Bass

Derek Strub is one of Canada’s foremost authorities on all things smallmouth.  Through years of experience, he’s identified a period in the fall when smallmouths will only key in on blade baits and jigging spoons.  Once you dial them in, they’ll just about rip the rod out of your hands.

Much like spring, a prime feeding window opens once water temps delve into the low 40’s and low 50’ as fish will school up.  As the water gets colder, the metabolism of smallmouth slow down considerably, yet they begin to attack fast moving reaction baits.

In the fall, fresh off their summer laziness and in anticipation of their winter chill, bass want to get fat. They are the finned equivalent of the offensive linemen who strike fear into the heart of buffet restaurant owners. These bass have big mouths, big eyes, and big appetites.

Underspins are one of the most underutilized lures in bass fishing today. Learn Nitro Pro Jason Williamson's strategy for using this bait year-round.

Spinnerbait, spinnerbait. Where for art thou, spinnerbait? Ahem, the "Bard" I ain't, but I do so long for the spinnerbait to become a top-of-mind choice for bass fishing fans once again.

There's no better way to beat the late-summer heat than tangling with smallmouth on your local river or stream. Don't forget to pack these essential lures before heading down to the water

Yep, it's finally over! What you ask? Well, the raging (not really) debate over whether to use braid or fluorocarbon when swimming jigs, pitching grass, etc.

Sure, in certain situations, like punching dense vegetation with a super-heavy weight with a soft plastic you need to use braid, it's a no-brainer. But I'm talking about more of that semi-open water deal. Like fishing big beds of milfoil that exist in so many lakes and reservoirs throughout the country.

Casting the lure towards the vast green mat of milfoil, I cranked slowly on the handle of the baitcast reel, tensing instinctively. Somehow I just knew a strike was coming. Seconds later the mat of milfoil literally exploded as a seven pound largemouth nailed the soft lure shimmying in a v-wake across the surface.

It's getting to be that time of the year, late summer. Yep, talk of football and Mark Zona's beloved Chicago Bears predicted to be the worst team in the NFL this season. This according to USA Today.

Arizona fishing pro Josh Bertrand is never happier than when he’s staring at his graph, working a dropshot rig in water at least as deep as his Nitro boat is long. In a perfect world, he’d be looking at ‘em in 40, 50 or even 60 feet of water, because that’s when many of his peers start to get a little nervous and think about giving up. There can’t possibly be a bass that deep, can there?

In my career as an outdoor journalist I’ve interviewed hundreds of professional anglers about dozens of subjects.  When the conversation turns to soft plastics, one topic consistently arises: color.