My fishing buddy Chad and I won the Texas Team Trail bass fishing tournament on Toledo Bend last weekend and won a brand new 2025 Ranger Z518 bass boat that is for sale (more info below).
I put the winning details in this Toledo Bend bass fishing report, talking about how we caught 27 lbs and 10 oz to win. Focusing on a swim jig with a drip swimmer trailer and a Berkley Nessie 9 swimbait for a kicker, we caught big bass that were staging before and after the spawn, near shallow spawning areas. This tips should help you catch big bass in your area during the spring as well, not just on Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Ray Roberts, Lake Fork and other Texas bass lakes.
You can get the items mentioned here:
Berkley Swim Jig (3/8 oz Black Blue Purple): https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Powerbait_Swim_Jigs/descpage-BSJG.html?from=TRFISH
Berkley Drip Swimmer (4″ Black Shad): https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_PowerBait_Drip_Swimmer_/descpage-BPDSS.html?from=TRFISH
Swim Jig Rod: Fenwick Elite 7-5 Medium Heavy Extra Fast: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fenwick_Elite_Casting_Rods/descpage-FECR.html?from=TRFISH
Abu Garcia Revo STX 8:1 reel: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Revo_STX_LP_Casting_Reels/descpage-AGRST.html?from=TRFISH
15 lb Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon line: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Trilene_100_Fluorocarbon_Line_Clear/descpage-FBTR.html?from=TRFISH
Fenwick World Class 7-5 Heavy ModFast swimbait rod: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fenwick_World_Class_Cranking_Casting_Rods/descpage-DQXX.html?from=TRFISH
Berkley Nessie 9 (Burnt Bone): https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Powerbait_Nessie_Soft_Glide_Bait/descpage-BNG.html?from=TRFISH
Swim Jig spring fishing tips video: https://youtu.be/NEIiTpQQOPw
For Sale: New 2025 Ranger Z518 with Mercury 150 ProXS
Brand new boat, won it at TX Team Trail tournament, never been used. Ranger Z518 with Cup Equipped package and tandem axle upgrade.
• 2025 Ranger Z518, 18’ 10”
• 2025 150 HP Mercury Pro XS 4-stroke motor
• 9” Garmin EchoMap Ultra graphs in dash at bow & console
• LiveScope Plus LVS34 on trolling motor
• Garmin Force Trolling Motor
• 12V AGM Group 31 cranking battery (no trolling motor batteries)
• Dual Pro 3 bank AGM/Lithium battery charger
• Hot Foot foot throttle
• 2 butt seats
• Single console (second console can be purchased & installed by a dealer)
• Tandem Axle trailer upgrade
Ranger dealer “no haggle” price: $64,765
Selling for $59,900
email if interested: tom@lakeforkguidetrips.com





Nice, Nice Job Tom. Congrats!
I knew you looked familiar at weigh inn! Congrats man y’all Crushed em! We couldn’t get a Big Bite just out of the money with 16.05
Awesome pinch hitter!