OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Whether you like to keep your kayak fishing simple or prefer to outfit with all the bells and whistles, there’s no doubt that some level of accessorizing can make for better days on the water. From live bait and tackle management solutions to products improving onboard ergonomics and boat transport, Hobie offers a complete range of highly practical accessories for today’s kayak angler.

Livewell V2

Looking for a better way to keep live bait frisky? Look no further than Hobie’s eight-gallon Livewell V2. The Livewell V2 is built from heavy-duty molded plastic, making it lightweight and strong. It features a sturdy, eight-inch Twist and Seal hatch lid for quick access and secure bait containment. A high-quality sealed marine switch controls a high-output pump that circulates oxygenated water in the tank, keeping fish alive and healthy. An adjustable drain tube allows for easy water-level management, and removable tank partitions keep bait accessible in a rounded environment. A pump cap is included for filling the tank with non-circulating water, while a threaded drain plug allows the tank to be completely emptied after each use. Hobie’s Livewell V2 comes factory-equipped with three rod holders, and up to eight rod holders can be added, depending on the kayak model. Read more

The Bays de Noc recently received a much-needed boost – 464,800 walleye fingerlings – through collaborative stocking efforts by the DNR, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sport Fishermen.

After Little Bay de Noc’s spring ice-out (when all the surface ice broke up), DNR crews conducted an egg take on adult walleye. Those eggs were transferred to the Thompson State Fish Hatchery in Manistique. A portion of that egg batch later was moved to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe hatchery.

After hatching, the larval walleye were moved to ponds operated by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe and the Bay de Noc Great Lakes Sport Fishermen.

The Sport Fishermen ponds yielded 329,600 fingerlings that were stocked July 1-9 in northern Little Bay de Noc near the mouth of the Whitefish River and Kipling.

The Sault Tribe pond produced 135,200 fish that were stocked July 3 near Gladstone, Kipling and the lower Escanaba River. Read more

Michigan is one step closer to bringing Arctic grayling back to state waters. The ultraviolet water disinfection system at Oden State Fish Hatchery in Emmet County has been installed, meaning the facility is ready to welcome juvenile Arctic grayling.

“With the completion of this project, we can protect the fish populations in the inland waterway – the series of rivers and inland lakes that the rearing water flows into – from any pathogens that may inadvertently arrive with these fish,” said Ed Eisch, the DNR’s fish production manager. “We don’t anticipate any issues, but we definitely want to err on the conservative side when it comes to the possibility of introducing new pathogens.”

The UV system is critical for the long-term process of cultivating Michigan’s Arctic grayling broodstock (mature fish used for breeding), a goal of the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative.

This project was generously supported through grants and donations by private donors. More than $350,000 was raised to upgrade Oden’s isolated rearing facility, including engineering and construction costs. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich, July 27, 2019

Heard this lake has some good fish, but without a small boat, this is all there is to see. Lots of deer flies late summer. A head net would be a good item to pack.

I was able to drive right up to this dock. Hokey, for sure so bring some rubber boots and wade in for the launch, if desired.

The sportsman’s new best friend

FLIPPIN, Ark. — With the introduction of the all-new RB200, Ranger’s RB Series adds a bigger brother to the acclaimed RB190. The RB200 features everything sportsmen could want in an expertly outfitted package that is designed to excel in any environment or season. With saltwater-savvy touches throughout, an optional all-camo version, anglers and hunters alike will find much to love about this new rig.

“This boat is bound to be a hit with guys who hunt, fish, and just love being outdoors,” says Jimmy Wallace, Ranger New Product Development Engineer. “It’s bigger, stronger and has everything you’d need for a day on the lake, in the marsh or on the flats. We’ve integrated key features specifically for outdoorsmen along with ample power and performance.” Read more

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity, former federal biologist Jim Williams and law professor Zygmunt Plater petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to lift Endangered Species Act protection from snail darters.

Thanks to government and citizen efforts, the little fish has now successfully achieved recovery and is no longer in danger of extinction.

The 3-inch-long fish gained fame in the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case Tennessee Valley Authority vs. Hill. The court upheld the newly passed Endangered Species Act at the request of conservationists and others who sought to protect the fish and its free-flowing habitat, along with 300 family farms, from the construction of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s highly controversial Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River. Read more

FLIPPIN, Ark. — Ranger’s highly acclaimed FS line of Deep V multispecies boats has been expanded to include new models with all-new designs, upgrades and greater capability.

“The all-new FS PRO Series of boats are the direct result of us listening to the needs and wants of dealers, pros, customers and guides who use these boats to their absolute limit,” says Kody Bradbury, Ranger Product Development Manager. “We pride ourselves in producing not only the highest quality boats on the water, but also the most forward-thinking and angler-friendly models to be found.”

Three new hulls within five new models define the FS PRO Series, including the largest Ranger FS Series boat ever, the 622FS PRO, a 22’ 10” behemoth with greater strength, power and comfort. The 622FS PRO is joined by the 621cFS PRO, 621FS PRO, 620cFS PRO and 620FS PRO to round out the new 2020 model year offerings. The two cFS boats feature Ranger’s all-new Total Command Cockpit™, which has a more spacious cockpit thanks to the deletion of the rear storage boxes along the gunnel. Read more

Swedish company Cimco Marine AB is working on a new-generation 3.0-liter diesel outboard with six cylinders, and two turbochargers. The foundation for the motor is being supplied by BMW. Internally, Cimco is calling it the Bison project. Production is scheduled to begin in Spring 2020.

“The Bison project is proceeding with unchanged intensity,” Per Wigren, project manager at Cimco Marine AB, said in a statement. “Identified improvement potential from the first sea-going concept prototype is now being fully implemented in the next generation prototype. The Bison P1A will be delivering 300 hp on the propeller shaft.” Read more

Destin, FL – If ever an angler truly required high-level hand protection, Northern Minnesota ice fishing guide, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl would be that man. During a frozen-water fishing season that spans nearly five sub-freezing months, Bro does his best to keep his hands under wraps. But after decades of frostbite and numb fingertips on the frozen tundra, the legendary ice angler has finally sworn off a mountain of insufficient ice-gloves for good.

Last year, Bro found the perfect fit and a glove design worthy of a Northcountry winter—Fish Monkey’s Yeti Premium Ice Fishing Glove.

“What convinced me go all in on Fish Monkey was wearing a pair of their Pro 365 Guide Glove all last summer and falling in love with their fit, hand-protection and freedom-of-movement. The gloves perform like they were designed by an angler, which they were. I suspected their ice fishing gloves might be equally special, and I was right.”

Few phone calls later, Bro connected with Fish Monkey president and owner, Tim Mossberg. Before long, the two fishermen became friends, engaging in detailed confabs about the minutiae of ice glove design—and heady concepts like ergonomics, thermo-conductivity and selective permeability.

“I’ve worked with a lot of talented glove and ice apparel engineers over the years,” Bro admits. “It would be hard to image anyone more passionate or knowledgeable about fishing gloves as Tim. Safe to say, Fish Monkey is fishing gloves.” Read more

Oceanside, CA – Two decades ago, Hobie revolutionized kayak fishing with the invention of the original MirageDrive. The radical engineering feat was met with worldwide acclaim and leg-propulsion became the new standard for kayak fishing locomotion.

Imitators eventually arrived on the scene, but the original remains the industry benchmark…