Summertime fishing can be great, but it can also be ultra-tough. Imagine being out on the water when it’s hot, sticky, and miserable, and the fish just aren’t biting. It’s frustrating, right? Don’t worry, though. I’m here to help you beat the heat and catch more bass, even when the fishing gets tough. Today, I’m going to share my top three patterns for summer fishing: deeper water, thicker cover, and current. Plus, I’ll give you two bait choices for each pattern to load up your tackle box. Here we go! First, let’s talk about fishing deeper. When the water temperature […]
Author: Mike Iaconelli
Bank Fishing Basics
Bank fishing, or bank angling as I like to call it, is one of my favorite fishing styles. Let’s get into it and break down the basics you need to become a successful bank angler. Bank fishing holds a special place in my heart because that’s how I started, and I still love the simplicity and connection to nature it provides. So, let’s dive into Bank Fishing 101 and get you ready to catch some bass from the shore! First up, let’s talk about being an efficient, mobile angler. When you’re bank fishing, you want to carry enough gear to […]
Top Four Baits for June
Let’s talk about my Top Four Baits for the Month of June! June is a special month for me because my birthday is on June 17th, but it’s also a great time for fishing. The fish are super active in June, and depending on where you live, it’s getting warm, or it’s already been warm for a few weeks. We’re fully into the summer pattern now, with fish moving out to deeper waters or hiding under thick cover. So let’s dive in and talk about my top four baits for this awesome month, split into two for the North and […]
Mastering the Shad Spawn
Let’s dive in! We’re diving into a timely topic that’s sure to make your next fishing trip a success, the shad spawn. If you’ve ever wondered about this phenomenal event that happens wherever there are bass and shad, you’re in the right place. First off, what exactly is the shad spawn? Well, it’s more than just shad spawning; it’s nature’s way of replenishing the bass population by filling their bellies with delicious shad after the bass finish spawning. Timing-wise, it typically occurs from April through June, varying slightly depending on where you’re located. Keep an eye out for water temperatures […]
The Top Baits for May!
Now, before we get into the specifics, let’s set the stage for May. We’re talking about the transition from spring to summer, and this month is all about spawning fish and their post-spawn recovery. Up north, think places like Virginia and beyond, you’ve got fish on the beds, fish guarding fry, or just about to spawn. Even in upstate New York or Canada, you’ll find some pre-spawn action. Down south, places like South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana, it’s more about the post-spawn phase as the fish start moving towards deeper waters for the summer. Alright, let’s kick things off with […]
Forgotten Finesse Technique That Will Catch You More Fish
The Mojo rig isn’t one that gets the spotlight it deserves anymore—the Mojo rig, also known as the PD rig or split shot rig. Now, if you’re an angler who’s been around a while, these terms might ring a bell, but for many of you tuning in, you might be scratching your heads wondering, “What on earth is a Mojo rig?” Well, let me break it down for you. The Mojo rig is essentially a finesse version of the Carolina rig, perfect for scenarios where the traditional Carolina rig setup feels too heavy-handed. Picture this: you’re out on the water, […]
April Top Baits
Alright, folks, here we are, diving into the nitty-gritty of my top four baits for the month of April. April is that time when the fish wake up from their winter slumber, stretching their fins, and gearing up for some serious action. Now, depending on where you’re located, April could mean a variety of things for those fish. Up north, we’re talking about pre-spawn action, with those fish making a beeline for their spawning grounds. They’re staging, getting ready for the big show, and most importantly, they’re hungry. That’s right, in April, those fish are packing on the pounds before […]
Mastering the Dropshot
The dropshot is without a doubt one of the hottest finesse techniques. I don’t care whether you’re fishing in shallow, dirty water or deep, crystal-clear water, there’s a time when it can outproduce just about anything else. Why is it so good? Well, it presents the bait off the bottom and keeps it horizontal. There are not many other presentations that accomplish that. It’s a very natural representation of a baitfish. To use it to its maximum effectiveness, though, you need to choose the right leader length. It’s a critical part of making it work. You need to know when […]
March Best Baits
Today I’m going to talk with you about the top four baits for the month of March. You know how it goes, folks. I’m gonna hook you up with two baits for the top half of the country, let’s say from Virginia north, and two for the bottom half, let’s say from Virginia south. But before we dive into those juicy details, let’s talk about March. In most places across the U.S., March marks some phase of the spawn, specifically the pre-spawn in a lot of regions. Remember our chat in February? We discussed fish migrating towards spawning areas from […]
Prespawn Bass Fishing Techniques – Spinnerbaits
While a crankbait is a great choice for transient prespawn bass, it’s not the best option in every circumstance. Another lure that just about never leaves my deck this time of year, especially if I’m around big fish in stained to dirty water, is a spinnerbait. We tend to have a lot of rain early in the season and the water gets color quickly, so this is one I can’t live without. It’s been cold, but now water and air temperatures are creeping up. The days are longer, with more daylight. Those fish want to be headed toward their spawning […]