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 Hanna Robbins Gear Hanna Robbins

Pegboard Shopping for Our Trip to Anglers Inn

Each time we go to Anglers Inn I try to take new lures, either baits we don’t get to use on our home waters or baits where I need to improve the presentation so I can catch more fish. We’re headed back to Lake El Salto in January. Come with my on my pegboard shopping spree.

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Gear Pete Robbins Gear Pete Robbins

Less Costly Tackle Solutions for El Salto and Picachos

Restaurants may sometimes have a strict “No Substitutions” policy, but here at Half Past First Cast we’re not that rigid. If you need to save a few bucks on your trip to El Salto or Picachos, we have some ways to shave down your tackle-buying bill.

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Gear Pete Robbins Gear Pete Robbins

Citrus Splash for Mexican Bass

The Citrus Shad Fat Free Shad is a long term staple for Mexican largemouths, still producing long after it was introduced to the world by Bassmaster Classic winner in 1995. There’s just something about that color that makes ‘em mad. I’m not sure, then, why I’ve largely restricted its use to crankbaits that dive over 10 feet deep. Is there some science behind it, or is it just that I’m hidebound to tradition?

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