Bass Basics

Beginner’s Tacklebox: Matt Herren

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Bassmaster Elite Series veteran and Alabama resident Matt Herren is about to put together a list of baits he'd recommend for any beginning angler.
Bassmaster Elite Series veteran and Alabama resident Matt Herren is about to put together a list of baits he’d recommend for any beginning angler.
The first lure is a PH Custom squarebill.
The first lure is a PH Custom squarebill.
He likes bright colors when running cranks around wood.
He likes bright colors when running cranks around wood.
You've got to have a topwater lure or two. This is a prop-style bait in the shape of a baitfish. It's easy to run, exciting to catch fish on and it certainly keeps your attention.
You’ve got to have a topwater lure or two. This is a prop-style bait in the shape of a baitfish. It’s easy to run, exciting to catch fish on and it certainly keeps your attention.
Into the box it goes.
Into the box it goes.
Of course a buzzbait needs to be included.
Of course a buzzbait needs to be included.
Like many other anglers today, he prefers a soft-plastic frog-type trailer.
Like many other anglers today, he prefers a soft-plastic frog-type trailer.
Another squarebill from PH Custom Lures. This one in a chartreuse/shad pattern.
Another squarebill from PH Custom Lures. This one in a chartreuse/shad pattern.
You just can't have too many cranks, he said.
You just can’t have too many cranks, he said.
Herren is a spinnerbait fanatic for a lot of reasons, but for beginners it's a great bait to learn about and use.
Herren is a spinnerbait fanatic for a lot of reasons, but for beginners it’s a great bait to learn about and use.
Into the box it goes.
Into the box it goes.
He adds a Reaction Innovations Pocket Rocket for a multitude of presentations, including Texas rig, wacky rig and more.
He adds a Reaction Innovations Pocket Rocket for a multitude of presentations, including Texas rig, wacky rig and more.
He keeps his soft plastics in the bag they came in.
He keeps his soft plastics in the bag they came in.
Herren digs through his extensive collection for something special ...
Herren digs through his extensive collection for something special …
A Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper, which is a perfect finesse presentation.
A Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper, which is a perfect finesse presentation.
He also adds the legendary Sweet Beaver.
He also adds the legendary Sweet Beaver.
Both get placed in the box.
Both get placed in the box.
Now he's looking for something else that's special.
Now he’s looking for something else that’s special.
And it's an RI Flirt, another finessy soft plastic.
And it’s an RI Flirt, another finessy soft plastic.
It has a valuable place in this box.
It has a valuable place in this box.
He's looking for another critical component or two but can't find it.
He’s looking for another critical component or two but can’t find it.
Then he recalls exactly where it is.
Then he recalls exactly where it is.
He heads out to his camper to his other stash.
He heads out to his camper to his other stash.
“I know it’s in here somewhere …”
Found them! Every angler fishing soft plastics needs a quality hook and weight.
Found them! Every angler fishing soft plastics needs a quality hook and weight.
He puts them into the box to finish up a very nice collection of baits.
He puts them into the box to finish up a very nice collection of baits.
Thanks, Matt!
Thanks, Matt!

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