Fishing Tips & Bait Guide

Pairing Soft Plastics with Jig Heads
A great soft plastic is only as good as the jig head under it. Here is how to pair hook size, head weight and bait length for a clean, natural presentation. Hook size: match the bait length As a rule of thumb, the hook gap should be about one-third to one-half the length of the bait. A 3 inch worm pairs well with a 2/0 or 3/0 hook, while a 5 inch worm needs a 4/0 or 5/0. The hook point should sit just past the middle of the bait... Read more...
Clear Water vs. Stained Water Colors
Color is one of the most debated topics in bass fishing — but a simple rule gets you close fast: match natural colors in clear water, and go bold or dark in stained water. Clear water: natural and translucent In clear water, bass have time to inspect the bait. Translucent greens, watermelon, shad patterns and soft pumpkin colors look the most like real forage. Fish them with light line and a slow, natural presentation. Stained water: high contrast When visibility drops, bass rely on silhouette and vibration instead of fine... Read more...
How to Choose a Paddle-Tail Size
Paddle-tail swimbaits are one of the most reliable bass baits in the water — but only when the size matches the situation. Here is a simple way to narrow it down before you tie one on. Match the bait size to the forage Start with what the fish are actually eating. Shad fry and small minnows mean smaller swimbaits in the 3 to 3.8 inch range. Bigger forage, like adult shad or bluegill, calls for 4 to 5 inch paddles. Matching the local forage is the fastest way to trigger... Read more...