Getting to review the best products in fishing is a tough job…..and someone has to do it, but seriously no one loves it anymore than we do.

Testing can be fun but in order to do it right we must have a systematic approach to the test and criteria that starts with the manufacturers marketing. If they say it catches 20 % more fish it better. If they say it dives to 18 feet, it better and if they say it will make each of us a better angler it better, as well. After that we have to put it to the regular angler set of tests. Getting a product endorsement from the Wired2Fish staff is serious business because we know that you have to spend your hard earned money to buy it, and it’s about integrity. We want our recommendation to mean something.

We take this job very seriously and rest assured if it’s reviewed on Wired2Fish we have actually fished with it – many times in tournament competition but more often than not it is in a controlled situation. We like to keep Wired2Fish readers appraised on what is hot during the time when it should be. Spring baits in the spring, post-spawn baits in the post-spawn, deep water lures in the dog days and fall baits in the fall.

We will on occasion do a series of stories about the new baits before they are generally available, but if they are in the Next Generation Tackle Box we have tested them.

We recently got to test two new products at the same time, the Spro Little John DD and Sunline Super Natural Mono. There was a method to our madness, and bass in our area are starting to move deep. We wanted to see if we could turn a few heads … pun intended.

We matched this combo on a Revo Winch, one sweet cranking reel by the way, a St.Croix Legend Elite medium-heavy 7-footer and used Humminbird electronics. We snuck that one in on you. You cannot fish deep without excellent electronics and the Humminbird 997 C2 Si is excellent. We use it in dual mode, Side imaging and regular depth finder, almost all the time.

We set out to fish points and main lake creek channel swings and looked to those that had a taper to a sharp drop in 12 to 25 feet of water. Our experience tells us that when water temps reach 75 degrees after the full moon in June, look deep. There is no question that this is a rule of thumb as some Illinois bass are still spawning and some are in the post spawn doldrums but many are ready for a little shad and crayfish gumbo too.

Our water color during this test was clear to stained and water temp was 75 degrees. There was very little wind and what there was, was coming out of the Southeast. The old adage says, “when the wind is from the east, the fishing is the least.” Not necessarily.

The first spot we stopped near is a gravel point with 8 feet of water on top and 31 feet on the drop. There is some coontail and hair grass spattered with deer tongue on the top of the drop. The first cast with the Spro Little John DD dug into the grass but with a couple of KVD quick snaps, it busted loose and a 4-pounder gobbled it up. The fish were positioned on four large rocks in 14 feet of water and with a slow retrieve to the rocks with the rod in the 3 o’clock position coupled with a pull, drag and wind, the bass would smash it. The LJDD kicks out when it hits something and that triggers bass. Some bait’s dig deep into the cover but the LJDD makes a move that triggers reaction bites.

We hit several other similar spots and the results were the same. Larger than average bass, and I truly believe some that don’t see a lure very often. I believe I have been fishing over the fish and the Spro Little John DD gets deep and stays there. That is the difference. The flat-sided design of the LJDD allows it to cut through the water naturally, and combined with the bill shape, it allows the angler to feel everything while the bait is swimming.

The Spro Little John DD is neutrally buoyant, it does float, but with the soft tungsten counterbalance allowed it to be thrown long distances in the wind. The subtle low pitched rattle is a plus for some fish turned off to loud rattler style baits. The Gamakatsu trebles are super sharp out of the package and are matched to the bait perfectly.

The Little John DD pulls harder than some other deep runners but that is because it has a very wide wobble. It fishes comfortably even fished all day.

The Sunline Mono in green is soft yet tough stuff. We tested 12-pound test, and even though it’s mono and has some stretch, it’s perfect for cranking. You can cast it a mile and the sensitivity is above average even while cranking open water. Very thin diameter, looks like 8 pound, but is very abrasion and cut resistant. It lies on the reel very well, and the iridescent look of the line breaks up in the water making it virtually invisible.

One note on the line: When a bait gets hung you better have a plug knocker because this line is very tough to break and with an expensive diving plug, like the Spro Little John, you don’t want to lose too many.

By Doug Grassian
Bassmaster.com

STOCKTON, Calif. — For an professional angler, the equivalent to Lebron James pulling up and swishing a last-second three-pointer is to land a 5-pounder on the last cast.

John Crews of Salem, Va., executed that feat on the California Delta in the grandest of fashions Sunday to score the $100,000 victory at the Duel in the Delta, the Bassmaster Elite Series season-opener.

That fish added just enough weight to Crews’ four-day total of 72 pounds, 6 ounces, to best Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., by the slimmest of margins. Reese (72-5) was visibly shaken. Crews wasn’t.

“This is just unbelievable,” said Crews, 31. “When it’s your time, it’s just your time. I knew I was on the fish to win and I never have had that feeling before. I’m almost speechless.”

James OverstreetCrews lifts his hardware from the TroKar Duel in the Delta.

Crews certainly seemed to have a horseshoe in his back pocket this weekend. But ultimately, Crews identified an area that many of his Elite brethren overlooked. His success can be directly tied to his spot that was immune to the changing conditions that plagued many on the Delta this week.

Case in point: Crews weighed his heaviest limits on Friday and Sunday. The conditions on those days were on total opposite ends of the spectrum with Sunday producing blue-bird skies while Friday rain, wind and frigid conditions prevailed.

The four-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier concentrated on a dead-end slough that held deep, thick hydrilla in 4 to 8 feet of water. He worked the flipping stick slowly and methodically. As with most of the competitors this week, patience was a virtue for Crews as keeper bites were few and far between.

But when he got one, he made it count. He primarily used a sweet beaver through the first three rounds of competition but switched to a Gambler BB Cricket on the final day. The move paid off as Crews brought the only 20-plus pound limit — actually 20-8 — to the scales on Sunday.

“I found that area the first day of practice and actually only got one bite in there,” said Crews, who took his first BASS victory Sunday. “But there was something that looked right there. The water was deeper and the fish weren’t moving. And they were kept off the bank because of the boat traffic. The bite wasn’t tide-dependent and I knew it could be a winning area if I executed.”

The victory is sweet redemption after an “atrocious” beginning to the 2009 Elite season. Though he missed out on qualifying for the 2010 Classic, Crews finally felt he was starting to put something together late last year. Mentally, he said, he was in a good place and he was able to extend the good vibes into this week. Now, his confidence is soaring.

“Right now, I’m in such a good place with my fishing,” Crews said. “I don’t know how I will do at Clear Lake (the next Elite event) but I know I have a chance of winning. And that feels good.”

Reese is no stranger to just missing out on victory — he lost the 2007 Classic by mere ounces — but even with his unfavorable luck, the sting of losing by one ounce was evident. Like Crews, Reese was able to piece together solid days throughout the event while other anglers were all over the map.

Reese fished two areas Sunday and switched up his bait choice, a chigger craw, creature bait and chatterbait. He explored new water in the morning that led to little success. But then he moved to his primary area — a long run from the launch location — and was able to put together 18 pounds, 12 ounces, a weight he thought was good enough to claim his fourth BASS victory.

James OverstreetSkeet Reese winces when he sees his weight was one ounce less than Crews.

Reese wanted nothing more than to claim victory in front of the vibrant home-state, final-day crowd of 5,900, but it wasn’t in the cards.

“I’m speechless right now,” said Reese, the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “I had a great week overall but I hate finishing second. I really hate it. All you can hope for is to keep positioning yourself to get the victory and they will come.”

Still, Reese, who is at the top of his game, has his eyes on a larger prize. Reese earned valuable Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points and his top nemesis, Kevin VanDam, who has scored the last two AOYs, stumbled a bit here. But the season still promises to be a back-and-forth battle between the two titans.

It was Saturday leader Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., who opened the door for Crews and Reese. After a tremendous 25-plus pound limit Saturday, Hackney stumbled Sunday, failing to catch a limit.

“I had two on that could have made the difference,” said Hackney, the 2004 Rookie of the Year. “But that’s on me.”

In fourth was Mike Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J., with 70-4. Rounding out the top five was Shaw Grigsby of Gainesville, Fla., with 63-11.

The next event for Elite Series anglers is the Golden State Shootout on fish-factory Clear Lake on March 18-21. The Lakeport, Calif.-based event set then-BASS records in 2007 and with warming conditions promises to be another shootout. The Elite Series is comprised of eight regular-season events and the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason.

Fans can catch extended analysis on Bassmaster.com and ESPN2 will recap the entire competition on the Sunday, March 28, edition of The Bassmasters at 10:30 a.m. ET. The episode will air again Saturday, April 17, at 10 a.m. ET.

FINAL STANDINGS

According to John, “Lunker Sauce is a great product. I can tell you a number of stories where I saw a difference when using it. I promise all my soft plastics will be on the Sauce! Now, the gels can be used on hard plastic baits like my SPRO Little Johns. It is another factor that will give me a few more bites during a tournament week and that is very important to my success.”

Vicious Fishing is beginning a relationship with John Crews in 2010. Vicious Fishing makes all types of fishing lines and other fishing accessories. John will fish exclusively with their Ultimate Fishing line (co-polymer mono), Vicious Fluorocarbon line, and Vicious Braid. During the year, fans will also likely spot Crews sporting the hot, Vicious Fishing apparel that shows everyone what line he counts on. John will also be joining an outstanding pro staff including Gerald Swindle, Marty Stone, Pete Ponds, Tim Horton, and Kevin Short.

“Fishing line is very important to me and my career,” says Crews. “Vicious is making a quality product at prices that real people can afford. They make a sweet fluorocarbon, a fantastic mono, and an awesome braid. Anglers can now go to one company and get a great line for any application without getting confused. The best part is that the company is privately owned by a wonderful family, not a big corporation that is strictly profit driven.”

Benton, KY, November 4, 2009 – Professional Anglers’ Auctions are starting again Friday November 6, 2009 and will run for 10 days.  This round of auctions includes a variety of fishing memorabilia from big names like Denny Brauer, Paul Elias, and Tim Horton, along with several other PAA Pros.  In addition to these collector’s items, fans will have a chance to bid on more great fishing trips as well.  PAA President John Crews is offering up a full day of instruction as part of his Bass Angler Academy classes, where John will spend the day educating one lucky fan on everything from electronics, to tournament tactics.  This trip will take place on Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake, where John has honed his skills over the years.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, the Official Charity of the PAA. Catch-A-Dream is an international, charitable, non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation, that provides once-in-a-lifetime dream hunting and fishing trips to children across the United States and Canada, age 18 and younger, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. Through these adventures, and exposure to outdoors-minded people who care, the program instills in these children a message of encouragement at a time when they need to know that hope does indeed exist.

To learn more, or to participate in the auction, please visit the all new auction page hosted within www.fishpaa.com:

http://www.fishpaa.com//programs/paa_auction.htm

Whether you want to learn from John Crews, collect some great fishing memorabilia, or pick out that perfect holiday gift for the angler that has it all, Professional Anglers’ Auctions has something for you.

The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. For more information, visit www.FishPAA.com.

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“The PAA and Bass Pro Shops are going to bring the best together, “states PAA President, John Crews. “The best bass anglers in the world are going to showcase their talent at tournaments that are going to be centered at the best outdoor retail stores. The PAA is very excited about our future with Bass Pro Shops.”

Each of the four stops will be hosted in conjunction with Bass Pro Shops retail locations throughout the second half of 2010.  Stores will serve as tournament headquarters by playing host to tournament registration, meet and greets, and the final day weigh-in activities. Fans can join in the excitement at Bass Pro Shops throughout the tournament week.  Those who are unable to attend will also have the opportunity to join on-line, with weigh-in coverage and instructional video being streamed as part of the expanded PAA event coverage.

Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris was a professional angler himself and qualified 5 times for the prestigious Bassmaster Classic. “Our company was one of the first to involve professional anglers in promoting our branded products,” said Morris. “We have a long history of great relationships with top anglers worldwide and we are very proud to be in a position to support these anglers and the PAA.”

As the Official Outdoor Retailer of the 2010 Tournament Series, Bass Pro Shops will collaborate with the PAA on marketing and promotions. Nitro and Tracker Boats will also join this partnership which will showcase America’s number-one-selling fishing boats to the bass fishing enthusiasts of the PAA.

Kevin VanDam, newly crowned five-time Angler of the Year stated, “I’m really looking forward to this partnership between organizations who mean so much to the sport. This is great for fishing, for fishermen and for all the sponsors. We all have a common purpose and this really is a boost for everyone involved.”

The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. For more information, visit www.FishPAA.com.

About Bass Pro Shops Group:
Bass Pro Shops -56 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 100 million people annually, international catalog and internet retailing, American Rod & Gun wholesale division selling to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide, Outdoor World Incentives also selling Bass Pro Shops gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America and a restaurant division with 26 locations.  For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com.  To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.

You lose a lot of fish in tournaments, and I’m no exception. I’ve gotten over all of them except one, and this one was in a tournament on Lake Murray with another national circuit back in 2004.

After two days, I was on good fish and on my way to my first national bass tournament win. I was throwing a crankbait on the third day when a big fish hit. It was at least 5 pounds, closer to 6 pounds. After the strike, I kept good pressure on the fish; I knew it was hooked. He ate the whole bait then started swimming for the shallows.

As the fish swam, I felt him coming up to jump. I kept pressure on it and as it jumped, I saw the fish’s mouth open and the crankbait shoot back toward me. Somehow the fish didn’t have a single hook in it! The crankbait plopped harmlessly in the water and the fish swam free. I was stunned at how that could have happened.

I ended up losing the tournament by 2 1/2 pounds. That big fish would’ve let me cull a 1 1/2-pounder and moved me from third to first easily.

I still think about it from time to time, and have replayed it in my head hundreds of times. As I reflect on that fish, there isn’t a single thing I would’ve done differently. There was no slack in the line when the fish jumped, and there was no way I could have done anything better than I did. It was one of those freak one-in-a-million things that happened at the exact wrong time.

That fish taught me that this can be a cruel, cruel sport and that you don’t get a ton of opportunities to win. When you do get a chance to win, you have to focus and not let anything get in your way.

BASS Logo Click here to JOIN BASS!

According to John Crews, President of the PAA, “Online Fishermen.com is the future of fishing publications.” The Professional Anglers Association is dedicated to continuing the sport of professional angling. It is a perfect marriage to join Online Fishermen.com as the official online publication of the PAA! We are very excited about this partnership.”

Online Fishermen.com is America’s online fishing resource. The magazine is interactive with the look and feel of a traditional print magazine. Each issue will focus on a variety of species, both fresh and saltwater, from bass to tarpon.  In addition to exclusive stories, the magazine will feature conservation articles, new product reviews, and a variety of special interest pieces.

The publication will be distributed for free by email to existing PAA members, and non-PAA members can also sign up for the magazine at www.fishpaa.com.
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The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. For more information, visit www.FishPAA.com.