Bait and tackle are the cornerstones of fishing. Bait refers to any substances you use to lure fish, while tackle refers to equipment designed specifically to hook or attract the target fish species.

Acquiring or catching your own bait is the ideal way to start fishing; however, many anglers prefer artificial lures!

The Creme Wiggle Worm

Nick Creme served in World War II as a machine operator, and when he returned home he wanted a bait that could recreate an earthworm or nightcrawler. At that time there were lifelike hard plastic worms with exposed hooks which proved cumbersome when fishing dense and snaggy cover with these baits – often becoming stuck and often ending up at the bottom.

Creme experimented with different materials until he discovered polymer molded to a steel model of a nightcrawler worked best as a lure. His first Wiggle Worm lure became an instant success; so much so, in 1951 Creme launched it via mail order through Sports Afield magazine with three hooks already attached, similar to what anglers do when fishing live bait.

Nick expanded his company after the Wiggle Worm became an instantaneous success and hired national field testers to spread its popularity among anglers and demonstrate its use. One such tester eventually invented the Texas Rig that propelled Wiggle Worm popularity to new heights.

The Gitzit

The Gitzit is an iconic bass fishing soft bait that can be used all year long. One of the most realistic swimbaits available, this versatile lure works equally well for jigging as well as trolling casting and retrieving.

Garland’s Gitzit tube baits remain an angler favorite, especially smallmouth bass anglers. The 3-inch tube bait resembles a crawfish and makes an effective choice in tough conditions. It can be fished rigged on a jig head, Texas-rigged, Carolina-rigged or weightless.

When fishing the Gitzit under docks or along weed edges, try to reduce surface commotion as much as possible. Fish often take to taking bait when it falls, making a spinning reel ideal for this presentation style. Charles Hendershot is sponsored by Bullet Weights, G.Loomis, Budz Fishin Wayz, Gamakatsu Lake Hawk Chevy Trucks Hawg-ly Lures Uncle Josh Power Resources cranking & trolling motor batteries Snap-Set Spinnerbaits Map-Trap

The Slug-Go

The Slug-Go is one of those timeless bass lures that never seems to go out of fashion, even as newer stick baits gain in popularity. However, it still makes for an excellent fishing lure – being made out of soft plastic jerk bait material, it can be fished both with and without weight depending on conditions and situations. Reed used simple notches on its body that allowed it flex and vibrate – creating an effect similar to wounded baitfish movement.

When bass are acting selective, and not eating your conventional baits, the Slug-Go is an invaluable ally. By working it slowly and jerking it slowly, this bait will imitate an injured baitfish to hungry bass. I personally use a nail weight on mine for extra action – you will have an amazing time fishing bass on this unique lure! Good luck and I know you will have a blast using one!

The Big O

Fred Young first carved the Big O from balsa wood in 1967 and has crafted an iconic crankbait since. Following two work related back injuries, lure carving became his hobby; and the Big O quickly became popular among small river smallmouth bass.

The Big O’s crown ornament and cockpit viewport is constructed of an advanced light-refracting polycrystalline ceramic (possibly silicon nitride), capable of deflecting energy beams. When Roger calls forth for it (“Beck Comes Back”), however, its output tends to weaken with time.

Big O notation in programming refers to a mathematical notation that indicates the behavior of functions when their arguments approach a certain value or infinity, used to simplify expressions by eliminating unnecessary constant factors and lower order terms. Also referred to as Bachmann-Landau notation or asymptotic notation.