Whitewater Fishing's Prevail Pant has become the definitive standard for serious anglers since its 2024 introduction. The pant features high-recovery nylon/spandex stretch twill, side-seam vent zippers for thermal regulation, UPF 50+ protection, and stain-resistant treatment, with expanded Tall sizing options.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame Award, recognizing individuals with significant leadership and long-standing contributions to NMMA and the boating industry. The nomination deadline is May 14, with the award to be presented at the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference in Tampa, Florida, October 6-8.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement remind boaters of mandatory requirements including completing an annual mussel-aware boater course, paying aquatic invasive species program fees ($20 residents, $25 nonresidents), and following decontamination protocols to prevent quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil spread.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hosting the 15th annual Boating Education Lagniappe Day on April 25 at nine locations across the state. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Agents Association and business partners provide free NASBLA boating education courses, certification, and lunch to participants.

The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting its National Recreational Boating Safety Survey and inviting Nevada boaters to participate. The survey helps identify safety needs and inform decisions about education, outreach, and resource allocation to improve boating safety nationwide.

Freedom Boat Club, a Brunswick Corporation business, acquired the Freedom Boat Club of Greater Boston & Cape Cod franchise, the largest in the Freedom network, adding 21 locations and a Maintenance Operations Center. Founders Matt Carrick and Matt O'Connor will remain as franchisees in other markets.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's 2026 Lionfish Challenge runs May 22 through September 14, featuring new competition categories including Lionfish King, Lionfish Queen, Commercial Champion, Junior Harvester, and Veteran Champion. FWC Lionfish Outreach Coordinator Tony Hart emphasizes how the challenge supports conservation efforts to protect Florida's marine resources.

NOAA Fisheries funded the Yakama Nation and partners to remove the Bateman Island causeway in Richland, Washington, which had blocked salmon and steelhead migration for 85 years. The removal reconnects the river channel, improving access to spawning habitat and reducing predation of juvenile fish by nearly 30 percent.

Missouri Stream Team released its 2025 Annual Report showcasing over 7,000 Stream Teams and 58,000 volunteers who collected 506 tons of trash, planted 1,119 trees, and conducted 334 water monitoring trips. The program, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and Conservation Federation of Missouri, celebrates 36 years of stream conservation efforts.

Eight Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour anglers including Keith Carson, James Elam, Matt Becker, John Hunter, Nick Hatfield, Jacob Wheeler, Adrian Avena, and Dean Rojas partnered with Suzuki Marine and H2Ozarks to clean Table Rock Lake State Park Marina, collecting trash alongside approximately 30 volunteers ahead of Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2026.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources finalized its long-range muskie management plan through 2040, incorporating recent studies and stakeholder input. Key changes include increased yearling muskie stocking with higher survival rates and enhanced focus on Mille Lacs Lake, Lake Vermilion, and Lake Minnetonka fisheries.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is launching "Cast for Cash: It Pays to Fish for Science," a pilot program paying recreational anglers up to $1,500 to record fishing trips using onboard cameras in the Tampa Bay region. The research will help scientists understand catch-and-release data and evaluate camera system accuracy for fisheries research from July 2026 to September 2027.

High water levels on the Wolf River prevent the DNR from monitoring lake sturgeon spawning sites, though sturgeon have accessed new locations through flooded passages. The Winnebago Sturgeon Team expects sturgeon will return to the Wolf River on their own as water levels remain elevated.

A 37-year Smithsonian Environmental Research Center study led by Tuck Hines found that cannibalism by adult blue crabs is the primary killer of juveniles in Chesapeake Bay's mid-salinity waters. Shallow waters provide crucial refuge, reducing predation risk from 60-80% in deeper zones to just 30% in the shallowest areas.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary fishing regulation proposals for the 2027–2028 fishing season. FWP will host regional public meetings and virtual meetings in May to present proposals, answer questions, and collect feedback from anglers on regulation changes.

Mike Rogerson, fishing with PENN Fleet Captain David Wright aboard High Hopes, landed an 832.6-pound Atlantic bluefin tuna off Virginia Beach on January 10, 2026, breaking the state record by over 100 pounds. The 90-minute battle showcased PENN International VISW 2-Speed 80 Wide reel performance and the expertise of Wright's mate Andrew Flory.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the City of Miles City, and the Miles City chapter of Walleyes Unlimited partnered to establish Hilleman Fishing Access Site along the lower Yellowstone River, opening in 2027. The site will feature a year-round boat ramp, parking, and facilities to address public access gaps in the region.

This comprehensive guide explores finesse jigs for creek and river bass, covering why these versatile lures work well for largemouths, smallmouths, spots, and other species. It details fishing techniques, specific product recommendations including Rebel Ultra-Finesse Jig, Great Lakes Finesse jigs, War Eagle Heavy Finesse Jig, and BOOYAH Baby Boo Jig, plus recommended trailers from Great Lakes Finesse and YUM.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association reflects Wisconsin's diverse fisheries by offering multispecies competitions alongside bass-specific events and ice-fishing championships. Coach Joel DeBoer of DC Everest High School highlights how St. Croix Rod and SEVIIN Reels scholastic programs provide essential gear access to student anglers across the country.

Bob Hall Pier in Corpus Christi reopened in late February 2026 after a $28.5 million renovation led by Nueces County Commissioner Brent Chesney. The 1,240-foot pier, rebuilt following Hurricane Hanna damage, features enhanced durability, wider walkways, and ADA accessibility for saltwater anglers targeting black drum and spotted seatrout.

An early striped bass spawning season is unfolding on the Roanoke River driven by low flows averaging 3,500 cfs and warm water temperatures in the upper 60s. A Foundation partnership since 2023 is tracking striped bass recovery in the Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound to assess recruitment implications.

Huk's Camp Shirt won the 2025 iCAST Best Men's Lifestyle Award, combining coastal style with performance features including 4-way stretch, quick-drying fabric, and UPF 30+ sun protection. The Spanish Moss Catch colorway features the Florida Keys Grand Slam fish species.

NMMA's Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary shows new powerboat retail unit sales declined 9% year-over-year to 214,832 units through January 2026. Elevated interest rates and cautious consumer sentiment continue to weigh on demand across freshwater fishing boats, personal watercraft, pontoons, and saltwater fishing boats.

Scott Fly Rods' new Vice President Shawn Combs, an aerospace engineer and former Orvis designer, discusses his career transition and design work on the Fly Fisherman Loop to Loop podcast. Combs shares his journey from childhood fly fishing in Kentucky through his acclaimed tenure at Orvis, where he contributed to the Helios rod line, to his recent move to the Montrose, Colorado-based company.

DAIWA announces the 2026 Great Lakes 40LC line counter reel, engineered for big-water trolling with a direct drive built-in line counter, one-piece composite frame, and 4.2:1 gear ratio. The reel is designed for walleye, salmon, and trout fishing and pairs with DAIWA's Great Lakes Trolling and TD Eye Trolling rod series for optimal performance.

TRUE introduces the Plasma Lighter XRL, an advanced plasma arc lighter that is flameless, fuel-free, windproof, and rechargeable. Building on TRUE's XR model, the XRL features a flexible neck and integrated three-mode LED light, offering versatility for indoor and outdoor use with IPX6 water resistance and USB-C charging.

Bennington, North America's leading luxury pontoon manufacturer, announced Pontoon Dock Assist, a proprietary docking technology featuring hull-integrated bow and stern thrusters for 360-degree control at low speeds. The innovation, submitted for an NMMA Innovation Award, is available on select R and Q series models in 25-, 27-, and 29-inch configurations.

Evergreen introduces the Claw Motion, a 3-inch tactical craw designed for the backsliding technique. Featuring precision salt-offsetting and a gravity-defying design, this bait reaches fish in hard-to-access areas like milfoil mats and under docks. DAIWA Field Marketing Manager Chris Martin highlights how the bait eliminates the need for cumbersome external weighting.

NEBO has launched its LEO FLEX line featuring the LEO 3200 FLEX, LEO 5000 FLEX, and LEO 7500 FLEX flashlights, delivering 3,200 to 7,500 lumens with Flex-Power technology, USB-C rechargeability, and integrated power banks for professionals and adventurers.

Oregon's Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet April 23-24 in Lincoln City, featuring a field tour of coastal coho habitat restoration in the Siletz River Basin and a Friday business meeting livestreamed on YouTube. The agenda includes 2026-27 game bird hunting regulations, Pacific halibut fishery regulations, ocean salmon seasons, Sauvie Island beach parking permits, and Private Forest Accord grant approvals.

The Waterways Safety Council invites the public to its quarterly meeting on June 10 at 10 a.m. at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Central Office in Columbus. The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft will brief council members on ongoing projects and issues affecting recreational boating in Ohio.

American Outdoor Brands announced that Tyler Lindwall has joined as Vice President of Corporate Development. Lindwall brings over 15 years of experience in corporate development and mergers and acquisitions, most recently serving at Vista Outdoor Inc., and will lead the company's acquisition and integration efforts.

Alliance Consumer Group offers spring outdoor gear including NEBO lighting solutions like the LEO 5000 and SLYDE KING 2K, portable power systems from the INTREPID and RAMBLER series with RELIANCE Solar Panels, and TRUE EDC tools featuring knives and the Plasma Lighter XRL for enhanced safety and reliability.

DAIWA showcased its 2026 technical tackle lineup at the REDCREST Expo at Bass Pro Shops World Headquarters in Springfield, MO, April 17-19, featuring the TATULA Elite, RYOGA SV100, and STEEZ SV LT TW reels. The event celebrated legendary angler Takahiro Omori's historic induction as the first Japanese professional into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.

Jacob Wheeler won Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2026 at Table Rock Lake with 21 bass weighing 51 pounds, 11 ounces, earning the $300,000 prize and defeating runner-up Takahiro Omori by 13-3. The Birchwood, Tennessee pro finally claimed the championship title that had eluded him despite four previous top-six finishes.

Garrett Ellenson from Nine Mile Falls, Washington won the 2026 WON Bass Clear Lake Open with a three-day weight of 95.87 pounds, earning a 2026 Ranger Boats Z518 powered by Mercury ProXS 150 and $5,550 in cash. Patrick Touhey finished second with 91.95 pounds, while Ty Manterola placed third with 90.76 pounds.

With tax deadline day now in the rearview mirror, it’s safe to say there’s not much most of us like about April 15.

Unless you happen to be a bass angler in the southeastern U.S.

April 15 is just about dead center in those precious, magical weeks when both gizzard shad and threadfin shad head to the shallows to spawn—and bass go with them, as do other fish including white bass, crappies, catfish, stripers, drum and more.

The spawn kicks in when the water first reaches about 67 degrees, per Alabama DCNR biologists, and continues into the low 70’s—and that period typically falls close to April 15 in the mid-South.

The shad are predictable not only as to date, but also as to locations. They seek out hard bottom areas with shell, gravel or rocky bottoms, and often flutter at the surface over floating moss, weeds or small twigs. They spawn in the shallows, 1 to 4 feet deep or so, but usually near a sharp drop to deeper water rather than in broad, shallow bays or flats.

They like flowing creeks with gravel bottom, and also sometimes spawn on rip-rap causeways and bridges as well as around docks and piers.

The threadfin spawn typically takes place from first light to maybe an hour after sunrise—after that, the shad drop back to deeper water. So this is definitely a bite for early risers—if you’re not there when the bait is spawning, you won’t find the gamefish there either. They’re likely to have dropped back to the nearest deeper water, though, and you might find them there with a bit of sonar study or probing casts.

Gizzard shad mostly spawn at night, per the biologists, but they continue to hang around shallow grassy bays, laydowns and rock outcroppings through early light, so they can also attract gamefish into areas that are easy to target.

The trick is to rapidly cruise multiple areas during the prime early light period, looking for shad fluttering at the surface or flashing in the depths. Sometimes the gamefish will give you the tipoff by blowing several shad out of the water. Sometimes gulls or cormorants will pinpoint the action, or multiple herons may be high-stepping along the shore trying to spear a baitfish or two.

When the fish are feeding on spawning shad, they’ll hit anything that remotely resembles the baitfish. The easy way to go is to throw a Chatterbait-type bladed jig, either the original or Berkley’s Slobberknocker with a 4” soft plastic tail in shad shades of white or pearl—both a steady retrieve and the pull and drop can score. Spinnerbaits are also effective, as are shad imitating wake-baits like the Fish Labs BBZ-1.

I’ve also done really well this past week on Guntersville with the Berkley Krej 100 cranked on top, thanks to a tip from local guide Jessie Derosier (https://hydrillagorillaguideservice.com). The Krej is a tailweighted minnow plug that casts a mile, and is designed to sink tail-first for a pull-and-drop retrieve. But surprisingly, when cranked at just the right speed, it planes to the top and becomes a wakebait, which bass around shad simply can’t stand.

I’ve found the stock hooks to be a bit small—sometimes you get hit three or four times before one gets stuck—but the bass totally love this bait. Also, the Krej can’t be fished around floating weeds—even a small tag of weed ruins the action and the fish won’t touch it.

I upsized the front hook one size in 1x light steel, and the hookups have increased. I flatten the barbs on the rear hook so that the fish don’t get injured as much—the almost always hit the front of the lure, and that rear hook just foul-hooks them somewhere back on their head or body, or down the hatch.

The shad bite lasts only a few weeks, until around May 1 in my part of the country, but until then, it’s an amazing opportunity for even those of us who are not experts to catch way more bass than we usually do.

– Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com