The soft plastic hack bass aren’t ready for (Issue 354)

Issue #354- December 11th, 2025

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BOT Trivia: Who was the first angler to win over $1 million in FLW Tour earnings?

See the answer

PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Extreme Outdoors Winter Seminar Bash

2025 Winter Seminar Bash Deals, Giveaways, & Discounts

Valid only December 13-14, 2025 | Exclusions apply. Promotions cannot be combined or duplicated and are not valid on already discounted items. See store for details.

Blanket 15% Off Entire Store

First 250 Registrations receive Door Prize Swag Bag

Aftco Up to 40% Off

Grundens up to 40% Off

Optic Nerve & Costa Sunglasses up to 30% Off

$15 Event T-Shirts

Spend $100+ Get Free Event T-Shirt

SPRO McSticks Buy 3 Get 1 Free

Spend $75+ in Spro get FREE Spro Dry Bag

Free Rod Glove with Rod Purchase

Free BKK Gift with purchases of BKK Hooks

Bubba purchases $50+ receive FREE Bubba Mini Shears

Lew’s Rods & Reels 25% Off

Denali Rod Purchase over $100 get FREE Denali Ryker Baitcasting Rod

Traeger FlatRock Raffle $5 per ticket or $20 for 5 tickets

Queen Tackle Gift Pack Drawing

Bubba Scale Drawings both days

Spend $75+ in Sunline Receive FREE Line Bag (while supplies last)

Sunline Model FC Buy 2 Get 1 Free

Sunline Super Fluorocarbon 200yd Buy 2 Get 1 Free

Sunline Super Fluorocarbon 660yd Buy 2 Get 1 Free

Sunline Assassin FC 225yd Buy 2 Get 1 Free

Sunline Assassin FC 660yd Buy 2 Get 1 Free

Get Zeroed In

BeatDown Outdoors proudly announces the launch of the Zeroed In™ FFS Transducer Mount, a groundbreaking zero-degree forward-facing sonar mount engineered specifically for the Garmin LiveScope™ 34. Designed for anglers who demand absolute precision and uncompromising durability, the Zeroed In Mount sets a new industry benchmark in sonar performance and reliability. Built for accuracy, built for strength, and built to win, this mount delivers rock-solid performance for serious anglers who rely on forward-facing sonar to compete at the highest level. When every degree matters, the Zeroed In FFS Transducer Mount provides true zero-degree alignment with unmatched accuracy through precise 5-degree increment adjustments that deliver the most accurate aim on the market. This eliminates guesswork and ensures crystal-clear sonar targeting every time the trolling motor hits the water. Crafted from heavy-duty all-aluminum and stainless-steel construction, the mount is built to withstand the toughest on-the-water conditions and deliver long-lasting performance season after season without flex, drift, or failure. The Zeroed In Mount is designed for speed and simplicity, allowing anglers to switch between Forward, Down, and Perspective modes in seconds without the use of tools. Laser-etched adjustment markings ensure guaranteed repeatability, giving anglers fast, confident transitions while maintaining exact alignment. Every detail of this mount reflects BeatDown Outdoors’ commitment to precision engineering and rugged reliability. “The Zeroed In FFS Transducer Mount is built for anglers who refuse to compromise,” said BeatDown Outdoors President Blake Price. “It delivers the durability, precision, and repeatability serious anglers demand—built tough, built right, and built to keep you zeroed in.” The Zeroed In™ FFS Transducer Mount is patent pending and is compatible exclusively with the Garmin LiveScope™ 34. It delivers the durability, precision, and repeatability that serious anglers demand—built tough, built right, and built to keep you zeroed in. Check out the new Zeroed In FFS Transducer Mount here.

Fallout From The Smith Lake Tragedy

The aftermath of the fatal boat crash earlier this year on Smith Lake continues to ripple through Alabama’s tournament fishing community, as several bass tournaments on the lake have recently been canceled. Tournament directors are citing increased liability concerns, while others are seeking clearer guidance on the laws and permitting requirements that govern competitive fishing events. The cancellations reflect a broader sense of uncertainty following the April incident during a bass tournament, when Major League Fishing angler Flint Davis collided with a striped bass charter boat, killing three anglers onboard. The tragedy has led to a wrongful death lawsuit against Major League Fishing, with Davis also named as a defendant. Separately, Davis has been indicted on manslaughter charges in a criminal case stemming from the crash. Get more details on this story here.

Yamamoto Uni

A lifelike urchin-style bait designed for maximum effectiveness, the Yamamoto Uni provides an outstanding alternative when bass have become conditioned to typical soft plastics. Made using a custom formula that enhances buoyancy and action, the Yamamoto Uni features a unique profile accented with bulbed appendages that readily shimmy, twitch, and quiver, even when the bait is sinking. Whether fishing shallow or deep, presenting the Yamamoto Uni on a drop shot or Neko rig is a surefire way to get the bass attention and coax some hefty bites. Check out the full selection here.

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

Remembering Tron: A Champion On And Off The Water

Tron Foster was a three-time cancer survivor, a Boiling Springs High School graduate from outside Spartanburg, SC and a remarkably talented young bass fisherman whose strength and spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. After battling cancer since childhood with unwavering courage, Tron passed away on Nov. 29 at just 23 years old. In a heartfelt tribute, MLF pro Brian Latimer revisits several cherished fishing trips the two shared, honoring not just Tron’s love for the water, but the deep friendship they built along the way. The video serves as a powerful reminder that while Tron’s life was far too short, his impact, passion, and legacy will never be forgotten.Check it out here.

New Section: Press Pass! Get insider fishing news before it hits the mainstream—right here in Best on Tour.

(Want to include your company’s press releases here? Reach out to info@bestontour.net)

Sunshine Slam Showdown Champions Are Crowned – Read More

Association of Collegiate Anglers’ 2025 Gift Guide – Read More

PRESENTED BY: Denali

Clear H2O Tackle

In what has become the must stop tackle shop for anglers fishing in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana waters and beyond, Steven Szymczak and Michael Savage announce their new ownership of ClearH2O Tackle in Edwardsburg, Mich. Started by Darrin Schaap in 2011 to tap into the evolving internet buying interest of fishing tackle, and then opening a storefront at its current location on Christiana Lake Road that summer, Szymczak was one of his first store associates and brings a wealth of experience to take ClearH2O to the next level. Szymczak notes their customers won’t notice many differences in the shop’s operation in the short term. “We’ll continue our focus to have the right tackle for the diverse fishing opportunities in our area – be it bass and walleye, trout and panfish, and salmon and steelhead in both rivers and the Great Lakes, and the when-needed customer service from a store staff that brings a ton of experience and expert advice,” said Szymczak. “We’ve launched a new website with products for both freshwater and saltwater fishing for anglers outside of area, where our longer terms goals are to expand that product offering along with making our online shopping operation an easy, fun experience.” “It is the right time for me to step back and watch Steven and Michael’s passion for the shop to not only enable them to expand the business, but to make it even better with the skills they bring,” said Schaap. “After all these years that include many 70-plus hour work weeks that I won’t miss, I do plan on staying involved to help out Steven and Michael when and how they may need me.” Among the loyal customer base it’s attracted over the past decade-plus, ClearH2O Tackle is known for offering all the key brands in the fishing tackle world and their higher-end products, including Megabass, Daiwa, Okuma, 13 Fishing, St. Croix, Shimano, G. Loomis, Fenwick, Abu Garcia and more on the rod and reel side, along with fishing line from Seaguar, Sunline, Trilene, PowerPro, J-Braid and Sufix, and boat electronics from Garmin, Humminbird, Lowrance and Power-Pole. The shop also offers sought after lures from brands including Depps, Z-Man, Rapala and Strike King, offers a special focus on trolling gear, and over the next few months, it’s ice fishing time and they have a wide assortment of gear available for that as well. Coming up, ClearH2O will again have its traditional ice-fishing sales event on Dec. 12-13. For more information on the tackle shop and special events, visit www.clearh2otackle.com or stop by the store at 69037 Christiana Lake Road just north off of U.S. 12 in Edwardsburg, Mich.

PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

NPFL 2026 Roster

The 2026 NPFL season will feature a record-high field of 130 anglers — the largest in the league’s six-year history. The roster includes a mix of seasoned professionals, crossover veterans, and more than a dozen rookies who’ll be fishing at the top level for the first time. Competitors are slated to take on a six-event schedule that begins in March at Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes and wraps up in September at Lake George, New York. According to league leadership, NPFL is still open to adding a few more anglers before the 2026 field is locked, underscoring a commitment to expand its reach while maintaining competitive and personal standards. Check out more details on the stacked 2026 field here.

Japanese Bass Tournaments! (+5B’s) | Best on Tour Breakdown Ep. 5

This episode of the Best on Tour Breakdown dives into the global buzz of massive bass tournament catches in Japan, breaks down fan reactions to the BOT Awards Catch of the Year, spotlights the SPRO KGB Lil Guy and a proven setup, and explores how professional tournaments positively impact host cities—then wraps with a bonus look inside some absolutely insane Japanese tackle shops. Check it out here.

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Issue #354

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