CLASSIC NOTEBOOK FOR AUGUST 1, 2003
THUNDERSTORMS RUMBLE
A strong thunderstorm rumbled through the Venice, La., area Friday morning,
causing many anglers competing in the CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by
Busch Beer to search for cover. At least one beached his boat and waited for
the storm to pass.
Reigning Bassmaster Classic champion and 2003 Busch BASS Angler of the Year
Jay Yelas sought shelter in a narrow canal when the storm stuck.
"We had lightning popping right over us. The winds were high and it was a
torrential downpour for about 30 minutes," Yelas said. "I don't like
lightning, but I didn't want to stop fishing. I pulled up into a little
canal that had trees all around it. I didn't want to be out in the middle of
the lake with the lightning popping like that."
Jason Quinn of Lake Wylie, S.C., said he was able to skirt the storm. But
the thunder was so strong that each time it rumbled, he could feel it
vibrate his boat. "It was a hot storm. I'm glad I was able to stay out of
it," he said.
Tim Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., who continued to fish in a protected area
during the storm, said once the rain ended the bass bite aggressively. "They
really turned on after the rain. I caught two or three in about 15 minutes
when the rain stopped."
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible Saturday and Sunday in the
New Orleans area, according to the National Weather Service.
BASS, BASS PRO SHOPS LAUNCH NEW PRODUCT LINE
The worldwide authority on bass fishing and the world's leading supplier of
outdoor gear have teamed up to market a new line of baits, rods and reels
and clothing designed for and by bass anglers.
Dean Kessel, vice president and general manager of BASS, announced Friday
that Bass Pro Shops has been selected as the official retailer for the
organization. Bass Pro Shops will sell a line of high-quality fishing
products bearing the BASS brand.
The first Bassmaster-branded products, which include rods and reels, jigs,
buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits, went on sell Friday in the Bass Pro
Shops booth at the CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer outdoors
show being held in New Orleans.
The Bassmaster products are expected to be arriving in Bass Pro Shops retail
stores around the country within three weeks,
Michael LaBroad, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Bass
Pro Shops, is excited about having the Bassmaster product line in the
company's stores and catalogues.
"It really makes a lot of sense for the two of us to be working together to
promote the sport," LaBroad said.
DREAMING OF A WIN
Many anglers who have fished for bass have dreamed of winning the CITGO
Bassmaster Classic - the world championship of bass fishing.
About two months ago, Mark Menendez dreamed he caught a big bass in the
Bassmaster Classic.
When Menendez, of Paducah, Ky., caught a 6-pound, 2-ounce largemouth on his
fifth cast of the morning Friday, it was shades of déjà vu.
"The place I saw myself holding a big bass in my dream looked an awful lot
like the place I caught that big one Friday," Menendez said.
During practice, Menendez found the spot where he fished Friday and was
amazed that is looked like the place he had seen in his dream. When he
tested it and found plenty of big bass, he knew his dream might come true.
Menendez is leading the tournament by more than a pound.
LODGE OFFERS WORLD-CLASS HUNTING AND FISHING
Anglers and hunters looking for a place where the fishing and hunting are
awesome and the crowds are small can find it at the Beau Rivage Sportsman's
Lodge.
Bruce Norris, director of public affairs for Beau Rivage Resort and Casino
in Biloxi, Miss., said both the fishing and hunting opportunities at the
sportsman's lodge are excellent. The lodge is operated by Beau Rivage Resort
and Casino.
The 5,000-square-foot floating retreat in the Gulf of Mexico provides
outstanding opportunities for catching redfish, speckled trout, flounder and
other game fish for much of the year around Chandeleur Island, situated
about 32 miles off the coast of Mississippi.
From mid-November through January, the retreat is moved to near Venice, La.,
which is one of the best places in the country for duck hunting, Norris said
during a news conference at the CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch
Beer that is under way in New Orleans.
The world-class resort is fully-staffed, air-conditioned and heated. With
six guest bedrooms and a master suite, the lodge can accommodate up to 10
overnight guests. Guests travel to and from the lodge by boat or aircraft.
Instruction is available for novice anglers and hunters.
Charter boats for inshore and offshore fishing and a full service marina are
available at the resort. For more information, call (888) 576-2746.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (504) 304-2563.
BASSMASTER
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