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

Hair Jigs for Big Smallmouths

For years, many bassers figured little hair jigs were better left to walleye anglers and perch jerkers. Meanwhile, a group of northern smallmouth hammers used them quietly to win major events. If you’re curious about them, check out these videos from a bunch of top northern pros.

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Bryan New Gives Up Taku’s Spybait Alternative

Until Taku Ito won a 2024 Elite Series event at Alabama’s Smith Lake, few of us had ever seen Norie’s Wrapping Minnow. It’sa fantastic spotted bass lure, especially when used with forward-facing sonar. Bryan New filled us in on what it’s all.

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Garage Finds – Three Special Topwaters

Topwater fishing is all about explosive strikes and heart-pounding action. There’s nothing quite like watching a fish break the surface to hammer a lure. While my favorite is the Rico, I recently dug through the garage and found some other lures in Pete’s stash -- of course there is a story about each one.

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New Products for Mexican Bass from ICAST 2025

I never stop scheming for our next Mexico bass trip Picachos. While I could probably have great trips South of the Border with established lures, sometimes showing the bass something different makes for some unreal days. Here are a few new offerings from ICAST that caught my attention for my southbound travel bag.

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Pete Robbins Pete Robbins

Merthiolate Lures You May Not Know

When I first started fishing in Virginia around 1995, all of the old-time Buggs Island sticks talked about the springtime trick worm bite. In particular, they liked two colors – bubble gum and Merthiolate. You may be surprised at the wide range of Merthiolate lures on the market today.

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Gear Pete Robbins Gear Pete Robbins

DRT Polices the Depths

Division Rebel Tackle has come out with a crankbait that promises to hit 40’ on a long cast with the right gear — but here are a few warnings before you invest in a plug or two.

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Only One Lure? The Pros Answer the Ultimate “What-If”

Every angler has their go-to bait—the one they reach for when the bite gets tough, the conditions are unpredictable, or the pressure is on. But what if you could only fish with one bait for the rest of your life? No backups tucked under the lid of your boat. Just one.

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Blueback Baits With Bryan New

Bryan New has competed throughout the southeast on lakes where bass feast on blueback herring. If you want to attract your quarry’s attention, get them to bite, and put them in the boat, you have to be crafty and pretty quick on the draw.

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Check Out Bass Mafia’s New Warden

I remain fascinated by big bait techniques and Chris Zaldain has always been forthcoming with me about which baits he relies upon. His Bass Mafia Daingerous quickly became a staple for many serious anglers, and now he’s introducing a gizzard shad style lure – the Warden.

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Hanna Robbins Hanna Robbins

Clothing Pro Anglers Can’t Live Without

Every athlete has that one essential item they won’t compete without — often a trusted garment that brings comfort, confidence, or maybe even a little bit of superstition. In this video, you'll hear directly from a group of pro anglers as they tell you what they can’t live without on game day.

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Gear Pete Robbins Gear Pete Robbins

Bigger is Consistently Better at Tackle Warehouse

If you’re a certified big fish hunter, detest finesse gear, or just like slinging baits that’ll tear your rotator cuff, Tackle Warehouse continues to offer tons of options. Here are some new “oversized” baits that you might want to try.

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Popping Nemo

I’m pretty sure that I’ve never seen our targets chasing orange and white baitfish. I’m certainly willing to believe that some species do in some parts of the world, but we’ve yet to experience that. However, this is a popular pattern in the world of saltwater poppers.

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Swindle Makes Buzzbaits Simple and Profitable

Gerald Swindle has won more money on a buzzbait than most of us will win in a lifetime. He’s done it by being an exceptional caster and keeping his buzzbait system remarkably simple. You don’t need a lot of gear, you just need the right stuff.

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How Bryan New Rigs the Hideup Coike

Bryan New introduced us to the Hideup Coike at the Bassmaster Classic, but since then it’s been cashing checks on the Elite Series Here are some of New’s favorite rigging techniques.

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