THE BUSINESS NEWS OF FISHING.

Best on Tour brings you interesting news from the fishing industry in a weekly email.

1. Stat of the Day

PRESENTED BY: Sunline

2. Money Matters

PRESENTED BY: Big Bite Baits

The B.A.S.S. Bluelight Special

Throughout the years numerous non-endemic sponsors have entered the world of professional fishing. Kmart was a major sponsor of the Bassmaster tournament trail for several years before ceasing the relationship. KMart, along with some other brick and mortar retailers have fallen on hard times of late with Kmart filing bankruptcy in 2018 . Another retail giant Wamart, sponsored the FLW Tour for nearly 20 years but drastically reduced their role in 2017, relinquishing the title sponsorship role for the tour.

3. Behind the Scenes

PRESENTED BY: SPRO

Call The Coach  For 33 years Les Bratcher was a successful high school football, basketball and softball coach in Alabama not only creating success on and off the fields and court but helping students follow their dreams. In 2013 Les was recognized for his outstanding achievements, and was put in the Alabama Wiregrass Hall of Fame. When it was time to move on to his next career, Les followed his second passion to carry him to his present job, and that was fishing. Throughout his coaching career Les had a passion for bass fishing and it would be a perfect fit to tackle his next stop at Big Bite Baits.   In his role at Big Bite Baits Les is the Pro Staff Director. His primary duties are making sure that the Big Bite Pro Staff members have what they need. He oversees the BASS and BPT Pros, Walleye, Crappie, Saltwater, Lady Professionals as well as the Big Bite Field Staff.  Asked what it is about your job that you like the most? Coach adds “being a true fisherman it is being involved in the fishing business, but I’m a people person at heart it is the day to day interacting with all of the pros and the customers that call in asking about baits that we make, and I have been known to give them a few fishing tips also along the way”. You can catch some of Les's best tips on the popular Rig It LIVE weekly segment on the Big Bite Baits Instagram account, which typically airs Thursdays at 3PM CST.

4. Anglers Tribune

Nose Hooked

Keith Leftridge is a successful regional tournament angler from the Kansas City area. He and his long time tournament partner were fishing a tournament early this Fall when his partner swung and missed on a bite in the first 10 minutes of their day on the water. The hook and tungsten weight flew thru the air hitting Keith in the face and mouth. The Gamakatsu hook buried into his nose and the tungsten weight struck him in the mouth, knocking out a tooth. Keith had a great attitude despite the pain and was back on the water later that same day after a trip to the emergency department. It also required multiple dentist visits to repair the tooth damage. His advice to all anglers is "always wear sunglasses or clear safety glasses when fishing". He and his partner both carry safety glasses in their boats for times of low light when it is too dark for sunglasses.

5. Baits Not Being Talked About

Designed by the legendary crankbait angler, David Fritts, the Berkley Frittside Crankbait is based on the crankbait that helped David win the 1993 Bassmaster Classic. Featuring a flat sided profile that mimics a wide variety of baitfish, the Berkley Frittside Crankbait delivers a tight balsa-like thumping action and flash that is deadly during tough conditions when fish are sluggish or heavily pressured.

6. What We're Watching & Listening To

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

Bill Dance Blooper Reel

Bill Dance's television show has aired since 1968, making him one of the World's most famous anglers with his iconic Tennessee hat. Thousands of anglers have grown up watching his television show. If you need a good laugh today, check out one of his blooper videos.

7. Jersey Watch

PRESENTED BY: Denali

Tommy Biffle One of the most veteran anglers on the BPT, Tommy has long had Gene Larew as his title sponsor. See one of his best commercials with Gene Larew for the Biffle O here . One of Tommy's other long term sponsors is Mercury Marine. Mercury is currently accepting sponsorship proposals on it's website thru Nov 30. The Mercury program offers three levels of sponsorship for anglers to apply. Photo courtesy of MLF

8. Regional Recommendations

Princess Anne Distributing Co . has been selling quality fishing tackle in Virginia Beach, VA since 1958. Offering its customers excellent products at affordable prices. The store employs a knowledgeable staff with over 80 years of experience and fishing knowledge. If you are in the Virginia Beach area stop by and check them out.

9. Best for Last

PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

Power-Pole Bass Team Gets Salty Power-Pole recently held an annual event where they bring members of their freshwater and saltwater pro staffs together at their Florida headquarters for training, fellowship, and fun. While some of the time was spent educating their staff on all of the great Power-Pole products , a portion of the event was spent on the water having a friendly competition between Power-Pole pros, staff, and other event attendees. This year the team of Dean Rojas , Randy Howell , Capt. Geoffery Page , and Power-Pole's Casey Carpenter took home the bragging rights by winning the event. Be on the lookout for great new content and products from Power-Pole team.

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