Yamaha Pro Wes Logan leveraged a clutch final day comeback to win the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite on Lake Tenkiller. Logan caught just under 17-lbs on Sunday, the biggest bag of the final day, which was enough to propel the 30-year-old to his second Elite Series title by a margin of one ounce. To the victor, go the spoils. Logan earned an additional $4,000 bonus from Yamaha Power Pay on top of his tournament winnings for being the highest finishing angler running a Yamaha motor purchased within the last 60-months. This popular contingency isn’t exclusive to pros like Logan; Power Pay supports over 600 fresh and saltwater tournaments, rewarding anglers of all levels for owning an eligible Yamaha motor. Check out more details about Logan’s win and the Yamaha Power Pay program here.
You’re Never Too Old For Toys
As Jeremy Lawyer looks back on his journey to reach the highest level of professional fishing, there’s one thing he’s especially thankful he did, which is holding on to a few things along the way. Not trophies or titles, but little pieces of the path that meant something. Like that oversized crankbait he had all the Nixon brothers autograph. “I still remember Larry joking that I was ruining a perfectly good $20 bait! Or a photo I got signed by Forrest and Nina Wood at the Forrest Wood Cup — something I’ll always treasure. I’ve even got some old die-cast Ranger boat toys, complete with moving parts. You can take the motor toter off — how cool is that? I bought my first Ranger in 2002, and man, how things have changed. But seeing one of those old Comanche series boats brings me right back — kind of like remembering your first car when you turned 16.” said Lawyer. Those keepsakes hold a lot of meaning for Lawyer, because with all the fishing knowledge crammed in his head over the years, it’s impossible to remember it all. But those items? They bring the memories flooding back every time.
Costa Bass Derby
Mark your calendars, the Costa Bass Derby, a bass fishing team tournament, is set to return to scenic Grand Lake in the northeast corner of Oklahoma on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The second iteration of the tournament will be hosted in partnership with Tulsa Scheels, and anglers from across the country are invited to participate for a chance to win the $20,000 first-place payout and enjoy a weekend of fellowship, fun and bass fishing. The tournament serves as an extension of Costa’s longtime support of bass fishing and its Compete + Conserve contingency program, which not only awards the highest placing angler wearing Costa Sunglasses in select tournament trails, but also donates to freshwater conservation on the winning angler’s behalf. “Last year’s inaugural Costa Bass Derby was a huge success, so we’re excited to be bringing it back for our amazing bass fishing community,” said Jed Larkin, Costa Sunglasses’ Brand Marketing Director. “We hope to see an even bigger and better turn out this year. It’s such a great opportunity for anglers to be recognized for doing what they love, while also playing a part in protecting our waters.” Open to amateur teams only (see Rules), the tournament is highlighted by an incredible $20,000 first-place prize, which includes a special $5,000 Costa Compete + Conserve bonus to the highest placing team with both anglers wearing Costa shades. Additionally, through Costa Compete + Conserve, a $1,000 donation will be made in the winning anglers’ names to one of five designated freshwater conservation organizations of their choice. Oklahoma natives Micah Littlejohn and Preston Cook won the inaugural event last fall with over 19-pounds of Grand Lake largemouth and look forward to another great experience at the 2025 Costa Bass Derby. “This event had such an awesome atmosphere last year,” Littlejohn said. “There is nothing like this that comes to Grand Lake for us weekend anglers. From the gift bags at registration, to having pros like Jason Christie hanging out and the payouts being good from top to bottom, it was truly a great experience.” Along with the tournament on Grand Lake, Costa Sunglasses will be set up on Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th at the Tulsa Scheels location with product displays, exclusive in-store promotions for tournament participants, product raffles, and insight on Costa’s latest frame and lens technology. Additionally, on Saturday, October 25th, Costa will host an optional Tournament Welcome / Registration at The Regatta on Grand. Here, anglers will pick up swag bags (valued at $200 and guaranteed for the first 150 boats to register), be treated to dinner, live music, meet & greet with Costa pros , and enjoy some fellowship before a brief rules meeting. The tournament will launch from Wolf Creek Park in Grove, OK at safe light (7:00AM) on October 26th and weigh-in will begin at 3:00PM. To register for Costa Bass Derby, visit costacompeteandconserve.com/bass-derby/. The tournament entry fee is $200 per team with 100% payback. Registration closes Friday, October 20th and will be capped at 300 boats. Teams are limited to two anglers per boat, and at least one team member must own a pair of Costa Sunglasses and be registered for the free-to-enter Compete + Conserve contingency program. To register for Costa Compete + Conserve, visit costacompeteandconserve.com. To check out Costa Sunglasses’ full collection of performance, lifestyle and optical eyewear, and learn more about its commitment to conservation, visit costasunglasses.com
Jackall Counter Back Spoon
Designed in collaboration with BASS Elite Series angler, Kyoya Fujita, the Jackall Counter Back Spoon took over three years to develop to ensure it contained all of Kyoya’s essential elements that pursue ‘Glide Back’ falling. Featuring an asymmetrical body that produces back-sliding action, the most distinctive feature of the Counter Back Spoon is its unique ability to backslide without fluttering as it descends to the lake bottom. Even when no tension is applied to the line, the Counter Back Spoon delivers a spontaneous swift backslide fall, as the cup of the blade and body thickness produce an exquisitely angled backslide movement. Finished with a ball-bearing swivel and a feathered treble hook, the Jackall Counter Back Spoon is available in a variety of brilliant color patterns painted on both sides to create a less flashy and more natural appearance. Check them out here.
Watch as Real Deal Tackle put the Deps Sakamota Shad head-to-head with the Zoom Winged Fluke in this underwater action comparison. See how each bait swims, reacts, and triggers strikes—up close and below the surface. Which one gets the edge? You decide! Check it out here.
Bassmaster Elite Series angler Wes Logan’s sponsors include AFTCO, ARK Rods, Bob’s Machine Shop Jack Plates, Buck’s Island, Falcon Boats, Gamakatsu, Sunline, Impulse Lithium, and Yamaha just to name a few.
Ozarks Bass Blitz
AFTCO is proud to announce one of the Midwest’s most anticipated fishing events: the 2025 AFTCO Ozark Bass Blitz. Set against the legendary backdrop of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, this one-day bass fishing tournament offers serious stakes, including a guaranteed $10,000 grand prize for the first-place finisher. Designed for passionate anglers of all levels, the Ozark Bass Blitz blends the grassroots heart of competitive fishing with a major-league-style payout. With an affordable $200 entry fee, the tournament is open to solo anglers or teams of two and promises cash prizes distributed to one in every eight boats that compete. Registration is available now, with launch order determined by order of payment received. The format follows a five-fish limit, with eligible species including largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. All anglers will be subject to a live-well check prior to launch, and winning teams must pass both a polygraph and CVSA test before any prizes are awarded—highlighting AFTCO’s continued commitment to fair play and tournament integrity. “This event is about giving anglers a fun, well-run tournament experience with serious prize money up for grabs,” said AFTCO President Casey Shedd. “Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect venue, with a great community of anglers and world-class fishery.” Whether you’re chasing a personal best or the $10,000 top prize, the 2025 AFTCO Ozark Bass Blitz promises a high-stakes, high-energy day on one of America’s premier bass fishing lakes. To register and view full rules and details, visit www.aftco.com/pages/2025-aftco-ozark-bass-blitz
How To Choose The Best Braided Fishing Line For The Application
Selecting the right braided fishing line can make all the difference for tournament anglers and weekend warriors alike. Braid offers unmatched sensitivity, strength, and casting performance, but only when you match the line to your techniques, conditions, and gear. Sunline has built a reputation for top-tier braid innovation through smart design and pro-level input. Here’s a complete buyer’s guide and deep dive into Sunline’s eight braided lines, spotlighting their strengths, expert recommendations, and ideal fishing scenarios. Braid stands out for direct hooksets and feel, often preferred for techniques like flipping heavy cover, casting finesse rigs, or tossing reaction baits. However, not all braids are created equal. Construction (4-strand vs. 8-strand, coatings), buoyancy, color, and abrasion resistance all influence performance. The wrong braid can lead to shortened casts, visibility to fish, sinking when you don’t want it to, and poor knot strength. Matching braid to what you fish and how you fish ensures you’ll get the full benefits of your setup.
Check out more information on selecting the proper braided line here.
