How To Catch Bigger Smallmouth (And Largemouth) - Everything You Need To Know - Finesse Bass Fishing

Smallmouth are amazing! They're aggressive, even in cold water. They're willing to migrate huge distances for food. When you set the hook they give you a ride that is unrivaled by the other bass. There is little wonder why so many anglers love Smallmouth bass fishing. Targeting these predators requires a finesse touch and some unique gear that is often overlooked for the other bass species.  

While you can catch a smallmouth on virtually anything, the fish tend to favor clearer water and a true finesse touch will increase your odds dramatically. In today's video Tim dives into his favorite finesse tactics and equipment for consistently targeting these bronze backs. 

Below is a breakdown of the gear he discussed in order of appearance. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Finesse Keitech Swimbaits... 

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3 and 3.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Chartreuse Blue, Crystal Shad, Goby, Smallmouth Magic

-Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-2.8 keitech Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Tennessee Shad

-Dirty Jigs 1/8 oz Guppy Head 1/0: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Finesse Swimbaits…

-Megabass 3" Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Colors: Purple Haze, Real, Silver Shad

-Megabass 1/16 oz Okashira Head: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 2.4" and 3": http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Donko, Haze, Hanahaze Wakasagi

Spy Baits... 

-Duo Realis Spin Bait 80: http://bit.ly/2oeVG1m

Colors: Ghost SX Shad, BK Ayu, Ghost Minnow

-Duo Realis Spin Bait 90: http://bit.ly/2nhw56N

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Purple Reign AM, Shiner AM

Hair Jigs... 

-Outkast Tackle Feider Fly 3/32 (Black): http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Dropshot Worms...

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Chick Magnet, Green Pump Purp, Smoke Purp Flake

-Strike King Half Shell: http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

Colors: Morning Dawn, Magic, TW Green Pumpkin

Dropshot Rigging... 

Light Wire Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1, 2): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Medium Wire Hook- Trokar Dropshot (Size 1, 2): http://bit.ly/2ahxJOr

Tungsten Tie-On Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16): http://bit.ly/37AVcrx

Tungsten Dropshot Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16): http://bit.ly/2V2B63h

Tubes... 

-Dry Creek Tournament Tube 3.5": http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

Colors: Old Ugly, Mocha Copper Pepper, Crazy Eddie

-Big Bite Tour Tube 3.5": http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Colors: Tilapia, Green Pumpkin Purple Copper Flk

Tube Heads... 

-Bite me 60 degree Flat Eye Head (3/16): http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

-Provider Tackle 90 degree (3/16): http://bit.ly/2OAvYRv

Z Man Ned Rig Baits... 

-Z Man Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Mud Bug

-Z Man TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Mud Bug, Hot Snakes

-Z Man TRD TicklerZ: http://bit.ly/2mGyDAC

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Mud Bug

Other Ned Rig Worms... 

-Xzone Ned Zone stick Bait 3": http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Colors: 309, Green Pump Purple, Minnow Magic

-Roboworm Ned Worm 3": http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Colors: Desert Craw, TW Black Blue Pumpkin

-Missile Baits Ned Bomb: http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

Colors: Super Bug, Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core

Ned Heads... 

Tungsten- Swagger Flanders Head 1/6 oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Lead- Z Man Ned LockZ HD Head: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Stick Baits... 

-5" Yamamoto Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Baby Bass, Crushed Goby, Electric Worm

-5" Yum Dinger: http://bit.ly/2J8nMrF

Colors: Elders Magic, Green Pumpkin, Ozark Smoke

Stick Bait Rigging... 

-G7 O-Rings 7MM: http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

-G7 O Ring Tool: http://bit.ly/2PRMNrG

-Owner Jungle Wacky Weedless Hook: https://bit.ly/2VKZl9U

-Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Hook: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Tim's Favorite Keitech Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's Favorite Ultra-Finesse Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Conquest 902S SJR: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's Feider Combo... 

Rod- Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7'6" ML: http://bit.ly/2QHupT9

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline 6 lb Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Bass Fishing: Finesse Tips For Fishing Crystal Clear Water

Struggling to catch bass in crystal clear water? Come along with Tim for a day of clear water bass fishing. He shows the finesse baits he's using and explains how he downsizes line to adapt to the water conditions. Pay close attention to his color selections and bait sizes as he lures fish into biting despite the tough conditions. 

Tim's first trick to catch clear water fish was to focus on shade pockets. Often the "last shade" in an area will have an active group of fish long after sunny areas have stopped biting. He used a ghost colored S-Waver then dropped down to a finesse head and smaller keitech to coax the bites. 

Once the last shade faded away he turned his attention to fishing the "color line" along the shore where light penetration is limited by depth. The color line is an amazing place to find active fish under bright sunny conditions. Finally, after not getting the results he hoped for Tim moved ultra shallow into cover in search of afternoon bass in shady pockets near brush. Today he found those fish spawning but could have caught them a variety of ways under normal circumstances. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment he used throughout the day. In addition to the exact baits we've included additional color recommendations that work great in clear water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can find detailed pictures and descriptions of each item. 

Glide Bait... 

-R2S S-Waver 168 (TW Phantom Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Paddle Tail Swimbaits... 

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.8" (Sun Gill): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3" (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Tactical Finesse Head 3/8 oz (Naked Shad): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Other Great Colors: Crystal Shad, Goby, TW Pro Blue

Dropshot... 

-Reaction Innovations Flirt Worm 4.95 (Morning Dawn): http://bit.ly/2CMB33J

Other Great Colors: Infection, Spring Break, Bad Shad Green

-Owner Mosquito Light Size 1 Hook: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-Tungsten "Tie On" Dropshot 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2YAoMuv

Jig... 

-Keitech Tungsten Football Jig 3/8 oz (Brown/Purple): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Other Great Colors: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Chartreuse

-Z Man Finesse TRD CrawZ Trailer (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Keitech Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Metanium (Updated Metanium Linked) XG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 822S DSR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852C JWR: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Never Get Skunked - Micro Swimbait Tips For Early Season Bass

We're back on Lake Berryessa for a quick evening fishing trip. Fresh off the jerkbait and fluke video from a few days ago, we're back to see how many bass we can catch! Matt hopes to pick up where he left off so he's brought a variety of jerkbaits and topwater options. Of course nothing goes to plan but he adapts and has an awesome evening fishing with finesse swimbaits!

Spring bass fishing is all about adapting to changing conditions. One day its beautiful, the next day its snowing. One day you've got the lake to yourself, the next day there are boats everywhere. If you find that your fish have shut down, look no further than a tiny swimbait like the 2.8 keitech to save the day! These little baits are incredibly adaptable and get bit by everything that swims. Trout, crappie, and even trophy bass, have no problem gulping them! 

Hopefully you enjoyed today's video as much as we did. We were met with challenging conditions but were able to adapt and overcome. Below is a breakdown of the exact equipment we were using and a few bonus baits that are worth trying if your fish are already conditioned to the Keitech. All of these baits go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up photos and detailed descriptions of each item. 

The Baits In order Of Appearance... 

Topwater- Showerblows 105 (Half Mirror Wakasagi): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Soft Jerkbait- Zoom Super Fluke (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Swimbait- Keitech Fat Swing Impact 2.8" (TW Ghost Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Swimbait Head- Dirty Jigs 1/8 oz Guppy Head 1/0: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Other Great Finesse Swimbaits... 

-Damiki Armor Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

-Megabass Spark Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

-Jackall Rhythm Wave 2.8": http://bit.ly/2m78LM9

Matt's Finesse Swimbait Combo...

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" ML: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Stadic FL 1000: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

Line- Sunline Asegai 10 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Leader- Sunline Sniper 7 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Mid-Priced Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'8" ML: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 1000: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 8 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Raw Fishing Footage! Spring Bass Fishing LIVE On Lake Berryessa!

Come along for an afternoon of uncut bass fishing on Lake Berryessa! We have a mix of prespawn and spawning bass with perfect conditions for a fun afternoon of fishing catching! With the virus causing lock downs, shelter in place orders, and quarantines, a lot of us just need to go fishing and clear our heads. Unfortunately not everyone is able get out right now so Tim headed to the lake and is bringing us along for the action. Forget your current circumstances, kick back, and just enjoy the time on the water. If you don't have time to watch the whole video, jump through the time stamps below for the highlights. Let's go fishing! 

Today's video is full of action! Tim catches a bunch of fish, sees some GIANT largemouth, and has a great time on the water. Here are the cut points to the highlights, click on the time stamps to jump to those points in the video.

-1st Fish Catch - 7:10 

-Talking About School Shut Downs - 9:00

-2nd Fish Catch - 15:30

-LOSES The Same Fish TWICE Then Catches Him - 21:40

-Tim spots A GIANT Bass! - 29:05

-4th Fish Catch - 36:15

-5th Fish Catch -1:00:20

-Lakemaster Chips and Suspending Bass - 1:03:45

-Backlash Removal Trick You need To Try! - 1:09:30

-Kicker Fish Catch On Keitech Swimbait 1:12:08

If you enjoyed this style of video let us know in the comments! We're here to help you through this tough time with a steady stream of distraction and fishing information! We will not let our videos lapse despite our own lakes being shut down. Stay strong Tactical Family!

Below is a breakdown of the lures and equipment used in the video, in order of appearance to make it easy for you to follow along. See something you like or want to check out? All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included color recommendations where relevant.

Dropshot Rig... 

Bait- Reaction Innovations Flirt Worm: http://bit.ly/2CMB33J

Favorite Colors... Violator, Spring Break, Morning Dawn 

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Tie-One Pencil Weight 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2YAoMuv

Jig... 

Bait- Bass Patrol Football 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Hbyf5x

Favorite Colors... Brown/Purple, Brown/Orange, Brown/Green Pumpkin

Trailer- Missile Baits Ned Bomb: http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

Small PaddleTail Swimbait... 

Bait- Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact (Chartreuse Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Glide Bait... 

Bait- S-Waver 168 (TW Phantom Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Hook Upgrade- Owner ST-56 3X (size 2): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Split Ring Upgrade- Owner Hyperwire Size 5: http://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

Larger PaddleTail Swimbait... 

Bait- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact (Goby): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head 3/8 oz (Naked Shad): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Tim's Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 822S DSR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

"Bang For The Buck" Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7' Medium Light Spinning: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- 8 lb Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G