FishSmack

06/01/2026

NEW VIDEO DROPPING TODAY – 5PM! 🎣😂
The Fish Learing Center is officially open!
Class is in session for my latest Winter Quest video, and let’s just say… the fish had a lot to teach me today. Cold water, tough bites, and plenty of head-scratching moments, but we finally cracked the code.

If winter fishing ever makes you feel like you’re assembling IKEA furniture without instructions, this one’s for you. 😆

Video drops at 5:00 PM today — hope you’ll check it out and let me know what you think!

03/01/2026

Today’s adventure was a grind. These 2026 bass are proving to be a lot harder to find than the 2025 class! I had to cover some serious miles in the creek just to put 3 fish in hand, but I’ll gladly take it.
I caught 2 on the Z-Man Mini Flashback paired with a Lowballin Outdoorz Mini Crawdad in Green Pumpkin, and 1 on a Strike King finesse jig with a NedWacky Mini BattleBug (2.25”) in Blue Green Pumpkin.
Sometimes you’ve got to work for them—but days like this still beat being anywhere else.

03/01/2026

Check these out! Twelve Oaks Custom Lures are a must have for 2026!

02/01/2026

What’s the most injured or deformed bass you’ve ever caught?
This one definitely stands out for me. It has the worst spinal curvature I’ve personally seen on a bass. Still feisty, still ate, but clearly dealing with some serious deformity. Nature is wild.
Let’s see or hear about the most unusual bass you’ve encountered.

28/12/2025

Got out on the creek today with my buddy Chris, and it turned into one of those trips that really makes you pay attention. The barometric pressure had been low since yesterday but was steadily rising throughout the day. Temps were up, and we had cloudy conditions the entire time—overall, it just felt fishy.
Then something wild happened. I was reeling in about an 11" largemouth when, out of nowhere, a massive smallmouth came charging in trying to eat it. He took several shots at that little bass, and seeing that flip a switch for me. If they were willing to chase and react like that, reaction baits might be the ticket.
I tied on a mini ChatterBait rigged with a NedWacky HelgaMonsta. In the water it looks just like a small baitfish swimming along—and not long after that smallie decided he couldn’t resist it. The big boy absolutely nailed the lure and put up a strong fight on my ultralight KCustomFishingRod.
Creek fishing has a way of teaching you something new when you’re paying attention. Today was a good reminder to let the fish tell you what they want.

23/12/2025

Biggest December Winter CREEK Bass EVER! Cold water, numb fingers, and one magical bite during Winter Quest. This creek smallmouth proved that giants still live in the creeks—even in December. One bite, one fish, one lesson at a time.

Biggest December WINTER CREEK bass I’ve ever caught! ❄️🎣Cold water, numb fingers, and one magical bite during Winter Quest. This creek smallmouth proved tha...

21/12/2025

🎄🎣 Creek Clause paid me an early visit! 🎄❄️
Creek Clause showed up and brought me my first December Winter Quest smallie. This bronze-back found a NedWacky Battle Bug in Mudbug color tucked neatly into his smallie stocking—delivered and finessed with care. That fish also marks my 6th creek smallmouth citation for 2025, which still blows my mind.
The old KCustomFishingRod was calling…
on Hoggie, on Piggy, on Bronze Back, on Fighter, on Jawbreaker, on Creek King, on Ole Small Jaw, and on Randy the Green-Nosed Tank — and a Merry Creekmas to all, and to all a good night! 🎄
Winter creek fishing isn’t easy, but moments like this are what Winter Quest is all about—one bite, one fish, one lesson at a time.

16/12/2025

❄️ Winter Quest is LIVE!
The newest Winter Quest creek fishing episode is now live on YouTube! Cold water, tough conditions, and the big question—are there still big creek bass out there in winter?
If you love creek fishing and chasing smallmouth when temps drop, this one’s for you. Stay safe and enjoy!

Welcome to Winter Quest ❄️🎣 — my annual winter creek fishing series where we chase smallmouth bass when most anglers have packed it in.As creek water temper...

15/12/2025

21° and North Winds Didn’t Stop the Creek Smallies! ❄️🎣
Today’s adventure had 21° temps and 10–15 mph winds out of the North, making for a chilly creek hike. I pushed back to a deep pocket and was able to coax two solid bites using the 3.5" NedWacky Battle Bug on a Ned Rig.
Creek fishing this time of year is tough, but the only way to truly learn is to get out there and give it a try. Every bite, every missed fish, and every frozen finger is part of the lesson. Winter smallies aren’t easy, but when you find them, it’s worth it.

14/12/2025

Winter Creek Fishing: When One Fish Makes the Day! Winter creek fishing can be tough, and some days the bites are few and far between. On days like this, landing even one fish is still a win. Cold water changes everything—from fish positioning to how slow you have to fish. This short is a reminder that persistence, patience, and time on the water matter, even when the conditions are stacked against you.

13/12/2025

Winter Creek Smallie Would NOT Give Up! Cold water, cold weather, and a smallmouth that refused to quit! Winter creek smallies might be sluggish at times, but when they bite, they fight hard. This fish dug deep and would not give up, proving once again why smallmouth bass are some of the toughest fish in the creek. creek fishing smallmouth bass bass fight water fishing smallmouth bass fishing

09/12/2025

DANGER in Winter Creek Fishing — Please Watch! Winter creek fishing can be a blast, but it comes with real risks—especially when you’re wearing waders. In this short video, I share a few safety tips that every angler should know before stepping into cold water this time of year. Always have a backup plan, pack a waterproof bag with dry clothes, and make sure you know the area you’re wading as well as your escape route if something goes wrong. Stay safe out there, and enjoy the winter bite!