Pretentious Angler – Attitude is Everything
James Hall discusses how to act once you catch a fish.
B.A.S.S. Channel – Crankbait
Bassmaster Editor Ken Duke talks about how to match a crankbait rod to the proper lure.
B.A.S.S. Channel – Swimbait Trends
Ronell Smith talks about how the swimbait has advanced through the years.
Pros Pointers:His Highness and the King Shad
The first time Kevin VanDam saw Strike King's King Shad, he rolled his eyes.
Shad fetish
When Georgian Mike Echols fishes topwater plugs, crankbaits or spinnerbaits, his go-to color is shad. Echols, who competes in CITGO Bassmaster Southern Open tournaments, figures you can't go wrong emulating the bass' No. 1 forage.
Jerk it! Roll it! Kill it!
If you've ever spent much time on Lake Texoma, the sprawling 89,000-acre impoundment along the Texas-Oklahoma border, you understand how frustrating it can be trying to catch the finicky bass living around the lake's dozens of docks and crowded boat stalls. Cast after cast will go untouched, even though you know without a doubt that fish are present.
Hooks 101
When it gets down to the nitty-gritty, you can have every aspect of fishing covered the right rod and reel, good line, an effective lure and a solid pattern that will give your thumb the sandpaper look of a grizzled veteran but without the proper hook, and a sharp one at that, you're not going to catch many fish. It's as simple as that! Trying to land a fish without a good hook is like trying to cut a steak with a butter knife.
