Brandon Palaniuk has officially joined Team Toyota ahead of the 2025 season, marking a milestone in a journey that began with the purchase of his first Toyota Tundra back in 2010.
Known for his deep ties to the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, Palaniuk credits those early contingency checks with helping him launch a professional bass fishing career when sponsorships were still out of reach.
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At the time, Palaniuk was working for a timber company in the mountains, building logging roads and scraping by between tournaments. “The extra cash from Bonus Bucks checks here and there was a difference maker,” he shared, reflecting on how those early funds allowed him to compete during his rookie year on tour.
From those humble beginnings, Palaniuk has carved out a remarkable career: he captured the 2010 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, became a two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year, and notched six Bassmaster Elite Series wins, the latest of which came at Lake Okeechobee in February 2025.
Joining Team Toyota holds special significance for Palaniuk, who once looked up to icons like Kevin VanDam, Gerald Swindle, Mike Iaconelli, and Terry “Big Show” Scroggins. “It’s incredibly humbling to be mentioned in the same conversation and on the same team as the anglers I idolized,” he said.
Toyota has played a pivotal role in the growth of bass fishing in the U.S., backing major tournament circuits, the BassmastHER initiative, and grassroots anglers alike through its Bonus Bucks program. Palaniuk’s addition to Team Toyota reflects the brand’s enduring investment in the sport.
“Brandon joining Team Toyota is a full circle moment,” said Dedra DeLilli, vice president of marketing communications at Toyota Motor North America. “We are proud to have Brandon on board and look forward to supporting his continued success.”
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