Bonus Bucks: Inside Elite Toyotas

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Professional angler Cliff Pace drives a 2018 Toyota Tundra SR5. It is his fifth Tundra. “I’ve had a Tundra longer than anybody on tour and I’ve never had an issue with any of them,” he said. “They tow great and it’s just an easy truck for me to use.”
Professional angler Cliff Pace drives a 2018 Toyota Tundra SR5. It is his fifth Tundra. “I’ve had a Tundra longer than anybody on tour and I’ve never had an issue with any of them,” he said. “They tow great and it’s just an easy truck for me to use.”
“I don’t even think about my boat being back there,” said Pace. “A lot of emphasis is put on how well a Tundra pulls a boat, but I appreciate how well my Tundra stops a boat. The stopping power is just as important as towing power, especially when you’re driving in heavy traffic or through big cities.”
“I don’t even think about my boat being back there,” said Pace. “A lot of emphasis is put on how well a Tundra pulls a boat, but I appreciate how well my Tundra stops a boat. The stopping power is just as important as towing power, especially when you’re driving in heavy traffic or through big cities.”
“I don’t think there’s any other sport like fishing,” said Pace. “Every day is a puzzle. You can never master it.”
“I don’t think there’s any other sport like fishing,” said Pace. “Every day is a puzzle. You can never master it.”
“I learn something new on the water every day,” said Pace. “Sometimes what you learned yesterday can help you today. And there are times when what you learned yesterday can be the worst thing to rely upon the next day.”
“I learn something new on the water every day,” said Pace. “Sometimes what you learned yesterday can help you today. And there are times when what you learned yesterday can be the worst thing to rely upon the next day.”
“I’ve still got two old Toyota trucks, including a 1989 model that’s got an antique license plate on it,” said Pace. “I still use it. About every six months somebody stops by the house after seeing that truck in my driveway and asks me if I want to sell it. That’s a testament to the resell value of Toyota trucks.”
“I’ve still got two old Toyota trucks, including a 1989 model that’s got an antique license plate on it,” said Pace. “I still use it. About every six months somebody stops by the house after seeing that truck in my driveway and asks me if I want to sell it. That’s a testament to the resell value of Toyota trucks.”
Jason Christie has two Toyota Tundras, a 2017 and a 2014, both are CrewMax 4x4. He uses one for fishing tournaments and the other for hunting and working on his property. He chose Toyota for three reasons: “One, the way they tow; two, the room inside; and three, they pay me when I do good, with Bonus Bucks.”
Jason Christie has two Toyota Tundras, a 2017 and a 2014, both are CrewMax 4×4. He uses one for fishing tournaments and the other for hunting and working on his property. He chose Toyota for three reasons: “One, the way they tow; two, the room inside; and three, they pay me when I do good, with Bonus Bucks.”
“Before the season starts, my girls [Ali, Ana and Jaslyn] give me a good luck charm,” said professional angler Jason Christie. “This year they gave me a bracelet, a keychain and an Eskimo charm. I keep them in my Tundra, and when I go fishing I put them in my pocket. If the fishing isn’t going my way I reach down and hold the charm. It reminds me there are things in my life more important than fishing.”
“Before the season starts, my girls [Ali, Ana and Jaslyn] give me a good luck charm,” said professional angler Jason Christie. “This year they gave me a bracelet, a keychain and an Eskimo charm. I keep them in my Tundra, and when I go fishing I put them in my pocket. If the fishing isn’t going my way I reach down and hold the charm. It reminds me there are things in my life more important than fishing.”
“I love that every day changes in bass fishing,” said Christie. “Conditions change and you’ve got to figure it out. It is unlike any other sport. In basketball, the goal is always 10 feet high and the ball is round. Bass fishing is not like that—at all. Every day is different and a new challenge.”
“I love that every day changes in bass fishing,” said Christie. “Conditions change and you’ve got to figure it out. It is unlike any other sport. In basketball, the goal is always 10 feet high and the ball is round. Bass fishing is not like that—at all. Every day is different and a new challenge.”
“I’m a tall guy,” said Christie. “I’ve got plenty of room. It’s just a comfortable ride, and I feel safe in it, I really do.”
“I’m a tall guy,” said Christie. “I’ve got plenty of room. It’s just a comfortable ride, and I feel safe in it, I really do.”
“I’ve got one Tundra rigged up for deer hunting,” said Christie. “It’s got slide lockers for my bows. I never unload it. It’s got a drawer for game cameras. It’s cool to have two, where you don’t have to switch your gear back and forth. I use that one for hunting and working.”
“I’ve got one Tundra rigged up for deer hunting,” said Christie. “It’s got slide lockers for my bows. I never unload it. It’s got a drawer for game cameras. It’s cool to have two, where you don’t have to switch your gear back and forth. I use that one for hunting and working.”
Melinda Hays drives at least 80,000 miles a year, fishing and working at tournaments. She has two Toyota Tundras, a 2017 Double Cab for her job with Costa, and a 2016 Platinum CrewMax for personal use. “They’re just so comfortable,” she said. “The lumbar support in the seat really helps my back on long drives. I can just hop out, and I’m ready to go.”
Melinda Hays drives at least 80,000 miles a year, fishing and working at tournaments. She has two Toyota Tundras, a 2017 Double Cab for her job with Costa, and a 2016 Platinum CrewMax for personal use. “They’re just so comfortable,” she said. “The lumbar support in the seat really helps my back on long drives. I can just hop out, and I’m ready to go.”
Melinda Hays has been fishing since she was 2 years old. “I love everything about it,” she said. “I love the challenge and the learning. I love how I feel every time I catch a fish. My brother says I still react like a kid.” Hays hopes to inspire her own daughters as well. “I want them to learn to love fishing, but I don’t want to push them into it.”
Melinda Hays has been fishing since she was 2 years old. “I love everything about it,” she said. “I love the challenge and the learning. I love how I feel every time I catch a fish. My brother says I still react like a kid.” Hays hopes to inspire her own daughters as well. “I want them to learn to love fishing, but I don’t want to push them into it.”
What’s Hays' favorite technology in the Tundra? “The radio, navigation and phone, everything together on one screen. I use the Bluetooth setup a lot for hands free driving. It’s all about safety. And I love the backup camera, it’s makes backing my boat down ramps easy.”
What’s Hays’ favorite technology in the Tundra? “The radio, navigation and phone, everything together on one screen. I use the Bluetooth setup a lot for hands free driving. It’s all about safety. And I love the backup camera, it’s makes backing my boat down ramps easy.”
“I take the girls with me a lot [Henley and Harbor],” said Hays. “Typically they spill some french fries in the truck or leave toys scattered around. So there are reminders of them in the truck even when they’re not with me. I carry a Yeti cooler wherever we go with a gallon of milk in it because the girls just love milk.”
“I take the girls with me a lot [Henley and Harbor],” said Hays. “Typically they spill some french fries in the truck or leave toys scattered around. So there are reminders of them in the truck even when they’re not with me. I carry a Yeti cooler wherever we go with a gallon of milk in it because the girls just love milk.”
With all the driving she does, how does Hays stay awake? “I learned this from my mom-- eat sunflower seeds,” she said. “That keeps you constantly working. I also make a lot of phone calls. And I sing a lot. In fact I sing and dance in the seat. I’m glad there’s not a camera in the Tundra.”
With all the driving she does, how does Hays stay awake? “I learned this from my mom– eat sunflower seeds,” she said. “That keeps you constantly working. I also make a lot of phone calls. And I sing a lot. In fact I sing and dance in the seat. I’m glad there’s not a camera in the Tundra.”
Bassmaster Elite Series angler and Arizona native Josh Bertrand drives a 2017 Toyota Tundra Double Cab TRD and has had three Tundras since 2012. “I’ve never had a breakdown, never. They’re ultra reliable. Knowing that I’m not going to run into any issues on the road is the biggest thing.”
Bassmaster Elite Series angler and Arizona native Josh Bertrand drives a 2017 Toyota Tundra Double Cab TRD and has had three Tundras since 2012. “I’ve never had a breakdown, never. They’re ultra reliable. Knowing that I’m not going to run into any issues on the road is the biggest thing.”
“Living in Arizona I probably drive more than a lot of other Elite guys just because my trips are a lot longer, and I like to, when I can, drive it home because I enjoy fishing at home too. It’s what I like to do. So I hate to leave it back east and fly.” Bertrand puts between 35,000 and 50,000 miles per year on his Tundra depending on the year.
“Living in Arizona I probably drive more than a lot of other Elite guys just because my trips are a lot longer, and I like to, when I can, drive it home because I enjoy fishing at home too. It’s what I like to do. So I hate to leave it back east and fly.” Bertrand puts between 35,000 and 50,000 miles per year on his Tundra depending on the year.
How has the truck helped with your fishing? “Well, I love it for the Bonus Bucks as much as anything. It actually pays to drive it.”
How has the truck helped with your fishing? “Well, I love it for the Bonus Bucks as much as anything. It actually pays to drive it.”
“I really like the location of the backup camera. A lot of backup cameras are mounted lower so you really can’t see your tow hitch. Where Toyota put their backup camera they had that in mind so you can actually back it right up to the tow ball and never miss it once.”
“I really like the location of the backup camera. A lot of backup cameras are mounted lower so you really can’t see your tow hitch. Where Toyota put their backup camera they had that in mind so you can actually back it right up to the tow ball and never miss it once.”
Bertrand has a simple technique for staying in touch with his family back home, which includes his wife, young daughter and a son on the way. “I always leave my Tundra clock set on Arizona time. That way I know I can call my wife and everyone at home and know what time it is there.”
Bertrand has a simple technique for staying in touch with his family back home, which includes his wife, young daughter and a son on the way. “I always leave my Tundra clock set on Arizona time. That way I know I can call my wife and everyone at home and know what time it is there.”
What do you love about fishing? “Probably the rush of figuring out what it takes to get a bite and then getting a bite and catching the fish. Ultimately nothing is better than physically catching the fish. I love always being out on the water and seeing the different things and how every day the lake is different.”
What do you love about fishing? “Probably the rush of figuring out what it takes to get a bite and then getting a bite and catching the fish. Ultimately nothing is better than physically catching the fish. I love always being out on the water and seeing the different things and how every day the lake is different.”
Bassmaster college angler Chris Lupo fishes for Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Ala. He put about 50,000 miles on his Toyota Tacoma in the past year. Lupo drives it to both college and club fishing tournaments, and he drove it from Alabama to California for the College Series Western Tour event.
Bassmaster college angler Chris Lupo fishes for Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Ala. He put about 50,000 miles on his Toyota Tacoma in the past year. Lupo drives it to both college and club fishing tournaments, and he drove it from Alabama to California for the College Series Western Tour event.
“Toyota’s loyal fan base got me very interested in the truck,” Lupo said. “The first time I drove a Tacoma, I knew I wanted one. The only issue was finding the blazing blue pearl color. We went to three different dealerships before I found her.”
“Toyota’s loyal fan base got me very interested in the truck,” Lupo said. “The first time I drove a Tacoma, I knew I wanted one. The only issue was finding the blazing blue pearl color. We went to three different dealerships before I found her.”
“I’ve been fishing my whole life although most of my personal experience fishing was in salt water,” said Lupo. “When we moved to North Alabama four years ago, I caught the bass bug and have been competitively fishing for the last two years.”
“I’ve been fishing my whole life although most of my personal experience fishing was in salt water,” said Lupo. “When we moved to North Alabama four years ago, I caught the bass bug and have been competitively fishing for the last two years.”
“The possibility of earning extra money doing what I love drew me to the Toyota Bonus Bucks program,” said Lupo. “The fact that they extended the rewards from the Elite Series down to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series is awesome.”
“The possibility of earning extra money doing what I love drew me to the Toyota Bonus Bucks program,” said Lupo. “The fact that they extended the rewards from the Elite Series down to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series is awesome.”
Lupo loves that everyone can fish for bass, but it’s not easy to be great at it. “Fishing is a puzzle that involves a scavenger hunt to find all the right pieces that fit together to create your pattern on how to catch the fish,” he said. “Plus, the feeling that comes from landing that big fish on tournament days.”
Lupo loves that everyone can fish for bass, but it’s not easy to be great at it. “Fishing is a puzzle that involves a scavenger hunt to find all the right pieces that fit together to create your pattern on how to catch the fish,” he said. “Plus, the feeling that comes from landing that big fish on tournament days.”
Bassmaster Elite Ott DeFoe is new to the Toyota Bonus Bucks family. “That was a no-brainer. I like that Toyota supports fishing and that they are paying so much back to the anglers through the Bonus Bucks program,” he said. DeFoe bought his first Tundra last October, and he uses it for fishing and fishing business. “It is always pulling a boat,” he said.
Bassmaster Elite Ott DeFoe is new to the Toyota Bonus Bucks family. “That was a no-brainer. I like that Toyota supports fishing and that they are paying so much back to the anglers through the Bonus Bucks program,” he said. DeFoe bought his first Tundra last October, and he uses it for fishing and fishing business. “It is always pulling a boat,” he said.
“I love the Tundra interior,” said DeFoe. “It’s very comfortable. Just the convenience of how everything is organized—where the gearshift is placed, the spot for my phone, the cup holder arrangement. Everything is very well thought out.”
“I love the Tundra interior,” said DeFoe. “It’s very comfortable. Just the convenience of how everything is organized—where the gearshift is placed, the spot for my phone, the cup holder arrangement. Everything is very well thought out.”
DeFoe fills his Tundra with more than fishing gear. “I’m really blessed because my family travels with me to a lot of the tournaments,” he said. “That’s why we picked the CrewMax, the back seat is so big. All three of the kids can fit back there easily, and that’s with two of them still in booster seats. They’ve got enough room to where they don’t kill each other.”
DeFoe fills his Tundra with more than fishing gear. “I’m really blessed because my family travels with me to a lot of the tournaments,” he said. “That’s why we picked the CrewMax, the back seat is so big. All three of the kids can fit back there easily, and that’s with two of them still in booster seats. They’ve got enough room to where they don’t kill each other.”
“The Tundra pulls my boat really well,” said DeFoe. “It’s not like the engine is overworking at any point. For pulling my boat out of the water, the low-end torque is really, really impressive. You just barely have to touch the gas to get it out of the water.”
“The Tundra pulls my boat really well,” said DeFoe. “It’s not like the engine is overworking at any point. For pulling my boat out of the water, the low-end torque is really, really impressive. You just barely have to touch the gas to get it out of the water.”
DeFoe loves everything about bass fishing. “I love the sunrises in the mornings and the sunsets in the evenings,” he said. “I love the spirit of the chase in between. I like a how a terrible day sometimes turns out great. And it’s very rewarding. You get all the credit when things turn out well, and it’s completely your fault when you have a bad day.”
DeFoe loves everything about bass fishing. “I love the sunrises in the mornings and the sunsets in the evenings,” he said. “I love the spirit of the chase in between. I like a how a terrible day sometimes turns out great. And it’s very rewarding. You get all the credit when things turn out well, and it’s completely your fault when you have a bad day.”
Casey Ashley has driven his 2017 Toyota Tundra Double Cab to 14 tournaments, and he loves its towing capacity. “My Tundra allows me to pull my boat without even noticing it’s back there. It rides very good. It’s quiet, and it turns on a dime.”
Casey Ashley has driven his 2017 Toyota Tundra Double Cab to 14 tournaments, and he loves its towing capacity. “My Tundra allows me to pull my boat without even noticing it’s back there. It rides very good. It’s quiet, and it turns on a dime.”
Casey's favorite technology feature of the Tundra is the navigation system.
Casey’s favorite technology feature of the Tundra is the navigation system.
Casey Ashley keeps this four-leaf clover as his
Casey Ashley keeps this four-leaf clover as his “lucky charm.”
Casey Ashley switched to Toyota because the company supports bass fishing and he wanted to participate in #ToyotaBonusBucks. “The Bonus Bucks program is a great way to earn some extra cash when fishing tournaments, even if you don’t win,” Ashley said. “They really do a lot for the sport of bass fishing and bass anglers.”
Casey Ashley switched to Toyota because the company supports bass fishing and he wanted to participate in #ToyotaBonusBucks. “The Bonus Bucks program is a great way to earn some extra cash when fishing tournaments, even if you don’t win,” Ashley said. “They really do a lot for the sport of bass fishing and bass anglers.”
This 2010 Tundra used to go on the road with Casey Ashley, now it lives at home.
This 2010 Tundra used to go on the road with Casey Ashley, now it lives at home.
In his 20 years of professional bass fishing, #BassElite Mike McClelland has owned 15 towing vehicles, and this year he’s driving a 2018 Toyota Tundra Double Cab.
In his 20 years of professional bass fishing, #BassElite Mike McClelland has owned 15 towing vehicles, and this year he’s driving a 2018 Toyota Tundra Double Cab.
McClelland's favorite feature of his 2018 Toyota Tundra Double Cab is the Dynamic Cruise Control, a feature offered with Toyota Safety Sense™ P. “You can set cruise control behind another vehicle, and it will maintain the speed and the distance. The truck will speed up and slow down for you, and that’s pretty cool.”
McClelland’s favorite feature of his 2018 Toyota Tundra Double Cab is the Dynamic Cruise Control, a feature offered with Toyota Safety Sense™ P. “You can set cruise control behind another vehicle, and it will maintain the speed and the distance. The truck will speed up and slow down for you, and that’s pretty cool.”
“I have never had any issues what-so-ever, and that’s why I chose to drive a Toyota,” McClelland said.
“I have never had any issues what-so-ever, and that’s why I chose to drive a Toyota,” McClelland said.
Mike McClelland uses his Tundra for pretty much everything. “The 4-wheel drive capabilities of the truck make it good for everything you want to do,” McClelland said.
Mike McClelland uses his Tundra for pretty much everything. “The 4-wheel drive capabilities of the truck make it good for everything you want to do,” McClelland said.
B.A.S.S. Nation Champion and Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie Caleb Sumrall is driving his 2016 Toyota Tundra SR5 to Elite and Bassmaster Opens tournaments this year.
B.A.S.S. Nation Champion and Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie Caleb Sumrall is driving his 2016 Toyota Tundra SR5 to Elite and Bassmaster Opens tournaments this year.
When Caleb Sumrall doesn’t have a backseat full of tackle, he fills the truck with his family.
When Caleb Sumrall doesn’t have a backseat full of tackle, he fills the truck with his family.
To keep him company, Caleb Sumrall keeps a photo of his daughter on his dashboard.
To keep him company, Caleb Sumrall keeps a photo of his daughter on his dashboard.
Caleb Sumrall fills his Toyota Tundra backseat with fishing gear when he’s out on the road. “It provides me enough space to keep my extra tackle dry and safe,” Sumrall said.
Caleb Sumrall fills his Toyota Tundra backseat with fishing gear when he’s out on the road. “It provides me enough space to keep my extra tackle dry and safe,” Sumrall said.