Finesse Swimbaits For BIG Smallmouth! (Fishing With Matt's Dad)

Come along as we explore a new clear water lake in Michigan! Its full of prespawn Smallmouth and Northern Largemouth. They're feeding in schools along the edges of shallow flats and we're casting a variety of finesse swimbaits and hair jigs to catch them. If you've wondered what fishing is like in the North, its on fire!

Its been a while since we've had Matt's dad on the boat. In true form, he set the pace with a bunch of quality fish, leaving Matt and CC with a lot of ground to make up. Each member of the team settled on a different swimbait and all produced quality fish throughout the day. At the end Matt picked up a black hair jig and stuck some nice bonus fish as well. 

Smallmouth pull incredibly hard for their size. If you've never targeted them on finesse tackle, you need to give it a try! Below you'll find links to the exact baits we were using as well as the gear we trusted to get these fish in the boat. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Matt's Dad's Swimbait... 

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

Bait- Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Electric Bluegill

CC's Swimbait... 

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

Color: Wakasagi

Matt's Swimbait... 

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

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

Color: Smallmouth Magic

Matt's Hair Jig... 

Bait- Andy's Maribou Pro Series Fly (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3uYqDsw

Color: Black

Matt's Casting Swimbait 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

Matt's Dad's Spinning Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR (Pre-Order): https://bit.ly/3y0Ss5m

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: https://bit.ly/3hNG96T

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

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

Matt's Hair Jig Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 "Baby Plugging": https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Reel- Shimano Vanford 1000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb Fluorocarbon: 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

Top 5 Baits To Catch BIG Smallmouth Bass!

Which baits catch the BIGGEST fish? That's what we all really want to know! When it comes to smallmouth (as well as spotted bass and largemouth) there are a handful of baits that really stand out from the rest. We've narrowed it down through countless hours on the water to a few key baits that can be fished in unique ways when you really want to catch a big one. 

During the prespawn you want to cover water quickly. Smallmouth school together, leaving huge parts of the lake virtually barren. The baits we use not only catch big bass, they help you find them quickly. After that the baits begin to fit niches. Swimbaits cover a ton of water, jerkbaits draw a core feed response, and the tube can elicit a strike from the wariest clear water bass. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits, rods, and equipment Matt discussed in the video. We've included his favorite colors, hooks, etc... to really help you dial in your gear. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

A-Rig... 

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

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

Tube Baits... 

-Netbait STH Tube: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors- Dark Melon Gold Purple, Juvenile Goby, Ten Point

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

Colors- Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Purple Copper

-Savage Gear 3D Goby Tube: https://bit.ly/33QGXzy

Colors- Brown Purple Copper, Goby, Light Pumpkin

Tube Heads... 

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

2.5" Tube- 1/8 oz with 1/0

Standard Tubes- 1/8 - 1/4  oz with 2/0

Hair Jigs... 

-Andy's Custom Maribou: https://bit.ly/3uYqDsw

-Outkast Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Sizes: 3/32 - 1/8 oz

Color: Black

Swimbaits... 

Bait- Megabass Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors- Wakasagi, Donko, Haze

Sizes- 3" 1/2 oz and 3" 3/4 oz

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

Colors- Smallmouth Magic, Green Pumpkin Fire, Electric Bluegill

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

Bait- Keitech 4" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Colors- Crystal Shad, Dark Sculpin, Electric Bluegill

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

Jerkbaits... 

-Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Colors- Matte Skeleton Shad, Matte Pro Blue, Matte Shad

-Megabass Vision 110 Jr: http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

Colors- GP Pro Blue 2, Elegy Bone, Ito Clear Laker

Matt's Hair Jig Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Spinning (Baby Plugging): https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Reel- Shimano Vanford 1000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Alternate Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 1000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

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

Tube Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 872S JWR (Pre-Order Available): https://bit.ly/3y0Ss5m

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

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

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

Keitech/Dark Sleeper Rods... 

High End- Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Mid Range- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Budget- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Keitech/Dark Sleeper Reels... 

High End- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Mid Range- Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

Budget- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

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

Summer Fishing a Senko and Jig For Clear Water Bass

We're targeting shallow water bass, in heavy cover, in crystal clear water. Flipping and pitching is easy with heavy tackle but what do you do when the water is clear? We've downsized our gear, switched to light line, and are going deep in the cover in search of a big bite! In the afternoon we switch our attention to offshore fish, targeting them with finesse swimbaits, and have an awesome day! Come along for the fun!

These smallmouth are behaving just like largemouth. They've moved up into shallow reeds and are feeding on baitfish. By switching to light line Matt and Cobi are able to get consistent bites but getting the fish out of the cover proves to be a challenge. Its a fine line between getting bit and being able to get them out. The guys employed a variety of techniques to catch these fish. Initially the plan was to fish a senko and a jig but the anglers quickly realized a finesse swimbait would be another key tool. 

Below you'll find links to the baits and equipment used in the video. We've also included a value combo for those anglers who are finesse fishing on a budget. The links go direct to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Stick Bait... 

Bait- Yamamoto Senko 5" (Watermelon black Red Flake): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- Owner Jungle Wacky Weedless (1/0): https://bit.ly/2VKZl9U

Jig... 

Bait- Keitech Tungsten Football (Green Pumpkin Blue): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Trailer- Big Bite Twin Tail Grub (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/2qS1YtE

Cobi's Screwhead... 

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

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

Matt's Finesse Swimbait... 

Bait- Keitech 4" Easy Shiner (Crystal Shad): http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

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

Matt's High-End Senko Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 842C MBR: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

**Switch to the 843C if you plan to Wacky AND Texas Rig**

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

Line- Sunline Assassin 10 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

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

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

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

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

Screw head Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Destroyer Flyssa: http://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

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

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

Leader- Sunline Sniper 5 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Finesse Spinning Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 2500: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

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

Budget Finesse Casting Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

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

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 and Uncut Fishing For GIANT Fish! HUGE Bass On Ultralight Tackle!

Come along for a whole day of fishing! We're on the Great Lakes targeting bass with finesse tackle and are catching a ton of fish! Its raw and uncut so if you've ever wanted to watch a 6+ lb Smallmouth caught from cast to catch on a swimbait, this is for you! Its an epic day of fishing! Come be a part of it!

In this unedited live video Matt utilized a variety of baits. A tube was the major player in the beginning, while the dark sleeper and keitech stole the show toward the end. Matt teaches throughout the day about adapting to changing conditions, specifically targeting bass in clear water, how to fish transitions and breaks, how to target shallow water fish, and so much more! This style of video is unlike anything else we do. Its long format but you’ve been asking for it so here is the change to see the struggles, the miles of water covered, and the successes as the day unfolds!

Down below the cut points you'll find a full list of all the tackle used in the video including links that go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.  Matt included his exact colors and weights, the rods and reels, and even included a great combo for the bass angler on a budget that still wants excellent performance while targeting big fish. Enjoy!

Cut Points... 

-1st Fish Catch: 3:01

-5th Fish Catch: 32:00

-Suprise Species Catch: 53:55

-Explaining Next Move: 01:00:25

-Start Fishing Next Spot: 01:11:04

-10th Fish Catch: 01:29:53

-Start Fishing Next Spot: 01:38:26

-Retie Dark Sleeper Then Catch 6.2 lb Smallmouth!: 01:50:41

-Weighing 6 lb Smallmouth: 01:55:05

-Releasing 6 lb Smallmouth: 01:55:55

-15th Fish Catch: 02:16:11

-Matt Misses Another Giant!: 02:36:43

-Teaching About Dark Sleeper Swimbaits: 02:41:30

-20th Fish Catch: 03:02:09

-Motor Overheats!!: 03:09:05

-Final Fish Catch: 03:29:10

-Outro and Final Thoughts: 03:35:10

The Baits... 

-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube 3.5" (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Jighead- BladeRunner Inhaler 3/16 oz 2/0: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

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

Jighead- TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

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

Matt's Tube Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 872S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 3000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

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

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

Dark Sleeper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Light +: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Budget Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX DC HG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

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

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