More Americans are planning vacations this summer, approximately 86 percent (three percent higher than 2010) according to a recent TripAdvisory survey, with the nation's waterways serving as prime destinations.

Fifteen anglers will go into the February 18-20 Bassmaster Classic on the Louisiana Delta as first-time qualifiers - Classic rookies, they're called. Some of those anglers, however, have a lot more rookie in them than do others with the same label.

BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, announced that Mercury will extend its sponsorship of BASS as an official engine sponsor of the organization in 2011. As part of the agreement, Mercury will be an official sponsor of the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens and the BASS' Federation Nation.

Two pieces of federal legislation will enhance hunting, fishing and recreational activities on federally managed land. On July 30, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by an overwhelming 404-1 vote, a pro-sportsmen amendment to House Resolution 3534. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Max Baucus (D- MT) also introduced a draft of legislation on July 28 aimed at dealing with the aftermath of the BP oil spill. Included in that bill is similar language that also earmarks 1.5 percent of the LWCF for securing public access to hunting, fishing, shooting, and other outdoor recreation.

As part of the on going issues in the Gulf of Mexico related to the Deep Horizon oil spill The Fisherman's Handbook will be doing expanded television coverage in the months of July, August and September.

The Outdoor Trails Network LLC (OTN) has added two more radio stations to its rapidly growing affiliate network.

OTN now encompasses more than 100 radio stations in seventeen states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming are broadcasting this award winning program to a projected audience of over 4.5 million.

Bass Pro Shops offers customers the ability to enjoy their outdoor adventures, hobbies, vacations, etc through their FREE events. Plus they provide seminars, workshops and professional field experts to help customers maximize their outdoor experience, along with free kids' activities.

Former Women's Bassmaster Tour pros Dianna Clark and Judy Wong quickly switched to the Bassmaster Central Open circuit when the WBT was discontinued this month.

B.A.S.S. has pulled the plug on the Women's Bassmaster Tour element of their Bassmaster Tournament Trail. In the announcement, Bass general manager and vice president Tom Ricks called the decision "very tough and one that we didn't take lightly".