(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