Hanna Robbins and Jennifer Combs with a cooler full of crappie from Lake Sam Rayburn

The Outdoor Gear We Recommend

We may have a little bit of a hoarding problem. Good gear need not be expensive, but it has to improve the experience in some way. Whether it’s the right rod, a certain bait, or the world’s best rainsuit, we’ll give unfiltered opinions on what we use and why we use it.


No tackle shop on earth provides more specialized gear for bass than Tackle Warehouse. If you want it, they've got it in stock — whether it's a proven winner or the newest items on the market — and their service is exceptional.

Gear Pete Robbins Gear Pete Robbins

I Love it When You Call Me Big Poppa

When we first visited the Amazon in 2011/2012, it was tough to find readily-available walk-the-dog topwaters larger than a Super Spook. That’s why we turned to various JDM hard baits like the Maria Miss Carna 140 and the Imakatsu Trairao when the fish would come up to eat but not crush our prop baits. Fortunately, in the ensuing decade manufacturers have heeded the call for more big dog walking topwaters.

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Pete Robbins Pete Robbins

ICAST 2021 – New Lures and Terminal Tackle for El Salto

I may have more tackle in Mexico (with backups in my garage) than I will ever use, but I’m always looking for new options and better mousetraps. This year’s ICAST show introduced a litany of cool-looking products, many of which will no doubt make the trip South of the Border with me. Here are a few of the early favorites.

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