The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame announced its 2026 ballot featuring twelve nominees including anglers Edwin Evers, Pam Martin-Wells, Andy Morgan, John Murray, Takahiro Omori, and Clark Wendlandt, along with media representative Terry Brown and industry figures Rick Pierce, Lynn Reeves, and Mike Whitaker. The Selection Panel and Hall members will vote by February 13, with inductees announced in March and honored at the September 24 induction ceremony at Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.

Brunswick Corp. reported 2025 net sales of $5.36 billion with fourth quarter net sales increasing 15.5% to $1.33 billion. CEO David Foulkes attributed the performance to improved retail conditions, solid boating participation, and strengthening boat market conditions in the second half of the year.

South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace introduced the No Tax on Boat Loan Interest Act of 2026 (H.R.7222) on January 26th, allowing taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 annually in interest on qualifying American-made recreational boat loans. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) support the bill, citing benefits for domestic manufacturing and middle-class boat buyers.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation completed an innovative high-velocity jetting project on Brocton Shoal in Lake Erie to restore lake trout spawning habitat degraded by invasive zebra and quagga mussels. The project, developed with Seaway Marine Group, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Nature Conservancy, successfully cleaned rock piles and shows promise for future habitat restoration efforts.

Lake Apopka in central Florida is rebounding after nearly 40 years of restoration work led by the St. Johns River Water Management District and partners including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Phosphorus levels have declined 67 percent, water clarity improved 66 percent, and the lake now supports over 370 bird species while generating economic benefits for surrounding communities.

The AFTCO x B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation Grant Program continues in 2026, supporting freshwater bass conservation projects proposed by B.A.S.S. Nation clubs. Since 2018, AFTCO has contributed over $177,000 to fund habitat enhancements, bass stocking, and youth-oriented conservation efforts coordinated with local agencies and volunteers.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson will host a live YouTube tutorial on Feb. 5 featuring arctic grayling drawing for the 2027 Conservation Stamp Art Contest. Professional entries are accepted Jan. 2-March 31, 2026, while student submissions close April 10, 2026, with prizes up to $150.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program is hosting an ice fishing workshop in Havre on February 13-14. The two-part workshop for women 18 and older includes an indoor session on ice fishing essentials and a hands-on outdoor session. Registration costs $15 and opens January 31.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is hosting WETshop 2026, a five-day coastal awareness workshop for educators June 8-12, 2026, at the LDWF Grand Isle Fisheries Research Lab. The workshop provides over 50 hours of instruction on wetland ecology, fisheries management, and coastal restoration, with applications due April 1, 2026.

Michigan Technological University and the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division are surveying burbot anglers in the Lake Superior basin to understand awareness, values, and preferences for recreational fishing. The research aims to help fisheries managers balance sustainable harvest with angler satisfaction.

A juvenile King-of-the-salmon, also known as ribbonfish, was recently spotted by a diver in Monterey Bay, California. Named by the Makah Tribe, this deep-sea species normally dwells at depths up to 3,000 feet. NOAA Fisheries biologist Dr. Laurie Weitkamp fulfilled her bucket list by seeing one in 2021 during a Pacific Ocean expedition.

The Gulf Council met in New Orleans from January 26-28, 2026, taking final action on Reef Fish Amendment 62 to increase red grouper catch limits and eliminate recreational shallow-water grouper closures. The Council also advanced work on for-hire electronic reporting, recreational deep-water grouper reporting, and red snapper management flexibility while requesting an extension on NOAA's proposed Atlantic shark regulation changes.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will open recreational snook harvest in the Northeast, Indian River Lagoon, and Southeast management regions from Feb. 1 through May 31, with a one-fish bag limit and 28-32 inch slot limit. This reflects FWC's holistic management approach evaluating regional environmental conditions and stakeholder experiences.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will host its annual Salmon Information Meeting on February 25, 2026, in Sacramento, featuring ocean salmon fishery outlooks and spawner returns. The hybrid event kicks off a two-month public process involving west coast states, federal agencies, tribal co-managers, and commercial and recreational fishing representatives to develop 2026 salmon seasons.

This guide covers techniques for catching walleyes during winter thaws in rivers across the Walleye Belt, including the Mississippi River. It details preparation, location strategies, and methods using vertical jigging, bladebaits from B Fish Tackle, ACME, and Berkley, plus safety considerations for cold-water fishing.

Nebraska Game and Parks released its 2026 Fishing Forecast and 2026 Fishing Guide to help anglers plan fishing trips. Both resources are available for download at OutdoorNebraska.gov or as print copies at retailers selling fishing permits, featuring regulations, public fishing areas, and lake sampling data.

Lake Guntersville in northeastern Alabama is a premier bass fishing destination where success relies on understanding seasonal movements, structure, and vegetation rather than live sonar. The Bassmaster Elite Series will visit February 5-8, with elite anglers like Jason Christie, Luke Palmer, and Stetson Blaylock expecting strong winter patterns using BOOYAH Hard Knockers, One Knockers, and Flash Point jerkbaits.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will stock adult-size Rainbow Trout at community ponds across Louisiana in January, offering bank fishing opportunities at 15 designated sites. This rare winter stocking occurs only once yearly, and anglers are encouraged to harvest the trout before water temperatures rise.

Evan Trottier of Minot caught a state record tiger trout weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces through the ice at Hooker Lake in Rolette County on January 4. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department verified the catch and plans spring stocking of tiger trout in select lakes through a partnership with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Whitewater Fishing introduces the Great Lakes Pro Jacket and Bib featuring a proprietary 3-layer design with 20k waterproof rating and 30,000g/m² breathability. The technically advanced suit includes 4-way stretch fabric, AquaGuard waterproof zippers, and specialized features designed for ice fishing and extreme weather conditions.

The American Sportfishing Association is hiring a Trade Show Manager to support planning and execution of trade shows. The role involves managing exhibitor and attendee support, coordinating marketing communications, managing the MapYourShow platform, and ensuring operational excellence. Requires a bachelor's degree, three years of event experience, and preferably a CEM designation.

Tournament champion Jacob Wheeler partnered with RapalaVMC to release the ClapTail™ 110, a topwater bait featuring a metal prop and back blade that create a unique two-tone sound. The ⅞ oz lure includes VMC Hybrid Trebles and a rotating hook hanger, available in eight colors at $18.99.

CrushCity, a collaboration between Rapala and Jacob Wheeler, is expanding its popular Freeloader minnow with two new larger sizes (5-¼ and 6-½ inches) and two new colors, Sexy Shad and Smelt. The Freeloader is known for its effectiveness as a trailer and shaking minnow option.

Whitewater Fishing launches the Flats Short, a performance fishing short developed with input from collegiate and high school anglers. The 175g quick-dry fabric blend features stain-release treatment, four pockets, and an 8-inch inseam, priced at $59.99.

EGO Fishing introduces the TIDEWATER Tool Kit, a comprehensive fish-cleaning set featuring 7" and 9" fillet knives with titanium-treated blades, multifunction fishing scissors, fish scaler, sharpening tool, cutting board, and PVC gloves. Designed for freshwater and inshore saltwater anglers, the kit retails for $69.99.

Yamamoto Baits has launched three new fuzzy baits featuring threaded skirt materials: the Fuzzy Senko in 4" and 5" sizes, the Fuzzy Nuki in 2.5" and 3.5" versions, and the compact 1.5" Fuzzy Nut. All products are available at Baits.com.

Big Bite Baits has launched the Spotlight Minnow, designed by pro Drew Gill for Forward Facing Sonar fishing. Available in three sizes with snappy action and rolling profile, the lure is now available at Baits.com.

Gunpowder, Inc. has expanded its partnership with Seakeeper to serve as the public relations agency of record for the marine stabilization technology leader's full brand portfolio. Following successful work with Seakeeper Ride in 2024, Gunpowder will now support communications across Seakeeper's complete product line, including media relations and strategic communications initiatives.

Professional angler Mike Iaconelli announced that 2026 will be his final year competing full-time on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee, known for winning the Bassmaster Classic in 2003 and the B.A.S.S. Federation National title in 1999, plans to shift focus toward content creation, The Bass University, and brand partnerships while maintaining limited competitive fishing.

Humminbird introduces the ICE XPLORE + MEGA Live 2 Bundles paired with LakeMaster mapping for ice fishing. The system combines high-definition touchscreen technology, real-time live sonar, and detailed lake mapping to help anglers locate fish and stay mobile on the ice throughout the hardwater season.

Hi Mountain Seasonings offers game day products including chicken wing bundles, nine dip varieties, and burger seasonings to elevate Super Bowl parties. President Hans Hummel highlights how their marinades, seasonings, and dips enhance favorite game-day foods for memorable gatherings.

DAIWA is rewarding angler loyalty with a 2026 TATULA promotion running February 1 through May 31, 2026. Anglers purchasing any TATULA rod, reel, or combo can register to receive a free AFTCO hooded performance shirt. The promotion features new TATULA models including the TATULA X TW 100 reel and TATULA Bass Rod series.

Mike Rogerson, fishing with PENN Fleet Captain David Wright aboard High Hopes, landed an 832.6-pound Atlantic bluefin tuna off Virginia Beach on January 10, 2026, breaking the Virginia state record by over 100 pounds. The 90-minute battle showcased PENN International VISW 2-Speed 80 Wide reel performance and the expertise of Wright's mate Andrew Flory.

Fish Monkey offers retailers a complete spring system of premium gloves, socks, and headgear for fishing customers. Featured products include the Pro 365 Guide glove, Freestyle glove, Stubby glove, merino blend socks, and performance face guards, all designed for comfort and protection on the water.

Skeeter Boats has extended its premier sponsorship with B.A.S.S. through 2028, continuing as the Official Boat Sponsor while serving as presenting sponsor of the Redfish Cup Championship and Bassmaster High School Combine. The partnership reinforces Skeeter's commitment to competitive fishing across all B.A.S.S. platforms.

Abu Garcia announced a partnership with Montevallo University Bass Team, the latest addition to its growing collegiate sponsorships. The partnership supports student-anglers through Major League Fishing College Series and Abu Garcia College Rivalry events, providing tournament-proven gear and resources for competitive development.

Outdoor Channel, presented by US Palm, launches 'Freshwater Sundays' airing 8-11:30 a.m. ET featuring eight fishing shows including The Hunt for Monster Bass with Trev Gowdy, Ott DeFoe, and Chris Lane; The VanDam Experience with Kevin VanDam; and Bill Dance Outdoors, the longest-running sport fishing show since 1968.

MyOutdoorTV launches the limited-edition Reel Legends Channel in February, featuring fishing legends Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance, Al Lindner, and Roland Martin. The channel offers 24/7 ad-free angling content from award-winning programs including Angling Edge, Bill Dance Outdoors, Fishing with Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston Outdoors, and The VanDam Experience.

The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft returns to Florida's Kissimmee Chain of Lakes on February 7-8. Top 5 finishers earn spots at the 2026 Championship, with Sherman Bishop's previous victory of 204.75 inches setting the bar for anglers competing across five fisheries during prime spawning season.

Fishing Chaos and Mr. Crappie, founded by legendary angler Wally Marshall, launch a nationwide month-long tournament running February 15th through March 15th. Anglers can compete via the Fishing Chaos app to win cash prizes and premium fishing gear.

The cold across the Southeast this winter will likely show an impact for years to come on the inshore fishery.

From Texas marshes, around the bend of the Gulf in the estuaries of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, all along both coasts of Florida and north to the creeks of the Carolinas, water temperatures dropped fast and stayed low long enough to stress, stun, and in some areas kill warm-water fish that simply aren’t built for prolonged cold. Snook took the brunt of it where they exist, but spotted seatrout and even redfish—usually more durable—were affected as well.

Snook are the most vulnerable. They are tropical fish living at the northern edge of their range, especially along Florida’s Gulf Coast and Panhandle, and in scattered pockets farther west. When water temperatures slide into the mid-50s and below, snook shut down. When cold lingers, they die.

Anglers who lived through the January 2010 freeze remember how fast that happened. Fish piled up in canals, river bends, and deep holes where they’d tried to wait it out. Buzzards blackened the trees along many prime snook rivers and bayous. The population loss took years to recover from, and the regulations that followed were designed to give surviving fish a chance to rebuild.

This winter wasn’t identical, but it didn’t have to be. Long nights of cold air and short winter days stripped heat from shallow estuaries. In backwaters, creeks, and mangrove-lined canals—places snook favor most of the winter—water temperatures dropped into ranges they simply can’t tolerate for long. Some fish likely survived by finding deeper water or spring-fed refuge. But many others didn’t.

Farther west, in places like Mobile Bay where snook are still a relatively new presence, the damage may be harder to see but just as real. Those populations don’t have the depth or geographic spread of Florida’s core stocks. A hard winter can erase years of slow expansion.

Spotted seatrout, while tougher than snook, are not immune. Trout live shallow by design. They use marsh edges, flats, and interior bays that warm quickly in summer and betray them in winter. When cold hits fast, trout don’t always have time to slide into deeper channels. They get stunned, drift, and die.

That pattern showed up again this winter. In some regions, trout kills were obvious—fish floating, fish wedged under ice, fish washed into windrows. In others, the damage will be quieter, showing up later as missing year classes, thin spawning runs, or springtime flats that provide tough fishing.

Redfish are the hardiest of the trio, but they aren’t bulletproof. Reds can tolerate colder water than snook or trout, and they’re better at finding deeper refuge when temperatures fall. Still, when cold is sharp and prolonged, especially in shallow marsh systems, redfish can be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Reports from across the Gulf Coast suggest that reds stacked up tightly this winter, retreating into channels, holes, and any water that offered even a few degrees of insulation. In places where escape routes were limited, some mortality likely occurred. Even where fish survived, their winter displacement can change spring patterns, delaying movement back onto flats and shorelines anglers rely on.

Beyond the gamefish themselves, cold hits the base of the food chain. Mullet, pinfish, shrimp, and small forage species often take the first punch. When they disappear—even temporarily—the predators that depend on them struggle. Fish that survive the cold may face lean weeks afterward, slowing growth and delaying recovery.

All of this adds up to more than a few slow fishing reports. Guides, marinas, tackle shops, boat ramps, and coastal towns all depend on healthy, accessible fisheries. When cold events compress fish into deep refuge or reduce populations outright, trips get canceled and the bottom line takes a hit.

Cold spells are part of life in the Southeast. They always have been, even as the average temperature appears to be rising. When they hit hard, they leave marks that last longer than the weather itself. This winter’s freeze may be remembered not for the days it took to pass, but for the seasons it might take to fully heal in inshore fishing.

– Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com