Freshwater Fishing Tackle – Rods, Reels & Gear

When it takes loud surface disturbance and a big topwater to trigger trophy fish, reach for the Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper. It walks-the-dog on top, but its concave mouth also catches and throws water for maximum surface disturbance — the kind that draws up bass, stripers, redfish, and other hard-to-catch gamefish when subtler presentations won't get it done. The weighted tail aids casting distance and accuracy while adding more erratic action on the retrieve.

Available in three sizes — 4.5", 6", and 7" — with 7 color options across the lineup.

Key Features

• Walk-the-dog action — classic side-to-side topwater presentation
• Concave mouth — catches and throws water for maximum surface disturbance
• Weighted tail — improves casting distance, accuracy, and erratic action
• 3 sizes available — 4.5", 6", and 7"
• Target species — largemouth bass, striped bass, redfish, and other topwater gamefish

Size Guide

The Z-Man Original ChatterBait Elite is an upgraded, tournament-quality version of the lure that revolutionized bass fishing. Designed based on direct angler feedback, it takes the classic "thump" of the original and reinforces it with premium hardware and refined cosmetic details.

Key Upgrades & Features

• Premium Hook: Features a long-shank 5/0 Gamakatsu hook that is sharper and stronger than standard hooks for better holding power.

• Strengthened Components: Equipped with a thicker stainless steel blade and a beefed-up Mustad Fastach clip to ensure it can handle heavy cover and aggressive strikes without bending or failing.

• Hand-Tied Skirt: Unlike the rubber-collared skirts on budget models, the Elite uses 100% silicone skirts that are hand-tied with copper wire. This prevents the skirt from sliding or rotting over time and provides a more natural flare.

• Superior Bait Keeper: A molded-in trailer keeper on the hook shank locks ElaZtech and standard soft plastics firmly in place.

• Detailed Aesthetics: The jigheads feature custom, airbrushed paint schemes and oversized eyes designed to perfectly "match the hatch" of your favorite local forage.

Available in two primary weights, 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz, and a wide range of proven colors like Green Pumpkin, Black/Blue, and White/Chartreuse.

The Z-Man Original ChatterBait is a versatile, tournament-winning lure that combines the flash of a spinnerbait, the vibration of a crankbait, and the profile of a jig into a single "fish-slaying package". It is known for its patented head-to-blade connection and signature hex-shaped blade, which produce an unmatched erratic action that triggers reaction bites from bass and other predatory fish.

Key Features & Design

• Intense Vibration: The trademarked hex-shaped blade pivots violently on the jig eyelet, creating a powerful thump you can feel throughout your retrieve.

• Snag-Resistant: The blade doubles as a weedguard, helping the lure deflect off wood and grass without getting hung up.

• Quality Hardware: Built with a custom 5/0 heavy-duty needlepoint hook designed for solid hooksets and durability.

• EZ Skirt® System: Features a quick-change silicone skirt that allows you to swap colors fast to match changing water conditions.

• Trailer Ready: Includes a molded-in bait keeper to lock soft plastic trailers securely on the hook shank.

Versatility & Use

Effective year-round but particularly excels in stained to muddy water and around cover like submerged vegetation or docks. It tracks straight without hydroplaning, making it easy to fish at various speeds and depths.

The Big Hammer 6 1/2" Swimbait is the second-largest size in the Big Hammer lineup — a proven big-fish bait trusted by West Coast saltwater anglers and freshwater trophy hunters alike. Its lifelike swimming action and realistic profile trigger strikes from calico bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, landlocked stripers, pike, and musky across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

In trout colors, it's a go-to for giant largemouth and landlocked stripers in West Coast reservoirs. In baitfish patterns, it dominates the surf, kelp beds, and offshore structure. Few swimbaits cover this much water this effectively.

Key Features

• 6.5" profile — second-largest in the Big Hammer lineup; ideal for targeting trophy-class fish
• Lifelike swimming action — natural body roll and tail kick on the retrieve
• 8 colors available — Halloween II, Pacific Chovy, Olive Herring, Toasted, Red Calico Hunter, Glow Bug, Creeping Death, Calico Hunter
• Recommended jig heads — pairs with 3/4oz to 1.5oz Hammer Heads with a 5/0 hook
• Sold individually

Color Note

In 2020, Toast was updated to Toasted — same great color with the addition of a black tail for enhanced contrast and effectiveness.

Specs

The Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ is a specialized mushroom-style jighead designed specifically for Ned rigging and other light-line finesse techniques. It is widely credited as the first dedicated jighead to bring the "Midwest Finesse" style to the mainstream market.

Key Features & Design

• Mushroom Head Shape: The signature flat-top head allows buoyant soft plastics to stand perfectly upright on the bottom, mimicking a feeding crawfish or baitfish.

• Welded Wire Keeper: Features a unique wire keeper welded directly to the hook shank that locks ElaZtech® plastics securely in place without the need for glue.

• Premium Hooks: Built with high-carbon, black nickel needlepoint hooks (typically size 1 or 2) that are "sticky sharp" for easy penetration on light tackle.

• Variety of Weights: Available in weights ranging from 1/20 oz to 1/5 oz, allowing you to fine-tune your fall rate based on depth and fish activity.

The Big Hammer 3" Swimbait is a West Coast staple built for anglers who know that presentation matters. Its distinctive square tail generates an erratic, darting action that triggers reaction strikes from bass, calico, halibut, and more — even when fish are finicky. Imagine dropping this bait along a rocky ledge and watching it flutter on the fall, drawing up a calico that had ignored everything else all morning.

The soft yet durable plastic holds up through multiple fish on the less toothy species, and the bait pairs perfectly with a Big Hammer jig head. Fish it slow on a light head for suspended fish, or go heavier and let it sink to the bottom before starting your retrieve. We recommend gluing the head to the plastic once rigged to prevent the body from pulling off on short strikes. The Owner Stinger Harness is also a great option for converting those short bites into landed fish.

Features

• Square tail design for erratic, strike-triggering action
• Soft, durable plastic — holds up through multiple fish
• Versatile depth range — adjust with jig head weight
• Available in 15 proven West Coast color patterns
• Pairs with Big Hammer jig heads and Owner Stinger Harness
• Ideal for bass, calico, halibut, and inshore species
• Sold individually

Specs

 When fish are breaking the surface or just subsurface, the Shimano Current Sniper Sinking Stickbait is going to be deadly!  This sinking stickbait is perfect for when fish are feeding on the surface and uses superior finishes and stout 3X strong hooks and split rings.  There are several retrieval methods that can be used effectively on many different predator fish.  

This was previously known as the Coltsniper.

Subsurface walk-the-dog is a very effective method and creates the illusion of a fleeing baitfish.  This can be more easily created using a spinning setup like the Shimano Thunnus and Shimano Terez but conventional rods and reels may also be used. Moving the rod tip while winding the reel with short pauses will cuase the bait to move left and right.  It's very important to give the lure some slack after pulling it each time.  If slack isn't given after each pull, the lure will not have the line needed to glide momentarily before you pull it again.  Skipping the lure on the surface is also a technique that can invoke a strike. Cast as far as you can and don't let it sink out.  Wind back the lure as fast as you can so that it skips on the surface.

We are excited to use the Shimano Current Sniper Stickbait on yellowtail, tuna, calico bass and striper here in Southern California.  We are sure it will work for any agressive predator fish you have.  Ideally we would use a 8,000 to 12,000 size Shimano Thunus or Stella spinning reel and an 8' to 9' Shimano Terez or Ocea Plugger spinning rod.  Line class is going to depend on what you are fishing for but 50-80lb Power Pro with a 4-7 foot monofilament or fluorocarbon leader would be ideal.  The leader size will differ but 30-50lb line would be normal range for this type of fishing.  Using a split ring on the nose with a solid ring on the split ring would allow the lure to move correctly.  You can also tie a loop knot of your chose to allow lure movement.  

120mm - 4.7in - 1.13oz

140mm - 5.5in - 1.91oz

Sinking

The Keitech Easy Shaker 4.5" is a ringed-body finesse bait built for drop shot and shaky head presentations. The ringed body distorts the bait's image for a more natural appearance, while the high-flotation plastic compound keeps the Easy Shaker in a horizontal position when rigged on the drop shot. Slight rod movements and bottom undulations create a shivering action that mimics a struggling baitfish — one of the most effective triggers for finicky bass.

Key Features

• 10 per pack
• Ringed body design — natural, distorted baitfish appearance
• High-flotation plastic compound — maintains horizontal position on drop shot
• Shivering action — triggered by subtle rod movements and bottom contact
• Ideal techniques: drop shot, shaky head
• 5 colors available — Pro Blue Red Pearl, Green Pumpkin Pepper, Sexy Shad, Morning Dawn, Electric Bluegill

The Z-Man Finesse TRD (The Real Deal) is a 2.75-inch stickbait designed specifically for the Ned Rig, a finesse technique famous for catching bass in tough or highly pressured conditions. It is widely considered a staple for smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass.

Key Features

• 10X Tough ElaZtech: This proprietary material is virtually indestructible, often lasting for dozens of catches per bait.

• Buoyancy: Unlike traditional plastics that sink flat, the TRD is naturally buoyant, causing it to stand vertically off the bottom when at rest to mimic a feeding crawfish or minnow.

• Salt-Impregnated: The soft formulation and salt content provide a precise sink rate and an irresistible feel that encourages fish to hold on longer.

• Dimpled Texture: A realistic, dimpled surface adds to its natural look and feel.

8 per pack

The Don Iovino Splash-It is the old school popper, perfected! Instead of chugging, like other poppers, the Splash-It spits water far in front of the bait to imitate that dying baitfish action. All Splash It's come with a super sharp hand tied chicken feather dressed rear treble.

The Splash It 2 are a little bigger than the regular splash it and are slightly heavier.  

The Jackall Gantarel Jr. is a miniature edition of its larger sibling, configured to replicate a Bluegill swimbait. Its S-Motions are designed to draw strikes from bass. These motions can be initiated with a quick tweak of the rod tip, enabling the bait to complete a 180 degree turn.

This bluegill style swimbait features swiveling hook hangars and a swiveling line tie that helps reduce line twists. It also features an addition loop on the chin of the bait that allows you to add a weight to make the bait slow sink, fast sink, or even a suspending bait. Finally, the hooks are dressed with premium feathers.

The Jackall Gantarel Jr. Hard Body Swimbait measures 5 inches and weighs 1.5 ounces, designed with slow-floating buoyancy. Its dual-jointed body produces a realistic S-shaped swimming action, while the swiveling line-tie minimizes line twist. Rotating hook hangers eliminate leverage, enhancing hook sets. This swimbait can execute sharp 180-degree turns with quick rod tip movements or rapid handle turns, making it highly effective for enticing fish.

The Izorline Orange Gripper Gloves are perfect for handling fish with ease.  The gripping rubber pattern on the gloves keeps the fish from sliding out of your hand and allows you to fillet without your hands slipping off.  The polyester mesh of the glove allows water to drain out easily and also dries faster than a tighter weaved glove.

Features:

• The River2Sea Saltwater Silent Whopper Plopper 130S is a silent, 5 inch, 1 3/8 ounce saltwater-optimized model of the Whopper Plopper.
• No rattles for a subtle presentation, which is ideal when fishing calmer waters where the prop alone generates plenty of surface action.
• Tail is made of super-tough plastic that flexes right back into place whether it gets chomped on or gets cast into a bridge piling.
• Pre-rigged with size 1 EWG 4X Strong treble hooks.
• Available in a select range of saltwater fishing colorways.

The River2Sea Silent Whopper Plopper 130S is a 5-inch, 1 3/8 ounce model of the legendary topwater prop lure created by Larry Dahlberg. Unlike the regular 130, the Saltwater Silent version doesn't have any noisy rattles, making it perfect for calm water fishing where the prop's surface action is enough to attract fish.

Its tail is made of super-tough plastic that flexes right back into place whether it gets chomped on or gets cast into a bridge piling. And since they are molded from high-quality plastic, every single one comes out of the box with the perfect tail size and angle to make a sound that simply drives fish crazy. The River2Sea Whopper Plopper 130S is "roll-resistant" and works well at a variety of speeds. Sound experiments have suggested that even at constant speeds the tail kicks out sounds that vary as much as an octave in pitch as opposed to the more monotone metal tails.

Size 130 - 5 inches

1 3/8oz

The Big Hammer Sledge Hammer is 9 inches of serious fish-catching plastic. A proven calico machine at the Southern California islands for years, its lifelike swimming action and durable construction make it a seek-and-destroy bait for big fish — in both salt and fresh water. It's also highly effective for lingcod, striped bass, largemouth, pike, and musky.

Key Features

• 9" profile — maximum presence for targeting trophy-class fish
• Lifelike swimming action — natural body roll and tail kick on the retrieve
• Durable construction — holds up through repeated strikes and aggressive fish
• 3 colors available — Red Calico Hunter, Fry, Toasted
• Pairs with War Bait Slayer Heads for a complete big-fish setup
• Sold individually

Color Note

In 2020, Toast was updated to Toasted — same proven color with the addition of a black tail for enhanced contrast and effectiveness.

Specs

The Decoy Shot Lock is the perfect way to protect your line when you are fishing a split shot.  Simply slide it on your line using the wire loop and then pinch on your split shot.

The Decoy Heavy Lock is great when you need your weight to stay against the hook.  It fits 12lb to 25lb mono or 50-80 lb braid.  Most use it for flipping and punching but they also work great for Texas rigged worms or craw baits when you don't want the weight sliding up and down the line.

 We like the decoy brands because they are long which allows it to come through weeds without hanging up.  They also stay on the line and grip it better because of the increased surface area.  Simply put your line through the wire loop an inch or two and slide the lock onto the line.  It will first go on both lines but will then will slide onto the main line.

The Decoy Egg Snap is perfect for fishing reaction style baits.  There are multiple sizes so you can match the size of the snap to the size of the lure.  Egg snaps allow the bait to move more freely because the bend in the snap around the lure is more oval or egg shaped.  

This doesn't create as much friction as a snap that had a tighter bend.  They feature a cross lock design and are made of very strong steel wire.  Try them out, we think you'll see the difference.

The Yum Yumbrella Umbrella Rigs is the most advanced multi-lure on the planet. This 7" Multi-Swimming 5-wire rig is part of the Bait School Technology phenomenon. Rig it with 5 jig heads and swimbaits to mimic a realistic school of baitfish. You can also change out the jig head weights that allow you to control your desired sink rate, making it easier to target fish at different depths. Get the perfect spread with the Yum Yumbrella Umbrella Rigs and maximize your chances of a successful day on the water.

The Fish Sticks KVD Lure Enhancers are a revolution in fishing scents. They come in an easy to apply tube then you screw, just like chapstick. They will not melt in your pockets and the scents stay on the lures cast after cast.

1 scent per pack

Tournament-Grade Strength Meets Exceptional Handling Created for the discriminating salt and freshwater angler, Izorline Platinum is widely considered one of the toughest monofilament lines on the market. This advanced co-polymer line is engineered on laser-controlled extruders to be thinner and stronger, allowing you to pack more yardage onto your reel without sacrificing power.  

Whether you’re battling stubborn kelp-dwellers or casting in heavy freshwater cover, the Platinum series delivers high abrasion resistance and the low-stretch performance needed for a rock-solid hook set.  

Key Features:

• Superior Abrasion Resistance: Built to withstand rocky bottoms, structure, and toothy fish.

• Thin & Strong: Advanced co-polymer blend offers a smaller diameter than standard mono, giving you better line capacity.  

• Low Stretch: Provides increased sensitivity and more powerful hook sets compared to traditional monofilament.  

• Exceptional Handling: Soft and supple enough for easy knot tying and smooth casting on both spinning and baitcasting reels.  

• Tournament Tested: Trusted by pros for its ultimate dependability and knot strength.

300yds per spool