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.
Kyle Patrick’s Money Colors -- Missile Baits Magic Worm
Bass pro Kyle Patrick is exceptionally disciplined about using lures that he knows will work, especially in high pressure situations or on tough fisheries. That’s why he just about always has a Missile Baits Magic Worm on the deck of his boat If you’re looking to make an initial investment in his go-to lure, try some of these colors.
Slimmer and Trimmer – The Slender Scat from Deps
When the Deps Cover Scat first came out, there was a mad rush for them. We caught up with Matt Paino – our guru on all things JDM – at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa and he gave us the scoop on the new Slender Scat.
Bass Tackle for Yellowfin Tuna
While the gear at SFPIL stom tailored to the species that are in the Gulf of Chiriqui, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to bring “bass tackle” down there. Could it stand up to the test of these fish, all of which pull harder than any bass you’ve ever caught?
Spring 2024 -- New Big Baits and Terminal Tackle for Mexican Bass at Tackle Warehouse
Despite the fact that I could probably rely on the proven winners that have helped me in my past trips to Lake El Salto and Lake Picachos, I’m always looking for new options. Here are some big baits and new terminal tackle items from Tackle Warehouse worth checking out.
St. Croix Rods + Anglers Inn International = Easier Travel, More Fish
Jesse Simpkins is one of the handful of people who’ve visited Anglers Inn’s properties more than we have. That’s good news for customers because it means you’ll have reliable, high-quality rods without the hassle of toting a rod tube.
Melinda Mize’s Favorite Bajio Sunglasses for Women
When you hear Melinda Mize talk about Bajio Sunglasses, it is clear that she shares in the vision and passion that is behind the brand. I saw her in the Bajio booth at the Bassmaster Classic and asked her to tell me about three popular Bajio sunglasses for women.
Best Baitcasting Rods Under a Hundred Bucks
I’m not convinced that more expensive always equals better. In fact, I have quite a few baitcasting rods that cost under $150 and several under $100 that regularly make the cut. I don’t have to use them – I choose to use them.
Daiwa’s Premium Kyoya Fujita Rods
In order to celebrate and commemorate the first of what will likely be many Bassmaster Classic appearances, Daiwa introduced a very limited edition set of Kyoya Fujita rods at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic.
What Bryant Smith Throws on Clear Lake in April
Bryant Smith is continuing to chase his dreams around the country this year, a quest that’ll keep him away from his home state for much of the spring, but there are few places he’d rather be in April. Here’s what he’d throw on Clear Lake in April.
Are Your Marine Electronics Ready for a BeatDown?
As our sonar and GPS options have increased, the risk associated with having them stolen or broken has also become potentially much more costly. Additionally, aging eyes have trouble seeing distant screens. BeatDown Outdoors has some solutions to these potential problems.
Three Daiwa Spinning Reels for Travelers – Where Value Meets Performance
If you’re headed on a distant trip, you don’t want to break the bank on a spinning reel, but you don’t want it to fail at an inopportune moment, either. Daiwa has some value propositions.
Crickets for Combs
Most bass fishing fans know Keith Combs for his prowess with a crankbait, but they sometimes overlook how good he is with other techniques. Increasingly in recent years, particularly when bass are shallow, he’s put his faith in Strike King’s Thunder Cricket vibrating jig.
Kyle Patrick + Douglas Rods = Opens Win, Classic Berth, Century Belt
Elite Series rookie Kyle Patrick is attached at the hip to his arsenal of Douglas Rods — here are four that have played a heavy role in his professional success so far.
Yeti’s GoBox Tied Our Booth Together
As we built our booth in anticipation of our first trade show, we needed to find a waterproof, dustproof and uncrushable storage box to preserve valuables between events. We found the perfect vessel in Yeti’s 60 GoBox Gear Case.
Daiwa’s Do-Everything Ardito Three-Piece Rod
Daiwa’s three-piece Ardito travel rod combines premium components with a reasonable price tag. They excelled for us in Africa on tigerfish.
Stretching Things Out with Daiwa’s Procyon
If you think that telescoping rods are merely for amateurs and beginners, check out the Procyon series from Daiwa. They’re high quality with a reasonable price.
Glide Baits on My Current Wish List
I’m addicted to thinking about glide baits and might want/need to add a few more. Which of these three should be next? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Two Underappreciated Lipless Crankbaits
The Rat-L-Trap and Red Eye Shad are proven winners in the lipless crankbait genre, but they’re not the only game in town. I have dozens and dozens more, including some that have produced big catches around the country.
Scuppernong Soft Plastics
While I’m not an expert in bass fishing history, I’m old enough to remember some things about the sport that have become inexplicably forgotten or passe. During my childhood, the “grape” patterns were a big deal, not just the classic “black grape” but also lesser known shades like Scuppernong.
Daiwa Saltiga Premium Travel Rods for Saltwater Combat
Imagine you get to the Seychelles or Costa Rica or Baja and the outfit you've chartered has crappy rods not up to the task of subduing your quarry. Toting a full-sized rod tube is also often a pain in the butt. Daiwa offers a solution -- travel rods built to take on the beefiest brawlers in the ocean.