THE LATEST NEWS

New Release Includes 1-Foot Contours on                    15,000+ U.S. Lakes and 9,400 Canadian Lakes

Egersund, Norway – C-MAP®, a leader in digital marine cartography and cloud-based mapping, announced today the next generation of C-MAP Contour+ charts preloaded in HDS LIVE fishfinder/chartplotters. The new embedded charts bring even more value to the HDS LIVE lineup with a significant increase in lakes featuring 1-foot contours – 15,000+ U.S. lakes and 9,400 Canadian lakes – in addition to other refinements, including reprocessed depth contours and updated Custom Depth Shading.

Covering inland and near-shore coastal areas of the continental U.S., plus Hawaii, Bermuda and Canada, C-MAP Contour+ charts include Custom Depth Shading on all lakes, Easy Routing (U.S. coast/Inland only), high-resolution bathymetric 1-foot contours on 15,000+ U.S. lakes/9,400 Canadian lakes, fishing Points of Interest (POIs) and standard navigation data – including Tides and Currents for coastal areas.

Previously launched in June 2020 as a significantly enhanced, preloaded mapping solution for new HDS LIVE displays, C-MAP Contour+ – now with even more charting data and a larger file size – will not be available via a downloadable software upgrade. HDS LIVE displays are scheduled to be preloaded with the newer Contour+ chart at the factory starting around March 1, 2021. Current registered HDS LIVE customers can purchase the Contour+ map card for a nominal $35 fee, starting February 1 and continuing through April 1, 2021 at www.lowrance.com/offers/hds-mapping-upgrade/.

Additionally, customers who purchase a HDS LIVE display between February 1 and April 1, 2021 will be eligible for a free enhanced C-MAP Contour+ card via online rebate. Digital rebate forms will be available online starting February 1 at lowrance.4myrebate.com.

For more information on Lowrance products, visit www.lowrance.com. For more information on C-MAP or its entire line of marine cartography products, please visit www.c-map.com.

About C-MAP:

C-MAP® offers the world’s largest marine navigation digital chart database, helping its customers explore the digital options and address the complexity of marine operations by providing integrated, intelligent information. C-MAP covers the world with accurate, up-to-date electronic charts, value-added data and services that let you sail safely to distant horizons, fill the boat with fish, or cruise with confidence. Following its recent acquisition by Navico, C-MAP is the fourth brand in Navico’s portfolio, joining Lowrance®, Simrad Yachting and B&G®. For more information, please visit www.c-map.com.

The post NEW HDS LIVE C-MAP CONTOUR+ PRELOADED CHART ENHANCED WITH LARGER COVERAGE AREA appeared first on Bass365.com.

Over $4 million in cash and prizes for anglers and an anticipated $1 million plus for conservation

Ultimate owner’s appreciation event offers the biggest payout ever in angling while raising money and awareness for conservation

Owners of the world’s foremost boat brands will compete on a global stage televised internationally on NBC

Event celebrates the heritage of Bass Pro Shops’ founding on Missouri’s fabled Table Rock Lake by inviting families and fishing buddies to compete together

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bass Pro Shops today announced a new era in the sport of fishing with the introduction of the Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships. Noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris had a dream to create “the ultimate owner’s appreciation event” while benefitting conservation. The first-of-its-kind tournament invites owners of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brand boats to compete in two-person teams. With proceeds benefitting conservation and the future of fishing, the event is being created exclusively for amateurs including serious weekend tournament anglers, parents, grandparents, and youngsters, giving everyday anglers, friends, and families the chance to win big!

The prize totals are staggering: Competitors will be rewarded with a total guaranteed purse value of $4.3 million. The national championship team
wins a $1 million cash prize – the largest cash payout of any single freshwater fishing tournament in history. Conservation wins too, with a
minimum of $1 million going to improve fish habitat.

Build your own team with a fishing buddy or family member: Registration is open exclusively for amateur anglers, creating a thrilling opportunity for families
and friends from all walks of life to compete together on the water. To help grow the sport, regional and international qualifier events will feature division payouts for youth, family teams, all-female teams, veterans, and more. Additional prizes will be offered for the biggest bass and other categories that add to the collective excitement. Johnny is awarding one lucky junior angler (ages 11 – 18) a $250,000 scholarship toward a conservation-related area of study. Events will offer fun for the whole family with activities and entertainment.

Anglers to compete for the ultimate prize with the biggest audience in fishing history airing live internationally on NBC

Following a series of regional qualifying tournaments starting this spring, 350 two- person teams will compete in an internationally broadcast championship finale this fall at Big Cedar Lodge on famed Table Rock Lake. The competition will also include international teams from around the world including Japan, Spain, Germany, Romania, Mexico and Holland.

Celebrating Bass Pro Shops’ Origins

On the eve of our 50th Anniversary, the championship brings Bass Pro Shops back to its birthplace in the beautiful Ozark mountains of Missouri. Prior to founding the beloved outdoor brand in the back of his father’s liquor store in 1972, avid young angler Johnny
Morris grew up float fishing on Ozarks rivers and later, Table Rock Lake, before spending five years competing on the professional bass circuit, which continues to have a profound impact on his life.

“Fishing in the first national BASS tournament on Table Rock Lake in 1970 rewarded me with friends for life and served as my inspiration to start Bass Pro Shops. Fishing on the BASS Tournament Circuit also helped keep us abreast of the latest emerging trends in fishing and enabled me to stay closely connected to our customers. And without our loyal customers and industry-leading independent boat dealers, we simply wouldn’t be here today. This tournament is our way of giving thanks and rewarding our customers with the chance to land the catch of a lifetime. Beyond offering the ultimate prize in fishing, we’re excited to celebrate our heritage, raise funds for conservation, and have some big fun with people who love fishing as much as we do,” said Johnny Morris.

Morris underscored, “We are also very grateful to our network of independent boat dealers. Their passion and support for helping get so many anglers and families out on the water has made this dream possible.”

Entry and Qualifying Process

In an effort to provide the widest opportunities for participation, there are three ways anglers can qualify for a chance to compete in the national championship event:

1. Finish in the top 40 at one of eight regional qualifier events hosted around the country:

Accommodating a grand total of 4,700 anglers, each regional qualifying event will be open to 250 two-person teams. Regional qualifiers will take place at some of the best bass fishing locations in the country while offering up plenty of fun

: • Lake Okeechobee, Fla. – March 13, 2021

• Lake Ray Roberts (Dallas), Texas – April 17, 2021

• Lake Mead, Nev. – April 24, 2021 • Chesapeake Bay, Md. – July 17, 2021

• Lake St. Clair (Detroit), Mich. – Aug. 21, 2021

• Old Hickory Lake (Nashville), Tenn. – Sept. 11, 2021

• Grand Lake ‘O the Cherokees (Tulsa), Okla – Oct. 16, 2021

• Last Chance Qualifier: Bull Shoals Lake, Ark. – Nov. 17, 2021

• Culminating in the Grand Championship finale for those who qualify: Table Rock Lake, Mo. – Nov. 19, 2021

In addition to a festive environment with activities for the whole family, each qualifier event will feature celebrity weighmasters and guests such as country music star Chris Janson and fishing legends like Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin, Kevin VanDam, Ott DeFoe, Timmy Horton and more. Additional weighmasters and celebrity guests will be announced prior to each qualifier. Note: Online registration for the first three regional qualifiers will be open for 24 hours beginning at 10 AM CT on February 10, 2021.

Entry fees are $450 per person, $250 for youth ages 12 – 17, and free for kids under 12. Entry includes a US Open Gift Bag for each team member with exclusive goods valued at $150. Most importantly, entry fees will go to conservation and the future of fishing (see details below).

Due to anticipated high demand, boat owners can only register for one qualifying event, with all entrants placed in an independently verified drawing to determine the 250 teams eligible for each event. Individuals who do not receive a slot in the regional qualifiers can register for the “last chance” qualifier on Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas, with registration opening later this year.

2. Win one of several existing fishing competitions across the United States and around the world organized by authorized independent dealers of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brand boats, with details available at basspro.com/usopen. 3. We’re also proud to make eligible the winning teams from the three major national collegiate championships: As a continued investment in the future of the sport, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops will honor the collegiate fishing champions of the three top college trail events with an invitation to the championship with special prizes and recognition for this division.

Epic 3-Day Championship Finale at Big Cedar Lodge on Missouri’s Legendary Table Rock Lake

The National Championship will take place in November, on one of America’s most legendary bass fishing lakes, Table Rock Lake in Missouri’s beautiful Ozark Mountains. Internationally televised on NBC in what is anticipated to be the largest audience in the history of the sport, the epic 3-day championship and star-studded festivities will be hosted by Bass Pro Shops’ Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. The National Championship will consist of a 5-fish limit each day, with overall weight recorded determining the champion at the conclusion of the three-day competition. Awaiting the champion is the $1 million cash prize. The angler who catches the biggest bass receives a 21’ fiberglass RANGER, NITRO or TRITON bass boat, a TOYOTA Tundra truck and other incredible prizes. The event will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, November 21, followed by a feature special airing on NBC later this year. Note: There is no additional entry fee to participate in the final championship event for those who qualify in regional events.

The post To Kickstart its 50th Anniversary Celebration, Bass Pro Shops and Johnny Morris Announce the Grandest Fishing Tournament in History appeared first on Bass365.com.

To say I’m a little pumped for the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season to start would be like saying I was sort of into hair bands back in the early 90s.

Look, I’m going to give you three thoughts I’ve been wrestling in recent days. Some of them actually came from a dream while I slept, and others are purely as factual as Warrant’s  “Cherry Pie” album being their highest-selling record ever.

Thought #1 – Just like we’ve been doing for like 53 years now, we have a tendency to study the upcoming schedule and think about how it’ll play out. And let me tell you, friends – this one is going to play out really, really, shallow. I’ll go out on a limb here and say we haven’t seen an Elite Series schedule this rich with derbies that could be won in less than 10-feet of water in a decade. And anytime we’re able to have a contest where dudes are scratchin mud to catch five fat ones each day it is absolutely “fan-o-licious” for our loyal Bassmaster Live viewers.

Thought #2 – I had a dream the other night that I swear was influenced by my battle with Covid last month, because I’ve had some really bizarre dreams recently. But anyhow, I dreamt the 2021 Bassmaster Classic was more like a rock concert than a bass tournament, and not only did Seth Feider become our 51^st Classic Champion – but ready for this? – Dave Mercer appeared on stage as one-half Canadian emcee, and the lower half of him was a mustang, like a centaur in Greek mythology. If any of this comes true, count on an absolute bash beyond our wildest imagination once we get to Fort Worth in June.

Thought #3 – Some people don’t like to talk about it, but there are two guys in this Elite Series field full of very talented new rookies that are licking their chops to get started, and both of them put their guts on the line last year in the Bassmaster Opens to earn their way back to the Elites.

One lives at Lake Tenkiller in Eastern Oklahoma, and the other chap is a hunting buddy of mine from Gonzales, Louisiana, and if you’ll go back and reference Thought #1 about this schedule being shallow water friendly, it’s time to admit Christie and Hackney will both make a run at winning the 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.

That’s all I’ve got. Zackers and I are out. He and I have a lot to do before the fellas make their first cast on the St. Johns River to start the Elite Series season on February 11^th, but don’t think for a minute we won’t be rockin to “I Saw Red” and “Blind Faith” while we’re gettin’ our work done. 

The post Zona’s 3 thoughts: Mud Scratchers, Mustangs and ‘Rookies’ appeared first on Bass365.com.