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.
Jerkbait Storage Boxes
Jerkbait storage was simpler when there were fewer options and most anglers thought they only worked during the winter and pre-spawn months. I keep fewer of them in the boat than many of you, but they can still be a mess to pull apart when you really need them. Here are storage options that streamline the task.
Follow-Up Baits
More lures and rods come out every week, so rather than update past columns about tackle trends, here’s a catch-all following up on some of those surveys. What do you think of this new gear at Tackle Warehouse?
Hello Dolly! In the Flesh!
Our best tool for big Alaskan rainbow trout this summer was a “flesh fly,” in particular the Dolly Llama. Why do trout bulk up on fleshy meals and why was it our favorite presentation?
My Five Go-To Soft Plastic Creature Baits
Soft plastic “creature baits” are super versatile and there are ridiculous numbers of options. Here are my five favorites, five I use occasionally, and five I want to try soon.
Don’t Fear the Fly Rod
If you love to fish, but you’ve purposely avoided fly fishing, it’s time to try it. Follow these simple steps and you can experience success and enjoyment almost from the start.
My Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Prize Pack Unbucketing
I dropped $20 on raffle tickets at the 2023 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and won a bucket full of awesome tackle — including gear from Bass Mafia, Epic Baits and Nichols Lures.
JDM Vibrating Jigs
While there are dozens on vibrating jigs in U.S. tackle shops, the Original Chatterbait and the Jack Hammer take the largest market share of them all. If you’re willing to go travel to Japan, or enter the “gray market,” there are plenty of JDM options that tend to be high-end and different from what we see stateside.
Lucky 13 Topwater Articles in One Place
Topwater fishing has more or less been the demise of my bank account. From big largemouths, to bigger peacock bass, to tuna that can eat them both, if I can get a bite on the surface I’m generally happy. Therefore it should not be a surprise that in the 3 years this website has been in existence I’ve written quite a bit about the topic.
Big Squarebills for Thick Cover Beasts
Squarebill crankbaits have always been great tools for extracting big bass from heavy cover, especially shallow. Now we have a variety of models that are much bigger than normal to fit different bites and conditions.
Randy Blaukat’s Megabass Vision 110 Starter Set
If you’re ready to invest in a few Megabass Vision 110 jerkbaits, choose your colors wisely. Veteran Missouri pro Randy Blaukat shares his thoughts on how to get a full range for varied conditions without breaking the bank.
New Big Worms for Your Next Trip to Mexico (or Anywhere Else Big Bass Swim)
You simply should not go bass fishing in Mexico without a supply of big plastic worms. The worm is a 12-month producer at any water level, under just about any conditions, but don’t get stuck exclusively on your old favorites. Check out five new options.
My Favorite Rapala DT Crankbait Colors for Mexico
For some reason I frequently forget about the Rapala DT series of crankbaits when we go to Mexico, even though we’ve had some great days with them. Here are five colors you should consider for your next trip South of the Border.
Clark Reehm Presents Epic Baits – Something New To Try In Mexico
Louisiana bass pro Clark Reehm wants to make your next trip to Mexico truly EPIC with a suite of lures and terminal tackle that were carefully designed for peak bass fishing performance.
Simple Senko Storage Solutions
Whether you’ve never caught a bass or you regularly compete for six-figure checks, the Yamamoto Senko should be a part of your arsenal. I’ve probably caught more of them using it wacky style, but its uses are far more extensive than that, Under certain circumstances it’s possible to go through dozens in a day, and if you waste time you can miss the best bite. Check out my Senko storage pet peeves and solutions.
Crankbaits With Big Bills
By now, all dedicated crankbait anglers have become used to a semi-standard bill-to-body ratio. Once in a while, though, a manufacturer comes out with one where the bill looks outsized. Done properly, it allows for a small profile lure that gets down in a hurry.
Three Sunline Tips from 2023 Elite Series Angler of the Year Kyle Welcher
It took a near flawless system of equipment for fourth year Elite Series pro Kyle Welcher to beat a stacked field for the Angler of the Year title. A big part of that success resulted from his tactical use of Sunline’s various products.
My Favorite Brovarney Baits Swim Jig Colors
I have extreme confidence in Dan Brovarney’s Wisconsin Swim Jigs, and while I can’t completely pare down my color selection, I’ve narrowed my confidence colors to a limited array. What are your favorites?
Ringworms for River Bass Fishing
The Ringworm — made popular by companies like Rebel in the 1970s — remains a killer lure on tough fisheries, especially rivers. It’s getting tougher to find them, but a few options remain in tackle stores.
Swim Jigs for Lake El Salto and Lake Picachos
We’ve had some tremendous days in Mexico with spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits, but one lure category that we haven’t discussed nearly as much is the swim jig. Sometimes we even forget about them, but they’re really valuable mop up tools.. Be sure to pack a handful on your next trip.
Bunker-Busting Big Tungsten
For a while, a 1-ouncer was the gold standard for getting through thick mats, but trash mats were too thick even for that. Slowly we started to get bigger weights, usually up to 1 1/2 ounces and your favorite brand likely runs to that size. However, if you need something beefier, there are even heavier options.