Tackle manufacturers are getting the message that two-piece rods and travel rods have a place for serious fishermen – perhaps not in tournament competition, but increasingly for those of us who fly to distant locations. Here are six new ones at Tackle Warehouse.

Even if you don't fish California's famous Clear Lake, and even if you're not as talented as Steve Kennedy, you can still put some of these hitch-flavored soft swimbaits to use anywhere big bass swim.

Kyle Welcher has the full range of Sunline products with him at every tournament and uses thousands upon thousands of yards of Shooter and Sniper each year. A key tipping point in his twoual AOY campaigns has been his frequent additional use of Sunline Crank FC. 

Although we truly believe that it pays to pack the proven basics for your next bass fishing trip to Mexico, we continue to scour the internet for lures that might apply. Each year or two we seem to add one or two more “staples” to our list. Furthermore, a lot of you big bait fanatics think that’s the way to tempt a true giant.

As many of you head to Florida in the coming weeks to get the rust off of your tackle, you might not want to use live shiners. Perhaps you don’t want the hassle of keeping them alive, or you simply prefer artificials or you’re fishing in a tournament. No matter the reason, it’s still possible to “match the hatch" with these lures.

If you’re tired of cheap boat bags and carry-on luggage that doesn’t protect your valuables, consider this option from Vertx, a combo carry-on and duffel that’s resistant to water and stains.

I have a lot of fishing rods, and I’ll probably up the count in 2025, because part of my tackle-hoarding sickness is that I live for the myth of more. Here are the five that I obtained in 2024 that’ll get used heavily in 2025 and beyond.

I learned about the Stormr Strykr neoprene cold weather suit at what was then the coldest Bassmaster Classic to date. In the decade since then, it has made me a much more enthusiastic cold weather fisherman.

We have 20 people headed to Panama and our first-timers are a bit nervous about what clothing to bring. We’ll be on a remote island, exposed to the elements for eight or nine hours a day, and no one wants to be uncomfortable. This video shows exactly what I’m packing.

My 2024 fishing travel highlight took place in Panama when we got into multiple schools of tuna and I caught them on bass tackle. We’re headed back in January, and while that’s not ultra-prime tuna popping time, I’m hoping that I can use some of that same gear for not just tuna, but also inshore species.

Most of you who fish for bass are probably trying to imitate shad, perch, bluegills or crawfish with your lures but I sincerely doubt that any of you think that your local bass feed on tarpon or Murray Cod. Nevertheless, some of our premier manufacturers have come up with lures like these nine odd patterns

I claim not to be a tackle junkie. However, the longer I continue to fish, the more I realize how much specific baits can make a difference. I’m truly catching on to why we have a garage full of baits. Here are 5 that made a difference in 2024.

When I first got into bass fishing, Tequila Sunrise was a standard color. Multiple manufacturers still make soft plastics in their respective versions of Tequila Sunrise, but they’ve also extended the tequila brand to various other categories of lures like jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

The 80s-reminiscent styling of the Costa Del Mar Grand Catalinas may not be for everyone, but with the gold mirror lenses I found them to be a solid all-around performer that I reached for repeatedly.

There is nothing worse than waking up early in the morning to fish and not knowing what to wear. Packing for a fishing trip is equally difficult: What do I take? What if it gets dirty? What if I don’t like it once we get there? I continue to refine my “must take” items to include a stack of clothes that go with me on nearly every trip.

I enjoy a lot of seafood, but I draw the line at oysters, clams and mussels. Some people find them to be tasty, and others are convinced that oysters are an aphrodisiac, but to me they seem like wads of phlegm. Nevertheless I’m not going to rain on your parade if they’re your jam. Also, an oyster-colored lure is sometimes great.

OK, the headline was a little clickbaity, and it’s something we’ll never be able to answer anyway, but oddly enough there are plenty of lure manufacturers who produce baits with “snot” in the name. Here are some of the winners we “picked.”

Kokanee salmon are native to many lakes in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho, and have contributed to the quality bass fishing on many trophy waters. Some luremakers have taken note of the connection and have developed patterns specifically to mimic this food source.

You may want to get the bass angler in your life a new 20’ boat, the latest in electronics, or a coveted one-of-a-kind glidebait, but if you’re on a budget, that’s probably not feasible. Nevertheless, if you have $20 to spend, you can get them something they’ll really like.

I still believe that in many cases the best gift you can give a loved one or acquaintance is an experience, but even trips require some sort of gear. Here are some of the options that we either own or would like to receive ourselves.