This past weekend I had the great fortune of being invited to the Tri-Lakes Fly Fishing Expo in Brighton, Missouri. There were roughly 30 fly-tyers representing 7 different states. It was a great event. They had raffles, seminars, fly casting, and fly tying instructional workshops that were given. Most of the fly-tyers made it a point to donate flies to Reel Recovery and other cancer fly fishing groups. Both of these organizations do fly fishing re-treats for individuals recovering from cancer. They rely on flies, guide time, and other donations from generous hearted fly fishing folks.

Another thing I really enjoyed was getting the opportunity to fly fish with some of my Missouri fly friends at a private farm. This pond holds huge bluegill and bass. I tied up a few flies with dumbbell eyes and lots of rubber legs for the occasion. We have a great selection here at Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro sells a similar fly to the Carp Tease fly that they were using. I caught several large bluegills and a dozen largemouth bass. When you think about fly tying flies for spring warm water fishing, make sure to think about fishing the entire water column and think RUBBER LEGS!!

We have The White River Fly Shops Barred Sili Legs in stock here at Bass Pro! They are printed, black “barred” pattern which helps mimic the mottled coloration of terrestrials, crustaceans and other types of game fish forage patterns. The ''nymph'' size Barred Sili Legs are a smaller diameter than the ''barre'' size legs. They are available in several different colors & range in price from $3.49-$4.49.

Remember: If you are interested in learning how to tie flys, make sure you call (901-213-5800) our Fly Shop for event times & dates! We host a FREE fly typing workshop once a month for beginners. It is a great opportunity to meet new people that love & enjoy to fly fish. Learn the tricks of the trade! See you there!

Tight Lines,

Lesley Allen

*Pictured below are a few flies used during the event & our selection of rubber legs located here at Bass Pro Shops.

Fighting the Sun Rays

The summer is quickly approaching. Are you prepared for those sun rays? Well, this spring while you are tuning up your gear, don’t forget to check your sun protection. Is your sunscreen out of date? If so, throw it away and stop by Bass Pro to pick up a fresh, new can! If you wear sandals, don’t forget to wear some of that sunscreen on the tops of your feet!

 We have a great selection of sun protection in our Fly Shop. We have buffs which not only protect you from the sun, but also from the wind. They cover your neck and ears. We also carry a product called universal shade that slips over a ball cap to protect your ears and neck from the sun. It comes with an adjustable headband, 30 +UPF, and one size fits most.

Sun gloves are perfect for fishing, hunting, paddling, and other fun outdoor activities! They protect your hands from harmful rays but also protect you from blisters. They also have 50+ UV protection. We carry a full range of sun gloves, which come in different sizes. Apply sunscreen thoroughly and often. Have fun in the sun good fishing!

Tight Lines, Mrs. Lesley.

*The photo below shows the different items discussed. Stop by and check them out!

Fizzing Deep Water Bass

Most  tournament anglers probably know that bass caught from deep water can suffer from an over-inflated swim bladder, a condition called hyperbuoyancy. The air bladder inside the fish that inflates and deflates to give the fish neutral buoyancy can expand suddenly when a fish is brought to the surface after being caught. This puts pressure on other internal organs and may even lead to the stomach protruding from the fish's body. The fish may also be unable to swim upright and submerge. Many of us have witnessed this during tournaments, particularly during summertime when bass are holding deeper. The fish will float at the surface of the livewell  for several hours. The condition by itself may not be lethal, but the fish expends a lot of energy trying to submerge, and it may be struck by a boat or killed by a predator. Not all floating fish die, but enough do to be a concern.

Conservation is paramount here at Bass Pro Shops. We offer an excellent tool that is very easy to use and will help combat this growing problem. It’s called the Pro Fizz FZ-1 Fizzing Tool, made by Team Marine. This product retails for $29.99, but the value that this device will bring to your favorite lakes and reservoirs is immeasurable. Please help spread the word and let’s continue to improve conservation in bass fishing so that future generations can enjoy our great fisheries.

For more info, check out the link below:

http://www.basspro.com/Team-Marine-Pro-Fizz-FZ1-Fizzing-Tool/product/11110805010113/

Are you ready for your Bonus Bucks? If you make a purchase on your Outdoor Rewards Visa Card during February 28-March 6, 2013, you will receive your Bass Pro Shops BONUS BUCKS! Bonus Bucks amounts are determined on the amount charged to your Outdoor Rewards Visa Card. The cashier will give you your Bonus Bucks gift card at the register once the transaction is complete. The Bonus Bucks card will take 24 hours to activate and expire on 3/17/2013.

Make sure you come back before the Spring Fishing Classic is over to use that Bonus Bucks Gift Card! The Spring Fishing Classic is the time to spend that bonus gift card while all of the awesome deals are going on! We look forward to seeing you, again!

Oh and don't forget if you do not have an Outdoors Rewards Visa, apply in-store and receive an additional 10% off your qualifying purchase!!

Bonus Bucks Value Chart:

PURCHASE AMOUNT.......................BONUS BUCKS VALUE

$100-$199..................................................$10

$200-$349..................................................$25

$350-$599..................................................$50

$600-and up............................................$100

*Bonus Bucks cards expire on 3/17/2013

*Bonus Bucks cards activate one day after purchase date.

*Store only event.

With the up and down weather this time of year, now is the time to update and re-organize your fly fishing gear. We have White River tri-foam fly boxes to organize your flies. The boxes have a triangular cut-out that help guide the hook bends while the slit foam holds the flies in place. The flies are held securely and ready for use.

Have you checked your waders and boots for cracks or leaks? Don't forget we carry White River waders and boots in most sizes. The picture below is one of the White River Fly Shop Classic Chest High Stocking-Foot Breathable Waders. They usually run $99.99. They have fleece lined pockets, a safety belt, kneepads, and neoprene booties with gravel guards.  They are also waterproof/breathable, and availabe in tan. Make sure you stop by and check our selection. Nothing is worse than leaking waders!

Also, your fly line needs to be cleaned, so why not check it out while you’re doing some spring cleaning? Rio makes a wonderful and easy to use fly line cleaning kit. The kit cost $10.95 and it’s worth the money to keep your fly gear in good condition. The cleaning kit helps ensure your line casts further, floats higher, and last longer. The cleaning formula also works on all modern fly lines. Don’t forget to check your leaders and tippets too. We all know they can become brittle and need to be replaced from time to time.

Get your gear cleaned up and ready, so when the weather is just right, you are ready to go fishing! Stop the Fly Shop to replenish all your fishing needs and tell them Lesley sent you! Fish on!

Have you prepared yourself for the upcoming fishing season? Is your boat ready? If not, here is one item that will be a helpful too for you!

Here at Bass Pro we have a lot of hot fish finders/ chart plotters in the Marine department for the upcoming fishing season! The unit that I run on my boat is the Humminbird 597CI HD Down imaging combo. One afternoon  my father and I took our boat out for some fishing and relaxation. On that particular day the 5 inch color screen on the 597CI HD DI allowed us to split the 2D sonar and down imaging screens which gave us an extreme advantage on locating a large flat with a brush pile and fish stacked on it. Finally, after fishing well into the night the chart plotter option gave us the ability to retrace our track safely back to the boat ramp. This unitl typically sells for $599.99 and would make a great addition to your boat. It is a wonderful investment and if you don't believe me, stop by and take a look at one we have on display!

                 Features of the Unit:

• 640Vx640H LCD 5'' color display
• Down Imaging™
• SwitchFire™
• Dual Beam Plus™
• UniMap™ Built-In Maps
• Internal GPS
• Quick Disconnect Mount tilts 90° and swivels 360°

If you have any questions, stop by and talk to one of our Marine Associates. They would happy to talk to you about any of our products!

During the winter months, TWRA stocks many local lakes with rainbow trout. This gives fly fishers a great opportunity to fly fish close to home. Fly fishers are encouraged to keep the trout as many of them will die once the water temperature goes above 70 degrees F.

A new hot "fly" for local fishing has been the trout magnet. The trout magnet is actually a small jig that mimics many aquatic insects. Fish an olive or pink trout magnet under a strike indicator and hold on tight!

Check the TWRA website for a list of lakes close to your home. Remember that you need a Tennessee fishing license and a trout stamp! You can also buy those here at Bass Pro Shops! We have all the basics covered and are your one stop shop!

I swear to you it was 70 degrees yesterday and now it is freezing outside...what happened? I dont know wether to break out the shorts or bundle up in layers, but I can tell you where you can outfit yourself for those ever changing weather conditions, Bass Pro Shops. Now is the time to come in and find all of the great Fall and Winter clearance items we have in stock for those cold days. We have everything from clearance Columbia jackets to great RedHead and Bob Timberlake casual items. But for those of you who don't mind those 70 degree days in January then Bass Pro Shops is also the place to be for the new Spring goods that are arriving. We have a great selection of RedHead shorts that have started coming in along with this season's must have colors in Men's World Wide Sportsman and Columbia. We hope that we can help outfit all of your needs in any type of weather with our great selection of clothing and don't worry if you are like me and can't decide wether to grab the shorts and flip flops or bundle up there's always tomorrow... As always stop by and see us and don't forget to tell them Melissa sent you!

My wife and I recently went to the Little Red. We had a great time. Fishermen were sparse. You could fish where you wanted. The Rainbows were hungry and taking a lot of different flys. Purple hazes and Black Zebra midges worked best for me. Only caught 3 small Browns all weekend. I had a customer come in a  week ago and said he had a deep hole by Libby Shoals that was full of 18 to 24 inch Browns. The Spawn should be here very soon!

Local Fly News: On a sad note, it is reported that the Blue RibbonFly Shop has been taken over by the bank. Dalley's and Two Rivers Fly Shop have changed hands. Rim Shoals is for sale and Riley Station was auctioned off on the 17th. Bass Pro is still here for all your Fly Fishing needs!

Cooler weather is quickly approaching, so make sure you have the mittens on! Stop by and check our Frog Toggs selection of rainwear. This will come in handy the next few weeks!

See you in the Fly Shop & tell 'em the Fly Guy sent you!

Mike-Fly Guy

Fly Shop Lead

Memphis, TN

The 175 TXW Bass Tracker is one of the most versatile boats you will ever fish in. It has plenty of room and storage along with some pretty comfy seating. The boat has a very spacious rod box, which can be stocked while visiting the Fishing department! The 60 horse 4 stroke is fuel efficient, quiet, and powerful. It is also rough water worthy, too. I've had mine in 2 foot swells with no problems. The Bass Tracker also has an onboard charger for your convenience. The 175 can very easily be loaded and unloaded. Personally, I live on a lake with a 10 horse power max rule, which means I load and unload the 175 TXW with the trolling motor. What a boat!

Bass Pro also has your every need for your boat's needs! If you need a part, ask a salesman or sales associate! Our offsite Tracker Boat Center can help complete your winterization with the upcoming months! Stop by or give them a call (901-388-7268) and tell them Kimmy sent you!

Summer is quickly vanishing and the Brown Spawn is rapidly approaching. The Little Red River became too hot in August and we lost over sixty Browns below Pangburn. Cooler weather should take care of it. Pods of large Browns have been seen on the Northfolk. Streamers, large weightless green wooly buggers, scuds, zebra midges, sow bugs, egg patterns have been the go to flys.

Come by and see the new BVK reels that look great with the BVK rods. We also have received the NEW White River rubber webbed trout nets. For more information come by and see the Fly guy, John, or David!

Tight lines & Tall tales!

With the passing of Labor Day it seems that the cool weather is starting to trickle in and Fall is right around the corner. We recently had a Labor Day Fall Festival here at the store and featured the first Annual Bass Pro Shops Fashion Show. I know you are probably thinking who comes to Bass Pro for a fashion show? Well, luckily for me a ton of you did and we had such a great time introducing the many brands we carry to you guys. Both Saturday and Sunday were a huge hit and we were able to get our associates involved in all of the modeling which was a ton of fun. I went through a number of outfits throughout both days from our new Under Armour collection featuring great Fall colors to our World Wide Sportsman's fishing collection featuring the awesome technology everyone should be thinking about when dressing for the outdoors. I hope for all of those that attended you had just as much fun as we did and for those that didn't make sure you don't wait until next year's Fashion Show to come and see all the great looks for Fall that we have and remember as always tell them Melissa sent you.  

I've had a Leupold hunting scope on my favorite 7mm rifle for many years. It's been with me on many hunts from the mountains and river valleys of the Canadian Yukon, Tundra of the Northwest Territories of Canada, the Prairies of Wyoming, and around the State of Tennessee. Through various terrains of weather conditions, it has held up to many standards. There are several benefits and features with this product. It is loaded with great optical technology that you can use it to spot smaller animals during hunting as well as the deer several yards away. The Leupold VX3 scopes is built with a diamond coated scratch-resistant lens and are second generation waterproof. Leupold offers a Lifetime guarantee. This is a great company to buy high quality products through and they back their merchandise. They range in price, but totally worth the extra money to make a great investment into your hunting gear. This scope is amazing and I recommend it to many of my Bass Pro customers. Once you've made your selection, it can be professionally installed onto your rifle by one of our experts here at Bass Pro! Next time you are in the area, stop by and check out our great selection on scopes!

Just imagine loading the family up on a Saturday, or any day of the week for that matter, for a fun filled day of shopping at Bass Pro Shops. What are you thinking about as you are driving to our destination? Hunting, Fishing, all of the Camping gear you may need...but do you ever stop and think about all of the clothing that awaits you? Well my name is, Melissa, and I get to live Bass Pro Shops apparel on a daily basis and I am here to tell you that we have everything that may fit your needs from casual every day wear to specific outdoor gear. Today I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Bass Pro brands that we carry. In both men's and women's clothing we carry Bob Timberlake. Bob Timberlake clothing is very comfortable and classy. Great for a business casual look. The second is our men's house brand, Redhead. The Redhead brand is also comfortable but casual. We have a number of easy-care items, meaning without the need to iron after wash, that we carry. Our Natural Reflections brand is the women's version of the men's Redhead brand. Again comfortable and casual. Lastly we have in both men's and women's our World Wide Sportsman's brand; this is geared towards the outdoor enthusiast. These apparel items are going to come with some built in features; the majority will have UV (Ultraviolet) protection and quick drying materials. Great for the fishing or hiking adventurer. I hope this gives you a little insight into an area of our store that you may have not thought about in the past as a must stop when you get here. So come by and check out all of the great looks we carry and tell them Melissa sent you.  

The annual rainfall levels across much of the whitetail range are significantly down this year. Many deer hunters will see this as the cause of a poor deer season to come. However, this could actually provide more opportunity for the hunter that is willing to invest the hard work into providing deer attracting food plots this fall.

Low rainfall will lead to many factors that decrease forage for the whitetail population. The acorn crop will be much thinner, persimmons will be hard to find in early season, agricultural crops will be harvested earlier, and the overall natural forage that deer rely on in the colder months will be depleted earlier.

This all sounds depressing, but look on the bright side. If everything in the whitetail's diet that is naturally occurring is negatively affected by this year's drought, then man made food plots will have exponential importance this season.

The month of September in the South is the perfect time to grow the groceries for your deer herd. Soil moisture is increasing, while relentless temperatures are subsiding. Clover, Chickory, and other legumes will thrive from now until mid November. Brassicas such as Turnip and Rape take advantage of the growing season and produce ultimate mass production in the fall, while growing roots that become insanely attractive to deer in the winter. Even the simple annuals such as rye and oats are ready to sprout this time of year.

If you have the perfect spot in the central area of a property where you can attract deer away from the property lines while providing excellent nutrition, then the Imperial Whitetail Clover mix by Whitetail Institute is an excellent choice for planting. This clover mix will provide booming clover stands up to knee high, and with the proper maintenance will grow strong up to five years.

 If a simple annual plot with maximum attraction is what appeals to you, then Biologic's Winter Bulbs and Sugar Beats will provide early season attraction with sugar beats and extreme late season attraction with brassica "bulbs".

When a vast variety of food options is desired, then Evolved Habitat's 7 Card Stud will give the deer herd everything from clover and chickory to oats, peas, and turnips. If a buck is hungry and walks through this plot, he will have a hard time not finding something to stop and feed on.

So take advantage of this year"s drought and give your deer herd something to eat. Food plots for the 2012 deer season will be much more effective for deer sightings and will help your young bucks, does, and fawns make it through the cold winter with enough nutrition. I know when October arrives I will be sitting over one of my favorite food plots with bow in hand knowing that my hard work over the summer has paid off.

-Jimmy Washam, Bass Pro Memphis

Today's youth archery population has sky rocketed due to new movie releases and video games involving the sport. Along with the rising demand follows a rising market available for youngsters to enjoy. There are options at very affordable prices, as well as bows that can be used from age 8 and grow with the individual until adulthood.

A good starting point for a young beginning archer would be the Bear Goblin. This product comes with a friendly price, and is a good way to simply get a young one involved. With a draw weight of 15-18 pounds, this bow would best fit children from ages 5 to 10.

The next choice for the young and growing archer would be the Bear Brave 3. This bow has a draw weight up to 20 pounds, which will fit children in the 8 to 12 age class. This bow is in the compound class, with cams on each end and "let off," making the draw weight peak about half way back then get easier to hold. This bow comes with a Whisker Biscuit rest that prevents the arrow from falling off during the draw back. The package includes a forearm guard, a two piece quiver, and two arrows.

For the youth archer that wants to make the next step and get a product that can be used for years to come, the Diamond Razor Edge will give them that option. This bow has an easily adjustable draw length from 19-29" and a draw weight option from 15-30 pounds or from 30-60 pounds. The package includes an Octane Hostage arrow rest, a 3 pin sight, peep, and two piece quiver. With the average adult draw length being about 28", it will take a lot of growing before this bow will be outgrown.

With so many good options to get young people away from the video games and outside enjoying archery, a trip to the youth archery section at Bass Pro Shops can't wait! Come in and see one of the archery technicians with any questions, and look on our website for information on an upcoming youth archery class here at Bass Pro Shops Memphis.

- Jimmy Washam

For the beginning bowhunter, or an experienced bowhunter looking for a new broadhead, a stroll down the broadhead aisle at Bass Pro Shops Memphis could leave your head spinning. There are so many options and so many commercials and advertisements that it can be a challenge to even narrow down your options. The first step should be determining what category of broadhead to use. The two basic choices are fixed blades and expandable blades.

The fixed blade broadhead is a sure fire way to get consistent penetration and a good bloodtrail. The main benefit of a fixed blade is that there is absolutely nothing that can prevent the broadhead from cutting on contact. However, with today's bow market providing blazing fast arrow speeds, finding a fixed blade that will fly accurately and consistently can be a challenge. On bows shooting around or beyond 300 fps, it simply takes trial and error to find a broadhead that will fly well on your particular set up. A quality arrow with weight forward technology that is cut and squared properly at the insert will improve accuracy with a fixed blade broadhead. The G5 Montec is a very reliable broadhead because of its one piece construction. With no removable blades or washers, this broadhead is tough and durable. Another good choice is the SlickTrick broadhead. This broadhead has passed the test on African big game, and is a good choice for whitetails. The removable blades lock into place securely, and with a .035" blade thickness, bone and meat don't stand a chance.

Expandable broadheads are the best way to achieve field point- like accuracy due to the smaller diameter which produces less turbulence on the arrow's vanes. Often an expandable broadhead will stack up right next to a field point on the target. The downside to expandable broadheads is that moving parts can either cause the broadhead to open in flight or not open on impact. Most of today's expendables are designed to greatly reduce the chance for bad blade deployment. My favorite broadhead, the Grim Reaper Razortip, does not have an external o-ring to keep it shut. Instead, this head uses an internal spring, which is more reliable in tough weather and after repeated use in a foam quiver. Another good option that is by far America's most used broadhead now is the Rage 2-Blade. This broadhead does use an external o-ring, but the entry and exit holes this broadhead produces are overwhelming. I have seen exit holes from this 2" cutting diameter broadhead that literally appeared to be 5".

I feel that if a bowhunter can get a good tough fixed blade broadhead to fly consistently like a field point, then that is the best route to take. But if the struggle to get good consistent accuracy does not appeal to you, then look for the most durable built expandable and take it to the woods. 

-Jimmy Washam

Bowfishing is a sport that is rapidly increasing in popularity. It is a great way for the archery enthusiast to get some action outside of bowhunting season. The bowfishing market has blown up in recent years, and there are a lot of options and price ranges. A person now has the option of taking their old bow and rigging it with a simple spool, or buying a new bow and setting it up with the best of accessories.

For the old bow lying in the closet, the Bohning Bowfishing Kit is a great way to get into the sport without spending very much. This kit comes with everything needed to get set to try it out. With a basic reel, a fish arrow equipped with a safety slide and fish point, bowfishing line, and old retired bow can be transformed into a bowfishing rig in just a few minutes.

For the more serious bowfisherman, the AMS Bowfishing Kit offers some of the best products in its class. The Retriever Pro reel completely eliminates arrow drag, allowing longer shots. The wave rest makes getting the next shot off quick and easy. A pair of arrows with safety slides and Shure Shot fish points are perfect for sticking big fish.

If you already have the basic set up and are looking to improve without needing a kit, then the Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit and the AMS Safety Slide System will make an average set up safe and effective. The Whisker Biscuit ensures that the arrow is kept in place on the rest and the safety slide system will keep the line in front of the rest, to prevent line tangle and arrow snapbacks.

If bowfishing is something you have never done, then give it a try the summer. It is extremely action packed and gives an archer more opportunity to enjoy shooting. There is a large selection of products that allows a beginner to step into the sport, or allows the expert to better their set up.

- Jimmy Washam

My GM thinks that I am  little long-winded, so I’m gonna keep this blog short and sweet. Memphis is a unique area when it comes to freshwater fishing. Our anglers have a variety of species to choose from, with a few offering a chance at catching a state or world record in certain local rivers and reservoirs. Whether it be a world record  smallmouth at Pickwick, a one-hundred plus lb. catfish on the Mississippi River, or a giant record-size crappie at Grenada and Arkabutla lakes the potential that this area offers is unlike any other. Simply put, there are not many places where you are within an hour and a half drive of a legitimate chance at a world record in as many different species. For this blog though I will focus on crappie, since I can hardly walk through the store without hearing someone braggin’ about the “slabs” that are now starting to bite.

The spawn is fastly approaching, and some of the hottest lures on the market can be found right here at Bass Pro Shops Memphis.  We have a variety of jigs such as the Strike King Slab Hammer Tooty-Fruity Tubes, Bobby Garland Baby Shad, Bass Pro Shops Squirmin’ Squirts, and the Lindy Dancin’ Maribou Crappie Jig. As a general rule, use bright colors for stained or turbid water and use more natural colors in clearer waters. For those of you who like to troll we have an excellent new product from Driftmaster. It’s called the Crowfoot Pedistal T-Bar Spider Rig.  This spider rig comes equipped with 8 rod holders and is unique in that it mounts directly onto your seat pedestal so there is no need to drill holes in your boat! Also, the summertime crankbaits season is right around the corner. We have a number of effective crappie producing cranks such as the Norman Lures Crappie Crankbaits, Bass Pro Shops Crappie Maxx Cranks, Strike King Crappie Crankbaits, and my personal favorite Bandit 200 and 300 Series Crankbaits. These lures prove irresistible to suspending crappie in the warmer months once the thermocline begins to develop. We also carry two of the hottest jig poles in the industry, the  Bass Pro Shops Crappie Maxx and B’n’M Series jig poles. Remember, crappie prefer to spawn when the water temps reach 62-66 degrees so now is the time to catch a big female slab. Good luck, and good fishing.

Brandon Jenkins

Receiving Manager #15

When it comes to bass fishing I can see how the beginner can feel overwhelmed with the vast array of lures in our store.  Over half of the fishing department is dedicated to largemouth bass fishing.  We have isle after isle of soft plastics and countless hard baits with each of these lures being engineered for a specific purpose.  The other day I had the opportunity to share with a fellow associate here in the store and he told me about a fun way to challenge your fishing buddies.  Years ago while living in Virginia he and several friends would trek out to their favorite lake on Saturday and put on a small tournament.  This event was way different than what you might think though, the reason why, they could only each bring three lures.  This got me to thinking if I had to take three lures out on the water for a day of competition, “What would they be?” 

My first choice would be a spinnerbait.  One of the main reasons this would be my first choice is the versatility.  They can be burned across weed beds in the shallows, or slow-rolled down deep.  I prefer a double willow leaf blade but I also own several Colorado Blade spinners.  A great spinnerbait is the Booyah Bassinator, they are available in several different colors and weights.    

The second bait in my arsenal would be a Zoom Baby Brush Hog in Watermelon Red Texas Rigged.  I absolutely love fishing Baby Brush Hogs.  From early spring to late summer I have great luck with these small creature baits.  They resemble the small crayfish, lizards, and baitfish that largemouth bass prey on every day.  I often drop the weight from my set-up and fish the Brush Hog in the shallows for a slow sinking motion that bass find hard to resist. 

The final lure in my three bait package would have to be a topwater spook bait.  I have caught several bass in the six to seven pound range on spooks.  They are great during the early morning and late evenings of Spring and early summer.  Heddon’s Zara Spook is available in several colors and are great for targeting shallow water bass.  The new Sexy Dawg from Kevin Van Dam and Strike King is guaranteed to make some waves this spring as it enters the spook world.

So there you have it, my three baits I would take out on the water if I was only allowed three lures.  A spinnerbait, a Texas rigged Brush Hog, and a Spook.  If you do not have one of these lures in your assortment you should try and add one the next time you stop by the store.  In closing, I have to ask what would your three be?