Crystal Clear Water - Bass Fishing Paradise!

These fish had never even seen a lure! Come along as we fish some of the most beautiful, crystal clear water we've ever seen! We're on an untouched section of Lake Michigan in search of Smallmouth bass! Before we set out, realize that exploring areas like this comes with huge risks! If something goes wrong, there is no one coming to help. Its important that you have tools, food, and shelter, if you want to explore the far reaches of the Great Lakes!

Fishing crystal clear water is incredibly exciting! You can see the fish coming, and you can see them running from you. Light line, small hooks, and natural baits are a must! An adventure of this caliber takes a ton of planning and its not uncommon to fail entirely. But on this day, we landed on the fish and they were biting! It really seemed like some of these bass had never seen a lure!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits we threw throughout the day, including the exact sizes and colors. When you pair light tackle against big fish, quality drags and light line are key so you'll notice we are using very high-end equipment on this trip. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

COOP'S KEITECH... 

Bait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Blue and Chartreuse

Head- Megabass Okashira Screw Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

MATT'S HAIR JIG... 

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

Color: Black

DARK SLEEPER SWIMBAITS... 

-Megabass 3" Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz, 3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze

MATT'S HAIR JIG COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Baby Plugging: https://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2000: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

MATT'S DARK SLEEPER COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

COOP'S KEITECH COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 842S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Stella 2500: https://bit.ly/38LaK2u

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju 

AFFORDABLE FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 3000: https://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju 

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

Smallmouth Fishing Tips For Spring Bass Fishing!

Its Smallmouth Time! If you live in the North, its go time for big smallmouth! We love chasing big bronze backs and get pretty fanatical about our tackle. Come along for a deep dive into our favorite baits for consistently catching jumbo smallies throughout Spring. 

Smallmouth can be found all over the country but the Great Lakes region is the Mecca of big smallmouth. This entire region is about to fire up so today we're shedding some light on our key baits for fishing in the North. From swimbaits, to topwater, to finesse, these are the baits we rely on to catch the big ones. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, colors, and weights for each application. We've also included some of our favorite high-end smallmouth gear and a great budget combo as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SWIMBAITS...

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

Color: Chartreuse Electric Blue

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

-Megabass Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze

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

Colors: Albino, Real, Purple Haze

Head- Megabass Okashira Screw head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

CRANKBAITS... 

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

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow, Green Pumpkin Craw

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

Colors: See Thru Chart, Elegy Bone, Sexy Ayu

-Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Colors: Goby, Phantom Brown, Phantom Green

TOPWATER... 

-Lucky Craft Gunfish 95: https://bit.ly/3MUktST

Colors: Chrome, Bone Shad

-Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Bone, Full Metal, Skeleton Chartreuse

-Reaction Innovations Vixen: http://bit.ly/2rp11nr

Colors: Bone, Lime Ice

-Whopper Plopper 90: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Loon, Monkey Butt, Bone

DROPSHOT RIGGING... 

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten "Tie On" Dropshot: http://bit.ly/2YAoMuv

DROPSHOT BAITS... 

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

Colors: Green Pump orange black blu flk, Chick Magnet

-STH Finesse Crush: https://bit.ly/3s5BcIn

Colors: Smokin Joe, Magic Chart, Bang

-Berkley Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/3lAAorL

Colors: Black, Natural Shad, Smoke Black Purple

TUBES... 

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

Colors: Green Pump Purp Cop Flk, Green Pump Orange

-STH Finesse Tube 2.5: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Ten Point, Dark melon Purple

TUBE HEADS... 

-Bite Me Tackle Big Dude Goby (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2CV3o7S

-Blade Runner Inhaler Head (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

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

HAIR JIGS... 

-Oukast Tackle Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Colors: Black

NED WORMS... 

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

Colors: TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Desert Craw

-XZone Ned Zone: http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Colors: 309, Big Limit 

-Zman Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Goby Bryant

JIG... 

-Keitech Finesse Football (3.8 oz): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Color: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Black

Trailer- Zman TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Color: Green Pumpkin

DARK SLEEPER COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 "Dark Sleeper": https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 822S DSR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

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

Line- Power Pro Super Slick V2 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3vSwa6Z

Leader- Sunline Super FC (6 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: https://bit.ly/2H44yjG

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

BUDGET FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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 Fish A Senko: Everything You Need To Know!

The Senko is arguably the best bass fishing lure of all time! It comes in more than 100 colors, all sorts of sizes, and can be fished so many different ways it will make your head spin. The bait is so effective that an entire category of lures called "stick baits" have been designed to imitate it. Do you really need all those options to catch fish? Of course not! Here's what you need to know... 

If we could only have one Senko to get us through every day on every lake it would be a 5" Yamamoto Senko in Green Pumpkin Black Flake. That bait can be Texas Rigged or Wacky Rigged and will catch fish in virtually every lake in the country. From there, the Neko Rig has earned a special place in our arsenal, as have a few different colors for specific water color situations. 

Below you'll find links to the Senko, some of the better Senko alternatives, as well as the gear we use to rig and fish these stick baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SENKO... 

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

Favorite Sizes: 5" and 6"

Best Colors...

-Green Pumpkin Black Flake

-Watermelon Copper Orange Red Flake

-Electric Shad

Clear Water Colors...

-Baby Bass

-Natural Shad

-Green Pump Purple Copper

Muddy Water Colors...

-Black Blue Flake with Blue Tip

-Junebug

-Black Blue

SENKO ALTERNATIVES... 

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Bama Magic

-Big Bite Baits Trick Stick: https://bit.ly/3shcgNK

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Tilapia

Gambler Fat Ace: http://bit.ly/2aJq2AO

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Magic Craw

-Magnum Baits: http://bit.ly/2KBhPWU

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Kush

WEIGHTLESS RIGGING... 

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

Hook- Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap 1/0: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

VMC CrossOver Pliers: https://bit.ly/3ipm9HN

VMC CrossOver Bands (7mm and 8mm): https://bit.ly/3w0NYdz

NEKO RIGGING... 

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

Hook- Owner Weedless Finesse Neko 1/0: https://bit.ly/2zXirRH

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pagoda: http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

VMC CrossOver Pliers: https://bit.ly/3ipm9HN

VMC CrossOver Bands (7mm and 8mm): https://bit.ly/3w0NYdz

TEXAS RIGGING... 

Bait- Yamamoto Senko 6": http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- Gamakatsu Superline EWG: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Hook Size: 3/0 for 5", 4/0 for 6"

TIM'S 5" WACKY RIG SPINNING COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR: https://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

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

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

Leader- Sunline Super FC 8 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TIM'S 6" SENKO TEXAS-RIG COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Reel- Daiwa Tatula Elite: http://bit.ly/2ONCBS1

Line- Sunline Super FC 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET ALL-AROUND SENKO COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'1" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

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

Line- Suline Super FC 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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

NED RIG AND TUBE FISHING TRICKS FOR WINTER BASS!

These tricks will help you catch more fish! Ned Rigs and Tubes are both great baits for cold water fishing. Winter bass respond to those small profiles worked extremely slowly, even in the toughest conditions. But not all baits are created equal and how you work them is as important as which bait you choose to throw. 

Today Matt is giving some key tips on how he finesse fishes in cold water. He begins with some of his favorite ned baits and how he applies each to his fishing, then wraps it up with some tube fishing tips you don't want to miss. Matt loves to power fish but when conditions call for finesse he doesn't hesitate to pick up the light rods and get to work.  

Below you'll find links to the exact baits, heads, and gear Matt discussed in the video. Everything is linked in the order it appeared and we've even included our favorite colors and sizes for each. Down below you'll find links to the rods and reels, along with some great budget-friendly alternatives.

NED RIG PROFILES... 

-Z Man TRD CrawZ: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Colors: Canada Craw, Green Pumpkin, Mud Bug

-Savage Gear Ned Salamander: https://bit.ly/3rSNi8g

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple Copper, Mojito

NED RIG WORMS... 

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

Colors: MMIII, Desert Craw, TW Black Blue Pumpkin

-XZone Ned Zone: http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Colors: 309, Green pumpkin Purple, Violet Secret

NED RIG HOOKS... 

-Swagger Tungsten Flanders: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Favorite Size: 1/10th

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

Favorite Size: 1/10th

-Owner Block Head: http://bit.ly/2qL0A8n

Favorite Size: 1/16th

FAVORITE TUBES...

-STH Finesse Series 4" Tubes: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors: Dark Melon Purple, Green Pumpkin, Ten Point

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Purple Copper

-STH Finesse Series 2.5" Tubes: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Green Pumpkin, Dark Melon Purple

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

Colors: Crazy Eddie, Green Pumpkin, Old Ugly

TUBE HEADS... 

-Bite Me Flat Eye Tube Head: http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

Sizes: 3/16 - 1/4 oz

-Bite Me Big Dude Goby Head: http://bit.ly/2CV3o7S

Sizes: 1/2 - 3/4 oz

-Blade Runner Inhaler Head: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Sizes: 1/8 oz with 1/0 Hook

MATT'S NED RIG COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 821S NRR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Twin Power 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Power Pro 8 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

MATT'S TUBE COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Extreme 7'6" Medium: https://bit.ly/37UhrKR

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

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

Leader0 Sunline Super FC 8 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

“BANG FOR THE BUCK” NED COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2000: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Power Pro 10 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Sunline Super FC 6 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET DO-ALL FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano Nasci FC 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

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

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