Have
you ever wondered just what life is like on the
Bassmaster Elite Trail? Not only what happens
during the tournament, but what the pro’s do to get
ready for the next stop in between tournaments.
Well then we have something for you. Join our
newest Big Bite Elite Pro Russ Lane as he blogs, and
fishes his way through the 2010 Bassmaster Elite
tournament year. You will get a firsthand look at the
ups and downs that go along with fishing the top bass
fishing circuit in the nation.
Keep tuned in as Russ tells us just what life is
like out on the trail.
9/2/2010
"Here
at Big Bite we're
still working on a
few new baits to
help me and you
become more
successful on the
water. If done
correctly, this is a
slower process than
you may think. We
want these baits to
be the total
package! A bait has
to have the right
action for it's
application, the
profile needed to effectively
penetrate the target
cover and perform
efficiently with the
hook for an optimum
landing ratio.
Even though I've
been busy the last
couple of weeks,
this has been a fun
time for me. Time
away from the water
is good for my game.
The fire is already
starting to burn so
when I get on the
water for the Toyota
Classic in a few
weeks I'll be ready
to Jack'em Up!"
Russ Lane
8/29/2010
"Several
people have asked me
this question,
"are you
enjoying your time
off?" Of course
the answer is
"yes," but
I wouldn't exactly
call these last 2
weeks a
vacation.
Don't get me wrong,
I'm not complaining
at all, but I've
been fairly busy
working lately. The
whole purpose of
"Life in the
Elite Lane," is
to give my readers a
glimpse of what it
is truly like to be
a professional
angler.
Since I got
back from Charlotte,
I've had several
projects in the
works. One is that
I've started working
on a deep diving
crankbait with an
extremely successful
company in the
industry. I'm
honored that they're
trusting me with
total input in the
design. I've
always had an idea
of what the perfect
all around plug
would be like and
now I get to own
one. We'll be
announcing our
partnership very
soon.
Also,
I've been working
with a company that
has developed a tool
for anglers that
everyone will want
to have on the deck
of their boat when
they see it. Have
you ever misplaced a
pair of cutters or
pliers and lost
valuable time
looking for them?
This is just one of
the problems they
have eliminated.
Hopefully I will be
able to tell more in
the coming days."
Russ Lane
8/16/2010
"It
doesn't always work
out like that, but
this time I was
right. The Floatin
Toad got me several
Big Bites over the 3
days at Lake Norman.
It's late summer and
by now those fish
that live on boat
docks have been
slammed all year
with jigs and
plastics. I could
take the Floatin
Toad, skip it under
there and buzz it by
the pilings. They
would crush it! A
few good ones each
morning on the toad
and some crankin
fish later each day
lead to my sixth top
10 this year! Just
remember, it
sometimes may be
obvious to everyone
where the fish will
be, but you may have
to do something
different to get
them to bite.
Jack'em Up!!"
Russ Lane
8/8/2010
"The
last time I fished
Lake Norman was my
rookie season in
2005. The
first day of the
tournament we had
blizzard like
conditions with a
high around 20
degrees. They were
eating the paint off
of a shallow running
crankbait. I
think I finished
15th, one place
behind VanDam.
Next week will be
totally different of
course with temps in
the 90's and high
water temps
too. I'm
looking forward to
this PAA event
because the fishing
will be really tough
and that means that
if you can figure
out one little deal
to generate a few
"Big
Bites", you can
really do
well. I've
already qualified
for the Texas Toyota
Bass Classic so I
can fish comfortably
and not have to
worry about
points. One of
my favorite things
to do in the late
summer is fish
topwater.
Maybe skippin a
Floatin Toad under
docks could be the
deal? We'll see!!"
Russ Lane
8/2/2010
"This
was a week that I'll
never forget. Of
course I was blessed
with my first Elite
Series win after
getting my rod taken
from me and letting
the winning fish
jump out of my hands
and back into the
water. It was also
great to see friends
and family that I
haven't heard from
in a long time.
Thanks so much to
everyone for the
support this week.
Thanks also to the
sponsors that chose
to stick with me
through a couple of
rough years till I
got things
straightened out.
Losing the AOY in
the final moments
stung a bit, but now
I know it can be
done. A near
Classic win and AOY
title in one season,
I just needed a few
more "Big
Bites."
This week I'll start
working with Big
Bite on a few more
baits for our
lineup. I'm
excited to help
design the baits
that I'll be
competing
with. Next up
is the PAA event on
Lake Norman so I'll
be letting you know
what's going on
there. Jack'em Up!"
Russ Lane
7/29/2010
"Hi!
It's Jill - The blog
will come from me
today because Russ'
schedule is so
hectic, he hasn't
had a minute to
spare. His phone
hasn't stopped
ringing for the past
2 weeks. They
haven't had a break
since this whole
thing started last
Wednesday. He's
still very much
excited about the
win on Lake Jordan
last week; but at
the same time, he
has to climb down
off of the cloud and
get ready for the
river:) It's
going to be tough
because of the late
start - but more fan
friendly - and
that's really what
the sport is
about! Even
though we are at
home, it still feels
like he's off at a
tournament.
He's gone from
daylight until dark.
The kids and I only
get to see him for a
few minutes a
day:( It's all
worth it though!
We'll probably be
tired of him on his
first day off!
Ha ha - just
kidding! Keep
Russ in your
prayers! My prayer
since February has
been for Russ to win
AOY - even when it
seemed
impossible........:-)"
Jill Lane
7/16/2010
"The
last 3 days have
been great here at
ICAST 2010. There
were a lot of
exciting new
products showcased.
Spro has an awesome
new shallow running
crankbait that I'll
be buying a few of
and Big Bite
unveiled a few new
cutting edge baits
that will be must
haves in my arsenal.
The Flying Squirrel,
Cane Thumper and the
Sugar Cane are a few
of the ones you
should take a look
at. Now it's
time to start
preparation for the
post season events
and I'm jacked up
for it. Spooling
rods, organizing
tackle and some
minor boat
maintenance is what
I'll be working on
the next few days."
Russ Lane
7/14/2010
"I'm
sitting here at the
LasVegas Hilton
relaxing a bit
before I head on
over to the ICAST
Show. For those who
don't know, this is
where all of the
leaders in the
tackle industry come
to showcase there
brands in front of
the tackle
retailers. I love
coming here to get
an early look at
some of the hot new
baits for the
season. Everyone
here at Big Bite is
working on new
colors and designs
to keep you and me
ahead of the game.
Check back later for
a full report on
ICAST!"
Russ Lane
7/12/2010
"Jill
and I are about to leave out for Las Vegas. If you
happen to be at ICAST this week come by and see me at
the Big Bite booth! Don't forget to vote for me in
the Toyota Fan Favorites competition. I appreciate
every vote"
Russ Lane
7/2/2010
"I
just finished up pre-practice for the post-season events
on Jordan and the AL River. I did more looking than
fishing, just trying to remember all of the subtle
things that helped me win so many tournaments over the
years on these two lakes. Although, when I did make a
few casts, I got several bites. It's been a few years
since I was in the groove of what the fish were doing at
home but after only a couple of days on the water, I
feel like I could really catch'em good. I'm looking
forward to using some of the new baits and techniques
that I've had success with out on the tour. A Kreit Tail
Worm, Floatin Toad and of course the Yo'Mamma should be
great baits on both lakes. These two events are
going to be allot different than the regular season
events. Only 12 boats on the lake and 2 days of
competition should allow me to have a wide open
approach. With 100 boats and 4 days to fish, you never
seem to have enough fish to last. I don't have to hold
anything back this time! Also, keep checking in after
the post-season events are over. I'll be competing in a
few PAA events, a BASS Open and with a top 15 in the
Elite AOY standings I have automatically qualified for
the Toyota TX Bass Classic in October. We've got lot's
of fishing left so stay tuned...."
Russ Lane
6/21/2010
"I
can't believe it, we made it to the AOY post season
events! I'll be going up against names like Hackney,
Martens, VanDam, Klein and Reese for a shot at the
Angler of the Year Title at home on Lake Jordan and the
AL River. My success this season is all because of
my family and sponsors. Big Bite, Buckeye, American
Rodsmiths, Costa, Abu Garcia, Trilene, BassCat and
Yamaha all make products that I trust and believe
in. My mother and dad are always taking care of
things for me when I'm on the road. Mowing the
lawn, checking the mail, whatever I need, they're always
there. Jill, Jentzen and Jayce, they've done more
for me than anyone will ever know. All of the
little things that they do make my job seem so
easy. These next two tournaments are for you, my
sponsors, my family. Let's get it on!"
Russ Lane
6/19/2010
"What
a wild week so far, wasted 2 long practice days on the
river then we moved to Ft Gibson because of flooding.
One day of practice and these guys are jackn'em up!
19-10 on day 1 and trailed Biffle for the lead by 1oz!
The field is cut to 12 for Sunday and I'm in 9th. Jill,
the kids and I are praying this will get us into post
season action for a shot at the AOY Title. One more day,
a few Big Bites and we'll be there!"
Russ Lane
6/16/2010
Today's
entry comes from Russ Lane's wife Jill: "It's
5:30am and I'm taking Russ to the boat ramp at FT.
Gibson - a lake he's never even seen before. The
tournament on the Arkansas River was cancelled due to
the flooding. Debris, logs, etc... were awful and very
unsafe for the anglers. Great call by BASS:) With
only one day of practice, this is definitely a game
changer! Russ has had to totally rearrange his entire
boat - with my help! Russ sits in 15th in the AOY
standings. Praying that he does REALLY well in this
tournament and makes it to the TOP 12 post season
events:-)" Jill Lane
6/10/2010
"Sometimes
when you know the conditions are changing it is hard to
practice for that. I'm fishing deep but off the river
channel where the water was muddy in practice. Big Bites
were hard to come by then but now the water is clearing
up and the fish seam to be heading my way. 15lbs to
26lbs, let's hope there's more schools coming tomorrow!" Russ Lane
6/5/2010
"Jill,
the kids and I just got into Paris. No not France, we're
in TN at KY Lake for the next to last Elite Series
event. This is my chance to make a big move in the
points to try and make the top 12 post season events.
There's no doubt in my mind that crankin' and a big
Kriet Tail worms will be the deal this week. I'll have
to get 5 Big Bites a day here to have a chance to fish
on Sunday. This is gonna be fun!" Russ Lane
5/23/2010
"As
I expected, I had to share water with at least half the
field this week at Clarks Hill. Most everyone in the Top
25 had at least one school to themselves. So I'm proud
of a 22nd place finish! Sometimes you just have to fish
harder than everyone else. A Big Bite Jerk Minnow caught
the bulk of my weight this week. I'm moving up in the
points and headed to one of my favorite lakes next.
Hoping KY Lake could be the one......." Russ Lane
5/19/2010
"I've
spent the last 3 days at Clarks Hill lookin for schools
of fish and only found a couple. The problem is how many
other guys found'em and I'm boat 40. I'm so ready for a
win, but if I get out of here with a check I'll be
happy. Prayin for Big Bites!" Russ Lane
5/16/2010
"I
guess 26lbs and a 5th place finish wasn't worth air time
on today's Bassmasters show. Just more motivation to
wreck'em this week at Clarks Hill! We're several weeks
later than we usually come here so I'm expecting fishing
to be a little different. An open mind, a few Big Bites,
and we'll get the job done this week...!" Russ Lane
5/09/2010
"I'm
not superstitious or anything but I told Jill 2 weeks
ago that I wasn't shaving until I got a check. After a
check at Pickwick, I decided not to shave until I got a
Top 10. After 26+lbs today and a 5th place finish at the
"Big G," I don't have to look like a redneck
from lower Alabama that fishes for a living. I don't
know if Jill is happier about the money we won or my
close shave??? The last 2 weeks have been incredible!
Now we're sitting 27th in the AOY standings before
heading to Clarks Hill a week from today. Unlike
Guntersville, one Big Bite will go a long way at the
Hill. After a few days rest, I'll be ready to Jack'em
Up!" Russ Lane
5/02/2010
"Yesterday
was interesting at Pickwick. A 45 mile run in 3-4ft
waves, lightning bolts that you could actually see hit
the hill sides and missing a tornado at the Natchez
bridge by only a few minutes was a little stressful to
say the least. Anyways, the fish didn't seem to mind and
another 14lbs was good enough for 10 grand. We're on
Guntersville this week and I'm sure the weights will be
crazy as always. The "Big Bite" will be on fo
sho!" Russ Lane
4/30/2010
"My
Marshall counted 49 fish that I caught today at Pickwick.
One of them was a 4lb smallmouth. Sitting in 31st with
29lbs, I've still got a chance to fish on Sunday. I love
the TN River!" Russ Lane
4/25/2010
"Is
lake lanier as good a spotted bass lake as the Coosa
River? Well after what I saw this week, I would have to
say yes! I was working with some outdoor writers over
there and we had a ball. The spots were on bed in full
force and you could see them easily in 8ft of water.
Most of them I caught on a 3inch fighting frog and a
4inch cane stick. I used a 1/4oz weight/ 4/0 Gamakatsu
EWG hook on 12lb Trilene 100% flourocarbon. It only took
a few pitches to catch most of them. Main lake islands
on the lower end seem to be the best areas. We had lots
of 3lbers and several 4s. Scott Montgomery caught one
over 5! Maybe one day BASS will have an Elite event
there. I hope..." Russ Lane
4/19/2010
"Everyone
would probably assume that after a close call for a
Classic win, having the "2nd" biggest fish of
the tournament 3 times, blowing a top 10 at the Delta
and missing $20 grand worth of cuts by less than 2 lbs
total in the last two events that I would be at least
slightly upset. Well you're right! I'm madder than
#^N%$a!!!
Oh
well, things aren't as bad as they seem. I'm
fishing as well as I ever have now and keeping myself in
position for strong finishes. It hurts the pocket
book to not cash a check but you have to look at the big
picture. I'm only 65 points out of the Classic and we
aren't even halfway yet. Lots of fishing left and
it's about time to pull out the big crank which other
than flippin a YoMama is my favorite thing to do.
We've got Pickwick next week and there will be many ways
to catchem there. It's a big lake with several
types of cover and we'll be in the middle of pre-post
and spawn season. I'm not really mad, just wanting
a win more now than ever. A few more "Big
Bites" and my win is coming soon!" Russ Lane
4/15/2010
"It's
5:00 on Thursday morning and I'm on my way to the ramp
for the first tournament day at Smith Mountain. As
usual, the weather man got it wrong. With a cold front
coming in "unannounced" yesterday, the water
temperature dropped 15 degrees. I've found lots of fish
on beds and hopefully I can catch at least 5 good ones.
Well I have to go now, just hit some thick fog on the
road. Looks like a MAJOR fog delay!" Russ Lane
4/11/2010
Big Daddys out on the road again and this time were at
smith mountain lake in va. Sat morning I got up at 3:00
and was on the road by 4:00. Things were going smooth
until I got to Greene county tn. I was about to pull out
of a gas station when all of the sudden someone slammed
into the rear of my boat! As soon as I got out of my
truck I realized what the deal was. There was a mid
twenties woman stumbling around obviously spaced out on
whatever drug she had taken. She had 2 babies in the
back of the car that were just old enough to get out on
their own. One of the babies was headed for the busy
street before I ran and grabbed her. Momma never
noticed! This woman was so fried that she could hardly
stand or talk. If she would have made it onto the road
I'm pretty sure something bad would have happened to
those kids. Thank God she didn't. Luckily for my boat
the damage wasn't too bad. She dead centered the lower
unit on my Yamaha and it bent the prop and skeg a
little. Since yamahas are so bullet proof it almost cut
the front of her car in half. Her car had a lot more
damage than my engine. (aww, I hate that lol!) anyway,
no insurance from her so it was an expensive drive to
smith mountain. I've got plans though on making that up
this week. The weather is great and the fishing should
be even better. Hopefully practice will clue me into a
few "big bites" and maybe this will be the
one." Russ Lane
4/06/2010
"Workin
on tackle and baits this week for Smith Mountain
VA. Feelin good 'bout this one..." Russ
Lane
3/31/2010
"Just
completed an article with bassmasters on my tips for
fishing with spinnerbaits. I love to use Big
Bite's curl tail grubs and fat grubs as trailers on my
spinnerbaits. Check it out at the link
below. Hope they help you land the Big
Bite." Russ Lane
The
"Russ Lane on spinnerbaits" story is located
at http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/fishingtips/news/story?page=b_FT_RL_Spinnerbaits
3/21/2010
"Well
after a disappointing last week in CA, I'm sitting in a
hotel in Sacramento waiting to board the plane tomorrow
for Sweet Home Alabama. Clear Lake was a tough one for
me to figure out. I threw a variety of swimbaits in
practice this week with very little success. On the
afternoon of the last practice day I had a few bites
flipping a YoMamma to floating mats around reed clumps.
I knew that this wasn't a way to win on Clear Lake but
for sure the deal for a good tournament. Besides, I've
had a lot of good tournaments lately on that bait. I had
at least 35 flipping bites over the tournament and givin
the same scenario I'd do the same thing again. There
won't be many tournaments in my career that when I'm
getting that many flipping bites and catching 3-4lbers
that I'll miss a check or even a top 10. You've got to
fish to your strengths when you're struggling but
sometimes it just won't work out no matter what you do.
Anyway, I can't wait to get home to see Jill and the
kids and start preparing for Smith Mountain. The best
way to get over a bad tournament is to go fish another
one. I'll be there runnin and gunnin, searching for my
next "Big Bite!" Russ Lane
3/18/2010
"Once
again the CA weather man has NO CLUE what he's talking
about! About to blast off this morning on Clear Lake and
my plans of early morning sight fishing is out the door
due to the overnight water temperature dropping 5
degrees. I've got 2 areas where I've seen CA giants
swimming around shallow so I'm confident I'll be fishing
around them all day. Hopefully the sun will warm the
shallows and get the big fish rollin'. Pray for five
"BIG BITES!" Russ Lane
3/15/2010
"37th
place at the California Delta was worth $10k, but not
quite what I was shooting for.
I was excited to be in 3rd on the first day of
the tournament and fully expected to have a chance to
win on Sunday. The
big 8 1/2 pounder I caught on the YoMama
really helped me out that first day. Oh
well, sometimes the big adjustments that you are forced
to make don't go as planned. Anyway, it's 7 am and
I'm about to launch the Big Bite boat at Clear Lake for
the first day of practice at the second Elite Series
event. I've got one rod rigged with a YoMama
and one with a swim bait the size of a Nike tennis shoe!
With temperatures warming into the 70's, the pre-spawn
bite should be wide open. All I'm looking for is 5
"BIG BITES." Russ Lane
3/10/2010
"I
am roughing it this week in California. The cabin
I am staying in has no internet service and no TV! The
Delta hasn't treated me well so far this week. Winds
have been blowing 30 mph everyday. I have only had a few
bites each day but I'm still staying positive.
There are a few areas that I still have confidence in.
Praying for less wind and more fish!"!" Russ Lane
3/6/2010
"Jill
just dropped me off at the Birmingham airport. About to
board the plane for Sacramento, CA where we'll start the
first event of the 2010 Elite Series on the California
Delta. I'm
more excited about this event than any other for the
year. Flippin
and crankin should be the deal!
Solid limits on lipless crankbaits and a few
"BIG BITES" on the Yo'Momma is what I'll be
looking for...... I'll be missing the family for the
next 2 weeks but hoping it'll all be worth it.
Check back here on Wednesday night for my
complete practice report.
Good Luck!" Russ Lane
