Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
- Details
Northland Report
Northland ELITE PRO SUNNY B DEEP
Northland Fishing Tackle has released their Elite Series Hardbaits that includes seven shapes and six colors, all handpicked by Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson.
While some are like Northland’s sister brand, Bagley Baits, new Northland Elite Series Hardbaits include new designs, improved components, and out-of-the-package, tournament-ready performance.
New Northland Elite Series Hardbait Models Include:
- PRO Sunny B Deep (NEW)
- Sunny B Deep (NEW)
- PRO Sunny B
- Sunny B
- Shallow Sunny B
- Sunny B Twin Spin
- Bang O Lure Twin Spin
The new Northland ELITE PRO SUNNY B DEEP features all the beneficial characteristics of balsa with a modern body design. Constructed using Northland’s Heat-Compression Molding (HCM) manufacturing process, this lure has all the unique benefits of balsa but with more consistency. Its hand-tuned, deep-diving lip makes it perfect for chasing bass as they transition into (or out of) deeper waters. The PRO SUNNY B DEEP weighs a mere ½-ounce and measures only 3 inches long from its balsa nose to tail, making it a particularly appealing cold-water or pressured situation presentation.
“This crankbait takes the popular Pro Sunny B to new depths of 10 -to 12-feet,” says Northland Marketing Manager and club tournament bass angler, Charlie Peterson.
Peterson continues: “With its unique lip design, the new Northland PRO SUNNY B DEEP starts diving the moment you turn the reel handle with a nice, tight action, but in a smaller balsa crankbait profile than most hardbaits available in this depth range. Plus, we added premium #4 Gamakatsu treble hooks to make the bait tournament-ready, right-out-of-the-box—and six, must-have colors for bass through the seasons.”
THE CLASSIC CHAMP’S HAND SELECTION
“When it comes to cranks, the Bagley Sunny B family has always been a favorite,” says Gussy. “They’ve caught fish for a long time. I’ve done well with them up north for smallies, cold-water largemouths in the south, and spotted bass, too.
- Details
BFHOF Report
Limited Edition Jitterbug
The Jitterbug was among Fred Arbogast’s signature creations and now a few iconic anglers are putting their signature on the Jitterbug as part of a collaborative effort to mark Arbogast’s election this year to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
To commemorate Arbogast’s induction, PRADCO, which took ownership of the Arbogast brand in 1997, will produce a limited-edition version of the Arbogast Jitterbug with proceeds from their sale to benefit the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Approximately 1,200 lures will be produced in four custom colors. There will be a series of 300 baits autographed by Hall of Famer Bill Dance, 300 baits autographed by current Elite Series angler Jason Christie and 300 baits autographed by Hall of Famer Kevin VanDam. Another 300 baits will feature the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame logo.
The majority of lures will be sold through PRADCO’s online store at Lurenet.com while several sets will be auctioned off as part of Celebrate Bass Fishing Week in September, which culminates with the annual Hall of Fame induction banquet on Sept. 26 at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Aquarium and Wildlife Museum in Springfield, Mo. Arbogast will be inducted along with Mike McKinnis, Skeet Reese, Alfred Williams and Mark Zona.
- Details
Missile Baits Report
Hover Missle Jig Head
Missile Baits has introduced the Hover Missile Jig Head to capitalize on the red-hot mid-strolling technique for catching suspended bass.
Available in three hook sizes with multiple weights to choose from, the missile shaped weight is centered on the hook shank for an erratic horizontal fall.
“FFS techniques are really taking off and the tackle use is just now evolving,” says John Crews, Missile Baits owner and professional bass angler.
The Hover Missile addresses a tricky technique with a functionally designed jig head. The high quality 90-degree jig hook helps the bait have the erratic and drifting action when paired with the missile shaped weight along the hook shank. A patented anchoring hole in the top fin of the missile weight allows a toothpick to be inserted through your bait and the hole, so your bait does not twist. Simply clip off the exposed part of the toothpick and the bait is locked into place. The #1 size hook comes in 1/32, 1/16, and 1/8 ounce sizes. The 2/0 hook comes in 1/16, 1/8, and 3/16 ounce sizes. 2/0 and #1 hook sizes come in three packs for a retail price of $5.99. The 4/0 hook comes in 1/4 and 3/8 ounce sizes, which come in two packs for a $5.69 retail price.
- Details
Rapala Report
Rapala CrushCity Mayor Swimbait
Jacob Wheeler set out to develop a new swimbait with the product engineers at Rapala, but he didn’t want a situational tool – he wanted a soft swimbait that would catch fish from coast to coast, 12 months out of the year.
Hence, the development of The Mayor. It’s one of five new soft baits in the new CrushCity soft bait line by Rapala, developed by a world-class pro angler for other tournament anglers.
“The biggest thing, more than anything, is subtlety,” Wheeler said. “When you look at a shad swim, or a perch, or a baitfish, when they swim the tail does not move that much.”
Accordingly, The Mayor’s tail does not kick super-hard, but instead steadily and naturally swings from side-to-side. But that’s not where the differences from the competition stop. Rapala’s engineers also integrated a level of body roll that is noticeable but not too aggressive. It tracks true through and across cover.
- Details
Lowrance Report
Lowrance Electronics Eagle®
Lowrance Electronics announced Eagle®, the latest offering in the brand’s entry level fishfinder/chartplotter lineup.
Featuring newly designed high-definition enhanced sonar, with FishReveal™ technology and detailed C-MAP® charting including Genesis Live, Eagle is Lowrance’s most accessible fishfinder yet.
“Eagle brings Lowrance’s high-definition sonar to its most easy to use fishfinder, providing the ultimate tool for weekend anglers,” said Jeremiah Clark, VP and General Manager, Fishing Systems at Navico Group. “Developed to make fishing simpler and more enjoyable, Eagle is quick to install – whether on a boat or kayak – and features enhanced auto tuning sonar and comprehensive C-MAP charts. Lowrance is dedicated to providing anglers of all levels the latest technology with the single aim of helping them to find and catch more fish and with its true eagle-like vision, this new fishfinder will deliver that.”
Eagle was developed exclusively for anglers by anglers. The newly designed TripleShot™ HD and SplitShot™ HD offer improved clarity, depth performance and sensitivity resulting in excellent performance under the surface, while FishReveal™ on DownScan continues to make it so simple to identify fish from weeds and structures.
Additionally, simple auto tuning sonar gives anglers optimal settings from the start, eliminating the hassle of needing to constantly configure settings, and an improved twist-locking connector allows for easy and reliable installation and removal, making Eagle a great portable solution for any type of fishing – simply connect and cast.
Designed to fish, Eagle has a new, rugged, and modern design featuring a new IPS screen that offers improved resolution, clarity, and visibility, even with polarized sunglasses in direct sunlight. Plus, a new range of imaging color palettes allows anglers to adapt the display for changing conditions.