Was the Coike’s origin story hiding in your cereal box? (Issue 360)

Issue #360- January 29, 2026

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BOT Trivia: Who is the title sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series?

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PRESENTED BY: Sunline

If You Build The Winning Roster, Do-it Molds Will Send You Everything To Build Your Baits!

Do-it Molds is inviting custom tackle fanatics and bass fishing fans alike to join the Do-It Molds Bassmaster Fantasy League – a little friendly competition that makes every tournament more fun to follow! Set your roster, make your picks, and compete against other B.A.S.S. Fans who live and breathe bass fishing. Here’s the kicker – they’re awarding a $500 Custom Tackle Giveaway to both the Drain the Lake winner and the Fantasy Fishing winner. Two competitions. Two winners. Same custom tackle grand prize.

If you already spend your time dialing in bait designs and following the pros, this one’s for you. Bragging rights included.

👉 Join the Do-It Molds Bassmaster Fantasy League today and start building toward the win.

Toyota Expands Bonus Bucks Contingency Program For 2026

Toyota Motor North America is proud to announce the expansion of the popular Toyota Bonus Bucks contingency program, which will reward more anglers with bigger payouts during the 2026 tournament season. Toyota Bonus Bucks offers cash rewards to anglers who tow their boat with a 2022 or newer Toyota tow vehicle and compete in one of the over 600+ supported tournaments. Bonus Bucks will now contribute additional payouts to the top three highest-placing anglers in notable tournament series, including the Bassmaster Elite Series and the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour. In addition to expanding the pool of anglers eligible for payouts at each event, Toyota is increasing payout amounts for anglers competing in Bassmaster Elite Series and MLF Bass Pro Tour competition. The highest placing eligible Toyota Bonus Bucks member will now receive a $4,000 payout in regular season Elite and BPT tournaments, up from $3,000 in previous years. Under the new structure, Toyota Bonus Bucks will provide payouts to the top three anglers in each of these prestigious tournament trails, rewarding more anglers with bigger payouts. Learn more details about the expanded program here.

Have We Discovered The Origins Of The Coike?

If you were a kid in the 80s, there’s a very real chance the original Hideup Coike showed up in your life long before it ever hit the water. I’m talking about the Wacky WallWalker, that sticky, octopus-shaped elastomer creature you’d peel off the wall, throw back up, and watch it walk its way down like it was alive. You probably found it as a surprise in a box of cereal, immediately stuck it to every surface in the house, and got yelled at for it. Fast forward a few decades, and here we are obsessing over a wildly effective, rubbery, pulsating bait that crawls, breathes, and flat out gets bit. Coincidence? Maybe. But deep down, I’m convinced the hottest bait in fishing right now is just the WallWalker finally living up to its true destiny!

Comparison: Thick Trick VS Thick Stick

Two new, thicker trick-worm style baits have just hit the market, and Real Deal Tackle breaks down what sets them apart and when to choose each one. From profile and plastic composition to action and sink rate, they cover the key differences between the Zoom Thick Trick Worm and the Z-Man FattyZ Thick Stickz. The video also walks through multiple rigging options to help anglers get the most out of these baits in different conditions. Check it out here.

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

#WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast

On EP. 244 of the Rapala #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast, host Kyle Curry is joined by Grace Olsen & Emmarie Bires from 4th ranked Wabash Valley College. On the previous episode, we talked with Jackson Roumbanis from Murray State College who recently traveled to South Africa to represent Team USA. Grace and Emmarie both made the trip to South Africa as well. Grace competed for Team USA and Emmarie captured digital content for social media. Tune in to hear them talk about this experience, as well as break down WVC’s season so far…as they are ranked 4th in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Check it out here.

Fishing Chaos, a leading digital tournament management and angler engagement platform, and Bass Pro Shops, North America’s premier outdoor retailer and conservation company, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at elevating the fishing experience and supporting the growth of angler communities nationwide. As part of the partnership, Fishing Chaos will support Bass Pro Shops across a variety of live, in-person tournaments and nationwide online events. This announcement comes on the heels of Bass Pro’s announcement of an all new format for the 2026 U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship, a 24-hour competition with over $100,000 in cash & prizes on the line. Starting in 2026, Anglers will gain increased access to competitions, improved communication tools, and enhanced digital features such as live leaderboards, mobile updates, and real-time score tracking. “Partnering with Bass Pro Shops marks a defining moment for Fishing Chaos,” said John Calagaz, founder of Fishing Chaos. “The fishing industry is ready for a new era of innovation—one where data, connectivity, and real-time tools empower anglers, tournament directors, brands, and conservation efforts. Bass Pro Shops has a deep commitment to the outdoor community, and they are the ideal partner to help bring this vision to life and move technology forward across the sport.” The collaboration also introduces new advantages for Fishing Chaos partners, particularly brands with products available at Bass Pro Shops. As anglers participate in tournaments, log catches, join communities, and explore gear within the app, brands gain more opportunities to engage customers in an angling-centric environment that includes seasoned tournament anglers, recreational anglers, and beginners alike. By aligning event participation, community interaction, and gear exploration, the partnership creates a seamless experience for anglers to discover and engage with products they trust. “Competition is a core element of angling communities across the United States,” said Tom Brewbaker, President and CEO of Fishing Chaos. “This partnership strengthens the angling ecosystem by providing hundreds of thousands of anglers – across all experience levels – with more opportunities to compete and connect through events that support long-term community growth, while enhancing engagement opportunities for the brands that power the sport.” Many events hosted on the platform will continue to promote best practices related to catch-and-release and invasive species control. These efforts will also help deliver more meaningful catch data to key stakeholders, supporting conservation-minded decision-making. Fishing Chaos will also introduce a dedicated Bass Pro Shops gear experience within the platform, allowing anglers to browse curated fishing products that link directly to Bass Pro Shops’ online store. Active Fishing Chaos users—particularly those contributing catch data or gear insights—will have access to special catch log features and performance-based incentives throughout the year.

PRESENTED BY: Whatnot

Upcoming Bass Fishing Whatnot Shows

What is Whatnot?

Whatnot is a live-stream marketplace where anglers buy, sell, and auction gear in real time. Live shows, exclusive drops, and deals you won’t find at retail. Some shows are higher quality than others, here are some we think are good:

Today (Thurs, Jan 29):

10am: Gorilla Baits Click here to view

11am: Fishbonz Tackle Co Click here to view

11:40am: 6th Sense Click here to view

Times are in Central Time

PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

No Ordinary Joe

Roughly 37 years ago a boy named Joe cast a live crawfish he’d caught in a nearby canal into Long Beach, California’s El Dorado Park pond with his first ever baitcasting rod, a pistol grip model of course. A 5-pound largemouth tugged at his offering soon after, and ultimately grabbed his young soul in a manner that set forth a lifetime of highly admirable bass fishing success, including over $700,000 in tournament winnings the past 20 years, along with 8 prize boats, and a direct hand in selling around 5,000 boats to other anglers and recreationalists. Obviously, the boy was no ordinary Joe. Instead, the son of an avid angler named Joe Uribe Sr., is not only one of the top competitive anglers in the Western United States, but also regarded as one of the top fulltime boat salesmen in the United States the past 20 years. At age 46, Joe Uribe Jr. is beginning 2026 with what promises to be another year of positive vibes, helping others chase their dreams, selling dozens of boats, and yes, hauling not one but two 5-bass limits to the scales over 36-pounds recently at the WON Bass Winter Open on Clear Lake. “I love it all. From 10” swimbaits to punching vegetation or casting a squarebill shallow, but in that event, I knew after a couple days of practice the only way to win was with forward-facing sonar. So, I took everything out of my Vexus® except… Read more here.

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Issue #360

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