Best Bassmaster Classic Releases for 2025

Often regarded as the Super Bowl of bass fishing, this year’s Bass Master Classic brought together some of the best anglers in the Elite Series for a slugfest of a tournament on Lake Ray Roberts dominated by a wide variety of finesse and power fishing techniques. Not only does the brightest stage in bass fishing usher in a new champion, but this prestigious tournament also serves as a launching pad for manufacturers to introduce new exciting products to the industry. To help sort through all of the new releases from the 2025 Classic, we have categorized all of the products being introduced and highlighted the standouts in each section. Check out the TW Staff’s picks for the best Bass Master Classic release rods, reels, line, baits, electronics, sunglasses, and more!

Allowing anglers to fish on the go without sacrificing sensitivity or performance, the Daiwa Steez Travel Casting and Spinning rods earned our pick for best Classic Release rod with a design that delivers the same level of quality anglers expect from the Steez series. Featuring Daiwa’s exclusive V-joint technology, the Daiwa Steez Travel Rods are built to eliminate squaring at each connection point to provide a seamless connection that fishes just like a one-piece rod.

The Antares series of reels from Shimano has been a long-standing favorite among competitive anglers, so the updated version is eagerly anticipated by Shimano fans. Bursting with cutting-edge Shimano technologies, the Antares 100 B is highlighted by a magnesium HAGANE body, and MGL Spool IV, which work to provide performance that is a cut above your average reel. Cosmetically a standout as well, the Antares looks like a jet fighter with tolerances and technologies to match.

Aptly named, the Twin Power XD FB Spinning Reels delivers powerful performance capable of double-duty in fresh and saltwater. Boasting an updated drag system, the Shimano Twin Power XD FB Spinning Reels provide anglers with enough muscle to go toe-to-toe with the toughest fish, whether you’re targeting largemouth or longfin. Packed with cutting-edge Shimano tech, the Shimano Twin Power XD FB Spinning Reels sports an understated aesthetic and an oversized ergonomic handle that ups the ante on comfort and grip.

A new, larger size of the wildly popular Riser series, the Jackall Riser Bait 012 is sure to garner tons of attention when topwater time rolls around. Providing better casting distance, and a larger area of attraction, the Jackall Riser Bait 012 measures just under 5” long and weighs just over an ounce, making it easy to launch a country mile. For those who love the quality of Jackall and the performance of the Riser, the Jackall Riser Bait 012 will undoubtedly find a home on your front deck in the coming months.

An extension of Shimano’s outstanding hardbait lineup, the Shimano Gravitator 220 SS Glidebait’s modifiable action that lets anglers adjust their presentation to match the attitude of fish. Offering a tight and wide swimming mode, the Shimano Gravitator 220 SS Glidebait delivers a jaw-dropping action that will push the limits of your livewell. Loaded with signature Shimano technologies , like ARMORBOOST & FLASHBOOST, the Gravitator is sure to become a staple among serious swimbait enthusiasts.

Released in tandem at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic this year, the Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Crud Craw & Stank Bug are an expansion of Berkley’s outstanding Maxscent lineup. Two outstanding shapes, the Crud Craw and Stank Bug covers most of your bases, whether you are looking for a football jig trailer, swim jig trailer, flipping bait, or Carolina rig bait. Loaded with a healthy dose of Maxscent for enhanced attraction, the Berkley Pwoerbait Maxscent Crud Craw and Stank Bug are a cut above your everyday craw imitators.

Nomad Designs was well represented at the 2025 Classic this year, with an extensive offering of jigs and soft plastics. Backed by an innovative tungsten ball weighting system, the Nomad Design Live Ops Fallout Minnow gives anglers an innovative way to get the exact rate of fall they are looking for – an important element of fishing with forward-facing sonar. Offered in both a 4.25” and 5” version, the Nomad Design Live Ops Fallout Minnow offers unbeatable realism matched by a cutting-edge weighting system that stands out in a sea of minnow baits.

Working to maximize action, and eliminate the need for a loop knot, the Bizz Baits Ring Roller Jig Heads features a ringed design that pairs with a wide range of soft plastics, especially minnow-style baits. Welded directly onto the line tie, the ring on the Bizz Baits Ring Roller Jig Head works to provide a full range of motion and achieve the all-important rolling action. Backed by a super-sharp BKK hook, the TW Staff is confident the Bizz Baits Ring Roller Jig will be a major player throughout the tournament season.

A downsized version of the legendary Jack Hammer chatterbait, the Z-Man Evergreen Jack Hammer Baby Jack Chatterbait carries all of the premium features that made the original popular, in a bite-sized package that’s ideal for pressured fisheries. Utilizing a premium Decoy snap and compact 3/0 hook, the Baby Jack utilizes a scaled-down profile that delivers all the same outstanding performance that anglers have come to trust from the original Jack Hammer. A must-have lure for any angler’s Spring bass fishing arsenal, the Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer Baby Jack is sure to make a big splash with its small profile.

The latest in live sonar technology from Humminbird, theHumminbird Mega Live 2 Imaging delivers crystal clear sonar returns that provide anglers with a clear picture of what’s below the surface. Utilizing TargetBoost technology, the Humminbird Mega Live 2 Imaging provides up to 150ft of sonar range and allows anglers to target fish with Forward, Landscape, and Down modes for complete coverage. If you are looking for a technological edge over the competition, the Humminbird Mega Live 2 Imaging is the latest and greatest for live sonar technology.

Berkley’s Forward braid emerged as a favorite for the best Classic Release line, setting the standard in braided fishing line technology and forward-facing sonar. Forward Braid combines exceptional strength with a sleek, low-stretch design, that gives anglers a distinct advantage when used in conjunction with live sonar and targeting fish with finesse tactics. Available in crystal, flame green, and lo-vis green color options, the Berkley Forward Braid seamlessly blends cutting-edge technologies with Berkley’s lineage of quality and performance.

The Daiwa D-Box series has been a remarkable hit over the last couple of years. Incredibly functional and durable, the D-Box series is a welcomed addition to any boat locker, garage cabinet, or tackle bag. Daiwa dropped a bunch of additions to this outstanding series, this year, but the Daiwa D-Box Small grabbed our attention specifically for filling a void in the smaller storage categories. Much deeper than other boxes of the same footprint, the Daiwa D-Box Small Deep opens the door for storing tons of other products that may not fit in conventional boxes, like frogs, squarebills, and spinnerbait.

Offering the perfect blend of technology and timeless styling, the Costa Del Mar Broadbill II Sunglasses are sure to amplify the performance and comfort of your next on-the-water adventure. Featuring a sleek, yet rugged frame paired with polarized 100% UV protection, the Costa Del Mar Broadbill II Sunglasses are the perfect companion on-and-off the water.