The North Carolina General Assembly is considering legislation that would significantly increase registration fees on recreational boats to raise revenue for coastal dredging projects. BoatU.S. is dedicated to preserving access to waterways but S.B. 58 places an unfair financial burden on recreational boaters while ignoring the responsibility of commercial fishing boats and for-hire charter fishing and headboats.
S.B. 58 will now go to the Senate Finance Committee and could be heard as early as Tuesday, March 12. Please contact your State Senator today and respectfully urge them to vote “No” on S.B. 58. Here’s why:
Boaters who solely boat on the state’s lakes and rivers will be paying for projects they will never use.
The fee for a 20ft boat would jump 275% for a 3-year registration. For a 40ft boat, a 3-year registration will skyrocket 1025%!
SB 58 would make the Tarheel State the most expensive state in which to register a boat of its coastal border states.
Please let your State Senator know that you oppose S.B. 58 as drafted and ask them to consider a more reasonable way to pay for dredging North Carolina’s coastal inlets and essential waterways.
New site designed specifically to deliver information aluminum-boat buyers want most
FLIPPIN, ARK. (January 24, 2013)
Ranger Boats announces the launch of RangerAluminum.com, a website devoted solely to the legendary brand’s all-new lineup of aluminum boats. The new site will initially cover the Tournament Series with subsequent pages added in the coming weeks focused on the Apache Series. These new designs can be accessed directly at www.rangeraluminum.com, or through links on Ranger’s primary homepage, rangerboats.com.
Highlighted by stunning graphics and an easy-to-navigate design, RangerAluminum.com offers an in-depth look at the features and configuration options for each model. In addition to overhead photography, interior details and a complete listing of all specs and standard equipment, the site will also feature entertaining and educational videos and product reviews. Boat buyers will also be able to outfit and price their boats by selecting from a list of custom options and multiple outboard power configurations – an exclusive feature specific to Ranger’s new aluminum-only website.
“So many anglers enter the boating lifestyle by purchasing an aluminum fishing boat,” said Ranger Vice President of Sales Keith Daffron. “We’re excited to offer these customers an affordable, durable product paired with the Ranger name and the long list of 5-Star advantages that come with it.”
The all-new Tournament Series will consist of three models, built with the same Ranger DNA that’s crafted a 45-year legacy for making the industry’s best fiberglass fishing boats. The RT 178 sports a 17-foot, 8-inch bass configuration, while the RT 178C features a similar platform (17 feet, 8 inches) focused more on crappie and multispecies angling – complete with multiple seat locations and livewells. Rounding out the Tournament Series line is the RT188, an 18-foot, 8-inch bass design rated for 115 horsepower. All three models are built to exceed the needs of boat buyers in search of a durable, feature-laden, mod-V aluminum boat. In addition to the Tournament Series, the Ranger Apache Series will soon be posted to the site. The Apache Series consists of four ultra-versatile models designed to appeal to anglers and waterfowl hunters alike. The Apache Series will include a 16-foot tiller model, 17- and 18-foot side-console models and an 18-foot center-console model. Whether the focus is on the spring spawn or the fall migration, Apache Series owners will benefit from an intuitive, all-purpose interior layout and a bevy of special features such as the durable Rawhide interior with its slip-resistant surface and hand painted camo exteriors. For more information on Ranger’s newest aluminum boats, go online to www.rangeraluminum.com or visit an authorized Ranger dealer.
About Ranger Boats Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger Boats is the nation’s premier manufacturer of legendary fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, which include series of bass, multi-species, fish ‘n play, water fowl utility and saltwater boats. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest-quality, strongest-performing boats on the water. For more information, go to RangerBoats.com.
MINNEAPOLIS – FLW announced today that Z-Man® Fishing Products, the nation’s fastest-growing fishing lure brand, will return as an associate sponsor of the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization for the 2013 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Z-Man will receive exposure across several of FLW’s platforms, including its tournaments and Expos, multiple websites and FLW Bass Fishing magazine.
Z-Man’s pro staff, known as the Z-Squad, is led by Chevy pro Luke Clausen of Spokane, Wash., one of only five anglers in the sport to have won both the Forrest Wood Cup and the Bassmaster Classic.
Based out of Charleston, S.C., Z-Man has manufactured high-quality fishing tackle for more than 25 years. Their Original Chatterbait® brand bladed swim jig is still dominant in the bass scene and has been joined by a wide selection of Z-Man’s proprietary 10X Tough ElaZtech® soft plastics for nearly every fishing scenario. At the 2012 ICAST show Z-Man launched four technique-specific baits, the ChatterBait Elite bladed jig, FattyZ power finesse worm, Hula StickZ hybrid finesse bait and Palmetto BugZ flipping bait, which promise to garner considerable attention in 2013.
2013 is here! It’s almost time to kick things off again. Thanks to James Overstreet and his awesome video displayed below, we can all get a little fired up awaiting that first cast of the season.
Collins Inc. located on Hwy 70 in Smithfield, NC will host the “Bass For Cash Series”, a six event series that will cover triangle area lakes starting in March of 2013. Contingency awards from Ranger, Stratos, and Triton are planned and will add to the event payouts. Additional contingency awards are in the works as well as event sponsors to help increase payouts and reward anglers for their participation.
Visit the all new Collins web site for details. (From the bottom of the home page click on “Get Info On Our Bass Tournament Series”.)
(As printed in the August issue of B.A.S.S. Times.)
I first penned this column for B.A.S.S. Times in September 1991. Now, 20-plus years later, I had hoped that it would not be necessary to re-publish.
Unfortunately, I was wrong.
I have done a little editing to update the message, but the message is still the same: Most of the things we label as accidents are simply violations of accepted safety practices — or in other words, things we did that we should have known better than to do!
When delivered in person, I usually begin this dissertation by asking the audience to define “accident.” Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines it as “an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance” and “an unexpected happening causing loss or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct.” My simplified definition is that an accident is an act of God; everything else we commonly call an accident is, in reality, a violation of accepted safety practices or just a lack of good old common sense. Let’s look at some common “accidents” and judge them against these definitions.
A driver who has had little sleep is towing a boat late at night, in horrible weather. Somewhere between the lake and home he runs off the road and overturns his vehicle. One person is killed and another seriously injured.
A boat operator is running at full throttle without a PFD or an engine “kill” switch attached. While making a sharp turn, he and his partner are thrown out of the boat. The engine still running, the boat turns, hits and kills the driver.
A tournament boat encounters a strong thunderstorm. Rather than seeking shelter, the contenders decide to continue fishing through the storm. Lightning strikes one of the anglers, causing serious injury.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. Unfortunately, all three of the above “accidents” have happened to BFN members over the years, but do the circumstances warrant the term “accident”? To determine if they were accidents or safety violations, we must ask ourselves a series of questions. To classify these events as accidents, the answers to all of the following questions must be an unequivocal “yes.”
Was it an unforeseen or unplanned event? Certainly unplanned, but was it unforeseen? That’s questionable, but for the sake of discussion we’ll give it a “yes.”
Was it an unexpected happening causing loss or injury? We’ll give this a “yes” as well, although that, too, is questionable.
Was it an unexpected happening causing loss or injury that was not due to any fault or misconduct? Certainly not!
In my humble opinion, the test for “fault or misconduct” is the true test of an accident and the one that most incidents fail. This philosophy is what guides my “act of God” definition. If you accept my analysis of these sample incidents, then you must also agree that none of them meet Webster’s or my simplified definition of an accident.
Why is this English lesson important? When we use the term “accident,” we tend to alleviate blame and dismiss the incident as unavoidable or “just one of those things.” If we recognize safety violations for exactly what they are and examine them to determine cause, we could make great strides to reduce needless loss.
Over the past 20-plus years under the BFN insurance program, we’ve had many serious losses and fatalities. When I analyze each of those losses, I rarely find that they can pass this stringent test of an “accident.” Almost all of them were preventable safety violations or lapses in judgment. I don’t mean to hurt or offend anyone by this statement, but if saying it saves one life, it was well worth saying.
So come on, BFN leadership and members, let’s lead the charge. Let’s all show our genuine concern for safety by practicing those things that we know are right and by correcting others who take safety lightly. Let’s stress safety in our tournament briefings and club meetings. Let’s put safety first!
Will this emphasis make some members angry or upset? Sure it will, but those are probably the ones who need reminding the most.
Looking in informative videos to increase your fishing skills. Take a look at Z-Man TV for interesting discussions from the Z-Man Crew. These videos offer great insight from Z-Man Pro Staff members and give you underwater views of the lures in action.
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 31, 2012) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will implement a new 14-inch minimum length limit for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass in most western North Carolina waters effective Aug. 1.
The daily creel limit, which is five black bass in any combination with two under the minimum length limit, will remain in effect.
The new minimum length limit will apply to all western North Carolina waters except for small portions of the New River in Alleghany County, where a special regulation conforms to Virginia regulations. The New River in that area meanders back and forth across the border of North Carolina and Virginia.
The new length limit will replace the statewide general length limit of smallmouth and spotted bass, which were managed under a 12-inch limit previously. In addition, largemouth bass in waters in and west of Madison, Buncombe, Henderson and Polk counties, as well as in Public Mountain Trout Waters, will have the same 14-inch regulation.
“We analyzed the data and found an opportunity to apply a single regulation for black bass in North Carolina,” said David Yow, warmwater fisheries research coordinator for the Commission’s Division of Inland Fisheries. “In the past we believed that black bass in these western waters grew too slowly to be managed for the larger sizes, but our recent work indicates that most of our stream and reservoir bass populations will perform well under the 14-inch limit.”
Yow also hopes that simple, straight-forward bass regulations will encourage more anglers to try their luck on a mountain lake or river.
According to Yow, most anglers should welcome the increased protection for smallmouth and largemouth bass, but may be concerned about increasing protection of the spotted bass that have appeared in many mountain reservoirs. However, spotted bass had to be included in the regulation because they can interbreed with the other two species to create hybrids.
“The presence of hybrids would make it nearly impossible to identify a fish positively as a spotted bass,” Yow said. “So the only way we can protect largemouth and smallmouth bass is to protect them all.”
Anglers can remove spotted bass from their favorite smallmouth or largemouth streams and reservoirs by keeping five per day, including two of any size, as in the past.
Special black bass regulations may be applied in the future to other waters, as additional bass surveys are conducted and new data are analyzed.
“If the science suggests that a particular bass fishery needs a different regulation, we’ll consider a proposal to bring to public hearings,” Yow said.
For more information on fishing in public, inland waters visit the Commission’s fishing page or call the Division of Inland Fisheries, (919) 707-0220.
Z-Man Continues New Product Innovation with Pro-Inspired, Technique-Specific Bait Offerings for 2013
Wed, Aug 1st, 2012 12:00:00 am:
Building upon the media interest, tournament success, and ensuing consumer demand that their 2012 new products have enjoyed, Z-Man Fishing Products, Inc. (Z-Man) will be introducing four new products at this year’s ICAST that will continue to round out and deepen the company’s proprietary ElaZtech® soft plastic bait line. These new offerings are the result of Z-Man’s continued commitment to working with top professional B.A.S.S. and FLW anglers and utilizing the most innovative technology available. Each bait has been custom tailored to fit specific fishing situations and techniques. All of the new soft plastics are non-toxic products that will deliver lifelike action, incredible durability and outstanding fish-catching performance.
“In conjunction with our Pro Staff, we’ve created some exciting new baits for 2013 that we’re thrilled to unveil,” states Z-Man General Manager, Daniel Nussbaum. “The new ChatterBait Elite model is without a doubt the best bladed swim jig Z-Man has ever produced, and our new ElaZtech soft bait designs will provide anglers who demand the toughest, softest, and most lifelike plastics even more options to add to their arsenals.”
CHATTERBAIT® ELITE
SIZE:4.5 inches WEIGHT: 3/8 and 1/2 ounce QUANTITY: 1 bait per pack COLORS (8): White, Chartreuse/White, Black/Blue, Green Pumpkin, Bluegill, Smoky Shad, Sexy Shad, Black/Red
Building upon the Original ChatterBait brand bladed swim jig’s dominance in tackle boxes—and on bass circuits—the country over, comes the new Chatterbait Elite model. Built upon our patented, bladed swim jig design, it sports a 5/0 Gamakatsu® hook, new EZ Skirt® jig skirts with low-profile hub, and custom head paint schemes for precise skirt matching. Top the Elite off with a molded-in trailer keeper that prevents soft plastics from sliding and a strengthened head-to-blade connection, and the result is an upgraded lure that’s even more irresistible to fish—and essential to fishermen!
“I’m really excited about the new products we’re bringing out at ICAST this year,” states Glenn Young, National Sales Manager for Z-Man. “The new ChatterBait Elites I think will be a huge hit, especially with tournament anglers. Between the Gamakatsu hook, the heads that are painted to match the skirt patterns and the blade colors, this series will certainly live up to its Elite name.”
“The upgrades made to the ChatterBait—namely the much-improved hook and bait keeper—are the precise enhancements that were needed,” comments David Walker, 2011 B.A.S.S. Elite Series
champion, 10-time Forrest Wood Cup qualifier and Z-Man Pro. “The versatility of this bait does the work for you. I always keep a rod rigged up with one, as it produces on bodies of water all across the country.”
FATTYZ™
SIZE:5 inches QUANTITY: 6 baits per pack COLORS (8): Black Blue Flake, Watermelon, Watermelon Red, Junebug, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Candy, California Craw, Green Pumpkin Blue Flake
When FLW Tour pro, Luke Clausen, approached Z-Man with a new bait design, the company listened. And, the result is the FattyZ. Ideal for power-finesse situations and equipped with a molded-in slot for easy hook penetration, it’s perfect when paired with our Shaky® HeadZ™. Overall, this 5″ bait is unique, lifelike and super effective. And, thanks to salt-impregnated ElaZtech®, amazingly durable.
“I was super excited to be involved in developing the new FattyZ power finesse worm,” remarks Luke Clausen, 2004 Forrest Wood Cup champion, 2006 Bassmaster Classic champion, and Z-Man Pro. “It performs well on both a Shaky Head and Texas rig and is flat out a fish-catching machine!”
“I really like the new FattyZ that Luke helped us design,” says Young. “Its profile looks great from any angle and I think is our most versatile worm offering yet. I’ve been fishing this bait since the early prototype stages and it’s been productive on a Shaky Head, Texas rigged on a weighted jerk-bait hook, and even on an unweighted hook. I don’t see how fish will be able to turn down such a plump offering.”
HULA STICKZ™
SIZE:4 inches QUANTITY: 6 baits per pack COLORS (8): Watermelon Red, Pumpkin, Junebug, Green Pumpkin, Shiner, Pearl, PB&J, Mud Minnow
The right bait can be the difference between a big day and coming up empty. The new Hula StickZ is the perfect bait when finesse tactics are in order. Ideal when paired with a light jighead or Texas-rigged, this buoyant bait stands up off the bottom with tentacles brought to life. Better still, its salt-impregnated ElaZtech construction ensures it’ll last. And last. And last.
“The Hula StickZ are a cross between our ZinkerZ™ and a small tube bait, creating a neat little finesse bait,” states Young. “Its little tentacles add movement and action that are absolutely irresistible to finicky fish. The extreme durability of ElaZtech allows us to make finesse baits so much softer than our competitors, which also gives our baits more action in the water. I’m anxious to see the many ways our customers end up rigging this little bait, as we have some very creative brand advocates out there.”
PALMETTO BUGZ™
SIZE:4 inches QUANTITY: 5 baits per pack COLORS (8): Black Blue Flake, Watermelon Red, Black Neon, Junebug, Green Pumpkin, EZ Money, California Craw, Black Sapphire
A superb pitching, flipping and punching bait, the Palmetto BugZ’s streamlined design allows it to slide through the nastiest cover with ease, while its super-soft, ringed, four-inch body emits loads of vibration. Best of all, its salt-impregnated ElaZtech construction is built to last so you can keep landing the big ones. Cast after cast, fish after fish.
“The Palmetto BugZ really helped us fill a void in our lineup,” comments Young. “It’s an ideal flipping bait whose buoyancy really shows off the benefits of ElaZtech. It will stand up and get noticed in the thickest of aquatic jungles and the durability means it will survive the numerous attacks from the jungle creatures it encounters. I know this bait will be a hit with anglers looking for the ideal heavy cover flipping bait.”
B.A.S.S. Elite Series angler, eight-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and Z-Man Pro Staffer, Stephen Browning concurs. “The buoyancy of the all-new Palmetto BugZ never leaves you stuck in the mud. The bait lands with its appendages in a defensive posture just like a real crawfish and bass simply can’t resist.”
About Z-Man Fishing Products
A bold, dynamic, Charleston, SC-based company, Z-Man Fishing products has prided itself on bringing technology to anglers for over 25 years.
Z-Man has long been one of the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material. But, even though the company’s Original ChatterBait® was creating stir on the major bass circuits, only a handful of pros associated Z-Man with this tournament-winning lure.
Today, however, all that is changing. Every day our amazing 10X Tough ElaZtech® soft plastics are gaining momentum among the world’s premier fresh- and saltwater baits, helping make them the fastest-growing lure brand in America.
About ElaZtech
Z-Man’s proprietary ElaZtech material is remarkably soft, pliable, and 10X tougher than traditional soft plastics. ElaZtech resists nicks, cuts, and tears better than other soft baits and boasts one of the highest fish-per-bait ratings in the industry, resulting in anglers not having to waste time searching for a new bait when the fish are biting. This unique material is also naturally buoyant and floats up off the bottom, creating a more visible, lifelike, and attractive target to game fish. Unlike most other soft plastic baits, ElaZtech contains no PVC, plastisol or phthalates, and is non-toxic.
Steve Pennaz, host of Lake Commandos, recently received his new Ranger 620VS Fisherman and took the time to shoot this piece highlighting his favorite features of this versatile multi-species design including Ranger's Rite-Track Keel® and the Ranger Trail® trailer. Be sure your volume is turned up, hit the play button, and see why the Ranger 620VS is St […]
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