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

BIG Baits For Shallow River MUSKY! Southern Muskie Fishing!

Musky and Smallmouth in the South? In tiny rivers?! You better believe it! Come along for a day of kayak fishing for shallow water Musky and Smallmouth bass! We're taking our kayaks up river, against the current, on a big fish mission! We know where the fish are, we just have to reach them!

Today's trip has been in the works for a year! We've been waiting for the perfect river flows and weather conditions to take our kayaks and charge up river against the current into some prime musky territory! With the amazing power of the Old Town's trolling motors and some heavy paddling, we overcame serious current and got into the section of river we've been dreaming about! The fishing was everything we hoped it would be and we can't wait to go back for more!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits, equipment, and kayaks we used to pull of this adventure. We've included the exact colors, tail changes, hook upgrades, etc... so you know everything we did to make this adventure happen. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

BIG GLIDE BAITS... 

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

-Hatch Match Tail: https://bit.ly/30Jm1w7

Color: Shad

-G Ratt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: Gizzard Shad, John Pearl Hitch

-G Ratt Poppa Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Hitch

SOFT BAITS... 

- Megabass 8" Magdraft: http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: Brownie, White Back Shad

BUCKTAILS... 

-Vibrax Super Bou (Tandem): Source Locally

Colors: Black, Black/Orange

SMALLMOUTH CRANKBAITS... 

-Megabass Super Z Z-1: https://bit.ly/2Y9dkHB

Colors: Wild Craw, Mat Craw 2

-Megabass Super Z Z-2: https://bit.ly/3fsxn9G

Colors: Wild Craw, Mat Craw 2

KAYAK...

Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 120: https://bit.ly/32ySIuZ

MUSKY COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

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

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

Leader- Spro 80 lb 12 lb: Source Locally

BUDGET BIG BAIT COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 300 (HG): https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BFS COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Reel- Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

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

CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 783 CBR: http://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

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

Line- Sunline FC 10 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

Early Fall Bass Fishing! (Finesse Baits And Big Smallmouth)

We're exploring new water in search of big bass and taking you along for the ride on the Great Lakes! Don't miss any of the details as we adapt lure color, size, and retrieve to dial in a pattern for Smallmouth. Watch as the guys start off with power techniques like swimbaits and topwater but adapt with changing conditions, and continue catching fish with a ned rig, tube, and hair jig. 

Fishing Lake Michigan is all about adapting to changing conditions. Today started out with wind, settled to slick calm and high sun, then a lightning storm blew in. With no history to rely on the guys had to adapt on the fly, trying different presentations and locations (they ran over 50 miles!) to keep catching fish. They caught fish all day long and were vocal about the choices they were making and reasoning behind them. If you want to understand the mindset behind fish catching, this video is for you!

Below you'll find links to all the baits used in the video. We've included the exact models, sizes, and colors for each presentation. As promised, we've also included the jerkbait colors we use to adapt to changing conditions. Finally, you'll find links to our favorite rod and reel combos from the day with exact specs on each model. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SWIMBAIT... 

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

Color: Wakasagi, Donko

TOPWATER...

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

Color: Bone, Skeleton Chartreuse

JERKBAIT... 

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

Natural Colors: Ito Natural, Matte Shad, Clear Laker

Bold Colors: Elegy Bone, Western Clown, Wakin React

TUBE...

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

Color: Dark Melon Gold Purple, Dark Melon Gold

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

Size: 1/8 oz 1/0 Hook

Alt. Head- Northland Tackle Short Shank: https://bit.ly/3AM4xwu

HAIR JIG... 

-Andy's Custom Maribou Jig (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3uYqDsw

Color: Black

NED RIG... 

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

Color: Desert Craw

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

Size: 1/10th with 1/0 Hook

DARK SLEEPER COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

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

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

HAIR JIG COMBO... (Back Order Available)

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 901 SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Sustain FJ 3000: https://bit.ly/3BQLlNP

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

TUBE COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

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

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

JERKBAIT COMBO... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Super FC 10 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

Sunken Shipwreck Explored! Amazing Smallmouth Fishing!

We won't let a broken boat stop us! Come along as we explore Lake Superior! Fall comes early in the North so we're able to target smallmouth moving shallow and feeding on baitfish long before they make the mouth in the Southern US. You'll see how clear the water is when we stumble across an 1800's era shipwreck along the way!

A lot of anglers are intimidated by big lakes. We often hear questions like, "where do you start?", "how do you know where to go?", and "Is it safe?" Fishing these GIANT bodies of water requires a dedication to safety but beyond that, its no different than fishing your local lake. Focus on protected areas or unique structures (coves, bays, points, and humps). We always start out fishing with reaction baits to cover water and find active fish, then slow down with finesse techniques as needed. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment we used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors, sizes, and any other important details. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

PRIMARY BAITS…

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

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze

Size: 1/2 oz and 3/4 oz

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

Color: Bone

OUR OTHER BAITS... 

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

Colors: Mirrored Minnow, Glass Minnow

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

Colors: SunGill, Smallmouth Magic

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

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

Colors: Mat Skeleton Shad, Elegy Bone

Spinnerbait- Megabass SV-3 3/8 oz: https://bit.ly/3lk1SD0

Color: Gill

Hair Jig- Andy's Custom Maribou Jig (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3uYqDsw

Color: Black

DARK SLEEPER COMBO...

Rod- Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

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

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

TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

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

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

CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

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

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

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

SPINNERBAIT COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'1" Med Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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