Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Monday, November 24, 2025
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Live Target Report
Live Target Spinner Rig Offers Unique A-rig Presentation
The Alabama Rig (A-Rig) exploded onto the bass fishing scene in 2011. Downsized versions of umbrella rigs (aka spreader rigs) used for eons trolling pelagic saltwater and freshwater predators, these wire baits are designed to emulate a school of baitfish on-the-run. Their use sometimes controversial, A-Rigs have played dominant roles in many competitive bass fishing events.
Yet, for most anglers who compete against their best buddies for pride or pocket change, multi-wire baits are simply another effective tool in the toolbox. Inspired by the possibilities that a multi-wire lure configuration provides under a truly diverse array of conditions, LIVETARGET recently introduced the versatile, customizable BaitBall Spinner Rig.
Garnering massive recognition at ICAST 2017 and a recent "Best Freshwater Lure" award at Big Rock West distributor show, the LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig is poised to make a tremendous impact on your fishing success.
No simple umbrella rig, the LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig boasts a radical design bristling with unique elements. The multi-wire lure incorporates hookless, soft-plastic "teaser" fish on three arms, a single willow-leaf spinner blade for flash in the center, and a specially designed "target" fish armed with a single sturdy black nickel hook riding, vulnerably, below the spinner. Anglers can quickly replace or customize any of the soft plastic target and teaser fish via the BaitBall Spinner Rig's unique Interchange System.
Thoroughly steeped in the LIVETARGET philosophy, the teaser and target fish in the BaitBall Spinner Rig feature anatomically-accurate, three-dimensional details like scales, fins, and eyes, and are available in a full spectrum of color patterns ranging from ultra-realistic to attention-grabbing. The unique geometry of the wires supporting the teaser and target fish protect the lure's single hook configuration, allowing the LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig to be fished effectively around and through cover, like docks, submerged wood and rocks, without worrying about snags and lost baits. And unlike traditional, heavyweight castable umbrella rigs, the LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig doesn't require specialized rods and reels - or super-human musculature - to fish effectively.
Available in four weights ranging from º oz to æ oz, the LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig will feel right-at-home with the baitcasting combos typically used for spinnerbaits and deep-diving crankbaits.
The LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig is also perfect for searching on the slow-troll. Progressive bassers and striper aficionados often troll at painstakingly slow speeds - 1.5 to 2 MPH - through schools of marked, suspended fish. Locate an active school, put on the breaks, and let the casting begin.
The LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig Interchange System packs allows the angler to customize the profile and appearance of their BaitBall Spinner Rig. Providing a collection of three teaser fish and two target fish, each set of Interchange components provides a cost-effective pathway for changing the colors or sizes for any of the BaitBall Spinner Rig's soft plastic bodies. By doing so, anglers can use their on-the-water observations to quickly personalize their BaitBall Spinner Rig, helping them to catch fish faster on combinations of their own creation.
The integrated action of the teaser bodies, the flash of the spinner blade, and the tuned vibration of the target fish give the LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig a unique blend of strike-triggering sensory inputs. Grant Koppers, founder and President of LIVETARGET, commented that the BaitBall Spinner Rig is, "one of the most innovative and unique products we have ever designed. In fact, we've been working on this concept for several years. Every variable to make this lure function and trigger strikes has been meticulously considered. The flash and vibration are unlike any lure ever created."
Available now, the LIVETARGET BaitBall Spinner Rig (MSRP $13.49-$15.49) is provided in three frame sizes, each with two weight options, making it simple to pick the right BaitBall Spinner Rig for shallow or deep-water applications. The award-winning bait is available in a spectrum of eight color patterns for effectiveness in a variety of water conditions, from gin-clear to murky mocha. These same colors and sizes are also available in the versatile Interchange Systems (MSRP $7.99).
Visit www.livetargetlures.com for more information.
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Provided by G. Loomis
G. Loomis Adds Reaction Series to IMX-Pro Lineup
Expanding its IMX-PRO series to offer its largest range of rods for all current bass fishing techniques, G. Loomis introduces the new IMX-PRO ‘Reaction’ rods. The series adds 27 rods for lure specific uses, including crankbaits, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, umbrella rigs, topwater and frogs. With the 24 IMX-PRO ‘Bottom Contact’ rods for jig and worm, Carolina rig, flip/punch, drop-shot and shaky head techniques introduced in spring ‘17, “this extensive line-up of IMX-PRO rods offer the perfected actions serious tournament anglers look for,” said G. Loomis’ Bruce Holt, “and with these technique specific designations, we can help avid anglers become more advanced and competitive.”
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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.