When you absolutely, positively have to catch a fish, live bait is the only way to go, period. While artificial lures are variously new, improved, or otherwise hyped worldwide, the lowly worm and its ...

Slab crappies are meat eaters—sure enough minnow munchers. They take artificials well at times, especially jigs—but big crappie will turn their noses at even the best of the best crappie lures.

When water temperatures drop and schools of shad grow scarce, bass enthusiasts targeting the heaviest fish switch to an umbrella rig that imitates a small cloud of shad to turn the bite on. The best ...

For each of those racy lures that line tackle-store shelves, there are a dozen plain, bare hooks on the next aisle. Glitzy hardware adds an element of challenge for those so inclined, but nothing ...

Fishing for striped bass is steadily improving. Jon Conklin, fishing guide, said a good area to try is the south part of the lake between Horseshoe Bend park and Friendship Creek. Brood minnows or ...

The use of live shad is a very effective technique which can out-produce artificial lures, and can appeal to a variety of game and non-game species. This past week alone my clients boated 253 fish ...

Striped bass are scattered over the south half of Beaver Lake, said Jon Conklin, fishing guide. Locate schools of shad with electronics and striped bass should be nearby feeding on shad. Gulls also ...