Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - May 2018

MAY 2018

SPRING EDITION

TENPOINT STEALTH NXT UNBOXING

2018 YAMAHA TURKEY BASS SMASH

ULTRA HIGH-DEFINITION SCANNING SONAR

MAY 2018 - 15TH EDITION I n this issue ...

04 07 09 10 12 14 20 24 26 28 30 34 36 41

2018 Yamaha Turkey Bass Smash Bradley Smoker Recipe: Smoked BBQ Chicken Wings Thompson/Center Master Hunter Sweepstakes BUCKET LIST: Red Stag Hunting in New Zealand TenPoint Crossbows’ Stealth NXT - UNBOXING

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Bethel University’s Brian Pahl Takes Home Title on Kentucky Lake 2018 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela’s Preview Performance Center Model 686 & 686 Plus Comparison Yamaha Steadfast in Supporting SEAL-NSW Families Ranger Boats 50 Year Milestone Sawyer: Picaridin vs. Permethrin - Know the Difference Garmin Unveils High-Definition Scanning Sonar Tools & Tackle Pursuit Network Celebrates 10 Years ON-AIR

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ATTENTION

This is an interactive E-Magazine. Readers will be able to click links and logos which will direct them to company websites, products, and play videos.

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

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Spring is in the air and Summer is right around the corner and we’ve been busy at Americana Outdoors. In March, we had the opportunity of a lifetime to hunt in New Zealand with Thompson/Center Arms for Red Stag and Tahr. Read all about it and check out the pictures (worth more than 1,000 words!) in this issue, and then look for this episode to air soon, too! The team also has been busy supporting the Cabela’s Big Bass Bash on Kentucky Lake, turkey hunting, fishing tournaments, testing new products like TenPoint’s new Stealth and Shadow models, as well as a lot more. We’ve had the chance recently to spend time in the field and on the water with friends from Garmin , BoatUS , Purina Mills , and more, throughout the turkey hunting season. New on our list was the first annual “Yamaha Turkey Bass Smash” event out at our camp. Though the competition was real, the fun, antics, and laughs were even more real. With writers and pros – including Jeff Kriet and Brandon Palaniuk – teaming up to turkey hunt and fish, we will have some great videos to share and entertain! There’s so much more to talk about and you’ll find some great content inside this edition, as well as a lot more in upcoming episodes and on our social media sites! So for now enjoy, and then get outdoors and play! Look forward to seeing you in the field and on the water!

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TURKEY BASS SMASH BY WADE MIDDLETON

PALANIUK KRIET MIDDLETON

The first ever “Yamaha Turkey Bass Smash” was held by both the Marine and Outdoor Divisions of Yamaha recently. The event was a one-of-a-kind, sometimes serious, and always fun, competition held near Del Rio, Texas. Teams competing in the event were comprised of Yamaha Pro Staff mem- bers, Outdoor Writers, and Yamaha Representa- tives. Camera teams and staff from Americana Outdoors supported the event in various manners . The week started with target practice on the range to get everyone familiar with the Thompson/Center Encore Pro Hunter Turkey Shotgun . Once everyone got settled in for the night, they awoke to a hearty breakfast and packed lunches prepared by our resident Pro Chef Angel Middleton. The teams then packed and loaded up the Yamaha Vikings and Wolverine Side-by-Sides and off they went for the first morning of the event which was scheduled to be a nine hour day of hunting turkeys. The conditions for the day were less than favor- able for turkey hunting with temperatures in the 90’s and winds gusting to over 30 during the day. The hope from all the teams was to get on toms right off the roost but with the windy conditions, it made it difficult to call in the turkeys. Teams communicated with each other using a Garmin In- Reach Explorer Handheld GPS . This allowed teams to see where others were hunting as they moved and texted updates as cell signal was basically non-existent. Team Kriet scored first blood as John Geiger, Edi- tor-In-Chief of Game and Fish Magazine , smoked a jake while Pro Angler Jeff Kriet and Yamaha’s Brad Dreyer did the calling. With Team Kriet on the board early on, Team Mid- dleton and Team Palanuik both were on the move often, but having little luck; however, that changed late in the day when Skip Knowles, author and ed- itor at Wildfowl magazine, took a large tom with a little more than 30 minutes of hunting time remai-

Wade Middleton gets everyone dialed in with the Thompson/Center Encore Pro Hunter Turkey Gun.

Teams get ready and load up their Yamaha Side-by-Sides with all their gear before heading out.

Jeff Kriet plays mind games with the other team using the Garmin InReach.

Team Middleton poses with their last-minute Tom along with their Thompson/Center Encore Pro Hunter Turkey Gun

-ning on the clock. This great tom was taken in heavy cover and would give Team Middleton a lead over Team Kriet heading into the fishing portion, while leaving Team Palaunik to rely on fishing the famed waters of Lake Amistad in order to make a final day charge. Each team arrived at the ramp on Lake Amistad the next morning with their bass boats in tow to start the final round of competition. There was plenty of boat ramp talk going on about who would catch the most and largest, but once again it was high winds that were going to play havoc on the day and cause the teams to be limited to fishing certain areas. As the day began Jeff Kriet quickly boated what would be the biggest fish of the event! The eight-pound plus bass would put Team Kriet and Team Middleton pretty much in a tie at that point in the day. The fishing was good all day long with a lot of fish being caught by all the teams on a variety of baits.

At the end of the day when the score was combined for the fishing and turkey portions, it was the Team Kriet, consisting of Jeff Kriet, John Geiger, and Brad Dreyer who were crowned Champions of the inau-

gural 2018 Yamaha Turkey Bass Smash -- which lead to a loud and fun celebration around the camp with all the pageantry worthy of any major sporting championship win! This event was a great example of sportsmanship, comradery, and showcased the Yamaha Products on both the Marine and Outdoor side that Yamaha offers. Talks for next year’s event are already underway and we will just have to wait and see if Team Kriet can de- fend their title. Be on the lookout for full coverage of this event in a future episode of Americana Outdoors .

Brad Dreyer (left), Jeff Kriet (center), and John Geiger (right) are crowned the champions.

YAMAHA ATVs AND SIDE-BY-SIDES CLICK HERE

YAMAHA OUTBOARDS CLICK HERE

Smoked BBQ CHICKENWINGS BY STEVE CYLKA

INGREDIENTS: 2 Pounds chicken wings 1 Tbsp ground chipotle powder 1 Tbsp paprika

1 Tsp garlic powder 1 Tsp onion powder 1 Tsp black pepper 1 Tsp salt 2 Tbsp brown sugar 1 cup BBQ sauce

DIRECTIONS: If desired, cut each chicken wing into three portions: drumette, middle portion, and tip. Discard the tip of the wings and place the other portions in a large bowl. Mix together the chipotle powder, paprika, garlic pow- der, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and brown sugar together. Toss the wings in the seasonings so they are evenly coated. Set up the smoker for 275°F using Bradley Flavor Bisquettes of choice.

If you’re tired of your meat sticking to your smoker racks, these Bradley Magic Mats are made for you! Click the photo above.

Lay the seasoned wings on smoker racks and smoke for about 2 hours.

Toss the wings in the BBQ sauce and place back on the smoker racks.

Smoke for another hour, or until cooked through and the skin is crisped up.

Remove wings from the smoker and serve.

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Thompson/Center Arms announced that it launched its new “T/C Master Hunter” Facebook sweep- stakes back on March 15, 2018. The sweepstakes began on March 15, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. (EST) and ends on August 22, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Thompson/Center will give away a T/C Compass™ rifle to one winner each month over the course of the sweepstakes term. “At Thompson/Center, we are dedicated to bringing dependable, innovative, and high-performance firearms to our consumers. Through this new sweepstakes, we want to connect with and engage our consumers on social media and make sure each participant

feels welcomed into the Thompson/Center family.” - Danielle Sanville BRAND MANAGER - THOMPSON/CENTER

Click the T/C Compass Rifle to learn more.

Thompson Center fans are encouraged to locate the T/C Master Hunter picture profile frame on the Thompson/Center Facebook Page and follow the instructions in the Official Rules to enter the sweepstakes. No purchase is necessary to enter to win.

BUCKET LIST: NEW ZEALAND BY WADE MIDDLETON Bucket lists are something thatmany peopledream up in their heads, talk about, plan for, and some- thing that we’ve all got. It may be a trip, it may be an accomplishment, or an award for some people. Personally, I’ve got my own bucket list that has a va- riety of hunting, fishing, as well as personal things that I want toaccomplish. Oneof those itemsonmy list has always been to travel to New Zealand and go on a Red Stag hunt. Thanks to an invitation from Thompson/Center Arms , I was able to do that recently. Just getting there, from our home in San Antonio, required nearly 40 hours of travel (which is always fun) to get from our front door to the Glen Dene Lodge who was hosting us. We traveled through Los Angeles, then Auckland, and eventually arrived in Queenstown, New Zealand. Queenstown was a really nice small town on the shores of a lake. The clean city has a waterfront village feel full of shops and restaurants. It didn’t take long to really be taken in by the New Zealand culture and lifestyle. This trip was extra special to me because it’s a trip that my wife, Angel, was able to join, so we mixed in both my hunting passion

Red Stag was introduced to New Zealand in the 1850’s. The are the most widespread species existing on both Islands.

with her desire to shop and sightsee. All three of which are easily done in New Zealand. The next morning, after arriving in Queenstown, we all hopped in a van driven by our host Richard Burdon, who along with his wife Sara, own and op- erate Glen Dene Station located on the shores of Lake Hawea. One thing that stood out to me was how friendly their staff was and that you were wel- comed with open arms by everyone from the mo- ment you arrive until long after you departed. Afterwesettled inandcheckedour rifles, itwas time to dive into the hunting. The game plan for the first

day of hunting was to have Danielle Sanville, from Thompson/Center, and Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo, head off with their guide Stacy on a Tahr hunt about three hours away, while Angel, myself, and our guide, Dan Rossiter, went off in search of Red Stag. For this hunt I would be using the T/C Pro Hunt- er Encore rifle in .308 topped with a Cabela’s HD Instinct 4X12 Scope . We would be hiking a lot of steep and hilly terrain so I had brought along a new pack that Cabela’s is releasing this Fall to field test it in regard to carrying all my optics. These optics included a new, yet to be released, Cabela’s Spot- ting scope as well, and that I would be putting to the test glassing the hills, valleys and dense thick- ets of ferns that make up this part of New Zealand. It wasn’t long into the glassing that morning that we spotted a group of several Stag’s bedded down on a hillside some distance away. After confirming there were at least three and possibly four shoot- ers in the group we began to work our way around to get a closer look. We ended up hunting this group all day long after that first stalk before find- ing success late the afternoon. This is just a small part of the many memories we made at Glen Dene Station that week, all of which we’ll be sharing both in future episodes of Ameri- cana Outdoors and elsewhere.

Danielle Sanville (left) Stacy Shuker(center) and Eric Poole of Guns and Ammo (right) pose with Eric’s Tahr and Thompson/Center Compass chambered in 6.5 Creedmor.

Wade (left) and Angel (right) glass for Red Stag

If you would like to book your hunt or trip of a lifetime at Glen Dene Hunting click here .

Wade stalks a Red Stag in the valley below him with his Thompson/Center Encore Pro Hunter

Breathtaking views were present everywhere you turned in the Dobson Valley

STEALTH NXT UNBOXING BY WADE MIDDLETON A TACK-DRIVING CROSSBOW UNLIKE ANY OTHER AT ITS PRICE-POINT.

IT FINALLY ARRIVED! The crossbow that we have been excited about since the beginning of the year. The TenPoint Crossbows Stealth NXT . This is Ten- Point’s narrowest and most accurate crossbow EVER. It measures an incredible 6-inches wide and the Stealth NXT delivers devastating speeds up to 410 feet-per-second generating an earth-shatter- ing 144-foot pounds of kinetic energy. Like all TenPoint Crossbows the Stealth NXT was easy to understand, build, and sight in. The entire process from beginning to end took around 1 hour before I was dialed in to 50 yards. Overall it’s as easy as unboxing, reading the direc- tions, understanding the safety instructions, add- ing the parts like scopes and such and then you’re ready to start sighting it in.

You MUST read the instructions when it comes to assem- bling this crossbow. Follow the steps carefully and slowly to ensure maximum safety for you and others!

Sighting in the Stealth NXT couldn’t have been easier. The biggest challenge was not hitting the other bolts that you’ve already shot and poten- tially ruining them since it’s so accurate that your groups are literally touching or close to it! The trigger is smooooth taking less than 4 pounds of pressure to fire! The first time I shot it I was amazed how fast and quickly the bolt dis- appeared into the target. This is going to open some new hunting oppor- tunities for us as now we can maneuver the thick Texas brush that’s scattered throughout our property. We’re beyond excited! Raising the bar is an understatement with Stealth NXT. It’s easy to carry, compact, silent and when it comes to accuracy it’s right there out of the box. For more information on the Stealth NXT, click here.

“It’s so accurate that your groups are literally touching or close to it!”

Click the PLAY button to watch Randy Wood from Ten- Point Crossbow Technologies goes over the features of the Stealth NXT.

Conquest Scents’ “DANGER ZONE” Keeps Animals Out! BY ADAM ELMHORST

Ever come home to find an unwanted critter in your yard? Or witnessed a pack of raccoons ransacking your trash? Squirrels doing the death climb to get to your bird feeders? What about wild hogs tearing up your landscaping? ConQuest Scents has found a solution to these problems in their “Danger Zone” product line of scents.

“Danger Zone” creates a scent barrier to keep deer, coyotes, and other larger animals away from your property by using instincts of animals to avoid pred- ators. One of the most common means of animal communication is their scent. Some animals will use their scent to mark their territory or to tell other animals to stay away. For example, if you have a garden that pesky deer keep using as their midnight snack, rub some of the “Danger Zone” onto a nearby area. When the deer gets too close, they can smell and realize that there is a predator nearby and they will flee and find someone else’s garden to munch on. ConQuest Scents‘ “Danger Zone” come in two different “sizes” so to speak, Small and Large Barrier. The Small Animal Barrier model deters rabbits, squirrels, mice, cats, woodchucks, skunks, raccoons, opos- sum, small dogs and more. The Large Barrier model works on Deer, Dogs, Coyotes, Elk, Hogs, Bobcats, House Cats, Raccoons, Rabbits, Squirrels, and more as well. The scent of “Danger Zone” is encapsulated and preserved in wax with real urines from predators until you apply to a surface of an area to create a barrier that is animal free. Since it is a wax base, there are no spills, leaks, or mess you have to worry about, and rain or dew will not affect it. You can apply “Dan- ger Zone” to rocks, posts, landscaping, building foundations, or anywhere you wish to keep animals away. We recommend that your reapply every 3-5 days.

To learn more about ConQuest Scents’ “Danger Zone: Small Animal Barrier” click here . To learn more about ConQuest Scents’ “Danger Zone: Large Animal Barrier” click here .

BRIAN PAHL TAKES HOME TITLE ON KENTUCKY LAKE

Pahl (right) receives his Garmin Echomap and a $200 Cabela’s Gift Card for winning Session 4 from Cabela’s Pro Fisherman Jeff Reynolds.

The fishing out on Kentucky Lake this week proved to be phenomenal. Words cannot put into perspective how healthy this fishery is. During the 8 weigh-in sessions held over two days, the top 10 finishers in each session earned prizes, meaning 80 positions were paid out in total. The smallest fish to earn a prize, the 80th place fish overall, weighed 4.96 lbs. In years past, it was not uncommon to see a 5 pound class fish win top prize in one of the many sessions. Patterns used to target fish this week out on Ken- tucky Lake varied greatly. Anglers reported using crankbaits, Alabama Rigs, and even spinner- baits. The overall winner of the tournament, Bri- an Pahl, caught the winning fish flipping shallow bushes with a jig. Pahl was paired with two of his fellow teammates, as they were fishing three to a boat. The angler up front running the trolling motor was casting a crankbait to shallow cover. Pahl was fishing directly behind him pitching to this same cover with a slower more methodical presentation. This approach proved to be key in helping the Bethel University angler land the grand prize winning fish.

BY KYLE CURRY The 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash – presented by Berkley was a true test from start to finish for 479 of the best collegiate anglers in the country. Held on Kentucky Lake in Paris, TN, there were three main variables in play over the two days of competition. First, this was a big bass format event which involves strategy and a great deal of thinking. Second, the water level was dropping at a constant rate. Third, the weath- er conditions changed on each day of the event. Brian Pahl of Bethel University managed to over- come these challenges to catch a 9.22 pound largemouth bass. This fish, caught on the first day of the event, claimed top prize in session 4 – presented by Garmin and was the overall big bass for the event. “I caught it 20 minutes right before the session ended. We were right here close to Paris Landing,” said Pahl. The Bethel University angler was fishing with two of his fellow team- mates in the same boat. The trio decided to take their time getting back to the weigh-in site, and Brian brought this fish across the scales at the beginning of session 4.

Bethel University is located just 20 minutes out- side of Paris, TN, the host site of this week’s tour- nament. Many of the anglers on this team know the fishery very well, and refer to Kentucky Lake as their home waters. The Kentucky Lake that greeted the field this weekend was not the same lake these anglers are used to fishing. Heavy rains flooded the area during the previous few weeks, swelling Kentucky Lake to nearly 10 feet above winter pool. Pahl says he believes this rapid change in condi- tions worked to negate their home field advantage, “I think it was a pretty fair field. I wouldn’t say we had much of an advantage this time. Just with the water being so high and the fish being scattered.” From the time official practice began on Wednes- day, until the scales closed on Sunday afternoon, Kentucky Lake fell nearly four feet in total. Many anglers said that areas where they caught fish in practice were completely out of the water come the final day of the tournament. With water tem- peratures not quite reaching 60 degrees, these fish were ready to move shallow. “I don’t think they’re ready to spawn yet. The water is still in the upper 50’s. They should be getting ready here soon,” said Pahl. The staging and patterns of the fish can be reflected in the 9.22 pound bass that Bryan Pahl of Bethel University caught. This fish came out of shallow water in flooded bushes. As fish prepare for the spawn, they look for heavy cover to get around and begin to make their beds and lay eggs. Pahl’s winning fish earned him a wide list of prizes. For winning session 4 – presented by Garmin, he received a Garmin 63CV plus a $200 Cabela’s gift card. This is a prize package valued at over $700. The prizes do not stop here though. By winning the overall grand prize, Pahl earned another rough- ly $5,000 in items. Theses items consisted of : $2,000 Power-Pole gift certificate, $1,000 Cabe- la’s gift card, 1 KVD Hydrowave, Mustang PFD, Gill rain jacket, $100 Ranger Wear gift card, one Engel cooler, and a mapping card (pictured right) .

Not only did Brian get all of the prizes listed above, he is also aware of the fact that he earned his team valuable school of the year points, “This was huge for school of the year points…We were looking for two top 10 fish in this tournament.” Entering this event, Bethel University sat squarely atop the race for the Cabela’s School of the Year – presented by Abu Garcia. The top two fish weighed in by com- petitors this week would count towards their team’s school of the year totals. Being a double points event, the stakes were high. Bethel University rose to the challenge, and worked tomaintain their lead. The team placed two anglers in the overall top five. Along with Brian Pahl’s 9.22 pound fish, Ricky Har- ris weighed in a 7.42 pound bass. This fish was good enough for 5th place in the final standings. For a full look at the Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia standings , click here . It has been mentioned again and again over the past several days, but Kentucky Lake is in rare form right now. Quality fish after quality fish crossed the scales over the two day span of competition. Through the history of this event, this marks the first time it has taken a fish over the nine pound mark to claim the victory. This will set the expecta- tions high looking towards next year’s event.

NEWSUMMERCOLLECTION Springtime delivers a lot of our favorite activities, most of them occurring outside where sun rays en- liven the event. Of course, it’s easy to forget “the other side” of the outdoor experience: UV rays aren’t always so kind to the skin. Just as the intensity of the sun’s heat can quickly sap your energy. But for those who’ve discovered BUFF® and its multi-functional headwear and other technical fabric offerings, spring and summer remain the active, carefree seasons they’ve always meant to be. PRODUCTS FEATURED: (Click each product to go to link)

10-4 Snapback Cap Pelagic Camo Blue

UV Arm Sleeves Fishing Pelagic Camo Tropical (Set of 2)

UV Guy Harvey Guy Harvey Silver Kings

22 oz DESIGNER TUMBLERS Engel’s 22 oz. stainless steel and coated, vacu- um-insulated performance tumblers are built to keep your drink cool in the harshest conditions. Taking advantage of the latest vacuum technology, these tumblers perform better than any competitor on the market. Whether you’re bringing a hot drink or chilly bever- age along for the ride, the Engel “Ketch-It” lid will ensure you enjoy your drink, not wear it. The liq- uid-tight seal keeps your drink in the tumbler when the boat bounces, the truck swerves…or you just happen to execute a perfect-form elbow-sweep and take that tumbler from vertical to horizontal in the blink of an eye. Just like our award-winning coolers, we’ve thought of the details that matter. This tumbler will be your best friend for all of life’s thirst-quenching mo- ments.

Click the tumbler above to start shopping the Engel Coolers 22oz Designer Tumblers

PICKWICK PREVIEW BY KYLE CURRY

Pickwick Lake and Florence, AL are set to play host to the 2018 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Cham- pionship presented by Cabela’s. The event, regarded as one of the most prestigious collegiate bass fishing tournaments in the country, will feature college anglers from all over the nation. Held on Pick- wick Lake fromMay 21st to 25th, the Championship will feature numerous teams ranked in the Top 20 of the Cabela’s School of the Year race, thus making this arguably one of the toughest fields in the nation. Throughout the spring season, the main storyline for the Tennessee River has been rain. Stretching from the Midwest, all the way into the south, large amounts of rain have saturated the ground and flooded numerous bodies of water. So severe, in some cases, that the TVA stopped generation at dams upstream in order to hold more water from being released downstream. As a result of these rains, Pickwick Lake has seen a lot of water move through the system. Generation at the Pickwick dam has been strong and steady for several weeks. This has caused a fascinating phe-

-nomenon for all of the fishermen getting out on the water. Smallmouth bass have shown up in droves. Using the current to ambush baitfish and feed, large numbers of quality smallmouth are be- ing caught out on this body of water right now. Will the smallmouth bite play a key role in the event during May? The answer is, probably not. Barring any more major rain causing consistently strong current, five fish limits of four pound smallies will not be seen. That is not to say these anglers will not catch quality smallmouth during the event however. There is a good chance mixed bags will cross the stage, and these smallmouth will be some of the larger fish in that bag. Assuming the current calms down, and Pickwick Lake is in stable condition for the BoatUS Colle- giate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela’s , let’s take a look at the patterns and baits that could play a significant role in determining the outcome of this event. The first main focus over the past few years has been the ledges and offshore structure. It never seems to fail, every year we return to Florence, AL for the Champion- ship, the winning team finds their success fishing ledges. This is due in large part to the fact that a majority of the lake’s population of fish goes out deep for the summer months; however, the fish are behind this year, so it’s still to be determined if ledges will be key again or not. If the fish are out on the ledges, bait that might play a role, and The SPRO Little John Super DD 90 deep diving crankbait could be a big player for tar- geting these offshore fish. When targeting fish on deep structure, firing up a school is key to trigger- ing numbers of bites. A crankbait is a great lure for achieving this. Running this bait through a school of hungry fish will start a competition between the school for the bait. So expect crankbaits to be used by a good portion of the field at some point during the event.

Smallmouth Bass like this one will be the quality of fish that anglers will be looking for.

Collegiate Anglers stack up and share the water on a ledge during the 2017 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela’s

The Little John Super DD 90 has a unique vibration, a sub- tle sound and a major vibration in the water. Click the pho- to to learn more!

Sticking with offshore ledges, another tactic that

Click the photo to see all the things to do in Florence, AL.

could prove effective is fishing a shaky head. In recent years on the Tennessee River system, the shaky head has seen a resurgence. This bait is not being fished as the finesse technique it is so well known for. Normally, this is a setup with a 1/4 oz. or less jig head paired with a small finesse worm, fished on light line. The new trend on lakes such as Pickwick has become to throw heavy jig heads up over 1/2 an ounce, and use larger soft plastic baits. The Big Bite Baits Finesse Worm in the 8 inch version would be ideal for targeting these bass with a larger profile bait. Lastly, we’ll focus on another technique to keep in mind as the tournament approaches. Earlier, we knocked the shallow water fishing saying that it can’t hold up to multiple days of fishing pressure. For some anglers, offshore fishing is so intimidat- ing that they will take their chances up shallow. Pickwick Lake is known for abundant amounts of shoreline cover and Adrian College just proved that Pickwick bass can be caught shallow based on their recent B.A.S.S. Collegiate Series win there. With the amount of rainmoving through this spring, there is a good chance this cover will be surround- ed by a good amount of water and that the sum- mer ledge patterns may not be in play yet when the event kicks off. When this situation arises, the one bait that comes to mind is the SPRO Bronzeye Frog . This bait is easy to fish around cover, and produces giant bites. All it takes is 10 bites. If a team can get up shallow and find the right 10 bites on a frog, they will have a chance to compete for a top 10 finish. With this tournament less than a month out, it will be interesting to see how the conditions set up out on Pickwick Lake. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest in collegiate bass fishing by visiting www.collegiatebasschampionship.com . As the tournament nears, we will continue to provide fur- ther coverage and insight into the event.

The 4’’ and 6” Finnesse Worm from Big Bite Baits are per- fect for when the bite gets tough, a Finnesse Worm is a great go-to bait. Click the photo to learn more!

Adrian College Team of Caleb Taylor (left) and Nick Marsh (right) weigh-in at the 2017 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela’s

The Bronzeye Frog 65 is the perfect size and style. It’s de- signed to cast long distances to be fished in heavy cover or in open water.

TUESDAY, MAY 22 ND Yamaha Angler Appreciation Night (4p-7pMANDATORY for ALL Anglers) ABU GARCIA FLIP, PITCH, & CAST

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK SCHEDULE

RANGER/YAMAHA DEMOS

GARMIN DEMOS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 RD BOATUS REGISTRATION NIGHT 2:30p-7p (MANDATORY) JUSTIN ATKINS SPEAKING

THURSDAY, MAY 24 TH CABELA’S TOURNAMENT DAY 1 6a-2:30pm FRIDAY, MAY 25 TH CABELA’S TOURNAMENT DAY 2 6a-2:30pm MEET THE PROS! Matt LEE Justin ATKINS Clark WENDLANDT Brock MOSLEY

PERFORMANCE CENTER® MODEL 686 PLUS

PERFORMANCE CENTER® MODEL 686

FEATURES • Performance Center® Speed Release Thumbpiece • Vented, Ribbed Barrel • Interchangeable Front Sight -Orange Front Sight Included

FEATURES • Performance Center® Speed Release Thumbpiece • Vented, Ribbed Barrel • Interchangeable Front Sight - Orange Front Sight Included

• Unfluted Cylinder • PC Tuned Action

• Unfluted Cylinder • PC Tuned Action

• Chromed Trigger with Trigger Stop • Chromed Custom Teardrop Hammer

• Chromed Trigger with Trigger Stop • Chromed Custom Teardrop Hammer • Cylinder Cut for Moon Clips

Click the PLAY BUTTON to watch a video on the Performance Center® Model 686 Plus.

Click the watch the

video

WIRELESS TARGET CAMERA SEE YOUR SHOT

See each shot, or group of shots, blink each time you shoot to easily identify the shot! No more guessing! MULTIPLE SHOOTERS AND VIEWERS Multiple users can shoot the same target, and mul- tiple users can view the target at the same time. Great for training and teaching. REVIEW PREVIOUS SHOTS Save and review each shot sequence to analyze your shooting sessions. NO CELLULAR/INTERNET REQUIRED The system generates its own WI-FI Hotspot so you do not need Internet or Cellular Service! Works any- where, all you need is an iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire/ HD or Android Device. No monthly fees. The Bullseye Target Manager app is a full featured software application available for free that allows you to view and track every shot during your shoot- ing session.

The Bullseye Camera System is as simple as set- ting the Bullseye AmmoCam target camera down- range, downloading our free app and seeing your shot on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire/HD, Android Device or laptop from up to 1 MILE away. The Bullseye Long Range Edition Camera System is a unique patent-pending system that features a camera that sets-up down by a target and wire- lessly transmit back to you iPhone, iPad, Android device or Windows laptop at your shooting location up to 1 mile away. The long range edition is ideal for shooters shooting at any distance up to, and over, 1 MILE, sighting in their firearm, target practicing or developing loads. Completely self-contained, the long range edition sets up in under a minute and is ready to use.

STEADFAST IN SUPPORTING SEAL-NSW FAMILIES

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, recently provided a new Viking VI Ranch Edition Side-by-Side (SxS) to the SEAL-Naval Special Warfare Family Foun- dation (NSW) for auction at their annual fundrais- er near San Diego, California. Built in the U.S. at Yamaha’s Newnan, Georgia factory, the Proven Off-Road Viking VI Ranch Edition donation raised capital toward the organization’s mission of sup- porting SEAL members’ families. This marks Ya- maha’s fifth-consecutive year of aiding NSW, totaling more than $100,000 in funding for the much-deserved recipients. “It has been an honor to support the SEAL-NSW Family Foundation and its mission of assisting the families of those who defend our freedoms,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV / SxS group marketing manager. “Each year we appreciate the opportuni- ty to work with this highly esteemed organization and support their efforts to raise awareness and assistance for the brave and heroic SEAL-NSW families.” The SEAL-Naval Special Warfare Family Founda- tion is a San Diego based 501(c)(3) nonprofit orga- nization founded in 2008 that raises awareness

and funds for special programs in direct support of the NSW families on a local, national and global scale. Further details about the NSW organization and fundraiser can be found here . “Yamaha has been a great supporter of our event, and their vehicles are an auction favorite, raising more than $100,000 for SEAL members’ families over the past five years,” said William R. Fenick, CAPT, USN (Ret), Executive Director for SEAL- NSW. “The generous donations from partners like Yamaha allow us to support the needs of these important families and provide the right programs – both now and in the future.” In the motorsports market, Yamaha makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-ex- panding product offerings also include motor- cycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS prod- ucts are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States.

Every Yamaha SxS and full-size ATV is proudly Assembled in the USA at Yamaha’s advanced manu- facturing facility in Newnan, Georgia, for worldwide distribution. View additional details on the Viking VI Ranch Edition, along with the full lineup of Proven Off-Road vehicles here . 2018 Yamaha Viking VI Ranch Edition (pictured above) raises the bar with true six‑passenger capability paired with class‑leading comfort and convenience.

If you would like to donate to the SEAL Family Foundation, please click their logo below.

If you would like to learn more about the full lineup of Yamaha ATVs and Side-by-Sides, please click their logo below.

Click here to watch Ranger Boats celebrate 50 years by launching the New L Series!

BY KYLE CURRY

Amilestone is defined as “an action or event mark- ing a significant change or stage in development.” 50 years ago, in 1968, the birth of Ranger Boats was a milestone for the sport of fishing. The im- pact of the company on past, current, and future generations of anglers is indescribable. 50 years may not seem like a very long time, but here is some perspective. In 1968 the VietnamWar was taking place, Hawaii Five-O debuted on CBS, and Mattel’s Hot Wheels cars were introduced to children across the United States. In a small, rural town in Flippin, Arkansas, a hot new boat was roll- ing off the factory floor. Set up on the downtown square, Ranger Boats welcomed the beginning of a legacy with the production of their first six boats. Led by founders Forrest and Nina Wood, this small town, Arkansas based company was preparing to dominate the bass boat industry. Founded on the principle of “still building legends one at a time”, Ranger Boats has fulfilled this mot- to for the last 50 years. The brand has continued to evolve and grow, leaving a lasting impression on both professional, and recreational anglers alike. From the aerated live well, to the top of the line hull design, all the way down to the most minute

details, no expense is spared in building a Ranger Boat. Ranger Boats manufactures a one of a kind prod- uct, and it is only right for the company to cele- brate by continuing this tradition. For 2018, Ranger has introduced the Ranger Z Comanche L Series . This 50th Anniversary Edition boat is designed to represent the Ranger brand to the highest degree possible. Equipped with a Ranger Trail Trailer, available in numerous sleek color patterns, and a fashionable interior, the L Series is a true show stopper. The boat is designed to be the best bass fishing boat on the market. At the driver’s console, there is enough space to mount a graph up to 16 inches in size. Storage compartments abound, providing room to pack ample amounts of equipment for a full day’s trip. Both models, the Z521L and Z520L, are rated for up to a 250 h.p. engine. The Ranger Z Comanche L Series is designed to be the ultimate fishing machine. To find a local dealer near you, or to learn more about the new L Series of boats, visit rangerboats.com .

PICARIDIN VS. PERMETHRIN KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BY ADAM ELMHORST

We’re pretty sure that everyone wants to enjoy the outdoors bug free, and everyone’s go to solution is a store bought brand off the shelf at their local store. Which may work for a few hours, or repel the insects but they all seem to come back. Sawyer Products are becoming a heavy hitter in the insect repellent game. They strive to not only repel insects of all kinds but also KILL said insects. So if you truly want those insects dead and gone for good, then Sawyer’s Picaridin and Permethrin line of Insect Repellents need to find their way into your home. Picaridin and Permethrin can sound intimidating to some, and parents are always monitoring what they expose their children to. So in this article we are going to break down the differences in both Picaridin and Permethrin.

LET’S START WITH PICARIDIN… An effective alternative to DEET that’s great for the whole family, Sawyer Picaridin is also safe for use during pregnancy. It’s considered to be the repellent of first choice by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Advisory Com- mittee on Tropical Medicine and Travel for trav- elers 6 months to 12 years of age. Picaridin will not harm or damage plastic or synthetic coatings. It won’t damage your fish- ing line, firearm finishes, sunglasses, watch or other outdoor products.

Picaridin spray is effective for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, while the lotion is effective for up to 14 hours. Both provide up to 8 hours of protection against biting flies, gnats, chiggers, and sand flies.

Picaridin has been available since 1998 in Aus-

-tralia and Europe (and happens to be the best selling insect repellent but was only introduced to the United States in 2005. Picaridin is a perfect balance of efficacy, safety and user-friendliness. It repels a wide variety of pests including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, sand flies, gnats, chiggers, and midges. It is the longest lasting repellent with up to 14 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against a variety of flies, chiggers and gnats. It’s non-greasy, has a pleasant low odor and won’t damage plastics of synthetic coatings. All these factors combined makes Picaridin the optimal topical repellent for the entire family.

Picaridin is also known as Saltidin®, KBR 3023, or Icaridin depending on the country in which it is ref- erenced. The World Health Organization (WHO) rec- ommends the active ingredient Icaridin as product of choice for malaria prophylaxis. It is registered in over 40 countries worldwide. Picaridin’s efficacy with mosquitoes is quite im- pressive, after 10 hours, the efficacy of the Salti- din®-solution (Picaridin) remains at 99%. When it comes to ticks, Picaridin’s efficacy with a 20%con- centration resulted in 2.5 hours of efficacy 5 times over DEET’s efficacy of just 30 minutes. Sawyer offers their Picaridin repellents in a 20% Lotion which has up to 14 hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks, including mosquitoes carry- ing West Nile Virus. Repels biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers, and sand flies for up to 8 hours.

Sawyer’s Picaridin Insect repellent comes in a multitude of applications, from sprays to lotions. Click here to view all Picaridin products

NOW ONTO PERMETHRIN Permethrin was discovered in 1973 and is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medi- cines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. For use on clothing, tents, sleeping bags, and other outdoor gear, Sawyer Permethrin is more than just an insect repellent — it actually kills ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, mites, and more than 55 other kinds of insects. Permethrin is also effective against the Yellow Fever Mosquito, which can transmit the Zika Virus. Using it on outdoor gear also helps reduce the mosquito population in your camp and prevents ticks from attaching to you. In addition to clothing and accessories like hats and waders, Sawyer Permethrin is ideal for treating backpacks, tents, camp furniture, hammocks, mosquito netting, luggage, and even bed sheets. Since mosquitoes are better hoppers than fliers, adding more Permethrin-treated landing surfaces around you will improve your protection. Treatment of non-washable items will be effective for up to 42 days of exposure to sun and air. Maximize protection frommosquitoes and ticks by combining Permethrin with Picaridin, an effective and comfortable topical repellent.

Unlike topical insect repellents applied to the skin, Permethrin is applied to clothing and outdoor gear material, bonding to the fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks (42 days) or 6 washings.

When a tick, mosquito, or other insect comes into contact with Permethrin, it absorbs a dose that will either repel or kill the insect. The synthetic version of pyrethrum (a natural insecticide de- rived from the chrysanthemum flower), Perme- thrin is non-toxic and registered for use by the U.S. EPA. To apply, spray Permethrin directly onto clothing and gear with a slow sweeping motion, keeping the bottle about 6 to 8 inches away and treating each side of the garment for about 30 seconds. Sawyer Permethrin Insect Repellent can be ap- plied to dogs and help control mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas for 35 days. Official application in- structions for use on dogs can be found here . So the next time your planning a camping trip, vacation, picnic or even just working in your yard, head over to your local Bass Pro Shops , or Cabela’s and pick up some Sawyer Products. We hope this article has informed you on the wonderful benefits of both Picardin and Perme- thrin and changes the way you defend yourself, gear, and loved ones from disease and those pes- ky insects.

Click the PLAY button below to see all the products that Sawyer offers.

Click here to watch!

GARMIN UNVEILS ULTRA HIGH-DEFINITION SCANNING SONAR

Ultra High-Definition scanning sonar, a new tech- nology that uses a higher frequency range to de- liver stunningly clear images and detail of struc- ture and fish below and around the boat at greater depths. Clarity and detail of fish, rocks, brush piles, structure and beyond are redefined with this new scanning sonar system that includes Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and Ultra High-Definition SideVü sonar with frequencies ranging from .8 to 1.2 MHz. The superior ClearVü image clarity lets anglers see up to 200 feet below the boat – much deeper than other high-frequency scanning so- nars – so fish really have nowhere to hide. “Our Ultra High-Definition scanning sonar will give inland and near-shore anglers the greatest detail available from a Garmin system to date,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consum- er sales. “It’s available as a standalone system that’s compatible with all of our current GPSMAP and select ECHOMAP Plus multi-function displays, further proving our continued commitment to of- fering the best sonar technology in the market to both our existing and future customers.” Scanning sonar is redefined with Ultra High-Defi- nition as it delivers greater resolution by putting

more power on the targets with a higher frequency range than before. To see what’s below the boat, Ultra High-Definition ClearVü scans with a down- ward-facing element that provides clear images at depths of up to 200 feet. For a detailed look at what’s around the boat, Ultra-High Definition SideVü shows clear images of structure and fish off to the sides of the boat. Imagery from the Ultra High-Definition system can be shared seamlessly across multiple networked displays so anglers can easily see the information they need at a glance from different locations on the boat based on pref- erence or the fishing situation. Using the includ- ed extra network expander on the GCV™ 20 sonar black box, Panoptix™ all-seeing sonar can also be distributed to multiple networked displays. The Ultra High-Definition is compatible with the GPSMAP 8400/8600, GPSMAP 7400/7600, GPS- MAP 10×2/12×2, GPSMAP 12×2/12x2xsv Touch and GPSMAP 7×2/9×2 series chartplotters, and the 7- and 9-inch ECHOMAP Plus combo series. For th- ru-hull installation, the GT34UHD-TH is also avail- able with a suggested retail price of $799.99 for a single transducer, or the GT34UHD-THP includes two transducers for $1249.99. For more informa- tion, please visit www.garmin.com/newmarine .

Painstakingly engineered to withstand the world’s most grueling hunting conditions. For up-close looks from afar, rely on the brilliance and precision of Cabela’s Instinct™ optics. Premium glass and lens coatings optimize light transmission for the best possible low-light clarity.

CABELA’S INSTINCT™ EURO HD BINOCULARS

CABELA’S INSTINCT™ EURO RIFLESCOPES

Click the PLAY BUTTON above to watch the Cabela’s Instinct™ Line of Optics be used in a real life hunting situation in an Episode of the Yamaha Whitetail Diaries. ***Click the photo of the optic you want to learn more about*** t

CABELA’S INSTINCT™ EURO HD SPOTTING SCOPES

The world’s first 4K digital trail camera, the DS4K boasts Ultra HD video capture and a 30 MP high resolution still images. 100 ft NoGlo infrared flash range and ultra fast trigger speed less than 0.4 seconds.

CABELA’S ARACHNID BAITCASTING REEL - T-Wing’s wide aperture means reduced angles and less line friction - Air Rotation System allows the spool to spin freely for long casts - Ultimate Tournament drag for smooth startups and stopping power - Magforce-Z Cast Control provides longer, more fluid casts

cabelas.com

GILL CARGO BAG Carry all of your sailing essentials without worrying about your wet gear contaminating your paperwork, dry clothing or travel necessities in this Gill Cargo Bag, made from a durable nylon fabric with a water- proof coating.

An external wet compartment has enough room to fit a wet-suit, dry-suit or sailing boots leaving a spacious main area and specially designed compartments to fit all your other belongings. If you need more room to fit wet clothing, the compartment sizes can be cleverly adjusted to suit your require- ments. gillna.com

SUNLINE FX2 BRAID Braided line that would be perfect for frog fishing and flipping. FX2 was created specifically for these two power techniques that require a premium braid product. sunlineamerica.com

MARINE POWER TRIM AND TILT FLUID Premium formula, non-foaming, resists heat and pressure found in power trim and tilt/power steering systems for smooth quiet operation and reduced wear. The only approved fluid for Yamaha products. yamahaoutboards.com

LIVEWELL V2 The newly redesigned Hobie Livewell V2 sports a fresh color scheme, modern lines and more built-in fea- tures than ever before. This livewell is plug-and-play with most* Hobie kayaks and includes all the same built-in functionality of the Livewell XL.

Upgrades over the original livewell include: a high quality sealed marine switch for ON/OFF control, adjustable downspout for easy water level control, and removable tank partitions for keeping live bait healthy and out of hard to reach places. hobie.com

SEE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING TM

SHOOTING SYSTEMS

LITEWAVE H3™ TRITIUM/LITEPIPE Combines Tritium with the HIVIZ Litepipe technology for 24 illu- mination. Now you can have the advantage of day and night per- formance all in one sight system. hivizsights.com