When Megabass builds rods they’re purpose-driven tools aimed at particular technique techniques. Elite Series pro Matty Wong uses the company’s Destroyer P5 sticks on tour, and here are five of his recommendations to get you started.

Oxblood is one of the hot colors for interior designers in 2025. It’s always been a popular shade for western bass anglers. It generally resembles burgundy but has less purple and more dark brown and dates back to the 17th century, when the blood of an ox was used to make dyes.

The fishing industry is full of double-entendres. If you’ve ever chuckled at someone saying “throw up on the bank,” or “my partner has a big sack,” you know what I mean. Lure designers come up with plenty of great lure colors for the immature members of our group. Here are a few favorites.

Drew Benton agreed to show us some of the tools he uses when he locks in on a giant on a bed. Each lure has a purpose in the rotation to gauge a fish’s interest and get her to bite.

I needed Mossy Oak for my very first turkey hunt. Not just any camo—specifically Mossy Oak. I was told Bottomland would help me disappear in the woods, and I wasn’t about to question the turkey hunting veterans. I wanted to blend in, feel confident, and look like I belonged out there—even if I was still figuring things out.

At the end of April I fished with Pat Schlapper at Lake Hartwell. While we were there I picked his brain about a number of topics, including swim jigs. Surprisingly, he keeps it extremely simple, including with his trailer choices.

Scott Secules is a mad scientist when it comes to bladed jigs – he constantly experimenting with components like hooks to tailor lures to specific situations. Because he lives in big bass country and he’s not affiliated with any tackle company, I trust his evaluation of trailers.

If you’re like me, you check out the “New!” tab on the Tackle Warehouse website regularly, perhaps daily, or even multiple times a day. It’s amazing how much new inventory they add every week and it keeps tackle junkies like me intrigued.

Daiwa has a lineup of high-end rods, in a huge number of actions, that come in just below $150. Their cork-handled Tatulas are what the pros use, and you can, too. We caught up with Jordan Horita at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic to get the scoop on them.

Lots of the obsessive big bass hunters are secretive and standoffish. That’s why I can’t understand how Oliver Ngy catches so many fish – he doesn’t fit that prickly mold. On the contrary, he’s always ready with a smile, willing to share information.

Tilapia aren’t just in Mexico. We’ve fished for bass around them in Texas, where they thrive in a number of private lakes we’ve visited as well as in tournament venues like Falcon and Amistad. That’s why we were excited that GSM introduced a new “Texas Tilapia” color at the Bassmaster Classic in Ft. Worth.

My friend Scott Secules is more addicted to frog fishing than anyone I’ve ever met — and he stays up on the latest introductions and color choices. Here are five he cannot live without.

We eat Mexican food every week, so we don’t need an excuse to saddle up to a bowl of guacamole. Even if it’s only a once-a-year treat for you, you probably didn’t know how many guac-themed fishing lures are out there.

Thanks to the international tentacles of SPRO, many of the best JDM tackle products can be purchased from outlets like Tackle Warehouse.Bryan New led us through some of his Japanese favorites at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic Expo.

Owner makes specialized products made for serious anglers. While there are an increasing number of brands that make quality terminal tackle, some of Owner’s distinctive styles should get the call for your next trip to Lake El Salto or Lake Picachos.

Pencil poppers came to the bass world from striper anglers, and while they’ve long been used successfully in the Ozarks, they really gained market steam when bluebacks infested the Carolinas. There are lots of colors available, but it’s hard to go wrong with good old chrome.

Bassmaster Classic qualifier Louis Monetti is a key cog in the Bizz Baits effort, giving the lures a workout on the water and living on the road. We caught up with him at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic to get some recommendations on products we need to take south of the border.

The Clutch Boss has been one of the worst kept secrets on the Elite Series. The second worst is their Darter. Now they’ve added a Baby Boss to the lineup. We caught up with Josh Pladies at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic to discuss “starter colors.”

We caught up with Marc Mills in the Daiwa booth at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic in Ft. Worth to learn about their new Steez travel rods. They feature the same components the pros use on tour, just in an easier-to-pack condition.

Yeti’s Panga backpack is tough and spacious, yet compact enough to fit under the airplane seat in front of you. I tested the bold new Firefly Yellow color with the goal of standing out in a crowd while protecting my gear.