Spring bass season is heating up, and hungry fish are on the hunt. As bass move into the shallows to build beds and guard their nests, they become aggressive and ready to strike—making it one of the most exciting times of year to be on the water. In this week’s picks, learn which spring bass lures the experts rely on to trigger explosive bites. We’re also sharing a wild story from Have Rods Will Travel host Josh Dolin, who thought his day was over after dropping his car keys in the water, only to land the fish that completed a decades-long goal.

Kayak anglers spend countless hours on the water, but when it comes to national boating data, paddlers are often underrepresented. The U.S. Coast Guard is now asking for help through the National Recreational Boating Safety Survey—a chance for kayak anglers to make sure our time on the water counts.

Plus, watch a massive muskie demolish a snake lure. And, one YouTuber asks the question many anglers secretly wonder: Does kayak fishing actually suck? 🎣

— Kayak Angler Newsletter Editors

In the world of boating, kayak anglers are often overlooked, but a headcount sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard can change that.

Once every five years, the National Recreational Boating Safety Survey (NRBSS) runs with the goal of collecting information to understand how many people go boating, what types of boats they use, and how often boaters are on the water.

Since kayaks without motors are not required to be registered in many states there is no other reliable count of our vessels available. The NRBSS survey is one way for kayak anglers to ensure their interests are appropriately represented within the greater boating community.

In total, seven surveys have been conducted since 1973. Following the last, which took place in 2018, the results estimated that there are 84.5 million recreational boaters in the United States operating more than 25.5 million boats on over 25,00 miles of navigable waterways. After an eight-year gap, the survey returns, and this year’s will be the first since 2020, when the industry saw a dramatic rise in boating as an outdoor activity.

The Coast Guard is asking for your help. Volunteer to participate by completing a brief sign-up page. Later in the year, a large range of boaters will be invited to participate in the larger NRBSS survey.

Bass fishing starts off with a bang. Bass breed in spring, building beds, laying eggs and protecting their young. This is a famous time to find bass with a growing appetite as the water temperature rises. Once the mating call sounds, bass go into a frenzy, aggressively attacking anything that threatens their nest. The key to spring success is using a large fishing lure to pique the attention of hungry bass and sight fishing to bass spawning in the shallows.

Josh Dolin had spent the day coming up short on bluegill when he decided to call it a day and return to the boat ramp. That was the moment he realized that at some point, his keys had gone overboard. Waiting for his girlfriend to bring him a spare, he stood at the water and uttered the magic phrase, “Okay, let me make one more cast.”

There’s nothing like flipping through a print issue with a coffee in hand and your next fishing trip on your mind. Upgrade to a print subscription to read in-depth gear and kayak reviews, learn new tips and tactics and be inspired to try new kayak fishing adventures. Upgrade now and get print issues delivered straight to your door for just $17 per year.