July/August 2022

Bassmaster

The Worldwide Authority on Bass Fishing

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Bassmaster
Editor-in-Chief: James Hall Art Director: Laurie Tisdale Executive Editor: Bryan Brasher Associate Editor: Mandy Pascal Editorial Assistant: Natalie Landers Designer: Breanne Jackson Junior Designer: Katie Genetti Senior Writers: Steve Bowman, David
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Covering Ray
Including the magazine you are holding in your hand, there have been 490 issues of Bassmaster. Of those, Ray Scott has been featured on the cover 12 times. This is a record number of appearances and is not likely to be surpassed. His first cover was
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The Thing About Ray
“HELLO, YOUNG MAN. I’m Ray Scott.” The year was 2003, and I had just taken over the editorship of Bassmaster Magazine. Ray, hat and all, walked into my office in Montgomery, Ala., to introduce himself. Of course, the introduction was not necessary. I
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Jim Kientz
For 22 years, Jim Kientz was Ray Scott’s right-hand man. He recounts an unbelievable friendship that began at the Bassmaster Classic. Tell us about the day you met Ray. It was at the 1996 Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham. I was standing in line — lik
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Datebook
4 Independence Day. Prepare your fireworks program in advance. 20 Moon Day. Study up on your night fishing techniques and moon phases. 29 International Tiger Day. We’re pretty sure this is meant for cats, but have you ever heard of a tigerfish? If no
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On the Tournament Trail
7-9 St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open presented by Mossy Oak Fishing, Oneida Lake, New York 14-17 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite, St. Lawrence River, New York 29-30 Bassmaster Junior National Championship, Carroll County 1000 Acre Recreational Lak
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Bass City USA - La Crosse, Wis.
Host of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite Series event at the Mississippi River on August 26-29, La Crosse is a regular on the pro-level tournament trail. Far from intimidating, murky Old Man River down South, the Mississippi at La Crosse is
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State Of The Nation
The American Sportfishing Association recently released a new podcast aimed at exploring the regulatory or legislative issues that impact fisheries management across the country. Called The Politics of Fish, the biweekly podcast features interviews a
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Mail Call
Mike Giudici Cranston, R.I. Brynn Wiedenmeyer Lake Austin, Texas Chance Como Argo, Ala. Sammy Mitchell Little Bear Lake, Ala. I met Ray Scott at the 1973 “Bass Masters” Classic. I was an outdoor editor of The Augusta Chronicle and got a call one even
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You Write The Caption
It’s your turn to write a cutline for your favorite magazine. Follow B.A.S.S. on Instagram (@bass_nation) and comment with a clever caption on this cartoon that will be posted on our feed on June 24, 2022. If your caption is chosen, it will be printe
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Facebook.com
Fans mourn the passing of B.A.S.S. founder and industry legend Ray Scott. His vision changed the world of fishing! Great man and ambassador for the sport. Thoughts and prayers sent to the family Rest In Peace Sir, you gave all of us the best hobby/co
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Twitter Poll
What would you say was Ray Scott’s greatest contribution to the fishing industry? Ray Scott spent a lifetime working toward improving so many aspects of the sport we love. Read about his life and legacy on page 18. ■
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What’s It Worth
The images below were submitted by Bassmaster readers, and our antique tackle expert, Rob Pavey, appraises the value of each unique find. To submit yours, email editorial@bassmaster.com. $30 This elaborate and colorful plastic lure, patented in 1956,
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You Ask, Pro's Answer
What depth is best for cranking postspawn smallmouth? @Bassmeister, Instagram Bassmaster Elite Series pro Paul Mueller This is my favorite way to fish for smallmouth on Candlewood, my home lake in Connecticut. I do it every opportunity I can when the
Bassmaster2 min readChemistry
Bass Boating
What is the best way to keep the gelcoat protected on a fiberglass bass boat? Wax, just keeping it wiped down or a spray cleaner? @ks_bass_snob, Instagram Not only is this a very good question, it’s one that we get often. Bass boat sales have soared
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Scientific Angle
Carl Jocumsen didn’t know what he was missing. The Australian-born Elite Series sensation says the message didn’t sink in until last summer’s Elite Series tournament on Lake Champlain. That’s when live sonar came into play for him in a big way when h
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Time To Go Deep
$16.99 | purefishing.com Features: • Brilliantly packaged, the Dual gives anglers a spool of SpiderWire Smooth braid and a spool of complimentary Berkley Trilene 100% fluorocarbon nested together for convenience• 125 yards of braid ranging from 8 - t
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The Legacy of Ray Scott
IT WAS THE best of times. It was the worst of times. For bass anglers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was busy like beavers building dams across the South, creating huge, man-made reservoirs where black bass would soon thrive. For others, it was a
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Memories of Ray
IF YOU SHOULD find yourself in Montgomery, Ala., plan to stop at a small restaurant at 138 Dexter Ave. named Chris’ Hot Dogs. They’ve been in business 105 years, and it hasn’t changed much. Once inside, ask owner Theo Katechis about the plaque on the
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Matt Robertson
[Summer] Date: Aug. 3, 2021 Venue: Lake T, a small flatland reservoir Water: 83 degrees, moderately clear Weather: Clear, high of 82 degrees Pro: Matt Robertson, 35, Kuttawa, Ky. Robertson qualified for the 2019 Bassmaster Classic by winning the 2018
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Exclusive: A First Look at the Bean Rig
IN FRENCH, IT’S je ne sais quoi — that something special, something different that makes one stand out from the rest. While decidedly less poetic, the bean rig certainly fits the concept. And while this Japanese import is still fairly new to the U.S.
Bassmaster6 min read
Tackle That’s Trending
DURING THE 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament at Tennessee’s Lake Chickamauga, more Top 10 anglers employed a bladed jig than any other lure. Skirted jigs and spinnerbaits were also big players, but the pros sacked bass with a wide variety of ot
Bassmaster6 min read
Jack Link’s Hook The Beast: Giant Summer Smallies
BEFORE THE GOBY invasion, the development of advanced fishing sonar and the introduction of refined finesse tactics, a 5-pound smallmouth was the trophy of a lifetime. It was the fish you mounted, hung on the wall and boasted about to anyone who woul
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The Tricks For Targeting Tailraces
On a late July afternoon 20 years ago, Jay Yelas pulled out of Alabama’s Coosa River and into the history books, becoming just the fourth angler in Bassmaster history to lead the Bassmaster Classic wire-to-wire. In the process, he boated the tourname
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Beat The Heat With Summer Strategies
Water type: Diverse summer patterns on a TVA reservoir Water temp: Mid- to upper 80s Clarity: 1 to 2 feet Depth: 12 to 25 feet Structure: Bars, ledges, isolated rock Cover: Laydowns, overhanging trees, docks Forage: Shad, bluegill Weather: Partly clo
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Seek Summer Adventure
Inshore wade fishing is a great activity to enjoy while on your next beach trip. From what to wear, the proper gear, safety tips and planning your casting techniques, GO Ambassador David Brown gives you the ins and outs in seven simple steps. If you’
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#iambassmaster
Welcome to our celebration of B.A.S.S. members! We want you to share a favorite fishing memory with us, so post a picture to your social media channels using #iambassmaster, or email the image to editorial@bassmaster.com. One lucky member will be cho
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Ready To Tow?
A kayak motor malfunctions in a beast of a wind. Or maybe a kayaker loses his paddle. Pontoon boat runs out of gas. You’d like to help, but are you ready to tow? Stow a hunk of rope wrapped around a swim noodle and a track-mount cleat and you will be
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Lunker Club
Congratulations to the newest members of the Bassmaster Lunker Club™. Membership in the club is free and open to any B.A.S.S. member who catches a largemouth bass weighing 10 pounds or more, a spotted bass weighing 5 pounds or more, or a smallmouth b
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Scott Reeled Us All In
ONE OF THE many giants of the fishing industry I’ve been lucky enough to know during my career as a journalist was Eufaula, Ala., professional angler, inventor and television star Tom Mann. Tom was a gifted storyteller — even if he, by his own admiss
Bassmaster5 min read
Shallow Summer Slaunches
While many anglers dream of fishing offshore in the summertime, the potential to wrangle up giant bass in shallow water during the hottest months of the year is still there. Although bass do love to hang around deep structure when the water warms, so
Bassmaster4 min read
The Opens Door
TALK ABOUT FIRST impressions. Kyoya Fujita fished his first U.S. tournament April 14-16 and left the St. Croix Bassmaster Northern Open presented by Mossy Oak Fishing at the James River with a 10th-place finish. Understandably, this quiet newcomer wi

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