The Starting Spot: Micro-Baits for Big Smallmouth, Top Tips for Hot Bass, and 2026 Bassmaster Elite Schedule

In today’s 7-22–25 edition of The Starting Spot:

-Sometimes, really small baits are required to trigger the biggest smallmouth bass to bite. Great Lakes Finesse has the baits you need.

-It’s been a hot summer almost everywhere in the U.S. Let the Tactical Bassin’ guys help you find the best bass fishing when it’s really hot.

-As a South Carolina resident, I’m pretty psyched to see the Bassmaster Elites hit Lake Murray and Santee Cooper back to back in early May. The 2026 Schedule looks like a good balance of scope and non-scope events.

Go Micro for Extra-Fussy Smallmouth Bass

by Jeff Samsel

How To Catch Bass When Its HOT Outside!

by Tactical Bassin’

According to a video on the Tactical Bassin’ YouTube channel: Don't let the heat get you down. It's good for bass fishing. Hot temperatures put bass in predictable locations and we're going to show you how to target them. With just a few simple baits you can catch fish all through the heat of summer, no matter how hot it gets.

B.A.S.S. announces 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series schedule featuring legendary fisheries and historic returns

by B.A.S.S.

Per an article on Bassmaster.com: Bass fishing’s biggest stage has been set for 2026 with the return of the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, featuring a dynamic schedule that will test the world’s best anglers on some of the nation’s most storied waters — and a few that haven’t hosted an Elite event in years.

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