Frosty Hopper
So many inner struggles reviewing Frosty Fly’s Realistic Grasshopper/cricket patterns for one reason – as a fishing guide I want to keep them top secret. True story, I’ve had guys see the Frosty Hopper on the end of my line and chastise me “that live bait is not allowed on this river.” I’ve had others … Continue reading Frosty Hopper
Bizz Baits
I enjoyed meeting with Bizz Bait owners Brian Souza and his wife Ellie at the Raleigh Fishing expo this winter. I was truly impressed with their overall professionalism and products. Brain is punching into the custom plastic market with true class… not many custom plastic bait companies can nail so many aspects like Bizz Baits. … Continue reading Bizz Baits
Mattingly Custom Baits
3.75″ Custom Craws Spent a day walking around the East Tennessee Fishing Expo this past winter looking for custom baits that would work well for my smallmouth bass guide business and CTR. After looking through countless bins and around multiple booths of plastic and hard baits I found Mattingly Custom Baits specialty colors patterns to … Continue reading Mattingly Custom Baits
Nextgen Baits | 7″ Wounded Rattle Shad SX
The Wounded Rattle Shad SX is a realistic 7’’ soft plastic jerkbait that has a single treble in the belly or VMC wide gap hook to rig completely weedless. Nextgen Baits has almost every baitfish pattern in high definition graphics to choose from, perfect for matching your local hatch! This winter we have been testing … Continue reading Nextgen Baits | 7″ Wounded Rattle Shad SX
Gill Reaper Lures
It’s way down in South Florida where the fresh and saltwater species meet in a crazy canal labyrinth water system that holds fish like Peacock Bass that feed on tilapia, shiners, or cichlids. This is where you’ll find lure designer Jason Stadnik making exotic baits to mimic and catch some of the craziest fish in … Continue reading Gill Reaper Lures
Crush Dogma | 6th Sense Lures
Straight out of Texas… 6th Sense Lure Co. in Willis, TX has been making some crazy innovative baits for years. My personal hands down favorite new lure in 2016 was the 6th Sense Crush Dogma™ 100mm – 1/2oz size in French Bone Pearl color. Adding a feather tail-hook at the rear makes this lure is … Continue reading Crush Dogma | 6th Sense Lures
Deep Creek Lures
I first came across Deep Creek Lures years ago at the Raleigh Fishing Expo. You could smell their booth 2 aisles away! …the garlic aroma leading you in. I first tried some super garlic crappie plastics and moved in to worms and senko style worms. Their ‘Sink and Catch’ and ‘Float and Catch’ senko type … Continue reading Deep Creek Lures
412 Bait Co
Donald Corbett has built one of the strongest lines of custom soft plastics and spinnerbaits on the market. A kayak bass fisherman at heart, Donald has created products and colors that flat-out catch fish! His baits are sought after by tournament anglers all over the US. They are hard to find at times with long … Continue reading 412 Bait Co
Frosty Fly
Frosty Fly is a “standout” custom fly company out of Toronto, Canada. Founder Boris Cetkovic has the market on Hemingway’s Fly Fishing Product for Canada and is producing some of the most realistic flies to touch North American waters! I almost want to keep some of these insect replica-like flies a secret. I’ve shown them … Continue reading Frosty Fly
River Rock Custom Baits
Robert Shue makes some of the softest plastics on the custom market. With a passion for “matching the hatch” Robert customizes colors and molds that look better than the natural bait. River Rock’s quality focuses on fluid action and colors. If your looking for the tough plastic bait that lasts all day… these are not … Continue reading River Rock Custom Baits
Bug Wild Fly Co
A true North Carolina local custom fly tier, Daniel Seaman, is leading the pack tying some of the buggiest and unique patterns on the small batch fly market. He’s got a super clean website where you can checkout his art work and pick up a few to try yourself. I sometimes struggle to tie a … Continue reading Bug Wild Fly Co
Anchor Baits
Anchor Baits Co is an eco-friendly company out of Colorado. They specialize in soft plastics and a variety of custom colors. They strive to produce unique high-quality plastic baits at affordable prices. Anchor Baits Co. has an easy to use website that allows you to see all of their products and make online purchases. Aside … Continue reading Anchor Baits
Freeminnow and the Freeworm | 412BaitCo
If they were actually “free”… I would have 100 packs in every color. As a finesse fisherman I can’t get enough of these baits. The freeminnows act super natural as a soft plastic jerk bait rigged weightless on a larger worm or wide gap hook. Their subtle fall is irresistible to big bass. Freeminnows come … Continue reading Freeminnow and the Freeworm | 412BaitCo
SmallJaw Craw | 412BaitCo
412BaitCo SmallJaw Craw 3.75in. and 2.75in. River Raider Color This bait shines in so many ways. I can’t get over how natural a color river raider is and how it throws a light flash underwater. Bass often completely devour this color in our rivers here in Western North Carolina and I’ve done well in Northern … Continue reading SmallJaw Craw | 412BaitCo
Grub | 412BaitCo
The Reinvented Rejuvenated Staple Bait is the 412baitco Grub My go-to bass bait for a winter pattern is 412baitco’s 3.5 Grub in the River Raider, Greensicle, or Green Pumpkin Special color. I’m excited to get my hands on the newest SOTY Pumpkin color soon! These grubs have no equal in terms of softness, action, and … Continue reading Grub | 412BaitCo