
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Matty Wong’s Glide Bait Starter Set to Cover A Wide Range of Scenarios
Matty Wong excels at a number of different presentations, but consistent with his western fishing education he has a particular sweet spot for big glide baits. It’s an addiction that can quickly get costly, so he offered up a “starter set.”
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.
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.
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.
Pink Chatterbait Trailers
This year one of Lee Livesay’s best Bassmaster Classic lures was a pink Jack Hammer bladed jig with 6th Sense Flush 5.2 trailer. 6th Sense rushed the Bubble Gum Pink Flush 5.2 to market shortly therafter. It also comes in 17 other colors. Here are other pink and pink-like options.
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.
Gear Review: Eagle Creek Tour Travel Pack 40L
Throughout the spring I’ve been traveling with the Eagle Creek Tour Travel Pack 40L, a distinctive and cavernous backpack that I hoped would solve my carry-on struggles. I found it to be versatile and smartly but like anything, there were a few things I loved and a few quirks that didn’t totally work for me.
Clifford Pirch’s Must-Have Phenix Rods for Coast-to-Coast Success
When Clifford Pirch leaves home in Arizona to compete on the Elite Series, he needs to pack everything he might need into his truck and boat. He relies on Phenix rods, and while he has a ton of them, there are four that he may use more than any others.
Wes Logan’s Key Rods for Filling Livewells and Cashing Checks
Alabama pro Wes Logan has worked diligently with Ark Rods to develop tools that meet his specific needs – in terms of actions, components and handle lengths. I caught up with him at Lake Hartwell to find out the ones he can’t live without.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Two Pairs of Island Optics Polarized Glasses: Premium Features at a Bargain Price
I increasingly find myself reaching for two pairs from Island Optics – Mako XL and Crane . They’re two very different styles, but both are comfortable, provide great coverage and premium optical clarity at 1/3 the price of many others.
