Chene Gear was born out of a passion to build a better waterfowl wader, that absolutely will not leak, while holding up to years of use (and abuse). The Memphis, Tenn., brand succeeded with its 2S Wader. Built around that success is a premium line of waterfowl apparel with favorable crossover applications for anglers.

Gear Review: Chene Scout Boot

Orleans, MA

Whiskey Riff

The taxman always gets his share.

Or in this case, he gets the whole thing. Fishermen are always having to keep an eye out for the "taxman," which is what experienced fishers call sharks that lurk behind and around their boats, waiting to steal away their hard-earned catches. It's a really shallow thing to do, but you can't really blame the sharks in the sea for getting an easy meal.

In this clip from 2019 out of Orleans, Massachusetts, it appears that a family had gone out on an excursion with Columbia Sportfishing when the striped bass they had hooked quickly turned...

Great White Shark Rockets Out Of Water To Steal Striped Bass From Fisherman, Almost Flops Right Into The Boat

Champlain, NY

Mike Iaconelli has been a polarizing character in the world of bass fishing his entire Hall of Fame career. Most love him, some love to hate him, but regardless it is indisputable that the man is purely entertaining to watch fish. This notion was on full display on day one of the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite on Lake Champlain.

Iaconelli in His Element on Lake Champlain

Florida State

Editor’s note: Since this column was written, north Florida has been subjected to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Debby. Recently, Bassmaster Magazine ranked the Top 10 Bass Lakes of 2024, and among them was Orange Lake in North-Central Florida. In fact, the lesser-known fishery ranked third on the list, and for good reason — it produces countless trophy-size bass each year, many weighing in double digits.

A lake in trouble

Who doesn’t like bottom fishing to some degree? In the Northeast, it is arguably the most popular and approachable gateway to our sport. And there are so many ways to enjoy it—whether you prefer slow-pitch jigging scup and sea bass, swimming bucktails over sandy bottom for fluke, or dropping a couple clumps of clam to cod. The beauty of bottom fishing is it can be done almost anywhere, from back bay channels to offshore reefs, by boat or kayak. However, bottom fishing can also be unforgiving; it demands a lot from our gear and, at times, requires excessive amounts of terminal tackle, so we picked out some of the newest must-have bottom fishing gear from ICAST 2024.

Must-Have Bottom Fishing Gear from ICAST 2024

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Herbie J Pilato

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

Orlando, FL

Every summer, tackle manufacturers from around the world debut their newest creations at the ICAST show in Orlando, Florida. On display are improved and updated tools, upgraded terminal tackle, fishing and boating accessories, new electronics, and of course, the latest and greatest baits to hit the scene. Whether it be a line of finesse-style soft plastics tailored for use with forward-facing sonar, or a uniquely noisy topwater, there’s bound to be a bait or two worth adding to your arsenal. For largemouth and smallmouth bass fishermen, this annual event is especially exciting—but with so much to see in so little time, it can be overwhelming. That’s why we compiled a handful of the most innovative bass lures from ICAST 2024.

15 Innovative Bass Lures from ICAST 2024

Cooking With Maryann

For some of you, bacon and jam are words that just do not go together. Fear not though! Bacon jam is heaven on a spoon. We love to use it as a condiment on our burgers, but you can use it on grilled cheese or even for cracker dip. It's actually pretty simple, and this is what you'll need:

Delicious Condiment - Bacon Jam

The Truth About Bait Color in Summertime Bass Fishing. As the summer sun beats down on the water, bass fishing can become a challenging but rewarding experience. While many factors contribute to a successful catch, one often-debated topic is the importance of bait color. Does it really matter, or is it just a myth perpetuated by tackle manufacturers?

The Truth About Bait Color in Summertime Bass Fishing

Last month, I was talking about how our weather patterns have been the same as last years, so far, hot and dry! Well, not so much anymore with all the torrential rainfall this past month, and it has really changed things up! Not only has it cooled the water temps down a little, but it has also clouded up the water’s clarity. However, this can be good in some ways, especially when it comes to fishing, using artificial lures.

Kayak Fishing

Polk County, FL

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Fort Meade, FL

Uncovering Florida

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest after conducting an investigation into a case of credit card fraud involving 28-year-old Burger King employee, Kellyn Miley. The incident was discussed in detail during this morning's briefing with Sheriff Grady Judd.

Burger King Employee Caught Using Customer's Credit Card for Food at Former Job

Denver, CO

David Heitz

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

South Carolina State

Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Plattsburgh, NY

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — John Soukup did not have a good fishing day on Lake Champlain. However, he had a great “good Samaritan” day, possibly a life-saving one. “I think sometimes God puts you in the right place at the right time,” said Soukup, who weighed a 5-bass limit of 14 pounds, which left him in 99th place on Day 1 of the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite.

Soukup comes to the rescue

River water levels are constantly influenced by various weather conditions, such as storms, droughts, and seasonal changes. During late summer and fall, rivers often experience lower water levels due to reduced rainfall, creating unique fishing opportunities for anglers. These low-water conditions expose more of the riverbed, making it easier to target smallmouth bass that are typically spread out during higher water levels. Anglers should pay attention to weather patterns and plan their fishing trips accordingly to take advantage of these conditions. Understanding how water levels affect fish behavior and habitat is crucial for successful fishing. Lower water levels can also reveal hidden structures and cover, such as rocks and submerged logs, which can serve as prime locations for bass to hide and ambush prey. Tthese conditions can lead to higher water temperatures, which can influence the feeding patterns and activity levels of smallmouth bass. It’s important for anglers to adjust their techniques and gear to match these changing conditions. For instance, using lighter tackle and more natural presentations can be more effective in clear, low-water environments.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fact, we just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost and 10w30 Syntheic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing Success in Low Water!

Jacksonville Today

Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency in Northeast Florida and across much of the state as a tropical system appears almost certain to develop. The National Hurricane Center said Friday morning that a tropical wave has a 90% chance of developing into at least a tropical depression over the next seven days. Most models show it moving into the Gulf of Mexico and then coming ashore and crossing the state, possibly moving over Northeast Florida.

Tropical system is nearly certain to develop

Los Angeles, CA

Dennis the Menace actor Jay North is now 73 years old. This is his story. On August 3, 1951, Jay North was born Jay Waverly North, Jr., in Los Angeles, and seven years later, began acting on TV on shows like Wanted: Dead or Alive, and 77 Sunset Strip.

Former Childstar Jay North (TV's 'Dennis the Menace') Turns 73

Because many boats spend most of their lives on their trailers, it’s important for safety reasons and for the life of the hull that the trailer matches the boat. But how can a boat owner ensure that the trailer they buy fits right?. Here are some of the elements...

Is Your Trailer Right for Your Boat?

Actor Clarence Williams III, best known as the super cool undercover cop Lincoln "Linc" Hayes on TV's classic crime drama, The Mod Squad, died three years ago from colon cancer at 81 years old. This is the story of a talent that lives on.

The Tragic Death of 'Mod Squad'/'Purple Rain' Actor Clarence Williams III: Three Years Later

The crew of a British yacht had to be rescued after an orca sank their vessel in the Strait of Gibraltar, according to Spanish authorities. It is the latest in a long-running series of "interactions" between orcas and midsize sailing yachts off the coast of Spain. On Wednesday night, the...

Orcas Sink Yacht in Strait of Gibraltar

NewsBreak

ICAST goodies that caught my eyes

Not surprisingly, forward-facing sonar (FFS) products were the hot trends at the recent ICAST Show. In looking back at the 17 different ICAST shows I’ve attended...

ICAST goodies that caught my eyes

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