Member How-To

Members Only

Member How-To

Proven patterns: Dead of winter

It’s cold. Water temperatures are in the mid-40s on your favorite midland reservoir, and the water is down — way down. At full pool, the lake has an average depth...

Members Only

Member How-To

Proven patterns: Fall creeks

You’re on a reservoir with numerous creeks and cuts. Shad are the primary forage. It’s midfall and water temperatures are in the high 50s to low 60s. Mornings are chilly,...

Members Only

Member How-To

Proven patterns: Matted vegetation

The aquatic vegetation on your favorite lake or reservoir is in summer form, which means that some of it is matted on the surface, providing a wonderful canopy of shade,...

Members Only

Member How-To

Proven patterns: Summertime points

You’re on a reservoir that provides hydroelectric power to a metropolis downstream, and it’s summertime. The turbines are flowing and the water’s moving. There’s noticeable current moving over a main-lake...

Members Only

Member How-To

Connell’s topwater strategy for the cold

A tall, blue trophy stands sentinel on his mantel. At a distance, the shimmering bass at its peak reveals its significance: a Bassmaster Elite Series win. Less than a year ago, Dustin Connell...

Members Only

Member How-To

How to get bit in the depths of winter

The grim gray of winter hung over John Murray’s home on Watts Bar Lake. He sat and wondered — how could he catch bass here now? With a bite slower...

Members Only

Member How-To

Decoding brushpiles with Bobby Lane

“You want a pattern that will work in July? From Florida to New York?” asked Bobby Lane. “OK, but this is no joke. I’ve used this to win money this year.”  With...

Members Only

Member How-To

Throw a lipless year-round

Todd Faircloth took a gulp of cool, Texas air on the waters over Sam Rayburn. He took several, in fact, trying to catch his breath after landing an 11-pound, 6-ounce monster from a...

Members Only

Member How-To

When smallmouth are a drag 

JVD’s postspawn pattern for bronzebacks is a tournament-tested winner  Last summer, Jonathon VanDam found  himself in a St. Lawrence River slugfest  with a familiar foe. Going into the final  day...

Members Only

Member How-To

Bernie’s top trio for topwater targets 

Nine-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Bernie Schultz has three favorite topwater lures to target April bass  Visual targets. That’s what Bernie Schultz says you’re looking for during spring. Depending on your local latitude, April and...