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Tournament Trail,

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STABOR® Line Lock System Advantages.

I have found that the STABOR® Line Lock System Provides many
advantages over simply tying your line to the lure:

The STABOR® always provides a 100% line strength connection to the lure. There is no doubt that you will get all the strength of your line every time when attaching with the STABOR®. This alone is well worth any price to assure the maximum chance to catch the fish that bites. The Line lock allows maximum freedom of action, especially in crank baits such as Storm's Wiggle Wart or Thunder Crank. The radius of the STABOR® swings freely around the radius of the lure's native eyelet to always allow maximum rotation of the lure on its pivot point. With a split ring such as normally used on the lures, there is an area of flat surface between the two sides of the split ring that inhibits the free motion of the lure for a portion of its movement from side-to-side. You get maximum depth and action from any diving lure when attaching your line with the STABOR®.

With the STABOR® I have less tangles when using a topwater such as The Storm Chug Bug or propeller style topwater. The Line Lock hinges downward when the lure stops on the surface of the water, but the line is held away from the front hook by the STABOR®, thus preventing tangles which are common when using a shorter snap or tying directly to the lure. This is of special value in the propeller style topwater lure. This type of lure has always been notorious about tangling and twisting the front propeller into the line. No more, with STABOR®.

Using jerk baits such as the Storm Thunderstick, the line lock provides its best action when attached to your line and it keeps the line from tangling on the lure's front hook when the bait is stopped after a hard jerk. The length of the STABOR® prevents this type of tangle better than any other attachment. The 9lb 2 oz. bass I caught in the FLW Okeechobee Tournament is a good example of the STABOR® in action.

Below is a list of important sponsor links

B.A.S.S. & BASSMASTER: This site lets you keep up with the latest information, presented by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and BASSMASTER. Watch for my tournament results here after future tournaments.

Berkley Trilene: I’ve been using Berkley Trilene since 1980. It has been responsible for my reeling in over a million dollars worth of bass in that time. It has always been the strongest line available. New improvements in the Trilene XT and XL lines have made them even better at their respective specialties. Trilene XT is the toughest, and yet most fishable line available for fishing under rough snag- infested conditions. Trilene XL has been made even more limp and fishable while maintaining its legendary strength to diameter ratio.

Fireline is my choice when I need to make lure presentations into heavy matted vegetation or whenever the utmost in sensitivity is required. It is the very best of the Superlines.

Sensation is the most versatile monofilament ever invented. It is my line of choice for Topwater, Crankbaits and on spinning tackle. It has the best balance of properties of any line I’ve ever used.

With the introduction of Berkley Vanish in 2000, another tool for
the serious angler has entered the fishing scene. It is a fluorocarbon monofilament, which has several advantages for certain types of fishing. First, it is virtually invisible to the fish. Another advantage is less stretch. Combine these characteristics with its more dense makeup and you have a line that is very advantageous for fishing lures down on deep structure where sensitivity and low stretch are required. It has found a definite place in my fishing arsenal.

Berkley has a line for any style or type of fishing you may want to participate in. Whatever style you like, enjoy it often!

Berkley Power Baits: These soft plastic lures work wonders. My independent tests (in my creek) have proven to my satisfaction that Power Baits actually do produce more strikes and result in more catches because bass won't let go once they are enticed to strike them. The recent additions of several new shapes make Power Baits more versatile than ever. Look for the addition of three new shapes in the new “Bubble Up” configurations in the spring. These new lures have a pocket for the insertion of a capsule that when it enters water, releases a fizzing, bubbling scent and taste that fish seek out and eat. They will revolutionize the soft plastic industry, AGAIN!

Berkley Lightning Rods: Since their first introduction back in the 80's, the Lightning Rods have had the best combination of strength, sensitivity and durability available. The new models recently introduced are designed by Hank Parker, Gary Roach and Me to meet the needs of anglers in any fishing situation encountered. Look for them at your local tackle dealer. They are the finest rods available for the price.

Abu-Garcia Reels: Abu-Garcia built the first quality bait casting reels, back when bass fishing was in its infancy. They continue to lead the way with high quality reels like the Morrum and Tournament Pro models, I use today. The recently introduced Abu-Garcia TORNO series of bait-casting reels is certain to revolutionize the world of bait casting. They combine light weight with the ergonomic advantages of low profile reels formerly found only on the Tournament Pro 3000, which by the way has been my personal favorite. Another new feature is the Infini-Spool feature, which is available on several reel models that will allow longer, more backlash free casting than ever thought possible. AND, for the first time in my memory, the latest and greatest in fishing reels won’t be the most expensive!

Bottomline NCC 5300 and Parent Company Computrol, Inc. I started using the Bottom Line NCC 5300 depth finder/GPS Unit during mid year, 2000. I have never had the pleasure of using a navigational aid as friendly as this one. It has the best fish/structure finding software I have ever seen. It reads the bottom in less than two feet of water and at 70 mph better than any other unit. The GPS portion of the NCC 5300 utilizes the C-Map cartridges for detail that is truly amazing in its detail. I find creek channels and other features on the waterway I am fishing that don't show on the average fishing map. It makes navigation to my fishing locations easier than any other unit. Take a look at Bottom Line whenever you are in the market for a new and better navigational aid for your boat.

Stealth Charging System:
This new charging system will soon revolutionize the charging systems in bass boats. This system uses the outboard's charging alternator to top off the trolling motor batteries after the cranking battery has reached full charge. This idea has been around for a while, but the folks at Stealth Charging Systems have perfected the technology. After a normal fishing day in my Mercury Optimax 225 powered Triton Bass Boat, I find that my trolling batteries are barely discharged and only require a little AC charging time to completely prepare them for another day of fishing. This greatly increases the capacity of my trolling system to get through a long day of fishing under the windiest of conditions. This technology is truly a better way to solve one of our most common problems. It will help me win!

Flowmaster Exhaust Systems: Since installing a Flowmaster Exhaust System on my Suburban, I have realized a 12-15% savings in fuel consumption. This along with a comparable boost in power makes towing my bass boat a much more enjoyable and economical situation. The Flowmaster System is an excellent investment. It'll pay for itself quickly.

Optima Batteries are taking the bass fishing scene by storm. They are a new Spiral Cell technology battery that I have been using for a couple of years now. They are the most efficient battery I have ever used. Their power capacity ratio to size is awesome. They give more power longer and charge quicker than any other battery available. They are the wave of the future in bass boat batteries. They provide the best power source for today’s high thrust trolling motors.

Mercury Outboards have been powering more bass boats for more years than anyone else. They are the leading force in bass boating. My 225 Optimax powers my Triton TR20 over 70 mph and gets better gas mileage than the old style 150’s we used for years. It has been the most reliable, outboard I have used for many years. Take a look at the new Mercs at your dealer. They support our sport to the Max, Optimax, that is.

Triton Boats; By putting myself in a TRITON Boat, I truly made my life as a touring professional angler much easier. They have created the best designed, and built boats ever to hit the tournament trail.   I am running a TR20 Triton powered by a 225 hp Mercury Optimax. This rig is truly the best riding and overall performing boat I have ever had the privilege to drive. It handles even the roughest tournament waters with relative ease. The power and speed provided by the Optimax pushes this smooth riding machine at well over 70 mph by G.P.S. speedometer. Now I can easily look forward to a long, rough water ride, because I know I will have the smoothest ride available. This boat is just not another “pretty face” either. Earl Bentz and the folks at Triton Boats have truly listened to fishermen by designing the Tritons with fisherman friendly interiors and features that you wish you had thought of. It is truly the finest ride on the water. Thank you TRITON!

Blue Fox Tackle And Rapala

Rapala lures have long been a standard for catching all species of fish. They have now become one of my most valuable sponsors. Their lures have always helped me to catch bass even in the toughest of times. Their new line of lures include the DT10 and DT16 designed by David Fritts to dive “down to” depths that other lures only dream about. Their actions have to be experienced to be believed. Also new Topwater lures include Skitter Walks and Skitter Props that drive bass crazy. Look for them!

Storm Lures: From Wiggle Warts to Chug Bugs, and now Subwarts and Thunder Dogs, Storm makes lures that catch bass wherever they live. I can count on Storm Lures to go to the fish and attract the strikes that win money for me on a regular basis. I won the Classic on a Storm crank bait and I fully expect to win my next tournament on another Storm Lure.

Blue Fox Lures has had some amazing bass catching lures. I fine their Foxee Jigs the catch big bass. I caught an eight-pound bass this past spring while using a 1/16 oz. Lure while crappie fishing. I also have used them for years as a bed fishing standard.

Thunderbullets: The Thunder Bullets rattling brass worm weights are a proven advantage for me in any kind of worm fishing situation. They attract bass out of heavy cover with their unique sound and slide up and down on my Trilene with less drag and abrasion than any other weight.

Rod-Bob: The Rod Bob is a neat little accessory for your rod that not only provides a cushion from those "monster" hook-sets, but also floats your rod and reel should it fall overboard. To get your Rod Bob today call 1-817-460-1123. It’s cheap insurance for your rod and reel.

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