Hanna Robbins and Jennifer Combs with a cooler full of crappie from Lake Sam Rayburn

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.

Gear Pete Robbins Gear Pete Robbins

Baitcasting Rods Six Feet Four and Under

When I started bass fishing in the 1980s, a 6’6” baitcasting rod was considered the gold standard. Now I use relatively few baitcasters under 7’. There may be circumstances where a shorter rod is advantageous. This article lists a few really good ones.

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