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In the world of bass fishing, conservation is key to ensuring the longevity and health of fish populations. AFTCO’s Bass Bus program stands at the forefront of this mission, dedicating resources and expertise to the safe release of bass during tournaments across the United States.​

A Legacy of Conservation

Since its inception, AFTCO has been deeply rooted in conservation efforts. The company’s commitment is evident through various initiatives, including the creation of artificial and natural habitats, lake cleanups, and educational content like the Fish Care 101 guide. The Bass Bus Live Release Boats are a testament to AFTCO’s dedication to ensuring that bass caught during tournaments are returned safely to their habitats.

The Bass Bus in Action

Operated and maintained by Ulrich Marine Service in Branson, Missouri, the Bass Bus Live Release Boats have become an integral part of bass fishing tournaments. These specialized boats are designed to transport and release bass back into their native waters safely. The process not only ensures the well-being of the fish but also helps distribute them across various lake areas, reducing the chances of overpopulation in specific zones.​

The staff at Ulrich Marine is trained in proper release methods, including “fizzing,” a technique used to relieve pressure in a fish’s swim bladder, ensuring their survival after being caught from deep waters. Their expertise guarantees that each bass has the best chance of survival post-release.​

Milestones and Achievements

The original Bass Bus has completed its seventh season, supporting 43 events across 12 states and facilitating the release of over 27,000 bass. Recognizing the program’s success and the growing need for such services, AFTCO introduced a second Bass Bus in 2019. This expansion has allowed the program to cover more events and regions, amplifying its conservation impact.​

Beyond the Release: Education and Support

AFTCO’s commitment doesn’t stop at the physical release of fish. At many events, the company introduces the Bank Bag program and distributes the Bass Care 101 guide. These resources provide anglers and organizations with valuable information on effective fish care management, promoting best practices in handling and releasing bass.​

Looking Ahead

The journey doesn’t end here. In 2025, both Bass Buses are scheduled to attend numerous events across the Eastern United States, continuing their mission of conservation and education. AFTCO’s unwavering dedication ensures that the sport of bass fishing thrives while preserving the health and sustainability of bass populations for future generations.​

For more information on AFTCO’s conservation initiatives and the Bass Bus program, visit their Freshwater Fishing Conservation page.

Bass fishing fans, it’s time to set your reminders—BEST ON TOUR THIS WEEK is here to deliver the fastest, sharpest rundown of everything happening in the world of professional bass fishing!

Presented by Best On Tour, this brand-new weekly YouTube show is hosted by two of the most well-connected insiders in the game: BTL’s Matt Pangrac and industry veteran Dave Rush. Whether it’s the latest tournament results, industry shakeups, or behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else, these guys break it all down every Tuesday morning in a no-nonsense, unbiased format.

This is the must-watch show for anglers who want to stay ahead of the curve. No fluff. No filler. Just hard-hitting analysis, key insights, and expert takes on everything happening in pro bass fishing.

Don’t miss out—watch the first episode now and subscribe to stay locked in every week!

Episode #1

The debut episode of BEST ON TOUR THIS WEEK wasted no time getting straight into the biggest stories in professional bass fishing.

Brandon Palaniuk’s Dominant Win on Okeechobee

The biggest headline of the week? Brandon Palaniuk returned to the winner’s circle in dominating fashion, crushing the competition at Lake Okeechobee with a five-fish total of 95 pounds, 4 ounces. His impressive 16-pound margin of victory came through a mix of jerkbaits and deep crankbaits, proving once again why he’s one of the most dangerous anglers on the water.

Off the water, Palaniuk also made headlines by officially signing with Team Toyota, a full-circle moment after purchasing his first used Toyota Tundra in 2008. This move solidifies his position as one of the sport’s most marketable figures.

AOY Race Heats Up After Two Elite Series Events

With two Bassmaster Elite Series events in the books, John Garrett leads the Angler of the Year standings with 204 points, followed closely by John Cox and rising star David Gaston. Cox’s Florida dominance continues, but the season is still wide open with plenty of events left to shake things up.

Bassmaster Disqualifications Shake Up the Industry

The first week of March also delivered some shocking off-the-water news, with two high-profile DQs hitting the Bassmaster Elite Series. Matt Herren was disqualified from the St. Johns River event, while Scott Martin received a DQ at Okeechobee, both due to rule C3-4 violations. Herren responded by making a major career move—leaving the Elites to join the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL). Meanwhile, Martin faces an uphill battle to requalify for the 2026 Elite Series, after earning zero points from the Okeechobee event.

MLF Toyota Series: Brutal Conditions at Lake of the Ozarks

The MLF Toyota Series stop at Lake of the Ozarks saw brutal winter conditions, with a third of the lake frozen on Day 1. Despite the cold, Cole Breeden took home the win with a three-day total of 40 pounds, 13 ounces. His key baits? A floating fly and a mix of Berkley Stunna jerkbaits played a crucial role for seven of the top ten anglers.

The conditions were so tough that over a third of the field blanked for two straight days, marking one of the most grueling events in recent memory. Even the co-angler champion only caught one fish on Day 1 and four on Day 2, proving just how challenging the bite was.

NPFL Kicks Off at Santee Cooper

The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) is gearing up for its first event of the season on Santee Cooper, a lake known for monster bags this time of year. With Jason Christie, Greg Hackney, and Brandon Cobb joining the NPFL lineup, all eyes are on how these pros will adjust to fishing without forward-facing sonar. Recent local tournament results suggest a 39-pound winning weight is possible, so expect some fireworks in this one.

Bassmaster Opens Division 2: Kentucky Lake Preview

Matt Pangrac reported live from Kentucky Lake, where Division 2 of the Bassmaster Opens is getting underway. Windy conditions could play a major role, making this an event to watch.

Don’t Miss Next Week’s Episode!

With Episode #1 in the books, BEST ON TOUR THIS WEEK has already established itself as the must-watch source for professional bass fishing news. Catch Matt Pangrac and Dave Rush every Tuesday morning on YouTube for the latest updates from the biggest tours in the sport.

Watch the first episode now and subscribe so you never miss a show!

The 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series continues with the Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Florida, from February 27 to March 2. This event marks the Elite Series’ return to this expansive and storied fishery. Anglers can expect a mix of pre-spawn, spawning and post-spawn bass.  While the lake’s vast vegetation has typically played a crucial role in locating quality fish, it has been vastly reduced from previous years due to hig water levels and eradication.  Given the lake’s size, key areas with optimal habitat will likely see concentrated fishing pressure, so being comfortable fishing in a crowd will likely be the theme of the week for the Elite Series pros.

Bucket A

Based on historical performance and expertise in Florida fisheries, two anglers stand out in Bucket A:

John Cox

As a Florida native with extensive experience fishing shallow, grassy waters like Lake Okeechobee, Cox is an easy favorite. His shallow-water expertise and comfort in high-pressure Florida events make him a solid choice.  Look for him to keep the momentum rolling this week on the Big O.

Patrick Walters

Walters is a consistent performer with an all-around strong game.  His comfort level is equally as good whether he is visually targeting spawners, or targeting fish in open water scenarios with FFS.  A variety of techniques could play this week on Okeechobee, and Walters will be in his comfort zone no matter what the bite is.

Bucket B

Jason Christie

A proven winner with experience in big-bass events, Christie thrives in power-fishing scenarios that could come into play on Lake Okeechobee. His ability to adjust to changing conditions makes him a strong contender, and he got off to a solid start last week so I expect him to have another strong finish this week.

Tucker Smith

As a young angler with a stellar track record, Tucker has shown an impressive ability to rise to his level of competition.  After getting his first Elite event under his belt with a solid finish, I think any rookie jitters he may have had are a distant memory.  If there’s a FFS bite to be found on Okeechobee this week I would put my money on Tucker finding it and exploiting it on his way to another Saturday cut.

Bucket C

Drew Benton

As a Florida native, Benton has extensive experience with the unique challenges of Florida fisheries. His sight-fishing expertise and knowledge of how Florida-strain bass react to weather changes make him a strong pick for Lake Okeechobee.  Benton tried to ride the sight fishing bite at the SJR event, however mother nature threw him a few curve balls.  If the weather forecast holds, I expect Benton to capitalize on the sight fishing bite on Lake Okeechobee this week.

Drew Cook

Drew Cook is a solid pick for Bucket C at Lake Okeechobee thanks to his strong track record on the lake and familiarity with its unique fishing conditions. His versatility allows him to adjust to different techniques, giving him an edge when the fish are tough to find. With his consistent performances in recent tournaments, Cook is a reliable option for a solid finish.

Bucket D

Brandon Cobb

Cobb has proven himself as a strong early-season angler, and his shallow-water skills should play well on Okeechobee. He rarely has poor back to back showings, especially in the sunshine state so I look for a solid bounce back this week for the South Carolina pro.

Tyler Rivet

Getting his first Elite Series win on Okeechobee was a career changer for Rivet.  While he likely won’t be able to rely on the specific areas and pattern he won before, winning on a body of water gives you a huge amount of confidence.  Don’t forget Rivet is probably more comfortable punching heavy vegetation than he his looking at FFS, so he is totally capable of handling whatever Okeechobee will throw at him this week.

Bucket E

Greg Hackney

This is an easy pick for me.  When will you ever get to pick Greg hackney in Bucket E ever again?  Shallow bass, big rod, big line.  Look for a big rebound from the Hack Attack this week.

Trey McKinney

After a bad day one on the SJR, McKinney had a solid day two rebound.  Look for him to get back to the regularly scheduled program this week on Lake Okeechobee and right the ship on his 2025 sophomore season.

Why I Choose G. Loomis NRX+ Rods

When it comes to high-performance fishing rods, the G. Loomis NRX+ series stands out as one of the best in the game. Gussy considers himself lucky to be able to fish with these rods and can confidently say they are some of the finest you’ll ever pick up. They are high-end, but once you use them, you’ll immediately understand why they’re worth the investment.

What makes the NRX+ series so good? It’s all about sensitivity, balance, and durability. These rods are incredibly lightweight yet strong, allowing you to feel the lightest bites while still having the backbone to handle big fish. Whether you’re finesse fishing with a light line or flipping jigs into heavy cover, an NRX+ rod is built for the application.

If you’re considering adding an NRX+ to your arsenal, pick one that fits your favorite technique. A well-matched rod can elevate your game, helping you fish more efficiently and detect strikes that other rods might miss.

Top Rods for Different Fishing Techniques

Gussy has used a lot of rods over the years, but two of his favorites in the NRX+ lineup stand out:

• NRX+ 842 SJR (Spinning Rod) is his go-to spinning rod, especially for techniques like a Ned rig, minnow, small swimbaits, and other finesse applications. It’s a medium-action rod, which means it has enough flex to handle lighter presentations but still provides excellent hook-setting power. If you like fishing finesse baits, this is the rod to get.
• NRX+ 893 JWR (Baitcasting Rod) – This medium-heavy casting rod is a workhorse. He uses it for football jigs, dock fishing, hair jigs, and more. It has the perfect blend of power and sensitivity, making it an essential tool for tournament anglers who need to cover multiple techniques.

Both rods are built with G. Loomis’ Spiral X technology, improving strength and responsiveness. Whether working a subtle finesse bait or making powerful hooksets, these rods give you the confidence to fish at a high level.

How to Choose the Right Reel for Your Needs

A great rod needs an equally great reel to perform at its best. That’s why he pairs his NRX+ spinning rods with the Shimano Stella FK—arguably the smoothest spinning reel ever made.

The Shimano Stella FK is a premium reel designed for anglers who demand top-tier performance. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Unmatched Smoothness – Shimano’s MicroModule II gearing makes this reel incredibly smooth, which means effortless casting and reeling.
• Precision Engineering – Built with Hagane gearing and an X-Protect system, the Stella is both ultra-durable and highly resistant to water intrusion.
• Superior Drag System – With a buttery-smooth drag, you can confidently fight big fish without worrying about sudden line breaks.

If you really want to spoil yourself, putting a Shimano Stella on an NRX+ rod is about as good as it gets in bass fishing. It’s an elite combination that serious anglers will appreciate.

Final Thoughts

Fishing at a high level requires confidence in your gear, and for Gustafson, that means using the G. Loomis NRX+ series and Shimano Stella reels. These tools give him the sensitivity, strength, and reliability he needs to compete with the best.

If you’re serious about taking your fishing to the next level, investing in quality rods and reels is one of the best moves you can make. Whether you prefer finesse fishing with a light spinning setup or power fishing with a baitcaster, the right equipment will help you land more fish and make every trip more enjoyable.

For professional anglers like Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson, tournament earnings aren’t just about finishing in the top spots. Smart financial planning plays a huge role in sustaining a career in competitive fishing. One of the best ways to boost income is through contingency programs, and Lund Boats’ Champion’s Club has become a game-changer for anglers looking to add extra cash to their tournament payouts.

This article explores how the Lund Boats Champion’s Club works, why it’s a valuable tool for anglers like Gustafson, and how it helps make tournament fishing more financially rewarding.

What is the Lund Boats Champion’s Club?

The Lund Boats Champion’s Club is a contingency program designed to reward anglers who fish from a Lund boat in select tournaments. It allows participants to earn additional payouts when they place in qualifying events, adding an extra layer of financial opportunity beyond standard tournament winnings.

For 2025, Lund has expanded the program significantly, covering roughly 100 tournaments across the U.S. and Canada. The payout structure is impressive—anglers who win a qualifying tournament while fishing from a Lund boat can take home up to $10,000 in contingency money. Even if a Lund angler doesn’t win, they can still earn a cash bonus for being the highest-finishing Lund owner in the event.

This program is particularly valuable for anglers who rely on every dollar to cover entry fees, travel expenses, and equipment costs.

How the Champion’s Club Works

Joining the Lund Boats Champion’s Club is straightforward. Here’s what anglers need to know:

• Membership Fee: The annual membership fee is just $100. This one-time payment makes anglers eligible for contingency payouts throughout the season.
• Tournament Eligibility: The program covers a wide range of events, from local grassroots tournaments to high-profile professional circuits.
• Payout Structure: If a registered Lund boat owner wins a qualifying tournament, they can earn up to $10,000 in additional earnings. If they don’t win but are the highest-finishing Lund angler, they can still collect a cash bonus.
• Extras: Members receive official Champion’s Club gear, including a hat and decals, to showcase their participation in the program.

Why Contingency Programs Matter for Pros Like Jeff Gustafson

Jeff Gustafson has built an impressive career with consistent finishes in top-tier tournaments, including his historic 2023 Bassmaster Classic win. While his BASS tournament earnings total over $871,000, financial success in professional fishing isn’t just about prize money—it’s about maximizing every possible revenue stream.

Contingency programs like Lund’s Champion’s Club are a prime example of how anglers can boost their earnings without needing to place first in every event. For someone like Gustafson, who competes in multiple tournaments each year, these extra payouts add up, covering costs and reducing the financial risk that comes with professional fishing.

Lund Boats and Its Commitment to Competitive Anglers

Lund Boats has long been a trusted brand in the fishing community, known for producing high-quality, tournament-ready boats. The Champion’s Club is a reflection of that commitment, giving back to the anglers who choose Lund as their boat of choice.

By expanding the program to include more tournaments and increasing potential payouts, Lund is making it even more appealing for tournament anglers to compete in their boats. This isn’t just good for the anglers—it’s also a smart move for the brand, reinforcing loyalty among competitive fishermen and showing that Lund supports their success.

Final Thoughts: A Smart Play for Competitive Anglers

For professional and amateur anglers alike, the Lund Boats Champion’s Club offers a simple and effective way to increase earnings. With a low entry cost and high potential payouts, it’s an easy decision for any Lund boat owner looking to make their tournament fishing more profitable.

Jeff Gustafson and other pros understand the importance of financial planning in professional fishing. Programs like this allow them to maximize their earnings, reduce risk, and focus on what they do best—catching big fish and competing at the highest level.

For anglers considering ways to stretch their income in the competitive world of bass fishing, signing up for the Lund Boats Champion’s Club is a no-brainer. Whether you’re fishing local events or chasing a Bassmaster Classic title like Gussy, every extra dollar helps, and this program is one of the best ways to get more out of every tournament.