New Jersey added to 2014 Schedule! Limited-time 25% Discount on all NJ Registrations

The Bass University returns to New Jersey!

Early-Bird Discount for NJ Registrations- 25% Off!!



Just added - The Bass University’s instructional bass fishing class will be at the Garden State Outdoor Sports Show at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center (Raritan Center Expo Hall) in Edison, New Jersey on January 11th and 12th, 2014. “Outdoor Sports Group is extremely honored to host The Bass University at the Garden State Outdoor Sports Show” says Rick Rosalina, Show Director. “It is our mission is to provide a forum for the delivery of quality education to the outdoor community and The Bass University’s instructional bass fishing class accomplishes this goal.”

The Bass University is excited to announce a limited-time 25% discount off all New Jersey class registrations. Promotion ends after September 1, 2013. This event is limited to the first 175 students who enroll, so register soon.



New Jersey residents Mike Iaconelli and Pete “The Dean” Gluszek will be heading up a list of B.A.S.S. and FLW Tour Pros who will be on hand for two days of advanced bass fishing instruction. “I am super pumped up that The Bass University is coming back to my home state of New Jersey” says Mike Iaconelli. “I couldn't think of a better place than the Garden State Outdoor Sports Show to bring six of the best bass pros in the world to teach many of the newest and hottest bass fishing techniques. The tri-state area has tons of amazing anglers that will be excited to learn new stuff during Bass University's two day course. As a kid growing up in NJ, I attended many seminars. Now I will have the chance to be on the other side, sharing the tricks I use on the Elite trail.”

Pete Gluszek also spoke with much excitement about The Bass University classes coming back to New Jersey “The very first Bass University program took place in New Jersey and we are very excited to bring the program back to the Garden State in 2014. Ike and I cut our teeth fishing New Jersey waters and look forward to working with all the dedicated bass anglers from our home state."

Classes run from 8am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Each day there is a hands-on break out session with the pros as well as a question and answer round table discussion. Saturday includes a dinner with the pros contest and on Sunday all of the youth anglers are invited to have pizza with the pros.



The Bass University is committed to growing the sport of bass fishing through education by offering the premier fishing educational program in the country. C The Bass University instructors feature many of the greatest professional anglers in the world, that include Mike Iaconelli, Brent Ehrler, Greg Hackney, Shaw Grigsby, David Dudley, Ish Monroe, Gerald Swindle, George Cochran, Jacob Wheeler, Davy Hite, and many more. Topics for each Bass University class will be developed by the professionals to focus on the geographical location of each class with emphasis on patterns and techniques that are winning tournaments today. Attend a Bass University seminar or sign-up for an On-Water Training trip nearest you to learn about the newest, and previously undisclosed, tricks of the top professional bass anglers.

New to this summer, The Bass University’s On-Water Training trips are customized to fit each student’s needs. Beginner to advanced, Bass University’s instructors will work with each student angler prior to the trip to develop a program that is designed to move their fishing knowledge and skill-set to the next level. The Bass University’s instructors will contact their students prior to the trip to develop a custom training strategy. The instructors will focus on the lessons and techniques that will drastically improve their student’s fishing skills and knowledge! Following each training day, a practice program will be developed for each student to work on and continue to develop as an angler. Each student will have access to their instructor following the trip to ask questions as they continue their training. On-Water Training is the best and fastest way to develop good angling skills that last a lifetime!

The Bass University’s sponsors include: TackleWarehouse, Reclending.com, Fishidy, Rapala, Bass Cat Boats, Berkley, HullSpeed, Abu Garcia, B.A.S.S., Molix, Power-Pole, HydroWave, Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Expo, Garden State Outdoor Sports Show, Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Visual Effects, and BassGold

2014 Bass University Schedule:

-Raleigh, North Carolina- January 11-12 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds
-Edison, New Jersey- January 11-12 at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center (Raritan Center Expo Hall)
-Additional Locations TBA


Ticket prices are as follows:

Weekend Passes:
Adults - $199
Students and kids 17 and under - $175

Single Day Passes:
Adults - $109
Students and Kids 17 and under - $97

Register at www.thebassuniversity.com

NEVER STOP LEARNING!

Niagara Falls, NY added to class schedule! 25% Off Discount for Niagara Registrations!

Bass University announces Niagara Falls, NY on 2014 schedule!

Early-Bird Discount for Niagara Falls Registrations- 25% Off!!





New Class Location Added- The Bass University’s bass fishing educational classes, taught by six of the top pro anglers in bass fishing, are coming to Niagara Falls, New York. Classes will be at the Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls on January 25th and 26th, 2014. The Bass University is offering a limited-time 25% discount off all Niagara Falls class registrations. Promotion ends after September 30, 2013. This event is limited to the first 175 students who enroll, so register soon!

Pete Gluszek, Co-Founder of The Bass University, stated “We are extremely excited to bring The Bass University classes to the Niagara, NY region which is home to world class smallmouth and largemouth fishing! Promoting these amazing fisheries located in this part of the country and Canada, along with the Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo is a great opportunity to expand the sport of bass fishing. We are also very much looking forward to working with the passionate bass anglers that call this area home." 




Bass University classes feature the newest techniques and tips from top pro anglers! Photo By Bill Decoteau

Information is POWER in the sport of fishing, and The Bass University offers students unparalleled access to championship information and strategies. Each day there is a hands-on break out session with the pros as well as a question and answer round table discussion, both of which are designed to provide the most information. Saturday includes a dinner with the pros contest and on Sunday all of the youth anglers are invited to have pizza with the pros. Classes run from 8am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. 

For 2014, The Bass University is creating an all new stellar line-up of speakers with the latest topics to focus on the geographical location of each class with emphasis on patterns and techniques that are winning on the professional tournament trails. The Bass University’s instructors feature many of the greatest professional anglers in the world, that include Mike Iaconelli, Brent Ehrler, Greg Hackney, Shaw Grigsby, David Dudley, Ish Monroe, Gerald Swindle, George Cochran, Jacob Wheeler, Davy Hite, Brandon Palaniuk and many more.  




 Small Group-sized Breakout Sessions with the Pros during 2013. Photo By Bill Decoteau

The Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is creating quite the buzz among local fishermen. The show is set to take place January 24th to 26th of 2014 in downtown Niagara Falls, New York. The expo promises to be the largest event of its kind in Niagara County, with more than 125 regional vendors from the United States and Canada, live fish, animal displays and larger outdoor retailers expected.

The Greater Niagara Region is home to one of the most diverse and spectacular freshwater sport fisheries on the planet, with the powerful Niagara River carrying the water from the upper four Great Lakes. This region is the lifeblood for a host of fish species including salmon, trout, bass, muskie, walleye, and more.

Niagara Falls is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is surely a destination everyone has heard of. The less notorious Niagara River running through the falls serves as a conduit connecting the Great Lakes of Erie and Ontario. The joining of these two bodies of water creates a spectacular fishing destination. In addition to Lakes Ontario and Erie there are many local inland bodies of water that offer great fishing opportunities to avid fishermen.  

The Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is a celebration of local fishing and outdoor lifestyle that our area is so engulfed in. This expo will include the latest in fishing and outdoor gear, boats, RV’s, ATV’s, lodges, guides, hunting equipment, as well as many more outdoor related events and products. With various fishing activities 365 days a year, the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo 2014 will be a day to remember.

New to this year, The Bass University’s On-Water Training trips are customized to fit each student’s needs. Beginner to advanced, Bass University’s instructors will work with each student angler prior to the trip to develop a program that is designed to move their fishing knowledge and skill-set to the next level. On-Water Training instructors will contact their students prior to the trip to develop a custom training strategy. The instructors will focus on the lessons and techniques that will drastically improve their student’s fishing skills and knowledge! Following each training day, a practice program will be developed for each student to work on and continue to develop as an angler. Each student will have access to their instructor following the trip to ask questions as they continue their training. On-Water Training is the best and fastest way to develop good angling skills that last a lifetime!

Attend a Bass University class or an On-Water Training trip nearest you to learn about the newest, and previously undisclosed, tricks of the top professional bass anglers. The Bass University is committed to growing the sport of bass fishing through education by offering the premier fishing educational programs in the country!

The Bass University’s sponsors include: TackleWarehouse, Reclending.com, Fishidy, Rapala, Bass Cat Boats, Berkley, HullSpeed, Abu Garcia, B.A.S.S., Molix, Power-Pole, HydroWave, Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Expo, Garden State Outdoor Sports Show, Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo, Visual Effects, and BassGold



2014 Bass University Schedule:

-Raleigh, North Carolina- January 11-12 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds

-Edison, New Jersey- January 11-12 at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center

-Niagara Falls, New York- January 25-26 at the Convention and Event Center Niagara Falls

-Additional Locations TBA



Ticket prices are as follows:


Weekend Passes:

Adults - $199
Students and kids 17 and under - $175


Single Day Passes:

Adults - $109
Students and Kids 17 and under - $97



Register at www.thebassuniversity.com



NEVER STOP LEARNING!

St. Lawrence is Xzone Territory

BU Emcee Bill Decoteau gives a sneak peak of the upcoming St. Lawrence River Elite Series!

 

 

      

            Starting July 8th, 2013 the St. Lawrence River went Off-Limits to all Elite Anglers until the first official practice day as established by B.A.S.S. So with that said August is perfect timing to post a taste of what the Bassmaster Elite Anglers, fans as well, can expect from the St. Lawrence and the Waddington, NY area.

                 
            Having an inside connection with Don Messier “FISHCAP” Ambassador for the St. Lawrence River. I arranged for a sneak preview of the St. Lawrence’s fishery framed with an actual on-the-water fishing experience! (www.FishCap.com)
        
  It wasn’t long before I received a phone call from Mohawk Trails Guide Service owner William ‘Will’ Clute. Will had everything in order for my travel arrangements, including my flight times on Cape Air out of Albany, NY to Massena, NY. My instructions were quite simple, bring your cameras, rain gear, zero tackle and don’t forget your muscles!

            An early morning pick-up at the Massena Quality Inn (Host Hotel for B.A.S.S.) by Don Messier, allowed Don to update me on the extraordinary efforts being set forth by the Waddington Chamber of Commerce in preparation for the August Elite Series St Lawrence River Rumble. I was amassed to all the wonderful events pre-planned for the entire week. Activities set forth for the Elite anglers their families and fans alike should indeed satisfy everyone attending?
       
            As Don and I drove up to the launch area, I recognized our Mohawk Trails Guide Will Clute. But, inquired as to whom the individual was taking all the rods and tackle out of his vehicle. With a bass-eating grin Don replied, “That is Mark Kulik, one of Canada’s top anglers and lure designers.” I was elated to say the least, Mark and I had talked on the phone several times, but I never had the pleasure to meet Mark in person. (www.Xzonelures.com)

            Idling out of the launch on the St. Regis River, Captain Clute explained our game plan. “I have invited Mark to join us. Mark is an expert on all the outstanding techniques the Bassmaster Elite Anglers can expect to utilize when pursuing both largemouths and smallmouths within the St. Lawrence region. With that Mark has also volunteered to supply our baits and tackle.”

            “There are a variety of techniques that produce very well on the St. Lawrence. And, certainly the Bassmaster Elite Anglers will most likely unveil other outstanding techniques before their departure,” surmised Ambassador Don Messier. “Obviously weather conditions will play a major role as to which presentations will be most desirable. However, considering our forage base, the summer transition activity of our largemouths and smallmouth population, it should be a slug-feast! Anglers will discover productive techniques from top-water explosive surface action, to dragging Carolina Rigs and flipping vegetation for double digit largemouths,” revealed our Mohawk Trails Guide. (www.MohawkTrailsGuideService.com)

Guide Will Clute handed me two pre-rigged rods, one spinning outfit with a drop-shot Slammer, and the other a baitcaster with a Swammer impaled on a 3/8 oz. football head. “Our goal is to target smallmouth bass with the Swammer as a reaction bait and then work the Slammers with finesse presentations,” instructed Canadian pro angler, guide and Xzone Slammer lure designer Mark Kulik.
Seaguar 30 lb. Kanzen braided line was spooled to the spinning reel, while an 8 lb. Seaguar TATSU Fluorocarbon leader worked its way to a Zero Twist Drop-Shot hook, and then continued to a cylinder drop-shot weight. My baitcaster outfit was spooled with 10 lb. Seaguar Invizx Fluorocarbon line.

Making long cast along a tapering hump with scattered wood cover Kulik suggested I simply swim my football rigged Swammer slowly keeping contact with the bottom. Following my newly met mentors advise it wasn’t long before a Bronze-Back Smallmouth thrashed its way to the surface. For the next thirty minutes Mark Kulik and I made back-to-back cast as our Mohawk Trails Guide Service instructor pointed out specific pieces of cover to target. Fish Caps Ambassador Don Messier, worked the deeper outside contour lines from the bow, catching his share of quality smallmouth bass as well!

After traveling to three different areas with rocky bottoms and scattered patches of vegetation, our horizontal swimming Swammer technique seemed to taper off. Guide Clute suggested Mark switch to the drop-shot Slammer rig and work the scatter patches of vegetation with a slow dragging retrieve.

Don Messier continued to cast his foothead rigged Swammer, but alter his presentation by allowing his bait to hit bottom then lifting it upwards sharply and letting it fall back to the bottom. “This is more of a vertical presentation called stroking. Be prepared for some vicious strikes, these smallmouths will literally rip the rod from your hands,” replied Kulik.



As for me I changed to an Xzone Smoke/Purple/Silver Hologram Shiver Shad impaled to a ¼ oz. Scrounger oscillating jig head. According to the local ‘Dock-Talk’, “This set-up has been a well kept secret for awhile?” What’s so wonderful about the Scrounger jig is it’s impossible to fish it wrong. Work it like crankbait or crawl it along the bottom like swimming a jig. Due to it’s inherent design it is extremely weedless! (Available @ Tackle Warehouse

Mark Kulik demonstrated his expertise as he landed several smallmouth bass over five pounds, dragging his bait over the hump and then letting it fall into deeper water. While, Ambassador Messier, landed twelve smallmouth bass on twelve consecutive casts!

             Heading to a lily pad invested back cove a variety of vegetation could be seen just under the surface. “This is largemouth country! The water depth varies with the deepest water between eight-ten feet. Both rocks and wood will be found in the open areas of the emergent grass and lily pads,” echoed the words from the helm.

            Kulik smiled and handed me one of his Swammer baits. “This is our 5.5 inch Mega Swammer, rig it on your Scrounger head. Remember while swimming it to hit the cover, pause and then pick up your retrieve again......Ah”  Kulik switched his drop-shot Slammer to his 4 inch Fat Slammer in a proto-type color. Don Messier re-tied a Mega Swammer rigged weightless working every bit of heavy cover possible waking it on the surface.

            Fish Cap’s Don Messier was the first to hook-up as a three-pound category largemouth inhaled his Road Kill colored Mega Swammer. I managed to entice several largemouths on back-to-back casts, each averaging under two-pounds. Pitching his drop-shot rig into openings within the vegetation Mark Kulik once again demonstrated his expertise angling ability. “All I did was shorten my leader length, change my hook and Texas rig my Slammer!”

            Unlike many soft plastic drop-shot baits or swimbaits that rip or tear-off easily Xzone’s molded plastic baits were pliable and extremely durable. Xzone’s Slammer has a series of lined ribs length-wise these in turn allow the Slammer a natural flowing motion with minimal movement.

Reminding me his Xzone Slammer was specifically designed for drop-shot presentations, Mark Kulik explained the drop-shot technique paired with his Slammers. “A slight twitching action with your rod tip on slack to semi-slack line is more than adequate to impart natural forage activity. The flat side of the Slammer, will allow the Slammer to glide as you lower the rod tip, while lifting the rod tip up simulates a hopping-gliding crayfish action.”

Lying on the bottom incorporating a dead-sticking technique Kulik’s Xzone Slammer design imitates perfectly the natural activities of a bottom dwelling goby. “Gobies have fat heads with tapering slender bodies. The Slammer mirrors the goby silhouette, while the rib sections impart life-like undulating movements, bass find irresistible,” states the Canadian lure designer.

Speaking of gobies, Mark Kulik took his tournament winning Slammer design one step further by adding a swimming tail and bulking up the Slammers profile. “I named my new swimming Slammer the Swammer,” chuckles Kulik. With a wide tail distributing pulsating vibrations, the Xzone Swammer was an immediate success. Available in two sizes 3.25, 4.0 and 5.5 inches, both the Slammer and Swammer color selection meets every anglers needs.

At the end of the day Guide Will Clute informed us together Kulik, Messier and I caught over one hundred-twenty bass ranging from two to five pounds. Kulik claimed the Hog of the day, while I managed the “DOD”....Dink-of-the-Day!



A Special Thank-You to William Clute Professional Guide and owner of Mohawk Trails Guide Service, Mark Kulik of Xzone Lures and of course Don Messier Ambassador for The Fish Cap of the World!

God Bless and Best Bass’n

Bill "Hawkeye" Decoteau

Side Note: all of the products mentioned within this article may be purchased by clicking here!