A federal-level task force appears determined to develop a rushed policy that will ultimately govern anglers' use of public waters, including the likely expansion of no-fishing zones into the Great Lakes. Any such recommendations will be met head-on by BASS and several other sportfishing advocacy groups.

Under near perfect weather conditions, college bass fishing's premier event concluded with Murray State University slipping past University of North Texas to claim the 2009 BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship title. Murray State joins past champions North Carolina State (2006), Texas A&M (2007) and University of Arkansas (2008) as winners of the event

"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.

In an epic rally this past weekend at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, dubbed the "Super Bowl of fishing," Wiley X angler Skeet Reese edged out a field of fifty-one top anglers to gain professional fishing's highest honor and a $500k prize purse in his tenth Classic appearance. Reese joins a very small, elite club of fishermen who have won both the Bassmaster Angler of the Year (2007), and Bassmaster Classic Championship (2009).