theBASSguys sunset lake masthead with Lund fishing boat and white Evinrude outboard
Real fishing experience. Real gear advice.Independent, on-the-water tackle testing
Welcome aboard theBASSguys

More time fishing.
Less time guessing.

Fishing lures, rods and reels put to the test on real lakes and reservoirs by anglers who love being on the water.

Explore tested gear →Watch our fishing videos

Find Your Bass Fishing Information

Search 99 approved freshwater fishing, equipment, and boat-care guides by topic or technique.

Bass TechniquesRods & ReelsBoat MaintenanceTrailer CareCatch & Release

Explore Our 6 Main Categories

Choose a topic to explore approved freshwater bass-fishing and boat-care information.

01Baits & LuresSoft plastics, crankbaits, jigs and tackle 02Fishing TechniquesRigs, presentations, casting and retrieves 03Freshwater LocationsGrass, river structure, offshore habitat and cover 04Fishing SeasonsStart with fall patterns; search for other seasonal topics 05Boat MaintenanceAluminum hulls, outboards and boat equipment 06Safety & Fish CareBoat readiness and safer days on the water
Real-world testingWe use the tackle before we recommend it.
Bass fishing focusSmallmouth, largemouth and more.
Photos, reports & videosSee the results for yourself.
Explore the gear

Tested on the water.
Shared with you.

Start with the products and techniques we know from firsthand fishing experience.

Original Canyon Backwater 2000 spinning reel photograph

Canyon Reels — Backwater 2000

Our reel overview, including the original Backwater 2000 reel.

View product guide →
Two bass fishing boats beside a wooden dock on a misty lake at first light
On the water with theBASSguys

Real Mornings. Real Bass Fishing.

From the dock to the last cast, theBASSguys share the tackle, techniques, and on-the-water experience that help bass anglers fish smarter.

Explore the Fishing Archive
From the fishing archive

Don't lose the stories.

Our earlier fishing reports remain part of theBASSguys experience. Explore the original articles and on-the-water observations.

Browse freshwater fishing reportsGananoque LakeBass, northern pike and field-tested tackle →Loughborough LakeFishing in tough conditions and the gear we used →Ashokan ReservoirSmallmouth bass with soft plastic baits →More Gananoque fishingAnother trip from our fishing archive →Gear on the waterRods, reels and lures put through their paces →Full fishing archiveBrowse all reports and older content →

These stories now open their redesigned pages in theBASSguys fishing archive. Original reports remain preserved separately.

Our fishing crew

Meet theBASSguys

Real Fishing Experience. Real Gear Advice.

For over 25 years, theBASSguys have been fishing and exploring lakes and rivers throughout the northeastern United States and parts of Canada.

We're a group of dedicated freshwater anglers who enjoy more than simply catching bass. We share what we've learned through firsthand fishing experience, evaluating fishing equipment under actual conditions, and helping fellow anglers make informed decisions about the tackle they use.

Whether we're fishing from Dan and Pete's 16-foot Lund or Dennis and Augie's 16-foot Lowe, our goal is the same: discover what works, understand why it works, and share that information with our readers.

Our fishing experiences span changing water conditions, seasonal patterns, fishing techniques, rods, reels, lures, and boating equipment. The products we feature reflect our interests and commitment to practical fishing information.

Responsible fishing matters to us. We flatten the barbs on our hooks and lures to minimize injury to fish. We recognize this may mean losing some bass during the fight, and we willingly accept that tradeoff.

At theBASSguys, we're not just talking about fishing. We're out there doing it.

Read Our Story →