97% of the top 10 at the Pasquotank River Elite Series used this type of bait (Issue 320)

Issue #320

BOT Trivia Question:

What is the heaviest total weight ever recorded in a four-day B.A.S.S. tournament?

118-12, 124-10, 132-8, or 138-4?

See the answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Bid On Exclusive Items

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is kicking off the celebration of its 25th anniversary by hosting a silent auction this month in a continuing effort to support its mission of celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing. The 25th Anniversary Auction is online now and will run through April 29. Up for grabs are an assortment of unique fishing gear packages, one-of-a-kind paintings and autographed memorabilia. Additional items will be added throughout the duration of the auction. Check it out here..

Bertrand’s Tip For Tournament Efficiency: Pre-Rig Your Neko Worms

In tournament fishing, every second counts. Efficiency isn’t just helpful—it’s critical. That’s why Bass Pro Tour professional Josh Bertrand has learned to streamline as many processes as he can, especially when it comes to finesse techniques like the Neko rig. One of his favorite tricks is pre-rigging his Berkley Magnum Hit Worms. “I’ll take full packs and add the nail weights and o-rings ahead of time, so when the bite is on, I’m not wasting time rigging each bait from scratch. To stay organized, I use a Sharpie to write the weight size directly on the outside of the bag. It’s simple, but it makes a huge difference on game day. Whether I’m on a practice day or in the middle of a high-stakes derby, this small adjustment keeps me fishing instead of fumbling—and that can be the edge that puts more fish in the boat.” said Bertrand.

John Pearl Wins With Record Three Day Weight

Records have fallen at Clear Lake. Pro angler John Pearl from Upper Lake, Calif., one of the most well-known guides on Clear Lake and one of the most dangerous competitive anglers in the region has claimed victory in the 2025 WON Bass Clear Lake Open presented by Ranger Boats and Mercury, with a WON Bass Record 102.81 pounds for a three-day weight. Pearl took over the lead on day-two of the event with a total weight of 67.31 pounds and added 35.50 pounds on the final day. Check out the full details here.

A top-secret lure coming straight from Japan, the Geecrack Imo Kemushi Stick Worm was developed on Lake Biwa for tournament anglers and to provide a unique presentation that is deadly when dealing with highly pressured bass. Molded with a tapered body shape and silicone skirting throughout, it is made to be fished weightless on an EWG style hook, which creates a perfectly horizontal descent with a secondary quivering action thanks to the small silicone legs that extend from all sides. It is also heavily salted and made from Geecrack’s signature S.A.F. material that helps trigger more bites and make fish hold on longer so you have more time to set the hook. Offered in a selection of mouth-watering colors, the Geecrack Imo Kemushi Stick Worm will show the fish something different and put more fish in your livewell. Check out the full selection here

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

Catch MORE Bass with the Neko Rig! (with Wade Middleton) – We join up with Wade Middleton as he walks us through Neko Rig fishing and tips to be more successful. It all starts with the Gamakatsu G-Finesse Cover Neko! Check it out here

PRESENTED BY: Denali

Kyle Welcher

Photo Courtesy Of Bassmaster

Bassmaster Elite Series professional Kyle Welcher’s sponsors include Crush City, Evolve Fishing, Fuji, Gamakatsu, Humminbird, Ikon Fishing, Mercury, Millertech, Minn Kota, Rapala, Striker, Sunline, T-H Marine, and Untamed Tackle just to name a few.

Fish With Flash

If you haven’t been fishing with Flash, you’ve been missing out. But now’s your chance to catch up – and catch more.

Do-It Molds just expanded the Flash Series Skirtslineup with all-new, must-have colors, giving every angler the power to instantly upgrade their store-bought or custom jigs.

Pre-banded and ready to fish, these skirts are packed with premium Flashabou™, giving you total control over the level of flash—keep it full or trim to your liking.

Perfect for:

● Swim Jigs

● Flipping Jigs

● Dragging Jigs

● Spinnerbaits

Whether you’re chasing bass or just want your jig to stand out in stained water, the new Flash Series Skirts deliver big-time appeal with zero hassle. Upgrade your jigs. Upgrade your results.

PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Honoring a Legacy: The Ranger Man Tribute Boat

If you’ve spent any time around bass boats, chances are you’ve seen the iconic image: that bright red Ranger boat getting on plane in the ’70s — the “Ranger Man” shot that became a symbol of performance and pride. Fast forward to today, and that legendary image lives on in a brand-new way: the Ranger Man Tribute Boat. This boat isn’t just a nod to the past — it’s a full-blown salute. Built by a crew of seasoned Ranger employees, many with over 25 years of service, this boat represents more than 1,000 combined years of craftsmanship. Every inch of it was touched by hands that have helped shape Ranger’s legacy, and you can feel that dedication in the details. Visually, it’s a stunner. The boat pops under sunlight thanks to the use of an old-school, larger polyflake — the same style Ranger used back in the 1970s. It’s a sharp contrast to today’s finer flake used in modern builds, and that shimmer is impossible to ignore. The tribute doesn’t stop at the gel coat. The seats bring back vintage flair with armrests and period-correct vinyl, sourced and stitched by the team to match exactly what was used decades ago. Even the backrests feature subtle color accents you won’t find on a standard Ranger boat.

And then there’s the back deck — arguably the most meaningful part of the boat. It’s signed by every long-time Ranger employee with over 25 years of employment. The Ranger Man Tribute Boat is currently touring shows, including the Bassmaster Classic and Redcrest, and while its final destination is still undecided, one thing’s for sure: it’s a powerful reminder of Ranger’s roots — and the people who’ve made it what it is today.

Issue #320

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