How the Bassmaster Elite Series requalification really works (Issue 337)

Issue #337- August 14th, 2025

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BOT Trivia: What major brand manufactures the Humminbird line of fish finders?

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PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Yamaha Power Pay Rewards Bassmaster College Champions

On top of making college fishing history in more ways than one, Lander University anglers Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton won the Yamaha Power Pay bonus for the 2025 Strike King^Ò Bassmaster^Ò College National Championship on beautiful Lake Cherokee in the hills of east Tennessee.

The Lander University Bearcats won an additional $5,000 from Yamaha’s popular contingency program for being the highest finishing team with an eligible Yamaha outboard on their boat. Smith and Blanton be came the first two-time National Champions in Bassmaster’s storied college series. They also won the 2024 Championship on Lake Hartwell. Check out more details on their powerful performance here.

Creating Outdoors Angler Retreat

The 3rd Creating Outdoors Angler Retreat is set for September 16–19 at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake, offering pro anglers of all levels the chance to sharpen their branding skills and grow their social media presence. This unique event combines valuable marketing workshops with lake-side lodging, great food, and plenty of networking opportunities. With only three spots left, now’s the time to secure your place and take your angler brand to the next level. Learn more here.

MLF Reveals 2026 Toyota Series Schedule

Major League Fishing announced today the schedule for the 2026 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats, set to kick off in January on Florida’s famed Lake Okeechobee and wrap up in November with the Toyota Series Championship on Pickwick Lake – a Bill Dance Signature Lake – in Counce, Tennessee. As one of the premier tournament trails in the country, the Toyota Series offers the highest payouts at the lowest entry fees available nationally. The series gives anglers the opportunity to compete in familiar regional waters for lucrative awards and advancement to the nationally televised Toyota Series Championship. Check out the full details here.

Hideup Judy Fish

Tested and proven in the highly pressured waters of Lake Biwa, Japan, the Hideup Judy Fish Soft Jerkbait utilizes a unique eight-tail construction that creates natural movement in the slightest water current. Emitting complex vibrations and motion on any hover rig, mid-strolling rig, or weightless Texas rig, the Judy Fish features an easy-insert belly slit for jig heads and offset hooks to enable flawless rigging and an excellent hookup performance.

Built with an air hole structure that keeps the bait swimming in a horizontal posture, the Judy Fish is designed for a well-balanced, lifelike swimming presentation with multiple different techniques and applications. Featuring molded eye slots allowing anglers to attach custom eyes if desired, the Hideup Judy Fish Soft Jerkbait offers an ultra-lifelike baitfish imitation that’s available in multiple realistic color options. Check them out here.

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

Big Bass In Shallow Water

Follow along as Hilary Martin hits Lake Okeechobee for a shallow-water bass mission, landing big fish and sharing tips along the way. Check out the video here.

PRESENTED BY: Denali

Trey McKinney

Photo Courtesy Bassmaster

Bassmaster Elite Series angler Trey McKinney’s sponsors include 6th Sense Fishing, Bajio Sunglasses, BassCat Boats, BW Hitches, Farmers State Bank, FXR Apparel, Gamakatsu, Lithium Pros, Mercury, Power-Pole, Seaguar, St. Croix Rods, and T-H Marine just to name a few.

6lb Braided Line Deserves a Spot in Your Arsenal

When it comes to dialing in your finesse game, there’s one often-overlooked piece of the puzzle that can have a considerable impact on your success: your line choice. In particular, 6lb braided fishing line has carved out a unique niche for anglers who need long casts, max sensitivity, and ultimate stealth when chasing pressured or finicky bass. Sunline offers two standout 6lb braid options: Siglon PE x4 and Siglon PE x8. While both fall under the 6lb category, they cater to very different fishing scenarios based on their construction and performance traits. Let’s break down why 6lb braided fishing line deserves a permanent home on your spinning setups, and how to choose between Sunline’s two elite offerings. Check out the entire blog here.