Kyle Welcher’s historic performance at the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound is an iconic moment in the Elite Series. Welcher’s commanding 45-pound, 7-ounce margin of victory is the largest in Elite Series history, and his win marked a milestone in his career, claiming his first career Bassmaster Elite Series win with an astonishing four-day total of 118 pounds, 12 ounces.
A Week of Dominance
- Welcher dropped 30-11 on Day 1 to take the lead he never surrendered.
- He followed with 30-3 on Day 2.
- Welcher posted the Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag of the Tournament with 34-0 on Day 3, a 22-pound largemouth monster.
- Closing with 23-14 on Championship Sunday, anchored by a 7-3 giant largemouth.
Welcher’s Winning Strategy
Welcher leaned heavily on his confidence in heavy cover and the Gamakatsu G-Power Heavy Cover Worm Flip and Punch Hook to conquer the challenging tidal fishery. He chose a 4/0 Gamakatsu G-Power Heavy Cover Worm Flip and Punch Hook, designed in collaboration with Aaron Martens, to tackle the thick cover. Paired with a black and blue Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug, a ¼-ounce tungsten weight pegged with a bobber stop, and 22-lb Sunline Shooter fluorocarbon on a 7’6″ heavy Khaotic Kustom Rod with an 8:1:1 gear ratio reel, Welcher targeted staging and spawning bass holding tight to shallow wood cover.
“I didn’t think I would get a Century Belt, for sure,” Welcher said. “But this event fell right into my wheelhouse. I was fishing heavy cover, flipping stumps and cypress trees in shallow water—exactly the kind of place where I trust my equipment, especially my hook.”
Designing for Success
| Manufacturer | Gamakatsu Ltd |
| Established | 1955 |
| Product Focus | Fishing hooks, apparel, and fishing-related items |
| Milestones | Continuously testing new materials and striving to improve its products, set the standard for the rest of the industry |
A Legacy of Innovation
Gamakatsu USA has risen to become a top producer of fishing hooks, apparel, and fishing-related items, driven by manufacturing upgrades and cutting-edge innovations. Founded in 1955, Gamakatsu Ltd has evolved to become the world’s preeminent hook manufacturer, with a legacy of innovation and quality that sets it apart from the rest.
From humble beginnings as Japan’s smallest fishing hook manufacturer, Gamakatsu has continued to push the boundaries of innovation, testing new materials and striving to improve its products. With a focus on precision, power, and penetration, Gamakatsu’s hooks have become the go-to choice for anglers worldwide.
This win is a testament to the effectiveness of the Gamakatsu G-Power Heavy Cover Worm Flip and Punch Hook, a product designed in collaboration with Aaron Martens. Welcher’s success with this hook is a shining example of the brand’s commitment to producing high-quality gear that meets the needs of top anglers.
A New Era for Welcher
Welcher’s win marks a significant milestone in his career, claiming his first Century Belt. His total of 118 pounds, 12 ounces is the 13th-largest four-day weight in Elite Series history, and Pasquotank River becomes just the 11th venue to produce a Century Belt.
