Examples of our Best on Tour Newsletter

80% of the top 10 finishers used this style bait at the Lake Murray BPT event (Issue 315)

Issue #315
BOT Trivia Question:

Which Texas lake holds the state record for largemouth?

Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork, O.H. Ivie?

See the answer at the bottom of the newsletter!
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Checking In
The recent NPFL event on Santee Cooper included 19 Bassmaster Elite Series or Bass Pro Tour anglers in the field. Fifteen of those 19 competitors cashed a check (79%), with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jason Christie winning the event. Bass Pro Tour angler Zack Birge only competed in 2 days of the 3 day event and finished 35th, cashing a check in the process!

Wrap It Up
We took a behind-the-scenes trip to Sign It Wraps in Sand Springs, OK, to see the Best on Tour boat wrap come to life on Matt Pangrac’s rig. From cutting to application to the finishing details, the team at Sign It Wraps showed us what goes into a professional wrap job. It was cool to see the process in person, as we’ve all seen 1000 wraps but maybe haven’t been up close during the process. Thanks to Justin Barr at Sign It for letting us take a peek behind the curtain! If you are in the market for any of the services Justin and his team provide get more information here.

Master The Neko Rig With Michael Neal
Bass Pro Tour angler Michael Neal has proven time and time again that the Neko rig is an underestimated tool for catching big fish, and pairing it with the right rod makes a world of difference. Whether you’re fishing brush piles, skipping under docks, or targeting suspended bass, this setup will help you put more fish in the boat. Learn more about Michael’s neko rig setup here.
Built with a slender, curved head design to help it slip through grass and other forms of cover, the SPRO Cover Jumper Vibrating Jig is designed with a host of other highly productive features to draw the attention of big bass looking to ambush an easy meal. Built around a razor-sharp 4/0 Gamakatsu Nano Alpha jig hook, the Cover Jumper is crafted with a detailed hand-tied silicone skirt along with a matching custom-painted blade for added displacement and vibration. Each Cover Jumper comes with a soft-plastic trailer that sports long, thin, ribbed legs for plenty of fluid movement, while a wire bait keeper on the hook shank keeps the trailer securely held cast after cast. An awesome alternative to a swim jig when the water has some color to it or the wind is blowing, the SPRO Cover Jumper Vibrating Jig delivers the presence and appearance that gets lunkers to commit. Check out the full selection here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
Are you interested in JDM tackle? If so this latest episode of the Aggressively Average Anglers podcast is for you! Check it out here
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Drew Gill

Photo Courtesy Of Major League Fishing

Major League Fishing professional Drew Gill’s sponsors include Big Bite Baits, Bass Pro Shops, Epoch Batteries, Huk, Triton Boats, Bill Lewis, Phenix Rods, Bucca Brand, Frog Factory, Cuda Fishing Tools, Dual Pro Battery Chargers, Seaguar, AnglersChannel, Precision Sonar, Sea Clear Power, Mercury Marine, Renegade Marine, Power Brakes, and Garmin just to name a few.

Cabin Fever Sale
Our most anticipated sales event of the year is almost here! As usual, we will hold our huge in-store event at our shop in Columbia with awesome deals, free seminars, door prizes, and more! We will also have an online sale with 20% off almost everything on our website*! The in store event will run from March 14-15, while the online sale will run from March 16-18.

FREE SEMINAR SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

10am – Jesse Wiggins – Bass Fishing Techniques

12:00pm – Destin Demarion- Smallmouth Techniques

2:00pm – George Acord – Bass Fishing Techniques

4:00pm – Capt Jack Sprengel – Salt water rigs for and techniques for big fish

SATURDAY

9:00am – Destin Demarion – Smallmouth Techniques

11:00am – Greg DiPalma – Bass Fishing Techniques

2:00pm – George Acord – Bass Fishing Techniques

DOOR PRIZES

We will once again be giving away tons of huge door prizes! We will be giving out prizes after each seminar on Saturday, make sure you come out for a chance to win some great tackle!

SPECIAL BLOW OUT DEALS (IN STORE SALE ONLY)

Every day we will have huge special deals on select products. Supplies are limited, so get here early every day to make sure you don’t miss out! A full list of Cabin Fever specials will be available soon!
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

BFHOF Class Of 2025
The plaque wall at the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will see three new additions in 2025, a formidable trio that represents a cross section of industry pillars, including boat building, media, tournament organization and tackle innovation.

The Hall of Fame will welcome Randy Hopper, Craig Lamb and William Shakespeare Jr., who were selected from a diverse 20-person ballot by the Hall of Fame’s 30-member Selection Panel and living Hall of Fame inductees. A total of 81 ballots were distributed and 65 were returned, eclipsing last year’s total for most ballots submitted in a single year. The roster of Hall of Famers now stands at 103. Check out more details about the 2025 inductees here.
BOT Trivia Answer:

Which Texas lake holds the state record for largemouth?

Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork, O.H. Ivie?

✅Lake Fork

❌ Toledo Bend

❌Sam Rayburn

❌O.H. Ivie

Issue #315

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Tariffs And Tackle. What will the effect be? (Issue 314)

Issue #314
BOT Trivia Question:

Which angler holds the record for the most tour-level wins in bass fishing history?

Roland Martin, Skeet Reese, Rick Clunn, or Kevin VanDam?
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Tariffs And Tackle
How much will President Trump’s tariffs potentially affect the fishing industry? While the actual impact is yet to be realized many industry experts have weighed in with their opinions. Check out this interesting article on the subject here.

Best On Tour This Week
BEST ON TOUR THIS WEEK is your go-to weekly rundown of all things professional bass fishing! Hosted by BTL’s Matt Pangrac and industry veteran Dave Rush, this fast-paced show drops on YouTube every Tuesday morning, delivering sharp, unbiased insights on the biggest moments from the past week, both on the water and behind the scenes in the industry. Check out the first episode here.

New Ways To Fish The Coike

When sight fishing for cruisers, Bryan New likes to rig the Coike weightless with a Gamakatsu 1/0 G Finesse Stinger hook.. Thanks to its buoyant material, it floats, and hegives it subtle twitches to make the legs move and flare naturally. Around docks or isolated targets, New prefers either a short-leader drop shot or a jighead wacky rig, fishing them just as you would with traditional baits. Slow, slight shakes really bring the Coike to life. When using forward-facing sonar, he relies on the jighead wacky more than any other rigging. For this setup, New goes with the Gamakatsu G Finesse Wacky Jig Head—it has a sharp hook and great bite. He varies between the 17mm or Full Cast size based on the fish size, while weight selection depends on depth and wind conditions.

Designed to dive down to deeper depths on a standard cast, the Booyah Flash Point Deep Jerkbait features a large diving lip and unique reflective blade in the head to increase returns on forward-facing sonar and give anglers an edge with live sonar. Built with a slender minnow body for hard-cutting action with each twitch of the rod tip, the Flash Point Deep Jerkbait is perfectly weighted to suspend head-down at a 45-degree angle to accurately mimic dying baitfish.

Producing a bright strobe-like reflection from the blade on top of the bait, these jerkbaits shine like a beacon to give weary fish a different look compared to traditional jerkbaits that only reflect light from the sides. Armed with three ultra-sharp satin grey #6 treble hooks for rapid hook penetration, the Booyah Flash Point Deep Jerkbait includes an internal tungsten weight transfer system for long-distance casting that allows anglers to cover more water and improve efficiency. Check out the full selection here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
Follow along as Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kyle Welcher kicks off his 2025 season on the St Johns River. Check it out here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Mark Rose
Major League Fishing professional Mark Rose’s sponsors include MidwayUSA, Strike King, Lew’s, Bass Cat, Lucas Oil, Bass Boat Technologies, Red River Auto Group, Mercury, Realtree, Southern Bancorp, Monster Marine Lithium, Baker Camp Arnold Capital Management, Grime Boss, Mustad, Frogg Toggs, Seaguar, Bass Boat Electronics, Power-Pole, SeaArk, DD26 Fishing, Mossback and Fish Habitat just to name a few.

First Cast Back

Bassmaster Elite Series angler Wes Logan recently underwent neck surgery to address ongoing issues that had been affecting him. The procedure involved replacing a damaged disk and securing the area with screws to ensure stability and proper healing. Despite the setback, Logan remained optimistic about his recovery and was able to start his season in February on the St Johns River. So how do you start your first tournament back after major neck surgery? By catching one on your very first cast! Logan went on to finish 11th in at the SJR and 17th the next week at Okeechobee.
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

AFTCO Bass Bus Continues Its Journey

The AFTCO Bass Bus release boats have had another busy season in 2024 helping ensure the safe release of thousands of bass back to the lakes and rivers they were caught in that day. AFTCO sponsors and supports two release boats that are operated and maintained by Ulrich Marine Service in Branson, MO. In 2024, these two boats traveled to dozens of events across the Midwest to aid tournament organizations in releasing fish safely, but also to help spread them out for reduced harvest in the days following an event. Spreading the release of tournament fish out across the lake also ensures that an area does not receive too many fish to safely support them in that area. The Ulrich Marine staff is trained on the proper release methods including “fizzing” and operation of the boats to protect as many fish as possible. The original AFTCO Bass Bus just completed its seventh season of releasing fish. This boat has supported 43 events in 12 states and released over 27,000 bass back into their waters. AFTCO support for a second boat was added in 2019 and the company now supports two boats in operation in conjunction with Ulrich Marine. AFTCO provides financial support for the operation of these boats free of charge at approved tournaments thru out the year. In conjunction with the release boat at many events is the AFTCO Bank Bag program and distribution of the AFTCO Bass Care 101 guide for all angler and organizations to use for successful fish care management. In 2025, both Bass Busses are already scheduled for dozens of events across the Eastern US.
BOT Trivia Answer:

Which angler holds the record for the most tour-level wins in bass fishing?

✅Kevin VanDam (29 wins)

❌ Roland Martin

❌Skeet Reese

❌Rick Clunn

Click here to read more  about these 4 legendary anglers, their career stats, and more.

Issue #314

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How many species of bass actually live in North America? (Issue 313)

Issue #313
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Save Big On Umbrella Rigs
Save big on your tackle expense this spring with the New Umbrella Rig Kits from Do-it Molds! If you’ve ever wanted to craft your own perfectly tuned umbrella rigs, now’s your chance! The new Umbrella Rig Kit has everything you need to get started – a lead melter, high-quality lead, precision mold, and durable wire forms – so you can pour, customize, and fine-tune your a-rigs exactly how you like them. Whether you’re chasing largemouth down south, or smallmouth up north, this kit lets you create fully custom A-rigs at a fraction of the cost of store-bought versions. Don’t settle for off-the-shelf – build it your way and start landing more fish!

Elite Series DQ’s
B.A.S.S. officials announced recently that Matt Herren had been disqualified from the St. Johns River Elite Series event and fined after it was determined he had violated “Rule C3. 3 PRACTICE AND COMPETITION (ii) a. and j.” concerning the receipt of information to gain a competitive advantage from a non-competitor. Yesterday they also announced that they received a call on the morning of Feb. 26 from Elite Series pro Scott Martin, self-reporting a violation of Rule C3. 3 PRACTICE AND COMPETITION (ii) a. and j., concerning the receipt of information to gain a competitive advantage from a non-competitor. Martin admitted to having a conversation with a local angler about conditions at certain locations on Lake Okeechobee after the no information period was in effect. Due to the infraction, Martin has been disqualified from the 2025 Champion Power Equipment Bassmaster Elite on Lake Okeechobee and has been assessed a fine. For more information visit the Bassmaster website here.

Thoughts From Lawyer
After two MLF BPT events there’s 3 things that really stand out to me.

  1. The scope period is the most dominating period for several anglers.
  2. You still have to practice both traditional and scoping fish to be relevant at the end for the win.
  3. 20 anglers are getting cut again this season and that’s definitely on a lot of guys radar.

Knowing that a cold winter and low water temps was still lingering around at our first event in Texas had everyone focused on which period to scope. I chose the first period for the fact that the first day of competition would still have all the fresh fish that really weren’t educated yet. Some guys made other periods work but for the most part, the decision to scope first was a great one because the majority of the field scope the first period and the weights showed.

Trying to say we were in Florida and scope was not necessary to compete was probably a mistake myself/others made. There were still a lot of guys that made the knockout round making great use of their scope and targeting bass. That will become a decision as the year goes on that will probably dictate some outcomes on places like Saginaw Bay and the Potomac River where anglers say that possibly scope won’t be needed, but I bet it will! Finally, the inevitable angler cuts coming based off each anglers career % avg. which is a different way of ranking everyone compared to last year. Fishing to keep your career is a lot different than fishing to win the event when it all comes down to it that has to be affecting some anglers performances but only time will tell! Both B.A.S.S. and Major league fishing are trying different angles with FFS in different circuits. B.A.S.S. with transducer limitations and the BPT has it in use one period per day where the Invitationals have it in use every other day of the event. I got the opportunity to try both styles in both circuits over the last couple weeks in Florida and here’s my thoughts. Just like the domination it has in just a single period at the BPT level, the weights on the days it was in play during the invitational seemed to definitely show out better. Maybe it was from targeting a fish directly or targeting offshore cover to make better casts it definitely showed out in the day end weights from what I could tell! So which is correct? With everyone’s entitled opinion not being wrong and the leagues trying to make the correct adjustments moving forward only time will tell. Although, from an angler that just fished both angles the past two weeks here’s my opinion. The only way to fairly approach practice and the event without being forced to utilize it one period/day is to go “every other event”! Shuffling the cards once again and taking it completely off the table for a single event may be the only way to truly see how dominant FFS is at the highest level of the sport. Now, I love utilizing Garmin Livescope and obviously there’s the rabbit hole of discussions for days on end but to be completely honest and unbiased in my opinion this is just what I’ve observed the last couple weeks competing in both circuits!
Built to mimic the mid-size profile of threadfin shad, small gizzard shad, or baby bluegill, the Damiki Fat Armor Shad features a deeper belly than the original Damiki Armor Shad to accurately mimic larger forage. Designed to dart and glide erratically through the water imitating a fleeing baitfish, the Damiki Fat Armor Shad is loaded with scent for added fish attraction and is poured with a ribbed body for a realistic feel that fish hold onto longer. Perfect for pairing with the Damiki Rig Jig Head, the Fat Armor Shad is a premiere soft plastic minnow bait for live sonar fishing, that’s also proven deadly for saltwater species and many different rigging techniques. Available in a variety of natural and TW-exclusive color patterns, the Damiki Fat Armor Shad brings a bigger profile to your forward-facing sonar presentations to help you bring big weight to the scales on tournament day. Check out the full selection here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
Have you ever wondered how many bass species are in North America along with their locations and identification? Check it out here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Bill Lowen
Bassmaster Elites Series professional Bill Lowen’s sponsors include Ark-Rod, Boss Shotshells, Drake, Grosse Savanne, Humminbird, Impulse Lithium, Lakewood Products, Lure Parts Online, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak, Seaguar, and Zoom just to name a few.

Gamakatsu YouTube
The Gamakatsu YouTube channel is a must-watch for anglers of all levels, offering expert tips, product insights, and tutorials on how to use their high-quality fishing gear effectively. Subscribers get exclusive access to fishing techniques, product demos, and tips from professionals, helping them stay ahead of the game. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner, Gamakatsu’s channel provides valuable content that can improve your fishing experience and skills. Stay connected with the latest innovations and strategies in the fishing world by subscribing today! Check out the channel here.
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Toyota Adds Brandon Palaniuk to Star Studded Team Toyota Roster

Fifteen years after purchasing a used 2008 Tundra in his home state of Idaho, Brandon Palaniuk’s journey with Toyota comes full circle with his addition to Toyota’s team of professional anglers. Texas-based Toyota Motor North America is proud to welcome Palaniuk to Team Toyota. Check out more details on Palaniuk’s addition to team Toyota here.

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Issue #313

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85% of the top 10 anglers at Stage 2 of the BPT used this bait (Issue 312)

Issue #312
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

New Speaks To SC Lawmakers

South Carolina boat owners pay some of the highest boat property taxes in the nation and Bassmaster Elite Series professional Bryan New in conjunction with the SCBFA are trying to help reduce them! Last week, State senators led by Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) introduced S. 317 in the South Carolina Senate. The bill, which is similar to H. 3858 introduced in the House recently with 40 bipartisan sponsors, will provide a 50% tax cut on watercraft in the state. The bill will had its first committee hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 11, where New spoke on behalf of anglers in an attempt to persuade lawmakers to adopt the bill.

It’s Oh-Fish-Ally Unofficial
Bassmaster is bringing fans an all-new, sometimes-raw podcast with the launch of Oh-Fish-ally, Unofficial, hosted by legendary Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer. Premiering Feb. 17 exclusively on Bassmaster.com, this fresh take on fishing talk will deliver raw, real and ridiculously entertaining conversations straight from the biggest names in the sport.

Each episode, Mercer will be joined by a rotating panel of Bassmaster pros and industry icons to tackle the hottest topics in bass fishing. Expect a rapid-fire breakdown of everything happening on and off the water, as the show pulls back the curtain and gives fans an inside look at the uncensored, behind-the-scenes conversations that happen when the cameras are off. Check out the first episode here.

Ride The Tide
Purpose-built for jig minnow rigging and pairing with forward-facing sonar, the Hog Farmer Baits Stroll Shad has been fine-tuned to create a lethal baitfish presentation. Featuring a slick un-ribbed body, the Stroll Shad is offered in a scaled-down profile that activates a lively and fish-attracting shimmy of Hog Farmer’s signature pin tail. Incorporating key body shape details that have made the Spunk Shad so effective, anglers see results in any variety of techniques. Rig the Stroll Shad as a finesse presentation on the back of any vibrating jig, spinner bait, or underspin and produce exceptional strolling action with a small jig head. Break out the Hog Farmer Baits Stroll Shad when the bite gets tough and watch it become your favorite bite-getting minnow bait when it’s time to target finicky or suspended bass. Check out the full selection here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
Have you ever wondered how Jason Christie decides which type of spinnerbait to choose? Well now you can stop guessing after he breaks it down in his latest video. Check it out here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Bobby Lane
Bass Pro Tour professional Bobby Lane’s sponsors include Berkley, Abu Garcia, Phoenix Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Starbrite Solutions, Startron, NORSK Lithium, Academy Sports, Epic Tungsten, T-H Marine, frogg toggs, Costa, Guy Harvey Camp Mack, CPS Investment Advisors, Keller Mechanical and Engineering, B&Al Tires, Charleston Rubber & Gasket, Plano, Frabill, Spiderwire, and Gravely Commercial Mowers just to name a few.

Just Fish’N Open House
If you are in the Bristol, VA area make sure to swing through and check out the Just Fish’n Open House – February 27, 28, and March 1st 9am-6pm. Come out and visit with vendors, brand reps, and special Guest Randall Tharp!
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Lawrence Loads up on Bonus Bucks at Lake Conroe
It took Jake Lawrence exactly one try in Bass Pro Tour competition before he notched a Top 10 finish in the dynamic format that often throws even the most seasoned pros a curveball. This comes as no surprise to fishing fans following the career of this young fishing phenom who calls Paris, Tennessee home. The BPT rookie left Lake Conroe with a sixth-place finish and strong momentum to start the 2025 season. Lawrence backed up his Stage 1 finish with an impressive second-place result in the slugfest that was the Toyota Series on Pickwick Lake. These finishes allowed Lawrence to load up $4,500 of Toyota Bonus Bucks earnings ($3,000 for Lake Conroe and $1,500 on Pickwick), as he was the highest-placing angler hauling his boat with a 2021 or newer Toyota tow vehicle in both events. “This is the third Tundra I have owned, and I absolutely love this thing,” Lawrence said. “More than the added incentive of Bonus Bucks, I believe Toyota makes the safest and most comfortable vehicle on the road. I have two young children, so the safety factor means more to me than anything.” Before becoming a full-time pro, Lawrence actually competed in the amateur-only Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament in 2023 on Pickwick Lake and won the event in dominating fashion. It was plain to see then that he was a special angler, and it nearly seemed par for the course when he continued his impressive campaign on the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals last year en route to qualifying for the 2025 Bass Pro Tour.

“Tournament anglers are crazy if they overlook the opportunities with Toyota Bonus Bucks,” Lawrence said. “My wife and I were talking, and I think we paid all but two or three truck payments with Bonus Bucks winnings last year. It’s a great vehicle that literally pays you to fish.” Well-known as a wizard with forward-facing sonar, Lawrence caught most of his weight at Conroe employing either a 3- or 4-inch Yamamoto Scope Shad during the one period he was allowed to use FFS each day. The other two-thirds of each competition day, Lawrence targeted hydrilla and eelgrass secondary points with a vibrating jig or ¼-ounce Rat-L-Trap. Much of the BPT field employed a similar one-two punch on Lake Conroe, but Lawrence and the rest of the Top 10 caught scoreable bass at such a blistering rate it was hard for the field to keep up. Thankfully, you don’t have to outfish Jake Lawrence to reap the rewards of Toyota’s popular fishing contingency program. Bonus Bucks is paying out on over 620 supported tournaments in 2025, rewarding anglers of all levels for towing their boat with an eligible Toyota tow vehicle. For more information or to get signed up today, visit https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com or shoot an email to bonusbucks@dynamicsponsorships.com

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Issue #312

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Is this the strangest new bait of 2025? (Issue 311)

Issue #311
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Save Big With The Tackle Warehouse Spring Sale
Save big on rods, reels, tackle, and more! Get 25% off, plus even deeper discounts on already reduced items. Shop now for the best deals of the season! Ends Wednesday, 2.26.25 at 3:00pm PT / 6pm ET

BFHOF Offering Grants For 2025
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has funded over $100,000 in conservation projects since 2020, and in 2024 awarded fisheries students $27,500 in scholarship money. Continuing to stand true on its pillars of celebrating, promoting and preserving bass fishing, the BassFishing Hall of Fame begins 2025 with an invitation to grassroots conservation groups and students to again apply for grants and scholarships at: https://www.bassfishinghof.com/community-impact.

Bass Fishing Hall of Famer and fisheries biologist Gene Gilliland says the real-world impact of these grants can be witnessed at bass fisheries across America. “Projects that our sport’s Hall of Fame has helped fund recently include aquatic plant introductions in Bloomington and Evergreen, Illinois, Leavenworth, Kansas, Clarks Hill, South Carolina and Philpott, Virginia. Along with building live release tournament trailers in Alabama, Iowa and Kansas; and installing artificial fish habitat in New Mexico, Texas and Tennessee,” says Gilliland. Bass clubs, lake associations, reservoir groups, and youth fishing organizations have been recipients of BFHOF grants and are the “boots on the ground” volunteers that put these funds to work. All in an effort to help to preserve the sport of bass fishing. Natalie Coash, who now works as a fisheries research specialist for the Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife research Unit says the money she received from the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame during her time as a student at Auburn were helpful not only to her academic growth, but “The money I received from the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame was instrumental in my growth as a fisheries biologist, and also made everyday life a bit easier as my tuition, rent, utilities and health insurance totaled about $16,000 a year, and my graduate student salary was $20,000,” says an ever-grateful Coash. Again, conservation groups and current fisheries students are encouraged to apply now at https://www.bassfishinghof.com/community-impact.

Pouring Soft Plastics Has Never Been Easier
Getting started pouring soft plastics has never been easier, thanks to Do-it Molds! Their ESXL Bushi Beetle mold is a must-have for custom tackle makers and beginners alike. At 4.2″ long, this bait boasts a big fish profile with a wide splayed aggressive kick with minimal movement from the tip of the rod or retrieve of the reel, creating serious drag on the fall or retrieve. This creature bait is an excellent choice for your flipping scenarios or as a trailer on your favorite jig. Enjoy creating this bait four-at-a-time in a single top injection format, making your dual injections a breeze! Made from durable aluminum, it ensures consistent, high-quality pours every time. Pair it with the Soft Plastic Startup Kit, and you’ll be making pro-level baits in no time. High performance, easy to use, and a great bang for your buck – custom lure making starts here!
Crafted from durable elastomer and weighing nearly a half ounce for easy casting, the Hideup Coike Fullcast Creature Bait is a full-size urchin-style JDM soft plastic bait engineered with an attention-grabbing profile and action. Designed with a center ball that firmly holds your hook of choice, the Coike Fullcast is accented by multiple tendrils that attract big bass with their lively quivering action. Ideal for rigging on a drop shot, jig head, Carolina rig, or multiple other ways, the Coike Fullcast has highly buoyant construction that’s easy to twitch across the surface or yo-yo over a branch. Extremely unique and wildly in demand, the Hideup Coike Fullcast Creature Bait is an innovative soft plastic for any angler who’s looking for something truly special. Check out the full selection here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
How is SUNLINE Tested!? Learn how with John Crews and Kyle Welcher – Follow along with these pro anglers as they tour the Sunline factory in Japan. Check out the video here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Britt Meyers
Bass Pro Tour professional Britt Meyer’s sponsors include Bass Cat, RealTruck, Garmin, Duckett Fishing, Power-Pole, Mercury, Suffix, Lithium Pros, Bass Boat Technologies, CS Motorsports, Costa, and Kicker Audio just to name a few.

Takumi Ito’s Secret Weapon
SPRO, a trusted leader in premium fishing products, is excited to announce the launch of a powerful fish-attracting scent powder, previously used exclusively by renowned professional angler and Bassmaster Elite Series champion Takumi Ito. Anglers can now harness this game-changing innovation to elevate their fishing success. This advanced scent powder is infused with Ebi (shrimp) flavor, a proven attractant for a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater species. Engineered to outperform traditional oil-based scents, the formula offers a superior solution for maximizing lure effectiveness and keeping fish biting longer. The scent powder, developed with Takumi Ito’s secret formula, is now available to all anglers seeking a competitive edge on the water. The innovative powder absorbs into lures, creating a durable shell that retains and releases scent over an extended period, significantly increasing its effectiveness. Unlike oil-based scents, the formula disperses rapidly in the water, attracting fish from a greater distance. Anglers will appreciate its versatile application, as it can be easily added to plastic bags or tackle boxes containing plastic lures. Packaged in a convenient 2.5-ounce bottle, it’s perfect for any fishing trip and fits neatly into tackle boxes. Retailing at just $12.99, this revolutionary product offers incredible value for its unbeatable performance. “The secret is out! Takumi Ito’s success on the water has always been fueled by innovation and attention to detail,” said SPRO National Sales Manager Syd Rives. “This revolutionary scent powder is a testament to that philosophy and gives everyday anglers the same advantage that has been Taku’s closely guarded secret for years.” Whether you’re a weekend enthusiast or a competitive angler, this groundbreaking product delivers a powerful, easy-to-use solution for increasing your success on the water.
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Freshwater Fishing Lures Stamps To Be Issued March 13

The U.S. Postal Service will issue its Freshwater Fishing Lures stamps at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, MO, on March 13. This release celebrates the beauty and ingenuity of some of America’s most successful freshwater fishing lures with a colorful pane of 20 Forever stamps featuring five different, close-up photographs of five popular designs. Stamp designs will include a Jitterbug and a Rebel Pop-R.

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Issue #311

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Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson takes over Best On Tour (Issue 310)

Issue #310
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Lund Boats Champion’s Club Tournament Contingency
I have fished my entire career out of a Lund boat and I’m proud to share a new contingency program they have available for Lund owners for 2025. Contingency payouts will be available for around 100 bass and walleye tournaments in both Canada and the USA. There is a $100 entry fee and payouts range from $500 up to $10,000 for winning or being the highest placing finisher in the sanctioned events. Check out the link for all of the details. https://www.lundboats.com/champions-club.html

We have some awesome bass tournaments in my part of the World (Northern Ontario), where I got my start and several of these are included in this program, including Bassin’ For Bucks, the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and the Kenora Bass International. These are all community-run, three-day events with excellent payouts. I don’t always get to make all of them every year because they will occasionally conflict with our Elite Series schedule, but if I can make them, I absolutely live for fishing in these tournaments on Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake.

On The Road

Since I jumped into the FLW Tour in 2013, then the Elite Series in 2019, I have had several great roommates and travel partners who have become lifelong friends. For the past three years, my wife Shelby (who usually travels with me) and I have stayed with Jason and Shana Christie. We will typically rent a house for the week of the tournament, and it’s been a really good arrangement. While we love what we do, life on the road is not always as glamourous as it might seem so having our wives travel with us makes life so much better. We eat well, they mostly look after the places to stay and they both help us big time with our social media activities. They really help us out in so many ways and are a big part of the team.

Bagging Barramundi Down Under

Three years ago, my good friend Carl Jocumsen invited me over to Australia to fish for Barramundi and compete on the ABT Barra Tour. We fished four events over a ten-day period and just had the best time. They have become my favourite fish to catch because they fight so hard and they are just fun to fish for. Most of these fish run between 15 and 25 pounds but they can get a lot bigger as well. I have now been back three years in a row to fish the tournaments and I have truly had the time of my life each year. This year we finally got a win in one of these tournaments and got to bring a trophy back home to North America. It’s a project to get over to Australia but it’s a beautiful country and I love the people over there. If you ever get a chance to go over there, go for it! And go catch a barramundi while you’re there…you’ll thank me later!

Northland Fishing Tackle has been a top-notch sponsor for me for over 20 years and over the past couple of years we have put together an awesome assortment of tournament quality bass jigs that are all built on Gamakatsu hooks. This Elite Series line-up includes the Smeltinator, Nedster and Finesse Football, amongst others. We have some good stuff coming down the pipe later in 2025 as well! The Smeltinator Jig, matched up with a Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ has been responsible for the two biggest wins of my career, the 2021 Elite Series at the Tennessee River and the 2023 Bassmaster Classic at the same venue. The jig has also been responsible for a few wins around home as well! It is legit! Check out the full selection of products here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
Every single day during the Elite Series season is stressful…the competition is so good, if you just have an average day, you’re going to find yourself in like 80th place probably. You have to catch’em every day if you want to have a shot at making the Bassmaster Classic. Have a look at a practice day from the final event of the 2024 season at the St. Lawrence River where I had to have a good event to make the 2025 Classic. See how I did here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Jeff Gustafson
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jeff Gustafson’s sponsors include Northland Tackle, Shimano, Lund Boats, Costa, G-Loomis, Gamakatsu, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Simms, and Z-Man Fishing Products just to name a few.

Fishing With The Finest
I feel really lucky that I get to fish with G. Loomis NRX+ fishing rods. These are some of the finest fishing rods you’ll ever pick up. They are very high end but trust me when I tell you, they are a pleasure to fish with. If you were going to get one, try to pick one that you can use for your favorite techniques.

For me, I’m a huge fan of the NRX+ 842 SJR. This is a medium action stick that is really good for my favorite techniques – a Ned rig, minnow, small swimmer and other similar spinning rod techniques. On the baitcasting side, the 893 JWR is my favorite, a medium heavy rod that I will use for football jigs, fishing docks, hair jigs and several other techniques. If you really want to spoil yourself, put a Shimano Stella on one of those spinning rods.
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

A Dream Come True

Winning the Bassmaster Classic is obviously the highlight of my fishing career. Almost two years later, I still can’t believe it actually happened. For anyone that fishes tournaments, winning the Classic is the dream. It was a roller coaster event because the first couple of days went really well and then the final day was almost a nightmare. I was catching smallmouths on the Tennessee River and they had to be 18” to keep. On the final day I caught several nice smallmouths but they did not quite meet the size minimum and had to be released. That hour ride back to Knoxville to weigh-in with only two keepers in my boat was brutal but luckily I had just enough weight with those two fish to hoist the trophy. The best part of winning was the celebration after the tournament on Sunday night. BASS hosts a Champion’s Toast event and it’s a really special period of time. As long as I attend the Classic, I’ll always make sure to make an appearance there to congratulate the winner, it’s a special tradition.

If you like the newsletter each week, the biggest way to help us is to recommend it to a friend. Free and simple for anyone to sign up at www.bestontour.net

Issue #310

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76% of the top 10 finishers at the Clark’s Hill Bassmaster Open used this bait (Issue 309)

Issue #309
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

AFTCO Announces 2025 Conservation Grants
The AFTCO x B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation Grant Program continues in 2025 to support conservation initiatives throughout the country. The Conservation Grant Program was created in 2018 to help provide funds to approved freshwater bass conservation projects proposed by B.A.S.S. Nation clubs. To date, AFTCO’s total contribution to this program has exceeded $152,000 in grants. This partnership with B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation has actively contributed to the shared goals of AFTCO and B.A.S.S., fostering community and youth-oriented conservation projects that positively impact local fisheries. The Grant Program provides financial support for stocking bass, habitat enhancements, and ensuring that bass are properly cared for and returned to lakes and rivers in the best possible condition for future generations to enjoy. These efforts are coordinated locally with the aid of B.A.S.S Nation chapters, governmental fishery management agencies, local businesses, and the valuable support of volunteers and youth organizations contributing their time and labor to the cause. “These grants are a great example of the efforts our B.A.S.S. Nation clubs are putting forth to enhance the fishing in their local lakes and reservoirs. Our state chapters are blessed to be associated with a company like AFTCO that takes conservation to heart. That continued commitment to the B.A.S.S. Nation and to the fishery resources that our sport depends on is unmatched.” — Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director

You can submit your conservation proposal HERE. The deadline for entries is March 31, 2025. Proposals will be judged by a panel that includes representatives from B.A.S.S. and AFTCO. Please direct any questions to Gene Gilliland at ggilliland@bassmaster.com.

Get In The Flow With Deep Dive
Sometimes you want to fish areas that get a lot of runoff, especially if there hasn’t been much rain. That way, if there is even a small amount of rain there is going to be some water movement in those areas. In times when the lake is getting a lot of flooding and a ton of water through inflow points, areas with higher inflow can get blown out. The water can be too dirty to fish. In this situtation, you may want to fish in some areas that get a much lower amount of inflow that are still bringing in great nutrients for baitfish to gather. Check out this new feature in Deep Dive App here.

Bag 5 With Mike Russell

Since 2014, Mike Russell has been revolutionizing the fishing industry one custom-painted crankbait at a time. As the founder and creative force behind Bag 5 Baits, Mike brings unmatched artistry and craftsmanship to the world of custom lure design. His journey took a significant leap when he landed a deal with Berkley, creating stunning custom paint jobs for legendary angler David Fritts. Today, his vibrant, lifelike designs can be found in tackle stores across the country and in the hands of professional anglers who trust his work to stand out on the water. Mike’s artistry isn’t limited to one brand—he custom paints swimbaits and crankbaits from various manufacturers, transforming them into high-performance works of art. His reputation for innovation and quality has made him a go-to creator for factories and elite fishing pros alike. If you’re a fishing enthusiast, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Mike’s work at tackle shows such as the East Tennessee Fishing Show. His booth is always buzzing with anglers eager to see the latest designs and commission custom pieces for their next big catch. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a tournament pro, Bag 5 Baits offers more than just lures—it provides a competitive edge with artistry that speaks for itself. Check out some of Mike’s work here.
Designed for covering water quickly with fluid high-speed retrieves, the Storm Speed Trap Crankbait features loud rattling acoustics and an enticing wobble to attract fish from great distances and trigger reaction bites. Ideal for targeting fish in the shallow to medium depth ranges, the Speed Trap is built with flat sides and a unique thin-wall construction that delivers maximum thump and vibration. Equipped with razor-sharp VMC round bend black nickel treble hooks, each crankbait is ready to fish out of the package and includes a snap to free up the action and enable quick lure changes. Available in a variety of crawfish and shad-inspired color patterns, the Storm Speed Trap Crankbait represents a modern take on a classic design that’s a great addition to any angler’s crankbait tacklebox. Check them out here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
Denny Brauer has won 17 Bassmaster tournaments, 2 Angler of the Year titles and he is the 1998 Bassmaster Classic Champion. He was the first angler ever featured on the Wheeties Box, he made two appearances on the David Letterman Show and he actually taught Ozzy Osborne how to cast! Although this Bass Fishing Hall of Famer has been away from tour level competition for over a decade, make no mistakes – Denny Brauer Can Still Kick Your bASS! He joins Mercer this week on his podcast to talk about all that and so much more. Check it out here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Michael Neal

Photo Courtesy Of Bassmaster

Anglers like Michael Neal are beginning to unveil their wraps for the 2025 season! Neal’s sponsors include Big Bite Baits, SPRO, Denali Rods, Mercury, Caymas Boats, Gamakatsu, AFTCO, Sunline, Power-Pole, and Hennessey Outdoor Electronics just to name a few.

JC Elite MG Reel
The JC Elite MG Reel, designed and used by B.A.S.S. Elite Series pro Jason Christie, offers four versatile gear ratios and a single frame size to cover all speeds. The color-coded knobs and carbon fiber handle provide ease of use, while the 11 ball bearings and magnesium frame ensure a smooth and durable performance. Experience the best with this top-of-the-line reel.

Gear ratio

color code:

• 5.6:1- Green

• 6.6:1- Purple

• 7.3:1- Red

• 8.1:1-Orange

Check out the full selection here.
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

The Art Of The Underspin
As the water temperatures begin to cool down and bass move deeper into their wintertime holding areas, anglers face a common challenge: how to catch these elusive fish when they’re suspended at various depths, often 10 to 20 feet below the surface. One of the baits Dean Rojas reaches for first under these conditions is the Epic Baits Fishing Underspin. “Underspins are an ideal choice for suspended bass, especially when they are hanging over deep water. They do a great job of allowing you to get your bait down to a certain depth and keep it there with a steady retrieve. When you’re targeting bass with an underspin, it’s essential to keep your bait above the fish to maximize your chances of triggering a bite ” says Rojas. While underspins can work in stained water, they really shine in clear water conditions. In murky or muddy water, bass rely more heavily on their lateral line to sense vibrations from prey, rather than their vision. Because underspins don’t generate a lot of vibration, they can be less effective in these conditions. However, in these dirtier water conditions Rojas utilizes a gold blade Epic Baits Underspin. In clear water, bass can see the blade and bait much more easily, so in the cleaner water he uses the nickel bladed version. The type of soft plastic you use with your underspin can significantly impact the performance. A paddle-tail swimbait such as the Big Bite Baits Pro Swimmer is great for a slower retrieve due to its larger size and bulk, which makes it sink more slowly. This is perfect for shallower water or when bass are less aggressive. If you need a faster, more streamlined profile for deeper or more aggressive fish, Rojas recommends a Big Bite Baits Jerk Minnow. It sinks quickly and allows for faster retrieves. Fishing underspins for cold-water bass isn’t difficult, but it does require patience, attention to detail, and an understanding of how bass behave in the cooler months. By keeping your bait above the fish, selecting the right underspin size, and tailoring your retrieve to match the bass’ mood, you’ll increase your chances of success.

“I typically start with the 3/8oz Epic Baits underspin and adjust accordingly based on what the fish are telling me. With the advent of forward facing sonar like Lowrance Active Target 2, you can literally get instant feedback from the fish on how they are reacting to the style of your soft plastic and the weight of the underspin.” says Rojas. Rojas’s setup for an underspin typically consists of a 7′ to 7’3″ MH rod and a 6:3:1 baitcasting reel spooled with 10lb or 12lb Sunline FC Sniper, depending on what depths he is trying to reach.

Next time you head out to the lake, remember that suspended bass are often more willing to bite than you think. With the right technique and the right gear, you’ll be ready to outsmart those wary fish and reel in some trophy-sized bass. So get out there, experiment with the Epic Baits Underspin, and load the boat with some cold water bass!

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Issue #309

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Get ready with our Ultimate Guide To Off Season Tournament Prep (Issue 308)

Issue #308
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Start Your Year With a Victory!
Throughout January, Do-it Molds is participating in an exclusive promotion, offering 25% off all Victory hooks. This includes their popular jig hooks, terminal (dropshot) hooks, and treble hooks, with the goal of providing anglers with premium gear at a discounted price. Engineered for versatility, these hooks excel in a wide range of fishing environments and offer an array of jig hook options to suit any bait you’re crafting. The current promotion also presents an excellent chance to buy in bulk, keeping you well-prepared for the upcoming fishing season. This January-only deal is a great opportunity for custom tackle enthusiasts and treble hook swappers to stock up on dependable, high-performance hooks. Take advantage of the savings to gear up for the upcoming fishing season. Start Your Year With a Victory, here!

A Family Tradition
“Catching bass and earning money through Toyota Bonus Bucks is a family tradition for the Robinson’s and it should be for you, too. Toyota’s popular contingency program has been paying bonus money to tournament anglers of all levels since 2008. To learn more about how you can reap these rewards, follow this link: https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/

Kyle Welcher’s Fluorocarbon Cranking Advantage
Kyle Welcher, the 2023 Bassmaster Angler Of The Year and 2024 NPFL Angler Of The Year, has the full range of Sunline products with him at every tournament, and uses thousands upon thousands of yards of Shooter and Sniper each year. He’s learned to depend on them and understands how each operates with different classes of lures under varying conditions. A key tipping point in those dual AOY campaigns, however, has been his frequent use of a third fluoro from the company’s lineup: Sunline Crank FC. Check out how this particular line helped Kyle secure his second AOY title here.
Designed by Elite Series pro’s, Brett Hite and Morizo Shimizu, the Z Man Chatterbait Jack Hammer is one of the most refined and highly anticipated vibrating jigs to ever hit the U.S. market. Featuring an exclusive, low center of gravity head with a flat bottom and a super thin yet super strong stainless steel blade, this combination ensures the Jack Hammer starts vibrating quickly and also allows it to hunt side-to-side like a real baitfish. Its signature head and blade combo allow it to deflect off cover very easily as well, and also make it a great choice for skipping under docks. A channeled groove along the bottom of the head also positions the blade low enough to strike the head and produce its signature “chattering” sound. The channeled groove prevents the blade from dropping out of the eyelet as well, so it never stops vibrating. Premium hand-tied silicone rubber skirts in a range of immaculate colors provide additional lifelike action, and a Gamakatsu Heavy Wire Hook ensures an ultra high hook-up ratio. A double wire baitkeeper holds your soft plastic trailers securely in place as well. The number one choice of renowned “Bladed Jig Master”, Brett Hite, the Z Man Chatterbait Jack Hammer is responsible for more Tour-level tournament wins than any other vibrating jig on the market.

Tackle Warehouse Exclusive Colors:

-TW Bama Bug

-TW Ghost Green Gizzard Shad

-TW Sprayed Grass

-TW Spring Craw

-TW Black Blue

-TW Green Pumpkin Watermelon

Check them out here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
How much does it cost to fish professional bass tournaments? Kyle Cortiana does a great job at showing you how he calculates miles driven, cost to eat, gas expenses, life expenses, tournament entries, etc which all determine the final dollar amount to make it a successful business. Kyle has also noticed some trends over the years that he share with you. Check it out here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Dustin Connell
Anglers like Dustin Connell are beginning to unveil their wraps for the 2025 season! Connell is running a Ranger this season and his sponsors include Rapala, Bass Pro Shops, Huk, Mercury Marine, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Seaguar, Miller Tech, and Sea Clear Power just to name a few.

FREE Camo Line Bag With Purchase
Purchase $100 or more of Sunline products on our website and receive one of our popular camo line storage bags absolutely FREE! No promo code necessary, your cart will automatically add the deal. Take advantage of this limited time offer here.
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Ultimate Guide To Off Season Tournament Prep

As the offseason settles in, it’s a great time to begin planning and getting organized for the next fishing season. Whether you’re a dedicated tournament angler or just a weekend fisherman, now is the perfect opportunity to start thinking ahead and make sure you’re prepared. Those of us who aren’t constantly on the road benefit from focusing on a few key tasks to make next year even more successful. To ensure you’re ready when the season begins again, here are some essential steps to take during the offseason. Check out the full guide here.

If you like the newsletter each week, the biggest way to help us is to recommend it to a friend. Free and simple for anyone to sign up at www.bestontour.net

Issue #308

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Pete Robbins takes over Best On Tour (Issue 307)

Issue #307
PRESENTED BY: Sunline
I am a Senior Writer at Bassmaster, a Board Member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, and have contributed to just about every major freshwater fishing magazine and website in existence. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and fish with most of the best bass anglers in the world, but over the past five years I’ve broadened my focus – with my wife Hanna, I have built a website called “Half Past First Cast” that has become our obsession. The goal is to help you have a better fishing life experience, however you define that, and our vehicle for getting to that point has been fishing travel. We regularly host groups for bass fishing trips to Mexico, trout and salmon trips to Alaska, sailfish excursions in Guatemala, and multi-species efforts (tuna, roosterfish, billfish, etc.) in Panama. The lesson that gets hammered into our brains again and again is that getting out of your comfort zone is the best way to avoid burning out on fishing or limiting your growth.

Our First Trip of 2025
We just returned from our fifth trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge, hosting a group that totaled 20 anglers. They caught marlin and sailfish and roosterfish and cubera snapper, but if you’re a bass fisherman what you’d love about this trip is chasing busting yellowfin tuna. I’m a topwater junkie and these fish make the Amazon’s peacock bass look like dainty dry fly sippers. We had one of my fishing mentors, Lee Byrd (a former Bassmaster Classic qualifier), and several other hard core bass guys on this trip, and not surprisingly they took to it really well. I find that the saltwater people are intrigued by the popularity of bass world, and they like having us onboard because we understand the value of precise casting, lure cadence, current, and other critical factors.

Fishing for Other Species Will Make You a Better Bass Angler
After years of fishing the same local places again and again, our initial trips to El Salto and then the Amazon for peacock bass got me excited about not just fishing in those places, but about fishing in general. If all you do is chase bass on the same waters repeatedly, even if you don’t get bored, you’ll fall into all kinds of ruts. Chasing trout in Alaska taught me a tremendous amount about fishing current. Working on tuna up to 200+ pounds helped me understand how to better fight fish of all sizes. Casting for roosterfish and cubera snapper taught me the value of quality spinning gear in a way that will help me with smallmouths. I come back from every exotic trip ready to hit my nearby waters and try something new. It doesn’t relegate smaller fish to the back burner – on the contrary it makes the fire burn brighter.

A-A-Ron
My first article in a national magazine was about a day spent in the boat with Aaron Martens at the 2004 Classic on Lake Wylie. Later in his life, I did some ghostwriting for Aaron, and I miss the unexpected segues and tangents – yelling at Jordan to get out of the blueberry bushes, or telling me he would call me later because he needed to wash his cat. One of the biggest regrets of my writing career is that I hurried him through some of those calls rather than listening and learning, because even when he was off-topic, Aaron would slip in some amazing nuggets of insight. Like anyone who knew him – and lots of you knew him better than I did – I miss his kindness and willingness to be himself in a sport where lots of people end up meeting in the middle.
I’ve been in the closest boat when the likes of KVD or Chris Lane or Casey Ashley caught the winning fish in a Bassmaster Classic, but my favorite event I’ve attended was the famous 2008 Elite Series event on Falcon. I fished it as a co-angler, as I did in a number of BASS and FLW tournaments. I think that eliminating co’s from the boat in tour level tournaments was the right thing to do, but I’m glad that I had the opportunity to participate in several of them with both BASS and FLW. I think that when the history books are written, that tournament will go down as one of the most memorable in the sport’s history. At one point Trip Weldon told people not to weigh in their fish for big bass if it wasn’t clearly over 10 pounds. Of the six days I fished, my pro partners had a 9-pound or greater bass on five of them – and on the sixth I had an 8-12, which was then my personal best. You get very few chances in life to hit a premier fishery at its best time, least of all in competition, and that was a time when the stars aligned. It led to my travel mantra that you need to“Go While It’s Good.”
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
The best way to keep fishing from getting stagnant is to do something new as often as possible. For us, that means a new place, new experience or new species. Last year we went alligator hunting at Grosse Savanne. This year in November we’re boarding a boat in Cabo and taking it up to Mag Bay, a legendary spot for striped marlin. We’ll be on the boat for three days with our friends Samantha and Mike, who’ve been on many trips with us – we’ll definitely get to know them even better this time around in the close quarters, and hopefully build some memories on a fish that’ll be new to all of us.

Even if you don’t want to stray away from bass, go someplace new. If you’re a Great Lakes finesse guy, go to South Louisiana and flip with heavy braid. If you’re a hard core swimbaiter, try to master a technique at the opposite end of a spectrum.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Shorts Story
AFTCO’s Tactical Shorts were the first item entered into our ““Half Past First Cast Hall of Fame” (you can count them on one hand so far). I own multiple pairs, but my favorites are this pair in Grey Camo that I’ve had since about 2018. They’ve been all over the world, splattered with tuna blood, washed again and again and again, and they just keep ticking. I don’t like the way that a lot of shorts fit, but these are perfect. I’ll be sad when they finally wear out, but so far they show no signs of doing so.

Book A Trip
If you’d like to discuss travel options with us, or join us on a hosted trip, shoot us an email at fishmore@halfpastfirstcast.com.

More info:

·      Alaska

·      Mexico

·      Guatemala

·      Panama
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Bucket List

I’ve been fortunate enough to go a lot of places, from Alaska to Zimbabwe, to chase all kinds of crazy fish. I still want to catch Giant Trevally, Barramundi and a variety of other exotics, but something doesn’t have to be far away or rare to make the list – I’m itching to go to Lake Havasu to catch giant redear sunfish at Lake Havasu and the Flint River for shoal bass when I get the time.

If you like the newsletter each week, the biggest way to help us is to recommend it to a friend. Free and simple for anyone to sign up at www.bestontour.net

Issue #307

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Who earned more in 2024 BPT or Elite Series pros? (Issue 306)

Issue #306
PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Top Gunner
The Denali Rods Gunner Series brings professional-level performance at a price every angler can reel in. With premium components and expert craftsmanship, this series delivers the performance anglers demand without the premium price tag.

Key Features:

  • Cork Grips & Fuji Guides: Designed for optimal comfort and performance.
  • Proprietary Reel Seat: A durable connection between rod and reel for smooth casts.
  • Aggressive Styling: A sleek, high-performance design for anglers who want to stand out.

Key Benefits of the Gunner Series:

  • Affordable Price: High-quality performance at a budget-friendly price.
  • Lightweight & Durable: Built for strength, while offering easy handling.
  • Precision Casting: Engineered for accuracy and distance in various fishing conditions.

Check out the full selection priced at just $119.99 here.

Lowdown On The Lockdown
Major League Fishing (MLF) has unveiled a new lock box, designed and manufactured by Precision Sonar, that will support new rules limiting anglers to the use of two forward-facing or 360-degree sonar transducers during competition. The innovative, simple-to-use device will be provided free to all anglers who need to lock out excess transducers during competition. The lock box provides an effective solution to temporarily disable and secure excess transducers on tournament boats, thus maintaining a fair and level playing field under new MLF rules that allow anglers to utilize the fish-catching power of forward-facing and 360-degree sonar while also preserving the traditional fishing techniques enjoyed by millions of anglers and fans. Anglers with more than two forward-facing or 360-degree sonar transducers on their boats will be required to:

  • Disclose their setup and need for the device to the tournament director at or immediately following the pre-tournament meeting.
  • Obtain a lock box from MLF staff prior to the tournament at the Precision Sonar Lock Station and install the device prior to boat launch – a quick and straightforward process that ensures excess transducers are disconnected and cable plugs are securely capped with the high-visibility lock box provided.
  • Make a quick stop by the Precision Sonar Lock Station at the end of the competition day to have the device unlocked by MLF staff.

Check out the full details here.

Bass Fest 2025
Bass Fest just keeps getting bigger every year! Come on out again to talk about everything bass with the pros, manufacturer reps, and more! Once again we will have reps from the biggest brands in fishing, and all of them will be showing off all of their new tackle for 2025! There will be huge door prizes and unbelievable deals throughout the shop. And once again, we will be bringing in some of the top names in bass fishing to give free seminars throughout the event! Check out more information and the full schedule here.
Built with a unique back-angled lip that’s designed to divert water resistance, the OSP Picro 68 I-Motion Bait is an innovative hard bait that imparts rolling action, flashing, and strong color change to trigger a feeding response from bass. On a simple retrieve, the Picro wanders through the water column like a careless baitfish, with a moderate retrieve it can be used as a search bait to check a wide range, or you can twitch it erratically to create rolling action.

Equipped with razor-sharp size#10 treble hooks, the rear fins prevent the hooks from snagging the body, and the exquisite wire diameter is built to handle large bass but not be overly thick for rapid hook penetration. Finished with a special fibrous tail that flutters naturally like the tail of a baitfish, the OSP Picro 68 I-Motion Bait delivers dazzling rolling action that drives curious bass mad in high-pressure fishing situations. Check them out here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu
Matt is joined by Bass Fishing Hall Of Famer, Steve Bowman, and chairman of the BFHOF Nominations Committee, Neil Paul to talk about the selection process for the Bass Fishing Hall Of Fame on this episode of Bass Talk Live. Check it out here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Josh Douglas
Anglers like Josh Douglas are beginning to unveil their wraps for the 2025 season! Douglas’s sponsors include Scheels, Shimano, G-Loomis, Hercules Tires, Phoenix Boats, and Simms just to name a few.

Wood’s Trading Company

Wood’s Trading Company is an outdoor/lifestyle store located in Gardendale, AL that recently opened on Nov. 1 of 2024. The owners, Britt and Laura Wood, now own three stores with the other two being Ace of the South across the street from Wood’s, and Werner’s Trading Company in Cullman, AL. Not only does Wood’s have a full line of fishing with brands like AFTCO, Daiwa, Rapala, Shimano, SPRO, Strike King, and Zoom, but they also have a huge selection of shoes, apparel, eyewear, hiking, camping, hydration, and pickleball. There are also three lease spaces attached to the building. Follow Woods Trading Company on social media to find out who they will welcome in soon! The fishing section consists of over 1,100 square feet of tackle, 80 feet of rod space, and an eye-catching 24-foot reel case! The store has a top-notch staff of friendly employees who greet you when you walk in and are eager to help you find what you are looking for before you even ask! You will not find better customer service anywhere else! Wood’s Trading Company is a central location where anglers can head north to famous fisheries like Lewis Smith Lake, Lake Guntersville, and Pickwick Lake. They are also within an hour of Coosa River fisheries like Lay Lake or Logan Martin Lake. Because these fisheries are so different, Wood’s has a diverse tackle selection for any situation that you may encounter. From pinging a jighead/minnow with forward-facing sonar to flipping and swimming a jig in grass, the knowledgeable staff of experienced fishermen will help you find what you’re looking for to have a successful fishing trip! Be sure to make a trip to Gardendale and stop by for a fantastic experience for the whole family!
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Still Time For Hall Of Fame Nominations

There’s still time to make nominations for the Bass Fishing Hall Of Fame! Any interested person may nominate deserving individuals to be considered for induction into the Hall. Nominees should have made a major impact on the world of bass fishing and brought honor and credit to the sport of bass fishing. Properly submitted nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, but in order to be considered for the Class of 2025, they must be completed in full by Jan. 15, 2025. The initial list of nominees will be whittled to an official ballot to be considered by our Selection Panel, which includes 30 members of the industry plus all living Hall of Famers.” Make your nominations here.

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Issue #306

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