Muddy Water - Tips To Catch Bass In Spring

The lake came up 5 feet overnight! The water turned to chocolate milk and completely changed the pattern. Come along as Matt figures out how to catch bass in these crazy conditions! Every Spring we get hit with cold, muddy water, learning how to fish through it will make you a more consistent angler. 

The first step in catching bass in muddy water is knowing what "normal" is on your lake. Its easy to go overboard with the bright, obnoxious colors on a lot of lakes. On the flip side, if your lake went from crystal clear to really dirty, its hard to find baits that are obnoxious enough! Once you've established a base line for your lake, you can easily choose the right colors and begin catching fish. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt had tied on today, as well as some of his favorite colors depending on water clarity. We've also included his exact Chatterbait combo and a couple budget options for the other baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

CHATTERBAIT... 

Bait- Z Man Jack Hammer Chatterbait (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Today's Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

Other Great Colors: Fire Craw, White

Trailer- HogFarmer Spunk Shad (4.5): http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Today's Color: Sexy Shad

Other Great Colors: Blue Gizzard, Blizzard Gizzard, Natural Gill

MATT'S OTHER MUDDY WATER BAITS... 

Squarebill- 13 Fishing Scamp 60 (1.5): https://bit.ly/3iMkYAw

Color: MudBug Punch, Natty Light

Lipless- Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Color: Chartreuse Shad, Spring Craw

Flat Side- Spro Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Color: Chartreuse Nasty, Nasty Shad, Blood Craw

Spinnerbait- Terminator P1 Painted (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/36B34vN

Colors: Silver Shiner, Nashville Sexy, Chart White Shad

Trailer- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: French Pearl, Chartreuse Shad, Sexy Shad

MATT'S CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 883C BJR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

BUDGET SPINNERBAIT/CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro Braid 50 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

BUDGET SQUAREBILL/LIPLESS COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'2" Medium: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

HOW TO CATCH THE BIGGEST FISH OF YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW!

Are you ready to catch a giant? Do you want a new PB? Its time!! If you want to catch a big bass, there are 3 techniques that consistently catch the monsters during the cold water months and today we're going to teach you how to use each of them effectively. Don't waste your Winter opportunity, get out there and catch the biggest bass of your life!

When Winter cold sets in, most of the fish in the lake become lethargic. This creates a unique opportunity for the giant fish to hunt, unimpeded by smaller fish. We use 3 unique techniques to specifically target these larger fish. The first is a big swimbait, the second is an A-Rig, and the last is Speed Cranking. Today, Matt is going in depth with each of these methods to help you build the confidence needed to go out and catch a giant bass!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included the exact colors, sizes, and rigging for each. We've also included links to our favorite rod and reel combos for each technique. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

WEDGE TAIL SWIMBAITS... 

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail RTF 8" Trout: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Trout, Ghost Trout, Dirty Silver, Kokanee

-Huddleston Deluxe 8" Trout ROF 12: http://bit.ly/2azFTon

Colors: Trout, Holdover, Hitch

-Hudleston Deluxe 8" Trout ROF 5: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

Color: Trout, Holdover, Hitch

BOOT TAIL SWIMBAITS... 

Bait- Little Creeper 8" Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2hmXtg1

Colors: LC Hitch, Chartreuse Shad, KC's Ghost

Hook- Owner 1/0 Beast Weighted: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

ALABAMA RIGS... 

-Hog Farmer Tactical Flex Rig (Bladed): https://bit.ly/38xd1es

-Hog Farmer Tactical Flex Rig (Non-Bladed): https://bit.ly/3vhpSez

-Yum Flash Mob Jr: http://bit.ly/2bgDGNu

COLD WATER RIG COMPONENTS... 

Main Baits- 13 Fishing Churro 4.25: https://bit.ly/2LLeRA6

Colors: Moonlight Clan, Mojito, Purple Rain

Dummy Baits- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

Swimbait Heads- Dirty Jigs Matt Allen 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

COOL WATER RIG COMPONENTS... 

Main Baits- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

Dummy Baits- Netbait Little Spanky: http://bit.ly/2d0dpU8

Colors: Albino, Smokin Magic Shad

Swimbait Heads- Dirty Jigs Matt Allen 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

CRANKBAITS... 

-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: DD Minnow, Mirrored Minnow, Ghost Minnow

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: Kisyu Ayu, Sexy Ayu, MB Gizzard

-Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Colors: Ito Wakasagi, Sexy Shad, MB Gizzard, Kisyu Ayu

FAVORITE SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 35 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Savage Gear Squad 8' Heavy: https://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300A: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

FAVORITE A-RIG COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

FAVORITE SPEED CRANKING COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

BUDGET SPEED CRANKING COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass 7'4" MH: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- 12 lb Sunline Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Does Technology Help You Catch More Fish? Humminbird Mega 360

Live Imaging, Side Imaging, Down Imaging, Sonar, 360... there are so many options! Do you really need all this technology?! How do you choose between them? Does all this tech really help you catch more fish? Today we're taking an in-depth look at Humminbird's Mega 360 Imaging!

We've had 360 imaging on our boats for several years, and mega 360 for the past year. We've spent countless hours using the technology before we voiced our opinions. To answer the initial question, you can catch fish without ANY technology at all. However, understanding and applying these new tools to your fishing will absolutely lead to more fish catches. Mega 360 imaging is an incredible tool and one we will continue to use for many years to come. 

Are you wondering why we aren't talking about LIVE imaging yet? We will! We need more time to test this technology so we can speak with authority, rather than speculation. However, we can already say with confidence that if your budget allows, live sonar technologies and 360 imaging complement each other incredibly well. One is remarkable at identifying structure and fish positioning around structure, while the other is remarkable at helping you trigger strikes while watching the fish interact with your lure.  

360 SETTING RECOMMENDATIONS...

Sensitivity: 12 

Contrast: 14

Range: 55ft

Speed: 4

TIPS TO DIAL IN YOUR 360 IMAGING... 

-Keep your range rings turned on at all times. 

-Remember your boat icon is not to scale and adjust your cast accordingly. 

-Your clearest picture will be when the boat is stationary.

-Signal readout: brighter readouts are harder bottom than dull readouts.

-Watching the shadow behind a structure will give a clearer picture of what you're seeing. 

-The slower the unit's speed, the clearer the picture. However, you'll have a longer delay between 

 real time and what you're seeing.  

360 IMAGING...

-Humminbird Mega 360 Imaging: https://bit.ly/3oUt7oO

TIM'S DAILY ELECTRONICS... 

Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW

Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY

Anchors- Minn Kota 10' Raptor: https://bit.ly/3iMUrEJ

360- Humminbird Mega 360 Imaging: https://bit.ly/3oUt7oO

LIVE IMAGING... 

-Humminbird Mega Live (BackOrder Available): https://bit.ly/2VXoaC7

-Garmin Panoptix LiveScope System: https://bit.ly/3smfocM

-Lowrance Active Target Sonar: https://bit.ly/37Lcox8

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

The EASIEST Way To Catch MORE BASS!! Chatterbait, Spinnerbait, Crankbait Trick!

Matt catches a ton of fish while demonstrating how the early morning hours can be incredible with a spinnerbait, lipless crankbait, and chatterbait. He teaches as he goes so you can learn to use these baits as a system to maximize your time while bass are moved up for the shad spawn, and he does it all before breakfast! Come along for the chaos and see how easy it really is to catch fish after the spawn!

In the early morning hours the bass are patrolling shallow water in schools, searching for a meal. Any of these lures can catch those fish but there is a trick! By hitting the fish in quick succession and switching quickly between pre-rigged baits, you can keep a school of aggressive fish fired up for long periods of time. The key is continued action... if you let up, the fish will quit. 

This method works for small fish, big fish, and huge numbers of fish. If you're not getting out early and targeting schooling bass, you're missing some of the most intense action of the year! Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt was using. He's also included some of his other favorites, his favorite colors, and the gear he was using to fish the baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Spinnerbaits... 

Bait #1- Terminator P1 Pro Series 3/8 oz: https://bit.ly/36B34vN

Color: Silver Shiner

Trailer- Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Shad

Bait#2- River2Sea Bling 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2diSwqq

Color: Abalone Shad

Trailer- Storm Largo Shad 4": https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Color: Albino

Lipless Crankbait... 

Bait- Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Color: RT Scale Minnow

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu EWG Size 4: http://bit.ly/2dmxXK8

Chatterbait... 

Bait- Z Man Evergreen Jackhammer 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Spot Remover

Trailer- Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 4.5": http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Blue Gizzard

Other Great Shad Spawn Spinnerbaits... 

-Megabass SV-3 Spinnerbait: https://bit.ly/3lk1SD0

Colors: Hasu, Wakasagi

- Damiki TOT Spinnerbait: http://bit.ly/38cxmD6

Colors: Smelt Shad, Sharp Belly

-War Eagle Nickel Screamin Eagle: http://bit.ly/2w5zoor

Colors: Blue Shad, Silver Shiner

Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro Lipless 855C: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K (HG): http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Sunline 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Shimano Spinnerbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

St. Croix Spinnerbait Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'3" Medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- 13 Fishing 7:1 Concept C2: https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

Line- Sufix 131 Braided Line 40 lb: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Chatterbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis 883C Bladed Jig: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Jet Boat Rigging... 

-Humminbird Helix 9: https://bit.ly/35OP5Sm

-Minn Kota Ultrex 80 lb 45" Shaft: http://bit.ly/2NPTY6c

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz