Back in the Spring Jackall released their highly anticipated Riser Bait 007R. It was a huge hit and flew off the shelves quickly. Corbin Gotwalt, one of our Pro Staff, wrote a review of his experience with the Riser Bait 007, but we didn't post it because we had sold out so quickly. All summer long the Riser Bait 007R proved to be one of the best topwater lures of 2018. And we finally just got more back in stock! Now that they are available again, here is Corbin's blog in its entirety:

MAY 2018

Is it a spy bait? Is it a spook? What is it?!?! 

It is the Jackall

It is no secret that the water in the Susquehanna River rises and when that happens, fish pull into creeks and away from their usual hangout spots. This raises the troubling question: How are you supposed to catch the fish now if they have pulled back so much? Continue reading to learn two tactics that will help you find those sneaky fish.

Adjust Your Bait

Sometimes you have to match the hatch of the bait by downsizing your jerk bait to a Lucky Craft Pointer 78. If downsizing isn’t the answer, you might have to cast out a little color like the Strike King KVD Slash Bait Jerkbait in Strobe Shad to get the fish to start biting.

I ended up catching a ton of fish in the creeks by using the downsizing technique and duplicating the pattern. I cannot stress the importance of fishing the Z-Man

Last weekend we had rising water and a full moon. Water temperatures ranged from 41 to 46 degrees over the weekend. During this time, we caught a bunch of fish, but had some slow periods throughout the day. While out on the water, we noticed that there were two patterns you want to be aware of when you are fishing in this kind of weather.

1st Pattern - Finding the Current Breaks

We fished anywhere there was slower water near current breaks. Fish were moving to the banks and particularly loaded on the west banks due to higher water, and cleaner water feeding in from creek mouths. Recognize those current breaks and you will find the fish.

Best Bait to Use in Slow Water

We caught fish on Z-man TRD, TRD

It’s hard to imagine fishing in these conditions. Your hands are numb, nose is running, toes are cold and you are feeling downright miserable, then you set the hook on a big ole bass and it all goes away in an instant. Fishing during the winter is not for everyone but if you know when, where, and what to do it can be a very successful time. Here are a few winter time fishing tips that will get you feeling the rush of a big catch.

The Best Time for Fishing in the Winter

The when is the key to winter time fishing. When you go will put the odds in you favor. Try to look for a warming trend in the forecast. It does not have to be a huge swing in temperature, but looking for a warming few couple of days will do the trick. If you notice that the sun has been beating down on the water for two days, make sure to get out then or the following

Whether you fish lakes or rivers, these late fall and winter techniques and baits will work for you. These fishing techniques work best when water temps are between 33 and 45 degrees. When it gets cold, fish move to their wintering spots where it is easy to feed. Usually the most common winter hideouts are channel bends and points on main lakes. If you are fishing in the river, look out for deep water holes. Now, let’s talk about a few of the best techniques for these kind of conditions.

Umbrella Rigging

We will put this out there, be ready to catch some fish because this rig is deadly. Match your jig heads for the depth of water you are fishing. In the Susquehanna River we use mostly 5- 1/8 oz. heads. In local lakes, we do use up to 3/8 oz. For the river we like the War Eagle Shaky head. It has a good hook and fits almost any bait. For lakes, I like the Revenge

Every angler needs a good selection of tools in his or her tackle box. Make sure that you are ready for whatever the water will bring you by having the right tools on hand.

1. Needle Nose Pliers

A good pair of needle nose pliers will help you with any task you might be faced with on the water. Whether you are taking out trebble hooks from a hard bait or helping your fishing buddy get out a deep hooked fish.  If you ever had a trebble stuck in your hand from a bass shaking wildly, you will know the importance of what it means to have a good pair of needle nose pliers.  We recommend the Shimano Brutus Line of pliers and the Rapala Fisherman’s Pliers. These pliers will perform under all the conditions you could face while out on the water.

2. Weighing

August can really bring the heat, and if you are out there on the water, you know that catching a fish during this time of year can be hard. Good news for you is that we have three tactics and baits to help you catch the big bass you’ve been waiting to snag all summer long.

Tip #1 – Carolina Rigging

Ahh, Carolina rigging. Carolina rigging is a technique that all anglers should be aware of and one that is specific for finding fish that are hiding deep down in the water. Watch this instructional rigging video to see exactly how to set up your Rig. Once you have your rig, you will want to make sure that your leader is somewhere between 24 to 36 inches long. This will allow your bait to swim freely with a finesse look. Some cover like rocks will want a shorter

Summer is here and the water is heating up. This means the big bass are heading deep down into the cooler water and away from the warmer surfaces. Below you will find five of the top lures to use in this summer heat and the tactics you need for a big catch.

- Yamamoto Senko Worm
- Heddon Zara Spook
- Kopper’s Live-Target Frog
- Bomber BD8 Deep Fat Free Shad
- Reactions Innovation Sweet Beaver

Tackle Tactics to Catch a Big Bass

Tactic 1 –

Summer fishing is a must, but fishing in the heat can be down right miserable. When the temperature and humidity are both in the 90s, it can be extra tough to even be on the water. Luckily there are a few important steps that you can take to make sure that you're properly prepared for it and can find those bigger fish!

Be Protected

The first precaution that you must take to prepare for the heat is the sun. Not only will you get a nasty sunburn if you're not protected, but you'll also find yourself exhausted. Having the proper sun apparel will help you stay much cooler throughout the day and provide you with maximum protection from the sun.

Proper

Father’s Day is right around the corner and chances are, you still haven’t gotten the dad in your life his gift yet. If he is the outdoorsy, fish loving type, we have a lineup of the best gifts you can buy him, all listed at different price points. 

1. Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Straight Worm – $7.49

First up, is the Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Straight Worm bait. Give the gift of a big catch this Father’s Day and better yet, at a very affordable price. This Neko straight worm bait is the combination of Daiwa and Yamamoto, giving any fisherman the perfect bait for deep water bass fishing. 

2.  Megabass