Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing

It's back! The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation has set up a Fantasy Group for anyone that wants to join in. Just head over to www.bassmasterfantasy.com/ and log in and use search word "Maine" to join us and get your picks in before the Classic.

2012 Bassmaster Classic

Red River - Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, Feb 24 - 26, 2012

Main | Attend | Expo | Qualifiers | Photos | Score card

Save this date! The 13th Annual Maine Milfoil Summit

Friday, March 2, 2012. Get the latest information and resources!

The Maine Milfoil Summit will be held on Friday, March 2, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the Lewiston-Auburn campus of the University of Southern Maine, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston. The summit is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended because space is limited. It is organized by the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA).

The main topic of this year’s summit will be sustainability of Maine’s prevention and control efforts for invasive aquatic plants. Read more

UPDATE: Attempts to Ban Lead Fishing Tackle Increase - Your Help is Needed More Than Ever

New Efforts to Ban Lead in Fishing Tackle Demonstrate the Need for a Legislative Solution

Last November, 43,000 anglers like you helped to defeat an attempt to ban lead in fishing tackle nationwide when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied a petition to ban lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Despite the EPA's ruling, this issue is not yet fully resolved. The petitioners have filed a law suit against the EPA's decision and submitted a similar new petition to the agency that could still result in a ban on lead fishing tackle nationwide.

KeepAmericaFishing™ is once again asking anglers to oppose this unjustified petition and to rally behind legislation that will put an end to these unwarranted attacks on recreational fishing once and for all. Click here to read more and send your message

The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation presents: "The Professor" — Sonar and GPS Wilson Frazier

Download Seminar Flyer-----Visit The Professor's Web site

Wilson Frazier has worked in the professional fishing industry for four decades, and since 1978, he has been a member of the Lowrance pro staff. As part of his duties, he schooled BASS, FLW and other top pro anglers in the use of their electronics.

Affectionately called "The Professor" by many in the professional fishing industry, Frazier can help every angler - from the seasoned veteran to the novice —gain a better understanding of how to truly utilize electronics accessories to catch more fish.

Electronics have changed the way we fish. With advancements in sonar and GPS equipment, we now have more useful information at our fingertips than ever before. It's too bad we do not always know what buttons to push. Sonar and GPS units are extremely useful tools for today's anglers. But unfortunately, most of us barely scratch the surface of their potential.

That's where Wilson Frazier's knowledge and expertise can help. Frazier is available for seminars, demonstrations and special media sessions, where he will share his vast expertise and years of experience. Although you may think you're proficient in the use of today's electronic, Frazier can unlock the bigger picture of how to skillfully use the electronics to get that extra advantage.

Maine Fish Off Photos

Now available are some of the photos that Bear Smimmo took at the fish off on Cobbossee this year. If anyone else has any photos to add to the site you can email me at mebass@mebass.com or mail a CD to John Volkernick , we would love to post them as well as any articles or club happenings you would like to share! See the album now

Sponsor Products Available Now for Maine Federation Members

The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation has some fantastic discounts available to our members from sponsors of B.A.S.S. and /or the Maine Federation such as SIMMS Raingear to name one. Most of these sites will need a discount code for you to be able to see your special price. If you are interested you can contact Steve Wilson or email mebass@mebass.com for your codes. Check out some of the benefits we currently have posted. Other benefits may be available to you that are not posted, please check with your club President or Steve Wilson for those.

Woodcock & Barone Entertain at Maine Federation Banquet

See all Banquet Photos taken by Charles Wilson

This years awards banquet was held at the Shriner's in Lewiston, on November 12 with approximately 140 guest attending.. The members would like to thank special guest Don Barone, and Chandler Woodcock Maine’s New IFW Commissioner. Mr Woodcock praised the Federation on our leadership roles in the invasive species area, spoke of his thrilling ride with Maine bass angling legend Dave Barnes Sr during the Governor's Cup, and was quite worried about a 200 lb plus big buck that was shot by a young family member that may weigh more than his did. Woodcock also donated a few limited edition prints to our raffle.

Mr Barone immediately got the crowd laughing with his story about his time with the rock band "Twisted Sister" and his time he spent traveling with them as well as a few others. Barone followed with stories of his time with several companies writing on different subjects. Finally Barone ended up with ESPN and has been covering the outdoors as well as B.A.S.S. Tournaments. Barone got his first ride with KVD on Champlain, bragging about how he only hit every 3rd wave while KVD easily skimmed the first two in his Nitro. Barone says at 72 miles an hour in a bass boat with no windshield is like strapping yourself to the front of a car going 72mph and hitting every pothole imaginable while going through a car wash, not fun and please don't try this! Barone ended the night by calling up Maine angler, Joe Holland and praising him for the help he gave during a recent lengthy power outage and mentioning that Joe will be honored on Thanksgiving Day on ESPN, and online as well. Barone also donated items for our youth program.

The Youth and Conservation Awards went to Central Maine Bassmasters once again for their time, effort, and unselfishness toward youth and conservation projects. The top 14 anglers in the state this year received their state team awards, as did the two jr champions. Josh Blackwood was awarded the Big Bass Champion for 2011. Mainely Bass donated $500 to the Federation youth program. Eagle Bassmasters won the fish off club competition and will get their photo on the cover of the Federation Guide. Vern Watters was recognized for winning the 6 Who Care Award. And if we didn't forget anyone else several raffles were won by the attendees and the meal was served by the folks at the Shriner's.

Diaco Tops Eastern Division Anglers At 2011 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship

Ouachita River - Monroe, LA, Nov 3 - 5, 2011
Federation Championship

It's a long, hard road to the championship, and out of these 54 contenders, only six are moving on to the Classic. Unfortunately after a 5th place finish, in the Eastern Division, with a final weight of 13-2, Maine's George Cooper will not be one those six this year, For all that know George we're all confident he'll be back to try again soon. A big congratulations to the Eastern Division Champion, John Diaco who finished with 29-11. Diaco, of Rochester NH, also managed a sweet 3rd place finish overall.

Vern Watters a 6 Who Care Award Winner

Written by Aimee Turner

For 24 years Vernon Watters and his Eagle Bassmasters club members have taken the Camp Sunshine campers on child- sized fishing expeditions on Sebago Lake. More than 11,000 children have gone fishing because of Vern.

Vern identifies with the parent visitors at Camp Sunshine; his son Will was severely injured in an army helicopter crash in 1976. Vern and Will connect through their shared love of bass fishing: relaxing, therapeutic, rewarding, and carefree.

For some Camp Sunshine children, it is their first time fishing, being on a boat, or even seeing a lake. According to Matthew Hoidal, "Vern's quiet and humble demeanor is endearing to the kids; they are totally 'hooked'!"

Vern is 91 and a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He parachuted behind enemy lines on D-Day, and is a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Tackle the Storm Foundation Benefit Auctions

It's official...we are up on Ebay selling signed B.A.S.S Elite jerseys, college angler jerseys, and other jerseys and memorabilia with all of the proceeds....EVERY DIME...going to Tackle The Storm Foundation to help buy the magic wands of childhood....fishing poles...for the children of the next storm. The final bid will be donated to the foundation, Don and Barb Barone will cover the costs of the Ebay and Paypal fees...when you can put a brand new rod and reel in a child's hand for about $7.50 EVERY PENNY COUNTS so we are not going to have the fees come out of what we can buy for the kids.

Right now we have four items up for sale...all have multiple bids, and if the auctions ended tomorrow (they don't) we could outfit almost 40 kids. So far at the two events we have put together we have put rods and reels in the hands of almost 500...FIVE HUNDRED...children. I'm humbled by that, stunned by that, and am an emotional basket case by that number. But unfortunately next season will bring more storms, and we will be ready for them, and for the kids.

If you have time please check out the Ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com/tacklethestormfoundation?_trksid=p4340.l2563 And if you have a couple more minutes...our website is also up and running and can take donations directly: www.tacklethestormfoundation.org We will have a bunch more items going up for sale soon...THINK CHRISTMAS...THINK BIRTHDAYS...THINK Tackle The Storm Foundation.

Don Barone will be our special guest at the Federation Banquet.

TheHookUpTackle.com	Fishbelly
Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation members can email mebass@mebass.com for 2 discount codes for the above sponsors

Bass University, Worchester, MA

It’s that time of the year again when we are getting ready for the new season of the Bass University.

As you know, the Bass University is a intensive two-day, classroom style bass fishing seminar series. It is taught by the world’s best professional bass anglers in a fun, up close and personal environment.

We have an exciting expanded schedule this year coming to a city near you. You can go to www.thebassuniversity.com for exact details!

Federation Discount at Tungstenweights.com

Tungstenweights.com, will offer all federation members 20% off of our products in our store. Tungstenweights.com is also a full line keitech dealer. Maine members can contact Steve Wilson for your promotion code.

Joe Holland....If

By Don Barone Sep 15, 2011

"But when a dream is calling you … " Dateline: 3:19 a.m. running from dreams … If. If I. If I had. If I had to … … to do it all over again. It wouldn't be this. If. To do it all over again. It would be this … the words that I write would not be read. They would be sung. The words I write would be songs. If, I ran to my dreams, instead, of running from them. My dreams. I would have written songs that played on your radio, played in your head, played in your soul. Lyrics. Not paragraphs. If … I would have listened to my dreams which sung. If I wouldn't have listened to my high school teachers and advisors who shouted, stupid, you're stupid, stupid, stupid, their song tearing through...Read more

Find your Ideal Mercury Propeller in 5 steps or less

Boat performance is equal parts power and propeller. With our propeller finder, you’ll be able to narrow your search for the most ideal prop considerably in just four simple steps. Get started now, and once you’ve entered your specifications, we’ll provide results based upon our extensive test data. Read more