Plattsburg, N.Y. – Its not often that a company finds itself on one side of the country introducing a new product to the fishing industry, while one of its pro staffers is using the bait to simultaneously win $10,000. This scenario played itself out as Strike King Pro Staffer, and Elite Series Rookie James Niggemeyer used a brand new bait to finish in the money at Lake Champlain, while Strike King executives were releasing it at ICAST.
While Timmy Horton was busy running away from the field on the strength of his Booyah Jig and Bomber Fat Free Shad crankbait and Skeet Reese was cranking a Lucky Craft BDS to second place. The rest of the world, including Steve Kennedy, Tommy Biffle, Fred Roumbanis, Britt Meyers and Cliff Pace were throwing hollow bodied frogs like the Dean Rojas Bronzeye Frog from Spro or a Snag Proof Frog to finish in the top 12. A rookie used a new bait from Strike King to creep closer to his goal of re-qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic
| Niggemeyer, from Van, Tex. Finished the Western Swing in 86th place in the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year Standings, but has changed his focus and has climbed back into contention at 53rd place in the standings following the Champions Choice event. Niggemeyer told The BASS ZONE about the bait, about his streak of cashing checks, and his outlook on the rest of the season. |
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I guess being the Southern Division Angler of the Year really affected the way I looked at the tournaments,” Niggemeyer told The BASS ZONE. “Having my entry fees covered gave me a false sense of security, and I fished that way, but I have really focused myself on fishing consistently since leaving the West.”
The approach has helped too, as Niggemeyer, who currently sits in 7th place in the Toyota Rookie of the Year Race has cashed three paychecks in a row, and four in his last five events. “I needed to dial myself back a little bit, and it has paid off.”
Niggemeyer said that he used Strike King's new Rage Tail Shad Bait, at the recent Champions Choice at Lake Champlain, and it was a part of his new approach. “I caught a few fish doing other things,” he told The BZ. “But, I seemed to get a lot more bites on the new Rage Shad so I stuck with it.”
He said that the bait is best rigged flat, weightless, with the tail in an upright position with a 5/0 extra wide gap hook, and that the bait makes an uncommon amount of noise for a soft plastic bait. “You can hear this thing coming from a ways off; I fished it much like a weedless buzzbait” he said. “I kept catching them; enough that I have to try and get some more, I’m almost out.”
While he didn’t have an outstanding finish at Champlain, 43rd place, it was enough to move him up three places in the standings, and give him hope of accomplishing his goal of requalifying for the Classic. “I think I pretty much have to finish in the top 20 at each of the last three tournaments,” Niggemeyer said. “I know that this group of fishermen is very tough, and I may not be able to do that, but I will keep trying, and see how it winds up.”
One of Niggemeyer’s Co-anglers at the Champions Choice was, Don Barone, a writer for ESPN. As the day wound up, Niggemeyer was informed that Barone would be doing a story on Niggemeyer on espn.com within the next few weeks. Always the humble guy, Niggemeyer was a little stumped by the opportunity. “I’m not sure why they chose to do the story on me with all of these world class guys around, but I am honored that they did, and blessed by the chance to be on ESPN’s main website, it’s a little humbling.”
To see the article on Niggemeyer keep checking at
www.espnoutdoors.com
For More on Strike King’s new Rage Shad click
www.strikeking.com
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