“Angler X” Picks for Empire Chase

Several new names pop up on Angler X's list for the Empire Chase at Lake Erie. Electronics will level the competition out, but there are still several guys he feels have an advantage in some way. He believes that pulling five 4-pounders from a single location is not only realistic, it is probably how the event will be won.

KVD Talks Erie

Announcing that Kevin VanDam currently leads the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race delivers the shock value equivalent of saying Tiger is the PGA's best golfer.

Conservation a hot topic during Classic week

CELEBRATION, Fla. In February, while fishing fans are watching 51 anglers battle on the water for the 2006 CITGO Bassamaster Classic $500,000 top prize, some very important work will be taking place indoors, away from the public eye.

Eating your way to success

After breaking a 14-year drought of victories on the BASS tour, the first person Kevin Wirth thanked upon winning the Elite Series Tennessee Triumph at Old Hickory Lake was Ken Hoover.

Old Hickory Lake Picks

This week's new venue for the Bassmaster Elite Series, Old Hickory Lake near Nashville, will prove interesting to the pros, but I don't believe it's going to be particularly challenging. For the past two tournaments, the pros have been cranking river channel ledges to catch transition fish, and that should be a strong pattern on this Cumberland River reservoir, as well.

How-To

Living on the Ledge

Summer fishing is a balancing act. An angler must weigh time spent studying offshore ledges versus a see-cast-and-reel tactic for shallow visible cover.

Jack Orr Wins the Gear-Up Giveaway Grand Prize

Jack Orr of Maryville, Tenn., gives his wife all the credit for his winning an official Bassmaster Elite Series Triton bass rig, the grand prize of the BASS 40th Anniversary Gear Up Giveaway sweepstakes at Bassmaster.com.

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