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Winter 2026 Winter 2026 Hi All, I’d like to begin this issue by congratulating Anglers Marine on their longevity and continued impact on the Western bass community. Their dedication to anglers, tournaments, and the growth of our sport has made them a cornerstone of the region. We are happy to host them on the cover as we step into a new year of fishing. As we go to press, the 2026 season is just about to launch, and tournament anglers across the West are already preparing for another busy schedule. New gear, fresh patterns, and early-season opportunities will shape the months ahead. Whether you compete or simply enjoy time on the water, this season brings plenty to look forward to. January also brings the International Sportsmen’s Exposition back to Cal Expo, a key kickoff event for the year. It’s a great place to learn, connect, and see the latest products in person. The WesternBass title sponsor Fisherman’s Warehouse will be onsite with super show specials and always a shopper’s favorite, the NO SALES TAX deal. Be sure to visit the Westerbass Fish Tank there’s always giant fish to see! Please enjoy this issue with a highlight of some of the new gear for the new year and as always we encourage you to support the sponsors who support you. Their commitment helps keep the WesternBass website, magazine and forums and socials strong and our fishing community growing. Tight Lines, Wayne
Fall 2025
Fall 2025 Fall marks the close of another exciting tournament season and brings with it the much-anticipated Tournament of Champions events. It’s hard to believe how fast the year has flown by! This season may have spared us the chaos of recent years—no COVID shutdowns, supply chain nightmares, or extreme water levels—but it brought a new challenge for California anglers: Golden Mussel restrictions and launch closures. These invasive species continue to disrupt fisheries across the state, with recent restrictions at Diamond Valley Lake (DVL) underscoring the ongoing impact. That said, there was a silver lining for Delta and Clear Lake anglers: the introduction of the Golden Mussel Region by Randy Pringle at Best Bass Tournaments (BBT). His forward-thinking solution allowed for localized, single-area launch team opens at venues affected by broader closures. We appreciate the continued innovation and commitment to the sport—thank you, Randy. On a more exciting note, shipments of new gear from ICAST 2025 have already begun arriving! It’s always a thrill to see what’s coming next, and you can check out many of the latest product releases from online at Fisherman’s Warehouse—our WesternBass advertisers are rolling out some serious game-changers. Tight Lines
Summer 2025
Summer 2025 Hi All, Topwater, six-hour tournaments in California, and ICAST – it all screams summer and while we are used to an FLW or MLF Western Division tournament circuit stop on the California Delta this time of year, for 2025 it was missing. Fortunately, Mark Lassagne and the BAM Trail stepped in and brought those of us that call the tidal water of the West an event. I would like to congratulate Ish Monroe on his win at the Pro/Am event! Quite an accomplishment! Ish has been one of longtime WesternBass supporters and well as one of the Fisherman’s Warehouse pro staff (a WesternBass title sponsor), so it was great to hear that the Fisherman’s Warehouse exclusive color Missile Baits D Bomb in Rotten Tomato played such a big factor in his win! While summer kicks off and we get ready to head to ICAST, we once again ask that the WesternBass readers support the advertisers that allow us to bring this digital mag as well as the site to you for free! We appreciate them and you! Tight Lines Wayne

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2026 Kayak Schedule by basstrophy Tue Jan 6, 2026 9:47 pm
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Striper fly fishing by Swimbaitspence Wed Jul 2, 2025 6:41 pm

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Ranger Z520c cover SOLD by Deltarat001 Wed Jan 14, 2026 7:12 am
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Recent Forum

Trump won again by jiggin4bass Wed Jan 14, 2026 11:08 pm
2019 Nitro Z19 Pro by krpierce Wed Jan 14, 2026 7:29 pm

Industry Press Releases

2025 Collegiate Bass Fishing Series
2025 Collegiate Bass Fishing Series In the latest mid-season rankings review for theSchool of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, the ACA highlights teams ranked 6-15.
101 anglers set to compete on 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series
101 anglers set to compete on 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series Coming off the heels of a record-breaking 2025 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season that awarded 11 century belts, saw four-first time champions (two of which were members of the 2025 rookie class) and garnered over 183 million social media impressions, B.A.S.S. has announced the 101-angler field for an exciting 2026 Elite Series season.
MLF Announces 2026 Forward-Facing Sonar Restrictions Across All Circuits
MLF Announces 2026 Forward-Facing Sonar Restrictions Across All Circuits MLF announces new 2026 forward facing sonar restrictions across all circuits aiming to balance technology with traditional skills for more dynamic competition
NPFL 2026 Full Roster Released
NPFL 2026 Full Roster Released NPFL confirms its biggest 2026 field yet with 130 anglers but leaves room for select applicants See the full list and how to join
Spencer Shuffield Claims Victory at 2025 WON Bass U.S. Open
Spencer Shuffield Claims Victory at 2025 WON Bass U.S. Open The calm conditions were in stark contrast to Monday’s opening round where gusty winds covered Lake Mohave and even stronger winds that forced the cancellation of the second day of the championship.

Lake Reports

Shasta Lake
Shasta Lake By Winter fishing this year on Lake Shasta has been producing some standout largemouth activity, with conditions lining up for anglers willing to fish deliberately and focus on less pressured water. Cooling water temperatures and stable lake levels have bass feeding in windows, particularly during the afternoon, and some of the largest fish of the season have been showing themselves shallow. Largemouth have been holding on shallow flats and subtle structure in less than 10 feet of water, often away from obvious points and heavily targeted areas. These fish are not constantly active, but when they do feed, they are committing to larger meals. Big topwater baits fished with confidence have drawn explosive strikes, even late in the year, especially during mid to late afternoon periods. While Lake Shasta is known for its spotted bass, these largemouth have been showing the kind of size that can change the tone of a day quickly.
California Delta
California Delta By It seems like the December fishing on the California Delta has slowed into a winter grind as water temperatures settle into the low to mid-50s. Bass are present but far less aggressive, with many fish pulling off the shallowest grass and setting up along edges, transitions, and nearby deeper water. The bite has been inconsistent, and most fish are coming on slower, finesse-oriented presentations rather than reaction baits. Striped bass activity has remained mixed but more steady in the western Delta, with schoolies providing action witht the tide. Larger fish have been less predictable, and timing around current and bait movement has been critical.

From the Blogs

Winter Time Umbrella Rig Setup | RB Bass Outdoors Angler Chris Nelson
Winter Time Umbrella Rig Setup | RB Bass Outdoors Angler Chris Nelson By

Winter Time Umbrella Rig Setup | RB Bass Angler Chris Nelson Winter time is my favorite season to throw an umbrella rig, and for good reason. During the colder months, bass are typically keyed in on schools of baitfish, making the A-rig an incredibly effective tool. With the introduction of forward-facing sonar, the umbrella rig […]

The post Winter Time Umbrella Rig Setup | RB Bass Outdoors Angler Chris Nelson first appeared on RB Bass Fishing.