TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECEMBER – JANUARY 2024 | VOL . 23 | ISSUE 1
PHOTO BY KORY SAVAGE
PHOTO BY BRANDON ROWAN
PHOTO BY PHOENIX MOORE
PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER SHANGLE
COLUMNS
20 NEWELL ’ S NOTES Practicing during competition — Rob Newell
24 BALOG ON BASS FISHING When NOT to rely on forward-facing sonar — Joe Balog
28 THE TINKERER Of fishing rods and wine — Sean Ostruszka
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COVER PHOTO BY MATT BROWN |
FEATURES
31 LIPLESS CRANKBAITS IN THE COLD Lipless crankbaits may be the deadliest tools in your tackle aresnal this winter — Michael Pehanic
38 23 STORIES WE LOVED IN 2023 Highlights from the year that was — Mitchell Forde
46 SHAPELESS AND DANGEROUS Grasping the gravity of formless soft plastics — Mitchell Forde
52 FISHING TOWNS : TENNESSEE Bill Dance ’ s Signature Lakes mission — Joel Shangle
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the juice
58 PRODUCT REVIEW Bubba Pro Series Smart Fish Scale — Matt Williams
62 GEARING UP Tournament-caliber rod and reel combos
— Mitchell Forde
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tournaments
72 STRIKE KING CO-ANGLER OF THE YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
— Mitchell Forde
74 TOURNAMENT REPORT
76 FISHERY SPOTLIGHT : Toledo Bend — Tyler Brinks
80 Q & A : CHAD MRAZEK — Matt Naber
83 THE BASS FEDERATION — Mitchell Forde
88 THE LAST CAST
We reserve the right to refuse any material we feel is not in the best interest of MLFLW , LLC , ( DBA “ MLF ”) and its members / subscribers . The items advertised herein are warranted by the advertiser . Bass Fishing is published six times per year by MLF , 30 Gamble Lane , Benton , KY 42025 , 270.252.1000 . Kathy Fennel , Executive Vice President and General Manager of MLF . Copyright 2024 by MLF . All rights reserved . None of the content of this publication may be reproduced , stored in any retrieval system , or transmitted in any form or by any means ( electronic , mechanical , photocopying , recording or otherwise ) without the prior written permission of the publisher . Advertising rates available on request . We welcome manuscripts but will not be held responsible for loss of manuscripts , photos or other materials . All manuscripts should include a self-addressed stamped envelope . Bass Fishing ( ISSN 1543-6179 ) is published six times a year ( February / March , April / May , June / July , August / September , October / November , December / January ) by MLF , 30 Gamble Lane , Benton , KY 42025 . Periodicals Postage Paid at Benton , KY , and at additional mailing office . Rates : one year ( 6 issues ) $ 10.00 ; two years ( 12 issues ) $ 20.00 ; three years ( 18 issues ) $ 30.00 . POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Bass Fishing , 30 Gamble Lane , Benton , KY 42025 . For questions regarding your subscription call 270.252.1000 Monday thru Friday , 8 a . m . - 5 p . m . CT .
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2 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | DECEMBER-JANUARY 2024