2009 Red River Bassmaster Classic Winning Lures & Gear

So here is a brief summary of the baits and gear used by Skeet Reese to win 2009 Bassmasters Classic!
Skeet used two main baits, the new Crazy Legs Chigger craw and the Lucky Craft Redemption Spinnerbait. These baits seem very fitting, since a chigger craw was Skeet's demise when Boyd Duckett used it to knock him to second on Lay Lake and Skeet designed the Redemption Spinnerbait for Lucky Craft and that is exactly what he got, REDEMPTION!!!

Winning Gear Notes
> Spinnberbait gear: 7' extra-fast Lamiglas XR 704 rod, Abu Garcia Revo Winch (5.4:1), 50-pound Spiderwire Ultracast braided line, 3/8-ounce Lucky Craft Redemption Spinnerbait (MS American shad head, nickel combination blades, customized translucent skirt).

> He said he fished spinnerbait on the Revo Winch because it's a strong, slower-geared reel. And he fished it on the braid because it cut through the pad stems better than mono or fluorocarbon.

> Flipping gear: Lamiglas XFT 806 flipping stick, Abu Garcia Skeet Series Revo casting reel, 25-pound Berkley Trilene 100% fluorocarbon, 3/16- and 1/4- ounce unnamed sinkers (1/4-ounce in wind), 3/0 unnamed hook, Berkley PowerBait Crazy Leg Chigger craw (black/blue-fleck)

Photo Courtesty of BassZone.com

Simply Catches Bass

The next lure I am going to Blog about is a very simple & ordinary looking lure, but here is the deal, it flat catches bass. I have been using this to catch bass for years. It is the Lake Fork Ring Fry.

Like I said, it does not look like much, but then again neither do Senkos or Trick worms and we know they catch the heck out of bass as well. Here is how I use it to catch bass:

In water less then 4ft, I fish it weightless like many people fish senkos around docks, wood and scattered grass. The way I catch most of my fish, is to fish it on a Carolina or Mojo rig. The Carolina Rig is the choice for deeper water and scattered cover. I use the mojo rig in water 5-20ft where around just about any cover from thick weeds to gravel & rocks, its flat deadly!

Give the Ring Fry a chance, you will not be disappointed. Off all the anglers I have introduced this bait to, I don't any have ever complained.

Join my BASS Fantasy Fishing Group

Rich Lindgren is challenging you to play Fantasy Fishing Challenge on ESPN.com.

This game challenges you to build a roster of five anglers while staying under your team's $100m salary cap. The amount of points an angler can earn in a tournament are based on the Angler of the Year points system. Best of all, it's FREE to play. Plus I will award prizes to winners at each event in my group!

Here is how to sign up, go to http://games.espn.go.com/bass/frontpage
Create your entry
Click Join a Group
Search under Private Groups for Rich's Bassin' Blog
Password: bassin

BASS this year, now let's you join multiple groups, so don't worry if you already joined a group, you can still be part of this group and win prizes!

For more info on my FLW Fantasy Fishing Group - check this post - http://bassinblog.richlindgren.com/2009/01/27/join-my-flw-fantasy-fishing-leauge.aspx

I would like to welcome our newest email subscribers, we are now up to 86, plus all the RSS subscribers!!



Best regards,
The Commissioner
RichLindgren.com

Join my FLW Fantasty Fishing Group - Win Free Prizes!

I have re-opened my FLW Fantasy Fishing group from last year & inviting you to play FLW Fantasy Fishing where you can become an instant millionaire! Other guaranteed prizes include six $100,000 winners and 1,800 other prizes like a Chevy Silverado, Ranger Boats and more. Don't worry, if you've never played fantasy sports before, FLW Fantasy Fishing will help pick a team for you when you sign up. This year, should be bigger and better, as I intend to send out prizes for every tournament to highest finishers of our group that don't win FLW prizes. Prizes will be compromised of gifts from my sponsors. So tackle, sunglasses, hats, and other gear will be up for grabs

Here is the details to sign up:
Please go to http://www.fantasyfishing.com/?ref=1046 to sign-up or learn more. After you have completed the sign-up process, click "Join a League" in the Game Tracker and enter the following information to become part of RichLindgren.com's League:

League Id: 11590
Password: bassin

Get the proven edge with Player’s Advantage! Last year, members won prizes at nearly 4X the rate. Now only $10 (a $30 savings over regular price). Earn thousands in cash with PA Bucks!

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Best regards,
The Commissioner
RichLindgren.com
Rich's Bassin' Forum

10% off at BTD

10% off everything at http://www.basstackledepot.com/ for the next two weeks, perfect time to restock your tackle boxes and boats!

Pull the Trigger on some new Bass Baits

Its been too long between entries as usual of late... But these new baits from TriggerX made me sit down and write a quick entry, because I think they look pretty great, I really like the looks of the new Flipping Tube, looks similar to the Yum Vibra King Tube that I really like!!

They got plenty of other cool looking baits, but the creature bait (TriggerX Big Bug) is one of the most other eye catching!!!!

Based on my reading they are laced with all kinds of stuff to entice bass and other game fish to latch on and not let go.

Also they are running a nice little rebate, where you buy 4 packs and get 1 FREE!!!

Rich
RichLindgren.com
Rich's Bassin' Forum

30% off some great gift ideas from Secret Weapon Lures!

This gift idea is actually going to be a 3 in 1 combo platter because the guys at Secret Weapon Lures have too much cool stuff to just list one thing!!! Also, I have attached a 30% off coupon code at the bottom of this entry for you being a reader!!! This coupon code is good for buying single spinnerbaits & buzzbaits as well, so if you are already a SWL fan, you can use it to stock up!
Gift Idea #1: Recoil Rig™ Gift Pack
Need the perfect gift to thrill an angler who seems to already have everything? This gift pack supplies special tools an angler can use to coax the biggest bass out of the thickest cover. Bring your drop shotting and finesse presentations to a new level.

Keep your bait back where the biggest fish lurk. Twitch, shake, shimmy, splash, and tremble it until a trophy-size bass, snook, walleye, trout, or red fish can't stand it any longer, then hold on! The secret in this weapon is the Spectra™-wrapped latex shock cord that stretches between the fishing line and sinker. Every motion of your rod tip is transferred to the lure, creating incredibly life-like action. Improves catch rates for soft plastics, live bait and cut-bait, too.
This 132-piece kit is available only until Christmas Day. And as an introductory special we have it discounted over 50%! Backed by Secret Weapon’s unconditional money-back guarantee. Get it now!

Gift Idea #2: Recoil Rig™ Master Fisherman Pack
Double the components... double the savings! This is the kit our Prostaff and top touring pros are snapping up for themselves. Enough components to last an entire tournament season. This is serious fishing tackle for anglers who want an edge on the water. Get it now!



Gift Idea #3: Secret Weapon Tackle Packs
High-performance, top-quality fishing tackle for anglers who insist on the finest fishing gear and understand how to get the most from it. Secret Weapon has 22 Tackle Packs that meet the needs of anglers at every level, from novice to professional guide to elite tournament pro. Each tackle system is engineered to enable the anger to innovate—adapt in seconds to changing conditions, to configure the perfect lure for every cast.
Good (500-combination Master Packs), Better (2,000-combination ProPacks), and Best (5,000-combination Expedition Pack) — all unconditionally guaranteed. Already the best value in the sport fishing world, they're an even greater bargain with your 30% discount coupon code. Single lures make great stocking stuffer as well!


30%OFF purchases from Secret Weapon’s Online Armory*
Special Coupon from Rich's Bass Fishing Tackle Blog!!!!
Anglers like having secret weapons in their tackle boxes — lures they count on when a tournament is on the line, bragging rights are at stake, or a kicker fish is needed to complete the perfect day on the lake. Secret Weapon lures and tackle packs enable anglers to adapt to changing conditions, save money, and ensure satisfaction all year long.
Share this offer with family and fishing buddies.
Discount coupon expires December 31, 2008: PCPSRL9
*30% discount is for lures, kits, and tackle components. It does not apply to shipping costs, discount gift certificates, and special sale items.


SWL makes the only spinnerbaits and buzzbaits that I own or use!

Rich
RichLindgren.com
Rich's Bassin' Forum

The Bronzeye Popper is finally ready for your tackle box

After watching the Spro Bronzeye Popping frog play such an intergral role of Dean Rojas' Elite Series win on Lake Oneida, bass anglers have been waiting for them to be ready for the general angling public, now they are!!!




The Dean Rojas Signature Series Bronzeye Popper Frog was designed to attract bass out of the thickest cover with its loud popping sound. The Bronzeye Popper comes with specially designed 3/0 Gamakatsu Hooks that fit the bait perfectly for solid hook ups. It comes in 7 proven fish catching colors, so try out one of the new Bronzeye Poppers.

This bait will take your fishing buddies by suprise when you are calling the big girls up when their frogs won't get it done!!!

Rich
RichLindgren.com

Gambler Bait Blowout!!

If you like Gambler Bait or just need to stock up on some quality soft plastics, check out this great sale on Gambler Baits.

You will find Cane Toads, craws, lizards, stickbaits, worms, swimbaits and much more for just $1.89 a pack!!! It says while supplies last, so these will not be around come spring, so stuff a fisher person's stocking in your life!!

More Rage from Strike King

Man its just been way too long since I last blogged about some great new tackle or gear on this site.... Time to put an end to that. I just started dabbling with the Rage Chunks at the end of this season and put quite a few fish in the boat on the Mississippi River and Lake Minnetonka using it on the back of my Tru-Tugnsten Jigs!!!

So now Strike King has expanded beyound their Rage Toads, Craws, etc....

They have added the Ananconda, Lobster, Lizard and Space Monkey which is a creature type bait. Check out the pics below.

Here is a lineup of their new 2009 Products!!!

With my success so far, I plan to dabble with some of these new Rage offerings as well!

Tight lines,

Rich

New Revo Reels

Garcia has recently released two newer versions of the popular REVO reels. Both of these look pretty sweet, the Skeet Reese Edition REVO and the REVO Winch!

First pictured is the Skeet Revo, which has heavy input from 2007 AOY Skeet Reese himself, its a very lightweight reel & sports black & yellow design which is a trademark of Mr. Reese. It would also look very good with one of Skeet's signature Yellow Lamiglas cranking rods!!!

Light Weight Design
Air Craft Grade Aluminum Spool
Infinity Spool II Design
6 pin Adjustable Centrifugal Brake
X-Craftic Alloy Frame and Side Plate
Carbon Matrix Drag System
10 Stainless Steel HPCR Ball Bearings

The other new Revo reeel is dubbed the WINCH!!!

REVO Winch with 5.4:1 gears is perfect for large crank baits, flipping and pitching plastics and jigs in heavy cover. As speed increases winching power decreases. While a fast-retrieve reel might be fine for fishing shallow crankbaits across a slick river bar for 2-pound schoolies, it's inadequate for pulling an 8-pound largemouth out of a glob of milfoil. A more powerfully geared reel is a better all-around choice for deep crankin'.
10 Stainless Steel HPCR® Ball Bearings +
1 Roller Bearing for Corrosion Resistance
X-Cräftic™ Alloy Frame and Side Plate for Corrosion Resistance
Carbon Matrix™ Drag System for Ultra
Smooth Drag
Duragear™ Brass Gears for Long Life
Oversized Main Gear for “Winch Power”
Linear Magnetic Brake for Control 6
Pin Centrifugul Brake
Line Capacity 12 lb/175 yds

Get your Sebile Magic Swimmers!

Hey all, just found a big bunch of Magic Swimmers on the internet. These are super hot & hard to find. So get them before they are sold out!! Click Here!!!

The real life action of the magic swimmer will fool the most finicky fish. Its specially designed joints allows for a naturally free-swimming motion guaranteed to trigger strikes. As it subtly moves through the water its sound chamber emits a discrete chatter. Superior balance allows for excellent casting and a steady retrieve at a variety of depths. This swim-bait is best used with a steady retrieve accented by twitches of the rod-tip. Speed and depth of retrieve are controlled by the angler.
Magic Swimmer 95: 3.5" long
Magic Swimmer 125: 5" long
Magic Swimmer 165: 6.5" long
Magic Swimmer 228: 9" long

If you remember this is the bait that was responsible for most of the Top 12 anglers in both the Clarks Hill & Lake Murray Bassmaster Elite Series events!!!

http://www.landbigfish.com/tacklestore/showcase.cfm?PID=5121&SiteID=1485

Clearing out some gear!

Spent some time this past week, sorting out some extra stuff I have and decided to put it up for auction on my eBay seller page. Check out some very good stuff, most of it brand new! Sebile Magic Swimmer, Lucky Craft, Lowrance GPS, Garmin Sonar, Swimbaits & More!

First Look at New Shimano Curado E

If you have been paying attention lately, you know that Shimano has been giving some good deals on their current Curados & Citicas, either via rebate or store sales. When a manufacturer does this, they are usually trying to clear inventory, thus the introduction of a new model or models to replace the existing.

Well the first glimpses of the newly revamped Shimano Curado & Citica are here!!!!! The new line will be the Curado E and Citica E's.

Pictures by TackleTour.com
Couple things you will notice right away, they are going back to the muted Green finish of the Curado Bantam that was so popular with many bass anglers and many of us still have several of these, as they were proven workhorses. The profile is a bit smaller to compete with the Abu Revos that have entered the market in the last couple years. Even better news, the price point of the Curado E is thought to be $179.99 vs. the Curado D currently at $199.99

Looks like these reals will launch in a burner (7.0:1) and a 5.0:1 to start and the Citica E will have the 6.2:1. See a complete breakdown of this new real and the Citica E http://www.tackletour.com/reviewcuradociticapreview09.html!!!

So start saving your pennies, not sure when the launch date is but ICAST is right around the corner and they should be available shortly after that!!! I think this is a reel I will be ordering right away, the look of the Curado D's never really excited me, but something about this one has me fired up again. I have been a Curado guy since the old Red Curados that most guys never knew existed.

The Red Curado was a great reel as well, but it had evolved a bit from its early design:)

Rich
RichLindgren.com
Rich's Bassin' Forum

A clear difference?

Is the Secret out on Sercret Lures?
This company is brand new, but they have some good things they are working, probably most notably their new Secret Lures Chubby Frog Series
The colors are designed to produce fish in a wide range of conditions, and the body design of all models aid in hooking those big ones!

On days when the frog bite is "on" they recommend the full color frogs, since they offer the largest profile for the fish to attack. These full color versions also excel in heavy vegetation and stained water, since the fish have more to key in on. On those tougher days when the fish are just nipping at the frog, they recommend any of the CLEAR LEG colors. With these Secret Lures originals, those subtle bites are now directed right at your hook, so you can still put those fish in the boat.


The full body color Chubby Frogs can be fished a variety of ways; not just a topwater lure. They work great Carolina rigged, Texas rigged, and are deadly as a jig trailer.

Clear Leg Option: With this original design, fish focus their attack ON the hook, not behind it. Notice how the tapered body and clear legs give the Chubby a unique baitfish profile, unlike any other frog. It's very productive as an open water lure and triggers explosive strikes around cover. 5" long, 5 per pack.

They also have some great hooks for both Buzz Frogs and Swimbaits!!!

Get Hooked up with ISH

Well the Ish Hook is finally available at some online retailers, check out this 12/0 Beauty!!! It is designed to work with the Ish Tube, but I think you could use it with really big 12" worms or lizards or maybe even some swimbaits. Even Musky & Pike fisherman may find this hook useful...
Picasso ISH ProX 12/0 Hook
The 12/O Ish ProX Hook is the largest bass hook available on the market today, and can be fished with other soft plastic bodies. Available in packs of 3.

Bill Norman gets Sexy!

Bill Norman long time crankbait manufacturer has come out with 3 of its own versions of Sexy Shad. It only took a few weeks before custom crankbait painters came out with their own version of Sexy Shad, but now another one of the big crankbait players has their Sexy Shad out. They have the traditional Sexy Shad, Chrome Sexy Shad and a unique Clear Sexy Shad.



They have all these colors in several of their well known, bass catching models:
DD14
DD22
DD22 Suspend
Deep Baby N
Deep Little N
Deep Tiny N
Fat Boy
Middle N
Thin N

A little something for all bass in all depths and situations. Also, Bill Normans are great baits at a good value as they are all under $5!!!

So instead of searching high & low for the Strike King Sexy Shads that are tough to find , check out the Normans and give them a try!!!

Hunting for the Best BassTrix Hooks?

By now, you have likely got your hands on some BassTrix Paddle Tail Swimbaits or some of the many similar baits by now. Now you have a different dilemma....

Almost as difficult of a search to get these soft plastic swimbait bodies, is now trying to find the proper hook. Odds are, you do not have the proper hooks in your box to fish them, so now you need to find some. Also likely, your local tackle shop either does not carry them or is out of them because somebody has already cleaned their stock out. I had the same dilemma when I bought my BassTrix and went to Clarks Hill in November, I really did not have the right hooks to get the job done. You need a 5/0 or bigger hook & usually a belly weight of some kind to keep your bait down. Since then, I have done some research and some scouting, the following is what I have found:

The so called BassTrix experts have identified two hooks in particular as their favorites:

Mustad Ultra Point Power Locks - 3 Hooks = $4.99 - $1.67/hook


6/0 Falcon Lures Super Line Bait-Jerker Hooks - 4 hooks = $5.19 - $1.67/hook


You may notice, that I am showing off all these hooks rigged in a 6" Money Minnow. That is because I did not want to tear up my BassTrix baits for this demonstration. As I mentioned, the previous two hooks are the supposed preferred, but just like the BassTrix, many other alternatives have come out to fill the demand. Kind of depends on your preference for a hook with a bait keeper or the offset style. So here a few more options:

Owner TwistLock - 3 hooks = $4.49 - $1.50/hook


V&M Frog Hook - 4 Hooks = $4.50 - $1.13/hook


Venom Weighted Sickle Hooks - 6 Hooks = $2.99 - $0.50/hook


Gamakatsu Weighted SuperLine EWG - 4 Hooks = $5.99 - $1.50/hook


Here is a picture of the Money Minnow & 6" BassTrix (Trout) side by side


Also here are a few more hooks that I have found, but have not bought or tried

CritterBait Weighted Swimbait Hooks - 5 hooks = $5.99 - $1.20/hook
CritterBait Weighted Swim Bait Hooks Color Selections" src="http://www.landbigfish.com/images/store/swatches/CRB-WSBH.jpg" vspace=5>
Davis X Swim Weighted Hook - $4.99 per Pack

Davis X Swim Screw Locks Hook - $5.49 per Packs



Also, Lake Fork Tackle makes a swimbait hook 5/0. 7/0, & 10/0 in various weights, a little harder to find right now, do not have any, but the look pretty good. $5.99 per pack.

















All in all, there are more options available, if you favorite stores or internet retailers do not have the hook you want, there are many selling these brand name hooks on eBay as well as some individuals making their own weighted hooks up to 7/0 or 8/0 that also sell those on eBay.

Not sure if I have helped you or confused you more on your quest for the perfect hooks for your BassTrix Baits. I think I like the 6/0 Falcons & the 5/0 Mustads best, but the 5/0 V&M Frog hook might be the best value.

Rich
RichLindgren.com
Rich's Bassin' Forum

Beef up your Buzz Toad with the new Hack Attack Hook!

Most of you have noticed the growing popularity of buzz frogs and toads like the Zoom Horny Toad, Gambler Cane Toad, Sizmic Toad or many others. The reason is, they flat out catch fishm and big'uns! There are a couple drawbacks:
Frog rolling over
Sometimes poor hook ups
Enough weight for long casts

It looks like Tru-Tungsten & Greg "Hack Attack" Hackney have come up with a hook that solves all those issues - Tru-Tungsten Hack Attack Frog Hook
The Tru-Tungsten “Hack Attack” Frog Hook design helps provide extra casting distance while landing on its belly to prevent weeds from fouling the bait. It also keeps the bait keeled to prevent rolling or rocking of the frog. The unique double hook rigging prevents plastics from pulling down, resulting in fewer missed fish. Enjoy the benefits of more hook-ups and multiple fish without tearing each plastic frog!



You simply squeeze the hooks together, feed thru the nose of your bait. Once thru the nose, let the hooks open an insert those two giant gaffs into the back of the bait. Cast into your favorite grass bed and hold on ;)