A California kayak angler’s record-breaking bass may never make the books after an overlooked regulation voided what would have been an 18.75-pound lake record. We break down the technicality that cost him the title, plus share a must-watch video.

Beat the heat with a one-hour DIY kayak livewell you can build from hardware store parts, and dial in your fall fishing with expert tactics for hard-fighting shoal bass.

We’ve partnered with Sea Eagle to give one lucky reader the chance to win a FastTrack Angler 385FTA Swivel Seat FishRig Package valued at $1,499 USD—don’t miss your shot.

Finally, we round things out with a look at the best crappie lures for 2026, proving once again that when it comes to papermouths, simple gear often outfishes the rest.

Damian Thao would have had an official record for the largest bass caught in a lake in California, 18.75 pounds on an official scale, if not for unknowingly breaking a California law.

On a hot summer day, a kayak livewell keeps your bait swimming. Install this DIY system with hardware store parts and shade tree engineering.

Shoal bass, golden child of the bass family. Let these river bandits steal your heart with their aggressive strike and never-stop attitude.

One lucky Kayak Angler fan is about to upgrade their fishing setup in a big way. Enter for a chance to win a FastTrack Angler 385fta Swivel Seat FishRig Package valued at $1499 USD.

The FastTrack Angler 385FTA inflatable fishing kayak is a rugged, high-performance platform designed specifically for anglers who want portability without sacrificing tracking and stability.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get your name in the draw.

I’ve caught approximately half a bazillion crappies over the years, and all but a handful of them bit the most basic hooks, feathers, and plastics you can buy. You see, crappie are the fish of simple pleasures—part of their charm is that you only need a little ultralight gear to catch them. Sure, you can get a little freaky by throwing flashy lures and giant jerk baits at these papermouths, but the best crappie lures largely prove the old adage that less is more.

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