The definitive 2026 guide to Forward-Facing Sonar regulations (Issue 358)

Issue #358- January 15th, 2026

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BOT Trivia: Which legendary angler is credited with popularizing the modern spinnerbait in the 1960s?

See the answer

PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Start Saving With Do-It Molds

We all know the edge isn’t always about buying more – it’s about building smarter. The new Do-It Molds Catalog puts everything you need to make premium, tournament-ready tackle in one place – and the catalog 100% free. With Do-It Molds, you can pour high-quality jigs for around $2.50 each, customize every detail from colors and skirt combinations to hook styles and weights, and dial in baits that match your exact fishery, season, and bite. No compromises. No guessing. Just total control and real cost savings over store-bought tackle. One catalog. Every mold, component, and tool you need to build baits that compete at the highest level – without paying retail prices. Request your free catalog here and start fishing tackle made your way.

BOT Breakdown Is Now On OATV

Outdoor Action TV is excited to announce the addition of Best on Tour Breakdown, a behind-the-scenes bass fishing podcast, to its expanding lineup of premium outdoor podcasts. New episodes of Best on Tour Breakdown are available now on Outdoor Action TV. To listen to Best on Tour Breakdown,download the Outdoor Action TV mobile app on iOS or Android and find it under the Podcast section. Video episodes of the podcast will also be available on the app under the Fishing category, giving viewers the option to watch the conversations unfold. Both audio and video versions of Best on Tour Breakdown are also available to stream on the Outdoor Action TV website.

Classic Champ Dion Hibdon Passes

Dion Hibdon, the 1997 Bassmaster Classic champion, died on Monday, Jan. 12 at age 58 following a brief illness. He was part of the legendary Hibdon fishing family and is survived by his wife Amy, his sons Payden, Connor and Lawson, and siblings Dotty and Chuck. Hibdon followed in the footsteps of his father, Classic winner Guido Hibdon, and went on to build his own successful career—including capturing the 2000 FLW Cup—becoming one half of the only father-son duo to win the Bassmaster Classic. Learn more about Dion and his legendary career here.

6th Sense Plump Panorama

A beefed-up variation of the wildly popular 6th Sense Panorama, the 6th Sense Plump Panorama is a supremely realistic forage-fish imitation geared towards heavier-duty applications. Adorned with natural finishes and intricate scale patterns, the Plump Panorama features a thicker body composition that gives the bait added weight, increased water displacement, and enhanced durability better suited to heavy-gauge hooks. Representing a substantial meal to big bass and other predatory species, the Plump Panorama wiggles, kicks, and undulates with even the slightest movement of the rod tip. Whether flipping shallow cover or casting to deep structure, the Plump Panorama can be fished using a variety of methods, including Texas and Tokyo rigs, drop shots, and more. Additionally, the bait includes a subtle hook slot on one side for more streamlined and straightforward weedless rigging. Complete with glistening 3D eyes, the 6th Sense Plump Panorama is your ticket to a chunky limit. Check out the full selection here.

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

Drew Benton’s 2026 Bass Boat is DIALED

Drew Benton’s 2026 bass boat setup is next-level. In this exclusive Cut Line breakdown, we take a deep dive into the new upgrades, electronics, rigging, and performance changes Drew Benton is running as he prepares for the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series season. From cutting-edge marine electronics to efficiency, fishability, and tournament-ready rigging, every upgrade on this pro bass fishing boat has a purpose. This isn’t just a boat tour — it’s a full Elite Series–level breakdown of what one of the best anglers in the world trusts when money, points, and trophies are on the line. Check it out here.

Get ready, Texas Texas Team Trail (TXTT) anglers! The moment you’ve been waiting for has officially arrived! Registration for the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Texas Team Trail presented by Progressive is NOW OPEN, and this season is shaping up to be the most electrifying year in trail history. With stacked payouts, legendary partners, iconic fisheries, and new surprises on deck, the first step to being the Progressive Team of the Year starts today. Secure your spot and get ready to fish. Learn more here.

Ultimate Guide To Forward-Facing Sonar Rules For 2026 Bass Tournaments

Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS) has been the most talked-about technology in modern bass fishing. Over the past few seasons, live sonar has changed how anglers find, target, and catch fish, leading to record-setting performances, shifting tournament strategies, and sparking spirited debate across the sport.

For 2026, tournament organizations are drawing clearer lines as it pertains to FFS. Rather than fully embracing or eliminating the technology all together, most leagues have landed on measured limits designed to protect competitive balance, and bring traditional fishing skills back into the spotlight.

To keep it simple for our subscribers we’ve developed a straightforward breakdown of how Forward-Facing Sonar will be regulated across the biggest bass fishing tournaments in 2026, and what it means for anglers and fans alike. Check out the full guide here.

PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Ellenson Crushes Clear Lake

Garrett Ellenson of Nine Mile Falls, Washington capped a consistent three-day performance by rallying on the final day to win the WON BASS Winter Open at Clear Lake. After sitting in second place through the first two days, Ellenson sealed the victory with a 32.53-pound final-day bag, finishing with a three-day total of 98.37 pounds. His win earned him a Ranger Z518 powered by a Mercury ProXS, along with $3,500 in cash including Big Bass honors. Ellenson relied on a 6-inch Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ in Smokey Shad on a 3/16-ounce Cipher Fishing tungsten head. He paired 18-lb Seaguar JDM PEX8 braid to an 8-foot, 10-lb Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon leader, matched with a Shimano Stradic spinning reel and a 7’6″ medium G. Loomis NRX+ 902 rod for maximum sensitivity and control. Read more about the event here.

Best On Tour Breakdown Episode 8

The Best on Tour Breakdown goes behind the scenes of bass fishing with a fast-paced mix of buzz, banter, baits, and business. This episode dives into the polygraph debate, breaks down B.A.S.S.’s updated no-info rule, spotlights the Berkley PowerBait Triple Minnow Rig Kit, and covers the launch of BeatDown Outdoors’ Zeroed In FFS Transducer Mount—plus a must-see bonus moment featuring an epic Hideup Coike dyeing fail. Check out the 10:15 AM January 15th premier here.

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Issue #358

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