Best on Tour Breakdown

The Bassmaster Elite Series field is changing. Why does the system work this way, who won’t be back in 2027, and how difficult is it to earn another shot?

Jordan Babcock sits down with Bassmaster commentator Ronnie Moore to break down Elite Series requalification, the anglers who won't return in 2027, and how career Angler of the Year averages determine who stays and who goes.

Plus, could Bassmaster bring back a legend through the Legends Exemption? Do you have to be a “scoper” to survive in today’s Elite Series? Will a woman ever qualify for the Elites? And what options do anglers have when their time on the tour comes to an end?

How did we get to the point where a coin flip is deciding which Bassmaster Elite Series events will allow forward-facing sonar?

In this conversation, Jordan sits down with John Crews to go behind the scenes of how Bassmaster and the Elite Series anglers arrived at the 50/50 forward-facing sonar format and ultimately, why a coin flip became the solution.

We talk about what the anglers actually wanted, why Bassmaster decided against a full Livescope ban, and the challenges of creating a system that anglers, sponsors, electronics companies and host cities could all live with.

We also get into the politics of building the Elite Series schedule, how host cities influence where the tour goes, why some great fisheries never make the schedule, and what John would change if he were the one calling the shots.

Plus, we break down the results of the coin flip for the 2027 Elite Series schedule, what the scope/no-scope schedule means for some of the biggest fisheries, and where John thinks the 2028 no-scope Bassmaster Classic could be headed.

Chapters:
00:00 How did we get here?
01:15 Why Bassmaster went 50/50 with FFS
02:54 The 2025 angler survey
05:01 Why not just ban forward-facing sonar?
06:06 How the coin flip came about
07:30 Breaking down the 2027 coin flip results
10:51 If John Crews ran the Elite Series
12:36 Lakes John wants the Elites to go to
16:47 Could coin flips still decide the rules in 10 years?
18:45 Are people are starting to understand the coin flip?

John's 2027 coin flip reaction video referenced 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgCbIaqwOTU

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👇 Links & Timestamps👇

0:20 Buzz - 2026 Elite Series Highlights: AOY, ROY, New Records, Century Belts, and more
AOY post 👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/DcrUjeAtBYa/
ROY post 👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/Dctc2wzRqNx/
Evan Küng post 👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/DcteKGkRFAW/
Century belt post 👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcyi78lxDuA/
Back-to-back BASS AOY blog 👉 https://bestontour.net/blog/complete-list-of-every-bassmaster-aoy/#back-to-back
Bassmaster stats 👉 https://www.bassmaster.com/anglers/

15:18 Banter - Reviewing Bassmaster pundit picks: Predicting each rookie’s
best Elite finish in 2026
Bassmaster article referenced 👉 https://www.bassmaster.com/elite/news/predicting-each-rookies-best-elite-finish-in-2026/

29:59 Baits - Hideup Coike Shrimp
Get some 👉 https://realdealtackle.com/search?options%5Bprefix%5D=last&q=coike+shrimp&sca_ref=10514177.lonIbY6kZ5hdLE&sca_source=botbd_ep21
Article shown 👉 https://www.bassmaster.com/elite/slideshow/top-lures-of-st-lawrence-elite-2026/

37:31 Business - How international conflicts affect the fishing tackle industry
Article shown 👉 https://angling-international.com/2026/08/10/ukraine-targets-top-russian-online-tackle-seller/

41:55 Bonus - 2027 MLF Bass Pro Tour cuts & additions
Article shown 👉 https://majorleaguefishing.com/press-releases/major-league-fishing-announces-2027-bass-pro-tour-roster/

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The Best on Tour Breakdown is the behind the scenes briefing on the buzz, banter, baits, and business of bass fishing.

👇 Links & Timestamps👇

0:28 Buzz - Bassmaster's Top 10 Bass Lakes in the United States
Graphic shown 👉 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1625214549050858&set=pb.100046869864358.-2207520000
Bassmaster's list 👉 https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/top-10-best-bass-lakes-of-2026/

7:03 Banter - What's the next big thing (that's NOT an urchin)?
Full video 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqefowGnbG0

13:57 Baits - Missile Baits Magic Worm
Get some 👉 https://realdealtackle.com/products/missile-baits-magic-worm-14-pack?sca_ref=10514177.lonIbY6kZ5hdLE&sca_source=botbd_ep20

19:37 Business - Rapala issues a positive profit warning
Article shown 👉 https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/inside-information-rapala-vmc-corporation-184000789.html

24:15 Bonus - Jeremy Lawyer & Terry Scroggins crappie fishing
Video shown 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDb8VOU7IwU

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The Best on Tour Breakdown is the behind the scenes briefing on the buzz, banter, baits, and business of bass fishing.

This is the finale of our ICAST 2026 series, where we present highlights from all four interviews we did and add additional context and commentary. Watch/listen to the full interviews for more, and please let us know your feedback on this series! Thanks for watching or listening.

👇 Links & Timestamps👇

1:13 Influencer - Hilary Martin
Full interview 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8QsvEEccTI

8:53 Pro Angler - Josh Bertrand
Full interview 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af6mxp1pKTQ

17:16 Brand Owner - John Crews
Full interview 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cksKizjjGyQ

24:55 Sales Rep - Carl Carson
Full interview 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlDvl-_SrZc

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What is ICAST really like behind the scenes? In our new Best On Tour ICAST 2026 video series, we take you inside the biggest event in the fishing industry through the eyes of the people who actually live it. From pro anglers and brand owners to sales reps and influencers, this series pulls back the curtain on what really happens at ICAST, and how the industry actually works!

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The Best on Tour Breakdown is the behind the scenes briefing on the buzz, banter, baits, and business of bass fishing.

What does a fishing industry sales rep actually do at ICAST?
In this episode of our Best On Tour ICAST series, we sit down with industry veteran Carl Carson to break down the side of ICAST most people never see.
From months of preparation and booth setup to nonstop meetings and relationship-building, Carl shares what it really takes to represent brands and drive business at the biggest trade show in fishing.
We also dive into how ICAST has evolved over the years from catalog sales and surprise product launches to today’s fast-moving world of social media, influencers, and early releases.

In this episode:
• What a sales rep actually does at ICAST
• The insane prep before the show even opens
• How brands sell products months (or years) in advance
• Why some reps never even see the show floor
• Where real business and deals actually happen
• How social media changed product launches forever
• The biggest trends shaping the fishing industry

This is just 1 of our interviews for our ICAST 2026 series. We’re talking to some of the most influential people in fishing to bring you real insight from inside ICAST.
👉 Make sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss the next episode!

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What does it actually take to succeed at ICAST as a fishing brand?
In this episode of our Best On Tour ICAST series, we sit down with Missile Baits owner and Elite Series pro John Crews to break down the real business behind one of the biggest trade shows in the fishing industry.
From year-round preparation to last-minute chaos, John shares what it takes to launch new products, build relationships, and turn ICAST into real sales, not just exposure!
We also dive into how fishing brands succeed (or fail) at ICAST, what some companies get wrong, and how the game has evolved with influencers, content, and modern marketing.
If you’ve ever wondered how baits actually go from concept to sell-out success… this is an inside look!

In this episode:
• How much planning really goes into ICAST
• The stress of launching new products
• Why some companies fail at trade shows
• How Missile Baits approaches sales vs marketing
• The evolution of product launches in the fishing industry
• Building long-term relationships in the business
• Advice for anglers trying to break into the industry

This is just 1 of our interviews for our ICAST 2026 series. We’re talking to some of the most influential people in fishing to bring you real insight from inside ICAST.
👉 Make sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss the next episode!

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Everyone sees ICAST… but not everyone understands what it’s really like.
In this episode of our Best On Tour ICAST series, we sit down with MLF pro Josh Bertrand to break down the reality of ICAST from an angler’s perspective.
From long days in the booth to nonstop media, sponsor obligations, and after-hours networking, Josh shares what actually goes into being a professional angler at one of the biggest events in the fishing industry.
We also dive into how ICAST has changed over the years, the truth about sponsorship opportunities, and what anglers should (and shouldn’t) expect when they attend.
If you’ve ever thought ICAST was just fun and free gear… this one might surprise you.

In this episode:
• What pro anglers actually do at ICAST
• The reality behind sponsor obligations
• Why ICAST is more work than most people think
• How anglers balance multiple brands
• The truth about getting sponsors at the show
• Why the third day of ICAST matters more than you think
• How social media has changed everything

This is just 1 of our interviews for our ICAST 2026 series. We’re talking to some of the most influential people in fishing to bring you real insight from inside ICAST.
👉 Make sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss the next episode!

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What is ICAST really like behind the scenes?
In this episode of our Best On Tour ICAST series, we sit down with Hilary Martin to break down what it’s actually like working one of the biggest events in the fishing industry as an influencer.
From balancing sponsor obligations to meeting fans, creating content, and navigating the chaos of the show floor, Hilary shares a real, inside look at ICAST.
We also dive into her journey from attending her first ICAST at just 14 years old to becoming a recognized name in the space, plus how she manages brand relationships, content creation, and everything in between.

In this episode:
• How Hilary Martin prepares for ICAST
• What brands expect from influencers at the show
• Behind-the-scenes of sponsor relationships
• Balancing content creation vs obligations
• Growing up in the fishing industry
• The rise of female anglers in the sport
• What makes ICAST such a big opportunity

This is just 1 of our interviews for our ICAST 2026 series. We’re talking to some of the most influential people in fishing to bring you real insight from inside ICAST.
👉 Make sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss the next episode!

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👇 Links & Timestamps👇

0:30 Buzz -
The Leash 👉 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/The_Leash_Outboard_Motor_Tether/descpage-PSRTL.html?from=BOT

4:40 Banter - Michael Neal's #1 Tip For Success
Full video 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvHMtKhuZl4
Facebook post shown 👉 https://www.facebook.com/reel/935596059522591

10:16 Baits - Missile Baits Buzz Wagon
Get some 👉 https://www.missilebaits.store/products/buzz-wagon?bg_ref=MUYPk8OMKF&tid1=bot_youtube

16:20 Business - Behind the scenes of ICAST

24:29 Bonus - 2012 Bassmaster Classic, Red River, Gerald Swindle cuts off stuffed giraffe's foot!!

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The Best on Tour Breakdown is the behind the scenes briefing on the buzz, banter, baits, and business of bass fishing.