Seaguar on the Water

We’d be willing to bet that you’ve encountered a situation like this: aggressive fish are prowling the water below, and you’re itching for a fight. Perhaps they’ve revealed themselves on your boat’s sonar system, or maybe, if the water is clear enough, you’ve spotted them cruising beneath the waves with your own two eyes. 

Fall is a season of change: green leaves turn brilliant shades of amber and crimson, resident waterfowl feel primal urges to gather in large numbers and fly south, and many outdoor enthusiasts contemplate trading their boat seats for deer stands.

The Bassmaster Elite circuit visited two powerhouse northern fisheries, the St. Lawrence River and then Lake Champlain, during a remarkable two-week march across New York state this July. Competitors battled strong winds and heavy seas in pursuit of monster smallmouth and elusive largemouth, with the goal of hoisting impressive blue trophies and enormous cardboard checks over their heads.

The biggest, baddest fish swim in salty water, and the limitless saltmarshes and bayous of the Mississippi River Delta are home to more than their share. The allure of hard-charging bull reds, aggressive speckled trout, wary black drum and slashing jack crevalles draws anglers from around the world to quietly glide along roseau cane-bordered channels and pursue these tackle-testing adversaries.

At its core, fishing is a people business. If fishing is to thrive – particularly when faced with significant headwinds – we need to recognize and support those who put a rod in someone else’s hands for the first time, or teach them the intricacies of a difficult presentation, or provide a voice for their needs or those of our shared resources.

Throughout the world, across the country, and even within your state, innovative anglers develop unique presentations and perfect creative refinements to help them catch more fish. Many of the advances to the art and science of fishing originate with professional anglers, as success within the fiery cauldron of competition often requires out-of-the-box thinking to transfer wary, pressured bass from lake to livewell.