Co-angler Mark Hicks (38th, 8-4

An Angler's Look

The main question preceding the 2009 Northern Open tournament at Lake Champlain was the same as it is at every tournament here: Would the tournament be won with largemouth, smallmouth or a mixed bag?

Sumansky Takes Bassmaster Northern Open Lead on Lake Champlain

Sumansky Takes Bassmaster Northern Open Lead on Lake Champlain

Anything Goes

I've fished major bass tournaments as a pro and as a nonboater, and I can tell you they are diametrically different experiences. Competing as a pro is physically exhausting and brain draining. Fishing as a nonboater is a walk in the park.

Outdoor writer Mark Hicks

2009 Northern Open Point standings

After Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y. Ending 08-22-2009

Going Live

Sure it's illegal for Elite Series pros to use live bait in tourneys. However, when fishing for fun, turning to live bait can keep the action fast and produce the biggest bass in the lake

Pond Fishing: An Accelerated Course

Although it doesn't take a master's degree in bassology to catch largemouth from small bodies of water, there are surefire techniques that can vastly improve your success.

Story | Conversation | April 29, 2009

Flexing Mussels

Give this subtle cover a workout and you'll be lifting more bass to the weigh-in stand

Story | Conversation | April 08, 2009

How to Burn Less Gas in your Bass Boat

With gas prices at all-time highs, anglers need to be consumption-minded when boating. Here's how to put less money in your gas tank without sacrificing time on the water

Story | Conversation | November 03, 2008

Preserving native smallmouth

2008 Central Open Point standings

After Lake Texoma, Denison, Texas Ending 11-01-2008

4 Stages of the Spawn

Story | Conversation | March 11, 2008

Four Season Dock Fishing

Four Season Dock Fishing