| River water levels are constantly influenced by various weather conditions, such as storms, droughts, and seasonal changes. During late summer and fall, rivers often experience lower water levels due to reduced rainfall, creating unique fishing opportunities for anglers. These low-water conditions expose more of the riverbed, making it easier to target smallmouth bass that are typically spread out during higher water levels. Anglers should pay attention to weather patterns and plan their fishing trips accordingly to take advantage of these conditions. Understanding how water levels affect fish behavior and habitat is crucial for successful fishing. Lower water levels can also reveal hidden structures and cover, such as rocks and submerged logs, which can serve as prime locations for bass to hide and ambush prey. Tthese conditions can lead to higher water temperatures, which can influence the feeding patterns and activity levels of smallmouth bass. It’s important for anglers to adjust their techniques and gear to match these changing conditions. For instance, using lighter tackle and more natural presentations can be more effective in clear, low-water environments.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fact, we just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost and 10w30 Syntheic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater. |
| Low water levels make rivers clearer, allowing smallmouth bass to see better and become more cautious. This increased visibility means that anglers need to use more natural-looking lures that closely mimic the bass’s natural prey. Soft plastics that resemble small fish, insects, or crawfish are particularly effective in clear water. Anglers must approach fishing spots with stealth to avoid spooking the fish, as smallmouth bass can become wary of any disturbances. Adapting your fishing strategies to these conditions will increase your chances of a successful catch. It’s also beneficial to fish during times when the sun is brightest, as bass can see the best and are more likely to strike. Using lighter line and smaller lures can help reduce visibility and make your presentation more appealing to cautious bass. Pay attention to the direction of your casts and position yourself to keep the fish in front of you, minimizing the chance of alerting them to your presence. Consider using a downstream approach, casting at a 45-degree angle to land your lure a few feet in front or behind the bass. Being mindful of how clear, low-water conditions affect fish behavior, you can up your success on the water.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action-triggering strikes! |
| The best time to catch large smallmouth bass during low-water conditions is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This timeframe is when the sun is brightest, which helps aquatic vegetation produce the most oxygen through photosynthesis. Higher oxygen levels in the water make bass more active and likely to feed. Anglers should capitalize on this window of increased fish activity by planning their fishing trips during these hours. Understanding the relationship between oxygen levels and fish behavior can significantly improve your fishing success. The right sunlight enhances the bass’s ability to see and hunt for prey, making them more aggressive during this period. It’s essential to use this knowledge to your advantage by targeting areas with ample vegetation and structure where bass are likely to be feeding. Keep in mind that as the sun’s intensity wanes, bass activity may decrease, making it harder to get bites. By aligning your fishing efforts with these optimal times, you can maximize your chances of landing trophy-sized smallmouth bass. Adapting to the natural rhythms of the river environment is key to becoming a more effective angler and being able to trick bass into biting.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. Grab our newest Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. Act quickly, these new colors won’t stay in stock for long. We also recently restocked our Ghost, Red Bug, Purple Rain, Brown Bug, Electric Chicken, and Goby Wan colors. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Additionally, its unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to the HellaMite’s superior performance and versatility |
| Contrary to common belief, large smallmouth bass can be found in very shallow water during low-water periods. These fish often seek shelter along the banks or in mid-river structures where they can ambush prey. Anglers should not overlook these shallow areas, as they can be highly productive fishing spots. Techniques such as casting downstream at a 45-degree angle and keeping the fish in front of you can help minimize disturbances and improve your chances of a catch. Recognizing that big fish can thrive in shallow waters will broaden your fishing strategy and opportunities. Shallow water often contains more cover, like rocks and submerged logs, providing bass with excellent ambush points. Using lures that mimic the natural prey found in these areas can entice large bass to strike. It’s also important to move stealthily and avoid casting shadows that might spook the fish. By adapting your approach to include shallow water fishing, you can target some of the biggest and most elusive smallmouth bass in the river. Anglers exploring different depths within these shallow areas can uncover perfectly hidden hotspots where bass are actively feeding.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility in a soft plastic bait. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures they remain enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection but year-round you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect in any weather condition year-round! |
| In low and clear water, smallmouth bass are more aware of their surroundings and can easily detect anglers. To avoid spooking the fish, it’s important to cast downstream at a 45-degree angle, aiming to land the lure a few feet in front or behind the target area. Keeping the fish in front of you as you drift downstream or walk the bank helps prevent them from detecting your presence. Planning your approach and making strategic casts will increase your chances of successfully hooking smallmouth bass. Employing stealth and precision in your fishing technique is essential in clear, low-water conditions. This includes wearing muted clothing to blend in with the surroundings and minimizing noise and vibrations from your movements. Using longer, lighter fishing lines can help reduce visibility and avoid startling the fish. Adjusting your casting technique to make your presentation as natural as possible will also increase your effectiveness in summer. Understanding the behavior and habits of smallmouth bass in these conditions allows for more effective targeting. Just by combining strategic casting with a stealthy approach, anglers can significantly improve their catch rates during any season.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added new MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out along with some of our newest colors including the Brown Worm, Electic Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also released new 6-inch Worms including Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR are all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater. |
| When fishing in low water, using natural-looking lures is critical for attracting smallmouth bass. These fish rely heavily on sight to locate their prey, so lures that closely resemble small fish, insects, or crawfish are highly effective. Soft plastics, finesse worms, and topwater lures can mimic the easy targets that bass are hunting. Enhancing your lures with subtle features, such as adding a rattle or a touch of color, can draw the fish’s attention and provoke strikes. Selecting the right lures that closely match the natural prey in the environment is key to successful fishing. Experimenting with different retrieve speeds and techniques can make your lure appear more lifelike and appealing to the bass. Observing the behavior of local prey species can provide insights into the most effective lure presentations. Matching the hatch by using lures that imitate the current forage can increase your chances of success. Pay attention to the color and size of the natural prey in the water to ensure your lure is an accurate representation. Understanding the preferences and habits of smallmouth bass in various conditions will help refine your lure selection and improve your overall fishing experience.Our newest FreshBaitz Mandingo Trick Worm is the ultimate game-changer for anglers with a passion! Engineered for the angler who knows SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a penchant for the larger bait. The Mandingo Trick Worm boasts a solid 7-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. Officially available in a vibrant array of 8 colors. Each worm is made from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for total and maximum attraction, the Mandingo Trick Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing the big ones. Proudly made in the USA by real anglers to help elevate your fishing experience and catch more bass year-round! |
| Low-water conditions bring more snags and abrasive rocks closer to the fishing action, requiring anglers to adjust their gear accordingly. Using a medium-heavy power rod provides better control over hooked fish, while braided line with a high pound test offers durability and strength. Attaching a fluorocarbon leader helps maintain lure invisibility, which is crucial in clear water. For topwater lures, monofilament line is preferred due to its floating properties. By choosing the right gear and making necessary adjustments, anglers can effectively navigate the challenges of low-water fishing and increase their success rates. Opting for high-quality hooks and terminal tackle can prevent break-offs and ensure solid hook sets. Regularly checking your line for abrasions and retying knots as needed can also enhance your fishing efficiency. Employing the right reel with a smooth drag system can help manage powerful runs from the larger smallmouth bass. Paying attention to gear maintenance and functionality can make a difference in low-water fishing conditions. Anglers can confidently tackle the obstacles presented by low water and maximize their opportunities.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose. For creature baits, we love to use the Stand-Up Jig because it sits your bait up-right in a defensive stance! Mosquito Hooks work for drop-shotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig which has an attached weight saving you pressure time when fishing cover. The 4x Jungle Flippin Hook is designed for big fish and the toughest conditions. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action. |