Genetics studies confirmed what many anglers and biologists have believed for a long time – Florida bass are special! Florida’s most popular freshwater game fish has a new name. The American Fisheries Society established the Florida bass as a separate species from the largemouth bass. This means that in most of Florida (except the western Panhandle) what was known as a largemouth bass is now called a Florida bass.

This name change will affect how the fish is referred to in regulations and other communications. However, it will not affect anglers fishing for this iconic freshwater sport fish.

According to the recent research publication by Yale University, the study used advanced genetic analysis and determined Florida bass to be its own species. The research also identified the range of Florida bass to be larger than once believed, including not only Florida, but also parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The scientific names of these two bass also changed. Largemouth bass, previously Micropterus salmoides, is now the scientific name for Florida bass. Largemouth bass are now Micropterus nigricans. Read more

Irving, TX – Phenix Rods is excited to announce their new Virtus series of rods, featuring American-made craftmanship and attention to detail. Manufactured in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, the Virtus series places an emphasis on technique-specific rods built to the finest standards.

“When Phenix started we were manufacturing in the United States until the late 90’s,” says Phenix brand manager Vince Borges. “This is big for us. We are so excited to offer a domestically-made rod. Our builders will craft these rods one at a time, making sure that no corner is cut to deliver a rod that lasts and performs.”

The Virtus series will feature both a Blue Diamond as well as a Red Diamond line of rods. With 47 rods split between the 2 series, there is a rod built for every type of technique imaginable. When you buy a Virtus series rod by Phenix, you know you’re buying homegrown quality and craftmanship.

For more information on Phenix Rods, please visit their website HERE, or find them on Facebook and other social media avenues. Read more

Portable, plug & play power system for the quickest, cleanest power kayak rigging possible

Rigging a fishing kayak with today’s sophisticated fishing electronics, lighting, and various accessories can take days, what with having to source and run wire and fuses, match leads, position batteries, etc.

Connect-Ease has been providing the quickest, easiest, and cleanest power boat rigging possible for years. Now—with the recent introduction of YAK-EASE—the company has extended their expertise into the realms of kayak angling with numerous new, problem-solving rigging and power distribution products.

Like the YAK-EASE Power Pack Pro, a self-contained, portable, plug & play power system that provides the quickest, easiest, and cleanest power kayak rigging possible—while saving hours and hours of sketchy rigging in the process.

Whether you’re setting up a basic fishing kayak to a deluxe, tournament-ready fishing kayak—YAK-EASE Power Pack Pro is the best solution available today

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Read more

Today’s anglers are more cognizant than ever before of the harmful damage the sun can cause, from not just skin cancers but even just a nasty sunburn at the end of a long and otherwise enjoyable day on the water. Of critical importance is protecting the sensitive skin of the face, neck and ears, areas which are most susceptible to sun damage from prolonged exposure. For years, fishermen have turned to face guards, but most are just a simple tube of fabric left over from performance shirts. They don’t breathe well and also promote fogging when wearing sunglasses.

Fish Monkey turned the corner with a uniquely designed face guard to eliminate these issues. First is the flared design which greatly improves the comfort. After all, we’re a brand built around all-day wearability, so our face guards are designed to offer that same level of performance as our gloves. This new design is worlds apart from the traditional tube in terms of comfort. And there are also some hot new colors and patterns. Read more

RIVERTON, WY — Hi Mountain Seasonings, the leading manufacturer of homemade jerky and sausage kits, Western-style seasonings, and brines, offers an incredible selection of brining mixes for fish. Brining is a simple yet often overlooked process that enhances the flavor and moisture content of fish filets, resulting in juicy, tender, and flavorful dishes.

Bringing science into the kitchen, Hi Mountain Seasonings explains the magic behind brining. When salt is dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium and chloride ions. These ions diffuse into the food, with the chloride ions attaching to the protein filaments in the fish, giving them a slight negative charge. As a result, the filaments repel, allowing the sodium-rich water to enter the fish, adding moisture and the delicious flavor of the brine. This technique ensures that the filets remain moist during cooking.

To make the brining process even more convenient, Hi Mountain Seasonings offers a variety of brining mixes. Their Alaska Salmon Brine Mix, Wild River Trout Brine Mix, and Gourmet Fish Brine Mix are specifically designed for fish, while the Game Bird & Poultry Brine Mix and Brown Sugar Brine Mix cater to other meats and poultry. Each kit contains two packets of brine mix, making one gallon of brine each, for a total of two gallons. With a suggested retail price of $9.99, these brining mixes are a cost-effective way to elevate your culinary creations. Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has closed the boating access site at Black River Lake in Gogebic County indefinitely, and the public is advised to avoid the area and the soft soils that have been newly exposed, due to draining of water from the impoundment.

Since June 28, the DNR has been receiving reports of extremely low water levels within Black River Lake. This impoundment, approximately 10 miles southeast of Ironwood, was maintained by a water control structure on the lake’s north side. During an on-site investigation, DNR Fisheries Division staff determined that the water control structure experienced a partial failure, with one of the lower stoplogs breaking, causing the impoundment to slowly drain.

“Upon inspecting the dam, it appeared the lower stoplog(s) failed, and that was the cause of the drainage. Upon further investigation of the downstream area below the dam, sediment was not observed to have washed into the floodplain or caused erosion of the streambanks, indicating that this was not a quick flooding event,” said Jennifer Johnson, DNR fisheries biologist. “During the site visit, I spoke with locals who described the impoundment as being 10-15 feet low over the course of three weeks. It is likely that the stoplog(s) completely failed around June 24 or 25, which coincided with a heavy rainstorm.” Read more

A substantial fish kill, affecting all species in the lake, has occurred at Big Indian Recreation Area south of Wymore in Gage County.

Angler reports prompted Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists on July 1 to visit the lake, where they observed numerous dead fish of all species. Dissolved oxygen was tested, confirming extremely low levels in the lake caused the fish kill.

“Unfortunately, many water bodies are susceptible to summertime fish kills given the right sequence of weather events,” said Tony Barada, a Game and Parks fisheries assistant administrator.

Extreme heat and sunshine earlier that week at Big Indian likely contributed to a large algal bloom that subsequently died back during the cooler temperatures and cloud cover that followed. When algae die, the bacteria that consumes it also consumes oxygen. When the algal die-off is excessive, it can cause fish kills. Read more