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.
Roboworm Straight-Tail Worms – My Three Favorite Colors
I’ve known the power of the Roboworm for nearly two decades. While I often turn to soft plastics like the Berkley Flat Worm or the Yamamoto Shad Shape worm to dropshot, when in doubt the Robo gets the call. While I own quite a few, the following are my standbys.
All of the Travel Rods Available from Tackle Warehouse (July 2024)
Tackle Warehouse, the most well-stocked online retailer in the U.S., has quietly expanded their supply of multi-piece rods in recent years as U.S. manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon. If you’re looking to buy one (or more), they keep an incredible amount of inventory in stock, and if your need to travel has arisen suddenly you can generally get the rod in a day or two for a fairly minimal upcharge.
Rico Colors I Live and Die With
If you’re only going to get one topwater popper to fish for bass, make it a Lobina Lures Rico or Rio Rico. Nevertheless, these lures are not an insubstantial investment, so you’ll want the best colors. Many people argue that only the paint on the bottom of these lures matters, but I tend to fish better if I have confidence. Here are five favorites.
Dry Bags Keep the Moisture Out of Where it Does Not Belong
Whatever type of fishing you do, fresh or salt, you are by definition around water. Lots of water. That’s good for the fish, but not good for many of your belongings. Water can cause immediate and long-term damage to your clothing, cameras, phones and other critical gear. That’s why we take dry bags on just about every vacation.
Lure Colors I Don’t Throw Anymore for No Apparent Reason
There are lure colors that produced really well for me earlier in my fishing life, in shapes that I still use frequently, that got benched. Maybe I found a “better” color, or one that’s easier to purchase, but the following four options got “retired” for no apparent reason.
ICAST 2023: Six Products I’ll Try at El Salto and Picachos
ICAST 2023 might not have introduced anything truly revolutionary, but I saw lots of products that I’ll tote to Mexico next year in the hopes of improving my effectiveness on big bass.
Tournament-Winning Lures for the St. Lawrence River
This week the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series season will conclude on New York’s St. Lawrence River. It’s a familiar venue for most of the anglers, as this will be the seventh straight season that the Elites will compete there, and the ninth time in the last 11. Here are the winning baits from that great run.
Three More Senko Colors for Your Next Bass Fishing Trip to Mexico
Don’t go to Lake El Salto or Lake Picachos without Senkos – when fishing is good they can produce giants, and when it’s tougher than usual they can save the day. I’m constantly trying new shades of soft plastic, looking for something that might work just a little bit better. If you can’t resist that urge, here are 3 colors that have worked for us.
Apparel that Demonstrated Extreme Versatility in Alaska
Packing for a summertime fishing trip to Alaska is difficult because the weather and conditions can vary so much. That’s why it pays to have footwear and pants that are not only comfortable, but also versatile, like the two described here.
Bass Boat Saver Discount Code
I’ve used Bass Boat Saver for 25 years to keep all of my fiberglass hulls clean. Now I can give you a 10% discount code. Try it out, you’ll be happy you did.
The Best Strike King 10XD Colors for Lake El Salto
I am convinced that while a 10XD isn’t always the best crankbait choice El Salto, there are times when it will produce more and bigger fish than any other. It gets deep in a hurry, has a larger profile, and seems to trigger bites consistently. Here are my 5 confidence colors.
Just When You Thought We Couldn’t Find Any More Tilapia Lures
We’ve scoured the web to find you lures after tilapia and we’ve documented them 3 times, but the hits just keep on coming. By keeping a careful watch out, we keep a running list of the new options I find. Here are some of the latest.
Simple River Rat Lure Mod -- Flat Rubber Skirts
As we’ve seen in recent years, it’s possible to get rid of your skirt altogether on wire baits, but if you still want a skirt and particularly if you fish river systems, consider a comparatively ugly flat rubber skirt. They pulse differently and provide a distinct look that moving water fish sometimes seems to prefer.
Three “Warriors” for Big El Salto Bass
Hanna and I keep a healthy stash of tackle at Lake El Salto. It gets subsidized and replenished on every trip, but certain staple lures never leave – and by “staple,” I mean not just the particular models, but specific baits that have caught hundreds of bass apiece. Here are three of my long-time favorites.
Six New Travel Items for our 2023 Alaska Adventure
I’ve purchased six new items that I think will make me happier and more efficient on our upcoming trip to Alaska — everything from a collapsible water bottle to a “dog leash” to hold my phone.
Who Doesn’t Like a Big Beaver?
The Sweet Beaver defined a genre of creature baits, one that has become incredibly popular in a short period. The sizes around the 4” range tend to be most popular, although 3” versions get the call quite often, too. But what if you’re fishing for larger fish eating especially large prey? You might need a bigger version.
Even MORE Scat-Style Soft Plastic Lures
The flood of scat-style baits started in the US by the introduction of the Deps Cover Scat continues at a fast pace. Clearly there’s demand and now there’s no excuse if you can’t find an option that works on your local fisheries. Check out a few more that were introduced at ICAST 2023.
A Dozen Articles About Crankbaiting in Mexico
If you go bass fishing in Mexico and you’re not fully prepared to throw big crankbaits, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. Here are a dozen articles that will help you dial in your gear and your approach when the bass are eating a big plug.
Post-El Salto, Crankbait-Laden, Tackle Warehouse Unboxing – Summer 2023
Before I leave El Salto, I take an inventory of which lures I need to replenish. I check key categories to make sure that they’re well-stocked in the right colors. Our 2023 trip was heavy on cranking. Tackle Warehouse had a sale a few weeks out after we returned. Here’s my unboxing.
Sweet Beaver Colors the Pros Use When No One’s Looking
The Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver changed the nature of the flipping game. It spawned the category of “beaver baits” and became the preferred choice for most mat flippers. You can get by with standards like Watermelon Red, Black Red Flake, Black Blue Flake and Green Pumpkin – but the pros also have some lesser-known favorites.