Shaye Baker

1 week ago | wired2fish.com | Shaye Baker

In the fall of 2024, the professional bass-fishing powers that be made judgement calls on the use of forward facing sonar (FFS) in tournament events. Anglers competing at the top levels of the B.A.S.S., Major League Fishing (MLF), and National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) trails had new rules and regulations in place coming into the 2025 season. Presumably, the primary purpose of these rules, whether clearly stated or not, was to bring parity back to bass fishing.

1 week ago | fieldandstream.com | Shaye Baker

Out of the dozen different models and blanks in our baitcasting rod test, the Okuma X-Series came out on top. It is everything a high-end bass rod should be—light, strong, and capable—without the $500 price tag. I spent all spring putting this rod through the wringer with various baits and techniques. No matter what I threw or how I fished it, the X-Series was up for the task. Premium bass fishing rods might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering Okuma. At least it didn't for me.

2 weeks ago | wired2fish.com | Shaye Baker

Rapala’s relatively new soft plastics brand, CrushCity, continues to pump out gem after gem. The Pigstick is one of the more recent additions to the CrushCity line, released at the 2024 iCast show. Although this soft plastic stickbait does have some things in common with the slough of other Senko-like baits out there, there are a few things about this bait that make it stand out, too. Let’s talk through all of that now.

2 weeks ago | fieldandstream.com | Shaye Baker

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn moreMost of the new bass baits are revealed each year at ICAST in July. Though many of those baits aren't even available for purchase until the fall. This means we usually don't get to see what the newest baits and lures can do until the following spring, when I spend multiple days a week chasing big bass throughout the entire spawning process.

2 weeks ago | fieldandstream.com | Shaye Baker

This story was published in partnership with Arkansas Tourism. Opportunity abounds for the angler looking to fish in Arkansas. The Natural State lives up to its moniker, with 90,000 miles of flowing rivers and streams, and 600,000 acres of water contained by the shores of lakes scattered throughout the state. From 100-pound-plus blue catfish along the Mississippi to bluegill from the bank, there’s something here for every person in search of a tug on the end of their line.