Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

Theories, knowledge, advice, physical gear and hardware (DO NOT include baits – not sure about RODS & REELS).

Midwest Smallmouth Strategies (Early Spring Bass Fishing)

Good morning brothers. I’ve got the itch. No, not one that requires a cream or ointment or a salve… I got bass itches. (You should...

The 2 Best Seasons for Big Bass (and How To Catch Them)

Posted on January 24, 2025 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Guests & Contributors

Good evening brothers. The following article was sent to me by my friend Jason Kaefer over at Wild Outdoor. We’ve been talking for a while...

Ebike Fishing (Best Ebike for the Money)

Posted on December 6, 2024 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques The Minimalist Fisherman

Good morning brothers. It’s been a minute. As we close in on the (bitter, cold, dark) end of 2024, I find myself following the traditional...

Catch MORE BASS with The 80/20 Rule (not what you think…)

Posted on May 14, 2024 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques In The Field Fishing Videos

largemouth bass fishing 80 20 rule bank fishing

Good morning brothers. It’s raining here in the Midwest. Rained yesterday, too… and the day before that. Honestly, it doesn’t seem like it’s stopped raining...

Illinois Topwater Bass Fishing (Post Spawn)

Posted on January 8, 2024 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Fishing Videos

Good morning brothers. The Post Spawn Period, I have come to learn, is surprisingly unique. Bass can have an insane case of lockjaw, and at...

Illinois Bass Fishing During Post Spawn (Tough Bite Tips)

Posted on December 31, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Fishing Videos

illinois bass fishing post spawn jon boat smallmouth largemouth

Good morning brothers. Isn’t it amazing how much a body of water – or more importantly, the bite – can change from day to day?...

Best Baits for Midwest Bank Fishing (Top 3 List)

Posted on November 16, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

best baits for midwest bass bank fishing

Good morning brothers! Have you ever stopped to think about the baits you would pack to fish from the bank if you had to limit...

The Ultimate Guide: Best Baits for Big Wisconsin Bass (Minocqua Fishing Tips & Tackle + AJ’s Base Box)

Posted on October 27, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

Minocqua Fishing Wisconsin Bass Base Box Big Bass Baits Wisconsin

Good morning brothers. It’s chilly again, here in the Midwest. The days are shorter. The nights are colder. The daydreams are beginning to intensify. There...

2 Topwater Fishing Secrets: Dingers vs Frogs?!

Posted on October 7, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Fishing Rigs & Mods

Good morning brothers. Today, I’m going to let you in on a little secret for packing light and fishing mucky water. Well, 2 secrets actually…...

The 5-Minute Jerkbait Guide for BIG BASS by Rick Vogelbacher

Posted on October 4, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Reader Feedback

Good morning, brothers. Have you ever struggled to keep up with something? I have, and to be honest – I’m having a rough go of...

Bruiser Bass in the Muck: A Mucky Muck Base Box for Fishing BIG Midwest Largemouth

Posted on July 2, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

bruiser bass in the muck illinois largemouth fishing

Have you ever set up a Base Box? Good morning brothers. I’d like to share a few tips that have helped me minimize the pre-trip...

Where You Choose to Fish Makes a Difference

Posted on May 18, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

Good morning brothers. It’s been a few days since we posted an article… but I assure you, the reason for the delay is good. I’ve...

Top 8 Baits for Borrow Pits

Posted on April 27, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

Good afternoon brothers. Fishing starts Monday. I’m hitting the water rain or shine, enough waiting – tomorrow we’re headed to Southern Illinois for Prison Ministry....

Best Way to Tie a Fluorocarbon Leader to Braid

Posted on April 25, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

the best knot fluorocarbon to braid leaders

Good morning brothers. I was sitting up last night tying rigs. We’ve had yet another cold snap here in Illinois, with nighttime temps dropping below...

WARNING: Read This Before Spooling Up with Braided Fishing Line!

Posted on April 11, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

Good morning, brothers. This is a warning. It’s also not as dramatic as that just sounded… These days… everything is a code red… but I...

How Much Fishing Line is Left on my Spool?

Posted on March 29, 2023 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

how much fishing line is left on the spool

Good morning brothers. Have you ever wondered how much fishing line you have left on your spool? I’m not asking if you’ve wondered how much...

Don’t Be Stupid: It’s Dangerous to Fish with Underpowered Boat Batteries

Posted on November 6, 2022 by AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

“Row row row your boat, straight into the wind. Merrily merrily merrily merrily batteries died… again…“ I am so sick of rowing. This year I’ve...