VanDam was one of 34 anglers out of the 51 fishing in the Classic who relied on a foot-controlled variable speed MotorGuide® trolling motor that has a history closely paralleling that of the Classic itself. By 1972, year two for the Classic, MotorGuide inventor G.H. Harris had added variable speed control to the design of his bow-mounted foot-controlled trolling motor introduced 20 years earlier.

Variable speed provided anglers with an infinite range of speed settings from low to high, giving them the exact precision for boat control for any given condition. It was a monumental breakthrough in trolling motor technology and angler versatility. Previously, trolling motors typically had from three to five speed settings, and the selections rarely matched the conditions at hand so anglers often found themselves having to constantly switch from one speed to another.

“I did have to consciously make myself slow down in everything I was doing for this Classic,” VanDam said. “I’m accustomed to putting my MotorGuide on high and covering lots of water in a hurry with lots of casts and fast moving baits. But here it was all about dialing the speed down on my 36-volt motor, going to a 5.3:1 gear ratio baitcast reel, making long casts and working my crankbait really slow across the top of the coontail grass in the area.”

“The water was pretty shallow, so I think it was also important that I was able to move my boat around as quietly with my trolling motor as I was,” VanDam added.

VanDam and most of the others in the Classic using MotorGuide had Tour Edition TR109 Digital models on their boats. They say they prefer this model because it has a stainless steel shaft, a rock-steady Tour Gator Spring® mount bracket and a metal foot pedal … combining form and function to eliminate the flex that comes with plastic parts and to provide the smoothest in cable-steer operation.

Ever since Harris’ invention first hit the market more than 50 years ago, MotorGuide has continued to lead the way in trolling motor innovation. The brand has many firsts to its credit beyond just foot control and digital variable speed, including the retractable bow mount for easy stow and deploy, breakaway mount to protect the motor’s shaft from underwater run-ins, and digital technology for the finest in electronic performance.

Continuous improvements are always occurring within the MotorGuide product lineup, with the most recent coming from BASS Elite Series angler Brent Chapman’s father. Chapman developed a stainless steel pulley for the Tour Edition models to work with their upgraded stainless steel cables to improve upon steering feel and limiting steering torque, even when operating the motor at its highest speed setting of more than 100 pounds of thrust.

Additionally, MotorGuide now also has models that incorporate a built-in Lowrance® 200/83 kHz transducer with temperature sensor for compatibility with Lowrance HDS sonar units. Built-in transducers eliminate damage to cables and transducers from underwater obstructions, plus MotorGuide’s digital technology also helps eliminate sonar interference.

“We’re proud of the fact that the Classic trophy stays with the MotorGuide team once again, with last year’s champion Skeet Reese passing it along to now three-time Classic champion and five-time Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam,” said Kevin Fletcher, vice president of sales and marketing for Attwood Marine, the company that also includes MotorGuide products.

“We’re also proud of Pam Martin-Wells performance in having achieved the highest level ever for a female angler in the Classic, and we’re thrilled that four of the five top finishers on Lay Lake had MotorGuide on front of their boats. Congratulations to Kevin and all of our Classic anglers.”

In retail outlets and online at www.costadelmar.com this month, Maya features Costa’s “forget-they’re-on” fit technology. Lens options include Costa’s 400® or 580® technology, dubbed the clearest lenses on the planet by anglers, and are available in sport fishing enhancing colors such as gray and copper, and blue, green and silver mirror.

“Maya is a great fit for adventurers who need a smaller fitting frame, but still want the best performance technology and most optically clear lenses on the planet,” said Chas MacDonald, president of Costa. “And with new frame colors like salmon/white crystal and black/coral, women are going to have even more Costa choices to make when it comes to their next pair of sunglasses.”

The new sunglasses retail from $149 to $249. Proceeds from the sale of Maya, and all of Costa’s products, help benefit important marine conservation initiatives, such as the Bonefish Tarpon Trust permit tagging and Trout Unlimited’s “Embrace-a-Stream” programs.

Attract. Enrage. Engage. F2, or Ferocity Squared, is a highly concentrated formula clinically tested by the Mississippi State University under the strictest scientific conditions. The result is documented proof that bass prefer YUM F2 by 30 percent. Additional advantages include its ability to be infused in traditional soft plastics in any shape, long-lasting effectiveness and continuous dispersal of scent.

YUM F2 is initially available in four new bait styles and two existing YUM baits. The new baits include the Wooly Bullee, a flippin’ style bait; the Mighty Bug, a six-legged creature bait in three sizes; the Sallee-mander, a 6-inch swimming lizard; and the Shakealicious Worm, a 6-inch shaky head worm with an undulating skirt at the head. YUM Dingers and Money Craws also have been infused with F2.

YUM F2 just took over the top spot in bass attractants. It’s documented. It’s been proven in the strictest clinical scientific testing. Bass prefer F2. It’s the most-effective attractant on the market. Look for F2 taking over your local tackle shop or at www.lurenet.com.

The weekend’s activities begin Friday, February 26 with the IFA Redfish Tour registration from 5-7 p.m. at Hampton Inn (4690 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256) with the Captain’s Meeting to follow. Anglers will be launching from Sister’s Creek Marina (8203-2 Hecksher Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32226) at safe light on Saturday for the one-day event. Check-in times will be assigned at the Captains Meeting.

Competitors in the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing will have a registration and captain’s meeting from 6-7 p.m. on Saturday, February 27 at Sister’s Creek Park.  The weigh in will take place at the Hampton Inn on Sunday.  Check-in times will be announced at the Capains Meeting.

Each of the Cabela’s IFA Redfish Tour 18 regular-season events will commence on Saturday with the newly formed IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing contested the following day (Sundays). In its inaugural season, the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie will feature 18 regular-season, catch-photograph-release events across six different division (mirroring the IFA Redfish Tour format, location and scheduling) as well as extremely lucrative payouts and expanded fishing opportunities for non-motorized fishing crafts.

The redfish/trout tournament will pay twenty places (based on a 100 boat field) plus Big Redfish, Big Trout and Junior Angler Awards. The winner will take home a Hobie Mirage Pro-Angler valued at $2399, 2nd place prize will be a Hobie Mirage Outback, valued at $1,749 and 3rd place a Hobie Quest, valued at $949.

The IFA Redfish Tour continues to draw redfish anglers from Texas to the Carolinas and beyond, offering two-angler teams the opportunity to compete in six different divisions, each offering a three-event regular season. Low entry fees for the one-day, regular-season tournaments allows anglers to fish close to home and minimize expenses, while still being a part of a premier inshore, catch-and-release redfish tournament organization. Teams fishing any three of the IFA’s 18 regular-season events are automatically qualified for a no-entry-fee championship event, pitting qualifiers from each of the six divisions for a combined $78,200 in payouts and prize packages, as well as a shot at the coveted Cabela’s Overall Divisional Team of the Year Award for the six regular-season division winners.

New for 2010, IFA Redfish Tour anglers will be able to increase their winnings with the Cabela’s Angler Cash award and the Angler’s Advantage Award. The Angler’s Advantage Award allows anglers to add $100 to their already-low entry fee for the chance at increased winnings. The optional program pays out 100 percent to those participating teams. The Cabela’s Angler Cash award gives a $1,000 gift card to any team that wins a regular-season tournament while competing with a Cabela’s patch on their clothing (both people must have the patch on). For the no-entry-fee IFA Redfish Tour Championship, the qualified, winning team will receive a $2,500 Cabela’s gift card.  If the winners of an IFA Redfish Tour event are a registered and qualified Ranger Cup compliant team, then they will receive$2,000 (you must sign up every year).

Added in 2009 and continuing in 2010, teams fishing at least six tournaments in any combination of divisions are automatically eligible to compete for the IFA Redfish Tour “Ultra 6 Team of the Year” award. The award consists of a $5,000 cash prize, presented to the highest-finishing eligible team at the IFA Redfish Tour championship tournament.

In addition to a possible $60,000 in payouts per event (based on a 100-boat field), the first-place prize package for all 18 IFA Redfish Tour regular-season events remains extremely lucrative. In 2010, every regular-season tournament winner is guaranteed – regardless of field size – a fully loaded 2010 Ranger Banshee Extreme. The boat is powered by a 60-horsepower, four-stroke Yamaha outboard and is equipped with a Power-Pole shallow water anchor, Minn Kota trolling motor, Humminbird electronics, Blue Point Fabrication metal work, Bob’s four-inch Ultra Light Jackplate and a Loadmaster trailer. The entire first-place prize package is valued at $30,000.

Event Details:
IFA Redfish Tour Presented by Cabela’s
Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida East Coast Division
Competition Date: February 27, 2010

Registration and Check In: Begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 26
Captains Meeting: Begins at 7 p.m. following registration and check in
Location: Hampton Inn
4690 Salisbury Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 281-0443

Launch Site: Sister’s Creek Marina at safe light
8203-2 Hecksher Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32226
Weigh-in: Sister’s Creek Marina – times TBA at Captains Meeting

IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Presented by Hobie Fishing
Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida East Coast Division
Competition Date: February 28, 2010

Registration and Check In: Begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 27
Captains Meeting: Begins at 7 p.m. following registration and check in
Location: Sister’s Creek Park
8203-2 Hecksher Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32226

Take-off: Location of your choice
Weigh-in: Hampton Inn
4690 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 281-0443
Weigh-in times will be announced at the captain’s meeting

IFA REDFISH TOUR PRESENTED BY CABELA’S
2010 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

Atlantic Division

March 20 – Charleston, SC
May 22 – Surf City, NC
September 25 – Georgetown, SC

Florida East Coast Division

February 27 – Jacksonville, Fla.
May 1 – Titusville, Fla.
October 9 – Fernandina, Fla.

Florida West Coast Division

March 6 – Punta Gorda, Fla.
May 15 – Sarasota, Fla.
September 18 – Ruskin, Fla.

Gulf Coast Division

March 13 – Destin, Fla.
June 5 – Panama City Beach, Fla.
October 16 – Orange Beach, Ala.

Louisiana Division

April 24 – Cocodrie, La.
June 19 – Empire, La.
August 28 – Grand Isle, La.

Texas Division

April 17 – Port Lavaca, Texas
June 12 – Rockport, Texas
September 11 – Port Aransas, Texas

IFA KAYAK FISHING TOUR PRESENTED BY HOBIE FISHING
2010 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

Atlantic Division

March 21 – Charleston, SC
May 23 – Surf City, NC
September 26 – Georgetown, SC

Florida East Coast Division

February 28 – Jacksonville, Fla.
May 2 – Titusville, Fla.
October 10 – Fernandina, Fla.

Florida West Coast Division

March 7 – Punta Gorda, Fla.
May 16 – Sarasota, Fla.
September 19 – Ruskin, Fla.

Gulf Coast Division

March 14 – Destin, Fla.
June 6 – Panama City Beach, Fla.
October 17 – Orange Beach, Ala.

Louisiana Division

April 25 – Cocodrie, La.
June 20 – Empire, La.
August 29 – Grand Isle, La.

Texas Division

April 18 – Port Lavaca, Texas
June 13 – Rockport, Texas
September 12 – Port Aransas, Texas

Like all of Wiley X’s Climate Control eyewear, the new Rout boasts the company’s Top Down™ ventilation and patented removable foam Facial Cavity™ seal, to keep vision clear when the going gets hot, not to mention keeping wind, dust, debris and peripheral light away from wearers’ eyes. The design is tailor-made for any outdoor activity, from motorcycling and biking to snow sports and boating — or just looking good while kicking around town. And like all of Wiley X’s renowned styles, they’re made to withstand whatever hazards Mother Nature and the job site throw at them.

Now you can bring good looks and incredible performance and reliability to the table with the edgy new design featuring Wiley X’s signature Smoke Grey lenses, to provide the ultimate in protection and flair. Like all Climate Control styles, the Rout will also be available with polarized and LA™ Light Adjusting photochromic lenses. And best of all, these lenses are even made of ANSI-certified shatterproof Selenite polycarbonate, so they protect as well as they look.

The aggressive good looks and practically indestructible features don’t start and end with the lenses — the Wiley X Rout also has ultra-slick gloss black, prescription-ready frames that also meet ANSI Z87.1-2003 standards for safety. Wiley X is trusted by pro anglers, members of law enforcement, motorsports superstars, safety directors and outdoor fanatics of every stripe, and the new Rout brings the latest edition of cool and protection to the journey — for professionals and laymen alike.

The sponsorship arrangement, spearheaded by Koppers’ Pro Staff Manager Victor Cook, will be under the spotlight at the 2010 Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham, AL. here, Browning and Velvick will duke it out with 49 of the industry’s best for the prestigious top honor and Championship title. “We’re very excited about our new relationships with Byron and Stephen” says Cook; “both are solid anglers with great reputations in the B.A.S.S. arena.”

The LIVETARGET brand made its’ debut in 2008 in the Midwest and Great Lakes Regions, opening 100 dealers its’ first year. Two years later, the Company’s reach now exceeds more than 1,000 dealers in the U.S. and Canada, with distribution into Japan and nine European countries. Despite the accelerated international attention, Cook comments that B.A.S.S. is the ideal platform to launch the Team LIVETARGET pro staff campaign. “They’re at the top of the game” says Cook, “and we’re positioned to show the industry our intentions to participate. Stephen and Byron are truly excited about our line and we feel they will represent our brand with passion and dignity.”

Browning, who had 4 top 10 finishes in 2009, had success at all events with the LIVETARGET brand, including a 5th place in Iowa, where 15 of his 20 fish were caught using the 64 series Craw crank. His success at the event was pivotal in improving his rank to qualify for the Classic on Lay Lake, February 19-21. “I’m really excited about their product line and impressed with the Koppers’ organization,” says Browning, “They are on the cusp of something big and I look forward to growing with them”. Browning will unveil his new threads at the Classic later this week.

Well known Elite Series pro and television personality Byron Velvick will also sport the LIVETARGET colors in the 2010 Bassmaster Elite season. The former “Bachelor” contestant and Bass Center analyst, currently hosts a weekly inshore saltwater show “Going Coastal”, which is both entertaining and educational to ESPN2 viewers. “I became familiar with the LIVETARGET line during the back half of the ’09 Series,” says Velvick. “I immediately fell in love with them. Bottom line…they flat out catch fish.”

1. Knowing what you know now at this point in your career about what it takes to sustain a livelihood at professional fishing and be competitive, what advice would you have for someone else wanting to chase the same dream?

Kevin VanDam (Plano pro staff) – Biggest thing is to believe in yourself. Do it your way and to your style. You have to have confidence, and it has to be about your own strengths and abilities; not about trying to emulate someone else. I have anglers telling me their accomplishments, and then want to know if I think they’re ready. My answer is always the same, “Only you can know that.”

Jeff Kriet (Sebile and Jewel Bait Co. pro staff) – I have a lot of people tell me they want to do what I do, fish for a living. But it’s really not true. They say they’re not because they don’t have the time or money. Well, I didn’t have the time or money either when I got started. But I made up my mind and went after it just like I was making a decision to start my own business. If you’ve got the guts and determination to do that, go for it. Be prepared for a ride, and do know that there are going to be sacrifices.

Todd Faircloth (Sebile pro staff)- Be patient, and be prepared for a slow start, in the beginning, especially when it comes to getting sponsors. I felt once I graduated to this level that things would happen in a hurry, but they didn’t. You have to understand that and have the staying power to hang in there until you get things going the way you want.

Kevin Short (Jewel Bait Co. pro staff) – If it’s for a college-aged person or younger, it is to get a college degree in marketing before you do anything else. Having the education and that kind of information on your side is ever bit as important as being able to catch fish. For someone older, learn whatever you can about marketing, however you can. I think it’s the single most important thing toward molding an angler for a long and successful career.

Tommy Biffle (Gene Larew Lures pro staff) – Take up golf at an early age. No, if someone is really serious about this as a career, it’s to spend as much time as possible fishing in all kinds of places and in every type of condition. I’m hearing some guys here this week saying they’ve never fished in water less than 50 degrees before. Then another guy who is in the know was excited to practice while it was snowing because he knew it’s an active time for fish. Fishing for a living, you don’t get to pick the days, times and places to go, so you better be ready to deal with what you’ve got.

Mike McClelland (Jewel Bait Co. pro staff) – Biggest piece of advice is to get an education first, focusing on marketing and business because what we do is a business first and foremost. And don’t get hung up on fishing as many different tournaments as you can. Instead, you’ll be better served by simply spending more time fishing and going to different places and situations.

2. Does cold water and weather make you change your choice of line type or weight?

Kevin VanDam – Not really. I’m pretty much using XPS fluorocarbon for everything; some braid for flipping around the grass. I do use a lot more line conditioner when it’s cold like this because it sheds water and helps keep my rod guides from freezing. I use a Palomar knot for fluorocarbon.

Jeff Kriet – No, not really. If I make any changes it will be going to heavier line because the water is stained and I can get away with it. I’ve got my Jewel jigs on 15 pound fluorocarbon; my Sebile crankbaits are on 15-20 pound test fluoro. I use a San Diego Jam knot on my fluorocarbon, it’s kind of like a Double Uni.

Todd Faircloth – Not really on my line choice, but I do consciously back off on my hooksets just a little. I’m using  mostly fluorocarbon  and because they are low stretch, the extreme cold can brittle them a little so I sure don’t want to break a fish off on an over-powered set.

Kevin Short - Not much of a change. I’ve downsized a little, but mostly using the same type – fluorocarbon. As for my knot, I use an Improved Clinch or a Double Uni on the smaller diameter stuff.

Tommy Biffle – If I do make any changes it will be to bigger instead of smaller. I am using fluorocarbon, Sunline. When fishing is tough you don’t want to take any chances with bites few and far between. I think I can get away with a little bigger line.

Mike McClelland - I’m liking my green Sunline I’ve got spooled for this stained water. I’m using fluorocarbon for my bottom baits, giving me the best line properties for them. For my stickbaits, I go with their monofilament because it doesn’t sink or weight them down.

3. When you have bait that is working well in a tournament, will you have an identically rigged rod and reel with an exact duplicate of that bait on your boat?

Kevin VanDam – Absolutely. I have a backup for everything. I have to be efficient. I don’t want to waste time having to rig or change a bait when I don’t have to.

Jeff Kriet – Lots of times I’ll do exactly that, especially if I’m catching fish on a Carolina rig or drop shot that takes some time to re-rig. More commonly though, I’ve got the same kind of bait tied on but in different colors or sizes. That’s really true with my shaky heads.

Todd Faircloth - Absolutely. It’s going to be right there on my deck where I can get to it in a hurry. Well, if it’s a really hot combo, I actually will keep it in my rod locker until it’s time to fish.

Kevin Short – I’ll definitely have multiple baits at the ready, but not so much identical things tied on. Usually there will be some similar things to what I’m effectively using, but in colors and sizes that give me some more options if I’m needing to change things up in an area to get another bite or two.

Tommy Biffle - Yep, I always have identical rigs of my go-to bait, sometimes as many as three others. If you’re in a key spot, the last thing you want to have to do is lose time by having to re-rig. I like all of my rods and reels to be identical so that every time I pick one up regardless of what I have on it, it’s going to weigh and feel exactly the same.

Mike McClelland - I’ll usually have similar rigs to give me more variations instead of exact duplications. I’ll have variations of bait sizes, colors and styles.

4. Do you weigh and record each keeper fish before it goes into the livewell or what is your fish culling process?

Kevin VanDam – I wish I thought culling was going to be a problem in this Classic. But no, I don’t do that. When it becomes time to assess my catch, I typically go to a balance beam.

Jeff Kriet – I do buoy all of my fish when I catch them. That not only gives me an easy way to keep count of my fish in the livewell, but also an easy way to work with them when it’s time to cull. I use a culling beam for that. As for estimating, I like to go on the light side, then when my weight is more than that I can be as excited as the crowd.

Todd Faircloth – No, I’m not that savvy. My process is always to get a limit first, then I’ll assess my catch and identify what needs to be replaced first.

Kevin Short – I don’t weigh my fish. I do tag them. On my fifth fish I will stop to weigh and record each one so I’ll know the culling order.

Tommy Biffle – I won’t mess with my catch until I have a limit. Then I’ll use a balance beam and tag the littlest one to cull first. Yes, I have messed up on my count. Wasn’t fun and it won’t happen again.

Mike McClelland - I don’t weigh my fish at the time of the catch. Many times you’re in a situation where you catch one fish, you’ll be able to catch another immediately behind it if you’ll get your fish into the livewell quickly and your bait right back in the water. When you have a limit, it’s time to assess your catch.

5.  Imagine this: It’s the final day weigh-in and you’re in line with a limit you believe has you in contention to win. Would you rather be visiting with the other pros in line and listening to predictions, or be totally tuned out and listening to your iPod?

Kevin VanDam – That’s an exciting time, and something to be shared. So many of us fishing in this Classic are good friends, and I enjoy sharing in the thrill win a friend wins. Of course, I’ve been fortunate enough to win a couple myself. It’s a special time.

Jeff Kriet - Oh, I’d be totally tuned out. I’d have some kind of hip-hop going on. I mean old school hip-hop. Just hip-hopping out, waiting to take care of business.

Todd Faircloth – No, I won’t be tuning anything out. I want to know what’s going on. I’ll be intermingling trying to figure who’s got what and what might happen.

Kevin Short - I’ll be listening to my iPod, plugged into a little bit of everything. Might be some Rolling Stones, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, u2, and who knows what else.

Tommy Biffle – I don’t mind listening and visiting about what’s going on. It’s over by then, so you’ve either got ‘em or you don’t.

Mike McClelland – On that final day, it’s cool to have an idea of what’s going on. I got into some of that action on the last day at last year’s Classic. I had a good bag of fish that was getting lots of attention, so the adrenalin starts pumping and you do begin to wonder “what if” should the leader have a tough day. I say live the moment to the fullest.

6. When you win the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, what’s the most “fun” thing you would spend part of your prize money on?

Kevin VanDam – It would definitely be something with Sherry and the boys, probably a fun trip somewhere.

Jeff Kriet – I’d be telling my wife, “you want to quit that job, you go right ahead.”

Todd Faircloth – My longtime desire is to have my own land for deer hunting, but that might not be the best option at this point.

Kevin Short - I’ll be taking my wife on a houseboat on Lake Powell for a week, and then who knows what else.

Tommy Biffle – A Kodiak bear hunt in Alaska with my bow.

Mike McClelland – Take the family to Atlantis in the Bahamas. That looks like a fun place to escape for a few days

Source: Dollahon Public Relations

The racks hold the spinnerbaits securely in the tray while allowing quick and easy access.  Installation of the racks is a piece of cake using the divider-designed details. The end result is that anglers who prefer tray boxes now have the perfect alternative in tackle storage that also includes spinnerbaits.

The 6101 One Tray tackle box includes one spinnerbait rack that holds five spinnerbaits.  It measures 14″L x 8.25″W x 7.25″H.

The 6102 Two Tray tackle box, measuring 14.25″L x 8.5″W x 7.75″H, includes two spinnerbait racks that hold six spinnerbaits each.

The 6103 Three Tray tackle box includes two spinnerbait racks that hold six spinnerbaits each, and measures 16.25″L x 9.125″W x 8.5″H overall