, and InfinityLoop for ultra-slow oscillation that maximizes casting distance and ensures exceptional line lay. The asymmetrical MGL Rotor further reduces rotational inertia for instantaneous start-stop performance, and the enhanced Duracross Drag and Anti-Twist Fin elevate line management with smooth pressure and reduced slack.
The new Vanquish slots seamlessly into Shimano’s flagship spinning lineup as the lightest MagnumLite reel ever created. Available in sizes 2500S through 4000, the 2500S model features a shallow spool arbor engineered specifically for ultra-thin braid, improving accuracy, reducing waste, and offering a lighter drag curve ideal for delicate presentations.
Suggested retail is $529.99 to $539.99, depending upon the size you choose.
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Rapala Report
They say spring fishing, like the season itself, is a time of abundance. Well, wait until they try Rapala’s new Snare 50.
The Snare 50 is a versatile lipless crankbait ideal for casting, ripping through cover or jigging off bottom. The Snare’s slender profile is belly weighted for long casts and has a unique shimmy action on the fall. Its internal rattle is uniquely subtle, and, combined with the tight vibrating action at any speed, entices reaction strikes. Two No. 4 hooks handle the job of keeping the fish pinned.
The Snare 50 falls heads down on a realistic, bite-inducing 45-degree angle, whereas competitors tend to fall on the horizontal. No underwater weeds can hinder this determined lure, which is built to easily rip free from weeds and grass.
“It’s the best lipless bass lure we have ever done,” said Travis Tuma, Vice President of Sales at Rapala VMC Corporation. “There have been more pictures of bass passed around on this than on any other hard bait we’ve launched.”
This lure is being released with a body length of 2 ¼-inches and ½ oz. weight.
The Snare 50 is available in 18 delicious colors: Ayu, Big Shad, Classic Craw, Chartreuse Rootbeer Crawdad, Crystal Craw, Diablo, Green Gizard Shad, Ghost Sexy Shad, Lemon Shad, Metallic Gold, Metallic Silver, Pro Chrome Blue, Pearl Sexy Shad, Red Crawdad, Royal Gold, Royal Shad, Rootbeer Crawdad, True Gill.
The suggested manufacturer’s retail price for the Snare 50 is $7.99.
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St. Croix Report
St. Croix now offers all-new GXR Walleye Combos package matched with Sevin reels.
The rod/reel combos come in five of the most versatile lengths, powers, and actions utilized by walleye anglers at all levels. These medium-light and medium power, fast and extra-fast action spinning combos support everything from vertical jigging and snap jigging to pitching and rigging. GXR Walleye Combos feature SCII carbon fiber blanks, stainless-steel hybrid guide trains, premium-grade full cork handles, and smooth and ultra-reliable 8+1 bearing 3000-size SEVIIN spinning reels.
They are available at retail for $205 to $215. Visit www. Stcroixrods.com for more info.