THUNDERSTORMS RUMBLE
A strong thunderstorm rumbled through the Venice, La., area Friday morning, causing many anglers competing in the Bassmaster Classic to search for cover. At least one beached his boat and waited for the storm to pass.
Reigning Classic champion and 2003 Angler of the Year Jay Yelas sought shelter in a narrow canal when the storm stuck.
"We had lightning popping right over us. The winds were high and it was a torrential downpour for about 30 minutes," Yelas said. "I don't like lightning, but I didn't want to stop fishing. I pulled up into a little canal that had trees all around it. I didn't want to be out in the middle of the lake with the lightning popping like that."
Jason Quinn of Lake Wylie, S.C., said he was able to skirt the storm. But the thunder was so strong that each time it rumbled, he could feel it vibrate his boat. "It was a hot storm. I'm glad I was able to stay out of it," he said.
Tim Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., who continued to fish in a protected area during the storm, said once the rain ended the bass bite aggressively. "They really turned on after the rain. I caught two or three in about 15 minutes when the rain stopped."
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible Saturday and Sunday in the New Orleans area, according to the National Weather Service.
BASS, BASS PRO SHOPS LAUNCH NEW PRODUCT LINE
The worldwide authority on bass fishing and the world's leading supplier of outdoor gear have teamed up to market a new line of baits, rods and reels and clothing designed for and by bass anglers.
Dean Kessel, vice president and general manager of BASS, announced Friday that Bass Pro Shops has been selected as the official retailer for the organization. Bass Pro Shops will sell a line of high-quality fishing products bearing the BASS brand.
The first Bassmaster-branded products, which include rods and reels, jigs, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits, went on sell Friday in the Bass Pro Shops booth at the Classic outdoors show being held in New Orleans.
The Bassmaster products are expected to be arriving in Bass Pro Shops retail stores around the country within three weeks.
Michael LaBroad, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Bass Pro Shops, is excited about having the product line in the company's stores and catalogues.
"It really makes a lot of sense for the two of us to be working together to promote the sport," LaBroad said.
DREAMING OF A WIN
Many anglers who have fished for bass have dreamed of winning the Classic - the world championship of bass fishing.
About two months ago, Mark Menendez dreamed he caught a big bass in the Classic.
When Menendez, of Paducah, Ky., caught a 6-pound, 2-ounce largemouth on his fifth cast of the morning Friday, it was shades of da-ja-vu.
"The place I saw myself holding a big bass in my dream looked an awful lot like the place I caught that big one Friday," Menendez said.
During practice, Menendez found the spot where he fished Friday and was amazed that is looked like the place he had seen in his dream. When he tested it and found plenty of big bass, he knew his dream might come true.
Menendez is leading the tournament by more than a pound.
LODGE OFFERS WORLD-CLASS HUNTING AND FISHING
Anglers and hunters looking for a place where the fishing and hunting are awesome and the crowds are small can find it at the Beau Rivage Sportsman's Lodge.
Bruce Norris, director of public affairs for Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss., said both the fishing and hunting opportunities at the sportsman's lodge are excellent. The lodge is operated by Beau Rivage Resort and Casino.
The 5,000-square-foot floating retreat in the Gulf of Mexico provides outstanding opportunities for catching redfish, speckled trout, flounder and other game fish for much of the year around Chandeleur Island, situated about 32 miles off the coast of Mississippi.
From mid-November through January, the retreat is moved to near Venice, La., which is one of the best places in the country for duck hunting, Norris said during a news conference at the Classic that is under way in New Orleans.
The world-class resort is fully-staffed, air-conditioned and heated. With six guest bedrooms and a master suite, the lodge can accommodate up to 10 overnight guests. Guests travel to and from the lodge by boat or aircraft. Instruction is available for novice anglers and hunters.
Charter boats for inshore and offshore fishing and a full service marina are available at the resort. For more information, call (888) 576-2746.