Author Archives: Baitshop Rob

Mastering Finesse Spinnerbaits: Small Lures for Big Bass Success

June 2, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing Bait and Lure | Baitshop Rob

Spinnerbaits remain a time-tested favorite in the world of bass fishing. Though they’ve taken a backseat in recent years to umbrella rigs, vibrating jigs, and Texas-rigged swimbaits, these baits still shine—especially when downsized for finesse applications. Tournament success stories, like …

Angler Catches Largest Freshwater Fish Ever Landed in Connecticut

June 2, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Rob

On May 25, 2025, Connecticut angler Rafal Wlazlo etched his name into the state’s fishing history books by landing an enormous 45-pound, 8-ounce common carp from Lake Lillinonah. This remarkable catch has now been officially confirmed and certified by the …

Could Fishing Be Rewiring Fish Evolution?

May 30, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing News | Baitshop Rob

Commercial and recreational fishing may be doing more than just reducing fish populations—it could be reshaping the very evolution of fish species. As global fisheries remove an estimated 1.6 trillion wild fish annually, emerging research suggests that the traits making …

Urban Waters, Wild Fights: Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing Near Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, Michigan is more than just a thriving city—it’s also a gateway to some of the best smallmouth bass fly fishing in the Midwest. While steelhead often steal the spotlight, the city’s surrounding rivers offer an exceptional opportunity to …

Hands-Free Success: How to Attach a Dip Net to Your Fishing Vest Like a Pro

May 22, 2025 | 🪝 Dip Nets | Baitshop Rob

A dip net, also called a landing net, is an essential piece of gear, especially when targeting trout, panfish, or catch-and-release species. But it’s only helpful if it’s accessible. With more anglers adopting mobile fishing tactics—wading rivers, hiking to backcountry …

Slip Bobbers Made Simple: Top Tips for More Strikes This Season

Slip bobbers are a timeless and highly effective tool in any angler’s tackle box. Especially during spring and early summer, when fish like crappie, walleye, and bluegill move into shallower, warmer waters, slip bobbers offer precision presentation and versatility that …

Post-Spawn Power Moves: How to Catch Bass Shallow When Others Struggle

Many anglers dismiss the early post-spawn as a slow or frustrating time to target bass, but for those who know what to look for, this window can deliver some of the most exciting shallow-water action of the season. As the …

Going Deep: Best Baits for Targeting Bass in Deeper Water

May 9, 2025 | 🪝 Artificial Lures | Baitshop Rob

As bass shift from shallow spring habitats to deeper summer structures, anglers need to adjust their approach to stay on the bite. One of the most effective strategies during this transition is using deep-diving baits that can reach the cooler, …

Post-Spawn Bass Fishing: How to Target Bass During Recovery Season

May 9, 2025 | 🪝 Fishing Bait and Lure | Baitshop Rob

As spring transitions into early summer, bass anglers face a unique challenge and opportunity: the post-spawn phase. This seasonal window follows the intense spawning activity that dominates late spring and can be a productive time to target largemouth and smallmouth …

California Salmon Season Returns: What Anglers Need to Know in 2025

After several challenging years of closures and uncertainty, California’s ocean salmon fishery is finally reopening in 2025. According to Sport Fishing Magazine, this highly anticipated decision marks a major turning point for West Coast anglers and coastal communities that depend …