4x4 Baits

08/18/2026

Something is brewing... keep your eyes peeled.

NORTH COUNTRY GRIT: LESTER FINDS HIS STRIDE ON CHAMPLAIN
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Oddly enough, a bass tournament up north makes a Tennessee fisherman feel a little closer to home. Maybe it’s the mountains on the horizon or the old towns tucked along the shoreline, the working docks and weathered barns. Heck, maybe even the way the morning air carries just enough chill to remind you that summer doesn’t last forever. Whatever it was, Lake Champlain treated Vicious Fishing Pro Angler Brandon Lester pretty well.

He put together a Top-10 finish at the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series event on Champlain, a fishery famous for producing both heavyweight smallmouth and largemouth. It’s one of the most diverse fisheries in the Northeast. For Lester, this one meant more than another good finish on the résumé.

“This came at a really good time for me. I think about Bassmaster Classic qualification a lot. Making a Classic is a huge emphasis for me. I’ve made 10 Classics in 12 tries and I’m proud of that. It can be a career-changing event.”

That’s the kind of thing you understand if you’ve ever spent your life chasing something that matters. It isn’t always about the trophy sitting at the end of the road. Sometimes it’s about staying in the fight long enough to get another shot at the big one. On Champlain, Lester had a plan.

“I’d start on smallmouth in the morning and would transition to largemouth by about 9am every day.”

It was a two-species game and Lester wasn’t interested in making it more complicated than it needed to be. He took what the lake gave him early then changed gears as the morning wore on. Underneath the strategy, however, was something even more interesting: a piece of fishing tackle that has been a long time coming.

“The real star of the show was a new urchin hook I’m working on with 4x4 Baits. We’ve been creating and testing it for a long time. I’m not much for buzzwords and all of that stuff but I think it’s going to be very popular. During our testing, out of the 106 bass that bit it, we boated 104 of them.”

That’s the kind of number that gets an fisherman’s attention. The new hook is being developed with 4x4 Baits, a sister company of Vicious Fishing, and Lester has been quietly putting it through the sort of testing that happens long before a new product ever finds its way into somebody’s tackle box. Two fish lost out of 106 isn’t a marketing slogan. That’s a pile of bass. Lester isn’t quite ready to give away the whole recipe yet.

“I’ll keep it there for now. But I’d really suggest keeping an eye on the 4x4 Baits page in the very near future.”

Fair enough. There’s an old tradition in fishing of keeping a few cards close to the vest. The best fishermen know that a little mystery is part of the fun. You work on something in the garage, test it on the water, bend a few hooks, lose a few fish and eventually find something that just works. Then you take it fishing.

That’s what made Lester’s Champlain finish particularly fitting. In a sport increasingly filled with technology, data and numbers, there’s still room for the simple stuff. A good instinct, a sound game plan, confidence in your equipment and the stubborn determination to keep catching them. For Lester, Champlain delivered all four.

With another Classic berth on his mind, this Top-10 finish might prove to be more than just another line in the record book. Sometimes, a good day on the water is simply a good day. Sometimes, on the other hand, it’s a little bit of the road ahead.

08/16/2026

We’re pretty exited about this one… more to come!

Two big culls late in the day including a 6-1 in the last 10 minutes was enough to get us in the top 10! Sitting in 6th going into Championship Sunday. Not sure how many fish are left in my areas but we’re going to give it a heck of a shot. I’ll see y’all on Bass Live tomorrow! Phoenix Boats | Premium Bass Boats Mustad Fishing Get Vicious Mossy Oak Fishing Impulse Lithium Batteries

08/05/2026

Summertime crappie with Pro Angler Brandon Lester. See full video link in first comment

07/17/2026

Talking crappie @ ICAST 2026.

06/30/2026

Summertime crappie fishing with Pro Angler Brandon Lester. Link to the full video in the first comment.

06/13/2026

Let’s go!!!!

Had a rally day on the Pasquotank and jumped from 60th to 19th heading into the weekend. Need another big bag tomorrow to slide in that top ten. Let’s make it happen!

06/08/2026

FINALLY HERE! The new 4x4 Ultimate Crappie Jighead was built for those SLABS and is going to save you a bunch of money in soft plastics. We have tested these baits on thousands of fish since the first prototypes were completed and can't wait for you to try them. Outfitted with a heavier #4 Mustad hook (sickle or round bend), you wont' believe how many you can catch on a single bait. Available now at 4x4Baits.com!

06/04/2026

Legit! 1/32 oz will be here within the week too.

For all you crappie guys out there the ultimate crappie jighead has arrived! Been working on these for about a year now and very proud of how they turned out. Eventually we will have 8 different models, four for micro baits(1”-1.75”) and four for regular size baits(2”-3”). Made with a custom screwlock keeper to hold your bait in place and each model is built around a premium hook. The 1/16th sickle and round bend version regular size are available now at 4x4baits.com. Better get them quick!

03/06/2026

Let's go Pro Angler Brandon Lester! 🇺🇸

HOME WATERS AND A HIGHER CALLING: LESTER’S ROOTS AND FAITH BEFORE 2026 CLASSIC
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You can see it in his eyes and you can hear it in his voice. When it comes to Pro Angler Brandon Lester, that difference shows up as a quiet confidence rooted in Tennessee red clay, Sunday morning church pews and a deep love for the people who matter most. As the 2026 Bassmaster Classic heads to Knoxville, Lester won’t just be another angler in the field.

He’ll be fishing in his home state on fisheries which have shaped him as both a competitor and a man.

While plenty of storylines will swirl around forward-facing sonar, shallow-water patterns and the always-unpredictable Tennessee River system, the heartbeat of this one feels personal to him . Lester is quick to clarify something many fans might misunderstand.

“I’m from middle Tennessee,” he said. “But I’ve only fished about four times there on Fort Loudon and Tellico Lake. I’ve fished two Classics and one Elite Series event there.”

Even so, there’s no denying what it means to compete in East Tennessee. The Tennessee River has its own personality. Rolling current, fluctuating water levels and bass that can humble the best in the world. And this Classic will launch out of Knoxville on the familiar waters of Fort Loudoun Lake and neighboring Tellico Lake.

For Lester, that Tennessee connection isn’t about secret history on waypoints. It’s about comfort. It’s about understanding how these fish behave when the dogwoods bloom and the redbuds start to pop. Thanks to a recent warming trend, that bloom might be early.

“I feel really good about this recent warm weather,” Lester said. “The fact that we’ve had such a warm front come through is a really big deal for my style of fishing. Around my house, which is roughly four hours away, it seems like it’s going to be an early spring and everything is moving shallow. I think this weather is going to open up a lot of stuff I like to do. Namely, fishing shallow.”

This isn’t a one-dimensional event, though.

“Forward-facing sonar is going to play a role, of course,” Lester said. “There is a population of smallmouth that some guys will target.”

In today’s game, ignoring technology isn’t an option. The scope crowd will be hunting roaming smallmouth, watching fish react in real time and adjusting on the fly. But Lester sees a bigger picture.

“I think the guy who wins this tournament will do it both ways. Both modern and traditional,” he said. “In this new age of bass fishing, I’ve found that those scope fish are much less likely to change with dramatic weather patterns. So I feel like I have to go look for that to protect myself.”

That’s the strategic side of a seasoned Elite Series pro. Protect yourself with something stable. Something predictable. Don’t think for a second he’s abandoning his strengths, though.

“I know the shallow stuff around here with no problem. I can always make up stuff as I go when it comes to that pattern. I hope it plays out that way."

Ask Lester what his ideal scenario looks like and he doesn’t hesitate.

“I’d love to wing a flat-sided crankbait around,” he said. “Ideally, I’d like to get a bunch of rain beforehand so I can really fish shallow. Rising water, stained banks and bass pushing up to feed.”

A flat-sided crankbait deflecting off chunk rock. A lipless ticking emerging grass. A spinnerbait slow-rolled around isolated cover. It’s a style built on feel, timing and instinct. It matches the early spring Tennessee River mood perfectly if conditions align. Big “if” there. But he’ll lean heavily on Vicious Fishing to make it happen.

“I’m going to be relying on Vicious Fishing 10- and 12-pound fluorocarbon on my crankbaits and lipless crankbaits,” Lester said. “Spinnerbaits are going to be key as well. I’ll tie them onto 17-pound Vicious Fishing Pro Elite.”

Line choice in a Classic isn’t an afterthought. It’s everything. The right diameter for depth control, the right abrasion resistance for rocky banks, the right strength for heavy current surges near the dam. When the biggest title in bass fishing is on the line, confidence in your equipment allows you to focus on ex*****on and not doubt.

“Anytime the Classic is in Knoxville, it’s very important to me,” he said. “A lot of friends and family will be there and I want to do well for them.”

That’s the part casual fans sometimes miss. The Classic isn’t just several days in February or March. It’s years of sacrifice. Missed birthdays. Long travel days. Endless hours on the water. When it’s close enough for loved ones to fill the arena, it hits different. Still, Lester refuses to let that pressure morph into stress.

“I don’t let it stress me out, though. It’s all about the Lord’s will but it’s still important that I work hard.”

There’s maturity in that balance. Preparation without panic and effort without obsession. At the center of it all, however, is his faith. Before blastoff at the 2026 Classic, Lester’s prayer will be simple.

“I don’t pray for success. Instead, I pray for safety and that the Lord watches over my beautiful family as I’m on the water. I also pray for clarity on the water; that I let things flow and don’t try to force things.”

That last line might be the most telling. On a fickle Tennessee River in early spring, forcing a pattern can sink you fast. Clarity allows an angler to adjust.

“Every morning I say a prayer with my wife, Kim,” Lester said. “Throughout the day, sometimes I’ll pray while I’m running to another spot. I don’t know how anyone can play this game without faith.”

Tournament bass fishing is a mental grind that includes decisions that can make or break a season. For Lester, faith isn’t a pre-tournament ritual. It’s a daily foundation. It steadies him when the fish aren’t biting. It keeps him grounded when they are. When he idles out at sunrise with thousands watching, that foundation will matter more than ever. Yes, forward-facing sonar will play. Yes, smallmouth will get caught. Yes, someone will likely blend modern technology with shallow-water instinct to hoist the trophy.

For Lester, this Classic is about more than adapting to conditions or dialing in the right crankbait bite. It’s about representing Tennessee the right way, it’s about honoring the support system that makes this career possible. It’s about trusting Vicious Fishing equipment when the moment demands perfection. Above all, it’s about surrendering the outcome.

When the final fish is weighed and the confetti falls in Knoxville, Lester’s perspective won’t hinge on a trophy alone. It will rest in knowing he prepared with excellence, fished with freedom and trusted the Lord with the results. In a sport constantly evolving with technology and pressure, that kind of steady anchor might just be the most powerful edge of all.

02/26/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: VICIOUS FISHING ACQUIRES 4x4 BAITS; A DEAL ROOTED IN AMERICA
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When you turn off the busy highway and pull towards the lake, the sound of that gravel is unmistakable. It’s the sound of slowing down. Paying attention. Knowing you’re getting closer to something that actually matters.

That same feeling sits at the heart of the newly announced acquisition of 4x4 Baits by Vicious Fishing. It’s a deal forged not in some fancy boardroom but in long conversations, shared values and a mutual respect for the craft of fishing and the people who live it every day.

Vicious Fishing, a family-owned, Indiana-based company known for its uncompromising approach to quality and its deep roots in the outdoors, has officially acquired 4x4 Baits, a brand celebrated for its innovative, American-made baits and its reputation among professional anglers as a quiet producer of big results.

Together, the two brands form a natural pairing. One that doesn’t feel like a corporate transaction and more like welcoming a trusted neighbor into the family.

“I wasn’t really looking for a new brand,” said Greg Meunier, Owner of Vicious Fishing. “But when Tommy called me, I immediately recognized the benefits and special character of 4x4 Baits. It’s a cool brand that fits our company personality. So, I made some calls to pros that had used them and didn’t find a single angler who could say anything bad about his products. Tommy fishes for hundreds of hours on his baits before releasing them, fine tuning the minute details, to make sure they are superior quality products.”

4x4 Baits has built its reputation the old-fashioned way by putting American-made baits in the water and letting the fish decide.

Over the past decade, 4x4 products have been responsible for nearly $2.5 million in tour-level winnings, quietly earning trust among professional anglers who demand performance when it matters most.

From jigs and jigheads to spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, the 4x4 lineup has long been known for blending innovation with reliability, all while staying competitively priced alongside market leaders.

For Vicious Fishing, whose product offerings already mirror these qualities, 4x4 was a perfect complement.

“We're very excited to add 4x4 to our family of brands,” Meunier continued. “We just couldn’t be happier to have 4x4 Baits under our roof.”

That same sense of family was what ultimately made the decision possible for Tommy, the founder and owner of 4x4 Baits.

After years of building the brand from the ground up, pouring countless hours into bait design and on-the-water testing, he found himself at a crossroads familiar to many independent makers.

“I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready to just go fishing but I didn’t want my brand to die,” Tommy said. “I was looking for a family-owned business that I trusted to keep it going with service and quality. Too often, brands are sold to some equity group and they lose what made them special.”

No equity groups here. What he found in Vicious Fishing was a reflection of his own values.

“I knew I found my guy when I saw Greg’s social media pages. He’s out there hunting, fishing and being a family man,” Tommy continued. “His company does things the right way with integrity and treats people right. I am absolutely certain Greg and his wife and co-owner of Vicious Fishing, Cori will take 4x4 to the next level.”

Under the Vicious Fishing umbrella, 4x4 Baits will remain family-owned and operated, ensuring that the character, quality and service anglers have come to expect will not only remain intact but continue to grow.

All current 4x4 products will remain made in the USA, a major point of pride shared by both brands and a commitment that speaks to craftsmanship over shortcuts.

Another hallmark of 4x4’s design philosophy and one that aligns closely with Vicious Fishing’s own approach is versatility. These are baits built to work wherever fish live. From bass lakes and crappie ponds to rivers holding walleye and even saltwater applications for species like snook and trout, 4x4 products are designed to cross boundaries without losing effectiveness.

They’re tools for anglers who don’t like being boxed in. Anglers who see all water as an opportunity worth chasing.

Looking ahead, anglers can expect continuity paired with creativity. The existing lineup of jigs, jigheads, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits will continue to be produced and supported, while new product development is already underway.

Plans are in motion for the release of new offerings in 2026. Products that promise to go outside the norm while staying true to the practical, fish-first mindset that built both brands.

At its core, this acquisition is about stewardship. About making sure something good doesn’t get lost. About keeping a brand alive by placing it in hands that understand why it mattered in the first place.

It’s about trusting your gear because you know the person who made it cares just as much as you do. In an industry that often feels rushed, this partnership stands as a reminder that the best things still come together slowly through shared values, honest conversations and a love for the water that never really goes away.

Vicious Fishing and 4x4 Baits aren’t just joining forces. They’re carrying something forward. In America.

For anglers everywhere, it’s a collective sigh of relief as two nationally respected brands are keeping things the way they ought to be.