Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Friday, October 10, 2025
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Plano Report
Plano’s KVD 3600 Signature Tackle Bag Defies Rain
Like millions of other anglers, Kevin Van Dam relies on Plano to keep his fishing gear protected and well organized – at home, in the truck and on the water.
For 2018, Plano’s new KVD 3600 Signature Tackle Bag packs all-new levels of KVD-grade performance and efficiency.
The KVD 3600 Signature Tackle Bag defies rain and spray with an innovative molded top and base, along with a water-resistant protective TPE coating. Elevated rubber feet on the waterproof base keep the bag firmly planted and above wet surfaces. Its “Utili-Tackle Rail System” includes 34 accessory attachment points, plus tie-down slots.
Plano’s KVD 3600 Signature Tackle Bag Defies Rain
The molded top holds a 3600-size StowAway secured by an elastic bungee for immediate access to hot baits, while up to four additional StowAways fit inside the main compartment. A waterproof zippered pocket is specifically sized for phones and wallets. Additional upgrades include MOLLE attachment points, an integrated tool pocket and a bright red interior for improved visibility in low light conditions. A larger 3700 size is also available.
Suggested retail is $99.99.
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Provided by Shimano
Shimano’s New Exsence Spinning Reels Offers Premium Features
Showcasing its flagship features in an all-new series of spinning reels, Shimano brings both freshwater and saltwater anglers the Exsence reels. Offered in two models – the Exsence C3000MHG and 4000MXG, the reels are lightweight for their intended uses, yet plenty strong and durable to handle big bass and light line saltwater situations.
The 3000 sells for $539 while the 4000 is retail priced at $549.
Within the Exsence reels, Shimano incorporates a Hagane gear – a cold forged aluminum ‘Micro Module’ drive gear offering both strength and smoothness, and X-Protect - a ‘labyrinth design’ three-lipped rubber seal system that offers exceptional water resistance without sacrificing light gear and rotor rotation feel. On the outside, the saltwater safe magnesium Hagane body is light and rigid, providing further all-day fishing comfort. The magnesium rotor – adding to the Exsence;’ overall lightweight, also helps with the sensitivity.
Anglers can confidently increase and decrease the Exsence’s drag with Shimano’s Rapid Fire Drag feature. Eleven strategically placed and shielded anti-rust ball bearings, plus a one-way roller bearing, adds to overall smoothness.
The 7.1-ounce Exsence C3000MHG, with the body size of a Shimano 2500 size spinning reel, has 6.0:1 gear ratio and retrieves in 35-inches of line per crank. It will handle 225 yards of four-pound test mono – or 150 yards of 10-pound PowerPro braid, and up to 110 yards of eight-pound test (95 yards of 20-pound PowerPro).
Retrieving in 39-inches of line per crank with a faster 6.2:1 gear ratio, the 8.6-ounce Exsence 4000MXG can handle from 190 yards of six-pound test mono – or 195 yards of 10-pound PowerPro braid, and up to 95 yards of 12-pound test (95 yards of 20-pound PowerPro).
For more information on the new Exsence C3000MHG and 4000MXG spinning reels, see your local tackle dealer - visit the Shimano web site at http://fish.shimano.com - or call Shimano’s product support team at 877/577-0600 (6 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard Time).
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Strike King Report
Strike King’s Comeback Jig Stands Up to Classic Test
Strike King has announced a new jig design that Jordan Lee used to rally and win the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.
The jig is designed off the homemade ‘standup’ version he used to win Classic.
“Over the years I’ve come to rely on a standup style jig with a round rubber skirt to get big bites,” Lee said. “When paired with the right trailer, that jig has a profile that bigger bass can’t resist. We took every possible detail into account when we designed and built the Comeback Jig. From the head, to the line tie, to the hook, to the skirt, this is the best version of this jig I’ve ever thrown.”
The J-Lee Comeback Jig comes in four sizes (3/8, ½, ¾ & 1 oz.) and six round rubber skirt colors.
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Provided by Missile Baits
Missile Baits is launching their new stick worm, the 48.
Missile Baits is launching their new stick worm, the 48
The versatile bait is 4.8 inches long with a denser material than normal Missile plastics. The 48 produces a fantastic shimmy on horizontal fall and is more durable than other similar products. The 48 will come in 10 colors including Super Bug, Fisholicious, Junebug, and Bubble Gum. The 48 is available now.
John Crews, company owner and pro angler, said, “The 48 is another Missile plastic born out of necessity. I wanted a dense stick worm that I could rig in more ways and was more durable. For example, the 48 can be rigged on a regular hook on the smaller end and put a 1/32 ounce weight in the big end to make the bait glide backwards and shimmy at the same time. No other bait does that.”
Missile also is releasing the Ike’s Flip Out jig to the Missile Jigs line up.
Missile also is releasing the Ike’s Flip Out jig to the Missile Jigs line up. The Flip Out is a full sized, flip jig that is based on the frame of the Mini Flip but utilizes a custom 5/0 heavy duty VMC hook. The Flip Out will come in 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 ounce sizes. All sizes will be available in 8 colors with some of Missile Jigs most popular colors plus Brewgill, Super Bug, and Dill Pickle. The Flip Out should be in stores in mid August.
Elite bass pro, Mike Iaconelli, expressed, “The Flip Out is the full sized version of the super popular Mini Flip but with a hammer 5/0 VMC hook. You can flip this thing in the thickest cover and rip them out! The jig goes in and out of cover great, skips well, and jacks them on the hook set. The Flip Out is my new all around flip jig!”
New colors in the D Bomb, Baby D Bomb, Craw Father, and Baby D Stroyer are also being released. The D Bomb is coming out in Straight Black and Pink Belly, which is a triple laminate with green pumpkin purple flake on top, clear pink on the bottom, and a blue pearl vein in the middle. The Baby D Bomb will have the popular El Diablo color added. The Craw Father will also add El Diablo and the new Wicked Craw. The Baby D Stroyer will now come in Junebug.
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Provided by Rapala
Rapala BX Brat: A Balsa Squarebill with Durability
There’s a new bully on the block and bass better hide their lunch money. The Rapala® BX™ Brat features a balsa core encased in a brawny co-polymer shell, so this unpredictable square bill bait can take a punch.
“A lot of straight balsa baits, you know, they’ll get a little beat up,” says Rapala Pro Mike Iaconelli. “But not the Brat. It’s the perfect lure for fishing around heavy cover. It’s got all the characteristics of balsa, but with plastic on the outside to protect the bait.”
“That combination of a hard outer shell and a soft balsa core makes for an unbeatable square bill,” says Rapala Pro Randall Tharp. “You can bounce it off of dock posts, you can bounce it off of rocks, but you still get all the benefits of balsa,” he says. “It will float back up out of cover without getting hung up. It’s just so versatile.”
It’s also erratic. The BX Brat’s modified square bill design creates crazy, unpredictable caroms.
“The lip comes to a very slight point in the middle, but it still has these hard corners that allow it to bounce off of cover really, really well,” says Rapala Pro Ott DeFoe.
“That modified lip acts as both a deflector and a protector,” Iaconelli explains. “It’s going to actually protect the treble hooks, and it’s what’s going to make the bait deflect and careen off objects. That’s what’s going to trigger reaction bites. There’s no better bite to get, especially when the fish are inactive.”
BX Brats will excel when power fishing around rocky shorelines, laydowns, dock posts and scattered grass. “There’s really not a bad place you can throw it,” Tharp says. “Whether it’s just being grinded through the bottom, or deflecting off a rock, a stump or a piece of grass.”
Unique flat sides and a V-cut belly create additional swimming action. “When you watch this bait in the water, the way that it swims is because of the shape,” DeFoe says. “Because of those hard edges.”
Another benefit of the BX Brat’s co-polymer shell is that it adds weight, which enables it to cast “like a dream,” DeFoe says. “You can’t ask for much else in a small crankbait. It really reminds me of the Rapala DT-6, one of the best-casting ones out there.”
The BX Brat is available in two models. One dives to 3 feet, and the other to 6 feet.
Both versions of the BX Brat measure 2 inches, weigh 3/8 ounce and come armed with two sticky sharp VMC® No. 6 Black Nickel Treble round-bend hooks. Both are available in 12 color patterns: Blue Ghost, Blaze, Bone Craw, Carbon, Delta, Haymaker, Homer’s Buddy, Mossy, Pearl Gray Shiner, Tamale, Silver and Rock Solid.
“So no matter what the water clarity is like, or whatever the forage is that you’re trying to match, Rapala’s got you covered,” Palaniuk says.
It will sell for $8.99.
For more information, visit www.Rapala.com.