Issue #332- July, 10 2025

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BOT Trivia: What year did Bass Pro Shops acquire Cabela’s?​

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PRESENTED BY: Sunline

Flooded Beaver Dam Helps Ott DeFoe Win Toyota Bonus Bucks

It’s not often you hear about a beaver dam playing a role in a top-level bass fishing tournament win. For five-time Bass Pro Shops Bass Pro Tour champion Ott DeFoe, that’s a big part of the story of his victory at Zenni Stage 6 Presented by Athletic Brewing Company on the Potomac River.

While DeFoe can catch bass with the best of them employing any technique, the east Tennessee native is well-known for his prowess plying shallow waters. He grew up exploring little creeks and backwaters, using his eyes and instincts to find and catch fish. After a decent practice, Ott believed the area he found had potential and knew he was going to be able to fish his strengths in the backwaters of the Potomac. “I was able to fish the way I enjoy… I didn’t have a depth finder turned on, but I don’t think I caught a bass much deeper than 24 inches in four days of competition,” DeFoe said with a smile. Check out the full article here.

College Natty Set For Cherokee

Cherokee Lake is the center of the college bass fishing world this week as 156 of the top collegiate teams from across the country battle it out in the 2025 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops. These young anglers have earned their spots through hard-fought qualifying events and now face off for the ultimate prize in college fishing—national championship glory. Just like the pros, these student-athletes also have the opportunity to cash in on valuable contingency programs. Toyota Bonus Bucks will award $3,500 to the highest-finishing eligible team, while Yamaha Power Pay adds another $5,000 to the mix for top performers running Yamaha-powered boats. With bragging rights, big money, and the chance to launch a career in professional fishing on the line, expect fierce competition and unforgettable moments on Cherokee Lake.

MLF announces 2026 Bass Pro Tour Schedule

Major League Fishing announced today the 2026 Bass Pro Tour schedule, ushering in a new chapter for the sport’s premier professional bass fishing circuit. Featuring a roster of 51 pros, the 2026 season will spotlight some of the country’s most diverse fisheries and record-setting payouts as the field competes for Fishing Clash Angler of the Year honors and qualification into REDCREST 2027 and the MLF Heavy Hitters all-star event. The new season kicks off Jan. 15 at Lake Guntersville in Alabama and winds through fisheries in South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma and Ohio, introducing multiple new venues and back-to-back dual-lake events that will push competitors to the limit. Check out more details here.

Megabass Karashi Twitch Bait

The latest generation of finesse baits out of Japan, the Megabass Karashi Twitch Bait offers anglers a unique approach to those veteran bass that lurk in pressured waters. The Karashi dives into your favorite fishery with a slow sinking property to tempt bass with a wild walk-the-dog action that was previously only achievable with surface lures. It dashes left and right with every snap of the rod to mesmerize finicky and aggressive fish alike, triggering them to lash out at your dancing twitch bait. Conversely, the Karashi imparts a dead stick action on a steady retrieve similar to a spybait to more effectively target lethargic predators. In addition to the wild subsurface action, the Megabass Karashi Twitch Bait also delivers the meticulous quality and attention to detail that has elevated Megabass to legendary status. Molded onto the anatomically accurate profile are 3D scale and lateral line patterns, raised gill rakers, and their signature downward-facing eyes. It also comes available in a range of proven colors to further entice any wary bass. Making sure anglers get the most for their dollar, the Megabass Karashi Twitch Bait twitches out of the packaging with premium hardware to help make sure the trophy on the end of your line makes it into the net every time. Check them out here.
PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

Gerald Swindle’s Sugar Secret To Help You Catch More Fish!

Gerald Swindle is widely known as the funniest man in bass fishing, but don’t let the humor fool you—he’s also one of the most accomplished and respected anglers in the game. In this video, G-Man shares some spring fishing advice in his trademark style, mixing solid fishing tips with a dose of Southern charm and a surprising ingredient: sugar. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a tournament pro, his insight might just help you put more bass in the boat —while keeping a smile on your face. Check out the video here.
PRESENTED BY: Denali

Colby Miller

Photo Courtesy Major League Fishing

Major League Fishing angler Colby Miller’s sponsors include Phoenix, Mercury, Power-Pole, Optima Batteries, Epic Baits, Edge Rods, Abu Garcia, Berkley, and Gill Fishing just to name a few.

Best On Tour Insider Group

The Best On Tour Facebook Insider Group will be bringing you exclusive live coverage straight from the ICAST show in Orlando next week! From new product debuts to behind-the-scenes access with top pros and brands, you won’t want to miss a minute. Join the group now to stay in the loop and experience ICAST like an insider! Check it out here.
PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

2025 ICAST New Products Preview

As July heats up, the fishing world turns its attention to the 2025 ICAST Show, where the newest innovations in tackle, gear, and technology are unveiled. From cutting-edge lures and refined jig designs to sonar-optimized tools and big bait advancements, this year’s lineup highlights performance, versatility, and precision. Get a first look at what’s coming next in the sport here.

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Issue #332

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