
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.
The Pros’ Super Fluke Modifications
The Zoom Super Fluke has withstood the test of time. While there are many copycats, the original is still the standard. While it’s a great tool straight out of the package, there are all sorts of ways to modify it for different purposes. Here are some of the best from the experts.
Forloh – Not Just for Hunting, Not Just for Men
I’ve been wearing Forloh items quite a bit over the past couple of years, but I thought they specialized in gear for men. When we ran into their booth at the SCI Show, however, Hanna’s eyes lit up. They had lots of outdoors gear for ladies. While hunting is their focus, much of it is incredibly functional for fishing.
Is This the Ultimate Modular Waterproof Fishing Luggage System?
It was the brown bear backpack that drew me into the Rokman booth, but once inside I quickly became intrigued by their waterproof packs. They’re “not just another bag,” but actually a system made to protect your gear whether you’re getting dropped off in the backcountry or bouncing through the rapids.
Winning Baits of Elite Series Okeechobee Events
The Bassmaster Elite Series heads to Florida’s famous Lake Okeechobee for the fourth time this month, and while there are staples, you never know what’ll produce the biggest catches. Here are the winning baits from past events.
JDM Manufacturers Keep Scuppernong Flowing
I’ve previously written about the long history of Scuppernong-colored lures. Most U.S. lure manufacturers seem content to let the number of Scuppernong lures remain static or even shrinking. Fortunately the bait designers in Japan consistently take up the slack.
The Uncoordinated Angler’s Guide to Skipping Lures
Boat docks and other overhanging cover provide premium bass habitat, but if you’re just nibbling around the edges you’re missing. You need to be able to skip a lure back underneath them. Here are some shortcuts that’ll help you maximize your efficiency in putting lures where the fish live.
New Multipiece Spinning Rods – January 2025
There are typically more multi-piece spinning rods than baitcasting rods. They’ve recently added nine spinning rods or series. Whether you’re chasing bass, trout, walleye or saltwater critters, they probably have something you can pack on your next long-distance trip.
New Multipiece Baitcasting Rods – January 2025
Tackle manufacturers are getting the message that two-piece rods and travel rods have a place for serious fishermen – perhaps not in tournament competition, but increasingly for those of us who fly to distant locations. Here are six new ones at Tackle Warehouse.
13 Hitch-Flavored Soft Swimbaits
Even if you don't fish California's famous Clear Lake, and even if you're not as talented as Steve Kennedy, you can still put some of these hitch-flavored soft swimbaits to use anywhere big bass swim.
Kyle Welcher’s Fluorocarbon Cranking Advantage
Kyle Welcher has the full range of Sunline products with him at every tournament and uses thousands upon thousands of yards of Shooter and Sniper each year. A key tipping point in his twoual AOY campaigns has been his frequent additional use of Sunline Crank FC.
New Big Bass Baits for Mexico at Tackle Warehouse
Although we truly believe that it pays to pack the proven basics for your next bass fishing trip to Mexico, we continue to scour the internet for lures that might apply. Each year or two we seem to add one or two more “staples” to our list. Furthermore, a lot of you big bait fanatics think that’s the way to tempt a true giant.
Golden Shiner Topwaters and Big Baits
As many of you head to Florida in the coming weeks to get the rust off of your tackle, you might not want to use live shiners. Perhaps you don’t want the hassle of keeping them alive, or you simply prefer artificials or you’re fishing in a tournament. No matter the reason, it’s still possible to “match the hatch" with these lures.
Vertx RLT 50L Duffel Bag: A Bag Built for Battle
If you’re tired of cheap boat bags and carry-on luggage that doesn’t protect your valuables, consider this option from Vertx, a combo carry-on and duffel that’s resistant to water and stains.
The Five New Rods I Used Most Last Year
I have a lot of fishing rods, and I’ll probably up the count in 2025, because part of my tackle-hoarding sickness is that I live for the myth of more. Here are the five that I obtained in 2024 that’ll get used heavily in 2025 and beyond.
HPFC Hall of Fame: Stormr Strykr Suit
I learned about the Stormr Strykr neoprene cold weather suit at what was then the coldest Bassmaster Classic to date. In the decade since then, it has made me a much more enthusiastic cold weather fisherman.
The Clothing You Need for a Week-Long Panama Fishing Trip
We have 20 people headed to Panama and our first-timers are a bit nervous about what clothing to bring. We’ll be on a remote island, exposed to the elements for eight or nine hours a day, and no one wants to be uncomfortable. This video shows exactly what I’m packing.
Bass Tackle for Panama Tuna Trip #5
My 2024 fishing travel highlight took place in Panama when we got into multiple schools of tuna and I caught them on bass tackle. We’re headed back in January, and while that’s not ultra-prime tuna popping time, I’m hoping that I can use some of that same gear for not just tuna, but also inshore species.
The Nine Most Unlikely Forage Imitations at Tackle Warehouse
Most of you who fish for bass are probably trying to imitate shad, perch, bluegills or crawfish with your lures but I sincerely doubt that any of you think that your local bass feed on tarpon or Murray Cod. Nevertheless, some of our premier manufacturers have come up with lures like these nine odd patterns
Not Just Another Tequila Sunrise
When I first got into bass fishing, Tequila Sunrise was a standard color. Multiple manufacturers still make soft plastics in their respective versions of Tequila Sunrise, but they’ve also extended the tequila brand to various other categories of lures like jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
Living in My Costa Grand Catalinas
The 80s-reminiscent styling of the Costa Del Mar Grand Catalinas may not be for everyone, but with the gold mirror lenses I found them to be a solid all-around performer that I reached for repeatedly.
