Shaye Baker

Minnesota

Freelance Journalist at Wired2fish

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

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Articles

Okuma X-Series Casting Reel Review

1 week ago | wired2fish.com | Shaye Baker

Of the dozens of casting reels I’ve tested in the past few years, the new Okuma X-Series lands in the top five, for sure. I’d place it right there with the Lew’s HyperMag and close to the Abu Garcia Zenon MG-X; the X-Series is that good. This came as quite a surprise to me, since this reel is the first Okuma product I’ve ever fished, but considering how impressed I am with it and the Okuma X-Series rod, I can guarantee you it won’t be the last.
Best Senko Worms of 2025

1 week ago | fieldandstream.com | Shaye Baker

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn moreSoft plastic stick baits are among the most versatile and effective lures available. They can be rigged in various ways and fished within inches of the surface out to 20 feet or more. Popular ways to fish a stick bait include going weightless, on a jighead, Tokyo rig, Neko rig, or Carolina rig.
How to Fish a Wacky Rig

2 weeks ago | fieldandstream.com | Shaye Baker

A wacky rig is one of the most effective techniques for enticing reluctant bass to bite. It is also one of the best finesse presentations for shallow-water fish and suspended bass close to the surface and around cover. The subtle movements and slow falling action of a wacky rig make it hard for a bass to resist. And the ease with which it can be skipped underneath docks, bushes, pontoons, and other cover makes it a deadly rig.
How To Beat Tariff-Driven Fishing Lure Price Hikes

2 weeks ago | wired2fish.com | Shaye Baker

This is not an opinion piece on President Trump and his policies. I am not here to take a political stance. I did not sign up to report on international trade. But, love them or hate them, many of us are starting to feel the effects of the highly debated tariffs that have been implemented on international goods—those coming from China in particular. A lot of products in the bass fishing market are obviously produced in China. At the time of writing this, there’s a 145% tariff on these products.
Cautionary Tales: Boating Safety in Wake of 2 Serious Crashes

2 weeks ago | wired2fish.com | Shaye Baker

About a week ago, three anglers lost their lives in one of two boat wrecks that happened on two different bodies of water during bass-fishing tournament events on the same morning, April 16. My prayers go up for the families of those three anglers, the two professional bass fishermen who were involved, and the others who were injured and otherwise affected.
What Lures We're Throwing in May 2025

2 weeks ago | wired2fish.com | Shaye Baker

A lot is going on in the month of May. Depending on where you are in the country, the bass could be just starting to bed or the spawn may have wrapped up more than a month ago. If you’re in the deep South, the post-spawn push out to ledges is full throttle, while up north on the Great Lakes, the bass are still pre-spawn. Regardless of where you are in the country, let us point you in the right direction by letting you know what we’re throwing in May.
How To Choose the Perfect Spinnerbait

3 weeks ago | wired2fish.com | Shaye Baker

When it comes to bass fishing, a spinnerbait is one of the most versatile lures in the tackle box. From burning a double willow leaf right along the surface to slow-rolling a big blade in 20 feet of water, there’s a way to target bass with a spinnerbait throughout a wide portion of the water column. But picking the right spinnerbait for a given situation can be tricky, since there are hundreds of combinations of weights, colors, blade sizes, and blade types.
How to Fish the Post-Spawn

4 weeks ago | fieldandstream.com | Shaye Baker

For many bass fisheries across the country, the post-spawn is upon us. This means fish have made their beds, laid their eggs, and tiny little fry are beginning to hatch. The good news for anglers is that the big bass are still lurking nearby in the shallow water. And now is one of the best times to land a giant largemouth or smallmouth. According to our spawn reporters, the post-spawn bite in regions two and three (see map below) should just be heating up.
Abu Garcia IKE Power Series 3.0 Casting Rod

1 month ago | wired2fish.com | Shaye Baker

Mike Iaconelli is a gritty, hard-working, well-rounded angler with a little bit of an attitude. And I’d say his signature series of rods from Abu Garcia exude those same characteristics. The Abu Garcia IKE Power Series 3.0 Casting Rod has been a lot of fun to test out, and it’s proven to be quite the rod for $150.
How to Fish Bass Baits in Tandem

1 month ago | fieldandstream.com | Shaye Baker

Learning to effectively and efficiently use an artificial lure to trick a bass into biting is an important step in your development as an angler. Adding additional techniques to your repertoire helps broaden your tackle box, giving you different offerings for various seasons, weather patterns, water colors, and types of cover. This is 102-level stuff. The advanced courses in bass fishing involve learning when and how to use multiple baits, swapping back and forth at the exact right times.