Zona: Mud scratchers, mustangs and returnees
Monday, February 1, 2021
(Editor s note: A few thoughts from Mark Zona, as told to Alan McGuckin of Dynamic Sponsorships.)
To say Im a little pumped for the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season to start would be like saying I was sort of into hair bands back in the early 90s.
Look, Im going to give you three thoughts Ive been wrestling with in recent days. Some of them actually came from a dream while I slept, and others are purely as factual as Warrants Cherry Pie album being their highest-selling record ever.
Why a jig is Lester s wintertime favorite
Tuesday, January 26, 2021 (Editor s note: This short feature came from Alan McGuckin at Dynamic Sponsorships.)
See the Alabama Rig near Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Lesters left hand in the photo? Its the only one he owns. Like literally, he owns one A-Rig, and youre looking at it.
And while hes got plenty of proven cold-water crankbaits laying there too, every lure in the universe plays second fiddle to a jig on the coldest days of winter for the easy-going Tennessee pro who is closing in on $1 million in career earnings after just seven years as a full-time pro.
Zaldain: Bend the hook on swimbaits
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 (Editor s note: This short feature came from Alan McGuckin of Dynamic Sponsorships.)
The Megabass Magdraft rigged swimbaits Chris Zaldain uses most frequently to catch super-sized largemouth range in price from $13 to $25 each. Yet, the first thing hell tell you to do is bend one of the three shanks on the factory treble out to nearly 90 degrees, and then use your pliers to squeeze the other two shanks closer to one another.
Obviously, every facet of these baits is designed with meticulous detail and innovation, including the hook they come rigged with, but theres two great reasons to straighten the one shank to nearly 90 degrees, Zaldain said. First, by straightening it out and then reinserting it in the body, it stays anchored in the belly of the bait way better when it splashes down at the end of a long cast. And secondly, when I skip it around and under docks, it stays anchored way better too.
How Sumrall catches Christmastime bass
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 (Editor s note: This feature comes from Alan McGuckin at Dynamic Sponsorships.)
Late 2017 was a time in Caleb Sumralls journey he will never forget. In life-changing fashion, he won the B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship on Lake Hartwell to launch his pro career, and six weeks later a very rare pre-Christmas snowfall blanketed his southern Louisiana home.
Speed ahead three years, and while Sumrall doesnt see snow in Cajun countrys forecast, he is absolutely certain quality time at home with family is his greatest Christmas gift, along with a framed note from his beloved grandma who passed-away two years ago.