Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - June 2023

JUNE 2023

GARMIN inREACH MESSENGER

Z COMANCHE R SERIES

NEW DISTINCT COMPOUND BOW

JUN 2023 - 42 nd EDITION I n this issue ... Garmin Unveils Next-Gen fēnix 7 Pro Series 04 08 ACA Completes Historic 18th Season Ranger Boats Z Comanche R Series 12 Texas Team Trail 2024 Season Schedule 18 Sunline American Knot Tying Guide 19 How-To Boat Giant Bed Fish without Seeing Them 20 South Africa Fishing Adventure 23 Cecil & Castledine Win Third Texas Team Trail “Progressive Team of the Year” Title 26 Pursuit Channel Highlights Weekend Morning Content 30 Sign Up For Yamaha Power Pay for a Chance to Cash In 32 A Review of the Garmin inReach Messenger 36 The NEW BlackOut Distinct Compound Bow 38 How-To Break-In and Practice with a New Hangun 44 What Hunters Should Do When It’s Not Deer Season 48 How-To Plan for an Out-of-State Hunt 52

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ATTENTION This is an interactive E-Magazine. Click on the links and logos throughout, directing you to company websites, products, and videos.

STAFF: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Wade Middleton CONTENT LAYOUT: Shelley Giesecke GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Adam Elmhorst

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Spring has turned into Summer yet again and to say the least it’s been a busy run for the team at Careco. Our hard working teams has been up north covering walleye tournament’s, they’ve traveled across the south doing college events, and seen all the Lonestar state has to offer while covering Texas Team Trail event’s. Not to mention I’ve mixed in trips to Africa, Turkey and hog hunting, all while testing new bows and guns, and of course just going fishing as well. In this issue you’ll get a sample of some of our time in the field, you’ll be able to celebrate some great wins, learn about new products and services available to use as well as find ways to be more successful in the field and on the water. We hope you enjoy it all and I hope to see all of you at ICAST or in the field and on the water sometime soon!

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Wade Middleton President - Careco

@Americana.Outdoors

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Garmin unveils next-gen fēnix 7 Pro Series

Premium multisport GPS smartwatches with solar charging add an LED flashlight to all models plus innovative performance features and mapping upgrades to help athletes and adventurers train for life. Garmin announced the fēnix® 7 Pro Series, premium multisport GPS smartwatches with solar charging designed to help athletes and adventurers perform at their best. With pro grade performance insights, additional mapping capabilities and around-the-clock health and wellness tracking, fēnix 7 Pro Series is built to conquer all day, every day. Plus, with a built in LED flashlight and solar charging lens on

every model that offers up to 37 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 139 days in expedition mode 1 , it’s easy to enjoy more time outdoors day or night. “For more than a decade, many have relied on Garmin’s premium fēnix line for all their adventures, and we are thrilled to bring training and mapping advancements to the new fēnix 7 Pro Series. Whether hitting dusty trails or scaling snowy summits, the fēnix 7 Pro Series is the ultimate companion—no matter where the path leads.” –Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales WHAT’S NEW TO FĒNIX 7 PRO SERIES Built-in LED flashlight: Availableon all size options, variable intensities, a red safety light and strobe mode help provide greater awareness

while training in the dark.

Meet any challenge with dozens of built-in sports apps – from hiking and mountain biking to strength training and beyond – plus an enhanced suite of advanced training tools. Every morning, athletes can receive a training readiness score to determine if it’s a good day to go hard or take it easy, while advanced training metrics like hill score, endurance score, VO2 max, training status and more will help gauge overall performance. While out for a run or bike ride, PacePro™ provides GPS-based pace guidance for selected courses or distances, while ClimbPro displays real-time information on current and upcoming climbs. Meanwhile, the grade-adjusted pace feature provides an equivalent running pace at the same effort on flat ground or while ascending. Plus, to avoid burnout, stamina insights and wrist-based running power track exertion levels and power output in real-time. To better prepare for race day, the race widget provides training tips, personalized daily suggested workouts and completion time predictions for an upcoming event based on course details, weather and performance. Athletes can also view personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt after every run or ride to match performance and recovery while also accounting for upcoming races that are added to the Garmin Connect™ calendar.

Next-generation MIP display: Redesigned pixels, backlight and solar panel improve indoor readability, providing increased brightness, power efficiency and adaptability to different lighting conditions—all without sacrificing the exceptional sunlight performance of the MIP display. Heart rate sensor: Enhanced optical sensors and sport-specific algorithms offer improved performance tracking for a wider variety of activities, making it easier to gain a better understanding into how the body is responding to exercise. Endurance score: Measure how easy it is to sustain prolonged efforts while also taking into account training data like VO2 max, short and long-term training loads and more from all other athletic pursuits. Hill score: Gauge how easy it is to run uphill by measuring running strength on steep climbs and running endurance on long ascents while also evaluating progress over time based on VO2 max and training history. Up Ahead: View certain running POI (point of interest) checkpoints, like aid stations, right on a map to get a better understanding of what’s ahead.

Weather map overlays: More easily view upcoming weather conditions.

Relief shading: Quickly read topographic maps for glanceable awareness. Additional preloaded activities: Whitewater rafting, motocross, overlanding and dozens of other new activities help users stay active.

ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE

TRUSTED NAVIGATION Packed with premium mapping features, fēnix 7 Pro Series is ready for every adventure—no matter how off-the-beaten-path it is. • SatIQ™ technology and multi-band signal reception combined with multi-GNSS provide superior positioning accuracy in challenging environments, all while optimizing battery life. • Preloaded TopoActive maps provide multi continent mapping from around the world 2 . • Outdoor Maps+ 3 lets explorers receive premium mapping content, like satellite imagery, public land maps, enhanced TOPO maps and more right on the watch. • SkiView™ Maps allow skiers to view run names and difficulty ratings for more than 2,000 preloaded ski resorts worldwide while CourseView Maps let golfers access preloaded

full-color maps for more than 43,000 golf courses around the world.

• Before heading out, create or find existing courses in Garmin Connect and seamlessly sync them to the watch. • While out exploring, create round-trip routes from the wrist using Trendline™ popularity routing to find the best local paths. ALL-DAY WEAR Touting weeks of battery life – and solar charging to provide an extra power boost from the sun – there’s no need to take fēnix 7 Pro Series off every night to charge. As a result, users can receive around-the-clock health and wellness insights, including wrist-based Pulse Ox 4 , Body Battery™ energy monitoring to find the best times for activity and rest, advanced sleep monitoring and sleep score to gain a better understanding of how the body is recovering and more. Upon waking

up, users can receive a morning report that provides a customized look at last night’s sleep, their training outlook, Heart Rate Variability (HRV Status) and more. For those embarking on a long distance trip, the Jet Lag Adviser feature allows them to enter their trip details in the Garmin Connect calendar and receive guidance on light exposure, sleep schedule and exercise to help minimize the effects of jet lag.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. 1 Battery life based on fēnix 7X Pro is 3 hours of direct sunlight (50,000 lux) per day. 2 Sapphire versions only. Non-sapphire versions must download maps. 4 This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ ataccuracy. Pulse Ox is not available in all countries. 5 For safety and tracking features requirements and limitations, see Garmin.com/safety. 6 View current supported country, payment network and issuing bank information. 3 Subscription required (sold separately).

Even while on the go, fēnix 7 Pro Series can help users stay connected. When paired to a compatible smartphone, all smart notifications can be viewed right from the watch while safety and tracking features like incident detection, assistance and LiveTrack 5 let athletes workout with greater peace of mind. Users can also breeze through checkout lines with Garmin Pay™ contactless payments6 anddownload songs from Spotify®, Deezer or Amazon Music (premium subscription required) for phone-free listening. Rugged yet fashionable, each model in the fēnix 7 Pro Series features a solar-charged display, responsive touchscreen, traditional buttons and fiber-reinforced polymer case with a steel bezel and rear cover. What’s more, the smartwatches are tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance. Available models include: fēnix 7S Pro – 42mm, fēnix 7 Pro – 47mm and fēnix 7X Pro – 51mm, with options for standard and Sapphire Editions. Suggested retail prices start at $799.99.

ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATE ANGLERS COMPLETES HISTORIC 18TH SEASON OF THE BASS PRO SHOPS COLLEGIATE BASS FISHING SERIES

Recently, the Association of Collegiate Anglers concluded its 18th season of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. The ACA completed the 2022-23 campaign with the 18th edition of its year-end National Championship event on Lake Hartwell, the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops. This past season consisted of three regular season major televised events, plus the year-end Championship, which combined to result in excellent turnout of anglers, robust tournament payouts, expansive national media and television coverage, as well as overwhelming support and participation by teams in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, where the University of Montevallo achieved college bass fishing history by winning a record third-straight title. The 2022-23 season on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series began in Henry County and Paris, TN with the Bass Pro Shops

Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley. Over 520 anglers showed up to Paris Landing State Park to fish for two days on Kentucky Lake. Anglers were competing in this nationally televised, no-entry-fee event for over $20,000 in prizes and contingencies, and double points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. The Top 5 anglers at this event automatically qualified for the 2023 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell. Parker Brown from Dallas Baptist University took home the overall tournament title with a largemouth bass weighing 7.21 pounds. First place paid out a Power-Pole gift certificate, 10” Bob’s Machine Shop jack plate, $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, Engel 80 QT. cooler, HydroWave H2, Abu Garcia fishing rod, and more! Combined with the $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card Brown earned for winning Day 1 Session 3, as well as a variety of contingency bonuses, the DBU angler

won over $6,000 in prizes.

Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell. The Arkansas Tech University duo of Mat Higby and John Foster Case won the 2022 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open. For their victory, the pair won a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, $200 AFTCO gift card, Bob’s Machine Shop 10” jack plate, and a Rapala tackle package.

Watch full episodes highlighting both days of tournament competition:

• Day 1 Full Episode • Day 2 Full Episode

The first ACA major event of the season also awarded over 151,000 points for teams to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Being that this was the first ACA double points event for the 2022 23 race, the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley was key in shaping the standings for the remainder of the season. The next tournament on the schedule for the Association of Collegiate Anglers and Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series was the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open. Contested on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, AR, this no-entry-fee, nationally televised event had over 440 anglers compete for more than $20,000 in prizes and contingencies. The Top 5 teams at this event automatically qualified for the 2023 BoatUS

Like all ACA major double points events, this too was a key tournament as teams sought to be ranked inside of the coveted Top 25 for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. 229 boats representing 47 different colleges fished for their share of over 150,000 points that were awarded. The University of Montevallo earned the most points of any one team competing at Lake Dardanelle, as the eventual School of the Year winners secured 3,390 points.

Watch full episodes highlighting both days of tournament competition:

• Day 1 Full Episode • Day 2 Full Episode

The spring swing of the season started at Pickwick Lake in Florence, AL for the Pickwick Slam presented by Evolution Fishing. The ACA’s final major regular-season event before the year end Championship boasted a field of over 200 boats competing again for more than $20,000 in prizes and contingencies, as well as double points towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. The Top 10 teams at this event automatically qualified for the 2023 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Hartwell. Charlie Wright & Logan Plueger from number one ranked University of Montevallo won the Pickwick Slam presented by Evolution Fishing. For two days, Wright & Plueger weighed in a total of 43.83 pounds. That total was good enough to best the next highest finishing team by more than five pounds.

at the Pickwick Slam presented by Evolution Fishing. By earning close to 3,500 points, top ranked Montevallo earned the most points out of the more than 60 schools that were on hand in Florence, AL that weekend. The final stop of the season placed the spotlight of college fishing on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC for college fishing’s longest running National Championship event. The BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops saw close to 200 of college fishing’s top teams compete for over $30,000 in prizes and contingencies at this no-entry-fee, nationally televised, triple points event.

Tucker Smith and Hayden Marbut from 2nd ranked Auburn University bested the elite field of 200 teams to win the 18th BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.

By winning this ACA no-entry-fee event, Wright & Plueger earned over $4,500 in prizes and contingencies. Those prizes included a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, $1,000 Garmin credit, 10” Bob’s Machine Shop jack plate, two Evolution Fishing tackle backpacks, two 13 Fishing Concept A reels, and more. The Montevallo anglers also claimed the ACA logo contingency of $500. Their fellow teammates, Miller Dowling & Parker O’Bryan, finished third in the event. The two Top 3 finishes helped Montevallo to secure a whopping 3,480 out of a maximum 3,490 points available

Along with the $5,000 cash prize that is awarded to 1st place, the Auburn University anglers claimed the $500 Garmin Tournament Rewards contingency bonus and the $1,000 ACA logo contingency. Smith is also registered for the Nitro Tournament Rewards, which would pay out up to an additional $8,000. All total, the duo’s earnings for the week could exceed $14,000 at the no entry-fee ACA National Championship.

the ACA saw great turnout at events, recorded points for hundreds of teams in the 2022-23 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, and witnessed college fishing history as Montevallo claimed its third straight School of the Year title. Along with the impressive points, prizes, and turnout at these no-entry-fee, nationally televised events, the ACA, along with its many series partners, helps to operate dozens of discount and contingency programs aimed at helping to supply anglers with top notch gear at affordable prices, as well as reward them for using those products and placing well in events. Start making plans for next season and beyond by checking out our complete events schedule here.

Collegiate Anglers competing in Association of Collegiate Anglers events may be qualified to receive a discount on all eligible Garmin marine products. Garmin Discount Program

Along with the crowning of a new National Champion, collegiate bass fishing history was made as the University of Montevallo won the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Montevallo becomes the first team to win college fishing’s most prestigious title three times, as well as having done so in three straight seasons. The University of Montevallo edged out 2nd ranked Auburn University by over 3,700 points and Carson-Newman University finished the season ranked 3rd. 23 of the final Top 25 teams were all on-hand to compete at Lake Hartwell. The 2022-23 season of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series marked another great year for the Association of Collegiate Anglers. The nationally televised series reached 10’s of millions of households nationwide, amassed millions of impressions & engagements across social media, and continues to boast the largest media coverage of any collegiate bass fishing tournament series. On the water,

LEARN MORE HERE

Z COMANCHE R SERIES

TOMORROW’S BASS BOAT, TODAY. From our humble and legendary beginning, we still hold one benchmark in the highest regard for everything we do—superior quality. This passion for perfection is why we’ve enjoyed 55 years of setting the quality standard, and it’s as alive today as ever, meshing with ceaseless innovation that has yielded the next generation of Ranger bass boats: The all-new R Series. The R Series is just the beginning of the next chapter in our storied legacy that began in Flippin, Ark. What stands out most about the R boats is the amount of cutting-edge and industry-leading technology rolled into every boat, bow to stern, hull to top cap.

THE R ADVANTAGE LEGENDARY HULL WITH A MODERN MAKEOVER

enlarged compartments and filling the voids in the stringer valley—and every cavity of the hull—is a wealth of our signature foam flotation. NEW RANGER RIDE SYSTEM The RIDE (Ranger Intelligent Display Engine) debuted on the FS PRO line of Deep V boats and is standard on every R boat. This 9” touchscreen lets you control and monitor every critical part of your boat and engine. The home screen displays RPMs, speed, trim and jackplate and more while inside the menus control everything from livewells, interior lighting, stereo, heading, and the Power Ventilation Rod Storage System™ (PVRS™) fans among others. Adding RIDE as standard truly is a quantum leap in bass boat technology. QUAD GRAPH CAPABILITY Today’s electronics are best utilized with big screens, often in tandem with a complementary sonar unit. This means at the helm you can have GPS waypoints on one graph and forward- or side-scanning on the other—no more split screens. At the bow, many anglers opt to dedicate one unit to forward-looking sonar and another to a traditional 2D view for the utmost in fishfinding power. Ranger lets you mount two 12” units side by-side with an unobstructed view.

The hulls beneath the R Series are based on the Z500c Comanche boats, some of our most successful and highly acclaimed models. The original “C” hull was carefully handcrafted for the perfect blend of on-plane and on-the-trolling motor performance. Nationwide tournament wins and the widespread proliferation of “C boats” backup up this claim. However, like anything handmade, it had minor imperfections. Our engineering team digitally scanned this “C” hull and perfected the flaws, resulting in what can be dubbed the “R” hull. NEW STRINGER SYSTEM - MORE BACKBONE, MORE STORAGE The revolutionary stringer inside the R boats features improved lateral and medial strength delivered by way of three vertical walls, whereas previous iterations only had two. This offers more underfoot rigidity and enhanced One-Piece Feel Construction™. While the stringer itself doesn’t have storage inside it, a deeper valley between the port and starboard elements expanded space along the centerline of the boat, which results in a deeper center rod box and cooler. Encapsulating these

SECURITY KEY FOB Each R boat comes with its own unique key fob that enhances convenience and security. Much like a keyless ignition in a vehicle, your boat will not start unless the fob is within a proximity range. This is helpful when you want to turn the power on quickly to motor to your next spot or when you park at a hotel overnight. Simply take the fob in with you and the boat will not start—even if it’s stolen.

LITHIUM BATTERIES As lithium technology advances and becomes more readily available, Ranger is there on the cutting edge adding two lithium batteries standard in every R boat. The benefits of lithium are well known, but they are only recently gaining widespread use. Lithium batteries offer significant weight savings, a seemingly endless discharge cycle and a lifespan much longer than lead-acid or AGM units. NEW STORAGE & LIGHTING

NEW PERFORMANCE SEATING Both the driver and passenger seats have been totally reimagined with maximum comfort and durability in mind. A fiberglass shellback provides functional style while side bolsters keep you put in turns and rough water. Both seats are on slides with Ranger’s spring-loaded SRS™ Soft-Ride Seating.

Inside the port and center rod boxes lie next generation space and convenience. The port rod box can carry sticks up to 9’ long with a tiered shelf system that holds more than ever. The center box is the deepest we’ve ever had on a bass boat. It can be tailored in a multitude of ways for your perfect storage solution. Open any front deck box and brilliant LEDs instantly light up the contents for clear, easy rigging before dawn or after dusk.

EXPLORE Z COMANCHE R BOATS

REMOVABLE DUAL CONSOLE

Z520R VIEW MODEL Z520R RANGER CUP VIEW MODEL Z520R 55 TH ANNIV. VIEW MODEL Z521R VIEW MODEL Z521R RANGER CUP VIEW MODEL Z521R 55 TH ANNIV. VIEW MODEL

No longer do you need to agonize over whether to get a dual- or single-console rig; now you can get both. Order your boat with both or get a single and then enjoy the option of adding a passenger console later. BIGGER BOW TRIM BUTTONS

How do you enhance bow trim buttons? By listenting to angler pain points. Until now, trim buttons at the bow have been undersized and a hassle to activate. The R boats offer huge, hard to-miss buttons that you can easily step on with a sneaker or toe, lifting the outboard from the forward deck easier than ever.

ENTER HERE

ENGEL 32°F / 0°C COOLER PACKS Engel Ice changes phase at 32°F, efficiently keeping food and drinks cold without the risk of freezing. The active ingredients are non-toxic and housed in a rugged container designed to provide maximum surface area to increase the efficiency at which they cool. Engel Ice Packs will maintain food-safe temperatures for hours, even days without the risk of freezing. When finished using, simply recharge in your household freezer until needed again. Freezing takes about 6-8 hours. It is recommended to use Engel Ice Packs in combination with ice, to extend the life of ice up to 50%. Dishwasher safe and reusable for years! • AVAILABLE IN 2.5lb & 5lb PACKS • 32°F REFRIGERATOR TEMPERATURE • RUGGED UV STABILIZED COLOR CONTAINER • NON-TOXICREUSABLE • MAXIMUM SURFACE AREA FOR FASTER COOLING • LEAK-PROOF ULTRA SONIC SPIN WELDED CAP • DIMENSIONS L = 9.5” x 7.5” x 1.25” • XL= 11” x 8.75” x 2” • LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY • MADE IN THE USA!

LEARN MORE HERE

PAYOUTS

REGULAR SEASON EVENTS TXTT pays the top 35 places (based on 225 boat field) 1 st Place awarded boat/motor package at every event Big Bass is awarded a Power-Pole at every event BOAT OWNERS CONTINGENCY BONUS Ranger, Nitro, Triton Boats owners fishing from eligible boats win an additional $8,000 for 1st Place. Additional contingency prizes for anglers fishing from eligible Ranger, Nitro, Triton boats include 2 nd - 23 rd finishers receiving $250 each and 24 th - 45 th finishers receiving $125 each. OTHER CONTINGENCY BONUSES Mercury, Garmin, Power-Pole, TH Marine, and more! Subject to change visit www.TexasTeamTrail.com for current payout TEAM OF THE YEAR PAYOUT Top 25 Teams in Team of Year Standing Win A Variety of Prizes To Include: 1 ST PLACE: Wins Ranger Z518 w/ Mercury motor, free entries to ‘25 season and more!

SAM RAYBURN February 17 th - Umphrey Family Pavilion SAM RAYBURN March 23 rd - Umphrey Family Pavilion LAKE FORK April 13 th - Lake Fork Marina BELTON LAKE May 4 th - Temple Lake Park ALL EVENTS ARE NATIONALLY TELEVISED! 2024 SEASON $250 Entry Fee Per Event + $50 Membership

2 ND PLACE: $2,000 cash, entries to ‘25 season and more! 3 RD PLACE: $1,500 cash, Bass Pro Shops Guidewear 4 TH PLACE: $1,000 Cash, Bass Pro Shops Guidewear

**CHAMPIONSHIP** TOLEDO BEND June 8 th -9 th Hosted by Bass Pro Shops Cypress Bend Park * Top 75 Teams qualify for championship.

5 TH PLACE: $750 Cash, Bass Pro Shops Guidewear 6 TH - 10 TH PLACE: $500.00 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card 11 TH - 25 TH PLACE: $500.00 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card for qualifying Boat Owners

* 1 st Place at the championship wins a fully rigged boat/motor combination. * 1 st Place Team of the Year after the championship wins a fully rigged boat/ motor combination. * See TexasTeamTrail.com for additional payouts

Learn more and watch the TxTT by scanning the code below

Click on any of these videos to watch a tutorial on tying that particular knot.

bed,” says Benton. Day three of the 2022 Santee Cooper Elite Series event was a prime example of Benton relying on his instincts to put together one of the biggest bags of the event (28-15), and vault into championship Monday (Saturday was canceled due to weather). “I had found some fish late in the afternoon on Friday that I had planned on starting on first thing Saturday morning. When they canceled Saturday due to high winds, I was not very confident that those fish would still be where I left them.” Benton continued. Greeted by cloudy, windy, low light conditions on Sunday Benton headed straight to his pair of bedding bass, hoping to get the day off to a good start. “As soon as I got to the fish I realized that there was no way I could see them. The wind was blowing straight in on the bed, and it was really dark out. In a scenario like that I have to believe the fish are still there and try to visualize how my bait is positioned, and how those fish might be reacting to it.” After upsizing the weight of his tungsten slip sinker to combat the wind, Benton went on to quickly catch two fish that he couldn’t visually see off a bed on his Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog to get the ball rolling on his best day of the event. “Sometimes even if you can’t see the fish, you just have to believe that they are there and fish accordingly.” Benton concluded. Give this trick a try the next time you are faced with adverse sight fishing conditions, and remember that you don’t always have to see the fish in order to catch them when fishing for bedding bass!

BENTON: HOW TO BOAT GIANT BED FISH WITHOUT SEEING THEM As temperatures begin to warm around most parts of the country bass begin to migrate to the shallows for their annual spawning ritual. While timing varies depending on what body of water you choose to fish, one thing is for certain. This can be the best time of the year to target your personal best. One technique that can be extremely effective during the spawn is “sight fishing”. Targeting spawning bass while they are on the bed or nest can be extremely rewarding, but often times equally as frustrating. Big Bite Bait pro Drew Benton, has made an enormous amount of money targeting bedding bass, and has several tricks up his sleeve that will help you become a better “sight fisherman”. One of those tricks involves not seeing the bass whatsoever. Drew Benton cut his teeth sight fishing for giant largemouth on some of the top fisheries in Florida and Georgia before qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series. Benton has relied on sight fishing for a large amount of his tournament success, and is an expert when it comes to catching them off of the bed whether he can see them or not. “Sight fishing is obviously one of my favorite things to do when I have the opportunity, but you have to realize that conditions are not always going to line up perfectly for you to visually be able to see every fish you catch of the

Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog

Big Bite Bait pro Drew Benton

With the Patented Reverse Telescopic design it is the only mount on the market that allows you to see your graphs from the deck of your boat up to 17 inches in height with the twist of a knob giving you the most visible picture for whatever height you need. THE ULTIMATE SHORTY DOUBLE STACK

Click the PLAY BUTTON to learn more.

SOUTH AFRICA FISHING ADVENTURE

Fishing is a sport and hobby that can take you to some pretty cool places all across the world. One of the most treasured destinations for sportsmen and women across the globe is South Africa. South Africa boasts a wide range of wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and once in a lifetime sporting opportunities. On this episode of the Bass Pro Shops Fisherman’s Handbook, we highlight a trip that Wade, Angel, and Gentry embarked on to the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The Kariega River is full of many great fish species, and the crew from John X Safaris is going to help Wade catch a variety of those fish! Traveling from the United States all the way over to South Africa, Wade packed a Bass Pro Shops travel case full of gear to target these fish. From the Bass Pro Shops CarbonLite two-piece fishing rod, to Sunline fishing line, and Big Bite Baits soft plastics…Wade is geared to go have a great time catching fish in South Africa.

Click the PLAY button to watch the episode!

ZEMKE & KENNY ARE THE NWT WINNEBAGO CHAMPIONS!

OSHKOSH, Wi (May 18, 2023) – After two days of competition on Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh, WI at the second tournament of the 2023 Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s National Walleye Tour presented by Progressive, Pro-Angler Todd Zemke from Red Wing, Minnesota and Co-Angler Alexander Kenny from Mequon, Wisconsin are the champions! Todd left the dock on Thursday morning with over a 2-pound lead and despite a tougher second day, the Minnesota angler came in early with enough to walk away with the win collecting $15,000 cash and a new 2023 Triton Fishhunter 206 with a 225 Mercury Pro XS motor as well as winning a Mercury Contingency Bonus of $1,000. In all, Todd captured $88,435 in cash and prizes for the win. “There were several different factors that contributed to my success” said the Mercury Marine pro. “I was able to locate fish shallow and the sun showing itself both days really helped my fish react. I never went further than 7 feet of water in the upper lake and main lake- those were my primary areas”. Todd reported that he caught his fish primarily on spinners on boards in three feet

of water using two-hook harness crawlers. “I kept the boat at 1.2mph and staying around the weeds seemed to be the ticket to the fish that wanted to react”. Todd’s winning weight was 31 pounds and 10 ounces.

HUYNH HOLDS ON TO SECOND PLACE- 31.03 Wolverton, Minnesota Pro Tom Huynh was able to end his tournament capturing the second place spot winning $24,122 including the $500 Garmin

Contingency bonus.

the tournament”, said Tripke. “Yesterday I didn’t have my first keeper until after lunch. Both days I had to run multiple spots before finding the fish I needed. I stayed shallow, away from the crowd, and just stayed confident throughout the tournament making sure I kept the fish I needed”. The Wisconsin Pro also commented that jigs were his keys to success this week on Lake Winnebago and similar lures to imitate a trout-perch, the main forage in Lake Winnebago.

“I ended up fishing jigs super shallow up the river after I stumbled onto a pattern the last day of practice. I didn’t catch many fish but the fish I did get into the boat were the right quality,” said the AFTCO pro angler. “A key bait for me this week was a prototype Northland Tackle plastic that will be released next year”. Tom said the special part of this prototype plastic is it allows the angler to apply their own scent and the plastic soaks up the scent lasting longer throughout the day of fishing. “My Garmin electronics were key this week to find reactive fish and help the fish stay interested until they ended up biting. Also, with the wind today and cooler weather, my AFTCO gear kept me comfortable throughout the tournament”.

KENNY TAKES THE CO-ANGLER CROWN Mequon, WI Co-Angler Alexander Kenny takes home the title after weighing in 28.02 over the two days and a check worth $7,500. “Day 1 my Pro-Angler and I were live baiting and jumping around spots”, said Kenny. “Both days were exceptionally tough, the weather wasn’t ideal I don’t think for us. But today my Pro and I grinded out on one group of fish and were fortunate to catch the right five keepers”. Alexander wanted to especially thank his Pro-Anglers both days, his family, traveling partners, and his sponsor Fish Boys Custom Rods.

THIRD PLACE BELONGS TO LOCAL PRO CURTIS TRIPKE Curtis Tripke from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin ended the tournament taking home third place while notching his first Top-10 finish with the National Walleye Tour. After two tournament days, Curtis’s total weight was 26.11. For his week of fishing, Curtis earned $16,034 “I am so thankful for the week I had, especially not getting to pre-fish. But being local and fishing this lake all the time really helped me throughout

Full Results Pro-Angler click here. Full Results Co- Anglers click here.

CECIL & CASTLEDINE WIN THIRD TEXAS TEAM TRAIL “PROGRESSIVE TEAM OF THE YEAR” TITLE!

Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious accomplishments in tournament bass fishing, winning an “Angler of the Year” or “Team of the Year” title is a well-respected feat. For Russell Cecil and Todd Castledine, this achievement is another drop in the bucket, having now secured the title three times on the Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive. The duo clinched their third title – and the shiny prize that went with it – after finishing in third place this past weekend at the 2023 Texas Team Trail Championship on Choke Canyon Reservoir. Having fished together since the inception of TXTT, Cecil and Castledine have proven to be top competitors year after year. In addition to the Progressive Team of the Year honors in 2023, the team cashed out tournament winnings at every regular season event, never landing outside of the Top 20 with two Top-5 finishes.

“We never really knew each other until Texas Team Trail started several years ago,” said Castledine. “When this started it gave us the chance to not only recognize how good the other one was, but then combine it and start fishing together in the trail. The year we started fishing this together, we won the ‘Team of the Year’ title. Now to fast-forward winning our third (TOY award),

it’s not only an honor, but I hope it shows other teams that when you work as well as Russell and I do together in the boat, great things can happen.” “The biggest factor to our success is trust,” Cecil commented on stage on the final day of the 2023 Texas Team Trail Championship. “We work hard during practice to stay out of each other’s way, and every action we do contributes to the overall success of our tournament day – and that goes further than just being out on the water.” Cecil also reflected on capturing another TXTT TOY title, “Man, this one feels good. The teams this year in the Texas Team Trail seemed to be as strong as I can remember, and it did not come easy. We were backed up against a wall right up until the very end”. Castledine added, “We would like to tip our boys from Arizona [Seth Furmanek & Robert Kettner]. They kept us on our toes all day, and we knew with how good they were fishing that one little slip up and they would have us. They made an insane amount of traveling this year, and not only that, they held their own against the best in the state of Texas, where guys fish all the time and know these lakes like the back of their hand.” At the close of the 2023 season, Cecil and Castledine amassed $11,921 in cash, won a $500 Garmin Owner Contingency payout at Ray Roberts, and walked away with a new 2023 Ranger Z-518 powered by a 150 Mercury Pro XS for winning the 2023 Progressive Team of the Year title. In all, the team won a total of $64,916 in cash and prizes. Top 10 Progressive Team of the Year final rankings with 2023 total earnings 1st Place: Russell Cecil & Todd Castledine, $64,916 2nd Place: Seth Furmanek & Robert Kettner,

$8,569 3rd Place: Spencer Fair & Blake Castleberry, $4,637 4th Place: Travis Loyd & Brien Vaughn, $5,941 5th Place: Austin Miles & Jacob Keith, $8,719.50 6th Place: Michael Johnson & Byron Albrecht, $1,070 7th Place: James Martin & Hunter Muncrie, $500 8th Place: Jeff Bridges & Jerome Cope, $3,119 9th Place: Rich Dalbey & David Gillham, $1,302 10th Place: Chris Zachry & Randy Qualls, $5,438 Full 2023 Progressive Team of the Year standings can be found here.

About Texas Team Trail

Texas Team Trail is a part of the Outdoor Team Works family of fishing tournaments. The OTW brand offers a wide range of fishing events from professional tournaments to grassroots fishing derbies. All events are supported by some of the top companies in the nation and include on-site activation and activities, as well as extensive media support. For additional live updates and information, follow TXTT on Facebook and Instagram and visit www.texasteamtrail.com for more information.

KEITH & CHUCK COLE CATCH 39.06 POUNDS ON DAY TWO TO RALLY FROM 60 TH PLACE TO WIN THE 2023 BASS PRO SHOPS & CABELA’S TEXAS TEAM TRAIL PRESENTED BY PROGRESSIVE CHAMPIONSHIP ON CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR After the first day of competition on Choke

Canyon Reservoir, Texas Team Trail anglers Keith & Chuck Cole were sitting in 60th place after catching just 5 pounds. Contemplating going home, the team decided to go ahead and fish the final day and give it their best shot since they worked all year to make the championship event. At the end of Championship Sunday, the duo hauled in the biggest limit weighed in on the Texas Team Trail stage all year as they carried a massive five bass limit of 39.06 pounds to the scales, giving them a two-day total of 44.07 and the win. They walked away with $42,515.00 in cash and prizes, including a 2023 Nitro Z-18 powered by a Mercury Marine 150hp Pro XS.

“I don’t know what to say…. they say days like

today are what you live and dream about, but the day we had on the water was beyond that”, said Mercury angler Keith Cole. “We started out the morning with an 8 pounder fishing shallow grass, and the fish just kept coming and getting bigger”. The team said that they caught the majority of their fish relating to shallow grass throwing a soft swimbait.

next year for Texas Team Trail is awesome and we hope to get our redemption at the 2024 Championship on Toledo Bend”. The team also tied for Power-Pole Big Bass with a 9.09 and won the Garmin Contingency Bonus. Miles & Keith reported catching most of their fish up shallow flipping a 6th Sense soft plastic. Power-Pole Big Bass Award was a tie with fish weighing 9.09 caught by Austin Miles & Jacob Keith and Clinton Mayfield & Terry Mayfield.

4th-10th Final Results:

4th: CHRIS ZACHRY-RANDY QUALLS – 34.01

5th: SETH KELM & JAMES WILLIAMS- 32.04

6th: CLINTON MAYFIELD & TERRY MAYFIELD- 31.09

7th: GARRETT DOKTER & COURTNEY HOBGOOD- 31.03

8th: MICHAEL MURPHREY & BOB WALTON- 30.09

9th: ZANE DRAKE & LOGAN PARSONS- 29.00

10th: WILL ANDRIE & CAMRON MILLS- 28.04

For complete 2023 Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive results, click here.

Day 1 leaders Austin Miles & Jacob Keith finished the tournament in second place with a total of 40.08, and for their efforts are awarded $6,615. “Man we are excited with how we finished our tournament”, said Mercury angler Austin Miles. “Of course we wanted to win, but how can you overcome someone bringing in nearly a 40 pound bag- that’s just insane, dude. We are definitely happy with second place and look forward to getting back to Rayburn in February. The schedule

PURSUIT CHANNEL HIGHLIGHTS WEEKEND MORNINGS CONTENT

Pursuit Channel invites viewers to tune-in every Saturday and Sunday morning for Reel Life Saturdays and Sunday Sunrise lineups. Tune in Saturday mornings for Reel Life Saturdays starting at 9am ET. Texas Team Trail – 9:00am On the Water with Hank Parker – 9:30am Bass Pro Shop’s Fisherman’s Handbook – 10:00am

Scott Martin Challenge – 10:30am Lindner’s Angling Edge – 11:00am Timmy Horton Outdoors – 11:30am

Tune in Sunday mornings for Sunrise Sundays starting at 7am ET

Bone Wild TV – 7:00am Mountain Lodge Outdoors – 7:30am Whitetail Militia – 8:00am Bone Shack Outdoors – 8:30am Hitmen – 9:00am Yamaha’s Whitetail Diaries – 9:30am

Click here for more information on these shows and the dozens more Pursuit has to offer.

Ankle Deck Fishing Boots

Details The all-new Ankle Deck Boot fulfills the rigid demands of our pro team, guides, and customers. Designed to deliver a heightened level of comfort via an inner neoprene liner that is quick drying and fully flexible. Paired with a custom compression-molded antimicrobial insole, these waterproof fishing boots offer the perfect amount of cushion, rebound, and support season after season.

Rear Kick & Welded Pull Strap A rear kick wedge and welded rear pull makes it an easy on and off situation whether you’re just getting the day going or ending a good one.

Hex Grip Non-Marking Outsole The hex grip outsole features siping throughout the entirety of the sole for sure footing on a wet deck. Perimeter dump channels and the interior hex siping expel water with each step.

SIGN UP FOR YAMAHA POWER PAY FOR A CHANCE TO CASH IN College anglers are eligible to participate in the Yamaha Power Pay Program at all Association of Collegiate Anglers events in 2023! The Yamaha Power Pay Program is a contingency program for tournament anglers who own, and run with, a Yamaha outboard motor on their boat (Pro, Semi-Pro, and amateur anglers). OWN A YAMAHA OUTBOARD MOTOR To participate in the Yamaha Power Pay Program, an angler must own a Yamaha outboard motor. The Yamaha outboard motor must be purchased HOW THE YAMAHA POWER PAY CONTINGENCY PROGRAM WORKS

within the past 60 months, 115-425 HP. Yamaha outboard motor must be warranty registered in participant’s name, and must be used on Program participant’s boat while fishing supported Power Pay tournament events. GET REGISTERED Complete the official Yamaha Power Pay Program registration form and return via email, fax, or mail (or register online). Participate in a contingency paying tournament, and post the highest placing finish of those who have registered for the Yamaha Power Pay Program. Select tournament trails will pay the top two highest finishes. Highest finishes must fall within the top 33% of the field, with a minimum field size of no less than 40 boats. See current list of Power Pay sanctioned events. FISH

REDEEM Submit the official Yamaha Power Pay Awards form within 30-days of your finish. Upon verification and approval, your contingency payment will be sent via U.S. mail. Winners should allow a minimum of 8 weeks for approval, processing and distribution. “Yamaha Power Pay program rewards anglers for their loyalty and passion for the sport of competitive fishing and the Yamaha brand,” said Connor Megan, Pro Staff and Sponsorship Supervisor, Yamaha Marine Engine Systems. “The 2023 season expands the reach of Power Pay further into the western U.S. and deeper into grass roots tournaments which are growing in popularity. We look forward to adding more anglers to the program this year and wish all of the competitors the best of luck as they take to the water.” Since launching Power Pay in October 2019, Yamaha Marine has awarded approximately $850,000 to anglers competing in saltwater and freshwater tournaments across the country. For a complete list of sanctioned tournaments for 2023 and other Power Pay information including official rules, terms and conditions, visit www.yamahapowerpay.com.

Read the full article here.

The SPRO® McStick 110+1 Jerkbait features the same fish-fooling, strike-tempting actions as the McStick 110, but this version dives deeper to get action from the finned beasts lurking in darkness. This merciless lure maintains its original 110mm length; however it dives to depths of 9’-12’. This deep-running, 1/2-oz. crankbait from SPRO delivers a tight, aggressive, baitfish action that calls out for action from all kinds of predator fish. A great choice use with a forward facing sonar. Rig up the McStick 110+1 and start getting results! • Deep-diving version of the original McStick • Swims down to 9’-12’ • Tight, aggressive action • Perfect with a forward-facing sonar

MCSTICK 110 + 1 Fishermen familiar with the McStick 110 can enjoy SPRO’s new deeper version of its predecessor.

Watch the video here

LEARN MORE HERE

Gamakatsu G Power Heavy Cover Flip and Punch Hook

Reel in your trophy bass with the Gamakatsu® G Power Heavy Cover Flip and Punch Hook. A step up from the G-Finesse Heavy Cover Hook, for serious flipping and punching with heavy fluorocarbon and braid. This newly designed TGW (Tournament Grade Wire) hook features a welded eye, ideal for punching through grass mats and flipping into heavy timber with larger baits and weights. This hook boasts a shortened point length for reduced exposure in heavy cover, while providing enough exposure to penetrate through thick bass mouths.

• Welded eye • Shortened-point for reduced exposure • Tournament-grade construction

Available in 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0

Watch the video here

The Garmin inReach Messenger is a very popular tool among hunters, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable communication in remote areas. This easy to use device, provides reliable communication in even the most remote areas when cell phones don’t have a signal. Users can stay in touch with friends and family, share their location, and call for help in case of an emergency. In this article, we’ll look at the features and benefits of the Garmin inReach Messenger. TWO-WAY MESSAGING One of the key features of the Garmin inReach Messenger is its two-way messaging capability. You can send and receive text messages and emails via the Garmin Messenger App. The Garmin inReach Messenger uses a cellular connection to your smartphone when available, then seamlessly switches to a 100% global Iridium® satellite network when you go beyond A Review of the Garmin inReach Messenger

cell coverage. To access the global Iridium network and communicate with your inReach Messenger device, an active satellite subscription is required. You can opt for an annual package or a flexible month-to-month plan. This makes it a valuable option for outdoor enthusiasts who need to stay in touch.

tracking mode, the Garmin inReach Messenger has an incredibly long battery life, allowing you to do what you love longer between recharges. The battery life alone makes this a reliable option for extended trips in remote areas. VERSATILITY Garmin inReach Messenger Device The Garmin inReach Messenger is a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and hunting to fishing and boating. Need a backup option in case your compatible smartphone battery dies? Just connect it to your phone for enough safety charge to send a custom text message from the inReach Messenger device via your phone’s touchscreen. Don’t let the 3.1 inch x 2.5-inch size and 4 oz weight fool you. This device is tough, durable, impact-resistant, and water-rated to IPX7. You can get detailed weather updates and forecasts for your current location, waypoints, or other destinations using the device.

GPS TRACKING Garmin inReach Messenger Device

GPS tracking is also included in the Garmin inReach Messenger with Garmin’s MapShare. You can embed your GPS coordinates in your messages, allowing you to share your location with others or track your own movements. This feature is particularly useful for hikers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts who need to navigate unfamiliar terrain.

SOS FUNCTIONALITY In an emergency, the Garmin inReach Messenger includes an SOS button that can be used to call for help. When activated, the device will send a distress signal to Garmin Response SM , a 24/7-staffed emergency response coordination center. You can communicate with the response team via two-way messaging to provide additional information or updates.

WRAP UP For outdoor enthusiasts who venture into remote areas, the Garmin inReach Messenger provides peace of mind. The Garmin inReach Messenger’s SOS functionality, and long battery life delivers the confidence you need to stay in contact with loved ones and call for help if needed, no matter where your adventures take you.

LONG BATTERY LIFE With up to 28 days of charge in 10-minute