(Editor’s note: Starting immediately, FLW Tour pro Adrian Avena has agreed to make regular blog contributions approximately once a month on FLWOutdoors.com. Going forward, bass-fishing fans will be treated to a wide array of blogs from a host of different FLW Tour pros on FLWOutdoors.com leading up to the 2014 season and beyond.)

Since the holidays are right around the corner and gift ideas are at a premium, I am dedicating this blog to reviewing the hottest baits of 2013, and the must-haves for 2014. As some of you may know, 2014 will be my third season fishing the Walmart FLW Tour. During the past two years I have been surrounded by some of the best fisherman in the world and I have seen the ins and outs of new baits and techniques. This insight has been a benefit for me at both the tour level and at local events.

So, without further ado, here is the list!

Fish Head Spin 1/4- to 1/2-ounce (Reaction Innovation Little Dipper)

Drop-shot (Morning Dawn Robo Worm)

Gary Yamamoto Senko (green pumpkin/watermelon laminate)

Keitech Swing Impact Fat 3.8 (Rainbow Shad)

3/8-ounce finesse jig (Reaction Innovation Smallie Beaver)

3/4-ounce football jig (Rage Craw)

Megabass Vision 110 (HT-ITO Wakasagi)

Strike King 5XD and 6XD

Strike King 1.5 squarebill crankbait

Lucky Craft BDS 1 & 2

Magnum Shaky Head 1/4 ounce

Z-Man ChatterBait

Spro Bronzeye Popping Frog

In 2013, this list of baits above helped to solidify my second qualification for the Forrest Wood Cup and a respectable top-10 finish in the FLW Tour AOY points race. At any given time, based on the conditions, one of the above baits will far exceed the others.

Also, on Jan. 12, I will be speaking about these various baits in detail at the Bass University in Edison, N.J. Tickets are still available and – just in-time for the holidays!

To keep tabs on all the latest happenings with Adrian Avena, make sure to visit his website www.adrianavena.com