True, it is somewhat of a ritual migration, going to the annual Bass-A-thon in Anaheim. However, there are no crocodile-filled rivers to cross, no risk of starvation (especially with the In-N-Out truck present) and there is always an array of bass fishing celebrities and bass catching products on display. (more…)

THE ODDS look good, but are they?

EDITED 1:06 p.m.–I know we continue to get ripping predictions on this winter’s rainfall–ooh, actually this winter’s El Nino condition that has in the past, brought rain. But as I look at the long range forecast for Southern California–even a couple of weeks out–and there is nothing on the board for the rest of November.

My concern is that past patterns (and we are sure putting a lot of stock in past patterns) say that typically we get a little precursor blast of precipitation, followed by a month-long lull, and then come the consistent and regular storms. (more…)

MATT ALLEN rises to the top in California.

Take nothing away from our skilled cadre of tournament anglers—well, maybe just a little. This year there just was no unbeatable, don’t-even-bother-to-try, indisputable competitors to dominate on the California Top 40 Bass Angler List. For that very reason, you can roll out the red [deck] carpet for 2015’s very best–Matt Allen!

Each year, with diverse help statewide from the Bass Angler Assessment Team (BAAT) we try to discern the very best throughout the Golden State and present them on the Top 40. And by virtue of that effort, Allen, who paraded an almost unimaginable number of trophy largemouth and spotted bass from the likes of Clear Lake, Berryessa, the Delta and even the under-rated Bullard’s Bar, is the man in the spotlight. He’s clearly #1. (more…)

TWO HOT SELLERS: Clone Fry and Whopper Plopper. How long will they sizzle?

While neither bait is new, the fact is, both are currently on the radar–in high resolution! The Jackall Clone Fry and the River2Sea Whopper Plopper are leading the league in empty shelf pegs and Internet backorders.

The Plopper, a noisy, floating buzz bait with the clever use of its “tail” as the blade will likely peak in national attention, given it catches everything (more…)