The 2026 Baits I Found in Knoxville Will Break Bass Fishing
Knoxville show highlights: new baits and tackle for 2026
Overview
At the East Tennessee Fishing Show in Knoxville, content creator BassGeek toured vendor booths and catalogued a set of baits and tackle likely to influence bass anglers in 2026. The report covers innovations aimed at pressured fisheries, clear water and cold-season presentations, including new minnow profiles, tungsten heads, braid and rigging ideas.
Key finds
Exhibitors introduced several noteworthy products: compact cold-water minnow imitations with subtle swim and glass rattles, oxidized “ghost” tungsten heads designed to reduce reflection, and a line-through tungsten nail weight for fast presentations without a conventional jig head. New finesse football jigs and bladed attachments surfaced alongside designs for buzzbaits and walk-the-dog style lures tuned for pressured fish.
Vendor and tech notes
Manufacturers emphasized material and finish: preloaded bearings in tournament reels, high-stitch X12 braid for longer casts, and proprietary plastics intended to increase durability. Several small builders showcased wire-tied jigs, hybrid tungsten-resin bodies and shifting internal weights to alter fall rate and presentation in wind or current.
Outlook for anglers
These products respond directly to common on-water problems—pressure, clear water visibility and cold temperatures. Anglers fishing reservoirs, rivers and highland lakes are likely to adopt the ghost heads, line-through nail weights and the compact minnow profiles for winter and early spring tactics. Retail availability varies; many items will roll out through specialist retailers and brand websites in the coming months.