Now that I have worked out all of the bugs that come with buying my first bass boat in 2012. I  have my eyes set on fishing the 2013 FLW EVERSTART SERIES ( Northern Division ). The ROOKIE jitters are behind me now so I can focus on the task on hand.  My primary goal heading in to the 2013 season is to finish inside of the top 40 of the 2013 FLW EVERSTART SERIES ( Northern Division ).

Tournament anglers see sponsorship as the Holy Grail, the path to free entry fees and piles of free product. While all of that is possible, the reality is there is more to a sponsorship partnership than exchanging jersey space for cash and products. Sponsorships are like any job; you start out at the bottom and work your way up. Along the way you must prove yourself, work well with others, have good communication and stay professional at all times. However before you can get to that point, you must first develop the relationship, build trust and show your worth. It's go time.

Tournament fishing is unlike any other competitive sport in the world. Period. The number of uncontrolled variables in professional fishing far exceeds the variables found in other sports. Therefore when a bass pro consistently performs at a high level against so many dynamic challenges – when they are on their ‘A’ game – it warrants a closer look. As a fan and writer of the sport of professional bass fishing, I’m fascinated with what makes the best pros the best pros. At today’s top levels of tournament competition, pros have access to all of the best equipment money can buy. What intrigues me, however, are the intangibles – the visceral, the things beyond boats, motors, line and lures. This is what separates the best from the best. When you go beyond luck to the core of a champion.

Bass Pro Sites was launched with a specific direction - create websites that bass fishermen could use to attract sponsors and take their fishing to the next level. And it all started on the water. Bass Pro Sites Pro Staffer, Larry Stoafer, recounts how the idea went from the water to reality.

Well after almost 3 years of research, contacting, and negotiating with web design companies, here we are; a professional website to assist me in chasing my dreams of becoming a professional angler. Most are probably asking "Stoafer what took you so long?"  Well, if any of you have had aspirations of developing your own website you probably know the answer. Technical competence and cost.

TIPS FROM THE TOUR By David Brown - In the bass world, there are winders and grinders. Bassmaster Elite Series angler Greg Hackney is definitely one of the latter, and his weapon of choice is the jig. His top trio of Strike King models is composed of the Bitsy Bug Jig, the Tournament Grade Football Head Jig and his self-designed Hack Attack Jig. Covering his bases with baits that offer broad diversity, Hackney said he can hit the road confident that he'll be able to adapt to any geography and whatever the weatherman throws his way.