Category: Fishing Lures

Discussion about fishing lures used to catch bass.

The Ultimate Guide to Crankbait Fishing

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<strong>The Ultimate Guide to Crankbait Fishing</strong>

When I look back at some of my greatest successes in my tournament career, a lot of them are directly attributable to crankbaits. Why are they so good? The biggest reason is their ability to get bites from fish that are feeding as well as fish that are not actively feeding. Sure, a lot of baits will produce “hunger bites,” but the ability to trigger reaction bites puts them in a different class. So what are we talking about when we use the term crankbait? It’s a lure, made of wood, plastic or resin, that has a bill that helps […]

My Fall Bass Fishing Secret

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My Fall Bass Fishing Secret

One of the coolest ways to catch bass is with an Alabama Rig, also known as the “A Rig.” If you’re a fan of it like I am, you already know why it’s so good. The term that I often use is that it mesmerizes them. It really does. Out of the water, that contraption looks bulky and complicated, but in the water, it comes alive. It’s one of the best baits ever made to mimic a school of baitfish. The one downfall of the traditional Alabama Rig is the limited number of places where you can fish it. With […]

The Ultimate Spinnerbait Series – Retrieves and Tackle

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The Ultimate Spinnerbait Series – Retrieves and Tackle

In the first part of my Ultimate Spinnerbait Series, I outlined when and where I use different kinds of spinnerbaits. It’s one of the greatest categories of lures ever made, but if you don’t dial in the proper retrieve, having the right blade style, color and other components really doesn’t matter. The good news: with three basic retrieves, you can maximize your effectiveness. I tailor them to the different zones of the water column – top, middle and bottom – and by thinking of it that way, you can really improve your game. For the top of the water column, […]

The Ultimate Spinnerbait Series – Picking the Right Spinnerbait

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The Ultimate Spinnerbait Series – Picking the Right Spinnerbait

A spinnerbait is a very simple contraption – a combination of wire, a head, a hook, and some blades – but it’s one of the most effective lures ever created. Why is it so good and so universal? Because most lures appeal to only one of a fish’s senses, but the spinnerbait appeals to all five. In the water, it provides multiple reasons for bass to strike – flash, vibration and visual attraction. Bass are sight feeders; even in crystal clear water, a spinnerbait looks like a school of baitfish. Blade Type is your starting point when you pick a […]

How to Pick the Right Size and Color Jig

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How to Pick the Right Size and Color Jig

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 […]

What Makes Fishing Fun for Beginners?

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What Makes Fishing Fun for Beginners?

Whether you’re trying to introduce someone new to fishing or you are a beginner yourself, the key to building a long-lasting love for the sport is to keep it fun. After all, that’s why we’re out there. This is particularly true when you’re trying to get kids involved. Fishing is an opportunity for them to build a lifelong passion through discipline and discovery. I’ve already written about the tackle you need to get kids started. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just some light rods, bobbers and tube jigs. That bobber makes it a very visual experience which […]

How to Pick a Jig for Year-Round Fishing

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How to Pick a Jig for Year-Round Fishing

I’m really excited about this series of videos and blogs because it gives me a chance to talk about one of the best lures ever created: The skirted jig. It’s a lure that can intimidate a lot of newcomers because it doesn’t necessarily look like anything natural and there are lots of different options on the market. That can be confusing. I can vividly remember when I was 17 or 18 years old and I started hearing about this lure category. I bought a few and had no idea how to fish them. In fact, the first few times I’m […]

The Best Rig to Get Kids Into Fishing

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The Best Rig to Get Kids Into Fishing

Whether you’re getting back into fishing, learning to fish for the first time, or trying to teach kids how to fish, there are simple ways to get the ball rolling. When it comes to kids in particular, your goal should be to keep it fun. That means getting bites – lots of bites. Fortunately, there’s a really simple rig that can make that happen. It’s basically what I used with all four of my kids, and through the Ike Foundation to get many more kids on the right track. In order to really get kids involved, it’s critical that your […]

How to Tie a Non-Leadered Punch Shot (AKA, The Jika Rig)

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How to Tie a Non-Leadered Punch Shot (AKA, The Jika Rig)

One of the coolest soft plastic rigs out there is known as the “Jika” Rig, but what it really consists of is a non-leadered punch shot. They’re the same thing, but no matter what you call it, it falls somewhere in between a traditional Texas Rig and a Tokyo Rig – and there are times when it outshines them both. The great news about this rig is that you can make one at home without any hard-to-find components. In fact, you can build one in the time it takes to read this column. Start with your hook: You need one […]

How to Pack a Tackle Bag

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How to Pack a Tackle Bag

Starting out as an angler can often seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Part of my goal in creating this series is to make the learning process easier for beginners. In order to be efficient on the water, you have to learn to pack a tackle bag. It doesn’t matter if you’ll be fishing off the bank, from a kayak, in a jon boat or in a bigger boat – that bag is your tool box for a day on the water. Keep it simple by remembering that there are three main categories of gear: Terminal […]