We still have many tips, tricks, photos and video tutorials to upload. Please bear with us as we make these changes. Do we need to add another bait or want to add a tip? Let us know by sending an e-mail to tips@howtobass.com

    - A cool trick to get your lure back from the depths!
    - A cool trick to get your lure back using a "lure retriever"

Poppers

    Topwater poppers by far have to be one of the most exciting to catch a bass on. The thrill of being able to see your bait go under is really exhilarating. Here are some tips and tricks you help out your next top water adventure.

    - When the bass bite, wait for a tug on the line. Settin the hook when you see the bass bite often results in        too early of a hook set, leading to no bass at all.
    - Early morning during the summer time tends to be the best time to use poppers.
    - Use different retrevial techniques.
       * Example: Cast out and let the bait sit for 10-20 seconds.
       * Example: Give the popper three quick jerks and pause for 2-3 seconds and repeat.
       * Example: Mix it up!
    - Leaving a little slack in the line with a small quick jerk will give you that good "bloop" sound.
    - Leaving a little slack in the line with a small quick jerk also moves your bait less to keep you in one spot.
    - Longer jerks of the rod will give the bait more of a splash action.
    - If you don't have one on the rear hook, get a rooster tail!

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Propeller type baits

    Propeller baits are similar to poppers minus the pop. Again any topwater bait is a great early morning summer time bait. Here are a few tips to help you gain a little edge.

    - Not satisfied with the propellers? Try bending the blades to achieve a louder choping action.
    - Reel the bait in slow and fast to find out what the bass want.
    - Some propeller bait you can "walk the dog." It can't hurt to try it!

    - Add a tip! Send it in to tips@howtobass.com

Spooks

    Spooks are another great top water action bait. When one of your other top water action baits aren't working throw on a spook! Here's some helpful advice to help you along the way.

    - Spooks are usually fishing using a "walk the dog" motion. This causes the bait to move side to side.
    - Spooks are a great reaction bait. They're really a in your face bait for the bass.
    - Get more than one in your arsenal.
       * Example: smaller/bigger, loud/quiet

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Crankbaits

    Crankbaits are a great bait to use year-round. They come in many different shapes and sizes. This and the lip on the bait will affect how the bait moves and how deep it goes. Typically the larger the lip the deeper it goes. You can also get rounded lips, square lips, and lips that bend at 90 degrees. This can affect the tightness of the wiggle when retreiving the bait. Below are a few tips and tricks for crankbaitin'.

    - How to fine tune a crankbait.
    - Use in more transition areas like an area from 4-6 feet dropping to to 10-12 feet.
    - Just don't retreive from shallow to deep. Run the bait deep to shallow as well.
    - Mix up your retrieval technique to find out what the bass want.
       * Example: Burn the bait in fast.
       * Example: Reel in slow and use random pauses.
    - When you feel your crankbait hitting structure (that it may get hung in) instanly release pressure. This
       allows the bait to float free, and most of the time will trigger bass to strike.
    - If your hung up, reel your line to the lip of the crankbait, and push your rod downward toward the lure.
       Often times when the rod eye touches the lip it will become free of the snag.
    - Be patient! Crankbaitin' can be a hit or miss situation.

    - Add a tip! Send it in to tips@howtobass.com

Minnows/Stickbaits

    Minnows are another alternative for hardbaits. Minnows and stickbaits give off a great fleeing and/or dying bait fish effect. Try these tips and tricks out for yourself!

    - Use multiple twitches, jerks and pauses while using this bait.
    - A steady retrieve can also produce bass.
    - One size or color won't work? Switch it up and try another.
    - Use shiny colors when the sun is out and duller colors like white or pearl when it's cloudy.

    - Add a tip! Send it in to tips@howtobass.com

Lipless Crankbaits

    Many anglers call the lipless crankbaits full-proof. In many ways we agree as well. The lipless crankbait really can't be fished any wrong way. It also has an advantage compared to the regular crankbait. It doesn't get hung up as much due to the fact that it gets pulled horizontal where as the crankbait usually wants to dig down. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

    - Use lipless crankbaits in a weedy situation. They don't hang up as much as crankbaits do in vegitation.

    - When fishing weedy areas, try to keep the bait right above the weeds. When it does get hung up, give

       a strong pull to clear it. Many times this is when the bite will come.

    - When you're not getting bites, use the Yo-Yo method. This involves letting the lure sink to the bottom then

       lifting it up with your rod, then letting it fall back to the bottom. Make sure your line has minimal slack.
    - Lipsless crankbaits bump over stumps more easily and don't "dig in" as much as crankbaits.
    - Jerk your rod every now and then when retrieving to entice the bass to strike.
    - Use lipless crankbaits in murky to muddy water. The loud rattle helps attract bass from greater distances.
    - Use bright colors like texas red and firetiger in murky situations.
    - Use chrome and/or black and blue colors for clear water situations.

    - Add a tip! Send it in to tips@howtobass.com