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Issue #255
PRESENTED BY: Sunline
Save Money By Making Your Own Tackle
So just how much money can you save by making some of your own tackle? I broke down the cost on a recent project I completed using the Do-It Molds Casting Jig mold. Check out the cost savings below!

  • Do-it Casting Jig mold $62.50
  • Melting Pot $69.00
  • 10lb Lead Ingot (will make 320 1/2oz jigs) $28.50
  • Hooks .15 each x 320= $48.00
  • Weedgaurds .11 each x 320= $35.20
  • 16oz Pro Tec Powder Paint $30.80
  • 30 jig skirts $320.00

Total investment- $594.00
$594.00 total cost to make 320 jigs ($1.86 per jig)
Average retail cost of a 1/2oz quality Swim Jig is $4.75 (not including tax)
$1,520.00 total cost to buy 320 jigs at retail
Customize Your Battery Tray For 36 Volts
One 36v battery instead of 3 12v batteries? No problem! I decided to custom build a battery tray for this Dakota Lithium beast. I wanted to make sure that the battery was protected by being rock solid, and locked in place. Also, I wanted to be able to access it easily for quick removal or installation. The benefit is that I can add a spare 36v in the boat if ever I felt the need to. I’m making a conscious effort this season to simplify as much as possible and to take precautionary measures now for any obstacles I may face throughout the year.
Open State Of Mind
Some of you have already noticed that my name wasn’t on the MLF/Bass Pro Tour roster announced a while back. A lot of you have sent messages asking if I’m retiring or moving to another tour. I’ve been fortunate enough to do this now for going on 20 years and have so much to show for it. The friendships, the companies that I’ve worked with, the amazing bodies of water and the awesome fishing fans in those places around the country are all more than this country boy from South Alabama deserve. Blessed is an understatement! With that said, the last 6 or 7 years haven’t been nearly as enjoyable as the earlier years. The stripping down of one tour lead to a shakeup in the industry and that lead a lot of us to go and try to build something with MLF that the younger generation would benefit from. I was all in on that mission and ready to pull the rope in the same direction of the league. I spent countless hours on boards, was a liaison between the league and the anglers and headed up a credit line that allowed the anglers to utilize so they could hold their needed cash to operate throughout the year (with a ton of help from other MLFAA board members). We accomplished a lot of good things that most of you will never hear about. Although, I became frustrated because of constant changes and inconsistency. I’m not saying all of those decisions were right or wrong, it just took the fun out of what we do. I wish everyone at MLF and the remaining anglers all of the best in what they are trying to build. I just feel deep down that I need to take a different path. The worst part of it is how much I’ll miss rooming with Andy Morgan and Michael Neal! Despite everything we really did have some fun times off the water. From now on for me it’s about enjoying what I do, working extra hard for the companies that began investing in me years ago and competing to win. That will all happen in the Bassmaster Opens in ‘24! I’m looking forward to the challenge of requalifying for the Elites and getting back on that Classic stage. Jill and I appreciate everyone of you for following along my journey over the years!
I’m a big fan of “balsa” crankbaits. They have characteristics that are hard to replicate with plastic but the FatPapa Squarebills are as close as you can get. That’s why I rarely throw balsa anymore. My entire focus when designing these two baits years ago was to be able to achieve that erratic hunting action and maximum buoyancy, so that the bait “sneaks” through stumps and rocks. On top of that you get maximum durability with plastic that you cannot even come close to with balsa. Balsa baits are incredibly expensive due to the labor involved and a lot of times 1 out of 4 will run poorly. Plastic is extremely consistent so each one runs perfectly out of the package.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
I’ve been dabbling with YouTube lately and wanted to let everyone know.
I won’t be trying to hack into the algorithms for views by posting non stop but I will share some genuine content with you guys from time to time. Shoot me some ideas of content you would like to see for the Russ Lane Outdoors channel through my Instagram messages!
PRESENTED BY: Denali
Russ Lane
Bassmaster Open angler Russ Lane's sponsors include BW, Phoenix Boats, Yamaha, Sunline, Big Bite Baits, Buckeye Lures, Do-It Molds, Gamakatsu, SPRO, Power Pole, Dakota Lithium, Garmin, Cuda Tools, Phenix Rods, and Evolved Seeds just to name a few.
Get Paid To Fly
Just one more reason why I choose to run a Phoenix Boat! Phoenix has increased their Tier One pay out to $8,000 for 2024. Also new for 2024, qualified second owners are eligible for Tier One payout. Check out all the details here.
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO
Fishing Shape
At 51 it’s more important now than ever. I want to play this game at the highest level I’m capable of for as long as I’m able. To achieve that from now on I have to be in what I call “fishing shape.” A pro fisherman needs to have focus/mental clarity, stamina and a strong core. This is something I have done since my ball playing days but the last few years I got out of the routine of making my conditioning a priority. I just slipped into a rut and didn’t even realize how it was affecting my performance. About 8 months ago I decided to get back to being the best I can be. Since then 50lbs of fat have been lost, my stamina is through the roof and the mental focus while on the water is amazing.
Here’s the basics of what I do now to achieve fishing shape…
First rule is get rid of the sugar! This can be hard to begin with because your body relies on that sugar for fuel. In just a couple of weeks without sugar your system will flip and begin to use fats for fuel. That’s when you will start to feel different! The mental focus came almost instantly for me and my cravings began to change. Hydration is key! Everything you’ve always been told about drinking more plain water is completely wrong in my opinion and experience. You have to have electrolytes and salt to keep those cells hydrated. Water merely flushes through your system and can take the valuable salts with it.
Instead of drinking coffee in the mornings now I have a Gatorade Zero with hydration powder mixed in. The Kaged Hydration brand is a good one. I crave this when I wake up in the morning and it gives me the same feeling that coffee/caffeine used to. The big difference is it last longer! I still drink a water or two throughout the day but always add those electrolytes in. Animal protein, green vegetables, non seed oils and butter are the fuel! No cereals, oatmeal, granola bars and most definitely no bread. I have 2-3 eggs every morning with a spoonful of olive oil, salt and pepper. Once you completely cut out the sugar your body will burn this animal protein like diesel fuel! The mid day hunger goes away because those proteins fuel me for hours! I make sure and eat more lean protein during the day and a meal at night with lots of green vegetables. Physical training for fishing tournaments doesn’t have to be similar to training for a contact sport. You just want to make sure that you keep a strong core and overall fit body. I do core exercises that focus on lower back and abs 3 days a week. In the gym I will strength train legs one day and upper body one day. I try to keep my maximum reps around 15-20. Higher reps with more sets seems to give me all the strength I need plus adds to building stamina. Just remember, you are training to be a pro fisherman not a bodybuilder. Big difference! Mix in 30 minutes of cardio 3 days a week. What works for me is climbing stairs, hiking the hills on my land and an elliptical machine. All of these things work together to give me what I need on the water competing for days at a time. Build the body and give it the right fuel for what you want to accomplish. I’m excited to get this season started knowing that I am physically and mentally the best I can be! Hope this will help some of you get into fishing shape too.
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Issue #255
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