Bass Talk Live

Todd Castledine joins BTL to break down the current state of bass fishing.  We count down five things the industry is doing right - and five things that need serious improvement.  From the best developments in professional bass fishing to the issues that tick Todd off, nothing is off limits in this honest look at where bass fishing stands today and where it needs to go next.  ABOUT BTL:BASS TALK LIVE (BTL) was voted by fans as the “Best Bass Fishing Podcast of 2025” in the Best On Tour Awards.  BTL is the industry’s longest-running live show, providing an unfiltered, deep-dive look into the professional bass fishing world through expert tournament analysis and high-profile guest interviews. Started by Mark Jeffreys and now hosted by Matt Pangrac, the show has connected fans to the "game behind the game" for the past 22 years with real-time insights.   ABOUT THE HOST:Matt Pangrac is a fixture in the professional bass fishing community, serving as the host of the industry’s longest-running live podcast, Bass Ta

Frank talks about some common mistakes when fighting bass that lead to heartbreak.

BPT angler Matt Becker joins BTL to literally go down a wormhole when it comes to drop shot worms.

Matt is joined by the 2026 Bassmaster Open AOY, Brock Bila.

BTL returns with the definitive list of the Top 10 forward-facing sonar (FFS) anglers currently competing  in high level bass tournaments.    This is the list of the Top 10 forward-facing sonar anglers currently competing in high level bass tournaments.  Anglers up for consideration must be fishing one of the following:BASSMASTER ELITE SEREIS MLF BASS PRO TOURMLF PRO CIRCUIT BASSMASTER OPENS   Each angler is ranked on a scale of 1-10 in the following categories relating to FFS: InnovationConsistency Versatility Efficiency Resume  ABOUT THE GUESTS: JACOB WHEELER Jacob Wheeler is one of the most dominant competitive bass anglers in history and current angler on the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour (BPT) . His career includes winning the 2012 Forrest Wood Cup as its youngest champion ever, capturing the 2026 REDCREST Championship, and securing an unprecedented four Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year titles (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025). Renowned for his master-level use of forward-facing sonar and tactical versatilit

Frank talks about the process of painting the Bass Fishing HOF Signature Lures for Johnny Morris, Jimmy Houston, Denny Brauer, and Bob Cobb.  LURENETUse code BTL25 at checkout at lurenet.com and get 15% off regular priced items:https://www.lurenet.com/Johnny Morris’ signature will appear on a Heddon Super Spook 5-inch — a topwater walking bait with three treble hooks. He worked with Scalish on a bleeding shad pattern named “Milk Shaker Shad.”Jimmy Houston’s signature will appear on a Heddon Super Spook Jr. This walk-the-dog lure will feature a one-of-a-kind tree frog pattern named “Red Eye Tree Frog.”Denny Brauer’s signature will appear on a Heddon Magnum Torpedo. This single-prop topwater bait will feature a shad pattern developed by Brauer and Scalish dubbed “Threadfin.”Bob Cobb’s signature will appear on an Original Zara Spook — the original walk-the-dog lure. His Spook will feature a unique, classic frog pattern known as “Bullfrog.”

Justin Lucas joins BTL to talk about his recent MLF BPT win on Lake Erie.ABOUT BTL:BASS TALK LIVE (BTL) was voted by fans as the “Best Bass Fishing Podcast of 2025” in the Best On Tour Awards.  BTL is the industry’s longest-running live show, providing an unfiltered, deep-dive look into the professional bass fishing world through expert tournament analysis and high-profile guest interviews. Started by Mark Jeffreys and now hosted by Matt Pangrac, the show has connected fans to the "game behind the game" for the past 22 years with real-time insights.   ABOUT THE HOST:Matt Pangrac is a fixture in the professional bass fishing community, serving as the host of the industry’s longest-running live podcast, Bass Talk Live while competing in the Bassmaster Opens. His career in the industry spans over 15 years, moving from a founding member of the University of Oklahoma fishing team to a decade-long role as a senior writer for The Bass Zone. Since 2021, he has contributed to preserving the sport's history as a member

2007 BFL All-American Champion and 9-time BFL winner Shonn Goodwin joins BTL to talk about what the changes to the MLF BFL'S in 2027 will mean for the future of the historic tournament trail.  ABOUT BTL:BASS TALK LIVE (BTL) was voted by fans as the “Best Bass Fishing Podcast of 2025” in the Best On Tour Awards.  BTL is the industry’s longest-running live show, providing an unfiltered, deep-dive look into the professional bass fishing world through expert tournament analysis and high-profile guest interviews. Started by Mark Jeffreys and now hosted by Matt Pangrac, the show has connected fans to the "game behind the game" for the past 22 years with real-time insights.   ABOUT THE HOST:Matt Pangrac is a fixture in the professional bass fishing community, serving as the host of the industry’s longest-running live podcast, Bass Talk Live while competing in the Bassmaster Opens. His career in the industry spans over 15 years, moving from a founding member of the University of Oklahoma fishing team to a decade-long

Matt is joined by 2026 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Angler Of The Year, Zack Birge.   Birge is one of professional bass fishing's most accomplished competitors, with a resume that includes a college national championship, BFL victory, Toyota Series Championship, and two MLF BPT titles.    In this episode, Zack chares the story of his journey through the sport, the lessons behind his success and what it took to reach the top of professional bass fishing.  ABOUT BTL:BASS TALK LIVE (BTL) was voted by fans as the “Best Bass Fishing Podcast of 2025” in the Best On Tour Awards.  BTL is the industry’s longest-running live show, providing an unfiltered, deep-dive look into the professional bass fishing world through expert tournament analysis and high-profile guest interviews. Started by Mark Jeffreys and now hosted by Matt Pangrac, the show has connected fans to the "game behind the game" for the past 22 years with real-time insights.   ABOUT THE HOST:Matt Pangrac is a fixture in the professional bass fishing

Frank breaks down everything don't need to go bass fishing...until you need it.  In the second half of the show, Alex from Trailer Watchdog joins the program and the guys announce the winner of the trailer nightmare story contest.  TRAILER WATCHDOGWant to get a Trailer Watchdog system for your boat trailer and turn any trailer into a smart trailer? Use code BTL25 at checkout:https://trailerwatchdog.com/LURENETUse code BTL25 at checkout at lurenet.com and get 15% off regular priced items:https://www.lurenet.com/

Matt is joined in-studio by guide and Bassmaster Opens EQ angler, Rick Harris.  The guys chat about the 2026 season and Rick dives into what it takes to guide and tournament fish full time.Want to get on the water with Capt. Rick? Reach out on Instagram:@rickharrisfishing

Logan Greeno joins BTL to talk about his company, Revived Bait Co., college fishing, and career paths in the industry.

Former Elite Series pro and lure designer, Jon Bondy, joins BTL to talk about his days on on the professional bass tournament trail and how he pivoted to become one of the most well known lure designers in the musky world.

Frank drops a new signature series color on Lurenet and the guys talk go over some horror stories from the water.  Use code BTL25 to get %15 off  regular priced items at Lurenet.com:https://www.lurenet.com/

Matt chats with 2027 Bass Pro Tour rookie, Connor Jacob, about his rapid rise in the sport from college, to the B.A.S.S. Nation, to the Pro Circuit to the BPT in under three years.

Matt and Dave Rush from Best On Tour talk about the different scenarios that can play out the final weeks of the 2026 season and look back at a busy week in professional bass fishing.  Jody White from MLF jumps on to talk about the recent MLF Pro Circuit event on Lake Champlain.  BEST ON TOURGet behind the scenes of the top fishing tours. Learn the business side of the industry.  Become a better angler.  Once a week.  Completely free.Newsletter Signup | Best on Tour

Frank gives a crash course in summertime grass fishing.  

Frank is back and answering questions.

Matt is joined be Elite Series pro, Robert Gee.

Ken Duke from Bass After Dark joins BTL.