Scales N Tales

It's always special when I have a guest who is just as passionate about capturing trips with their camera while also fishing big baits. It's a relationship many don’t dive into much, but when I have the chance to speak with someone who geeks out over media as much as I do, I take full advantage of the episode. Garritt has a different spin on filming than most, ditching the newest and clearest came...

Have you ever met a builder with a more fitting last name? Konnor Kraft is the man behind Hand Krafted Baits. Konnor and I talked about what it was like growing up in the Great White North, battling harsh winters while trying to become more familiar with bass fishing at a young age. We discussed how he got into carving and his journey as a painter. I also asked if we can ever expect resin baits fr...

Join Caleb and me as he breaks down the entire lineup of baits York Cast Co offers. He shares recommendations on hooks, split rings, and line to use for each bait, along with stories about the R&D they've been doing. Caleb also discusses how his fishing style has evolved since getting into big baits and how being both a builder and an angler is a significant advantage in this scene. Be sure to...

We dive into the crazy trips Grant has taken since the last time he was on the show. He dicusses his newest addiction of Peacock fishing and explains how quickly he was humbled by them on his first out of country trip. We also talk about his new found love for the still "lowkey" Flag 255 from Grow Design Works. Grant's socials: IG: grant_langmore7 Email: grantblangmore@gmail.com

There are a ton of painters in the scene now, many of whom you can identify just by their trout patterns. Garrett’s work is easily recognizable—and for good reason. With around six years of painting experience, he’s nearly perfected his process from start to finish. Garrett has tapped into a niche market that others haven’t explored: repainting soft baits for customers. This side project required...

Ceasar is one of the most well-known builders in the scene, covering every base in the bait-building world—from soft baits like the Old Man River to resin baits and, most recently, the ABS line. Caesar shares his journey, starting with his introduction to building the XL Mink for the Delta, and we discuss the process of stepping into ABS production and what that transition has been like for him. H...

From one of the best states in the Great Lakes region to a southern state on the East Coast—can you imagine how much everything changed for Alex? We dive into the transformation his fishing had to undergo and the culture shock he experienced in the bass scene of a new region. Bigger lakes, deeper lakes, more fishing pressure, and different baitfish all created a steep learning curve for a kid from...

What do a 250 and a DRT Ghost have in common? Our crazy guest Kyle Reigle uses them both regularly to target giant river smallmouth—with pretty impressive results. We dive into how he uses these baits, along with others, in fast-moving river currents. We also discuss how the big swimbait scene is slowly growing in river systems and how it has both positively and negatively impacted the community,...

Two of the most sought-after baits in the community, often selling for hundreds over retail on the second-hand market. I was lucky enough to sit down with Andrew and hear his story, from tournament fishing at the age of 10 to his experience growing up during the era when California was producing some of the biggest bass in history. He shares his introduction to bait building and how Hinkle Lures b...

You might recognize Cody if you're familiar with Travis Pastrana—quite an attention-grabbing way to kick things off, right? Cody is a media brand owner and a passionate swimbait angler from Pennsylvania. In this episode, we dive into his media background, his expertise with cameras, and, of course, a conversation about big baits. Cody's socials: IG: codystauder IG:thisiscinegrade Website: https://...

New to the swimbait world but learning quickly, Nole joins me for a show to share his experience getting familiar with fishing in Florida. We discuss the challenges of fishing from a paddleboard and what it's been like to fish with Marshall, gaining insights from his expertise on the water. Nole's socials: IG: noles.fishing TikTok: nole.fl YT:NolesFishing Check out Leviathan Rods, and use code sca...

Joined by the king of sous vide, Andrew and I catch up since his last appearance on the show in August. We talk about his recent trip to the Amazon with Austin and what the adventure of chasing prehistoric fish was like, all while only being able to travel with 45 pounds of gear. Andrew's socials: IG: man_brew Check out Leviathan Rods, and use code scales20 at check out for 20% off all your rod pu...

I bet you can confidently say you don’t know any other builder who’s colorblind. Well, after hearing this episode, you can say you do! Eric shares his solutions to this unique challenge, along with how he’s developed his baits into what we see today. Make sure you listen all the way through to get a little gift from Versatile Baits, too! Eric's socials: IG: versatilebaitsllc Site: https://www.vers...

Nate can do it all, from working a fly rod to throwing a swimbait. A local friend who has mastered some crazy bites and dialed in exactly what his local fish want year-round. From landing a 9-pound Michigan bass to catching coho and king salmon on the TK, and even hooking bowfin on glide baits—this was a great episode showcasing what Michigan has to offer for swimbait anglers. Nate's socials: IG:...

What do a goose and Antoine have in common? Both speak French and shared some bonding time on Saturday night before the Swimbait Universe Gathering Tournament. It’s another chapter with one of our favorite French guests and his new American brother, Troy. This is Antoine’s third time in the States, and from the sound of it, it's his most American experience yet! The Boy's socials: IG: afishingview...

Another young fella joins me for the second show we’ve recorded. He talks about losing a tackle box worth close to $800, the new baits he’s had luck with, and some new gear he’s been using. We also touched on how, nowadays, you have to sit on C2C for a while to avoid burning bites or spots, even if you want the social media clout. Vances's socials: IG: Vance_fishing_freak Check out Leviathan R...

Joined by one of the coolest bait builders out there right now, Max comes on the show to talk about the Top Frog. By taking the true swim of a frog and turning it into a swimbait platform, Max has, in my opinion, created one of the most unique baits on the market. The Top Frog is everything you could want from a frog imitator. Make sure to follow him to stay in the loop for upcoming drops. Max's s...

Joined by Connor and Dale the Net Man for episode 156. For those who haven’t listened yet, Dale the Net Man is a random rubber chicken Connor keeps in his net. Connor is what I'd consider a swimbait junkie, someone who has put in the time on his lake and, in my opinion, will be breaking ten sooner rather than later. Connor's socials: IG: condogfishing Check out Leviathan Rods, and use code scales2...

Episode 9458 of Marshall joining us for a show..... But episode 1 of it being in person! We talk about what his Michigan experience has been like and how tuff it's been since getting here. The weather is cold, the wind is blowing and the fish aren't eating.... what a combo. 
 
 Marshalls socials: IG: thehomelessfiserman IG: bassnbums 
 
 Check out Leviathan Rods, and use code scales20 at check out...

Mr. Doctor Alec joins us for his fourth appearance on SNT, which is insane. We catch up on everything he's been up to since his last episode, and spoiler alert—he's been up to a lot. Trout, cudas, and big green fish on swimbaits—that's a decent life to live if you ask me. Alecs socials: IG: @alecwieker Check out Leviathan Rods, and use code scales20 at check out for 20% off all your ro...

The 2019 SWBT UNGD Champion, Shasta Lake spotted bass record holder with a 9.625 lb catch, and with a handful of double-digit bass under his belt, Chad walks us through growing up in California and his experience finding his way into the big bait world. Chads socials: IG: @chadeverettsweitzer_ Check out Leviathan Rods, and use code scales20 at check out for 20% off all your rod purchases! ⁠⁠https:...

Marshall, Brain and I, a true spectacle for an episode. Some minor fishing talk, with some major laughs and jokes. We truly embodied Juan in this one, fish how you want and live how you want. The Boys socials: Marshall: thehomelessfisherman Brain: _nine_pound_hammer_ Check out Leviathan Rods, and use code scales20 at check out for 20% off all your rod purchases! ⁠⁠https://www.leviathanrods.com⁠ ⁠ ...

I don't think this man even needs an introduction. He's been making baits for longer than I've been on this earth and can even claim his baits have landed a bass over 20 pounds and one over 19 and a half pounds. I don't think many other builders can say their baits have achieved anything like that. It was truly a great time talking with Mickey, hearing the stories behind all the di...

Join Trevor and me as we talk about his bait company, Outside the Box Lure Co. We discuss his holy grail waterway and how he learned to swimbait fish it, all while using this loaded spot to experiment with building baits. We touch on what he is trying to do differently in the often saturated swimbait scene. He tells us about his bait and what makes it unique with his tail design. Trevor talks abou...

Yet again, what goes better together than Massachusetts and wake baits? Join Josh and me as we break down the Spro rat and his experiences with that bait. Along with his other staple wake baits he always has tied on, we talk about his time swimbaiting at night and how he goes about doing it from his yak, and the gear he trusts while out there. Josh's socials: IG: grimmlock58fishing Check out L...