In Today’s Newsletter: From pike smashing a salvaged spinnerbait to the latest lithium batteries for your kayak build and the toughest striped bass lures of 2026, this week’s fishing lineup is packed with hard hits, smart gear and proven tactics to help you hook more fish all season long.
Pike Smash A Salvaged Lure (Video)
When YouTuber Matt Nelson found a spinnerbait snagged on a branch, he launched a successful salvage mission then took the lure out for a shot at some pike.
✨ Pro tip: Pike prefer a slow retrieve on a curly-tailed soft bait when the water is cold and as the water warms they hang out in shallow, weedy bays near deep water. The largest pike prefer to follow a lure for a while before striking, so trolling is a great option to give the fish time to follow before hitting the bait.
Power Trip: Latest Lithium Batteries For Your Kayak Build
These new batteries are ready for motors, electronics, lights and more.
Pakayak AnglerFish Packable Fishing Kayak
Reach the spots other anglers can't, skip the trailer, and just go. This 11’8" hard-shell kayak packs down to 43" in the included rolling bag, assembles in 3 minutes and fits in most cars/trucks. Learn More
Best Striped Bass Lures For 2026
Striped bass are aggressive and reckless, making them a perfect target for artificial lures. From the Northeast to the mid-Atlantic, striped bass anglers score with topwater, swimming plugs, jigs, spoons and almost any lure that resembles a stressed-out baitfish or crustacean.
The true test of a striped bass lure is both its attraction and durability. When the bite is on, and 40-pound rockfish are launching out of the water to crush a topwater, only the toughest lure will survive the feeding frenzy.
Our picks for the best lures start with alluring action and attractive appearance, and end with beefy hooks, bulletproof construction and a durable finish.
Best Striped Bass Lure Overall
Shimano Ocea Bomb Dip Flashboost
Why we love it: Nothing beats the excitement of a topwater striped bass bite. The lure splashes and flees across the surface until a striper comes half out of the water, mouth gaping open, and descends on its victim. Shimano’s Ocea Bomb Dip Flashboost is designed to entice a striper to bite and then keep the fish pinned all the way to the boat…
Best Trolling Lure
Rapala Countdown Magnum
Why we love it: I don’t leave the dock without Rapala’s Countdown Magnum. These classic wooden swimming plugs are tank tested and guaranteed to run straight at speeds up to six knots. Built tough with a metal lip, welded line tie, and steel hooks, the Countdown Magnum is capable of handling the biggest striped bas…
Snot Rockets or Sport Fish? You Decide
How To Catch False Albacore The Easy Way
Get Kayak Angler In Print
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.
