bass fishing

6 Time-Saving Tips When Entering Your First Bass Fishing Tournament

March 26, 2021 By DeDee

A good fishing tournament allows you to test your angling skills, provide an environment for friendly competitions, and, if you are lucky, even win a cash prize!

If fishing in a one- or multi-day tournament has always been your dream, this is a perfect time to set your sites on making tournament participation a reality.

Here’s what you need to know.

Six Fishing Tournament Tricks

Start by asking around at your local bass club.
Chances are members of your organization have been in tournaments and can recommend the best ones for first-time participants. If your club isn’t meeting face-to-face yet, put out your question on social media or an email thread.
Once you have a few tournaments in mind, check out the area’s website and obtain a waterway map. You want to understand how big and deep the waterway is, what accommodations are available, and things your family can do while you are fishing (if this is a family outing).
See if there is going to be a tournament at one of your regular fishing spots.
If so, you will have the upper hand because you have fished there often.
Once you have made up your mind, register early.
Tournaments fill up fast, especially this year. Most registrations can be handled online via secure websites or PayPal.
As the tournament approaches, pack the right gear.
Here’s a list of what you will want to have on your boat:
1. Tacklebox
2. Braid scissors
3. Pointy nosed pliers
4. Two rods – one stiff spin rod and the other a lighter one
5. A wide selection of lures, including spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, jigheads, and tail spinners.
6. A net
7. Long-sleeved clothing that has SPF protection.
8. Waterproof rain gear
9. Hat
10. F.D.
11. Phone in a waterproof sleeve
12. Waterproof boots or shoes

Overall, stick with rods and tackle you are familiar with and have used often. Tournament fishing is often about speed in catching the big fishes, so you don’t want to be fooling around with untried tackle.

On tournament day, be sure to give yourself extra time to get your boat in the water.
If you check-in the day before, find out the earliest you can enter the water and see if there are multiple launching sites. If there is only one or two, give yourself enough time to get your boat safely in the water.

Two National Tournaments You Might Want to Consider

The Big Bass Bash
There are three separate tournaments in April, May, and October in Missouri and Oklahoma. Amateurs are welcome to join in, and it only takes one prize-winning fish to win big.
Bassmaster Opens
You do need to be a B.A.S.S. member, but it is open to anyone. The tournaments take place in Florida, Tennessee, and New York.

Conclusion

Competitive bass fishing is a fantastic way to test your angling skills against amateurs and professionals. Don’t delay – sign up for a tournament today!

Brought to You by Sarasota Quality Products

Your boat is more than a hobby. It’s an expression of who you are. And you want to keep it secure. We understand. We’ve been helping boaters keep their boats safe and achieve greater peace of mind for 35+ years. Let us know how we can help you.

Boating and Fishing with Kids Are Great Activities

January 29, 2021 By DeDee

No matter where you live, boating and fishing are activities the whole family can enjoy! They are also perfect for social distancing as you can easily share the shoreline or stay comfortably away from other fishing boats.

Water is so calming. It’s a great stress reliever, even when the fish aren’t biting,” shared Kelly Kingery, Outdoor Recreation Specialist with the Five Rivers MetroParks.
I remember as a kid, my dad, who was a big fisherman, was so patient with my siblings and me. We didn’t like to handle the nightcrawlers, and he would bait the hook for us. He’d watch out for us when the bobber went under and helped us reel in our catch. Some 50+ years later, I still smile thinking about those memories.”

If you own a bass boat, you can teach your children the importance of teamwork (i.e., getting the boat in and out of the water, bringing in the big catch), communication, and trust.

Fishing with kids helps them learn about ethics and patience. You can take them with you as you buy your fishing license and show the value of waiting several hours to catch a fish!

Before you start on your adventure, here is a checklist of things you will want to do beforehand and on your fishing day to make it a pleasurable experience for everyone!

Before You Head Out Fishing with Kids

Check to see if the waters you plan to fish in require a license.
Not every fishing hole is equal – some rivers and ponds are free game. Also, every state is different in the minimum ages and the fee. If a license is required, take your kids with you to show them you follow the rules.
For younger children, buy basic tackle.
Buy a beginner’s kit that includes a sinker and a bobber. Use small hooks and an 8–10-pound test line. Make sure the reel has a simple push-button.
Decide, as a family, whether you are using live or artificial bait.
You might even want to use brightly colored bait dough balls as they are effortless to apply on the hook.
Practice at home.
With no hooks on the line, have your children practice casting in the backyard. You can help them with their technique and release to be frustrated the day you go out.
If you’re going out on a boat, make sure you have the right-sized life preserver for each person.
There is a good chance that last year’s life preserver will not fit your child this year. Have each person put one on and fit it precisely.

On The Big Day

Have everyone put on their life jacket before stepping onto the boat.
Again, this shows you know how to follow the rules.
Choose the right location.
It’s best to go somewhere close to home for your first expedition. Try to find somewhere you can count on catching at least one fish.
Bring snacks, drinks, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, bug spray, and outdoor toys.
Take breaks.
Your kids will get bored – so take breaks when you see this happening. Go back onshore for lunch, go swimming, or try different fishing locations.
Lock up your boat with The Key Captain if you stop at a fast-food restaurant on the way back home.
At the end of a long day, the family may want to stop somewhere for a quick meal. Don’t worry about things in your compartments, as everything can be remotely locked up with a touch of a button.

These Fishing with Kids Tips Brought to You by Sarasota Quality Products

We help bass boaters keep their boats secure with a complete line of marine and boat hardware, including The Key Captain boat locking system! Give one of our account representatives a call at 440-899-9820 for more information!

2021 Trends for Fishing, Boating, and Safety

December 31, 2020 By DeDee

While most of us are anxious to put the year 2020 behind us, it has been a stellar year for the fishing industry. More fishing licenses were sold than ever before. More children and women learned how to fish or got better at it. In a year where there wasn’t much to do, fishing became one of the premier social distancing sports.

So, the question is, what will 2021 and beyond bring?

By all indications, there will be growth and awareness in all areas, including safety. Here is what the experts from MarketWatch, Linchpin, and Wired2Fish have to say.

Fishing Facts

North America has the highest demand for fishing equipment (37%), followed by Europe, China, and Japan.
Freshwater fishing accounts for over 64% of all fishing in the world.
Fishing equipment worldwide sales are expected to be the equivalent of USD 13.4 billion by the end of 2021 and USD 16.7 billion by the end of 2026, which is an annual growth of 3.1 percent.

2021 Boating Trends

Fishing boats make up the largest percentage of all boat sales and are expected to grow 2 percent over 2019 sales in 2021, making the number of fishing boats sold worldwide at 285,900. Breaking this down further means 782 boats sold per day, or one boat sold every other minute.
The average boat cost in 2019 was $146,900; however, that includes everything from yachts to entry-level motorboats. New bass boats typically run from $30,000 to $69,000.
Marine fuel will be safer in 2021 because sulfur emissions will be capped at .5 percent of total exhaust volume.
Renewable diesel fuel is 100% renewable as it is made from vegetable oils, and it will dominate the marine fuel market.

Safety Statistics

2021 is expected to be 3-5% safer than in 2020.
Drownings are the number one cause of boating deaths because boaters do not wear floatation devices. The death rate could go down by 150-180 individuals if everyone wore a floatation device.
One hundred seventy deaths are due to head injuries due to propeller strikes. Often there is alcohol involved in these deaths as well.
The number one cause of boating accidents are two boats colliding. While injuries often occur from these collisions, death does not.
Saturdays between 2:30 and 4:30 pm are the most unsafe boating day and periods.

2021 Trends Summary

Since COVID-19 will be with us through at least the first half of 2021, fishing is expected to continue to grow as a sport. More boats will be sold with environmental fuel, suitable for everyone and everything (including the fish). Safety and security need to be on everyone’s mind, both in the boat in the water or when the boat is parked in your driveway or outside your motel room.

Happy New Year

Your boat is more than a hobby. It’s an expression of who you are. And you want to keep it secure. We understand. We’ve been helping boaters keep their boats safe and achieve greater peace of mind for 35+ years. Let us know how we can help you.

The Key Captain Is A State Of The Art Electronic Locking System Ideal For Bass Boats and Other Fishing Boats. If You Need Someone To Walk You Through The Options, call us at 1-440-899-9820. Or let us know if you’d like to have it installed on a new boat or retrofitted onto your boat through a dealer near you.

How Each Bass Fish Pro Angler Is Ramping Up for Tournament Season

May 31, 2020 By DeDee

For the last three months, all Major League Fishing (MLF) tournaments shut down due to the coronavirus. That has left all pro anglers’ home during an ordinarily busy season.

The good news is the tournament season is starting back up on June 10, 2020.

Here is a snapshot of how four pros have been spending their time.

Pro Angler Kevin VanDam

Kevin has spent much of the last two months fishing with his family and focusing on ways to reduce hunger, especially with school-aged children.

“I’m an outdoors person by nature, and that’s the one safe place you can actually spend time. I’m never [usually] home this time of year. I’ve fished with my boys quite a bit. Nationally, fishing license sales are at an all-time high,” VanDam, a Michigan native, shared with WOOD-TV.

Kevin, fellow angler Boyd Duckett, and NASCAR driver Martin Truex, Jr. helped raise $30,000 to support the ALL IN Challenge to provide food for those in need.

To learn more about how Kevin has been using his time off, click this video: https://www.woodtv.com/sports/pro-fisherman-vandam-social-distances-outdoors/

Pro Angler Greg Hackney

With all the rain we’ve had over the last two months, Greg has been working on catching bass in muddy waters.

“Whether you’re fishing in dirty or clear water, a largemouth is a sight-oriented feeder. He’ll only be as deep as the light is penetrating…within 10 inches of the surface,” Hackney told the Louisiana Sportsman.

He reminds all sportsmen to be persistent when the waters are cloudy. He often uses a spinnerbait or a half-ounce jig during these times.

He has spent much time on the Mississippi River, tagging many of his social media entries #quarantine.

Pro Angler Edwin Evers

“I’d never trade this time that I’ve had at home. The month of April, we’re never home. I’ll always remember this. It’s a bad, bad thing that’s going on [COVID-19], but man, I sure have enjoyed my time here at the house and with my family,” Evers shared with Tulsa station News on 6.

He’s noticed many people fishing to fill up their free time.

Pro Angler Alton Jones, Jr.

“It’s about never stop practicing. In every event, I’ve noticed it more that you have had to develop something [new] every day,” Jones shared with BassFan.com.

During this time, he’s studied the fishing techniques of Jacob Wheeler and Edwin Evers via their YouTube channels and the Outdoor channel.

“I notice in all my best finishes…they came up with on-the-fly adjustments. I have to speed up my game. Personally, the break has not been super difficult. It’s been nice to spend time at home. Usually, at this time of year, we hardly know where home is,” Jones continued.

Sarasota Quality Products Wishes All Fishermen the Best with Their Tournaments

Your boat is more than a hobby. It’s an expression of who you are. And you want to keep it secure. We understand. We’ve been helping boaters keep their boats safe and achieve greater peace of mind for 35+ years. Let us know how we can help you.

When Should You Change Baits?

March 26, 2020 By DeDee

Entering a multi-day bass fishing tournament can be exhilarating and stressful, especially if the fish are initially biting, and then suddenly, they stop. Many are tempted to pull up anchor and try somewhere else. While this may be a useful measure, there might be something that works better: changing lures.

Here are great tips about what has worked for others, including pro angler Mike Iaconelli from his interview in Bass Angler Magazine.

DO Prepare.

Iaconnelli uses his downtime to study the information about his next tournament’s topography. He studies maps, weather, and any bass fishing reports he can get his hands on for that area. He reviews past weather and water conditions during that time of year.

He also cleans out his boat, inside and out. Organizing his rods, tackle, and lures saves much time when he’s on the water.

DON’T Bring All Your Lures.

Lures come in a multitude of types, colors, and sizes.

Most fishers have over one hundred different types of lures, but it’s ineffective to bring them all with you. First, you won’t have space. Second, you’ll waste time sifting through them. Third, with too many choices, you could spend valuable time vacillating about which one is the best.

Instead, decide on a set number of lures you will bring and stick to that number. Make sure they’re easily accessible from the hatch.

DO Buy “Clean” Lures.

Iaconnelli recommends using lures you know will not snag or require multiple casts to get into tight spots as this is also a time burner.

DON’T Fish Too Long with the Same Lure.

Before the tournament starts, make an agreement with yourself how long you will continue to fish with the same lure. You will need to keep track of the time you reeled in each keeper. If it’s been (x minutes or hours) since your last one, it’s time to change lures.

DO Make Subtle Changes.

Perhaps you change the color or add a rattle if you are staying in the same spot, and the weather hasn’t changed.

DO Remember Fishing Patterns Change as the Weather Changes.

Did it rain hard last night? If so, the water levels may be high, and bass are sensitive to these changes. Wind, heat, sun, and clouds all affect your fishing chances. You’ll need to have a variety of baits on your boat, including jigs, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits.

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We have an online catalog that’s available to you 24/7. We offer excellent service, satisfaction guaranteed, secure checkout, and privacy protection with every order. Don’t see what you want? Please feel free to contact us directly at 440-899-9820 between 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

How High Lake Water Levels Affect Bass Fishing

February 26, 2020 By DeDee

The waters of the Great Lakes, and many other waterways, are at an all-time high. Forecasters state they may continue to rise, due to storms, large amounts of precipitation, and the fact that few lakes froze over this year.

For the Great Lakes Region, Lake Erie will receive the most significant water increase. It’s an overflow basin from Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. The Great Lakes themselves represent 84 percent of North America’s surface freshwater, which ultimately impacts the water levels of all-natural, inland lakes in North America.

In what ways will this affect the upcoming fishing season? It turns out bass are particularly sensitive to water level changes. They tend to disperse and congregate in grassy, shallower areas when the waters rise. As water levels continue to increase, they move closer to the water’s edge, making it more challenging for anglers to catch them.

Challenging, but not impossible, as long as you keep in mind the following tips when you go out on your excursions!

Five High Lake Water Tactics You Can Use

As the saying goes, it’s best to make lemonade out of lemons. You can still fish, but the approach may be radically different from past tactics. Bass fishing experts agree on the following:

Read your local fishing report or contact a local fishing expert to garner the best advice before you head out on your trip.
Consider fishing from or near the banks.
Rising water also increases the water’s current, which pushes bass straight to the bank. Since bass is not tall fish, they will migrate to the shallowest cover available.
Find an eddy.
Bass aren’t built to fight a current all day long, which will get stronger as river waters rise. Eddies usually have no or little current, yet they are close enough to the river’s aqua system to capture any baitfish that washes toward them.
Stay clear of muddy water.
With high waters, storms, and precipitation, most lake water will remain murky for a period. Under these conditions, bass will migrate to clearer waters, even if it’s in the deepest part of the lake.
Use spinnerbaits.
Colorful vibrating jigs, bulky plastics, and loud rattling cranks always work best in high waters, where bass can more clearly see them.

Sarasota Quality Products Wishes All Fishermen the Best this Season

We produce high-quality marine hardware and accessories standing behind our products with excellent customer service. Please give us a call at 440-899-9820 or check out our catalog online to see all our quality marine products!

Kevin VanDam: Key Captain Video Testimonial

December 8, 2017 By Jim Schilens

In the world of professional bass fishing, Kevin VanDam is at the pinnacle and arguably the best in the world. KVD has 4 Bassmaster Classic wins and 7 Angler of the Year titles to his name.

In this video, Kevin VanDam talks about how the Key Captain makes his life easier, and helps him save the time and hassle of locking and unlocking all the compartments on his boat.

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Edwin Evers: Key Captain Video Testimonial

December 8, 2017 By Jim Schilens

Edwin Evers is a 11-time B.A.S.S. winner, including the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

In this video, Edwin Evers talks about how the Key Captain makes his life easier, and helps him save the time and hassle of locking and unlocking all the compartments on his boat.

Get It Now