Listen, I’m gonna say something that might get me in trouble with the old guard of bass fishing. Are you ready? I’m giving up the goods on a technique, a method, that’s been hush-hush for way too long. This one’s been kept in the vault. I’m talking lock and key, man. One of those techniques that guys have been doing on the down-low, never wanting the cat to get out of the bag, but guess what? I’m cracking it wide open right now. We’re talking about skipping a buzzbait under stuff! Now listen, if you’ve ever fished a buzzbait before, […]
I am so pumped to be talking to you about this one today because it is timely, it’s the perfect time of year for this technique. We’re talking jerkbaits. Yep! One of the best lures out there for getting reaction bites. And today, I’m going to show you how to modify your jerkbait to catch more fish. Now let’s start with the basics. A jerkbait is one of those lures that just triggers fish. It’s that erratic side-to-side movement…boom boom boom…that gets those fish to follow. And the pause… oh man, that pause is where the magic happens. […]
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 […]
When the water is cold, or cold but warming up, a lipless crankbait is an absolute killer. There’s a misconception that it’s only good in the spring. I hear that all the time, but this is a lure that works in all four seasons. It’s during the winter and pre-spawn when it really shines, though. abyLet’s back up for a second. What is a lipless crankbait? Well, as the name suggests, and you probably guessed if you didn’t already know, it’s hard-bodied like a crankbait, minus one thing…The lip! It’s that design that makes it so effective for bass because […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
If you’re a guide or an experienced tournament fisherman, you might have five, 10, 20 or even 30 fishing rods already. But what about those of you who are just getting started? Maybe you’re a kid or someone who just wants to make a few casts in a neighborhood pond. Or perhaps you’re on a limited budget. You don’t need to have that many, but you do need to make sure that whatever you get is versatile. Before I dive into adult options, let me discuss rods for kids. This is really easy. For younger children, get a spinning or […]
No matter where in the country you live, at some point during the spring the bass are going to be on the beds. Spawning bass can be really challenging to catch and I know that frustrates some of you, but I’ve got a system and technique that works just about everywhere. It drives them nuts. They’ve got to have it. I’m telling you, if you think that you suck at sight fishing, this is one bait you’ve got to try. There’s already been a lot of chatter about this lure, the soft plastic Berkley Gilly, a dead-on imitation of a […]
Last time we reviewed blade baits by looking at the lure in detail. Now we’re going to talk about what tackle to use and how to fish them. For starters let’s review the holes and clips on the back of the lure. It doesn’t make much difference whether you use a clip, a split ring or a swivel on a blade bait. They’ll all work. I like clips and snaps because you can change holes on the fly easy. Split rings are a little harder to take off and put back where you want them, especially with cold fingers. The […]
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