Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Friday, June 12, 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026
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Shimano Report
Shimano North America Fishing has introduced the all-new Zumverno 115SP MR, to its lineup of freshwater lures. Meeting the demands of serious anglers, the Zumverno 115SP MR is powered by Shimano's cutting-edge BOOST CONCEPT technologies to offer unmatched performance for targeting bass in various fishing conditions.
“With the integration of our BOOST CONCEPT technologies, this lure offers anglers a tool for targeting suspended bass,” says Bob Mahoney, Shimano Freshwater Marketing Manager. “Whether you’re fishing tight to cover or in open water, the Zumverno 115SP MR delivers the action and realism needed to provoke aggressive strikes.”
Tailored for anglers who rely on forward-facing sonar to locate and catch fish, the Zumverno 115SP MR displays a unique nose-down posture that enhances live sonar returns, allowing for precise tracking of the lure's movement. The new bill design offers several benefits. It creates an erratic side-to-side darting action, mimicking fleeing baitfish and effectively triggering strikes from predators. It also helps to deflect off structures, reducing snags and enhancing durability.
The Zumverno 115SP MR incorporates a range of patented Shimano technologies. FLASH BOOST emits an alluring flash during the retrieve, mimicking the irresistible appearance of a wounded baitfish, even during pauses. JET BOOST technology significantly increases casting range which enables anglers to cover more water and reach distant fish. Additionally, the Zumverno 115SP MR uses SCALE BOOST technology, composite-pitch holograms that replicate lifelike baitfish patterns, increasing its effectiveness in fooling wary predators.
The Zumverno 115SP MR is available in six vibrant colors, allowing anglers to precisely match the forage in any body of water. Its mid-range diving capability makes it perfect for targeting bass at various depths, offering versatility and effectiveness across different conditions.
For more information about the Zumverno 115SP MR and Shimano's complete range of innovative fishing tackle, visit fish.shimano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano’s dealer locator.
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Blocker Outdoors Report
Nothing beats the feel of fleece on your skin. It’s why fleece shirts and jackets have a home in almost every closet. Factor in fleece’s thermal capacities, and it’s no wonder hunters choose fleece garments for layering and as a standalone in moderate conditions.
Known for its exceptional quality and right-priced gear, Blocker Outdoors introduces the new ¼ Zip Performance Fleece Shirt and Performance Fleece Hoodie.
“The new Performance Fleece shirt and hoodie are great midweight options, whether worn on the outside with a base layer, or as the centerpiece of a warmer layering system,” said Blocker Outdoors’ Marketing Director, Steve Allie. “And you really can’t beat it for the price.”
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Rapala Report
In search of gold (as in trophy walleye!) in them thar deep waters?
If you love to plumb the depths of the Great Lakes and other big deep freshwater lakes, Rapala has the answer to getting down deep and waking up them up.
The Gold Miner quickly dives to depths of 30 feet. Made from durable plastic construction, the Gold Miner features a distinct rattle and a wide tail action to entice fish to bite in a variety of conditions.
The Gold Miner runs true whether being trolled slow of fast. It features a wide swinging action that will attract a range of freshwater fish, including lake trout, walleye, salmon, brown trout, muskie and northern pike.
The Gold Miner is available in 20 colors, including: Antifreeze, Antrifreeze Hot Steel, Blue Eyes, Chrome Blue Hot Tail, Clear, Firetiger, Gold, Headspin, Ice Breaker, Moldy Fruit, Pure Chrome, Purpledescent, Purple Meat Market, Rave, Silver, Silver Blue, Spendy Shades, Voodoo Haze, Whiskey Sour, and Wonder Tiger (Glow).
The Gold Miner is being introduced with a body length of 4-3/4 inches and a weight of ¾ oz.
The Gold Miner has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of US $12.99.
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Z-Man Report
While we’re not ready to unmask the enigmas of Z-Man’s proprietary ElaZtech material, suffice to say the new TRD FattyZ possesses some legit softbait superpowers.
Watch as the tail rises, ripples and breathes in the underwater currents. It’s an impressive action to behold, and as anglers are discovering, it’s especially enticing to selective bass.
The same naturally buoyant formula that elevated the original Finesse TRD™ to epic status now breathes life into Z-Man’s freshest new fish catcher.
Perhaps finesse fishing pioneer and Z-Man insider Drew Reese said it best: “ElaZtech baits like the TRD FattyZ exhibit the underwater angle all lure companies have been trying to achieve since the early 1900s . . . to create a bait that doesn’t lie flat on bottom, but that rises up on its own and moves like something truly alive.”
The 3.25-inch TRD FattyZ’ features a slinky silhouette. Anglers have aptly described the TRD FattyZ’ action as squirrelly, nervous, twitchy—all great descriptors for such a versatile finesse bait, equally energetic no matter how you rig it: Ned, Neko, dropshot, wacky, you name it.
Z-Man pro Luke Clausen believes it’s one of the more coveted, yet least talked-about tournament softbaits today—and a perennial winner on national kayak-bass circuits. Clausen, who has won the Bassmaster Classic and Forrest Wood (FLW) Cup, recalls the thinking that propelled the FattyZ profile into bass fishing stardom.
“For years, while everyone was throwing skinny worms, I knew anglers would benefit from a fatter profile bait with more tail action,” notes Clausen. “ElaZtech was the perfect vehicle to bring the bait to life.”
Amplifying both the original FattyZ and the new finesse sized TRD FattyZ, Clausen calls out the bait’s meatier head and torso section, which accommodate a traditional Finesse ShroomZ™, a slightly larger NedlockZ™ EWG (Clausen’s favorite) or 2/0 Pro ShroomZ™ jighead.
“The TRD FattyZ differentiates itself with a slender waist (midsection), which then transitions back to a bulbous, always-active tail,” continues Clausen. “That slim midsection acts like a door hinge, freeing the TRD FattyZ material to swing and undulate freely. Try it as a finesse wacky rig or shaky head.”
Laying the TRD FattyZ flush in his palm, Clausen nods at its smooth, flat underside, sculpted and shaped to “spiral and glide” on the fall.
“I’m a big believer in baits that spiral on the fall. The TRD FattyZ’ flat underside produces a cool circular spiraling and gliding motion that becomes even more effective around pressured bass. Give the bait a twitch or two to make it hunt randomly before its spiraling action kicks in. And, for dropshot fishing, this same flat underbelly stabilizes the bait when you nose hook it but still gives it that mesmerizing gliding action between rod shakes.”
Available now at outdoor retailers nationwide or at zmanfishing.com, the new 3.25” TRD FattyZ features ten potent finesse patterns, including laminate colors like PB&J and Goby Bryant.
Suggested retail is $4.99 per 8-pack.