If you’ve been following this blog series, you already know how I like to break things down. Every month, I give you two baits for anglers in the Northern part of the country and two baits for anglers in the Southern part of the country. February is no different. Before we get into the baits, let’s talk about the month itself. February is the tail end of winter. You might get a warm day or two, maybe even a short warming trend, but don’t let that fool you, this is still late-winter fishing. The big change is the bass. They’re […]
Bass fishing in March! Let’s talk about my top baits! March is a crazy month because depending on where you are in the country, fish are in totally different phases. Up north, the water is still cold, and bass are in the pre-spawn phase, while down south, fish are either spawning or already post-spawn. So, I’m going to break it down for you; two killer baits for the north and two for the south. Let’s get into it! Northern Baits: Pre-Spawn Tactics 1. Tight-Wobble Crankbait Starting in the north, we’ve got pre-spawn bass that are just starting to move from […]
It’s hard to believe it’s December already but here we are. In this blog, I’m going to outline for you the top four baits for the month of December. And, as always, we’re breaking it down for you depending on where you live. If you’re in the North, above Virginia, you’ll get two baits that dominate cold-weather fishing. For my Southern anglers, Carolinas and below, you’ll get two picks perfect for those transitional conditions. But before we dive into the baits, let’s talk about December because, man, it’s a unique time to fish! December: A Month of Change Up North, […]
Let’s talk about a technique that is making waves in the fishing world: Ned jigging, or the Ned jig. This technique combines two of my all-time favorites into one powerful fishing method. So, let’s break it down! What is Ned Jigging? At its core, the Ned jig is a skirted jig with a soft plastic stick bait attached to the back. The concept is straightforward but super effective. The skirted jig lets you power fish and catch big bass, while the Ned rig is a finesse technique that excels in enticing bites when the fish are finicky. It’s a perfect […]
In this blog we’re diving into my top four baits for the month of October. Whether you’re up north where it’s full-blown fall or down south where the fish are still transitioning, I’ve got the tips you need to get those bass biting this month. So let’s break it down! Understanding October Fishing First off, let’s talk about what’s happening in October. Depending on where you live, it can either be early fall or full-on fall feed time. For those of you up north, like Virginia and beyond, October means fish are really starting to pack on the pounds before […]
Today we’re talking about my top four bass baits for the month of July. Now, it doesn’t matter if you’re fishing on the West Coast, the East Coast, up North, or down South, July means one thing: it’s hot and it’s summertime. So, these baits are perfect for summertime bass fishing. If you watch my videos, you know my rule for summertime bass fishing: deeper, thicker, and current. We’re going to cover four baits today that are perfect for those scenarios and ideal for the hot month of July. Let’s dive in! First up, we’re starting in the North, where […]
October is all about fall fishing patterns. As the water starts to cool down, the bait move shallow and the bass follow. Then when they’re done feeding up, they head back to their wintering areas. It’s a big transition, and if you use the right lures you can find and tempt quality fish the whole time. If you’ve read my previous “best baits” columns, you know that I like to pick two for the North, from Virginia up, and two for the South, from the Carolinas down. Don’t let that box you in. All four are good just about anywhere, […]
In my last column, I outlined five of my favorite power fishing lures for winter bass. There are times when power fishing is the deal and you can use baitcasting gear to force the bass to react. However, as the weather gets frigid, and water temperatures drop into the 40s or even the upper 30s, bass often become tight-lipped and lethargic. When that happens a spinning rod and light line can really change your day. Here are five of my favorite finesse options for those conditions. This first one probably isn’t much of a surprise if you’ve followed me over […]
For a lot of us around the country, it’s early winter right now. The leaves are off the trees, the mornings are cold, and water temperatures are down. That typically means that fish have left their fall patterns. They’re headed to or in their wintering holes, but they’re still feeding. That often means you can still catch them with power fishing techniques. I have five lures that fit the bill The first, without a doubt, is a suspending jerkbait like the Rapala Shadow Rap. I can’t think of a better bait for this time of year. It emulates a struggling […]
In a recent column I described the five categories of jigs that you need to be an effective bass angler, so now I’m going to build on that and refine my descriptions – because if you have the right jig but the wrong size or the wrong color, you won’t be as effective as possible. Let’s go from the smallest to the biggest, which means the first one is the micro jig, those super-small, itsy-bitsy tiny offerings that came from the Japanese market. I use them in anything from a 1/16 to a 3/16-ounce size. Why pick it? Well, forage […]
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