| During the summer, bass don’t all retreat to deep, cool waters as many anglers assume. While some fish will hold in deeper areas, others remain in shallower zones thanks to shade, current, or an abundance of food. Shallow grass beds, docks, and areas with steady water flow often provide enough cover and oxygen to keep bass comfortable. Understanding this behavior allows anglers to avoid solely targeting deep water and instead fish multiple depth zones throughout the day. By focusing on environmental factors like shade and forage availability, anglers can locate fish in surprising areas even during hot weather. Keeping an open mind about depth is essential to catching more bass in challenging summer conditions. Many anglers find success by scanning the entire water column before settling on one pattern. Checking shallow cover early in the morning and then moving deeper as the sun climbs often produces steady bites. Electronics can help identify bass suspended at mid-depths or holding tight to structure, preventing wasted time in unproductive areas. Observing baitfish activity is equally important, as bass are more likely to stay near easy feeding opportunities than strictly follow temperature changes. This awareness allows anglers to adapt quickly, stay efficient, and consistently find fish no matter how hot the weather gets.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 Smoke Purple HellaMite. 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. |
| Shaded areas near grass beds, docks, and overhanging trees are prime spots to target bass holding higher in the water column. Anglers can wake soft plastics such as lizards insect larvae, or beetles across the surface to mimic vulnerable prey. The key is to keep the lure moving just fast enough to create a surface disturbance without diving below. This type of presentation that resemble small animals or insects struggling on the surface often trigger explosive strikes from ambushing bass. By fishing these shaded zones early, late, or during cloudy periods, anglers can capitalize on fish actively feeding near the top. A slow, steady retrieve combined with occasional pauses is often enough to entice bites from bass hiding under cover. The quiet approach of soft plastics is ideal for pressured waters where bass have become wary of louder surface lures. Using lighter line and longer casts helps avoid spooking fish, especially in clear water. Anglers should pay attention to wind direction because calm water often makes surface presentations more realistic and easier to detect strikes. Watching for swirls, small baitfish skipping, or insect activity near shade can help pinpoint feeding areas. These techniques give anglers an edge when targeting bass that prefer cooler, shaded zones and ambush prey from below.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, and the 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 that triggers strikes! |
| Shallow wood cover, such as submerged logs and stumps, attracts bass throughout the summer because it provides ambush points and shade. Anglers can use soft plastic options like cray-styled baits or beetles to create a similar reaction bite. Casting past the cover and working the lure into and around wood structure gives fish a natural-looking meal passing through their territory. Quick bursts of speed and contact with cover often trigger a strike from bass that might otherwise ignore slower presentations. Shallow areas are often replenishing spots, so anglers can return multiple times a day and continue catching fish. This approach offers a natural alternative for pressured waters where traditional lures might spook fish. Using a heavier soft plastic setup can help maintain contact with cover and improve hook sets when fishing around thick wood. Anglers should focus on making precise casts to specific targets, like the ends of logs or root balls, to maximize strike potential. Pausing the bait briefly after bumping into cover can simulate injured prey and often draws an immediate bite. Fishing wood cover requires patience and multiple angles, as bass may hold tight to one side of the structure depending on current or sunlight. These techniques build confidence and produce consistent results in some of the most reliable shallow summer locations.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. |
| Vegetation-rich areas often hold large numbers of bass during the hot summer months. Fishing along weed edges or pitching into pockets within the vegetation with soft plastics like beetles or cray-styled baits can be highly effective. Drop speed plays a critical role, too fast and the bait may pass by uninterested fish, while too slow may seem unnatural. A moderate-weight setup that allows for controlled, vertical presentations works best to entice bites. Two techniques often excel, swimming a soft plastic along weed edges or pitching directly into holes for a vertical drop. By paying close attention to where and how fast the bait falls, anglers can consistently catch bass using vegetation as cover. Heavier vegetation may require stronger line and a stout rod to pull fish out quickly once hooked. Anglers should also look for transition areas where one type of vegetation meets another, as these edges often hold more active bass. Working the bait from multiple angles helps determine the most productive presentation for the day. Keeping weedless rigs ensures fewer snags and smoother presentations through thick cover. This approach allows anglers to confidently work through heavy vegetation and reach bass that many others overlook.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! |
| Brush piles in 12 to 20 feet of water provide shelter and ambush opportunities for bass during summer heat. A Texas-rigged worm, ideally 5-7 inches or longer, can reach these fish effectively when dragged slowly through the cover. Positioning the boat on the deeper side of the structure and casting beyond it allows the angler to work the bait naturally through the limbs. Lifting and dropping the worm through branches covers suspended fish while also presenting it to those on the bottom. Varying retrieve speed helps match fish activity levels, often requiring slower presentations when bites are scarce. This method is excellent for anglers looking to target bass that have moved deeper but are still holding tight to cover. Electronics can help identify brush piles and pinpoint exactly where fish are holding before making a cast. Anglers should also pay attention to how the worm moves after contact with a limb, as small twitches often trigger reaction strikes. Using a heavier weight helps the bait fall quickly into the strike zone, especially in deeper brush or when current is present. Maintaining steady pressure on the line helps detect subtle bites, which are common when fish are less aggressive. This catches bass in hot weather and builds confidence in fishing deeper structure effectively.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 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. |
| Bass behavior changes day to day and even hour to hour depending on weather, light, and fishing pressure. Faster-moving presentations like swimming soft plastics across the surface or through mid-depth areas can trigger reaction strikes when fish are aggressive. However, when bass become sluggish, slowing down with a worm or insect larva along the bottom often works better. Experimenting with retrieve speed, pause length, and movement intensity allows anglers to find what bass are willing to bite. It’s often necessary to start fast and gradually slow down until a pattern emerges. Mastering this adaptability is key to turning a tough day into a productive one. Paying attention to water clarity and temperature can help determine how bass respond to speed changes. In cooler mornings or after weather fronts, slower presentations often outperform fast-moving lures. Conversely, on warm, stable days, bass may chase faster-moving baits as they feed more aggressively. Keeping multiple rods rigged with different presentations saves time and allows quick adjustments when activity levels shift. Over time, learning how to read these subtle behavioral cues builds confidence and improves overall consistency on the water.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! |
| Summer bass can be anywhere in the water column, from the surface to the bottom, depending on temperature, oxygen levels, and food sources. Focusing on one depth zone limits an angler’s potential, so it’s best to have multiple techniques ready for different conditions. Surface wake baits, mid-depth soft plastics, and bottom-focused worms each cover different parts of the water column. Switching between approaches based on where baitfish and cover are located ensures no opportunities are missed. This top-to-bottom strategy allows anglers to adapt quickly as conditions change throughout the day. The more versatile your game plan, the greater your chances of consistently catching bass in summer heat. Anglers who monitor seasonal patterns and water conditions are better equipped to predict where bass are likely to position. Using electronics to scan for suspended fish or bait schools can help determine which depth zone to focus on first. Rotating through techniques keeps fish from becoming conditioned to one specific presentation. Having a balanced setup of surface, mid-depth, and bottom gear ensures you can adjust instantly without wasting time re-rigging. This adaptability is what separates successful anglers from those who struggle when conditions change unexpectedly.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve 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. Owner Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. 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. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. 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! 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 precious 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 released 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 water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure. |