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.
The Best New High-End Rods and Reels at Tackle Warehouse (2025)
Discover the best new high-end fishing rods and reels at Tackle Warehouse in 2025. From premium baitcasting tackle to ultra-smooth spinning gear, explore the latest tackle designed for serious anglers who want cutting-edge performance, unmatched quality, and the ultimate fishing experience.
SPRO, Gamakatsu and Nories Combine to Update the Shakey Head
Bryan New certainly never forgot about the power of the shaky head, despite the fact that it’s kind of fallen out of favor. The difference is that in 2025 he has a version that’s light years ahead of what he threw a generation ago.
Garage Finds – Pete’s Neverending Supply of Specialty Spinnerbaits
Pete caught me digging deep onto the garage wall pegs. I was checking out examples of a classic bass fishing lure, the spinnerbait. It really deserves a spot in every tackle box and we’re sharing stories, tips, and maybe even a couple of surprises that I found hiding in the garage. Let’s take a spin.
Mike McClelland’s New Signature Jerkbait
Mike McClelland has been customizing jerkbaits since before many of today’s bass pros were born. His SPRO McStick has become a staple among serious anglers but he recently realized that both the original and the deep diving version didn’t cover all of his needs so he developed the McDart.
The Serious Bass Angler’s Guide to Longer Spinning Rods (7'7" to 8'): Tips & Top Picks”
Discover why longer spinning rods (7'9" to 8') can boost your bass fishing game with better casting distance and hook sets. Learn how to choose the perfect rod for big bass, plus top recommended models available now. Shop through Half Past First Cast for expert picks.
Feed Them a Big Bonito
On our trips to Central America we’ve caught a wide range of fish on live, dead and artificial lures, but sometimes the biggest bites of all come on bonito. Whether you’re looking to target marlin, wahoo, tuna or greedy inshore species, it can pay to have a bonito imitator or two.
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.
11 Wakasagi Topwaters To Cover Your Surface Needs
We recently had fun listing some of the key wakasagi jerkbaits. That led us to seek out some topwaters in that same hue — many of them are JDM products. You don’t need to have Wakasagi or Delta Smelt in your home waters to make them work, because they’re a near-universal baitfish imitator.
Bryan New Keeps His Tackle Tamed with Soft SPRO Storage
Bryan New is a “neat freak,” and like many of us he’s always looking for a better way to keep his tackle safe and accessible. Lately he’s leaned heavily on SPRO’s new soft tackle boxes, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Why Wakasagi Jerkbaits?
Wakasagi is a popular jerkbait color, but most Americans probably don’t know what the word means. It’s actually a baitfish native to certain areas of Japan, as well as Korea and Russia. They’re also closely related to and closely resemble the Delta Smelt.
10 New Shades of Pink from ICAST 2025
Anglers must be buying pink lursbecause the manufacturers keep on producing more. This isn’t an exhaustive list of the ones introduced at the 2025 ICAST show in Orlando, but 10 of the ones that stood out to me most.
Swimbait Trends from ICAST 2025
Swimbaiting was historically an underground culture. Not everyone could get the hottest baits at any price. In fact, there were plenty of brands, baits and presentations that were strictly on the downlow. Here are signs from ICAST 2025 at how much more mainstream it has become.
Is it a Frog or a Zara Spook?
We’ve spent the last couple of decades trying to walk the dog with various frog style lures. Most of us can do it reasonably well. But what if you want a more elongated body? There are numerous options for that — take ‘em to the nearest grass bed.
Two Spinning Rods that Cover Most of Kyle Patrick’s Finesse Needs
While Kyle Patrick utilizes a wide range of techniques, he’s most associated with finesse tactics. Surprisingly, he only uses two different spinning rods for the vast majority of his light line techniques.
Introducing Stoneage Custom Rods
Stoneage Custom Rods are new JDM travel rods tested in the harsh environment of the Amazon on big peacock bass. Here’s designer Reo Kodera talking about what makes them special and purpose-driven.
Garage Finds – Forgotten Soft Plastic Craws
I got caught red handed looking for Pete’s ride or die – the single bait he said he would choose if he could only use one forever – THE CRAW. Listen to why he chose the craw and check out the oddball craws I came across.
New Lures in Some of Our Favorite Special Colors
We’ve had a fun time listing lures in distinctive color patterns. Whether it’s tilapia imitators or all things bubblegum, if you’ve searched for it there’s a decent chance we have, too. We try to stay up to date with all of the new items at Tackle Warehouse. Here are a few that help us update past columns – shop away!
Best Baitcasting Rods Under a Hundred Bucks (Updated 2025)
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.
Tools of the Turkey Trade: Let’s Talk Turkey Calls
There are several different instruments to help make the sounds and calls necessary to fake out wary wild gobblers. I might not have shot a turkey my first time out but I did shoot Scott playing and explaining each of the five instruments.
It’s a Frog! It’s a Bird! You’re Both Right
Earlier this year, Ish Monroe won on the Cal Delta with a variety of lures, but two of the keys were a River2Sea Phat Mat Daddy Frog and River2Sea Whopper Plopper, both in “Yellow Head,” a black body with a yellow head. That pattern has also frequently been referred to as “Tweety” or “Canary.”