76% of the top 10 finishers at the Clark's Hill Bassmaster Open used this bait (Issue 309)

Issue #309

PRESENTED BY: Sunline

AFTCO Announces 2025 Conservation Grants

The AFTCO x B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation Grant Program continues in 2025 to support conservation initiatives throughout the country. The Conservation Grant Program was created in 2018 to help provide funds to approved freshwater bass conservation projects proposed by B.A.S.S. Nation clubs. To date, AFTCO’s total contribution to this program has exceeded $152,000 in grants. This partnership with B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation has actively contributed to the shared goals of AFTCO and B.A.S.S., fostering community and youth-oriented conservation projects that positively impact local fisheries. The Grant Program provides financial support for stocking bass, habitat enhancements, and ensuring that bass are properly cared for and returned to lakes and rivers in the best possible condition for future generations to enjoy. These efforts are coordinated locally with the aid of B.A.S.S Nation chapters, governmental fishery management agencies, local businesses, and the valuable support of volunteers and youth organizations contributing their time and labor to the cause. “These grants are a great example of the efforts our B.A.S.S. Nation clubs are putting forth to enhance the fishing in their local lakes and reservoirs. Our state chapters are blessed to be associated with a company like AFTCO that takes conservation to heart. That continued commitment to the B.A.S.S. Nation and to the fishery resources that our sport depends on is unmatched.” — Gene Gilliland, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director

You can submit your conservation proposal HERE. The deadline for entries is March 31, 2025. Proposals will be judged by a panel that includes representatives from B.A.S.S. and AFTCO. Please direct any questions to Gene Gilliland at ggilliland@bassmaster.com.

Get In The Flow With Deep Dive

Sometimes you want to fish areas that get a lot of runoff, especially if there hasn’t been much rain. That way, if there is even a small amount of rain there is going to be some water movement in those areas. In times when the lake is getting a lot of flooding and a ton of water through inflow points, areas with higher inflow can get blown out. The water can be too dirty to fish. In this situtation, you may want to fish in some areas that get a much lower amount of inflow that are still bringing in great nutrients for baitfish to gather. Check out this new feature in Deep Dive App here.

Bag 5 With Mike Russell

Since 2014, Mike Russell has been revolutionizing the fishing industry one custom-painted crankbait at a time. As the founder and creative force behind Bag 5 Baits, Mike brings unmatched artistry and craftsmanship to the world of custom lure design. His journey took a significant leap when he landed a deal with Berkley, creating stunning custom paint jobs for legendary angler David Fritts. Today, his vibrant, lifelike designs can be found in tackle stores across the country and in the hands of professional anglers who trust his work to stand out on the water. Mike’s artistry isn’t limited to one brand—he custom paints swimbaits and crankbaits from various manufacturers, transforming them into high-performance works of art. His reputation for innovation and quality has made him a go-to creator for factories and elite fishing pros alike. If you’re a fishing enthusiast, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Mike’s work at tackle shows such as the East Tennessee Fishing Show. His booth is always buzzing with anglers eager to see the latest designs and commission custom pieces for their next big catch. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a tournament pro, Bag 5 Baits offers more than just lures—it provides a competitive edge with artistry that speaks for itself. Check out some of Mike’s work here.

Designed for covering water quickly with fluid high-speed retrieves, the Storm Speed Trap Crankbait features loud rattling acoustics and an enticing wobble to attract fish from great distances and trigger reaction bites. Ideal for targeting fish in the shallow to medium depth ranges, the Speed Trap is built with flat sides and a unique thin-wall construction that delivers maximum thump and vibration. Equipped with razor-sharp VMC round bend black nickel treble hooks, each crankbait is ready to fish out of the package and includes a snap to free up the action and enable quick lure changes. Available in a variety of crawfish and shad-inspired color patterns, the Storm Speed Trap Crankbait represents a modern take on a classic design that’s a great addition to any angler’s crankbait tacklebox. Check them out here.

PRESENTED BY: Gamakatsu

Denny Brauer has won 17 Bassmaster tournaments, 2 Angler of the Year titles and he is the 1998 Bassmaster Classic Champion. He was the first angler ever featured on the Wheeties Box, he made two appearances on the David Letterman Show and he actually taught Ozzy Osborne how to cast! Although this Bass Fishing Hall of Famer has been away from tour level competition for over a decade, make no mistakes – Denny Brauer Can Still Kick Your bASS! He joins Mercer this week on his podcast to talk about all that and so much more. Check it out here.

PRESENTED BY: Denali

Michael Neal

Photo Courtesy Of Bassmaster

Anglers like Michael Neal are beginning to unveil their wraps for the 2025 season! Neal’s sponsors include Big Bite Baits, SPRO, Denali Rods, Mercury, Caymas Boats, Gamakatsu, AFTCO, Sunline, Power-Pole, and Hennessey Outdoor Electronics just to name a few.

JC Elite MG Reel

The JC Elite MG Reel, designed and used by B.A.S.S. Elite Series pro Jason Christie, offers four versatile gear ratios and a single frame size to cover all speeds. The color-coded knobs and carbon fiber handle provide ease of use, while the 11 ball bearings and magnesium frame ensure a smooth and durable performance. Experience the best with this top-of-the-line reel.

Gear ratio

color code:

• 5.6:1- Green

• 6.6:1- Purple

• 7.3:1- Red

• 8.1:1-Orange

Check out the full selection here.

PRESENTED BY: AFTCO

The Art Of The Underspin

As the water temperatures begin to cool down and bass move deeper into their wintertime holding areas, anglers face a common challenge: how to catch these elusive fish when they’re suspended at various depths, often 10 to 20 feet below the surface. One of the baits Dean Rojas reaches for first under these conditions is the Epic Baits Fishing Underspin. “Underspins are an ideal choice for suspended bass, especially when they are hanging over deep water. They do a great job of allowing you to get your bait down to a certain depth and keep it there with a steady retrieve. When you’re targeting bass with an underspin, it’s essential to keep your bait above the fish to maximize your chances of triggering a bite ” says Rojas. While underspins can work in stained water, they really shine in clear water conditions. In murky or muddy water, bass rely more heavily on their lateral line to sense vibrations from prey, rather than their vision. Because underspins don’t generate a lot of vibration, they can be less effective in these conditions. However, in these dirtier water conditions Rojas utilizes a gold blade Epic Baits Underspin. In clear water, bass can see the blade and bait much more easily, so in the cleaner water he uses the nickel bladed version. The type of soft plastic you use with your underspin can significantly impact the performance. A paddle-tail swimbait such as the Big Bite Baits Pro Swimmer is great for a slower retrieve due to its larger size and bulk, which makes it sink more slowly. This is perfect for shallower water or when bass are less aggressive. If you need a faster, more streamlined profile for deeper or more aggressive fish, Rojas recommends a Big Bite Baits Jerk Minnow. It sinks quickly and allows for faster retrieves. Fishing underspins for cold-water bass isn’t difficult, but it does require patience, attention to detail, and an understanding of how bass behave in the cooler months. By keeping your bait above the fish, selecting the right underspin size, and tailoring your retrieve to match the bass’ mood, you’ll increase your chances of success.

“I typically start with the 3/8oz Epic Baits underspin and adjust accordingly based on what the fish are telling me. With the advent of forward facing sonar like Lowrance Active Target 2, you can literally get instant feedback from the fish on how they are reacting to the style of your soft plastic and the weight of the underspin.” says Rojas. Rojas’s setup for an underspin typically consists of a 7′ to 7’3″ MH rod and a 6:3:1 baitcasting reel spooled with 10lb or 12lb Sunline FC Sniper, depending on what depths he is trying to reach.

Next time you head out to the lake, remember that suspended bass are often more willing to bite than you think. With the right technique and the right gear, you’ll be ready to outsmart those wary fish and reel in some trophy-sized bass. So get out there, experiment with the Epic Baits Underspin, and load the boat with some cold water bass!

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Issue #309

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