GEAR REVIEWS
Bass gear reviews for people who actually fish East Texas
Grass, timber and big fish are rough on gear. Our picks are built around that.
Photo: anglers at Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana. Steve Hillebrand, USFWS, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Short on time? Two things that earn their spot in the boat bag: Seaguar Red Label fluoro for when the grass gets grabby, and Gamakatsu EWG 2/0 hooks because you will lose some.
Gamakatsu EWG 2/0: Check price on Amazon · Rest of the small stuff: accessories list
Straight talk: picks are based on published specs and what’s widely sold, not hands-on tests yet. No printed prices. Jump to reviews · All 10 small accessories
Top picks for the boat bag
Fluorocarbon: Seaguar Red Label
Why it’s in the boat: Sinks and is hard to see underwater, so it earns its spot for worms and jigs around timber.
Who should skip this: anybody whose reels are already spooled with fresh line. Line is not a collectible. Fish what you’ve got.
EWG worm hooks: Gamakatsu Offset Shank EWG, 2/0, 25 pack
Why it’s in the boat: The Senko, Texas rig and Carolina rig hook, in a pack big enough to feed the brush pile.
Who should skip this: anybody fishing with a guide who furnishes tackle. Ask first. Your hook box may stay home.
Pliers: KastKing Cutthroat 7 inch, split ring nose
Why it’s in the boat: Reaches the hook so your fingers don’t have to, and opens split rings when you swap trebles.
Who should skip this: anybody who already keeps a good long pair of pliers in the boat. Two pairs just means two things to drop overboard.
Tungsten bullet weights: Strike King Tour Grade, 1/4 oz, 3 pack, green pumpkin sapphire
Why it’s in the boat: Smaller weight for the same ounce, with no insert to fray your line.
Who should skip this: anybody who only throws a weightless Senko. You don’t need a weight or a swivel. You need patience.
Tackle box: Plano Waterproof StowAway 3700
Why it’s in the boat: O-ring seal and an IPX7 waterproof rating, in a size that fits most tackle bags.
Who should skip this: anybody with a drawer full of empty 3700s. You know who you are.
Line cutter: Boomerang Tool Company Original SNIP
Why it’s in the boat: Hangs on your shirt, so it’s there when your teeth shouldn’t be.
Who should skip this: folks who already have a pair of pliers that cut braid clean. One good cutter is plenty.
Reviews
Each one has a quick answer, a comparison table and a “who should skip this” section.
Fluorocarbon vs braid for East Texas bass
Seaguar Red Label vs Sufix 832. Timber, grass, and which spool earns the reel.
Best hooks for Texas-rigging and drop-shotting
Gamakatsu EWG vs a light-wire drop shot hook, plus tungsten weights.
Boat-bag tools: pliers, line cutter and fish grip
Three small tools that keep your fingers and teeth out of it.
Want the whole list? See all 10 small bass fishing accessories.
How we review
- We compare published specs, manufacturer info and the retailer listing.
- If we’ve used something, we’ll say so. If we haven’t, we’ll say that too. No made-up fish stories.
- Prices change, so we don’t print them. We date every review.
- Most tackle links will point to Tackle Warehouse, broader outdoor gear to Bass Pro Shops, and Amazon only for small accessories.
Picking a lake first?
Gear depends on where you fish. Start with Lake Fork, Sam Rayburn or Toledo Bend. Or skip the gear question and book a guide. Several guides on our list say on their own sites that they furnish rods, reels or tackle.
Sources
Amazon listings re-checked October 10, 2026. Guide tackle notes checked October 7, 2026.