10 Tips for Catching Late Winter Bass

Late winter can be a tough time to catch bass but with the right tactics and techniques, it is possible to still have successful days on the water. 

Here are 10 tips to help you catch more bass in late winter:

1) Pay attention to water temperature: Bass are more sluggish in colder water, so focus on areas where the water is slightly warmer, such as near springs, dark bottom bays on north side of lake or shallow flats with residual weed beds or boulders.

2) Slow down your retrieve: In colder water, bass are less likely to chase fast-moving lures. Try slowing down your retrieve when using reaction baits like crankbaits, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits or using a finesse technique like a drop shot or Ned rig.

3) Fish near deeper water: Bass often retreat to deeper water during late winter, so concentrate your fishing efforts near structure or cover with deep water (drop offs, steep points, river channels) close by.

4) Use natural-looking lures when fishing clear water: Late winter is a time when bass are less active and less likely to chase flashy or fast-moving lures, especially in clearer water. Instead, use lures that mimic the look and movement of the bass’ natural prey.

Catch More Smallmouth Bass This Spring

Did you ever wonder how to catch more smallmouth bass in the springtime?

I know I have!

Springtime smallmouth bass fishing offers the greatest opportunity to catch both numbers of fish as well as providing the chance at a real trophy …

In order to optimize your chances for both quality and quantities of smallmouth bass in the spring you have to understand the basics of bass migration and bait preferences.

Al Lindner and Dan Surra of Angling Edge TV do a fantastic job of summarizing the key factors you need to learn to increase your spring-time smallmouth bass fishing success in the following video …

Hopefully you made a few notes on how to catch more spring-time smallmouths and you will put more bass in the boat this spring season!

Tips When Fishing New Lakes and Ponds

Fishing a new body of water is both exciting and daunting at the same time. The prospect of lots of bass, especially big bass, tends to get most anglers blood flowing. On the other hand, the challenge of determining the parts of the lake and types of cover/structure holding those bass can sometimes be a little unnerving!

Here are several steps you can take both before and once on the water to prepare for a great day of "catching bass" on any new body of water.

Before the hitting the water:

Research the lake or pond: Look for information about the waterbody, such as its size, depth, and structure. Also, research the type(s) of bass that are present in the lake or pond you'll be fishing.

Study a map of the lake or pond: Look for features such as drop-offs, flats, creek channels, bluff areas, inflow/outflow areas, points, roadways & road beds, dams, docks, and weed beds. These are likely spots where bass will be found at different times of the season or varying weather conditions.

A Few Tips on Getting Kids to Fish

In today's digitally focussed world, it's often said to give a kid a tackle box rather than an X-box. 

Trying to re-direct a child's interest from a screen and toward outdoor activities can be a challenge but taking the time to build their love for fishing will result in a lifetime of outdoor fun and excitement. 

Following are a few quick tips to help grow a child's interest and desire to spend more time near the water and less in front of a screen!

Start by slowly explaining the basics of fishing to the child, such as the different types of fish and the various kinds of equipment needed to catch them. Remember to keep it simple just giving the enough information to use the gear and start catching not just talking about fishing!

Advanced Dock Fishing Tips

One of the more prevelant types of man-made cover on many lakes are docks!

Big docks, small docks, boat docks, swimming docks, shallow docks, deep docks... docks of all types are almost everywhere and most of them hold bass!

Since a variety of factors determine where bass and other gamefish will hold on docks, learning how to read a dock and then using a little professional insight will definitely increase your catching success!

Take a moment and watch as bass pro Dakota Ebare explains some of his favorite tips when fishing docks...

Vibra-Bug Spinnerbaits: A Springtime Favorite

A Vibra-Bug spinnerbait by Rocky Ledge Tackle is a fantastic shallow to medium depth, single-bladed lure perfect for targeting cover as bass prep for their spawning rituals.

With its unique vibrating action and wide-range of color patterns, the Vibra-Bug does an excellent job imitating both injured baitfish darting about and crawdads scurrying along the bottom. Something most hungry springtime bass can’t resist.

These spectacular spinnerbaits are definitely my preferred bait in the spring (though they work all season long actually) and here’s an example of the creator, Jim Migliozzi of Rocky Ledge Tackle showing us why 

Want a little more proof?

Here’s a picture on a nice 21.5″ largemouth caught from a small Lakes Region (NH) pond right after sunset in May of 2017 on a black Rocky Ledge spinnerbait...

They not only catch lots of bass but pretty nice ones as well too!

Check out Rocky Ledge Tackle’s selection of baits by clicking on their logo image below:

You will be glad you did!

Spring Crankbait Selection

As bass begin to make their springtime moves into the shallows from winter havens, finding the location of these fish is a major key to success.  Many bass anglers select lures allowing them to cover water fairly quickly (search baits) as we work to uncover bass migration routes and staging areas.

Crankbaits become a popular choice for spring bass fishing since many different types and sizes are offered by lure manufacturers. This great selection makes it easy to find a version to match the mood of early spring bass.

Of course anytime there are many different types of a bait available from which bass fisherman can chose, there is also significant room for making a less than optimal selection.

This is definitely the case when selecting the proper crankbait for spring bass fishing.

Spring Crankbait Fishing Success Clues …

Here are a five specific pointers to assist in selecting the right crankbait style for early spring bass fishing:

Using Online Web-tools To Identify New Fishing Spots

Fishing can be a rewarding and exciting hobby for people of all ages. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, finding new fishing spots can be a great way to explore new areas and potentially catch more fish. 

Online websites like Google Maps and Google Earth can be incredibly useful for finding and studying new fishing spots. In this article, we'll discuss how to use these tools to enhance your fishing experience.

Step 1: Identify the Area You Want to Fish In

The first step in finding a new fishing spot using web-tools like Google Earth/Maps is to identify the area where you want to fish. This could be a local lake, river, or even a nearby saltwater coastal area. Once you have an idea of where you want to fish, you can begin to use Google Earth/Maps to study the area and identify potential hotspots.

Step 2: Use Google Earth/Maps to Study the Area

The Google mapping apps are powerful tools that allow you to view satellite imagery of nearly any location on the planet. Using the program, you can zoom in and out, move around the map, and get a detailed view of the terrain and water features in the area. Start by zooming in on the area where you want to fish and look for any potential fishing hotspots. Look for areas with near-shore cover, such as rocks, logs, or vegetation, as these are often great places for fish to congregate. You can also look for areas where the water is deeper or shallower than surrounding areas, as this can help identify nearby deep water areas that can attract bass.

Step 3: Study the Topography

The topography of the area you're fishing in can also play a big role in the success of your fishing trip. Using Google Earth (switch to 3D view) or Terrain map view in Google Maps, you can get a detailed view of the topography in the area, including any hills, valleys, or other features that can impact the flow of water. Look for areas where the water flows into or out of a body of water, as these areas can create eddies and currents that can attract fish.

Step 4: Research fish species present

To increase your chances of catching fish, research the species that inhabit the area. Use Google search to look for nearby bait and tackle shops that can provide information about the local fish population. You can also search online for fishing forums or social media groups dedicated to fishing in the area to get tips from other anglers. You can also check your state fish amd wildlife department for available information on water bodies throughout the state.

Step 5: Use other tools and resources

Google Earth/Maps isn't the only online resource you can use to find and study new fishing spots. There are many other websites and tools available that can provide additional information about a given location. For example, you can use websites like Fishidy or Navionics Web app to get detailed contour maps and information about specific waterways. You can also use sites like Fishbrain or Omnia Fishing’s Lake Reports to connect with other anglers in the area and get tips and recommendations.

Step 6: Check Local Fishing Reports

Once you've identified potential fishing hotspots, you can check local fishing reports to get an idea of what types of fish are in the area and what bait and lures are working best. Many fishing websites and forums have sections dedicated to local fishing reports, so you can get up-to-date information on what's biting and where.

Step 7: Plan Your Trip

Once you have a good understanding of the area and the types of fish you're likely to catch, you can start planning your fishing trip. Use Google Earth/Maps to identify access points to the water and plan your route accordingly. You can also use the program to get a better idea of what the surrounding area looks like, including any potential hazards or obstacles that you may encounter.

Step 8: Get out there and fish

Now that you've done your research and found some promising fishing spots, it's time to get out there and start fishing. Remember to follow all local regulations and obtain any necessary permits or licenses before you begin. And don't forget to share your knowledge with other anglers – after all, the fishing community is all about helping each other out.

Online websites like Google Earth/Maps can be incredibly useful for finding and studying new fishing spots. By using the program to study the terrain, topography, and water features in the area, you can identify potential hotspots and plan a successful fishing trip. Remember to always practice safe fishing practices and respect the environment, so that you can continue to enjoy this great hobby for years to come.

Versatility of the Tokyo Rig for Bass Fishing

The Tokyo rig is a popular rig used in bass fishing that originated in Japan. This rig is known for its versatility and effectiveness, making it a go-to choice for many anglers. Here's a short overview of the Tokyo rig and how it can help you catch more bass. 

The rig consists of a heavy-duty wire with a swivel at one end and a hook at the other. The wire is attached to a weight that can be adjusted based on the depth of the water and the size of the bait being used.

The unique design of the Tokyo rig allows the bait to move more freely, giving it a more natural appearance and making it more enticing to bass. Additionally, the wire and weight help keep the bait close to the bottom of the water, where bass tend to congregate.

Another benefit of the Tokyo rig is that it allows you to fish in different parts of the water column. You can adjust the weight to make the bait sink quickly or slowly, depending on where the bass are located. This means that you can fish in shallow water or deep water with the same rig, which is a big advantage when you're trying to locate and catch more fish.

To use the Tokyo rig, a soft plastic bait, such as a worm, crawfish, or creature bait is attached to the hook and cast into the cover. The angler then retrieves the bait using a a variety of retrieves, allowing the rig to work its magic and attract bass.

Take a moment and watch as bass pro Seth Feider explains how he uses the Tokyo rig to catch bass in shallow to deep cover... 

Shoreline Fishing for Ice Out Bass

Here in northern New England, “Old Man Winter” finally starts to lose his grip as longer days and warmer temperatures sometime in March mean receding ice on our local bass haunts!

Though it seemed like may never get here, the first open water bass fishing opportunity of the new season is always welcome when it starts to present itself 

Once the ice withers back from the shoreline and yields more than a cast length’s distance to it’s edge, it’s time to head out and take full advantage of this late winter bass angling bonanza …

Take a few minutes and watch as Kim Stricker of the Hook n' Look YouTube channel identifies some of the shallow water features that ice out Bass gravitate to...

Being a good scout, I’ve already renewed the license, prepped  some rod and reel combos and assembled a small tackle pack with lipless crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, some stick baits and jigs.

That’s right, I’m all set to hit the water’s edge on a moment’s notice!

How about you?

I look forward to seeing you out on the water's edge soon…

Beginners Guide to Fly Fishing for Bass

If you're looking for a new way to fish for bass, fly fishing might be just what you need. Fly fishing for bass can be a fun and challenging way to catch these hard-fighting fish, and it's a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Here are some tips for getting started with fly fishing for bass:

Get the right gear

To start fly fishing for bass, you'll need a few pieces of specialized equipment. First, you'll need a fly rod and reel. A 6- or 7-weight rod is a good choice for bass fishing, and you'll want a reel that can hold a decent amount of line. You'll also need a weight-forward floating fly line, a leader, and some bass flies. Your best bet to get the best gear for your budget is to talk to your local fly shop to get specific recommendations for the bass in your area waters.

Learn the basics of casting

Casting a fly rod is different from casting a spinning rod, so it's important to learn the basics before you head out on the water. There are plenty of resources available to help you learn to cast, including YouTube instructional videos or classes at your local fly shop.

Find the right spots

Bass are found in a variety of habitats, including streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Look for areas with cover, such as fallen logs or weed beds, where bass like to hide. Bass also tend to hang out in areas with structure, such as drop-offs or rocky points. You can fly fish for bass just about anywhere you fish with casting and spinning tackle.

Choose the right flies

Bass flies come in a wide variety of styles and colors, and different flies are effective in different situations. Streamers, eel worms, poppers, and topwater bugs are all popular choices for bass. Experiment with different flies to find out what works best in your local waters.

Mindset and Early Spring Bass Fishing

Long winters without making a cast leaves all of our bass fishing (and catching) skills more than a tad rusty.

But spring has sprung and all of bass fishing nation will be heading to their local bass haunts in search of that holy grail of our sport … the elusive bass!

If you are anything like me and have grown impatient waiting for those days of early spring bass fishing opportunities, you’ve already been out in the yard re-honing those casting skills (even with the strange looks and comments from your neighbors).

Even with many of the potential mechanical kinks worked out, many of us struggle on those first outings of the new season and miss more than a few of the subtle strikes of the still sluggish bass.

So what can we do to shorten the time it takes to “get back into the bass catching groove”?

Elementary my dear bassing friend …

Focus, Concentrate and Analyze!

I am sure you’ve all heard TV fishing celebs and the bass pros talk about it but …

1. Focusing on the environment around you plus;
2. Concentrating on the details of your efforts then
3. Analyzing the conditions around your activities …

These three factors allow you to tune into the bass’ environment and “attitude” (active, neutral or inactive), determine how you need to adjust your approach and presentation and ultimately do more early spring bass catching rather than just fishing.

How does this work?

Fishing for Winter River Smallmouths

Fishing for smallmouth bass in rivers during the winter can be a rewarding experience, though it does require a bit of knowledge and strategy. Smallmouth bass, like most fish, become less active in colder water temperatures so they tend to move to deeper, slower-moving pools and troughs in rivers. With the right mindset, techniques and equipment, however, you can still have some great days catching smallmouth bass in rivers throughout the winter.

When it comes to selecting your fishing spot, focus on areas with structure such as deep pools, eddies, and troughs especially with cover like boulders, rock piles, submerged vegetation or wood present. These types of areas provide smallmouth bass with current breaks along with ambush points and protection they need during the cold water period. Also, look for areas where the current slows down or changes direction, such as behind rocks, near wing dams, laydowns or near the mouths of tributaries. These areas will often hold smallmouth bass that are feeding on bait such as minnows and crayfish.

A highly effective lure for catching winter smallmouths in rivers during is finesse-sized jig and pig (trailer) since it mimics both minnows and crayfish. 

Early to Mid Winter Cranking Tips

One thing is true about winter bass; many if not most of the bass in our lakes, ponds and reservoirs gravitate towards deeper water with quick access to shallower feeding areas as well.

Main Lake Flats:

On most natural lakes as well as many structure lakes/reservoirs, submerged grass beds located on specific types of structures are bass magnets during the cold, winter months. In this video, bass pro Frank Scalish describes specific grass-related structures he targets when searching for winter bass on these types of waters:

The other maps Frank illustrates during his video:

Neckdowns:

Dead End Guts:

Enjoy!

Favorite Crawfish Color Patterns for Crankbaits

Crawfish are a popular forage for bass and other gamfish. As such, lures that mimic the appearance and movement of crawfish can be very effective when bass fishing. One type of lure that is commonly used to imitate crawfish is the crankbait. 

Crankbaits come in a variety of colors and patterns. The four most popular patterns for mimicking crawfish are the natural green and brown crawfish, red crawfish, and chartreuse crawfish. Often times these main color patterns will have either an orange, red, or chartruese underside to enhance the color contrast and trigger bass into striking.

The most common natural patterns are brown or green. These two colors typically mimic the color of a live crawfish in most waters at different times of the year. This pattern can be very effective in clear water or when trying to "match the hatch" when bass are feeding on crawfish in your lakes, ponds, and rivers.

Fishing Football Jigs in Winter

Fishing with a football jig in the winter can be a very effective way to target bass It's always important to understand bass behavior and to use the right tackle, techniques, as well as fishing the right types of structure. 

With a bit of experimentation and persistence, football jigs can help increase your chances of not only hooking a number of bass but also into a bonus big winter bass; possibly one of your biggest for the season.

Here are seven tips for finding bass and fishing football jigs effectively during the cold, winter months:

1) Football jigs, are named for their football-shaped head used when fishing in rock-laden cover to minimize snags. They are designed to mimic the appearance and movement of crayfish, a common forage for bass in the colder months especially around rocky cover.

2) To fish a football jig effectively in winter, it's important to understand the behavior of bass during the cold water months. As the water temperature drops, bass often move into deeper water in close proximity to shallow feeding areas where they can conserve energy. 

3) Dragging or hopping a football jig on a slow retrieve close to the bottom can be very effective. When the bass are nipping at or quickly dropping the jig after biting, stopping the retrieve and letting the jig sit for several seconds (dead-sticking) can help trigger finicky bass into eating the jig.

Popular Bass Flies

Whether you're an experienced angler or just starting out, fly fishing for bass can provide a unique challenge that's sure to keep you coming back for more. 

When it comes to fly fishing for bass, the right fly can make the difference between just fishing for or actually catching bass each time you are on the water. 

Here are several popular bass fly that every angler should have in their tackle box:

Clouser Minnow: This versatile fly is a must-have for bass fishing. Its weighted design allows it to sink quickly, making it ideal for fishing in deeper water. The Clouser Minnow mimics a variety of baitfish, making it effective in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

Deer Hair Popper: A topwater fly that imitates a frog or other small creature, the Deer Hair Popper is a go-to for bass anglers. Its popping action creates a commotion on the surface of the water that can attract bass from a distance.

Solid body poppers: Cork and foam body poppers are a type of fly that creates a popping or splashing sound when retrieved through the water. This sound mimics the sound of prey on the surface, attracting bass from below. Poppers are perfect for fishing in calm water, especially during the early morning or late evening when bass are most active.

Woolly Bugger: The Woolly Bugger is a classic fly that works for a variety of fish species, including bass. Its marabou tail and chenille body make it look like a small baitfish or leech. It can be fished slowly near the bottom or stripped quickly to imitate a fleeing baitfish.

Crawdad: Bass love to eat crawfish, so it's no surprise that a crawdad fly is a top choice for many anglers. The pattern can vary, but most crawdad flies feature a dark, mottled body with rubber legs and pincers.

Lefty's Deceiver: Another versatile fly, Lefty's Deceiver is a streamer pattern that can mimic a variety of baitfish. Its long, flowing feathers create a realistic swimming action that can entice even the wariest bass.

Streamers: Streamers are long, thin flies that mimic the shape and movement of baitfish. The patterns and colors of streamers vary, but all are designed to catch the attention of bass. Streamers are an excellent choice for fishing in deep water or for targeting larger bass.

Deer Hair Frog: This fly imitates a frog, a favorite meal for bass. The buoyant deer hair body helps the fly to float on the surface, and the hand-tied  hair legs create a lifelike movement that can entice bass into striking.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of a fly can depend on the specific location, time of year, and water conditions. 

It's always a good idea to do some research and talk to local experts to determine the best flies for the area you plan to fish.

Tips on Fishing Bridges Effectively

Fishing bridges can be a productive and exciting way to target bass throughout the year. Bridges provide a variety of habitats and structures for bass to feed and hide, making them a prime location to catch these predatory fish.

Bass pro Andy Montogmery successfully makes his living fishing manmade cover like boat docks and bridge systems.

Take a few moments and watch as Andy describes the different types of bass holding cover found around bridges and how he approaches fishing each type of cover under different conditions:

Tips on Picking Bass Jigs

When it comes to bass fishing, a jig can be an effective lure for not only catching bass but big ones as well. 

With so many different types of jigs available on the market, however, it can be challenging to determine which one is right for your fishing situation. 

Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when picking a jig for bass fishing:

Water clarity: The clearer the water, the more natural and realistic your jig should look. In clear water, a finesse jig with natural colors like green pumpkin can be highly effective. In murky or stained water, a bulkier jig in black and blue typically stands out better and gets more bites.

Water depth: The deeper the water, the heavier your jig needs to be in order to reach the bottom and maintain contact with the jig. If you're fishing shallow water, a lighter jig with a slower fall rate may work better plus avoid snagging on cover like rocks, wood, or weeds.

Season: Different types of jigs may be more effective depending on the time of year. In the spring, for example, a swim jig can be highly effective for covering a lot of water quickly and enticing active fish. During the summer, heavier, bulkier flipping and structure jigs typically come into play whereas football and finesse jigs may work best during the colder fall and winter months.

Trailer: Adding a trailer to your jig can help make it more enticing to bass. Consider using a soft plastic or pork trailer to add more movement and appeal to your jig.

Bass pro Greg Hackney has a reputation of being one of the better jig fisherman in the pro ranks. Take a moment as Greg provides his thoughts on how he picks jigs and trailers depending on the conditions he is fishing...

It's important to experiment with different types of jigs to find what works best for you. Everyone has their own style and approach to fishing, so don't be afraid to try out different jigs and techniques until you find what works best for you.

Five Tips for Catching Bass in Winter

Fishing for bass in the winter can be challenging endeavor but you can still have some great days on the water with the right approach.

Here are five tips to help you succeed with your cold water bass adventures:

1)  Fish in deeper water: During the winter, bass tend to move to deeper water where the temperature is more stable. Look for points, drop-offs, and other structures with deep water access nearby that bass can use in the colder months.

2)  Use slow-moving baits: In cold water bass have a slower metabolism and 

are less active therefore less likely to chase fast-moving baits. Slow-moving baits, such as jigs, spinnerbaits, blade baits, ned rigs, and flat-sided crankbaits, are usually more effective in the winter.

How to Fish Jigging Spoons for Winter Bass

Fishing for bass in the winter can be a challenge, but jigging spoons can be an effective way to target these fish during the cold water period. In this post, we'll go over some tips and techniques for fishing jigging spoons for bass during the winter months.

First, it's important to understand the behavior of bass in the winter. As the water temperature drops, bass will become less active and will often seek out deeper, more sheltered areas. These areas often include deeper basin areas adjacent to the ends of points, steeply dipping banks, ledges/buffs, or in the deeper rivers on the outside edge of channel bends. Therefore you'll need to adjust your fishing techniques to target these fish in their winter haunts. These areas will often hold concentrations of bass in the winter.

One of the most effective presentations to accomplish this is by using jigging spoons. These lures mimic the action of struggling or dying baitfish, and can be fished vertically, making them perfect for targeting bass in deep water.

When fishing with jigging spoons, it's important to pay attention to the weight of the spoon. In the winter, you'll want to use a heavier spoon to get the lure down to the deeper holding areas where the bass reside. A good rule of thumb is to use a spoon that is at least 1/4 ounce for every 10 feet of water being fished. Since common depth ranges for winter bass are in the 20 to 30 foot range, 1/2 oz and 3/4 oz jigging spoons are often used. The most common rod and reel combo for jigging spoons is a 7' M/H power, fast action baitcasting rod with 12 lb to 20 lb test fluorocarbon line.

Cold Water Paddletail Swimbait Tips

During the cold water period, remembering a few basic tips such as 

• Find cover and structure on moderate to steeply dipping banks with ready access to deep water;
• Hard cover such as wood and rocks not only provide ambush points but also absorb heat often making water a little warmer;
• Work your bait slowly and keep it close to cover...

will not only help find bass but put them in the boat.

Since cold water bass are often feeding on baitfish at this time of year, a small paddletail swimbait can be the perfect lure to trigger cold water bass into striking.

Take a moment and watch as MLF bass pro Jacob Wall gives his thoughts on rigging and fishing paddletail swimbaits for cold water bass...

Pro Tips for Breaking Down a New Lake

If you are fortunate enough to have one or more mapping/sonar units available when on your boat, there's an approach for quickly breaking down the lake's structure/cover features once on the water you may want to consider.

Take a moment and watch as MLF Pro James Elam gives a short "on the water" tutorial showing how he uses his electronics to quickly find subsurface features that hold bass...

Even if you don't have today's advanced sonar technology you can still use online resources like Navionics Mapping Webapp to at least evaluate the lakes structural features and identify areas to focus your time while on the water.

Is the Neko Rig Better Than the Texas Rig?

The Neko and Texas rigs are two popular soft bait presentations used in bass fishing. Both have their own unique advantages and disadvantages but the choice between the two ultimately comes down to the individual angler's preference and the specific fishing conditions when on the water.

The Neko Rig!

The Neko rig is a simple rig that involves threading a soft plastic worm or stick bait a Neko-style hook parallel with the length of the worm then inserting a small nail weight in the head of the bait (see video).

The Neko rig usually excels in clear water especially when bass are feeding on small baitfish or worms. The Neko rig's main advantage is its subtle presentation, which can be especially effective when bass are finicky or in a negative feeding mood. It is also a great rig for beginners since it's easy to rig and use.

The Texas Rig!

The Texas rig on the other hand, is a more versatile rig and used in a variety of fishing conditions. It involves rigging a soft plastic worm or creature bait with a bullet weight and a flipping or EWG style hook (see video).

The weight size can be varied and is used to keep the bait near the bottom. In most cases the hook is usually rigged weedless making it a "go-to" rig for fishing in heavy cover. The Texas rig is a great option when bass are feeding on larger prey, such as crawfish or bluegills. It is also a good choice when fishing in murky or stained water where the fish may not be able to see the bait as well.

Both the Neko and Texas rigs are great options for bass fishing. The Neko rig is often best used in clear water; when the bass are feeding on small bait; or when fishing pressured water. On the other hand, the Texas rig is more versatile and often used in heavy cover or when the water is stained to dirty. 

Tight lines and full livewells!

A Different Approah to Fishing Alabama Rigs

Have you ever seen a person on the water and it looked as if they were fishng a chandelier with swimbaits and blades hanging all over the place? 

Welcome to the world of fishing the castable umbrella rig, also known as an Alabama or A-rig!

My personal experience with this type of bait started decades ago when trolling a similar type of weighted, multi-baited wire-form rig (referred to as an umbrella rig) off the northeast coast for striped bass and bluefish.

Many years later, folks in the southland adapted a lighter, more easily castable version of of this rig (then referred to as the Alabama rig or A-rig) with paddletail swimbaits or grubs for all species of black bass. 

Most bass anglers use long rods with heavy action and high test braided line to offset the bulky nature of the rig.

On the other hand, bass aficionado Jimmy Houston has a simpler approach to fishing the Alabama rig that many new A-rig anglers might find beneficial!

Take a few minutes and watch as Jimmy explains his set-ups and basic approach to casting and fishing the A-rig for bass...

Winter Finesse Fishing with Soft Plastics

Getting bass to bite when winter when water temps are approaching the freezing point is rarely easy. 

For many years the thought of using any type of soft plastic bait during the winter was not even considered by most cold weather bass anglers!

With advancements in the manufacturing techniques of soft plastics as well as the introduction of finesse presentations like the drop shot, neko and ned rigs that has all changed.

Take a few minutes and watch as Falcon Rod bass pro Luke Palmer demonstrates his favorite finesse fishing techniques to trigger strikes from lethargic winter bass...

An Interesting Perspective on Bass and Colors

Over the years there has been lots of information produced on the influence of colors when you're bass fishing.

Most of that information pertains to how a bass sees colors and the best color palette for lures anglers use to entice and trigger strikes from our sometimes elusive prey.

But here's an interesting perspective from the "Bass Professor" Doug Hannon (R.I.P.) about his thoughts on how the color of his boat and clothes influenced his success at catching big bass from the clear waters of the Sunshine State!

Take a moment and watch what he has to say on the influence of colors above the water's surface on bass catching success...

I know I've always leaned towards natural colors on my vessel and tend to wear colors that blend with the surrounding environment; perhaps with good reason!

Downsizing Crankbaits for More Bites

Crankbaits are fantastic baits for drawing strikes and catching active bass when feeding on a variety of forage such as shad, herring, perch, shiners and even crawfish. They are also very popular baits among structure fishermen thereby exposing the fish to the most common crankbait sizes for those staging along structural features like ledges, humps, points and deep flat edges.

Though bass sometimes get "conditioned" to certain crankbaits along these popular cranking environs, sometimes simply downsizing your crankbaits will help trigger more bass into striking in these pressured areas.

Take a moment and watch as Bassmaster Elite Pro Chris Zaldain explains his approach to effectively fishing crankbaits in pressured waters...