No one is fishing as strong as YUM Pro Jason Christie. In the last two weeks, the Oklahoman won an FLW Tour Event, a B.A.S.S. Elite Tournament, and just hit No. 1 on the BassFan.com World Rankings.

Christie has been a strong FLW competitor for more than six years, but only started fishing B.A.S.S. events last year after learning that the Classic would be held on his home lake. He qualified for that Classic in his second Northern Open, and won a Southern Open before the year was out. He finished seventh in the Classic.

Christie's latest victory at the B.A.S.S. Ramada Quest at Bull Shoals Lake is special for several reasons. First, it's his first B.A.S.S. Elite win in what's considered his Rookie season. Plus, his leap from 11th to first place is the biggest Day Four comeback in Elite Series history, and his final day limit of 18-pounds-even was the largest of the tournament. (His tournament total for the four-day event was 56 pounds, 8 ounces, giving him the win by 1 pound, 2 ounces.) It also put a 2014 Bassmaster Classic qualification in his pocket.

Christie notched his back-to-back wins on White River impoundments, Beaver and Bull Shoals Lakes, but the way he fished the two couldn't be more different. In the FLW event on Beaver, Christie said he caught 90 percent of his fish on the YUM Flash Mob Jr.

For the first three days of the Bull Shoals event he used a variety of lures and techniques, including a Bomber 6A crankbait (Crawdad color pattern) a Carolina Rig with a YUM Lizard (Watermelon), and he flipped a YUM Wooly Bug (Green-Pumpkin, Purple Flake).

"The last two tournaments were on lakes that are similar to the lake I live on (Tenkiller Lake), and this time of year you have to fish the conditions," he said. "You have to forget what you did yesterday. You have to change with the conditions, not only daily, but sometimes during the day."

He was fortunate to even qualify to fish the final day. On Day Two he only had four fish in the box when he headed back to the ramp, but caught a good fish on literally his last cast before putting the boat on the trailer. On Day Three, the water was rising and he changed tactics, putting the Carolina rig away and pulling out his flipping stick.

"I'd watched the water rising," he said. "The third day it was in the bushes pretty good and I thought I'd try flipping, and I got some bites and stuck with it the rest of the day."

The final day was another crazy day of "fishing the conditions" and making the right adjustment. He had been flipping the bushes and was motoring from one pocket to another when bass started schooling over a big area. He grabbed a Heddon One Knocker Spook and started firing. Big bass were crashing the surface all around him.

"I could see the balls of shad coming to the surface and then a bass would smash up through them," he said. "That Spook (Pearl Shad color pattern) resembles the color of shad in that water. They have an almost transparent look about them. And that rattle in the One Knocker calls them up. When you're fishing in 50 feet of water, it will get their attention."

He said he caught 15 to 20 fish on the Spook and culled eight or 10 times. He'd never seen fish school in that area during the previous days of the tournament.

"But with the wind, you just couldn't see it happening," he said. "You could see it the last day because it was flat calm out there."

The BassFan.com World Rankings were created in 2001 to track the best pro anglers in the world and give fishing fans a way to track their favorites. It also shows the non-fishing world that consistently catching fish isn't "just luck." It's the first time Christie has risen to the top of the list.

"You can't go into every tournament thinking you're going to win," he said. "You lose a lot more than you win, but I just want to stay consistent and if I get an opportunity to win, execute, and if not, just make a good showing."

"The newly renovated Cross Point Landing Boating and Fishing Access Area represents what can be accomplished through an effective partnership involving the private sector and state government," said Gordon Myers, executive director of the Commission. "The relationship enjoyed by Duke Energy and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has resulted in an ADA-compliant boating and fishing access area on one of North Carolina's premier bass-fishing destinations, which helps contribute to the more than $230 million annually generated by bass fishing in the state."

Harris Lake is known as an excellent largemouth bass fishery, though anglers also can catch other species, such as crappie, catfish, white perch and a variety of sunfish.

"Duke Energy is pleased to work with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to provide this access area for public enjoyment," said Steve Jester, Duke Energy Vice President of water strategy, hydro licensing and lake services. "Cross Point Landing is a wonderful enhancement to a very popular boating and fishing lake. The Wildlife Resources Commission is an excellent partner in constructing and maintaining public recreation access areas at Duke Energy lakes across the state."

The Wildlife Commission paid for the construction of the access area through funding from motorboat registration receipts and from Sport Fish Restoration Program funds. For more information on boating and fishing in North Carolina, including an interactive map of free, 24-hour access areas, visit www.ncwildlife.org.

About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state's fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org.

Get N.C. Wildlife Update - news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more - delivered free to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Go to www.ncwildlife.org/enews.

"We want to help boaters and our BoatUS members in Suffolk County understand the requirements so they have plenty of time to take a National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety course," said BoatUS Government Affairs' Nicole Wood. "Our free BoatUS Foundation Online Boating Safety Course satisfies this requirement for those 18 years and older and is great if you have a busy schedule," she added. Boaters can go to BoatUS.org to enroll.

Classroom courses, which the law requires for those under 18 and those operating personal watercraft, range from 6-8 hours. Fees start at about $30 and range up to about $100. A listing of NASBLA-approved Suffolk County courses can be found at www.nysparks.com/recreation/boating/safety-courses.aspx.

The six West Marine store locations with flyers in stock are Huntington, West Babylon, West Islip, Patchogue, Port Jefferson and Riverhead. For exact locations and driving instructions, go to BoatUS.com/servicelocator.

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About BoatUS:

BoatUS is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its over half-million members with government representation, services such as boat towing and insurance programs, boating safety programs and money-saving benefits. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

Back-to-back victories in consecutive weeks - one on the FLW Tour and one on the Bassmaster Elite Series - have propelled Oklahoma's Jason Christie to the top of the BassFan World Rankings presented by Livingston Lures for the first time in his career.

Christie, who won the FLW Tour event at Beaver Lake and the Elite Series derby at Bull Shoals Lake, is up five places from 6th in this edition and supplants Todd Faircloth in the No. 1 slot. Brent Chapman, Brent Ehrler and Bryan Thrift, all of whom have held the top ranking at one time or another, round out the Top 5.

Terry Scroggins, the 6th-place finisher at Bull Shoals, climbs four places to 6th in this edition. David Dudley, who began 2012 ranked No. 1, slipped another spot to 10th.

The biggest move among the Top 50 was made by reigning Bassmaster Classic champion Cliff Pace, who gained 19 positions to 29th.

The next event that will impact the Rankings is the May 2-5 Elite Series tournament at Georgia's West Point Lake.

Media Contact
John Johnson
jjohnson@bassfan.com

Plano, Ill (April 19, 2013) – One fish, two fish, three fish more… And sometimes reeled in all at one time! There’s no doubting anglers have embraced the Alabama Rig as more than just a here-today-gone-tomorrow technique. Just a single cast where shad or shiners are the forage of choice is all it takes to prove this multi-hook mechanism can cause quite a commotion of flopping fish.

Obviously, there’s no problem fooling fish of all species with the Alabama Rig. There is a downer, though? Storage. Keeping them out from under foot and free-from-tangles for a moment’s notice cast is virtually impossible.

Well, up ‘till now.
 
Introducing Plano’s newest creation: the Alabama Rig Wrap – a durable soft-sided satchel that measures 14- by 8.5-inches, and folds into a half-inch thick wallet holding up to six fully assembled Alabama Rigs. It fits neatly in a boat’s glove box or dry storage, and even sits tight in a Plano Lumbar Pack for anglers hoofing it while casting along a shoreline.
“Any time you can go with a wrap you’re better off,” says bass tournament pro and Plano-man Mark Rose. “The new Alabama Rig Wrap doesn’t take up much room and it stores a ton of rigs.”
Whether you’re used to attacks on umbrella rigs or are thinking of giving them a first-time go, make sure to store ‘em rigged, ready and tangle free with the new Alabama Rig Wrap from Plano.

For more information, visit www.PlanoMolding.com.


PLANO FISHING

A tradition of excellence. Owning a Plano® tackle box has become a heritage that has endured for more than half a century. In 1952, Plano introduced the first molded plastic tackle box. For the next fifty years, the Plano brand found its way into the hearts and hands of four generations. Today, there's a 4 in 5 chance that if you own a tackle box, it was made by Plano. There are many reasons why consumers choose Plano, including quality, durability and innovation, but our favorite is "It's what my dad always used."

Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin - and every tagged fish caught will be a winner.

The premise is simple: catch specially tagged fish, and win prizes ranging from Cabela's gift cards and products, one of two Ranger boats, a new Chevy truck or a cash prize up to $2 million. The contest formerly named Wanna Go Fishing for Millions? debuted in 2011.

"Cabela's is proud to once again partner with each participating state to offer this year's Fish for Millions competition," said Matthew Kettler, Cabela's Senior Retail Marketing Manager. "We hope the contest encourages anglers - novices and experts alike - to invite their family and friends fishing, and take a few casts for the next big prize."

In 2012, 118 out of 1,000 winning fish were caught in Wanna Go Fishing for Millions? This year's competition will see the number of tagged fish increase to 1,500, as well as an increase in prizes.

One of the tagged fish could be worth $1 million. The grand prize will be doubled to $2 million for participants who are current users of the Cabela's shopping app, or who download the Cabela's shopping app to their mobile device. The app must be downloaded at least two days prior to fishing.

Other prizes include two Ranger 520Z Bass Series Comanche boats and trailers with Evinrude outboard motors, valued at $60,000 each, a 2014 Chevy Silverado Crew cab, valued at $55,000, and more than $90,000 in gear from Cabela's and Costa sunglasses.

All rules and requirements, as well as contest details and registration information, can be found at the contest website, www.cabelas.com/fishformillions. Registration began April 15. Cabela's will release the list of lakes before the promotion begins to those who register before April 30. Winners, and specific prizes, will be announced after the promotion ends July 7.

Species to be tagged this year include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, black bass, walleye, perch, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, striped bass, wiper, crappie, blue gill, panfish, channel cat, muskie, and northern pike. Species will vary state-to-state.

About Cabela's Incorporated

Cabela's Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, is a leading specialty retailer, and the world's largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the Company's founding in 1961, Cabela's® has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World's Foremost Outfitter®. Through Cabela's growing number of retail stores and its well-established direct business, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela's also issues the Cabela's CLUB® Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CAB".

“Every fish I caught came on a Strike King 6XD crankbait,” Tindell continued. “I caught fish on every color, but the Sexy Shad pattern seemed to work the best. The fish were mostly caught in 12 to 14 feet of water, right off the grass beds. I probably caught close to 30 keepers throughout the three days of competition.

“Most of the fish were stacked up in a ditch that runs into a bedding area,” Tindell went on to say. “On the first day, all my fish were prespawn and looked like they were still full of eggs. On the last two days, they have all been postspawn. I think I just happened to hit the perfect spot where they were both coming in and going out of the spawning areas.”

The top 10 pros on Lake Seminole were:

1st: Robert Tindell, Leesburg, Ga., 15 bass, 73-10, $33,412

2nd: Rodger Beaver, Dawson, Ga., 15 bass, 64-3, $12,529

3rd: Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 14 bass, 62-10, $8,353

4th: Barry Wilson, Birmingham, Ala., 15 bass, 49-13, $7,518

5th: William McKinstry III, Loxahatchee, Fla., 14 bass, 46-9, $6,682

6th: Tony Davis, Williston, Fla., 13 bass, 46-5, $5,847

7th: Bradley Enfinger, Colquitt, Ga., 12 bass, 46-4, $5,012

8th: J.T. Kenney, Palm Bay, Fla., 13 bass, 40-10, $4,176

9th: Pete Thliveros, Saint Augustine, Fla., 11 bass, 39-5, $3,341

10th: Howard Poitevint, Bainbridge, Ga., 11 bass, 36-2, $2,506

Complete results can be found at FLWOutdoors.com.

Michael Hughes caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the pro division Thursday – a 8-pound, 6-ounce bass – that earned him the day’s EverStart Series Big Bass award of $234.

Alan Hults of Gautier, Miss., won the co-angler division and a Ranger Z117 with an Evinrude or Mercury outboard motor with a three-day total of 14 bass weighing 54 pounds even.

The top 10 co-anglers on Lake Seminole were:

1st: Alan Hults, Gautier, Miss., 14 bass, 54-0, Ranger Z117 w/90 HP outboard + Ranger Cup: $5,000

2nd: Joe Ventrello, Orland, Fla., 12 bass, 39-12, $4,384

3rd: David Hallmark, Muscle Shoals, Ala., 12 bass, 29-5, $3,507

4th: Wesley Bleich, Newnan, Ga., 10 bass, 27-8, $3,069

5th: Greg Jeter, Bainbridge, Ga., 10 bass, 27-7, $2,630

6th: Nicholas Davico, Cantonment, Fla., 9 bass, 25-6, $2,192

7th: Aaron Richardson, Destin, Fla., 10 bass, 25-3, $1,753

8th: Byron Botdorf, Albany, Ga., 9 bass, 25-1, $1,315

9th: Brent Chitty, Moultrie, Ga., 6 bass, 24-1, $877

10th: Daniel Buswell, Newnan, Ga., 8 bass, 19-11, $701

Chitty caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division Friday– a 7-pound, 8-ounce bass – that earned him the day’s EverStart Series Big Bass award of $156.

The EverStart Series consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division consists of four tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points in each division that could earn them the Strike King Angler of the Year title, which allows them to fish the 2014 Forrest Wood Cup.

The next EverStart Series Texas Division tournament will be May 9-11 at Wheeler Lake in Rogersville, Ala., and is hosted by the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Bureau.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWOutdoors.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow FLW on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWOutdoors.

ABOUT FLW

FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2013 over the course of 220 tournaments across five tournament circuits, four of which provide an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water.” For more information about FLW visit FLWOutdoors.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.

In the Co-Angler Division, Charles Wood of Thomasville, N.C., found the only three-bass division limit. His three bass weighed 13.70 pounds for a 4.57-pound average. He anchored his catch with a 5.30-pounder to take the division big bass title. “This is my home lake, but I only get to fish it about six times a year,” Wood said. “I flipped a jig half the day and couldn’t get a bite. Then, I picked up a spinnerbait and caught all my fish in an hour and 20 minutes. I only had three bites all day, but they were all quality bites. The fish were from two feet to 10 feet deep. On steeper banks, I let the spinner flutter down and slow-rolled it along the bottom.”

Alberto “Nick” Nickles of Swansboro, N.C., placed second among the co-anglers with two bass at 7.15 pounds including a 3.83-pound kicker. Travis “TLive” A. Lively of Hardy, Va., finished third with two bass weighing 4.51 pounds including one 2.44-pounder. Jordan W. Venable of Welcome, N.C., caught one bass weighing 4.01 pounds, followed by Chris L. Terry of Dallas, N.C., with one bass going 2.63 pounds.

For more information on these tournaments, call Gary Conner, tournament manager, at 256-230-5627 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com.

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About American Bass Anglers: The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series provides weekend anglers a professionally operated competitive tour with a path the world championship of bass fishing the Bassmaster Classic. American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.