This year’s lineup of new fishing reels has something for everyone, from big game saltwater anglers and inshore fishermen to small creek fly fishers and bass fanatics
Author: Shaye Baker
Shaye Baker
Shaye Baker is a bass fishing content contributor for Field & Stream. He has more than a decade of experience covering professional bass fishing tournaments. Highlights Education Baker graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Trade. However, the education he nows relies on in his daily occupation came by way of working alongside many of the greatest tournament coverage professionals the industry has ever seen, learning to shoot, write, edit, and add commentary in the real world. Experience Baker spent his first few years after college simultaneously pursuing a professional bass fishing career, as well as a career in outdoor journalism in the bass fishing space. After mixed success on the semi-pro fishing trail, Baker decided that working in the industry for a guaranteed paycheck was better than fishing for a possible one. Baker’s clientele base gradually grew to the point he could transition to full-time content contribution for the likes of FLW Outoors, Bassmaster, Wired2Fis,h and several other local, regional, and national publications. He now enjoys working full-time in the industry, but has also returned to his roots, regularly participating in local tournaments with his father and friends. Fun Fact Though Baker grew up in (and loves) Reeltown, Alabama, the epitome of small town USA, he is (somewhat) fluent in Spanish. He has also spent time in Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France, and has been privileged to see over half of the United States thanks to his career. Notable Work
Our bass expert spent months testing the Magellan Outdoors Angler kayak. Here’s how this budget boat performed on the water
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more affordable spinning reel that offers the performance of the Okuma Avenger. Here’s our bass expert’s full review
No other bass spinning reel offers the bang for your buck that you get with the Daiwa Tatula MQ LT. Here’s our full review
Our bass expert tested over 20 freshwater bass spinning reels and the Zenon MG-X outperformed them all. Here’s his full review
Start catching more bass with these six rigging hacks
Do you love explosive topwater eats? Then learn how to maximize fishing a buzzbait to boat more giant bass
Take your bass boat to the next level with these five easy upgrades
Our bass expert spent months testing the new Shimano Poison Adrena casting rod. Here is his full review
Looking for a new budget-friendly casting rod? The TP2 Gen 3 took home our best budget award in this year’s test. Here’s our expert’s full review
