Smallmouth Melanosis
Tuesday, 02 January 2024
I remember catching my first smallmouth with black blotches on it in 2010, and this oddity has perplexed me ever since.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
A Seminar on Z-Man Diezel MinnowZ
Tuesday, 02 January 2024
This 4-inch slender swimbait personifies fishing on the fly, in search of quick bites. Whether exclusively targeting smallmouths, casting for walleyes, or pursuing a mixed bag of not knowing what you might end up catching, the 4-inch Diezel Minnow is a fish catcher on every water.
- Published in Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass
Z-Man Chatterbait WillowVibe for Early Season Smallmouths
Wednesday, 27 December 2023
Last winter, a few staff members from Z-Man Fishing Products tipped me off on this concoction, suggesting I try it for ice-out smallmouths. It was tried, but elsewhere….. on the rivers.
- Published in Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Fishing with Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ
Thursday, 21 December 2023
Minnow imitating plastics lead the way for us in spring. The weightless fluke is deadly on rivers and flowages especially, and I’ve written lots about them over the years.
- Published in Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouths Under Pressure
Friday, 01 December 2023
If you clicked on this story thinking it’s a how-to about dealing with fishing pressure, you’re maybe 33% correct. This is mostly a venting session filled with observations and atrocities I witness each season. Fishing for a partial living is far from glamorous, and with it comes a lot of dirt if you know
- Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallie Blog, Smallmouth Bass
Z-Man TRD Gobyz
Monday, 13 November 2023
The NEW Z-Man TRD Gobyz is a fish catcher for smallmouths in goby and sculpin populated fisheries. At 2.4 inches, it reinforces Z-Man’s trend-setting finesse bait lineup with a naturalistic, adaptable shape.
- Published in Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass
Better Understanding Wintering Smallmouths
Friday, 10 November 2023
Back in the day, I was of the belief that once lake turnover completed, most fish species moved out into the deepest areas of the lake where they’d live through the winter. My thought was that they’d be in the deepest, most tolerable water available (to them) for survival and protection. Keep in mind,
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
GOAT Smallmouth Lures (Part I)
Wednesday, 01 November 2023
There’s a hall of fame for anglers, but none for lures. If such a shrine was in existence, it would be impossible for a committee to officially declare the greatest lures of all time. There are too many lures to ever consider for this. So, let’s limit the debate to within my boat.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Suspense
Friday, 27 October 2023
Ladson, SC (August 15, 2023) – A lone ship in the emptiness of outer space, your boat seems lost, disoriented, far from shore. Like throwing darts at stars, your first exploratory casts into the open abyss feel like a fruitless leap of faith. Thankfully, you’ve learned a thing or two about pelagic baitfish—oily, nutritious
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
