When a Bassmaster Elite Series pro is willing to put his name and his career on the line for a lighting brand, we pay attention. In this spotlight, we dig into why angler Brandon Palaniuk chose Rigid Industries LED lights for both his bass boat and his Toyota Tundra. Palaniuk started using these lights in early April, right before he won a Bassmaster Elite Series event, and he has not looked back since. We wanted to break down exactly what he runs, where he mounts it, and why he says these are the brightest and most durable lights he has ever seen.

Who Is Brandon Palaniuk and Why Does His Opinion Matter?

Brandon Palaniuk is a Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Angler, and if you follow competitive bass fishing you already know his reputation. What caught our attention is that he adopted Rigid Industries LED lights back in early April, shortly before he took home a win at a Bassmaster Elite Series event. That is not a small detail. When someone competes at that level, gear that fails or underperforms costs money and rankings. So when Palaniuk says he is willing to stake his name and his entire career on these lights against any competitor on the market, that is a serious endorsement. In his own words, these are the best lights he has ever seen, the brightest and the most durable. We hear a lot of bold claims in the automotive and marine lighting world, but hearing a working professional back that up with his livelihood is a different level of confidence. Below we walk through the specific applications where he uses Rigid Industries LED lights and why each one matters to his workflow on and off the water.

SR-M Flush Mounts in the Boat

The first place Palaniuk uses Rigid Industries lighting is inside his boat. He runs several SR-M flush mount lights in the gunnel, which is the upper edge of the boat’s side. These are perfect for tight, low-profile installs where you do not want a bulky housing sticking out and catching lines or gear. He relies on them for night fishing, and also for tying up his tackle both in the morning before a tournament and at night after a long day of competition.

If you want to see the specific pod he references, the SR-M Series PRO flush mount pod is the flush-mount style that fits neatly into a gunnel or dash. Beyond the gunnel lights, Palaniuk also mentions having lights mounted in the floor of the boat so he can see clearly while moving around during those early or late hours. For anyone who has ever fumbled with a headlamp while rigging tackle in the dark, having dedicated, bright, built-in lighting is a genuine upgrade to the experience.

Lighting Up the Toyota Tundra

Palaniuk does not stop at the boat. He also runs Rigid Industries LED lights on his Toyota Tundra pickup. This is where the setup gets a little more involved. On top of his Tundra he has a couple of D2 diffused duos, a 30-inch light bar, and a couple of flush mount lights. That combination gives him serious coverage and output for the tasks he faces after long tournament days.

The 30-inch bar he runs is comparable to the 30-inch RDS-Series light bar, a roof-friendly length that spreads plenty of light without going overboard on the roofline. If you are considering a similar roof rig on your own truck, we also recommend browsing our roundup of off-road LED light bars to compare lengths and beam patterns before you commit to a mounting layout.

Blue and White for Function and Style

One detail Palaniuk highlights is that his truck setup is a little tricked out. He runs both blue and white lights, so his rig is functional and looks good at the same time. That mix of color lets him keep a practical white output for working around the trailer while adding blue accents for a styled look. It is a nice example of how off-road and utility lighting does not have to be purely utilitarian.

If you are building out a pod setup rather than a full bar, take a look at these LED off-road pod lights for a sense of what compact housings can do. The point is that you can layer different sizes and styles to match your exact needs, which is exactly what Palaniuk did across his boat and truck.

Backing In the Trailer After a Long Day

The real-world reason Palaniuk mounted lights on top of his pickup is simple and relatable. After fishing 15, 16, or even 17 hours on the water, the last thing he wants to do is back his trailer into a post or a pole. With Rigid Industries lights on the roof of his Tundra, he can see exactly where the truck is going early in the morning or late at night, so he avoids expensive backing mistakes when he is exhausted.

Anyone who tows regularly understands that low-visibility maneuvering in the dark is where accidents happen. Having a wide, bright wash of light behind and around the truck removes a lot of that stress. It turns a nerve-wracking task at the end of a long day into a routine one.

More Light, Less Power Draw

One of the biggest selling points Palaniuk emphasizes is efficiency. He says Rigid Industries lights draw less power than anything else on the market while producing more light output. That combination matters a lot to him because he only has so much room in his boat and his pickup as he travels around the country. A light that puts out more while pulling less power saves him both space and money.

For a boat, power management is a constant balancing act between electronics, trolling motors, and accessories. Every amp you save on lighting is an amp available elsewhere. The same logic applies to a truck that is loaded with gear and running long days. Palaniuk sums it up by calling these the best lights you can get for your money, which is high praise from someone whose income depends on reliable equipment.

Thinking About a Similar Setup on Your Truck?

If Palaniuk’s Tundra rig has you thinking about your own truck lighting, remember that clean auxiliary lighting starts with a solid foundation up front. Upgrading your headlights first makes a big difference, and if you drive the same platform, our guide on installing LED bulbs in a Tundra walks through that process step by step. From there you can add pods, bars, and flush mounts to build the exact coverage you need for towing, off-roading, or work tasks. Whether you fish, tow, wheel, or just want more visibility at night, the takeaway from Palaniuk is consistent. Pick lights that are bright, durable, and efficient, then mount them where they solve real problems. He put his name behind Rigid Industries because the gear delivered when it mattered most, right before a big tournament win.

Where to Learn More

Palaniuk closes his message with a direct recommendation. He tells viewers to check out Rigid Industries online at rigidindustries.com, promising you will not be disappointed with what you see. If you are curious about the SR-M flush mounts in his boat, the D2 diffused duos on his truck, the 30-inch light bar, or the additional flush mount pods, that is the place to start exploring the full lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who endorses Rigid Industries in this video?

Brandon Palaniuk, a Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Angler, who began using Rigid Industries lights in early April, right before winning a Bassmaster Elite Series event.

Where does Brandon Palaniuk use Rigid Industries lights on his boat?

He uses SR-M flush mount lights in the gunnel of his boat for night fishing and for tying up tackle in the morning or at night after tournaments.

What Rigid Industries products does he have on his pickup?

He has a couple of D2 diffused duos, a 30-inch light bar, and a couple of flush mount lights on top of his Tundra pickup, in both blue and white.

Why does he prefer Rigid Industries lights over competitors?

He states they are the brightest and most durable lights he has seen, and they draw less power while producing more light output than anything else on the market.

How do the lights help him when backing up his trailer?

The lights mounted on top of his pickup let him see where his Tundra is going early in the morning or late at night, helping him avoid backing his trailer into a post or pole after long days on the water.