Author
Hudson Reed
Hudson is a writer and content creator at Bushwhack. He grew up fishing the lakes and reservoirs of Utah and never stopped — bass are the obsession, but he'll throw a line at just about anything that swims. He fishes conventional gear and knows the difference between what works on a magazine cover and what actually puts fish in the boat. His writing leans on years of hands-on time on the water rather than recycled tips, and every post is built around the same question he asks of his own fishing days: did you learn something useful?
79 articles on Bushwhack
Articles by Hudson Reed
Best Side-Mount and Flush-Mount Rod Holders for Boats (2026)
The best side-mount and flush-mount rod holders for boats in 2026, from a budget Scotty side-mount to 316 stainless Amarine flush-mounts and a no-drill clamp-on. Real picks, real prices, with the angle and drainage advice most lists skip.
Best Water Temperature for Fish to Bite: A Multi-Species Chart
A clean, scannable water temperature bite chart for nine species, from largemouth bass to redfish, plus the part most charts skip: the best water temperature for fish on your lake is narrower than the textbook, and a season of logging surface temp reveals it.
Best Portable Bait Bucket Aerators for Keeping Live Bait Alive (2026)
The best portable bait bucket aerators keep minnows and shiners alive on hot summer days. We compare runtime, noise, and airflow on three top rechargeable pumps, plus how to stop bait die-offs.
Utah Lake Algal Bloom and Fishing: How to Read HAB Advisories and Still Catch Fish (2026)
A Utah Lake algal bloom doesn't automatically mean you stay home. Learn how to check current HAB status, what the advisory levels mean for eating your catch, and how the bite shifts when the water goes green.
Night Fishing for Bass in July: The Black-and-Blue Playbook for Pressured Summer Lakes
Night fishing for bass in July is a different animal than the May or June version. The water is 85F+, the daytime crowd has cooked the bite, and the fish that fed in three feet of water a month ago are now living on the edges of dock lights and the lips of brushpiles. Here's the playbook.
Forward-Facing Sonar for Weekend Anglers: A No-Pressure Setup Guide
Forward-facing sonar isn't just for tournament pros. Here's how to dial in LiveScope, Mega Live, or ActiveTarget for a normal Saturday on the water: gain at 65 percent, range at 40 feet, and the three baits that don't require a sponsorship.
Best Rubber Mesh Landing Net for Bass and Boat Fishing (2026)
The best rubber mesh landing net for bass and boat fishing in 2026. Five knotless rubber nets with big hoops and long handles, all verified in stock, ranked for catch-and-release.
Best Digital Fishing Scales for 2026 (Bluetooth & Tournament-Ready)
The best digital fishing scales for 2026, from $14 floating hook scales to Bluetooth tournament models that log every catch to your phone. Real Amazon picks tested for accuracy.
Does Moon Phase Fishing Work on YOUR Lake? Run the Experiment
Generic solunar tables have never seen your lake. Instead of arguing whether moon phase fishing works, run your own season-long experiment: log catches against the moon, control for weather, and let your data answer for your water and your species.
Summer River Smallmouth Bass: Fishing Current, Boulders, and Eddies When Lakes Get Hot
Lake bass go catatonic in August. Summer river smallmouth bass do the opposite: they pile into oxygenated current behind boulders and feed all day. Here's how to wade, read seams, and pick between a tube, a Ned, and topwater.
Where Do Crappie Go After the Spawn? A Summer Brush Pile Depth Guide
Where do crappie go after the spawn? They slide off shallow cover into 10-15 ft brush in late spring, drop to 15-20 ft midsummer, and suspend over deeper wood when surface temps push past 80. Here is the depth-by-depth playbook.
Best UPF 50+ Neck Gaiters for Fishing (2026)
Looking for the best UPF 50+ neck gaiter for fishing? Here are three gaiters worth the money in 2026, from a $14 cooling pick to the $40 Simms, plus how to pick the right one and keep your sunglasses from fogging.
Chatterbait vs Swim Jig for Summer Grass: Which One to Tie On and When
Stop fence-sitting on chatterbait vs swim jig for summer grass. Here is the honest rundown of when each one wins, what trailer to bolt on, and the gear that actually keeps fish pinned around hydrilla and milfoil.
Summer Muskie in the Cabbage: A Beginner's Guide to June and July
Summer muskie in the cabbage isn't a numbers game. It's a system: find green pondweed next to other structure, throw bucktails and topwaters, finish every cast with a figure-8, and own the release gear before you ever set a hook.
Best Slip Floats & Bobbers for Crappie and Panfish (2026)
A field guide to the best slip floats and bobbers for crappie and panfish: how to match float buoyancy to jig weight, when to fish foam versus balsa, and three current Amazon picks worth rigging up this summer.
Best Tungsten Drop Shot & Worm Weights for Bass (2026)
Tungsten is denser, smaller, and far more sensitive than lead. Here are the best tungsten drop shot and worm weights for bass in 2026, sorted by rig and cover type so you buy the right shape instead of a tackle drawer full of the wrong one.
Bass Fishing July 4 Weekend: Why They Stop Biting (And 4 Spots That Still Produce)
Bass fishing July 4 weekend feels broken: jet skis at 9 a.m., wakeboard boats at 10, and the bite dies. But four spot types absorb the chaos better than the rest, and a tight pre-7 a.m. window still puts fish in the boat. Here's the game plan for the Saturday holiday in 2026.
Why the Bass Stopped Biting at 9 AM: Reading the Summer Daily Window
The bass stopped biting at 9 AM, but they didn't quit. A diagnostic guide to why the morning bite dies, the biology behind the shutdown, and the four mid-day patterns that still produce bass through August.
Best Soft Jerkbait for Bass 2026: Super Fluke vs Caffeine Shad vs Jerk ShadZ
I judged the three soft jerkbaits I actually keep tied on against each other to find the best soft jerkbait for bass in 2026: the Zoom Super Fluke, Strike King Caffeine Shad, and Z-Man Jerk ShadZ. Durability, fall rate, side-to-side dart, and which one to throw for summer schoolers versus a sub-surface walk-the-dog.
Early Morning Topwater Bass: The 90-Minute Window From First Light to Sun-Up
Late May through June is the highest-confidence early morning topwater bass pattern of the year. A 90-minute window opens at first light and slams shut when the sun clears the trees. Here's exactly how to fish it, which lure to throw when, and how to read the moment the bite ends.
How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Know If It Matters on Your Water)
Barometric pressure affects fishing through a fish's swim bladder, but how much depends on your lake, species, and depth. Here's the biology, the falling/rising/steady playbook, and how to find your own threshold.
Why Bass Won't Live Below the Thermocline (And How to Find the Layer on Your Lake)
Bass won't live below the thermocline because oxygen runs out down there, not because it's too cold. Find that layer and you've found the floor of every offshore summer pattern on your lake.
Best Surf Fishing Rod and Reel Combos for 2026: Budget, Do-Everything, and Step-Up Picks
The best surf fishing rod and reel combo isn't the one that casts farthest, it's the one that survives the salt. A budget pick, a do-everything 10-footer, and a step-up, matched to bait weight and casting distance.
Snook Spawning Aggregations in June: Fish the Passes Without Killing the Spawn
Late June is when Florida snook spawning aggregations stack up at the passes and along the beaches. Here's how to target them as pure catch-and-release through the closed season, and when to leave them alone entirely.
Best Catfish Rod and Reel Combos Under $100 for 2026
The best catfish rod and reel combos under $100 for 2026, picked apart by species, bait size, and how much snaggy timber you're fishing. Three combos, honest tradeoffs, and the bait-matching most buying guides skip.
Best Kayak Anchor Trolley & Stake-Out Pole Systems for 2026
Picking the best kayak anchor trolley is only half the job. You also have to match it to how you anchor: a stake-out pole for shallow flats, a folding grapnel for deep water. Here are the 2026 systems worth rigging, plus a no-drill walkthrough.
Mahi Mahi for Beginners: Your First June Charter
Mahi mahi for beginners on your first June charter: why June is peak season off the Carolinas and Florida, how to read weed lines, the bailing technique that produces double-digit fish days, what tackle the charter provides, and exactly what you need to throw in your bag the night before.
Best Fishing Coolers 2026: Hard vs Soft for Truck, Boat, and Kayak
A fishing-first take on the best fishing coolers 2026: rotomolded hard coolers for the truck and boat, soft coolers for the kayak deck, and the truth about whether pricey coolers actually hold ice longer.
Summer Surf Fishing the East Coast: Stripers and Blues From the Beach in June
By mid-June the spring striper blitz cools off and a different game begins. Summer surf fishing the East Coast becomes a two-fish puzzle: hunt stripers at dawn, dusk, and full dark, then switch to bluefish and wire leaders once the sun is up. Here is how to rig for both without retying your whole setup every two hours.
Best Fillet Knives 2026: Electric vs Manual (Tested Picks)
Choosing the best fillet knives in 2026 comes down to one honest question: electric vs manual. Here's when an electric knife earns its keep, when a manual blade wins, and four current picks worth buying.
Best Fishing Line Spooler Under $30 to Spool a Reel Without Line Twist (2026)
Line twist and wind knots are the number one beginner spooling mistake. Here are five budget picks for the best fishing line spooler under $30, plus how to spool a reel without line twist on both spinning reels and baitcasters.
How to Fish a Drop Shot in Deep Water: A Summer Bass Beginner's Guide
How to fish a drop shot in deep water for summer bass: rig specs, rod and line choices, finding offshore structure without forward-facing sonar, dead-sticking versus shaking, and a depth-by-temperature cheat sheet for June through August.
Tarpon Fishing for Beginners: How to Catch Your First Silver King in June
Tarpon fishing for beginners in June: where to find the migration, what tackle actually holds 100-plus-pound silver kings, the bow-to-the-king rule, and what FWC says about handling a fish over 40 inches.
Best Fish Lip Grippers Under $30 (Boga Grip Alternatives That Actually Hold) for 2026
Looking for the best fish lip grippers under $30 that won't pop open on a big fish? Four budget Boga Grip alternatives ranked by grip and weight capacity, plus two step-up picks and the fish-handling rule most beginners get wrong.
Ledge Fishing for Summer Bass: How to Find and Fish Offshore Ledges Like a Tennessee River Pro
Ledge fishing for summer bass isn't a Tennessee River secret. Learn ledge anatomy, how to graph offshore breaks without forward-facing sonar, and exactly when to throw a flutter spoon vs deep crankbait vs football jig vs drop-shot on river lakes, northern reservoirs, and ponds.
Best Fishing Headlamp Under $50 for Night and Pre-Dawn Fishing (2026)
Picking the best fishing headlamp under $50 comes down to one feature most buyers ignore: a real red light. Here are four picks that get it right, compared on waterproofing, runtime, and how they handle the dark.
June Smallmouth Bass: How to Fish the Three Stages from Spawn to Summer
On the same lake, on the same June afternoon, June smallmouth bass behave like three different fish: still-bedding males in two feet of water, fry-guarders in four, and post-spawn females cruising the first break in twelve. This is the stage-by-stage playbook.
Pike Fishing for Beginners: The Freshwater Predator Most Anglers Overlook
Northern pike are one of the most aggressive, hard-pulling freshwater fish you can target, and most beginner anglers walk right past them. Learn where to find pike, what gear you actually need, the best lures for beginners, and how to handle these toothy predators safely.
Best Kids Fishing Rod and Reel Combo for 2026: Dock Demon vs Ugly Stik GX2 vs PLUSINNO
The right first combo prevents tears. The wrong one ends the trip in ten minutes with a hook in a t-shirt and a kid who never wants to go back. Here's how the best kids fishing rod and reel combo options for 2026 (Dock Demon, Ugly Stik GX2, PLUSINNO) actually stack up.
Best Braided Fishing Line for Bass and Inshore 2026: Power Pro vs Sufix 832 vs Daiwa J-Braid
The best braided fishing line for bass and inshore in 2026 isn't one brand. Power Pro is the workhorse. Sufix 832 is the abrasion king. Daiwa's new J-Braid Expedition X8E casts smoother than either. Here's which to put on which reel.
Best Baitcasting Rod Under $200 for Bass 2026: Fury vs Mojo vs Ike
The best baitcasting rod under $200 for bass in 2026 isn't a single answer. The Dobyns Fury, St. Croix Mojo Bass, and Abu Garcia Ike Signature all live in the sweet spot above the sub-$100 mush and below the $300 tax. Here's which one belongs on your deck.
How to Take Your Kids Fishing This Summer: A Parent's Practical Guide
Taking your kids fishing this summer doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With the right location, simple gear, and realistic expectations, you can give your child a first fishing trip they'll actually want to repeat. Here's a parent-to-parent breakdown of everything you need to know: species to target, gear to buy, how long to stay, and how to keep it fun when the bites slow down.
2026 Fishing Regulation Changes Every Angler Should Know
Fishing regulations across the country shifted meaningfully for 2026, from year-round catch-and-release bass seasons and new hook rules in Minnesota to barbless hook mandates on Wyoming's famous North Platte trout stretches. This guide breaks down why rules change, what categories of changes are sweeping the country this season, and exactly how to find your state's current rules before you hit the water.
Inshore Saltwater Fishing for Beginners: How to Target Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder
New to inshore saltwater fishing? This deep-dive beginner's guide covers everything you need to start targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder: gear setup, best rigs, reading tides, and where to find fish.
Best Fishing Pliers Under $50 for 2026 (Aluminum vs Stainless, Saltwater-Ready)
Four of the best fishing pliers under $50 for 2026, ranked head-to-head. Aluminum vs stainless, tungsten carbide cutters, and which pair actually survives saltwater without seizing up by midsummer.
Kayak Fishing for Beginners: How to Get Started Without Spending a Fortune
Kayak fishing for beginners doesn't have to drain your bank account. Here's how to pick the right kayak, the gear you actually need, and the mistakes that'll cost you on day one.
Best Topwater Frog for Bass in 2026: SPRO Bronzeye vs Booyah Pad Crasher vs Lunkerhunt Prop
If you can only buy one frog this year, which one belongs in the box? A head-to-head of the SPRO Bronzeye, Booyah Pad Crasher, and Lunkerhunt Prop on the things that actually matter: body collapse, hook gap, and how they fish in slop. The best topwater frog for bass isn't always the one with the highest review count.
Catfish Fishing for Beginners: The Summer Bank Angler's Complete Guide
Channel catfish are the most beginner-friendly fish in freshwater, and summer is the best time to catch them from the bank. Here's everything you need: rigs, baits, timing, and spots that actually produce.
Best Tackle Storage Boxes for 2026: Plano EDGE vs Flambeau Tuff Tainer
The best tackle storage boxes for 2026 split into two clear winners. Plano EDGE 3700 is the waterproof, rust-resistant premium pick for terminal tackle and expensive lures. Flambeau Tuff Tainer with Zerust is the budget volume king at under seven dollars a box. Most bass anglers end up buying both.
Summer Bass Fishing: How to Follow the Fish as They Go Deep in June and July
When water temps climb into the 80s, bass don't disappear. They go deep. Here's how to find them on offshore structure, read the thermocline, and pick the right rigs for summer bass fishing in June and July.
Best Baitcasting Reels Under $200 for 2026: 5 Picks That Actually Cast
Late-spring is peak baitcaster-buying season for bass anglers stepping up from spinning gear. Here are five baitcasting reels under $200 worth your money for 2026, ranked by what they actually do best on the water.
Post-Spawn Panfish in May: The Family Fishing Season Is Just Getting Started
The spawn gets all the attention, but the post-spawn panfish bite in May and June is when bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch are most catchable, most abundant, and most fun to fish with the whole family. Here's where they go after the spawn and how to keep catching them.
Carp Fishing for Beginners: The US Guide to America's Most Underrated Sport Fish
Carp are in almost every lake, river, and reservoir in the US. They're massive, powerful, and almost nobody fishes for them. May is the best month to start, when spawning fish move into the shallows and sight-fishing becomes possible. Here's everything you need to know.
Night Fishing for Bass: The Beginner's Guide to Fishing After Dark in May and June
When summer heat pushes daytime bass deep and lethargic, night fishing unlocks a completely different game. Bass move shallow after dark, feed aggressively, and the competition thins out. Here's how to get started safely and catch fish on your first night out.
Topwater Bass Season Timing: The Temperature-Based Guide to Surface Fishing All Year
Topwater bass fishing isn't just a summer thing. It's a temperature game. Once you understand the water temp windows and which lures match each phase, you can throw surface baits from May through October and know exactly what to expect.
Best Summer Bass Lures for 2026: Topwater, Prop Baits, and Vibrating Jigs
The best summer bass lures for 2026 boil down to four picks across topwater, prop baits, and vibrating jigs. Here's what's new, what still dominates, and when to throw each one from June through September.
Walleye Opener Beginner Guide: How to Catch Fish on Opening Day in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
The walleye opener is a Midwest rite of passage, but for beginners it can feel overwhelming. Here's exactly where to go, what to use, and when to be on the water so your first May opener is a success.
Fry-Guarding Bass in May: How to Target Post-Spawn Males Right Now
After the spawn wraps up, male bass don't disappear. They stay shallow protecting clouds of fry for 1 to 3 weeks. This is one of the most overlooked and most productive windows of the entire bass season. Here's how to find them and what to throw.
Spring Crappie Fishing Tips: Ice-Out to Spawn
Spring crappie fishing tips from ice-out through the spawn: learn the temperature windows, best locations, top lures, and proven techniques to put more slabs in the net this season.
Best Insulated Fish Bag for Kayak and Bank Fishing (2026)
The best insulated fish bag for kayak fishing fits your tank well, keeps fish cold for hours, and doubles as a walk-in bag for bank anglers. Here are 5 bags I'd actually buy in 2026, from a $50 compact kayak bag to a $230 charter-grade beast.
Spring Striped Bass Migration: A Week-by-Week Location Guide
The spring striped bass migration is the East Coast's most reliable fishing event, if you know where to be and when. This calendar-based guide tracks stripers week by week from the Chesapeake to New England, with the right lures at every stop.
Glide Bait Bass Fishing: A Beginner's Guide
Glide bait bass fishing looks intimidating: big baits, specialty gear, steep price tags. But it doesn't have to be. Here's everything a beginner needs to know about starter sizes, simple gear setup, slow-retrieve technique, and why spring is the best time to throw one for a personal-best largemouth.
Best Ultralight Spinning Reel for Trout and Panfish Under $100 (2026)
The best ultralight spinning reel for trout and panfish under $100 balances featherweight feel with enough drag finesse to handle 2-lb tippet and 1/32-oz jigs. Five reels across five price tiers, from $35 to $85.
Inshore Saltwater Fishing: 3 Things to Do Differently in 2026
Inshore saltwater fishing tips 2026: reset your approach with tide-based positioning, forward-facing sonar on kayaks and skiffs, and catch logging that reveals repeatable patterns.
Bank Fishing Tips: Catch More Fish From Shore This Spring
You don't need a boat to have a great spring fishing season. This species-specific bank fishing guide covers the best tactics for bass, panfish, and trout from shore, including the casting angle change that can double your strikes overnight.
How to Find Bluegill Beds in Spring (And Fish the Pre-Spawn)
Spring bluegill fishing is about more than finding beds. The real trophy window opens before the spawn even starts. Here's a temperature-driven phase guide to where bluegill stage from ice-out through active bedding, so you can target the biggest fish of the year.
Best Portable Fish Finder for Kayak Fishing Under $300 (2026)
The best portable fish finder for kayak under $300 doesn't need to be complicated. Castable sonars and compact GPS units now give kayak anglers depth, structure, and mapping without drilling a single hole. Here are 5 picks that actually work from a yak.
Spring Smallmouth Bass River Fishing: Ice-Out to Pre-Spawn
Spring smallmouth bass river fishing breaks down into three temperature-driven phases. Learn where fish hold and which lures work from ice-out in the low 40s all the way through pre-spawn staging at 55–65°F.
Fluorocarbon vs. Monofilament vs. Braid: Which Line Wins?
Not sure which fishing line to use? This species- and technique-based guide breaks down when fluorocarbon vs monofilament vs braid wins, without brand bias.
Kayak Fishing Starter Guide: What to Know Before You Launch
This kayak fishing starter guide covers everything beginners need: hull selection, rigging for stability, electronics mounting including forward-facing sonar, safety gear, and how a fishing log helps you track productive drifts and anchor spots.
Live-Bait Jigging for Spring Walleye Along Channel Points
Master spring walleye fishing with live-bait jigging along channel points. Learn how to read current seams, dial in your jigging cadence, time your trip to the full moon, and log productive spots for next season.
Best Crappie and Panfish Soft Plastics for 2026
The right soft plastic can be the difference between a slow day and a cooler full of slabs. We break down the 5 best crappie and panfish soft plastics for 2026, from the gold-standard Bobby Garland Baby Shad to the nearly indestructible Z-Man Micro TRD, with color picks by water clarity and rigging tips by species.
How to Read Water for Fishing Without Electronics
Learn how to read water for fishing using only visual cues: seams, current breaks, drop-offs, and shallow flats. A practical guide covering rivers and lakes for bass, trout, and walleye.
Pre-Spawn Bass Fishing: A Temperature-by-Temperature Field Guide
Pre-spawn bass fishing water temperature is the most important data point on the lake. Learn the four temperature windows, where bass stage, which lures to throw, and how to log your way to predicting the spawn on your home water.
Best Beginner Fishing Rod and Reel Combos for 2026: Top Picks That Actually Work
The best beginner fishing rod and reel combo does one thing: gets you catching fish fast without wasting money on gear that doesn't fit your style or target species. Here are the top combos that deliver in 2026.
Forward Facing Sonar for Beginners: Is LiveScope Worth It?
Forward facing sonar has changed bass fishing forever, but is it worth it for the weekend angler? We break down how it works, what it costs, and how long it takes to learn, so you can decide if LiveScope or Mega Live belongs on your boat.
Spring Wacky Rig Bass Fishing Guide: Setup, Techniques & Seasonal Timing
Master the wacky rig, the finesse technique that dominates spring bass fishing from pre-spawn through post-spawn. Learn setup, rigging variations, seasonal timing, and expert presentation tips to catch more bass when they're finicky.
5 Best Lure Patterns for Spring Bass Fishing (Proven Producers)
Spring bass fishing requires the right lure selection. Discover the 5 most productive lure patterns for pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn bass that consistently trigger strikes in cold to warming water.
Spring Spinner Fishing Preparation Checklist: Get Ready for the Best Season
Spring is prime spinner fishing season. Use this comprehensive checklist to prepare your gear, stock your tackle box, and maximize your success when fish start feeding aggressively.
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