2015 Bassmaster Classic Winning Baits

2015 Bassmaster Classic Winning Baits

Local boy done good; real, real good. Overlooking the poor grammar, the message has never rang more true with the Bassmaster Classic win by hometown angler Casey Ashley on Lake Hartwell, SC. Growing up only 45 minutes from the lake's nearest launch ramp, Ashley spent many of his formative years fishing the waters of Lake Hartwell absorbing bits and pieces of information that would make him the angler he is today and more importantly teach him lessons about the lake that would prove invaluable during his classic victory. While the hometown advantage can certainly help clue you in on where and how to fish, it has always been a bit of a blessing and a curse in the history of the Bassmaster Classic. Until just the past decade, anglers fishing in their home state had never hoisted the trophy after it was all said and done. The local curse was widely known within fishing circles and held true until Boyd Duckett captured a classic on Lay Lake in his home state of Birmingham, Alabama followed by Randy Howell's 2014 victory on Lake Guntersville also in Alabama. While both anglers won in their home state, neither could say their victory hit as close to home as Ashley's triumph at Lake Hartwell his true home body of water and still a lake he fishes frequently. 

The details of his victory can be read on a number of media sites, but for the purpose of keeping it simple we have outlined just the baits he used during competition to help him catch his final weight of over 50lbs of bass during his three days of fishing.

Keitech 3.8" Fat Swimbait

Zoom Fluke Jr

Fish Head Spin

Yamamoto Senko Rigging

Yamamoto Senko Rigging Options

It’s amazing the versatility of one soft plastic stick bait. Yes, the Yamamoto Senko and its wide range of rigging possibilities are most likely endless; however, here is a detailed list of the most common ways to rig a Senko. All of the tackle mentioned in this article can be found here on our site.

Texas Rigged Senko

This is the most traditional way to rig a Senko. Texas rigging the Senko this then resting the hook point in the body of the bait provides the ultimate weedless presentation. Add a weight above the hook to cast further, get the bait down deeper or give it a different action. Go weightless for a slow, subtle, sure way to stick some fish even in the thickest of obstacles. Most worm hook variations will work for easy rigging; for example, something like a Gamakatsu Round Bend Offset Worm Hook or an Owner All Purpose Soft Bait Hook will do the job perfectly depending on your personal preference. Texas rigging is the way to rig a Senko on a shaky head, drop shot, Carolina rig or as a trailer and all can be done weedless or not.

Wacky-Rigged Senko

Wacky rigging a Senko is one of the most unique and fun ways to catch fish. Even within the technique itself there is a wide range of possibilities. To Wacky rig a Senko you can use just a Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Hook or a Gamakatsu Wicked Wacky Hook (which has a dual-wire weedguard) and a Senko, often times you will discover you end up replacing a Senko after each caught fish due to the plastic tearing. To aid in the life of the Senko, use an O-ring as a place holder for the hook. Another hook option is the CHT Tackle Double Wacky Hook which has an O-ring already attached and provides two hooks instead of one.
Fishing weight-less allows the bait’s ends to fall slowly, roll, flap, and twitch freely depending on how you work the bait. If you add a nail weight to the head of the Senko it makes the bait fall head down, faster (depending on weight) and the action is uneven, which isn’t a bad way to fish it. This will let you work the bait more on the bottom, dragging or hopping it while still providing a lot of action. You can also add weight and get an event different action if you use a weighted jig head such as an Eco Pro Tungsten Flick Head. There are other brands, some come with a wire weed-guard and others don’t. This will allow the bait to fall at a faster rate, but maintain equilibrium and action on the fall and retrieve. When using an O-ring with any of these hooks it will rotate the hook stance parallel with the bait allowing the Senko to often times slide up the line when you have a fish hooked, without an O-ring and placing the hook in the guts of the plastic will place the hook perpendicular to the bait. Wacky rigging a Senko is very versatile, one of the techniques where this can be applied is with a drop shot for example.

GoPro Sale - Free Gift Card w/ Purchase

GoPromo Sale

GoPro Cameras Promotion - An exclusive offer to Monster Fishing Tackle customers, we are offering a Monster Fishing Tackle Gift Card with the purchase of any GoPro Hero4 Silver or Hero 4 Black Camera. This offer is only available for our members - you must have a registered account in order to receive your gift card. If you are not a registered user, simply enter a password at checkout to create your account.

Any purchase of the GoPro Hero4 Black by a registered user will receive a gift card valued at $50 and any purchase of the GoPro Hero4 Silver will receive a $40 gift card.

How Does it Work?

Upon adding the GoPro Hero4 Camera to your cart you'll see a Gift Card has been also added to your cart. Once your order ships, you will be emailed a gift card to use at your discretion. As stated, this deal is registered users only, you must have an account for your gift card to be made active. If you check out anonymously, you will not receive the gift card.

Returns?

GoPro Cameras are only eligible for return if unused in original packaging. Should you choose to return your GoPro, you will receive a refund for total cost of the transaction less gift card value.

Visit MonsterFishingTackle.com for more details.

Rapala Shadow Rap

Rapala Shadow Rap

Shrouded in mystery, the Rapala Shadow Rap is one of the most anticipated lure releases in recent memory. Rapala has leaked very little about this secret project, but we are getting some clues from the videos they released in the past weeks. 

What we know:

The Rapala Shadow Rap is some sort of jerkbait lure that will have a different action than anythign currently on the market today. Bassmaster Elite Series angler Brandon Palaniuk describes it as having a side to side shimmy that combines with the erratic action of jerkbaits to create the ideal cold water fishing lure. 

You can see more info on the Rapala Shadow Rap by visiting Monster Fishing Tackle.

Monster Fishing Tackle Signs Aaron Martens

Cotati, CA – Fishing tackle e-commerce site MonsterFishingTackle.com has added Aaron Martens as their brand ambassador for 2015. Monster Fishing Tackle specializes in bass fishing tackle and accessories for anglers anywhere on the spectrum of experience, from the beginning angler to the top professionals.

Two-time B.A.S.S. Elite Series Angler of the Year Aaron Martens said, “Not many anglers have more tackle than me; I am serious about tackle. From my time dealing with Monster Fishing Tackle, I know they are serious about supplying anglers with the best tackle. I look forward to working with them to make sure they have the best tackle: from the stuff I use everyday to the stuff only a select few know about. Through their site, I will be able to educate anglers and share secret baits, techniques, and even alterations I make to current baits.”
Monster Fishing Tackle is a family business that was started by Ken Elie over 25 years ago in a small shop in Rohnert Park, California. Today that shop has grown to over 20,000 square feet and employs many local fishing experts. Marketing manager Pat Elie said, “Working with Aaron is a dream come true. We’ve worked hard to build a store and website that offers anglers the best tackle for chasing bass or other species. On site, we’ve employed many regional experts that work one-on-one with customers to ensure success on their fishing trips. Adding Aaron will allow us to do the same for anglers all around the globe through our website. His time on the water and unique experience with fishing products also offers us an exclusive insight to the best tackle in the world, which we will utilize to educate our buyers about the latest and most effective products.”
Martens is often referred to as “the Tackle Doctor” by his peers, and while some may not agree with his enthusiasm about tackle, all respect it and appreciate it. Martens said, “I spend twice the amount of time working on tackle than I do actually fishing. Just the other day, I spent six hours working on 25 baits for the Bassmaster Classic. I’ve never been shy about sharing what I think about fishing tackle, and I know Monster Fishing Tackle will give me a platform to share these thoughts with anglers everywhere.”
As part of the agreement, Monster Fishing Tackle will become a one-stop-shop for anything Aaron uses while fishing whether the manufacturer sponsors Martens or not. Monster Fishing Tackle buyer Tim Elie said, “We’ve always strived to stock the best equipment for our customers; anything good enough to find its way into Aaron’s tackle box is definitely good enough for any angler on the planet.”
For Monster Fishing Tackle, this agreement gives them the ability to add another level of service for their customers. Tim Elie said, “It doesn’t matter if a customer is preparing for their first fishing trip or they fish five days a week; providing Aaron’s insight on various tackle will be helpful to them.”
For Martens, the agreement is about educating and offering his fans around the world a one-stop location to get the products he uses on tour. Furthermore, it’s about having an additional avenue to educate the fans on how to catch more fish. Martens said, “Fishing is a healthy and great activity, and I want everyone out there to go fishing more. If I can help anglers catch more fish by sharing the things I have figured out over my career – it’ll get them back out fishing more.”