Author: Adam Back

The search for the most versatile 2-12×44 scope is over! Riton Optics is pleased to introduce the new 5 PRIMAL 2-12×44 to its feature-packed line of scopes. Designed for both hunting and tactical applications, Riton Optics has cracked the code of compact versatility.

At the heart of the 5 PRIMAL 2-12×44 is Riton Optics’ fully multi-coated HD glass for superior edge-to-edge clarity, light transmission, and exceptional field of view throughout the entire magnification range. Housed in a rugged 30mm 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum main body tube that is waterproof, shockproof and fogproof, this scope is designed and built to withstand the harshest environments and conditions a hunter can throw at it. or shooter can find.

Windage and elevation adjustments on the 5 PRIMAL 2-12×44 are made with low-profile touch turrets that offer 1/4 MOA adjustments. Strong machined aluminum turret covers ensure extreme durability and reliability in virtually any environment.

The Riton Precision Hunting Dot (PHD) reticle and second focal plane optical design on the 5 PRIMAL 2-12×44 provide hunters and shooters with a precise center point of aim, as well as sight and windage references for accurate fast target acquisition and accuracy when the shot counts. Additionally, hunters can use the PHD reticle to estimate the range of deer-sized animals at 12x magnification using the Riton Range Chart online.

As with all Riton Optics magnified optics, the 5 PRIMAL 2-12×44 is also backed by a limited lifetime warranty and the Riton Promise, giving users lifetime confidence in the field. .

Product characteristics:

• Capped turrets, zero resettable
• Three available height pull levers (14mm, 11mm, 8mm) plus one flush mount.
• 14mm and flush mount included
• 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustment
• fast focus eyepiece
• EP level clean room assembly
• 100% waterproof, fogproof and shockproof (tested up to 1200G)
• Aircraft-grade aluminum with a strong, durable design
• Parallax adjustment: 10-infinity
• Second Focal Plane
• Lens Coating: Fully Multi-Coated, Full Bandwidth, Waterproof Coating, Low Light Enhancement
• Reticle: Precision Hunting Point (PHD)
• Field of view at 100 yards: 55.1 ft – 9.4 ft
• Eye relief: 3.5 inches/ 90 mm
• Flip-up lens covers, lens cloth and Allen key included
• MSRP: $779.99

Now available for purchase at www.RitonOptics.com and authorized dealers. see the difference!

About Riton optics:

see the difference

Riton Optics’ goal is to bring quality and affordability to the optical industry with the greatest focus on the customer. We focus on market research, unique design, and detailed product testing to ensure that all Riton optics meet the demands of all shooters. Staffed by avid shooters and hunters, the product line focuses on practical, real-world applications that provide customers with the quality and functionality needed in a variety of applications. Each optic goes through two rounds of quality control before reaching the hands of end users, this is done by in-house experts, who are competitive shooters and hunters. We are confident that as soon as you look through our HD glass you will truly see the difference and why thousands of shooters and hunters are switching to Riton.

you will experience the difference

At Riton we have an unwavering passion for providing high quality optics at the most competitive prices in the industry and accompanied by incredible service. Our commitment to excellence extends from our product to our customer service and finally to our limited lifetime warranty. The quality of our products makes this the best guarantee you will probably ever have to use; However, as hunters and shooters, we know that sometimes bad things happen to even the best gear.

You’ll see the difference in everything we do because we’re different, and we built this company to be exactly that, so you, the consumer, get everything you deserve.

Pope and Young return to Ogden, Utah

Pope and Young is pleased to announce the 2^{North Dakota} Annual Inter-Mountain Bowhunter Bash at The Bakcou Center – Weber County Archery Park sponsored by WildFit.

The event will take place on May 20.^he, and the day will be filled with fun for the whole family to enjoy. Test your skills on the 3D course, check out the vendor area, and enjoy food and cornhole boards. The successful National Field Judging Championship from last year is back, where you can enter and test your field judging skills.

The evening will conclude with a ticketed banquet dinner, featuring raffles, entry prizes, silent auction items, and a live auction. We expect tickets to sell out quickly like last year, so order them here.

“The Ogden area is home to many of our great partners like Kings Camo, Bakcou, WildFit, Easton, Hoyt and many others,” said Dylan Ray of Pope and Young. “Coming together with all of our partners to make this event happen is what makes it so special. This event proved its worth in the first year and we can’t wait to come back and see all our friends in the Ogden area again.”About Pope and Young:
Pope and Young is North America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization. If you are a fair hunter, an ethical bow hunter, and care about preserving the culture and future of bow hunting, then you belong to the Pope and to Young. Join today at www.pope-young.org.

While polymer firearm pistols have revolutionized the world of defensive and competition shooting, there is always room for improvement. Glock, one of the most recognizable firearms brands in the world, has long been the standard for percussion pistols. They continue to expand their offerings with new generations of firearms. However, one area of ​​room for improvement on Glock firearms is the cavity in the grip.

Many companies have produced grip plugs for a variety of reasons. One of the first reasons is to keep dirt and debris out of the handle cavity. Another reason is that it wastes space and can offer a bit of counterbalance to aid direct and effective shooting or stowage. Lastly, many offer an intricate design to help feed a magazine into the magazine well.

C&H Precision aims to solve all three potential uses with its Speed ​​Feed. Made from polymer, aluminum or brass, the Speed ​​Feed offers exceptional quality. Optimized feed ramp angle for reduced “speed reloads” is built into each model. For law enforcement, competition shooters, and EDC users, C&H Precision also offers a polymer Speed ​​Feed that doubles as a backup battery storage compartment. It can hold a battery as large as CR2032 or as small as CR1225; It can supplement the power of most pistol optics.

For competition and law enforcement shooters, the increased weight in a grip can mitigate some recoil. The brass Speed ​​Feed is precision CNC machined and weighs 1.8 oz, for G19, or 2.6 oz, for G17 frames. If a little less weight is required, the Aluminum model is also available.

Currently, Speed ​​Feed is exclusively available for Gen5 G19 or G17 size frames. For more information on Speed ​​Feed, visit:

https://chpws.com/product/speed-feed-edc-polymer-backup-backup-battery-compartment-preorder/

C&H Precision Weapons (CHPWS) is a small family owned and operated business serving the shooting community from our store located in Richmond Hill, Georgia. We specialize in handcrafted precision rifles, custom 1911s, pistol slide upgrades, and the design and manufacture of special projects within the firearms industry. All work is done in-house by real gun builders, real engineers and professional shooters.

For more information please visit
https://chpws.com/

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, just like sunny days. Whether it’s on the boat, lounging by the pool, or maybe working out in the garden, every mom deserves a great pair of stylish sunglasses to shield her eyes from the bright sun. Hobie® Eyewear has a great selection of shades in each collection with several stylish, functional and affordable options. The women’s sunglasses collection offers styles and colors every woman will love. And with affordable prices that don’t sacrifice quality, it’s easy to stay on budget when shopping with Hobie® Eyewear.

Hobie® Eyewear offers options for everyone from the casual beach wearer to the avid fisherman. Designed to filter out glare, polarized lens technology minimizes reflective light, allowing for excellent clarity and reducing any potential eye strain. The lenses are also shatterproof, scratch resistant, lightweight, and have HydroClean™ coatings that remove water, dust and dirt, and are easy to clean. “I’ve been missing a good women’s collection for a while, so it’s been amazing trying out all their new frames and colors,” said Kayla Jocumsen, passionate fisherman and brand ambassador for Hobie®Eyewear.

To top it all off, Hobie® Eyewear even offers a collection of floatable sunglasses for moms who love spending time in the water. “The Coastal Float style glasses are super lightweight, offer 100% UV protection, are polarized, and one bonus is that they float, which is really cool,” says Andrea (aka The Blonde Angler and Hobie® Eyewear Ambassador). . No more stress of glasses going overboard; with the floating collection, that problem is solved.

To sweeten the deal even more, Hobie® Eyewear is also offering a free reusable cup with every purchase through Mother’s Day. “They are unisex and they fit everyone,” Andrea said. So while shopping for mom, you may even be tempted to buy a pair for yourself too. Head over to the online store to see all the great options today.

Since 1982, Hobie® Eyewear has made being on the water easier and more enjoyable. – to pioneer a better, clearer, more accurate kind of vision. Fusing expertly crafted designs with premium polarization, durability, and innovative technologies has been instrumental, following in the footsteps of visionary creator Hobie Alter. Hobie’s growing catalog of products includes the Ultralight Floating Collection, HydroClean™ Repellent Lens Coatings and Quick Change Lenses to meet the needs of all outdoor enthusiasts. Learn more at www.hobieeyewear.es and continue your adventure in Facebook, instagram and Youtube at @HobieEyewear.

For more information please visit
WWW.HOBIEEYEWEAR.COM

SnapSafe® created GlideVault™ for homeowners looking for a secure, discreet storage solution for firearms and other valuables. The GlideVault blends seamlessly into any room and looks like a contemporary piece of furniture. And with its rugged steel exterior, tempered glass touch panel, and spring-assisted slide-out drawer, GlideVault protects valuables while offering quick user access.

The GlideVault comfortably fits two to three handguns and ammunition or a combination of other valuables. The rugged outer casing constructed of 16-gauge steel features a pry-resistant door and two hardened internal locking tabs, preventing unauthorized access. GlideVault can be permanently installed using pre-drilled mounting holes or anchors to any stationary object with an included five foot cable.

GlideVault opens with a programmable touch panel. The spring-assisted slide-out drawer provides quick and convenient access to your contents by entering a four to six digit entry code. Silent mode allows silent access without attracting attention. Four AAA batteries (not included) power the touchpad, while a barrel key and micro-USB port provide backup access.

A light gray powder-coated finish and a black tempered glass door are the perfect facades for SnapSafe’s simple GlideVault. Inside, a protective mat protects the contents.

SnapSafe is a leader in creating innovative security solutions, GlideVault includes proven security features combined with modern styling. GlideVault matches any décor so homeowners can protect their valuables in style.

GlideVault Features:

• Tempered glass touch panel (programmable 4-6 digit passcode) with silent mode
• Spring-assisted slide-out drawer for guns, jewelry, and other valuables
• Pry resistant door prevents children and unauthorized users from gaining access
• Outer shell constructed of 16 gauge steel
• Vault door features two internal hardened locking lugs
• Anchor to stationery with included 5-foot cord
• Permanently install using pre-drilled holes
• Battery powered to ride anywhere
• Backup access with barrel key or micro-USB port
• Padded drawer liner protects valuables.

GlideVault Specifications:

• Lock opening: digital touch panel, cylinder key or micro-USB port
• Outer shell: 16 gauge steel
• Dimensions: 15.9” W x 12.2” D x 4.4” H
• Weight: 26 pounds
• Includes: 5-foot security cable
• Battery: 4 – AAA batteries (not included)
• Color: light gray with black door (tempered glass)
• MSRP: $291.99

SnapSafe® is owned by Hornady® Manufacturing, a third generation family business that has been designing, machining and producing bullets, ammunition, reloading products and safety products since 1949.

For more information please visit
WWW.SNAPSAFE.COM

I met Garrett Aida, the founder of Dark Energy, back in 2016 at a trade show and took a serious look at his product. Dark Energy products are very well thought out and I really liked Garrett so I bought two to connect to my ipad and iphone and bought one for my new wife. We took these on our honeymoon, 21 days across the country and found them to be exceptional at keeping all our devices charged and running. We wrote about the Poseidon product in 2016.

Later that year I took 2 of these with me on a hunt in Manitoba and it was about to unbearably cold and they held up exceptionally well in that cold environment, me not so much. Over the years we have tested dozens of these types of battery backup devices, some of them have been good and some have been exceptional, but in the last 8 years the device that has stuck in my backpack has been the poseidon.

This year at the SHOT show, I was walking the halls in SHOT’s basement. Most of the media refer to this area as the dungeon because it has an underground feel with no natural light, but around the corner you could see Garrett’s smile in the dark energy booth lighting up the place with his equipment. They went back to SHOT and cast Poseidon Pro and Mavrik Stand to load.

The new Poseidon Pro comes with the ability to be submerged in 6 feet of water for 45 minutes with an IP68 rating. The new device comes with USB and USB C which allows for fast charging and provides up to 36 hours of power for your cell phone. The new bundle for the Poseidon Pro comes with a 3-foot USB C to USB C cable, as well as a Pro 5-in-1 Multi-Tool Carabiner that you can use to attach the device to your pack. The carabiner is a bit heavy for me, so I switched to a lightweight one and gave the 5-in-1 to a toddler I’m mentoring.

The Mavrik Stand is a 15W Magsafe wireless charging stand and it works perfectly. I honestly wish I had bought a couple more of these, one for my desk in my office and one for my wife. I had this on my desk for quite some time, but it has migrated to my bedroom nightstand. It allows me to set up the phone, easily know where it is and if I need to know the time, I just touch the phone and I can easily see the time and my phone is charged and perfect in the morning.

Dark Energy has a host of other great products and they are announcing a solar panel in the very near future that I have already seen and will be adding to our kit. I like doing business with people who are fun to talk to, have a smile, and seem genuinely concerned with building a product that will last for years and not just one season. We are now affiliated with Dark Energy and it is because we know that this is a product that works year after year. It has worked for us and it will work for all of you.

Are projects piling up at your home, your hunting ground, your farm, or your workplace? Save time and save your back with the new OXCART PRO-Grade Stockman Lift-Assist Tilt and Tilt Cart.

Available now at Home Depot stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, the Stockman PRO-Grade is packed with enhanced features designed to haul and unload storm debris, firewood, material for fencing, hay, feed, gravel, hunting gear, food plot seeds and more, easier on the back and less time consuming.

Watch the video on how the OXCART works here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGUJc8KuRDg

Thanks to smart and innovative enhancements introduced to the professional grade Stockman, the best utility car ever made just got even better!

New features shown on the Stockman PRO-Grade include an improved dump angle from 52 to 62 degrees for easier dumping and less shoveling.

The new and improved OXCART now also has increased lift assist force options for moderately heavy and extra heavy duty loads.

Click here to see the amazing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaImmIgQISQ

Provides 250 pounds of force pushing up on the tub, making heavy loads feel up to 90% lighter for much easier turning and dumping. The previous model OXCARTS provided only approximately 100 pounds of force.

Additionally, the lift assist has been moved behind the tires to offer increased ground clearance. The new model features 12 inches of ground clearance, down from 5 to 7 inches of ground clearance on previous models.

With a load capacity of 1,100 pounds, the cart also features a new, larger, heavy-duty polyethylene tub made in the USA that holds 15 cubic feet of material. If you add wood side rails, it will hold over 17 cubic feet of material. Older models were 12 cubic feet.

The new 15-inch 4-ply Carlisle tire option provides increased traction with minimal turf damage without noise or vibration. Improved tread compound increases tread life. Additionally, these tractor tires feature Run-Flat technology, which is a liquid polymer that instantly and permanently self-seals most punctures. So if you run over a nail or deer shed, no more flats!

Click here for our cool nail test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqm_JyE4hLY

In addition to all of these great upgrades, the professional-grade Stockman also features a thicker drawbar to more easily receive straight couplers for 1 7/8-inch and 2-inch ball hitches.

These updated designs, as well as OXCART’s legendary durability, allow the Stockman Professional Grade Utility Cart to cut your job time in half.

Check out our gravel test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2JCcJEy7TQ&t=1s

Designed to make transporting and unloading large loads 90% easier than your typical cart, the professional-grade Stockman reduces physical strain, so you can get more done in half the time and with much less effort so you can focus in fun and not in work.

The Stockman PRO-Grade combines a rear offset dump pivot point for greater control. The swivel feature reduces kickback, allowing you to control the dump where you want.

The Stockman PRO-Grade is unmatched thanks to the separately sold conversion kit accessory that converts the OXCART into a farm cart/wheelbarrow in seconds for use in garden and land maintenance, livestock care and farming. preparation for hunting.

Best of all, the OXCART PRO-Grade Stockman is made in the USA, while all others are made in China.

The Stockman PRO-Grade is ideal for building a yard or fence, planting trees, hauling gravel or soil materials, filling feed troughs, maintaining food plots, hauling hunting or game equipment, cleaning barns, moving firewood, clearing storm debris or any other job that requires heavy lifting.

Features at a glance:

• Exclusive Hydraulic Lift Assist (FREE $50 value) delivers 250lbs of upward force – makes handling (all) gravel, dirt, sand, pavers easier to turn and dump safely with less fatigue to finish before
• New, larger 15-17 cu. ft., corrosion-resistant polyethylene bucket rotates (250 lbs. with assisted lift) 110° to reduce kickback; now increased dump angle at 62°
• Load tested by an independent certificate to 1100 lbs.
• Powder-coated full square tube steel construction (ISO 9001 and FARO arm quality) – NASCAR mandrel bent axle mount for maximum strength – New thru-axle provides 12 inches of ground clearance
• Carlisle 4-ply run-flat tractor pneumatic tires with grease fittings to extend tire life
• Attaches to any ATV, UTV, lawnmower with a pinhole hitch; CURT straight tongue coupler model 25153 item 205631619 (sold separately) is recommended Mounts easily to 1-7/8 and 2-inch ball hitches and extends the overall swing of your OXCART radius
• Some parts pre-assembled, assembles in 15 to 20 minutes
• Versatile – Accessory kit (sold separately) converts OXCART into a farm grade wheelbarrow (model # GTMS0202)
• Building instructions included in manual for adding wood rail extensions to rack up more than 17 cubic feet
• Proceeds from some products go towards rehabilitation, education and research programs for blind or visually impaired people of all ages.

OXCART is much more than a utility car.

Zach Hennecke lost a tiebreaker Saturday at 53^rd Cornhusker Trap Shoot, but he did the next one, the one that really counted.

The Norris sophomore faced Lincoln Southeast’s Tanner Parrish in a playoff for the Cornhusker Cup, the overall championship for the session. Minutes earlier, Parrish defeated Hennecke in a tiebreaker for the yardage handicap title at 24-25 yards.

It did not turn out to be a day to inspire confidence at the Nebraska Trap Shooting Association headquarters in Doniphan, Nebraska. The morning was fairly calm, but the afternoon brought hours of gusty winds, some up to 50 mph.

Alright. Hennecke wasn’t so sure of himself anyway.

“I didn’t have a lot of confidence going in,” Hennecke said. “I’ve been put in a lot of lower squads all year and I knew and had to make it happen.”

Duchesne’s Calla Behney scored high overall in ladies, and her team placed first overall high and handicap.

Beatrice ranked first in the overall high, took the overall high team and the handicap team.

Defending Cornhusker Cup champion Mason Gerdes of Raymond Central shot a handicap 63 from 22 yards Saturday to finish with 128 in two days. The last person to win two Cornhusker Cups was Chris Schropfer in 2007 and 2009.

The results of Saturday’s high-level competition are:

In general

Top 10 individuals: 1. Zach Hennecke, Norris 2, 138 of 150 (won tiebreaker)

2. Tanner Parish, Lincoln Southeast Zulu, 138
3. Clyde Stenglein, platinum west from Douglas County, 136
4. Wyatt Happle, Beatrice 1, 136
5. Michael Bonesteel, Doniphan, 136
6. Michael Day, Bellevue West Blue, 135
7. Caden Larsen, Ravenna Blue, 135
8. Nathaniel Heins, Merrick County 4-H 1, 134
9. Conner Parrish, Lincoln Southeast Zulu, 134
10. Riley Brodersen, Blair Gold, 134

Top three ladies: 1. Calla Behney, Duchesne Dash 1, 132 of 150

2. Izzy Jansen, Duchesne Screenplay 1, 130
3. Taylor S. Jones, Lincoln Southwest Purple, 130

Top three 4-H teams: 1. Rio Azul 4-H Orange, 639 of 750

2. Fillmore County 4-H 1, 609
3. Merrick County 4-H 1, 608

Top High School Teams: 1. Beatriz 1, 643 of 750

2. Lincoln Southeast Zulu, 638
3. Omaha Creighton Prep blue, 633
4. Norris 3,620
5. Southern Blue Elkhorn, 619
6. Southwest Lincoln Green, 618

Top three women’s teams: 1. Duchesne Dash 1, 620 of 750

2. Lincoln Southwest Purple, 595
3. Lady Badger of Bennington, 584

Disadvantage

Top three ladies: 1. Quinn Moravec, Oak Creek 4-H 1, 69 of 75 (won tiebreaker)

2. Lillee Ludlow, Ashland 4-H Red, 69
3. Calla Behney, Duchesne Screenplay 1, 68

The three best individuals: 1. Michael Bonesteel, Doniphan, 72 of 75

2. Jacob McClellan, south side 4-H 1, 71
3. Dane Newman, Lincoln Southeast Zulu, 71

Top three 4-H teams: 1. Rio Azul 4-H Orange, 323 of 375

2. Cougar 4-H Blue, 315
3. Merrick County 4-H, 305

Top three women’s teams: 1. Duchesne Script 1, 313 of 375

2. Lincoln Southwest Purple, 301
3. Lady Badger of Bennington, 300

Top Six High School Teams: 1. Beatrice 1, 318 of 375 (won tiebreaker)

2. Lincoln Southwest Gold, 318
3. Southwest Lincoln Green, 316
4. Southeast Lincoln, 312
5. Mount Michael Black, 312
6. Beatrice 2, 311

yardage winners

18-19 yards – 1. Nicholas Pena, Lincoln Southwest, 70 of 75

2. Dierks Sayer, Furnas County 4-H, 70
3. Boone Elam, South Side 4-H, 69
4. Nick Jensen, Papillion-La Vista Sur, 69
5. Cedric Newcomb, Papillion-La Vista, 69
6. Andrew Enns, Beatrice 2, 68
7. Ty Bevington, Douglas County West Silver, 68
8. Ayden Longcor, Omaha Skutt Green, 68
9. Creedance Jankowski, Cougar 4-H, 68
10. Beau Smith, Ashland 4-H, 68

20-21 yards – 1. Alex Wenzbauer, Diller-Odell, 70 of 75

2. William Waldron, Cougar 4-H, 70
3. Hayes Andelt, Rio Azul 4-H, 69
4. Nathaneal Taylor, Lincoln Southwest, 69
5. Nick Hanson, Norris, 68
6. Alex Cleland, Lincoln Southeast, 68
7. Nolen Engel, Sutton, 67
8. Ashton Jirsa, Rio Azul 4-H, 67
9. Josiah Harrington, Blue River 4-H, 67
10. Isiah Meyer, Norris, 67

22-23 yards – 1. Caden Larsen, Ravenna, 70

2. Wyatt Happle, Beatrice, 70
3. Michael Day, West Bellevue, 67
4. Nathaniel Heins, Merrick County 4-H, 67
5. Charles Wood, West Douglas County, 67
6. Jaxon Ferris, Lincoln Southwest, 67
7. Alex Busboom, Beatrice, 66
8. William Snyder, Mount Michael, 66

24-25 yards – 1. Tanner Parrish, Lincoln Southeast, 67 of 75 (won tiebreaker)

2. Zach Hennecke, Norris, 67 years old
3. Clyde Stenglein, West Douglas County, 65
4. Beau Spilker, Beatrice, 62 years old
5. Gavin Kuck, Norris, 60
6. Kahne Packer, Wilber 5-Clubs 4-H, 59
7. Jacob Uphoff, EM 4-H, 58
8. Kohen Burda, Wilber 5-Clubs 4-H, 57

Jeff Gustafson and the legendary Lindners chronicle advances in depleting deep sea bass

Thirteen hundred miles north of the Tennessee River; Twenty years before Jeff Gustafson won the recent Bassmaster Classic, long before live sonar screens rewrote the rules of pole fighting, hanging a minnow he was already sailing under tournament winner big time.

Until then, the winning presentation of Gussy’s Classic was widely viewed as a niche technique, something that only worked in the North for suspended or deep-sea smallmouth bass. Perhaps most anglers still view moping (floating vertically with Jerk ShadZ™ buoyant superplastics) as super specialized, similar to how anglers once viewed offshore bass patterns, in general.

Interestingly, a week after Gussy won the 2023 Classic, Missouri State University’s Aric Szambelan finished just 3 ounces short of winning the Bassmaster College Series qualifier at Cherokee Lake, Tennessee; he guessed it, with a ¼ ounce jig and Scented Jerk ShadZ.

“The truth is, I fished with this same bait and method in at least half of the Bassmaster Elite tournaments last year,” divulges Gustafson, who also took advantage of the technique to win the 2021 Bassmaster Elite event on the Tennessee River. The professional bassist from Keewatin, Ontario, says that he has now made over half a million dollars with a jig and Z-Man.® Scented Jerk ShadZ: the prized presentation he calls his best bait ever. He has won or nearly won numerous other derbies from Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods, Ontario, to Lake Champlain, New York, dating back nearly two decades.

“In the early 2000s, Hall of Fame anglers Jimmy and Bill Lindner won two Fort Francis Canadian Bass Championships, targeting the small suspended mouths of Rainy Lake,” recalls Gustafson. Unquestionably, the Lindners pioneered the original knockdown technique, discovering virgin populations of suspended largemouth in the process.

“At this point, given the success I’ve had getting down in Canadian lakes to Georgia and even Texas, I’d have to say it probably works in more places than it doesn’t,” he suggests. “Late spring, summer and fall. . . Anytime you have largemouth, smallmouth, or bass feeding on suspended smelts, ciscoes, alewives, shad, or herring, or using a 15-30 foot structure, leeching can unlock some crazy bites. In fact, many times jig and Jerk ShadZ is much more effective than a dropshot.”

In other words, anyone who calls Gussy’s method a niche pattern will first want to try it out on their local lake.

History of ‘Hanging a Minnow’
As Gustafson says, the original scoop method emerged in the early 2000s, inspired by ultra-competitive Canadian contests like the Fort Francis Canadian Bass Championships. Gussy, who won the event in 2013 and 2014, says the Canadian Bass Championships, along with the Kenora Bass International at Lake of the Woods, comprise two of the most competitive and coveted bass trophies in North America. Each event quickly fills fields of 130 boats, attracting a collection of exceptional angling talent from across the continent.

“The year that Jim and Bill Lindner won the first of their back-to-back Championships, we heard a lot of buzz about this new technique, post-spawn largemouth fishing,” suggests Gustafson, referring to the 2003 Rainy Lake bass derbies and 2004. .

“Around that same time, we knew that Alex Keszler was vertically fishing in deep water at his tiller, catching great little mouths, from late spring through fall. But on the dock, since everyone was super secretive and hid their rods in storage, you didn’t know what baits these guys were packing.

“Eventually, word got out that the Lindners and others were using fluke-style soft lures mounted on 3/8-ounce jig heads with 90-degree eyelets,” recalls Gussy. “The 90-degree angle deal is key because it helps position the hook and bait tail nice and horizontal, not vertical or sloping down. (More on the horizontal advantage, momentarily.)

“At first, we used whatever type of 3- to 5-inch fluke bait we could find.” But it wasn’t long before Keszler and other anglers discovered a new style of buoyant superplastic that floated horizontally in the water, matching the natural swimming posture of suspended baitfish.

“Eventually, we found out that guys like Keszler and Ted Stewner were actually sewing their ElaZtech® baits to jigheads to create a permanent lure, preventing the bait from falling off the hook. Now, of course, a drop of Loctite Gel Control achieves the same benefit.

“At first, Z-Man was making the baits for another company, which were exceptionally soft and incredibly durable. For example, you could fish all day on one bait, catching up to 100 bass, if you wanted to. A few years later, Z-Man began making the Scented Jerk ShadZ under his own label, which quickly became the de facto depressed bait among most serious tournament anglers.”

READ THE REST OF THE STORY . . .

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About ElaZtech®
Z-Man’s proprietary ElaZtech material is remarkably soft, flexible, and 10 times stronger than traditional soft plastics. ElaZtech resists nicks, cuts and tears better than other soft baits and boasts one of the highest fish per bait ratings in the industry, saving anglers from wasting time searching for a new bait when fish bite. This unique material is naturally buoyant, creating a more visible, realistic and attractive target for game fish. Unlike most other soft plastic baits, ElaZtech is PVC-free, plastisol-free, phthalate-free, and non-toxic. All ElaZtech soft baits are manufactured at Z-Man’s headquarters in South Carolina, USA.

About Z-Man® Fishing Products
A dynamic company based in Charleston, South Carolina, Z-Man Fishing Products has been fusing cutting-edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Creator of the original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovator of 10X Tough ElaZtech soft baits, quickly becoming the most sought after baits in freshwater and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest growing lure brands in the world.