| In spring, small and shallow bodies of water tend to warm much quicker than large reservoirs. These fast temperature changes jumpstart the entire food chain and draw bass into shallow areas sooner. Even just a few warm days can make a dramatic difference in the waters temperature, especially along sun-exposed shorelines. As the water heats up, bass become far more active and begin feeding aggressively. Targeting these small waters early in the season can result in more consistent and rewarding fishing compared to larger, slower-warming lakes. Because small waters respond rapidly to sunshine, bass may transition into pre-spawn patterns much earlier than expected. South-facing banks, shallow coves, and areas with dark bottom substrates are especially quick to warm and often hold the first active fish of the season. Observing surface temperature changes of just a few degrees can clue you into where the most aggressive bass will be. These areas also attract natural spring forage like insect larva, crawfish, lizards, beetles, and worms, drawing more attention from hungry fish. Anglers who key into these patterns can stay ahead of the seasonal curve and catch fish while others are still waiting for larger lakes to get active.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. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. We’ve recently dropped a new HellaMite Pro Pack that is loaded with 60 total baits in all six proven colors, plus three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs and a handy storage bag. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also recently restocked our popular 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. 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 its superior performance and versatility. |
| After a long winter with limited food sources, bass become far less selective in what they’re willing to eat. They’ll strike at a wide variety of prey which creates a perfect opportunity. With elevated metabolism and hunger levels, simple presentations can result in quick bites. Spring fishing in small waters is often about being present when the bass are actively feeding, rather than needing perfect lure selection. Feeding windows may be short but intense, especially during sudden warm spells after cold fronts. Moving through shallow flats, creek arms, and near cover like stumps or grass edges can help you locate fish that are actively feeding. Varying your retrieve speed or switching between subtle and more aggressive presentations can help trigger bites from both eager and hesitant bass. Even a basic slow drag across the bottom with a soft plastic can be all it takes to draw a strike. As long as your bait resembles something alive and edible, spring bass are more likely to commit without hesitation. Being ready to adjust quickly during these short feeding windows can make the difference between a slow day and a productive one.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! |
| While it’s smart to imitate the natural forage like crawfish, bass in small waters will often strike baits that don’t perfectly resemble anything in their environment. Soft plastics that mimic the general shape and behavior of prey in the shallows tend to perform well, even if they don’t match anything exactly. In many cases, unusual or unnatural-looking baits can still provoke aggressive strikes. Bass key in on motion, profile, and presentation just as much as realism. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different soft plastics to find what gets the best reaction. Conditions like water clarity, sunlight, and bass mood can all impact how well a particular shape or action performs. A bait that gets ignored on one cast might trigger a strike if presented slightly differently or in a new location. Downsizing your bait or switching to a slower fall can also help in pressured or finicky situations. Sometimes, simply changing the angle of your cast or the retrieve path across cover makes all the difference. Staying flexible with you approach leads to surprising success on small waters.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic 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. |
| Because bass in small waters often inhabit shallow zones, they can be easily spooked by careless movements or loud presentations. A patient approach such as walking softly, staying low, and observing before casting, can improve your chances of catching fish. It’s wise to assess the area before casting, especially when the water is clear and calm. Stealthy casting and lure presentation are key, especially with finesse-style soft plastics that land quietly and move naturally. Taking your time and reading the water will often result in more opportunities and better success. Casting from a distance and keeping your profile low helps prevent alerting bass to your presence. Avoid splashing or stomping near the water’s edge, and wear neutral colors to blend in with the surroundings. When fishing from the bank, look for subtle signs like surface dimples, cruising shadows, or fleeing baitfish before making your first cast. Bass in these shallow environments are often on high alert, especially if they’ve been pressured. A quiet approach can turn a cautious fish into a confident biter.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! |
| Fishing from a kayak, float tube, or small boat gives anglers the ability to reach spots that are often inaccessible from shore. Many small lakes and ponds have brushy or overgrown banks, limiting shoreline fishing options. A portable vessel allows for a quiet, controlled approach and the ability to cast from multiple angles without disturbing shallow fish. With less fishing pressure away from commonly used bank spots, bass tend to be more responsive to well-presented soft plastics. Covering more water with minimal disturbance is a great way to maximize your day on small bodies of water. Being on the water also allows you to approach structure from different directions, which can help reveal how fish are positioned. You can quietly parallel banks, work drop-offs more thoroughly, and reach undercut banks or submerged cover that would otherwise be out of reach. Quietly drifting into a productive area often results in close-range strikes from bass holding near cover. A watercraft also gives you the flexibility to move quickly between zones and adapt to changing conditions. For anglers looking to explore and fish more effectively, even a simple vessel can be a game changer on small waters.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 Watermelon Red 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, Electric 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 — 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. |
| Structure such as stumps, docks, rocks, and laydowns is limited in small waters, making each piece valuable When fishing these features, begin by targeting the deeper edge before casting shallow. Starting deep ensures you don’t spook any fish holding farther out and gives you a chance to pick off multiple bass before moving in. Use soft plastics that can be fished slowly and quietly around these key spots. Patience and precision will help you fully work each piece of cover and maximize the number of bites. Bass may be spread along the full length of a laydown or tucked into different sides of a stump depending on light, temperature, or feeding position. Casting from different angles allows you to present your bait naturally and increase your chances of connecting. Be sure to cover both the sunlit and shaded areas, as light positioning can dictate bass behavior. Avoid rushing through prime cover, always thoroughly fish each zone before moving on. Success often comes from dissecting structure piece by piece rather than making one quick cast before leaving.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! |
| Many small ponds and lakes become overpopulated with medium-sized bass, which can lead to stunted growth and limited forage availability. In these situations, selectively keeping a few legal-size bass can actually improve the health of the fishery. Removing some competition allows remaining bass to grow larger and creates a better balance between predator and prey. Look for signs of overcrowding, such as a lack of small bluegill or consistently small bass being caught. Practicing responsible harvest in the right context is an effective way to support sustainable fishing in small waters. Overcrowded systems often suffer from slow growth rates, where bass compete for limited food and never reach their full potential. Culling a modest number of bass in the 12- to 14-inch range can create space and resources for others to thrive. It’s important to follow local regulations and harvest only what’s appropriate for that specific body of water. Consulting with local fisheries data or speaking to other experienced anglers can help guide your decision. When done thoughtfully, selective harvest becomes a tool for long-term improvement rather than just short-term gain.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. |