James Niggemeyer

Hey BR, New video about Color Accents most Pros don't talk about. Let me know what you think! JN

It will definitely work in a moderate stain, however I think it really shines in clearer water with at least 1' of visibility or more.

Hey Ryan, I apologize for the delay in response to your question. First I will say that I don't have a tremendous amount of experience with the A-Rig because most tournaments I compete in do not allow them in competition. What I have experienced is both work and if you have confidence in one over the other than go with the one that you have most confidence in. It is my personal opinion that what makes it so effective is the multitude of baits that imitates a school of baitfish so well, so while the 3 hook is just fine I would certainly consider the 5 bait with additional hookless offerings to be most effective. Hope that helps!

Hey BR, Recently hit the lake and got into some topwater. Attached is a new Video of the day that includes thought process, baits, and all the good details! Thanks for watching! JN

Hey BR, I hit the lake recently thinking I would do one thing, but had to switch gears. I was pleasantly surprised to find some bass willing to bite my topwater bait. Hope you enjoy the video! JN

Hey BR, Sharing a DIY tip for anglers who love to throw swimbaits and underspins like the Owner Flashy swimmer. Hope you like it! JN

Hey BR, Just posted a new video on Jerkbaits for Fall bass. Its kind of an overview...hope you all like it! Thanks for Watching! JN

Hey BR, Like the New look of Bass Resource is very nice and clean looking, thumbs up! Just uploaded a video of a recent trip to the lake where I fished the Ned Rig for Post Frontal Fall Bass. Hope your guys like it...let me know what you think! Thanks JN

Hi BR, Here is a video that centers about what I would pack into a Fall Bass Fishing Box. 3 baits for Deep and 3 Baits for Shallow to simplify things during what could be one of the top times for Junk fish. Hope you like it! JN

Great questions: In todays world of electronic everything I can’t see why anyone would have to move other than for tax reasons. Tactical Bassin for example was California based which is probably Top 3 in the highest tax rate/cost of living in the country. I am formerly from So Cal so I feel qualified to speak to that. I think Youtubers would want to move because they can deliver new fresh perspective content instead of the same geographical locations they have for years. Also they are more mobile than others due to the fact that they can work from anywhere. Youtuber Tylersreelfishing makes trips to the north country where he is able to offer different smallmouth content. Even with my YouTube channel I have found that you have a tendency to want to offer your viewers something different. I just don’t see it as a “demands from partnerships” perspective. They shouldn’t have to be located in the nearby proximity for meetings when zoom meetings are so easy. There can be a lot of misconceptions about what it takes to be recognized and become a part of a companies promotional efforts. Companies are in business to be profitable of course, so if they can’t justify how the angler increases sales and a reasonable amount of exposure then baits & cash is probably not going to happen. Certainly there are different things that need to happen by the angler in these partnerships but I wouldn’t count moving as one of them. For example KVD, Skeet Reese and Mike Iaconelli have never left there home states to fulfill there contractual obligations. Hope that answers your questions...GOOD FISHING! Thank you, James Niggemeyer

Hey BR, Here is a new video that I uploaded where I share a Secret bait for Fall Bass Fishing. Hope you like it and thanks for watching!

Hi BR, Hope you all are going to hit the lake this weekend! When it comes to bladed jig trailer selection it can be pretty confusing what to put on. Well in this video I share my Top 3 Bladed jig trailers. Hope you like and thanks for watching! JN

Hey BR Recently uploaded this video of some of my most memorable catches of 2020 FLW Pro Circuit competition. Hope y’all have a great week

Hey BR Wanted to share Parts 1 & 2 from my FLW Title championship at Sturgeon Bay. Hope you all like it! Thanks JN

Hey BR, Here is my most recent video that is applicable to our seasonal time frame. Hope you like it! thanks for watching...JN

Hi Doug first I would like to say THANK YOU for your service to our country. Sounds like they were catching striped bass or white bass once you added the long pole being thrashed on the surfaced of the water. I haven't personally done it however I know and have seen guides on Lake Texoma in pursuit of Striped bass creating noise in order draw the fish near or to the top or near the surface (possibly to emulate the sound of fish feeding on the surface) and so that they could present a bait to them. Pretty sure that's what it is but I am not sure why we don't do that for bass.

The scenario isn't all that unfamiliar to most people in the middle of summer, however I can't say that I've ever fished a strip mine for bass or that I remember anyway. When I think strip mine I think box or rectangular shaped, however if there is any type of creek or area where the water flows in that is where I would look. The flow of water from recent rains causes current that also carries oxygen and the baitfish / fish will gravitate towards that regardless of the water color. Other than that a tougher and less desirable approach that I would look for is some type of baitfish congregation out over deeper water even if they are suspended over 40, 60 or 100'. If there is bait there is definitely going to be bass nearby. You may try throwing baits and letting them fall or pendulum through and below the clouds of bait. Hope that helps...Love to hear if that works for you. All the best!

I think your mind set is right on target. It’s so important “to me” to make it an enjoyable day, so ask and see if there is anything that he does a certain way, as we all have our systems. Ask if your partner is a conversationalist or not, so that you guys are on the same page. Have a conversation with him about the manner he plans to fish so that you don’t overpack but at the same time bring a couple items that “might” come into play as well as some confidence baits based on water your on and time of year just in case his plan doesn’t pan out and you guys are forced into scramble mode. In the matter of on the water courtesy I would suggest allowing your partner the ability to fish the water thoroughly before taking a crack at whatever is coming towards you on either side of the boat. This way he can fish at his pace and not be rushed and in turn feel a need to fish defensively, allowing both anglers an opportunity at presenting baits properly. Hope this helps. Wish you all the best!

Hey BR, There is a virtual Meet the Pros event this Tuesday September 2nd at 7pm EST. Don’t miss out! James N Forgot to add the information on where to register: https://www.blakesmith.fish/meet-the-pros

I use lipless crank baits up to 3/4oz with the 1/2 being my primary choice. Experience with anything heavier than that is minimal at best and to be completely honest with you I don’t think I’ve ever caught one on anything heavier than a half three-quarter inch size. Sorry I can’t be much help in that regard, but I would think that people would use those mostly for striped bass and intercoastal saltwater species. I know that some guys will use a 1 oz for Bass but I would think that would be in very specific situations like when the fish are holding deeper and tight to the bottom.

For the reel I would suggest a Lews speed spool LFS ($99) or a Lew’s tournament MP LFS $149 with a Lew’s TP1 Black ($129) or Lew’s Custom Speed stick ($149). I believe you’ll be pleased with the value the Lew’s brand offers in one of those combinations at that price point.

I apologize, however I don’t know the answer to your question regarding the Lew’s Reels. I suggest you call the Lew’s service department as they have a very knowledgeable staff that I would be sure could answer your questions. Sorry I can’t be more help.

Glad you like that knot! I can’t take any credit for its development, but I’m happy to share it with everyone that asks because it’s a tremendous knot. I started with the Palomar knot for all my mono, copolymer and braided lines so that’s just what I tie. If it isn’t broken don’t fix it. I came across the Eugene slipknot for fluorocarbon when I was experiencing knot issues with FC and it fixed it immediately.

I believe that mono could be more abrasion resistant than Flourcarbon, however I have not seen the tests reflecting that. I will say that I have gone to exclusively fluorocarbon and braided line (65% F and 35% and very rarely do I use mono unless it’s as a leader in front of braid for top water. To me the advantages of fluorocarbon far out reach outweigh that is Moana. The sensitivity, invisibility, lack of stretch and performance overall make it a clear choice for my presentations.

Hey BR Here is a quick video for keeping your lure/jig skirts together over time and for overall effectiveness.