| Bass are constantly on the move throughout the year, following predictable migration routes between deep and shallow water. In the winter, they tend to stay in deeper water where temperatures are more stable, while in the spring, they push shallow to spawn. As summer heats up, bass retreat back to deeper areas to find cooler, oxygen-rich water before returning shallow again in the fall to feed aggressively before winter. These movements are not random. Bass follow specific paths, using natural underwater features like channels, creek beds, and ledges as highways. Understanding these migration routes allows anglers to anticipate where bass will be at any given time and adjust their fishing approach accordingly. Bass don’t simply wander from one location to another. They rely on these migration routes to travel efficiently while staying protected from predators and environmental changes. Identifying these paths can help anglers locate bass more quickly, especially during transitional periods when fish are on the move. Key structures such as submerged timber, rock piles, and underwater points often serve as waypoints along these routes, offering bass a place to rest and feed. By targeting these high-traffic areas, anglers can intercept fish as they migrate between their seasonal habitats. Mastering the timing and location of these movements is crucial for consistently finding and catching bass throughout the year.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 Lil Bass, 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. Iits 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 its superior performance and versatility. |
| Along these migration routes, bass don’t move continuously from deep to shallow or the opposite. Instead, they pause in key locations known as transition banks. These are areas where the bank changes significantly, such as steep drop-offs or where the terrain shifts from rocky to sandy or muddy. Transition banks provide bass with shelter, ambush points for feeding, and a place to rest during seasonal migrations. Identifying and fishing these transition zones during key movement periods such as pre-spawn, post-spawn, and fall feed-ups can lead to catching high numbers of bass in one area. Since these spots act as natural gathering points, they are among the most productive areas to focus on when bass are in transition. Because transition banks serve as natural stopping points, they often hold bass for extended periods, making them reliable fishing spots even when other areas seem unproductive. These locations are especially valuable during unstable weather conditions, as bass seek out structure and depth changes for protection. The key to effectively fishing transition banks is recognizing the subtle differences that make certain areas more attractive than others, such as the presence of cover or a mix of different bottom compositions. Paying close attention to factors like water temperature, clarity, and current can help anglers determine when bass are actively feeding in these areas. By thoroughly working transition banks with soft plastics and adjusting techniques based on seasonal patterns, anglers can maximize their success in catching bass throughout the year.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! |
| Finding transition banks is easier than many anglers realize, whether using electronics or simply reading the shoreline. On maps, these areas appear where contour lines are stacked closely together, indicating a steep drop. If no electronics are available, anglers can visually locate steep banks, bluff walls, or areas where the land above water slopes sharply downward. These spots are effective because bass can quickly move between different depths with minimal effort, making them excellent ambush zones. Whether fishing from a boat, kayak, or the shoreline, recognizing these steep-to-flat transitions is key to unlocking consistent bass action throughout the year. One of the best ways to confirm a productive transition bank is by observing the surrounding environment and noting any visible changes in water depth or shoreline structure. Areas where steep banks gradually level out into flats or where rocky shorelines transition into softer bottoms often hold more bass. Additionally, looking for signs of baitfish activity, such as surface disturbances or birds diving into the water, can indicate an active feeding area along a transition bank. Casting along these banks with soft plastics like lizards, worms, or cray-style baits allows anglers to cover different depths and pinpoint where bass are holding. By taking the time to study these areas and experimenting with different presentations, anglers can refine their approach and consistently locate fish in transition zones.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. |
| Not all transition banks are equally productive, and the most successful ones have subtle variations that create prime holding areas for bass. Changes in bottom composition, such as a transition from chunk rock to gravel or mud, serve as natural stopping points for bass. These micro-transitions often concentrate baitfish, which in turn attract predators. In addition, small shifts in depth or slight irregularities in the bank—such as a minor ledge or indentation—can make a significant difference. Anglers who take the time to identify these smaller details will often find that bass stack up in these overlooked spots, leading to more consistent catches. Micro-transitions provide bass with both feeding opportunities and a sense of security, making them key areas to target throughout the year. Even a small depression in the lake bottom or a subtle change in rock size can create the perfect ambush point for bass waiting to strike passing prey. These details are often too subtle to appear on maps, requiring anglers to visually inspect the shoreline or use their rod to feel for changes in bottom composition. Soft plastics like worms, insect larva imitations, and cray-style baits can be especially effective in these areas, as they allow for slow, precise presentations that trigger strikes from fish holding tight to structure. By patiently working these overlooked transition spots, anglers can unlock some of the most productive fishing locations that many others pass by.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! |
| While transition banks naturally hold bass, the presence of additional cover makes them even more attractive. Laydowns, submerged vegetation, docks, and scattered boulders create ambush points where bass can hide and strike prey. Even small details, such as a single fallen tree or a patch of grass along an otherwise bare bank, can make a spot more productive. Many anglers overlook subtle cover changes, but these minor features can concentrate fish in a small area. Targeting these covered transition zones with soft plastics like worms, lizards, and cray-styled baits can be highly effective in drawing strikes from bass waiting to ambush prey. Bass instinctively use cover not only for ambushing prey but also for protection from predators and strong currents, making these areas prime fishing spots. The combination of a transition bank and additional structure creates a high-percentage area where multiple fish may be stacked together, increasing the chances of multiple catches in a short time. When fishing these areas, it’s crucial to make precise casts, working soft plastics slowly and methodically around each piece of cover to trigger a reaction. Adjusting retrieval speed and experimenting with different presentations such as dragging a worm along the bottom or hopping a cray-style bait near submerged logs can help determine what the fish respond to best. By thoroughly working these key areas and paying attention to how bass position themselves around cover, anglers can refine their approach and consistently increase their catch rates.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! Our popular Wild Cherry Worms have been restocked as well. 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. |
| Even though bass follow the same general migration paths year-round, how they respond to different presentations varies with the seasons. In colder months, they tend to prefer slower-moving baits, making soft plastics fished on the bottom or suspended presentations highly effective. As water temperatures rise in the spring and summer, bass become more aggressive, and a variety of soft plastics such as lizards, insect larvae imitations, and beetles can trigger reaction strikes. During the fall, when bass focus on feeding heavily, faster retrieves and covering more water with soft plastics that mimic baitfish movements can be the best approach. Adjusting bait selection and presentation speed to match seasonal conditions is critical to maximizing success. In addition to adjusting bait selection, understanding where bass position themselves during each season can further improve success rates. During winter, they often hold near deeper structures like ledges, submerged timber, or rock piles, requiring anglers to make precise, slow presentations to tempt sluggish fish. In spring, as they move shallow to spawn, targeting areas with hard bottoms, such as gravel beds or sandy flats near transition banks, becomes key. Summer bass often seek shade and cooler water, making docks, thick vegetation, and submerged brush piles prime locations to work soft plastics methodically. When bass actively chase baitfish, focusing on points, creek mouths, and shallow flats with moving water allows anglers to stay in front of migrating fish and capitalize on their aggressive feeding.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! |
| Although bass consistently travel the same migration routes year after year, their behavior and feeding preferences shift with changing conditions. In early spring, they may be found near deeper structure and require a slow presentation, while in the summer, they move to shallower cover and become more aggressive feeders. During fall transitions, bass key in on baitfish and tend to roam more, requiring anglers to cover water efficiently with soft plastics that imitate prey. As winter approaches, bass return to deeper holding areas and respond best to slower, bottom-oriented presentations. Understanding these seasonal shifts and adapting techniques accordingly is the key to consistently catching bass in transition zones. Anglers who recognize these seasonal shifts can stay one step ahead by anticipating where bass will be and what type of presentation will be most effective. During transitional periods, paying attention to water temperature, clarity, and baitfish movement can provide valuable clues about bass behavior. Small changes in conditions, such as a sudden drop in temperature or an increase in current flow, can push bass deeper or make them more lethargic, requiring an adjustment in retrieval speed and bait selection. Soft plastics like worms, lizards, and cray-style baits remain versatile choices throughout the year, but their effectiveness depends on how they are worked slow and methodical in winter, moderate and natural in spring, and more erratic in fall. By refining techniques based on these seasonal patterns, anglers can maximize their chances of staying on the fish and consistently catching bass, no matter the time of year.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve recently released new Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. The new Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also now available, featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it sits the bait up-right in a defensive stance! Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting 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 that triggers bites. We also just release New Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from the water, mud, and grime. Lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure. |