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.

AFW introduces a new line of compact, 100% stainless steel Mighty-Mini™ Crane Swivels and Mighty-Mini™ Snap Swivels. Recent advances in manufacturing allow the introduction of these 100% stainless steel swivels which are 3 times stronger than the leading brands of swivels of the same size.

As the weekend progressed, the temperatures on Lake Amistad warmed up and so did Jason Williamson. The third-year BASS pro from Aiken, South Carolina, shoved aside consistency and posted a backbreaking total of more than 68 pounds through the final two days, which was enough to advance from 38th position to third heading into Day 3, then secure his first BASS victory and the accompanying $100,000 top prize Sunday at the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series season opener, the OPTIMA Batteries Battle on the Border.

When James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas, left the dock Sunday morning for a 3 ½-hour fish-off against fellow Texan Jerrel Pringle, the Bassmaster Elite Series pro worried that heavy cloud cover would kill his sight-fishing bite and the victory would slip away at the Bassmaster Central Open on Toledo Bend Reservoir.

Due to unsafe weather conditions and in the best interest of all concerned, BASS announced the cancellation of the first day of competition for the Bassmaster Central Open on Toledo Bend Reservoir, scheduled for Thursday, March 5. The remaining two days of competition, set for Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, remain as previously scheduled.

The 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series season rolls out with the Battle on the Border at Texas' Lake Amistad, where Elite anglers have produced impressive hauls of bass in the past three seasons. In 2008, Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, moved from 10th place to first on the final day of the event to edge then-Elite rookie Clark Reehm of Russellville, Arkansas, by 12 ounces with a total weight of 76 pounds, 15 ounces.

BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and Bass Pro Shops, the #1 Outdoor Retailer in America*, have formed a joint marketing alliance, BASS announced today. The relationship will allow each industry-leading company to integrate both brands across their respective platforms to further reach and educate outdoors enthusiasts on initiatives facing natural resources and to grow participation.

American carp fishing fanatic Ken Keene is taking the world of carping 'over there from here' through his innovative website, www.TheOnlineKeepsack.com .

Low water levels again challenged the 51 Bassmaster Classic competitors Wednesday as the full field participated in one day of official practice for the big event, set for Feb. 20-22 on the Red River.

Southwick Associates' AnglerSurvey.com announced the brands and products that anglers preferred most in 2008. This list has been compiled from the 22,486 angler surveys received by AnglerSurvey.com last year.