Yamaha Pro Paul Marks won the fourth Bassmaster Elite Series of the season Sunday, April 27, on Lake Hartwell, leading the field with a four-day bass total of 68 pounds, 8 ounces. The victory marks the first blue trophy for the rookie from Cumming, Georgia. As part of the Yamaha Power Pay contingency program, which rewards anglers who own a Yamaha outboard purchased within the last 60 months, Marks earned an additional $4,000! To learn more about Mark’s victory and how you can take advantage of the Yamaha Power Pay contingency program check out this article.
On The Water With The Champ Paul Marks
The Best on Tour crew hit the water this week with none other than recent Bassmaster Elite Series Lake Hartwell champion, Paul Marks. As part of a media event packed with content creation, we had the chance to capture some incredible moments on the boat—and pick up a few bass fishing tips from the champ himself. Stay tuned for photos, videos, and insights gained from this event!
HerringHack
When the Blueback Herring spawn kicks off, things can get chaotic in a hurry—and that’s exactly how I like it. This is one of my favorite times of the year because the bass are ultra-aggressive and hunting in packs. You’ve just got to match their pace and the forage. Whether they’re blowing up on the surface or stalking high in the water column, I’ve got a tight rotation of SPRO baits that help me stay on ’em from sunup to noon. If they’re actively schooling and busting on the surface, there’s one bait I’m tying on every single time: the SPRO Walking Haint 110 in Chrome. I use it 98% of the time in these situations—it’s loud, flashy, and moves just like a Blueback in full panic mode. I throw it on 35-pound Sunline AMZ PE braid with a high-speed ARK 8.1:1 reel, so I can burn it back at the speed of chaos. When those fish are feeding up top, they don’t want a lazy retrieve—they want something darting and fleeing. That Haint gives me the flash and walk I need to draw vicious strikes. Sometimes, they’re not busting. They’re just hanging high, suspending under the surface and chasing. That’s when I switch gears and go with the SPRO Sashimmy Swimmer 105. I like the 105 size because this time of year, the Bluebacks are a bit smaller. Matching that profile makes all the difference. I throw it on 16-pound Sunline FC Sniper with the same 8.1:1 gear ratio reel, and just burn it on a straight, fast retrieve. If they’re up there but not quite committing to topwater, this gets them to react without hesitation. Now if the fish get weird—or pressured—and won’t commit to either of the first two, I’ll go with a fluke-style bait rigged on a Gamakatsu EWG style hook. That’s where things get more nuanced. I mix up my retrieves—sometimes twitch it fast, sometimes let it glide and pause—just depending on how the fish are reacting that day. Still running it on 16-pound FC Sniper and the same 8.1:1 reel. It’s all about efficiency and staying in the zone when they’re cruising high but not showing themselves. Whether they’re smashing bait on the surface or just stalking underneath, understanding the behavior of Blueback-fed bass is the key. They’re fast. They’re aggressive. And if you’re not matching their pace with the right gear and presentations, you’re gonna get left behind. This rotation keeps me in the strike zone and gives me the flexibility to adjust on the fly. That’s the name of the game when the herring are spawning.
A Tackle Warehouse exclusive bait, the Strike King Andy Morgan Flipping Jig is specifically crafted with purpose-built features for probing dense, gnarly cover where big bass love to hide. Engineered to cleanly slip in and out of cover, each Andy Morgan Flipping Jig is built with a special head design, low-profile line tie, and a fiber weed guard that protects a sticky sharp Owner hook in a highly unique 4.5/0 size. Adorned with a silicone skirt for a bulky profile and tantalizing pulsing action with every angler input, the Andy Morgan Flipping Jig is available in several productive colors suited for waters ranging from clean to dirty. Able to withstand the demanding duties of flipping and pitching with heavy line, the Strike King Andy Morgan Flipping Jig also comes with a barbed bait keeper to securely hold your favorite soft plastic trailer. Check out the full selection here
Did you miss out on watching the final day of the Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Hartwell? Check out the Bassmaster LIVE highlights from Day 4 of the 2025 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC. Watch it here
Major League Fishing angler Kyle Cortiana’s sponsors include B&W Trailer Hitches, Bubba, Lowrance, Kistler, Trokar, Epoch Batteries, Lurenet, Frogg Toggs, Vexus, Yum, and Mercury just to name a few.
New Select Grade Bucktails
When it comes to building top-tier jigs, the quality of your materials makes all the difference. That’s why we’re fired up about the new line of carefully selected bucktails from Do-It Molds — handpicked to deliver the best average size, thickness, and performance for serious builders. These bucktails aren’t just bigger; they’re better, giving you the consistency and premium quality you need to build like a pro. Available in a wide range of must-have colors, every piece is offered in Select Grade, ensuring you get the clean fibers, strong natural taper, and vibrant look you want when it counts. Whether you’re tying for others or perfecting your personal stash, these bucktails are built to meet the highest standards on the water. Get the edge — and build your best yet.
If you fish frogs in hot, humid places like South Louisiana, you know how quickly heat can take a toll on your gear—especially the rubber legs on your frogs. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Caleb Sumrall shared a simple trick that helps extend the life of his SPRO frog collection, and it’s something anyone can do. “I saw this trick a while back—can’t remember exactly who started it, —but it really works,” Sumrall says. “Down here, your tackle boxes get super hot, and the rubber on frogs starts to break down. Guys started putting unscented baby powder inside their sealed frog boxes. I’ve been doing it ever since.” The powder helps prevent the rubber from sticking together and deteriorating in the heat. Sumrall says he’s got frogs in his box that are over four years old and still in great shape. Just shake off the powder before fishing and you’re good to go. “It doesn’t affect the action or smell, and it keeps everything looking brand new. I’ve never lost a frog to heat damage since I started doing this,” he adds. It’s a low-cost, high-reward hack that keeps your topwater game strong all season long.” Sumrall concluded.
https://bestontour.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Best-On-Tour-Logo-1920-minified-300x127.png00Jordan Babcockhttps://bestontour.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Best-On-Tour-Logo-1920-minified-300x127.pngJordan Babcock2025-05-07 10:13:112025-05-07 10:13:1187% of the top 10 at the Lake Hartwell Elite Series used this type of bait (Issue 322)
