Gear

5 favorites with Tyler Rivet

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Hailing from Raceland, La. — right in the middle of authentic Cajun Country — third-year Bassmaster Elite Series pro Tyler Rivet qualified to fish at the national level through the 2018 Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Opens. His qualifying season included a fifth-place finish on the Arkansas River.
Hailing from Raceland, La. — right in the middle of authentic Cajun Country — third-year Bassmaster Elite Series pro Tyler Rivet qualified to fish at the national level through the 2018 Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Opens. His qualifying season included a fifth-place finish on the Arkansas River.
Rivet recently notched his first Elite Series Top 10 with a sixth-place finish at Pickwick Lake, where he garnered well-deserved attention for dialing in particular spots where he caught high numbers of fish by repetitively making the same cast.
Rivet recently notched his first Elite Series Top 10 with a sixth-place finish at Pickwick Lake, where he garnered well-deserved attention for dialing in particular spots where he caught high numbers of fish by repetitively making the same cast.
<b>Topwater fishing</b><br> Second only to punching, Rivet calls topwater fishing his favorite technique. Fisheries and scenarios will determine specific choices, but his standard lineup comprises a walking topwater, a popper, a buzzbait and a double shot of frogs — popping and walking models.
Topwater fishing
Second only to punching, Rivet calls topwater fishing his favorite technique. Fisheries and scenarios will determine specific choices, but his standard lineup comprises a walking topwater, a popper, a buzzbait and a double shot of frogs — popping and walking models.
<b>Yellow Magic Popper.</b> The hand-painted Japanese topwater is one of Rivet’s go-to baits in the South, and he’s a big fan of the feathered treble. “You get four times more bites with a feather.”
Yellow Magic Popper. The hand-painted Japanese topwater is one of Rivet’s go-to baits in the South, and he’s a big fan of the feathered treble. “You get four times more bites with a feather.”
<b>Boogerman Buzzbait.</b> A great shallow water attention getter, the Boogerman Buzzbait works well with various trailers. Rivet likes a 4-inch Xcite Baits Shadnasty in open water and scattered grass, but when he’s skipping docks or overhanging trees, the buzz toad’s flatter form works best.
Boogerman Buzzbait. A great shallow water attention getter, the Boogerman Buzzbait works well with various trailers. Rivet likes a 4-inch Xcite Baits Shadnasty in open water and scattered grass, but when he’s skipping docks or overhanging trees, the buzz toad’s flatter form works best.
Rivet knows he can always stir up some shallow water love with a buzzbait. Although he doesn’t find a lot of buzzbait scenarios on the Elite series, his Southern Louisiana home waters offer plenty of opportunities.
Rivet knows he can always stir up some shallow water love with a buzzbait. Although he doesn’t find a lot of buzzbait scenarios on the Elite series, his Southern Louisiana home waters offer plenty of opportunities.
<b>Spro Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog 60.</b> If there’s one bait that defines “confidence” for Rivet, it’s the frog. Noting that he owes about 90% of his local tournament wins to this amphibian imitator, Rivet does most of his work with a Spro Bronzeye Poppin’ model, he keeps the walking style frog handy for pads, heavy grass or any other dense cover.
Spro Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog 60. If there’s one bait that defines “confidence” for Rivet, it’s the frog. Noting that he owes about 90% of his local tournament wins to this amphibian imitator, Rivet does most of his work with a Spro Bronzeye Poppin’ model, he keeps the walking style frog handy for pads, heavy grass or any other dense cover.

Although he generally keeps his color selections simple, Rivet carries plenty of frog options. The action usually does the trick, but he’s always alert for any subtle color preference.
Although he generally keeps his color selections simple, Rivet carries plenty of frog options. The action usually does the trick, but he’s always alert for any subtle color preference.
Rivet said he always gives his frog legs at least a 3/4-inch trim, but if the fish are nipping at his bait and missing it, or only getting the legs, he’ll take off a little more. He’ll reduce both legs evenly, but he’ll often make an additional trim on one side to give his frog a pronounced walk.
Rivet said he always gives his frog legs at least a 3/4-inch trim, but if the fish are nipping at his bait and missing it, or only getting the legs, he’ll take off a little more. He’ll reduce both legs evenly, but he’ll often make an additional trim on one side to give his frog a pronounced walk.
When it comes to tying on his topwaters, Rivet has always trusted the Palomar knot. His opinion: It’s the easiest and strongest option for any of his topwater presentations.
When it comes to tying on his topwaters, Rivet has always trusted the Palomar knot. His opinion: It’s the easiest and strongest option for any of his topwater presentations.
One of Rivet’s topwater tips: He adds a 2-foot section of fluorocarbon leader between his braided main line and his Xcite Baits topwater walker. The fluoro, he said, tugs the bait down just enough to elevate the action.
One of Rivet’s topwater tips: He adds a 2-foot section of fluorocarbon leader between his braided main line and his Xcite Baits topwater walker. The fluoro, he said, tugs the bait down just enough to elevate the action.
<b>SixGill Reels.</b> Because topwater walkers need only a slow saunter, Rivet fishes his on a 7.1:1 SixGill reel. This gear ratio, he said, affords him the right blend or walking pace and fish-fighting strength.
SixGill Reels. Because topwater walkers need only a slow saunter, Rivet fishes his on a 7.1:1 SixGill reel. This gear ratio, he said, affords him the right blend or walking pace and fish-fighting strength.

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