Fishing Articles

Must Have Baits for South Carolina Bass Fishing with Patrick Walters

Fri, May 27, 2022

South Carolina native and Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Patrick Walters, is no stranger to catching bass in the diverse fisheries that South Carolina has to offer. Here, he breaks down three must-have baits for catching bass in the Palmetto State.

How Patrick Walters Chooses Sunglasses Lens Colors

Thu, May 26, 2022

Bassmaster Elite Angler and Bajio sponsored pro, Patrick Walters is here to share how he chooses the right lens color for any given condition.

How Patrick Walters Uses Mega 360 and Forward Facing Sonar to Catch More Fish

Wed, May 25, 2022

With so much buzz in the fishing industry around forward-facing sonar and Mega 360, anglers have utilized these tools in both fishing competition and everyday angling to effectively catch more fish. Listen in as Patrick Walters explains how to use both tools in harmony to catch more fish.

How Patrick Walters Fishes Finesse in the Post Spawn

Tue, May 24, 2022

The post spawn funk can often bring about the bassin' blues for anglers, as it can be a challenging time to pattern and catch quality bass while they recover from their annual spawning ritual. Here, Bassmater pro, Patrick Walters shares his tips on capitalizing on this often challenging time to catch bass.

How to Fish a Large Swimbait with Patrick Walters

Mon, May 23, 2022

A great way to target big bass, Bassmaster Pro Patrick Walters is here to share a few tips on how to fish a large soft-bodied swimbait.

Large Swimbait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Patrick Walters

Fri, May 20, 2022

Hop in the boat with Bassmaster Pro Patrick Walters and get a full rundown on his setup for large swimbait fishing.

Glide Bait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Patrick Walters

Thu, May 19, 2022

One of the most exciting ways to trigger big bites, Bassmaster Elite Series pro, Patrick Walters, is here to give his rundown on the proper setup for glide bait fishing.

How to Locate Hard Bottom with Side Imaging with Patrick Walters

Wed, May 18, 2022

Advancements in technology has made finding bass-holding cover and structures easier than ever! Bassmaster Pro, Patrick Walters, is here to give an overview on how to easily identify hard bottom areas using Humminbird MEGA Side Imaging.

What to Expect on a Lowland Reservoir

Tue, May 17, 2022

Hop in the boat with Bassmaster Elite, Patrick Walters, and listen in as he gives a full breakdown on Lowland Reservoir fisheries.

Humminbird Waypoint Tip with Patrick Walters

Mon, May 16, 2022

Bassmaster pro, Patrick Walters, spends a lot of time behind his electronics while prepping for and competing in Elite Series events. Here, he has a quick tip on how to best manage your Humminbird waypoints to get the most out of your investment.

How to Locate Bass on Shallow Flats with Patrick Walters

Sat, May 14, 2022

Shallow flats are key fish-holding areas during the spring, but they can pose a challenge with how expansive they and the abundance of cover they offer. Hop in the boat with Patrick Walters to hear how he quickly breaks down a shallow spawning flat to find fish fast!

How to Fish Rising and Falling Water with Patrick Walters

Fri, May 13, 2022

Rising and falling water on southern reservoirs can pose a challenge to anglers looking to make the most of their time on the water. Luckily, Bassmaster pro, Patrick Walters, is here to share a few tips on how to capitalize on fluctuating water levels during the spring.

Your Spawning Questions Answered with Patrick Walters

Thu, May 12, 2022

You asked, he answered! Sit down with Patrick Walters and hear his answers to the questions submitted by BassUtopia fans about fishing for bass during the spawn.

How to Fish a Shaky Head with Patrick Walters

Wed, May 11, 2022

The reliable shaky head is a finesse fishing staple of bass anglers nationwide, and here are some tips from Patrick Walters on how to fish a shaky head.

How Bass Set Up on Trees with Patrick Walters

Tue, May 10, 2022

Bassmaster Elite angler Patrick Walters knows a thing or two about fishing trees by spending so much time on the target-rich environment of Santee Cooper lakes in South Carolina. Here, he shares some tips on how to narrow down these targets and maximize your efficiency on the water.

Staff Picks Sale

Mon, May 9, 2022

Patrick Walters' Top Bed Fishing Baits

Mon, May 9, 2022

When it comes to bed fishing, there is no "silver bullet" to guarantee getting bites. Patrick Walters keeps it simple with these three baits when fishing for bass locked on their beds.

How to Assess Shallow Cover with Patrick Walters

Sun, May 8, 2022

When faced with an abundance of shallow cover, it can often be challenging for anglers to break down so many potential targets to cast at. Luckily, Bassmaster Elite angler, Patrick Walters, is here to share some tips on how to effectively assess the best forms of shallow cover when fishing a target-rich environment.

How to Fish a Bass Bed with Patrick Walters

Sat, May 7, 2022

One of the most exciting times of the year to fish, the spawn can also be a challenging time for anglers to convince bedding bass into biting. Here, Patrick Walters shares how he looks for beds and how he approaches them to make calculated casts and trigger fish into biting.

The Benefits of Filing Fishing Reports with Omnia

Fri, May 6, 2022

How to Fish a Glide Bait with Patrick Walters

Fri, May 6, 2022

A glide bait is one of the best big bass search baits ever made and here are some tips from Bassmaster Elite angler, Patrick Walters, on how to fish one successfully.

How to Rig a Jig

Thu, May 5, 2022

One of the most famous ways to catch big bass on a consistent basis, the jig has been found on boat decks of bass anglers for years and is a confidence lure for many. Patrick Walters finds the jig to be one of the most versatile lures across the country, and here he gives some tips on how he modifies and rigs his favorite jig setup.

How to Rig a Large Swimbait with Patrick Walters

Wed, May 4, 2022

Large swimbaits are one of the best offerings to catch above-average sized bass and here Patrick Walters breaks down the differences between pre-rigged and unrigged swimbaits and how he sets them up for success.

Spinnerbait/Chatterbait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Patrick Walters

Tue, May 3, 2022

When it comes to spinnerbait and chatterbait fishing, Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Patrick Walters, likes to keep things simple and consistent. Take a look at his setup for these two popular techniques.

Patrick Walters' Top 3 Spawn Techniques

Fri, April 29, 2022

The water is warming and full moon cycles have big bass pushing the bank for their annual spawning ritual and there's no better time to hit the water in search of the hottest springtime bites. Bassmaster Elite Series champion Patrick Walters is a South Carolina native who is here to share with us his top three techniques for fishing during the spawn.

Tournament Fishing Essentials Gear List

Tue, April 19, 2022

The Lew's Pro SP Reel

Tue, April 19, 2022

One of the most popular new reels on the market, the Team Lew's Pro SP Speed Spool was designed to be the ultimate user-friendly skipping and pitching low profile casting reel.

The Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT

Sun, April 17, 2022

Loaded with premium features from Daiwa, the Ballistic MQ LT has been reimagined, redesigned, and fully-upgraded for battle for both freshwater and inshore spinning applications.

Humminbird: Mega Live vs. 360 w/ Bob Downey

Fri, April 15, 2022

Humminbird pro and Bassmaster Elite Series angler Bob Downey is here to break down the differences between Humminbird Mega 360 and Mega Live along with how and where to use each tool both individually and together in harmony to catch more fish

The Daiwa Tatula 80

Wed, April 13, 2022

Compact in size but mighty in performance, the new Tatula 80 offers a host of premier features from Daiwa in an easily palmable low profile casting reel.

The Atlas Tackle Pack from Plano

Mon, April 11, 2022

The premier solution to portable tackle management, Plano introduces the new Atlas 3700 Tackle Pack.

St. Croix Victory 7'6" Power Flip'N Heavy Mod-Fast Rod w/ Bob Downey

Sun, April 10, 2022

At the 2022 Bassmaster Classic Expo, Bob Downey shares with us one of his favorite models in the St. Croix Victory series, the 7'6" Power Flip'N casting rod.

The Daiwa Tatula 70

Sat, April 9, 2022

"Tatula" has become a household name for bass anglers over the past decade, and now Daiwa has taken its SV technology and packed it into the most compact and lightweight Tatula yet, with the Tatula 70 SV TW.

HyperMag Spinning Reel from Lew's

Fri, April 8, 2022

A reputable name amongst baitcasting reels for years, the HyperMag by Lew's has set a standard for high-grade performance and top-notch engineering. Now, the reputation exceeds the baitcasting realm with the all-new Lew's HyperMag Spinning Reel.

How to Choose the Right Spoon

Thu, April 7, 2022

Bass spoons are one of the most effective categories of lures for imitating shad, all the way from small threadfins to the large gizzard shad of Tennessee River Impoundments. Ricky Harris shares some advice on how to get started with selecting the correct bass spoon.

Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbaits

Wed, April 6, 2022

Crafted with attention to every detail and tournament-ready straight out of the pack, the Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait family covers all of your spinnerbait needs.

New Abu Garcia Zenon Casting Reels

Tue, April 5, 2022

Compact, super lightweight, and crafted with precision engineering, you can do it all with the new Zenon series of reels from Abu Garcia.

Glide Bait Hack - When to File Down Your Glide Bait

Mon, April 4, 2022

Ricky Harris from Omnia Fishing shares a quick tip on how and when to file down a glide bait to fine-tune its swimming action.

Humminbird Mega 360 Walkthrough

Sun, April 3, 2022

Make every cast count with Humminbird's innovative Mega 360 sonar, giving you a perfectly clear bird's-eye view of the underwater environment.

How to Choose the Right Glide Bait

Sat, April 2, 2022

Glide Bait fishing has risen in popularity over the years and is a great way to catch above-average sized bass. Ricky Harris from Omnia Fishing shares three key tips on how to select the right Glide Bait.

Grand Lake REDCREST Tournament Recap (March 23-27 2022)

Fri, April 1, 2022

Santee Cooper Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament Recap (March 17-21 2022)

Fri, April 1, 2022

ZMan SMH Jig Head

Fri, April 1, 2022

Designed by Zman in collaboration with MLF pro Brian Latimer, the all-new ZMan SMH Jig Head stands in a league of its own within the booming finesse shakey head market.

Humminbird Mega Live Walkthrough with Bob Downey

Thu, March 31, 2022

We caught up with Humminbird pro Bob Downey at the Bassmaster Classic Expo to get a demonstration of how Mega Live functions and how he utilizes this tool to catch more bass.

ZMan Goat ToadZ

Wed, March 30, 2022

After countless redesigns and input from ZMan pros and fans alike, the new Goat ToadZ is finely-tuned for serious topwater bass-kickin' action!

Lew's Signature Series Rods

Tue, March 29, 2022

Professionally designed by some of the biggest names in bass fishing, the Lew's Signature Series Rods have a model for all of the most popular bass fishing techniques.

Hardbody Swimbait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Ricky Harris

Sun, March 27, 2022

When it comes to hardbody swimbait fishing, your setup is very important. Here are some tips on how to choose the right setup for large hardbody swimbait fishing!

The Strike King Hybrid Hunter

Sat, March 26, 2022

Tailormade for big bass in the grass, the new Strike King Hybrid Hunter just may be the last shallow crankbait you ever need for fishing around vegetation!

St. Croix's NEW Legend Tournament Bass Casting Rods

Fri, March 25, 2022

Here's a full rundown on each model in the new Legend Tournament Bass Casting Rods!

Large Hair Jig Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Ricky Harris

Fri, March 25, 2022

One of the best ways to catch the largest bass from an offshore school, large hair jigs (aka "Preacher Jigs") require a special setup to be successful on the water. Ricky Harris from Omnia Fishing shares his go-to setup for large hair jig fishing.

St. Croix's NEW Legend Tournament Bass Glass Casting Rods

Fri, March 25, 2022

The new Legend Tournament Bass Glass Casting Rods are some of the best glass rods on the market! Polish Pete walks us through each model in the new line!

St. Croix's NEW Legend Tournament Bass Spinning Rods

Fri, March 25, 2022

Get a full review on the specs of each model within the new St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Spinning Rod series!

St. Croix 7'3" M Extra-Fast Legend Tournament Bass Rod with Bob Downey

Thu, March 24, 2022

Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Bob Downey, shares one of his favorite models in the new St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass series, the 7'3" Medium, Extra-Fast Power Finesse spinning rod, aka the "Power Finesse".

Patrick Walter's Tips on Jerkbait Fishing Around Cover

Wed, March 23, 2022

A master of jerkbait fishing with forward-facing sonar, Patrick Walters shares a quick tip on fishing hard jerkbaits effectively around cover to garner more bites.

The Smeltinator Jig with Jeff Gustafson

Tue, March 22, 2022

The jig that propelled Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson to his first Bassmaster Elite Series win, the Smeltinator is dynamite for finesse swimbaits and vertical damiki rig presentations.

Groups, Teams, and Organizations

Mon, March 21, 2022

The hub for groups of anglers to grow awareness of their work and partner with a dedicated community of anglers across the country.

St. Croix: 7'5" MH Fast Legend Tournament Bass with Bob Downey

Mon, March 21, 2022

Dubbed the "Warhorse" by St. Croix Rods, the Legend Tournament Bass 7'5" Medium-Heavy is one of Bob Downey's favorites in the new line, and here he shares his favorite aspects of this new rod.

Lew's XD Crankbait Rod Series

Sun, March 20, 2022

Tailormade for the popular XD Series of crankbaits from Strike King, the new Lew's XD Cranking Rods come in a range of lengths and powers to serve all of your crankbait fishing needs.

The Strike King Chick Magnet

Sat, March 19, 2022

Ideal for cooler water temperatures, the brand new Strike King Chick Magnet feels right at home cranking for shallow water prespawn bass.

Spring Smallmouth Fishing on Lake St. Clair

Fri, March 18, 2022

Get an in-depth overview on targeting prespawn smallmouth bass on Lake St. Clair!

The Evergreen Grass Ripper

Fri, March 18, 2022

The all-new Evergreen Grass Ripper is here and as the name suggests, this swim jig is going to be a killer around vegetation!

The Smeltinator Underspin with Jeff Gustafson

Thu, March 17, 2022

An added twist on the jig that helped Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson win his first Bassmaster Elite event, the Smeltinator Underspin is the ideal tool for deep, coldwater smallmouth and spotted bass.

In-Depth Legend Tournament Bass Material with St. Croix Engineer

Wed, March 16, 2022

Bassmaster Elite Bob Downey interviews an engineer from St. Croix Rods to get a rundown on the proprietary materials used to design the all-new Legend Tournament Bass series of rods!

Legend Tournament Bass First Impressions with Bob Downey

Tue, March 15, 2022

Bassmaster Elite Series angler Bob Downey shares his first impressions on the new and improved St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass series of rods, which launches on March 25!

Abu Garcia: Revo Rocket

Mon, March 14, 2022

The Abu Garcia Revo Rocket is built with top-end speed in mind. Andrew Wheeler from Abu Garcia is here to share all the specs that make the Revo Rocket one of the most efficient low profile casting reels on the market.

Abu Garcia: Revo STX

Sun, March 13, 2022

A highly regarded casting reel by serious tournament anglers and diehard weekend warriors alike, the Revo STX upholds Abu Garcia's tradition of precision engineering and powerful performance.

Abu Garcia: Revo SX

Fri, March 11, 2022

We met with Abu Garcia Product Manager, Andrew Wheeler, at the 2022 Bassmaster Classic Expo to get a detailed review of what makes the Revo SX one of the best-selling low-profile casting reels of all time.

New St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Rods

Fri, March 4, 2022

One of the best-selling families of rods from St. Croix is back in the all-new and improved Legend Tournament Bass Casting and Spinning rods! Polish Pete is here to share some of his favorite features of these tournament-grade performance bass rods!

Gift Card Bonus On Revo Reels

Tue, February 22, 2022

Omnia is offering a free gift card with select Abu Garcia reels.

Win at the Bassmaster Classic

Fri, February 18, 2022

Pete's Secret Stash: Abu Garcia AL-F Casting Reel and Zenon Casting Rod

Thu, February 17, 2022

Pete's Secret Stash is back! We're getting all the details on Pete's new favorite setup from Abu Garcia, the AL-F Casting Reel paired with the new Zenon Casting Rod.

How to Choose the Right Fishing Rod

Fri, February 11, 2022

Selecting the right fishing rod can be a daunting task, but Polish Pete is here to share everything you need to know on how to choose the right fishing rod!

How to Choose the Right Ice Fishing Reel

Fri, February 4, 2022

There are two main types of ice fishing reels on the market today. Watch Brad Novak go over the primary things to consider when selecting the right ice fishing reel.

How to Fish an Ice Spoon

Thu, February 3, 2022

Fishing with a spoon is one of the most popular and successful ways to catch fish of all species through the ice. Here are some quick tips to land more fish on the ice with a spoon.

How to Choose the Right Ice Fishing Rod

Thu, February 3, 2022

When selecting the right rod for ice fishing, the most important thing to consider is the species you plan to target. Here, Joe Ponessa gives us a rundown of how to choose an ice rod.

How to Set Up a Tip-Up

Wed, February 2, 2022

Tip-up fishing is one of the most popular and widely used methods of catching fish through the ice. Here, Joe Ponessa gives us a full rundown on how to get started tip-up fishing.

How to Fish an Ice Jig

Wed, February 2, 2022

A jig is one of the most common tools for catching fish through the ice. Here, Brad Novak shares his strategy for catching crappie and other species of panfish with an ice jig.

Ice Spoon Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Joe Ponessa

Tue, February 1, 2022

When fishing a spoon through the ice, a key factor in determining your setup is the targeted species. Here, Joe Ponessa gives us some tips for the right ice spoon setup based on the targeted species.

Ice Spoon Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Brad Novak

Tue, February 1, 2022

On this day, we're out on the ice with Brad Novak to check out his setup for targeting walleye through the ice with jigging spoons.

Ice Jig Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Joe Ponessa

Mon, January 31, 2022

When it comes to selecting the right of for ice jig fishing, Joe Ponessa likes to base his decision off the targeted species and the size of the baits you're fishing with - here are some tips to get started.

How to Choose the Right Ice Spoon

Mon, January 31, 2022

When it comes to choosing the right spoon for ice fishing, Joe Ponessa recommends using the activity level of your targeted species as the primary factor to consider. Here are some tips for choosing the right ice spoon!

Ice Jig Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Brad Novak

Mon, January 31, 2022

Today, we're on the ice with Brad Novak to get some tips on his preferred setup for ice fishing with a jig for panfish and crappie.

How to Choose the Right Ice Jig

Fri, January 28, 2022

We're out on the ice with Brad Novak to get a rundown on how to choose the right ice fishing jig.

Cage Match - ZMan CrossEyeZ Snakehead Swim Jig vs. Lethal Weapon II Swim Jig

Wed, January 26, 2022

Hop in the boat with Casey and Lyal from Bass Brawl Outdoors as they go head-to-head with two premier swim jig options: the ZMan CrossEyeZ Snakehead Swim Jig and the Lethal Weapon II Swim Jig.

When to Use the Berkley Crazy Leg Chigger Craw

Thu, January 6, 2022

The Berkley Powerbait Crazy Leg Chigger Craw is a great twist for anglers who want a little more action out of the best-selling Chigger Craw.

Ned Rig: The Top Winter Lure

Tue, December 14, 2021

The Ned Rig is a subtle, yet effective bait for winter fishing, here's why!

The Best Ice Fishing Jig Tackle Box Ever Invented

Mon, December 13, 2021

Plano EDGE with the ice jig box you NEED

Top 3 Winter Baits

Mon, December 13, 2021

In the winter, bass slow down and aren't looking to spend too much energy to chase down a meal, so your bait selection is key. Polish Pete shares his top 3 baits for those extreme cold water bass months.

Cage Match - Outkast Tackle Pro Swim Jig vs. 6th Sense Divine Swim Jig

Fri, December 10, 2021

Cage Match by Bass Brawl Outdoors is back! This time it's the Outkast Tackle Pro Swim Jig vs the 6th Sense Divine Swim Jig!

Mega Live Introduction

Tue, December 7, 2021

Humminbird MEGA Live is starting to hit the shelves

The Top Must-Have Ice Fishing Gear

Mon, December 6, 2021

Here is everything you need to start ice fishing this winter

XZone Adrenaline Craw Jr. Tackle Breakdown

Mon, November 29, 2021

The younger brother to a best-seller from XZone, the Adrenaline Craw Jr. is a versatile craw imitator that is bound to be a fish catcher anywhere you go!

Cashion John Crews ICON Rod Tackle Breakdown

Sat, November 27, 2021

Sit down with Polish Pete and get a full rundown on the Cashion John Crews ICON Frog Casting Rod!

Cashion ICON Rod Tackle Breakdown

Thu, November 25, 2021

American-made and loaded with eye-catching features, Cashion Rods ICON Casting Rods are perfectly counter-balanced for all day fishing comfort.

Million Dollar Bass Fishing Winners

Tue, November 23, 2021

CEO of Omnia Fishing sits down with Logan Park and Tucker Smith to talk about their recent tournament win for $1,000,000 a the Bass Pro Shops US Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships Finals

Best on a Budget: Daiwa Fuego

Mon, November 22, 2021

Best on a Budget is back! This time, we're showcasing the unbeatable value of the Daiwa Fuego Spinning Reel!

St. Croix Victory Open Water Spinning Rod

Mon, November 22, 2021

Designed specifically for open water presentations like spybaits and finesse swimbaits, the all-new St. Croix Victory Open Water spinning rod is one you'll want in your arsenal when making long casts for open water bass.

St. Croix Victory Crosshair Spinning Rod

Sat, November 20, 2021

Get a sneak peek of the all new Crosshair Spinning Rod in the St. Croix Victory series. If you're a smallmouth angler, here's one you definitely will not want to miss!

How to Choose the Right Jerkbait

Thu, November 18, 2021

When it comes to jerkbait fishing, Seth Feider ranks among the best! Take a moment with the 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year and see how he selects the right jerkbait for any scenario.

Jerkbait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Seth Feider

Wed, November 17, 2021

When it comes to jerkbait fishing, Bassmaster Angler of the Year Seth Feider keeps it simple and and even has a signature jerkbait rod made by Daiwa.

Best Lures for Catching Bass on Lake Okeechobee in the Winter

Tue, November 16, 2021

See what local anglers are using to catch bass on lake Okeechobee during the winter months.

Electric Ice Auger Buyer's Guide

Tue, November 16, 2021

Electric augers are here to stay - here is how to choose the right one for you.

Best On a Budget: St. Croix Bass X

Tue, November 16, 2021

Exceptional quality at an unbeatable price, the St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium-Heavy is the first showcase in a new Bass Utopia series: Best on a Budget.

Blade Bait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Polish Pete

Mon, November 15, 2021

Blade baits require a special setup to ensure the fish stays hooked up and does not throw the bait. Here, Polish Pete walks us through his setup for cold water blade bait fishing.

How to Fish a Blade Bait

Sun, November 14, 2021

A blade bait is a perfect tool for cold water bass fishing, however many anglers have the tendency to "over-work" the bait. Here, Seth Feider shows us just how an Elite Series Angler of the Year fishes a blade bait to perfection.

Blade Bait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Seth Feider

Fri, November 12, 2021

Bassmaster Angler of the Year Seth Feider shares everything you need to get started fishing with blade baits.

A Rig Tackle Breakdown

Fri, November 12, 2021

Years ago the Alabama Rig took the bass fishing world by storm with numerous national-level tournament wins and is an ideal presentation for cold water bass feeding on schools of bait. Here, Jacob walks us through the proper way to set up an A-Rig for a successful day on the water.