AUSTIN, Texas — For many a veteran angler, the pinnacle of a fishing career comes with the explosion of chromed muscle that signals his first tarpon hook-up. That experience was once common on the Texas Gulf coast; so common, in fact, that through the 1950s, tarpon tournaments were commonplace and presidents and potentates made the journey to the third coast to catch a “silver king.”

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) and Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the country's second largest selling Bourbon brand, have announced a two-year partnership that positions Evan Williams as the official bourbon of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. As part of this partnership, Evan Williams' branded concessions area will be one of the highlights of the expo area. The TTBC will be held October 16 - 18 at Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas.

It seems every Bass Champs East Region event has been thrown a curve ball by Mother Nature to add to the challenges contenders face on tournament day. March 28 was no different as 225 teams met at the Umphrey Family Pavilion for the third of five regular season events. Overcoming the conditions to win over $25,000 was the team of Bill Rogers & Brian Branum.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners today approved a reduction in the recreational and commercial bag limits for southern flounder and set a reduced bag limit for the month of November with take that month limited to hook and line.

Most hunters, anglers and boaters in Texas could see a modest $2-$4 bump in license and boat registration/titling fees if a proposed 5 percent across-the-board increase is approved in May by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, sending the most significant collection of conservation measures to come before Congress in a quarter of a century to President Obama for his signature.

"Your fly is open" has a whole new meaning now. And closing it no longer takes a "zip" but a flip.  At least that's the case with the new William Joseph "Surge" fanny pack, featuring magnetic pouch closures for one-hand opening and closing.

Carp anglers from all points of the United States will once again descend on the shores of Lady Bird Lake for the 8th Annual Austin Team Championship later this week.  The Carp Anglers Group – an Oklahoma-based organization boasting 1000 members – has tapped the Austin lake as the official location for their annual catch-and-release competition.

The Berkley Bass Tank will be at the BASS Elite Series Expo in Russellville, Arkansas. The tank is scheduled to stop March 28 - 29 and will feature seminars and appearances by Berkley Pro Anglers.

Reports of salivating fish have been documented around the world as anglers prepare to flip on the "eat" switch with the first biodegradable, environmentally-friendly soft bait, infused with scent-emitting Ultrabite® Pheromones.