Great Lakes Finesse Creates Ultimate Finesse Rods

 The team at Great Lakes Finesse often gets asked about rod recommendations for optimal performance with GLF Baits. That has been tough to answer, beyond recommending length, speed and action and describing some attributes, because they had not found perfect rods and had mostly leaned on custom builds. All that changes with the release of GLF Finesse CX Rods.

 

Created for the angler who wants the best tools in existence for presenting finesse baits and hooking and landing giant smallmouth bass, Finesse CX Rods are built to the GLF team’s highest standards for maximum sensitivity, extra-long casts, comfort and ideal combinations of length, power and action for finesse techniques.

 

Premium high-modulus carbon blanks are woven into an X pattern for maximum sensitivity, durability and crispness and left uncoated to reduce weight and eliminate glare for close-range fishing. One-piece, non-slip ergonomic carbon handles maximize sensitivity and comfort while minimizing weight. Durable matte black AT Microwave Air Guides allow for the longest possible casts and keep rod weight low.

 

Three spinning models of GLF Finesse CX Rods are available.

 

• FCX78ML – This 7-foot, 8-inch medium light, fast action rod is the longest casting and most parabolic in the line-up and ideal for finesse hair jigs, underspins, wacky rigs and Cindy rigs.
• FCX74ML – This 7-foot, 4-inch medium light, fast action rod can handle any finesse presentation and is the one to get if you can only have one!
• FCX78MH – This 7-foot, 8-inch medium heavy, extra-fast action rod is designed for bottom presentations like dragging a tube or Juvy Craw or fishing a heavy Ned rig or finesse jig and will allow you to connect with more fish and get them in the boat.

MSRP: 399.99

Minn Kota® Introduces Kayak Terrova: Effortless, Reliable Control for Your Kayak

 Minn Kota Expands Its Legacy of Boat Control with the All-New Kayak Terrova, Built for Precision and Performance.

Minn Kota®, a leader in trolling motor innovation for over 90 years, is bringing its proven technology to kayak anglers with the all-new Minn Kota Kayak Terrova. Designed to make boat control effortless and reliable, this motor puts advanced GPS navigation right at anglers' fingertips—so they can focus on fishing, not fighting the conditions. Built for kayak anglers who seek an improved on-water experience, the Kayak Terrova features Minn Kota’s most trusted GPS trolling system with Spot-Lock®, Autopilot™, Drift Mode, and much more—making boat positioning a breeze. The One-Boat Network® integration seamlessly links with Humminbird fish finders for real-time control, while the Digital Maximizer™ extends battery life so you can stay on the water longer. With an Extremely Durable Composite 36” Shaft, and a weedless prop, this motor is built to handle whatever the day throws at you. "The Kayak Terrova brings Minn Kota’s trusted innovation to the kayak fishing world, giving anglers an intuitive, easy way to stay on fish," said Hannah O’Connor, Brand Manager, Minn Kota. "Whether you're locking onto a spot, drifting with precision, or navigating hands-free, this motor is designed to help you fish smarter—not harder."

Key Features & Benefits: • Rugged 12V, 55 lb Thrust Motor with 36" Shaft – Powerful, reliable performance designed for optimal kayak control. • Advanced GPS Trolling System – Spot-Lock GPS Anchor, Autopilot, Drift Mode, and more for precise boat control. • Effortless Stow & Deploy – Smooth operation with a simple lever and Auto Park. • One-Boat Network Integration – Syncs with Humminbird fish finders for full system control. • Digital Maximizer™ – Extends battery life for up to five times longer run time. • Weedless Wedge™ 2 Prop – Cuts through vegetation efficiently. • Extremely Durable Composite Shaft – Built to last, guaranteed for life MSRP: $1,499.99

2025 New Jackall Riser Bait Sizing and Colours

 

Great Lakes Finesse Creates Ultimate Ned Head

New Neds from GLF

With the development of the Great Lakes Finesse Ned Bug came need for a matching head for Ned rigging, so GLF went to work engineering the ultimate head for this technique.

 

A primary consideration was the right hook for effective penetration and landing giant smallmouth bass. The GLF Ned Head is built on a Gamakatsu 604 hook, which offers ideal strength and sharpness, in No. 1 and 1/O sizes.

 

Everything about the GLF Ned Head’s design – from unique shaping with strategic contours to a keeper system that reduces the weight on the hook shank – facilitates easy upward posturing of the bait, which is a critical aspect of the technique.

 

Painted GLF Ned Heads have a rugged powder coat to withstand the rigors of dragging across rock and have clean line tie eyes to eliminate risk of compromising light line with paint powder chips.

 

The GLF Ned Head is available in 1/8-, 3/16- and 1/4-ounce sizes and in five colors: Matte Green Pumpkin, Matte Brown, Matte Black, Pearl White and Raw.

 

MSRP: $6.99

Easton Fothergill Wins the 2025 Bass Pro Shop Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour!

Canadians Cory Johnston 5th & Chris Johnston 9th

Easton dominates Classic. (Photo: Grant Moxley/BASS)

By Andrew Canulette

BASS Press Release 

FORT WORTH, Texas — Nineteen months ago, Easton Fothergill was lying on a gurney in an Alabama hospital, awaiting surgery to remove an infected abscess from his brain. Sunday afternoon, in front of thousands of fans at Dickies Arena, Fothergill stood tall as champion of the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under ArmourFothergill, a 22-year-old native of Grand Rapids, Minn., finished the three-day event on Lake Ray Roberts with a total of 15 bass for 76 pounds, 15 ounces. It was the biggest winning weight in the 55-year history of the most prestigious fishing tournament in the world and was exactly 8 1/2 pounds more than the nearest competitor in the field of 56 anglers. Fothergill is also the second-youngest champion in Bassmaster Classic history (only Stanley Mitchell who won the 1981 Classic at 21 was younger.) 

For most anglers, the Ray Scott Trophy and a $300,000 check are the biggest prizes to accompany a Classic victory. But for Fothergill, just being able to compete in the Classic was the ultimate prize. He said every feeling was heightened given his very real brush with mortality less than two years ago.

“It’s indescribable, the trajectory of my life since that first bad moment,” Fothergill said. “Everything has come true that I’ve ever wanted. It’s pretty crazy.”

Easton Fothergill Wins the 2025 Bass Pro Shop Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour!

 

Congratulations to Easton Fothergill on winning the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour with a three-day total of 76 pounds, 15 ounces!

2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour Day 2: Easton Fothergill Take Big Lead!

Canadians Cory Johnston 2nd, Chris Johnston 9th,  Jeff Gustafson 29th & Cooper Gallant 41st

Easton Fothergill takes over the lead at the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour with a two-day total weight of 54 pounds, 5 ounces. (Photo: Grant Moxley/BASS)

By Andrew Canulette

BASS Press Release 

FORT WORTH, Texas — All it took was 53 magical minutes on Lake Ray Roberts for Easton Fothergill to take complete control of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.

The 22-year-old native of Grand Rapids, Minn., entered Day 2 of the Classic in third place, less than two pounds out of the lead. He had high hopes for Saturday morning, but it didn’t start out exactly as he planned, with only one bass in his livewell at 10 a.m.

Then, what he called “the 180” started — and what a turnaround it was. 

Between 10:28 a.m. and 11:31 a.m., Fothergill caught three hogs that added a whopping 19-10 to his total. He finished the day with a limit of five bass weighing 29-6, giving him a two-day total of 54-5, exactly 8 1/2 pounds more than his nearest competitor.

No lead is too big, but the Classic compass clearly points to the young ace from the North Star State. And barring a complete collapse on Championship Sunday, coupled with one of his closest competitors yanking a huge sack of bass, Fothergill is a day away from winning the Ray Scott Bassmaster Classic Trophy and the $300,000 prize that goes with it.

2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour Day 1: Trey McKinney Score 26lbs and Lead.

Canadians Cory Johnston 2nd,  Jeff Gustafson 26th,  Chris Johnston 29th & Cooper Gallant 53rd

By Andrew Canulette

BASS Press Release 

FORT WORTH, Texas — When Trey McKinney hopped onto the stage at the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, the infectious beat of “Church Clap” by Christian hip-hop artist KB filled Dickies Arena.

Though conventional wisdom says don’t ever change what’s working, McKinney’s hype song might as well be “The Kids are Alright” by The Who, because things are, indeed, quite alright for the whiz kid from Carbondale, Ill.

McKinney, who celebrated his 20th birthday only last month, holds the Day 1 lead in the world’s most-celebrated fishing tournament. His limit of five bass totaled 26-9 and gave him a 1-pound cushion over Canada’s Cory Johnston, who’s in second with 25-9.

Rounding out the Top 5 in the 56-angler field are, third, Minnesota’s Easton Fothergill, 24-15; fourth, Wisconsin’s Jay Przekurat, 23-7; and fifth, Texas pro Lee Livesay (who many pundits consider the favorite here,) with 23-0. The entire field will fish again Saturday, and the Top 25 anglers will make Sunday’s cut, with the winner pocketing $300,000 cash.

McKinney’s performance in B.A.S.S. events has belied his youth from the start. At 18, he finished second in the Bassmaster Opens EQ standings and became the youngest angler ever to qualify for the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. He took the Elites by storm, too, winning Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and finishing second in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

2025 Classic Release: Zman's Baby JackHammer

New Baby JackHammer for 2025

Today, Z-Man and Evergreen celebrate their power-packed third bladed jig collaboration, codename Baby Jack™. Cultivated to combat the toughest bass fisheries in America, Japan and beyond, the JackHammer Baby Jack wields numerous tournament-grade accoutrements, leading with a cultivated, downsized stainless steel ChatterBlade®. Sharing the JackHammer’s acclaimed instant-start vibration, the Baby Jack leans on its direct blade-to-jighead connection to deflect cover, produce relentless blade/jighead collisions and generate vibrant ChatterBait music—albeit on a slightly higher vibrational frequency.

“Japanese fisheries are notoriously tough, and the Baby Jack has been tested in Japan with impressive results,” states Evergreen’s Morizo, perhaps the preeminent bladed jig practitioner across the Pacific. “That was the driving force behind the Baby: tough conditions and heavily pressured playing fields where just a few more big bites can make all the difference.”

Downsized Blade Schematics

For Hite and Morizo, tricking tough bass meant, foremost, building a bait with a wider range of retrieve speeds, from super slow roll to speed demon. To achieve perfection, both bladed jig artists vetted numerous blade sizes before punching out a thumbnail-sized hexagon, mere clicks smaller than original.

“On the ChatterBait performance spectrum, the Baby Jack moves with a tighter vibration and a more restrained flash than the original JackHammer, but still noticeably stronger than the StealthBlade™,” notes Morizo. “Similar to the original, the Baby Jack hunts freely, too, especially when you give the lure little pops with the rod.

Additionally, Morizo says the smaller blade and its reduced water resistance enable faster retrieves in the same water column. “When the water’s warmer or you just need to cover more territory or to trigger a quick reaction under tougher conditions, the Baby Jack is the ultimate adjustment that will entice extra bites.”

Hite adds: “Even with the smaller blade, the Baby Jack still has a good thump to it. You can really feel it and read what’s happening. You know right away if it’s fouled a blade of grass, and you can rip free. Or when a bass quietly inhales the lure and swims toward you . . . the blade goes dead and signals a rapid-fire hookset. Those are key details that made the JackHammer into an all-time great—and the Baby Jack is all that and a little more.