82% of the top 10 at the Bassmaster EQ on Champlain used this bait (Issue 343)

Issue #343- September 25, 2025

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BOT Trivia: The iconic “Wiggle Wart” crankbait was originally manufactured by which company?

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PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Kelly’s Gamble Pays Off With Yamaha Power Pay

In the trenches of tournament bass fishing, where the water’s murky and the stakes are high, guys like Grant Kelly don’t just chase fish — they chase a life that’s raw, real and unfiltered. Kelly, a hard-charging angler and entrepreneur, ditched a steady gig in mechanical engineering to dive headfirst into salvaging old boat parts. It’s a move that smells like gasoline and freedom — and it’s all wrapped up in his unbreakable bond with Yamaha outboards. But the real kicker? Yamaha’s Power Pay contingency program: It offers a sweet payout for running their motors and finishing strong. It’s turned Kelly’s hustle into cold, hard cash, proving that betting on reliability can beat playing it safe. Learn more about Kelly’s story and Yamaha Power Pay here.

The Magic Of Local Tournaments

The big bass, big stage, and big dreams of Bassmaster and other national tournament trails provide a pathway for anyone with ambition to compete at the highest levels of tournament fishing. That’s the pinnacle of bass fishing, but the culture of bass fishing tournaments is perhaps best represented at a weeknight jackpot with a few dozen anglers talking fishing in a half empty boat ramp parking lot, eager for a couple hours on the water after work. Depending on what part of the country you live they may be called fruit jars, wildcats, week-nighters, jackpots, derbies, or opens, but regardless of the region this community of anglers looks and feels about the same. BassmastHER ambassador Maggie Jo Carsello will be the first to tell you, there is something special about weeknight derbies and local tournaments. Check out the full story here.

MLF Announces BPT Payout Structure Enhancements For 2026

Major League Fishing, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today significant enhancements to the payout structure of the Bass Pro Tour for the 2026 season. The adjustments, driven by angler feedback, mark another step in establishing the Bass Pro Tour as the most competitive and rewarding circuit in professional bass fishing. The Bass Pro Tour roster will feature 51 anglers next season, creating the most exclusive and challenging field in the history of the sport. With the most accomplished lineup ever assembled, every cast, every fish and every decision will carry even greater weight. For 2026, MLF is expanding the cut line at each event. Previously, the top 20 anglers advanced from the Qualifying Round to the Knockout Round, with the round winner advancing directly to the Championship Round. Beginning next season, the top 25 anglers will advance from the Qualifying Round – the round winner continuing to advance directly to the Championship Round, while 24 advance to the Knockout Round. The shift means that every angler who reaches the Knockout Round will also finish “in the money.” Another notable change comes at the top and bottom of the payout scale. In 2025, event champions earned $150,000, with the last checks paying $10,000. For 2026, the anglers voted to adjust the distribution: Check out the full details here.

6th Sense Saltwater Shindo Shad

Built using a high-strength plastic for improved durability with aggressive saltwater predators, the 6th Sense Saltwater Shindo Shad is an ideal baitfish imitation for targeting species like snook, redfish, and speckled trout. Made to roll side to side on a steady retrieve, the Shindo’s streamlined profile is equipped with mid-body “wings” and a jointed tail that pivots and flutters independently for tantalizing secondary action. Effectively slow rolled, twitched, jerked, or hopped, the Shindo Shad is perfect for weightless rigging on its own, under a cork, and also pairs nicely on a 1/8–1/4 oz jighead by allowing the bait to fish deeper while maintaining a natural horizontal posture. Highly castable and easy to skip under docks and overhanging mangrove branches where inshore species often lurk, the 6th Sense Saltwater Shindo Shad is also highly effective for forward-facing sonar and general freshwater applications. Check out the full selection here.

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

Simplify Your Braided Line Fishing. 3 Easy Choices

Join Elite Series Champion Wes Logan as he breaks down his top three braided line picks to help you catch more bass anywhere in the country. From finesse to power fishing, Wes explains which lines to use and why, giving you the confidence to match the right braid to every technique. If you’re looking for a simple, proven setup that covers all your bass fishing needs, this video has you covered.. Check it out here.

New Section: Press Pass! Get insider fishing news before it hits the mainstream—right here in Best on Tour.

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The 2025 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley wrapped up on Kentucky Lake with more than 630 college anglers competing for over $40,000 in prizes and contingencies. Jared Mizell of Tarleton State claimed Overall Big Bass with a 7.93-pound catch, earning more than $7,000 in prizes and boosting his team’s points in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year race. With multiple top finishes from Tarleton State and Carson-Newman, this double-points event is set to make a major impact on the season standings. Check out more details here.

PRESENTED BY: Denali

Custom Baits, Built Different

From the garage bench to the biggest stages in bass fishing, Do-It Molds is everywhere right now. Anglers are pouring, painting, and tweaking their own creations – and it’s paying off big. Whether it’s custom jigs that cash checks on the Elite Series, swimbaits tricked out for local derby hammers, or finesse plastics tailored for pressured lakes, the common thread is clear: anglers who build their own baits are stacking an edge the rest can’t buy off the shelf.

If you’re not already in the game, there’s never been a better time to start. Check out the latest molds, paints, and skirt materials at DoItMolds.com and see why custom tackle is driving results.

PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Missile Baits Names Ryan Escutia As New Director of Sales

Missile Baits, a leading innovator in bass fishing tackle, is proud to announce the hiring of Ryan Escutia as its new Director of Sales. Escutia will spearhead sales strategy, dealer relationships, and growth initiatives to further solidify Missile Baits’ position as one of the most trusted brands in the fishing industry.