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We are witnessing a rare run of on-the-water performances from 23-year-old Drew Gill.  In the last three tournaments he has fished, Gill hasn’t finished lower than second, including a pair of dominant victories on both the Bass Pro Tour and the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit to start the 2026 season.

The event he finished in second, he did so via tiebreaker after he caught enough weight to win the Toyota Series Championship on Grand Lake last November. In the process, he became the MLF’s youngest bass fishing millionaire. Gill came into 2026 with confidence and momentum in spades, which lined up with his ultimate goal for the year.

“Consistency is the undertone of everything I do on the water, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say the BPT Angler of the Year is my focal point,” Gill shared. “AOY is a coveted prize and it’s so tough to do with the caliber of anglers on the Bass Pro Tour. I’ve finished in 2^nd and 3^rd in that race the past two seasons, and I’d really like to know what it feels like to win.”

If you’ve watched Gill fishing LIVE or listened to him in podcasts and interviews, it’s easy to tell that his brain doesn’t work like most of the population or even most of his pro angling peers. Gill approaches bass fishing like a mathematician mixed with a mad scientist. He’s calculated, cerebral, and focused every time he launches his boat.

He very well may be the best in the world with forward facing sonar technology, but his understanding of bass behavior has expanded to a point that he continues to dominate in the blended formats he navigates in MLF competition.

“From a strategy perspective I love the blended FFS format of the BPT and Pro Circuits,” Gill explained. “It has become an intricate game of chess and its perfect for my style. It has kind of unexpectedly created a unique dilemma that I seem to gel with. With limited hours ‘scoping each day, I don’t have to show my hand as much, which has led to higher finishes in multi-day events.”

While online naysayers would love to point to Gill’s FFS prowess to detract from his domination the past several years, his success in the blended format both last season and to start 2026 has left the haters with no leg to stand on. The proof is in the pudding, or on the leaderboard… Gill is a special talent.

Along with trophies, accolades, and big pay days Gill has racked up $7,000 in extra cash from Toyota Bonus Bucks in the past month. Gill became the first to reap the rewards of the new payout structure from Toyota’s popular contingency program, winning $4,000 for being the highest placing angler driving a Toyota tow vehicle at Stage One on Lake Guntersville, followed by a $3,000 reward for his win at the Harris Chain in the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit competition.

Gill was still driving his 2024 Toyota Tundra SR5 to start the season at Lake Guntersville and then flew to Oklahoma to buy himself a new 2026 Tundra Limited package. Bonus Bucks has been good to Gill the past few years, which was a main factor in his tow vehicle consideration.

“As a tournament bass angler, you aren’t just buying a truck to tow your boat when you buy a Toyota, you’re recycling value,” Gill said. “The money I invest into my new truck comes back into the industry in the form of Toyota’s support for bass fishing, and then through Bonus Bucks for me as an individual angler. Factor in that these trucks hold their value, their super reliable, and just incredible vehicles. There was no question and no doubts for me when it came to what truck I’m buying.”

Gill has a unique perspective on trucks much like his extraordinary mind for bass fishing. He is one of one, and it’s not a stretch to predict we will all be witness to his ascendence in tournament fishing for years to come.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be a bass fishing phenom to cash in on opportunities with Toyota Bonus Bucks. If you tournament fish, you just need to own or lease a 2022 or newer Toyota tow vehicle, register for the free-to-join program, and compete in one of the over 620 supported events. Follow this link to learn more https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/, or send an email with any questions to [email protected].