Nishine Lures BQ Frog Release Dates Coming Soon!

Nishine Lures has up-dated their release dates for their much anticipated topwater frog. 

In a journal post they wrote: 

Our original plan was to release the white, clear, and black colors around mid-September, and the bullfrog, brown frog, and albino frog colors around mid-October, but mass production is taking longer than expected, and we are now seeing a significant delay in shipping dates.

Based on the current situation, we estimate the shipping times to be as follows (if everything goes smoothly):

White, clear, black: late October to early November
Bullfrog, brown frog, albino frog: late November to early December

We did our best to finish it in time for frog season, but we are truly sorry that we were unable to do so.

IBASSIN rules #4 The Jika Rig

Want the edge to catch more bass? Learn how to use Japan's newest craze, the Jika Rig.

This how-to video will explain why the Jika rig is ideal for fishing soft plastics. Regardless if you're punching grass or finesse fishing for smallmouth, this rig is for you.

B.A.S.S. announces 2026 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens schedule, Live Sonar rule change and EQ qualifications updates

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials today unveiled the schedule for the 2026 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, eight tournaments spread across two divisions that will challenge anglers on some of the country’s most iconic fisheries.
• Jan. 29-31 — Kissimmee Chain (Kissimmee, Fla.)
• Apr. 1-3 — Lake Eufaula (Eufaula, Ala.)*
• Apr. 30-May 2 — Lake Norman (Charlotte, N.C.)
• Aug. 20-22 — Lake Erie (Buffalo, N.Y.)*
• Feb. 19-21 — Sam Rayburn Reservoir (Jasper, Texas)*
• Apr. 23-25 — Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees (Grove, Okla.)
• May 20-22 — Pickwick Lake (Counce, Tenn.)*
• June 18-20 — Upper Mississippi River (La Crosse, Wis.)

CSFL National Classic XXX

The secret’s out! Announced at the CSFL National Classic XXIX Anglers Meeting, we’re excited to reveal that the CSFL NATIONAL CLASSIC XXX will take place on Lake Couchiching, Orillia! 2026 marks a milestone as we celebrate 30 seasons of the CSFL.

Who will claim the title at the CSFL National Classic XXX? It could be YOU!

Registration is now open! We look forward to seeing you on the water.

Steve Lopez Wins 2025 the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on the Mississippi River.

Fishing a few hours from the house, Steve Lopez got it done with his whole family on hand. Photo by Rob Matsuura

By Jody White

Initiations Press Release

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Heading into the event, Steve Lopez was a firm tournament favorite in the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship Presented by Phoenix Boats on the Mississippi River. Sunday, with his third bag over 16 pounds of the event, the Wisconsin pro delivered, winning his first event with MLF and earning $100,000 and REDCREST qualification in the process.

Lopez tallied 16-2 on Day 1, 16-3 on Day 2 and then 16-10 on the final day for a 48-15 total. It was enough to move him up from fourth place, as leaders Banks Shaw and Alex Davis both faltered on the final day. Lopez finished 1-5 clear of Shaw, who finished his stupendous season with yet another top five.

Pool 7 pays out again for Lopez

Back in 2023, Lopez finished runner-up in the Invitationals event on the Mississippi River. He ran a remarkably similar game plan then, mostly plying a wacky rig on eelgrass holes and edges (which was also how Matt Stefan won the event). So, what MLFNOW! viewers saw on Day 3 looked pretty familiar, but it was not the original plan.

“In practice, they were really eating the frog. I found some fish that were really special,” said Lopez. “I was looking at the weather, and I prepared for the tournament and the weather. The water was supposed to drop, and I had a feeling with the wind and the weather I had to figure out something other than that.

“I felt 50 pounds would have a shot to win this tournament,” he added. “I had a plan Day 1 to go out and blast 20 pounds, but after that happened, I thought if I could go out and catch all 3-pounders or 3 1/4-pounders, I could have a shot to win this thing. I know how the river gets on Day 2 – the weights tend to compress – and if you’re consistent on this river, you usually win the tournament.”

While Lopez weighed three frog fish on Day 1, he rapidly and successfully transitioned to eelgrass edges.

2026 Bassmaster Elite Series season Coin Toss for FFS!

For the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series season, anglers voted for limitations of Forward-Facing Sonar. What limitations? Some can say screen size or number of transducers, others wanted half the schedule it be allowed and the other half be restricted. How do we choose which events allow and restrict the use of FFS? A good ole fashioned coin flip determining how the 5 to 4 split would be determined.

Johnston Brothers Victorious at the 2025 CISA Kingston Open!

Massive smallmouth showcase the 2025 CISA Kingston Open 

Photo: Facebook CISA-Canada Bass

By Luigi De Rose

Kingston- The eastern portion of Lake Ontario is infamous for 2 things: giant smallmouth and sporty weather. Now a third can be added; Cory and Chris Johnston are smallmouth kings. After 3 days of competition, August 29-31, the Johnstons dominated the inaugural Canadian International Sportfishing Association (CISA) Kingston Open with spectacular feats of fishing. Leading wire-to-wire, the pair brought in fifteen smallmouth bass for a 3-day total of 83-14 lbs, a 5.53 lb average. 

Official practice was met with high winds, rain and finicky smallmouth. Many of the 66 2-angler teams who were competing for $50 000 first place prize opted to focus on the St. Lawrence River with the mindset that tournament officials would limit anglers to the river only due to high winds. On Friday, the weather calmed allowing anglers to reach their magic spots as far west as Prince Edward County and down stream as Prescott on the St. Lawrence River. 

B.A.S.S. announces Live Sonar rule change for 2026 Elite Series

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S., the worldwide authority on bass fishing, today announced an update to its forward-facing live sonar (FFS) policy that will take effect during the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season.

Beginning in 2026, forward-facing live sonar will only be permitted in up to five of the nine regular-season Elite Series events. Which events allow the technology will be determined randomly. The remaining events will prohibit its use entirely, including during official practice. Restrictions implemented for 2025 — limiting anglers to one live sonar transducer and a maximum of 55 total screen inches — will remain in place. The 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour will allow FFS, since all qualifiers earned their spot under the 2025 rules.

This decision follows two years of careful evaluation. In 2025, B.A.S.S. scheduled a diverse set of fisheries to naturally limit FFS dominance, and winners in nearly half of the season’s events relied primarily on traditional tactics. However, live sonar still influenced outcomes across the board. Many stakeholders within the bass fishing community, including fans and B.A.S.S. members, continued to voice concerns about live sonar use and its influence on competition. Elite Series anglers, through the Angler Board of Professionals (ABP), also asked for more limitations for the 2026 season.

Advanced Drifting [Minn Kota Drift Mode]

Professional walleye fishing guide, Brad Hawthorne explains how Minn Kota Drift Mode has revolutionized walleye fishing by providing precise boat control while drifting walleye hot spots. Traditional drifting methods relied heavily on wind conditions or current, leaving anglers at the will of Mother Nature. However, with Drift Mode, anglers can effortlessly stay in the strike zone longer by dialing in their drift direction, exact speed over water, and much more at the push of a button.  

Learn more: https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/