Gear Review! Shimano Curado BFS, Megabass P5, Creature Baits, Swimbaits, And Finesse!

Today’s tackle review is covering some amazing new items in bass fishing. From rods and reels, to a variety of baits, there are a ton of new options for late Spring and early Summer bass fishing! We kick the reviews off with a look at the brand new Shimano Curado BFS casting reel, then follow it up with the Megabass P5 Baby Plugging rod. From there we jump into baits that range from a 2” tube to a 10” swimbait, with a lot of stops in between. 

While the Northern guys are coming strong into the prespawn, the Southern anglers are pushing more toward Summer patterns. We’ve taken this into consideration and found items that help both groups be more successful. For the Northern guys we’re reviewing the Curado BFS, The P5 Baby Plugging, Tubes, and small swimbaits. For the South guys we’re looking at creatures for the wobble head, as well as some great swimbait options.

Below you’ll find links to all the gear reviewed in the video. We’ve included favorite sizes and colors where applicable, as well as favorite methods for rigging. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

BFS Gear...

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

Rod #1- Shimano Zodias 7'2" ML: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

Megabass Rod... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Spinning Rod: https://bit.ly/31Pt839

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

Wobble Heads... 

Bait- XZone Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Favorite Colors: Junebug, Green Pumpkin Black

Head- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Size: 1/2 oz 4/0 hook

Bait Alternative- Zoom Z Craw: http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

Tubes... 

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

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Ten Point, Dark Melon Copper

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

Sizes: 1/0 for 2.5" and 2/0 for 4" Tube

Small Swimbaits... 

Bait- Storm Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Colors: Albino Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Sexy Shad

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

Underspin- VMC Spin Jig 1/4 oz: https://bit.ly/3381fEf

Weedless Swimbait... 

Bait- JSJ Hitch 6 Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3vxPgw3

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, Light Hitch

Hook- Owner Beast 8/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Savage Gear Swimbait... 

6" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/2Ib674q

8" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

10" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3lsKP0t

Favorite Colors: Dirty Silver, Ghost Trout

Braided Line... 

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

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

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... 

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Bass Boats Can't Go Here! Lake Chickamauga Kayak Bass Fishing!

We're sneaking around the backwaters today to avoid boat traffic. With hundreds of boats on the water and fishing pressure at an all time high, its time to jump in the kayak. Why a kayak in such a big lake? We're able to get into all the places the boats can't go! Come along as Matt catches fish in backwater coves and pockets. 

Today is all about finesse. Matt started off with a tiny underspin, a senko, and a shaky head, then added a dropshot to the mix as conditions dictated. There were a few prespawn fish around but the majority of these bass were spawning. Since he was using finesse tackle, Matt added some new rods into the mix as well. He tried out a new Halo KSII Elite, a Savage Gear Black Ops, and the new Ultegra spinning reel and had great success with all of them. 

While we love fishing out of the bass boats and using all the modern electronic advantages, there is something very rewarding about getting on the water in a small craft, no electronics, and just going fishing. If you haven't given kayak fishing a try, you really should. Below you'll find links to all the gear, the baits, and the equipment Matt used today. We've included the exact models and specific colors Matt was using as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item, except for the kayak link which goes directly to the manufacturer. 

Underspin... 

Head- Cool Baits 1/8 oz Down Under: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Bait- Keitech Fat 2.8" (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Senko... 

Bait- Yamamoto Senko 5" (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- Gamakatsu 4/0 Superline: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Shaky Head... 

Hook- Dirty Jigs Canterbury 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Bait #1- Strike King Fat Baby Finesse: http://bit.ly/2aKei5y

Color: Green Pumpkin Sapphire

Bait #2- Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver: http://bit.ly/2dR6CkP

Colors: Green Pumpkin, White Trash

Dropshot... 

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light 1/0: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tungsten TearDrop 1/8: http://bit.ly/2V2B63h

Bait- Big Bite Smallie Smasher (Chart/White): http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Kayak... 

-Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136: https://bit.ly/3h9ngaS

Dropshot/Keitech Combo... 

Rod- Halo KS II Elite 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/32Rp9nh

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

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

Shaky Head Combo... 

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

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

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

Senko Combo... 

Rod- Savage Gear Black Ops 7'1" Medium: https://bit.ly/3aLTsAh

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

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro Braided 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline Assassin 12 lb 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

Jerkbait and Fluke Fishing Tricks For Spring Bass Fishing!

Flukes and Jerkbaits can be amazing lures for bass in the spring. In both the prespawn and post spawn, bass congregate and feed in schools. These baits do an amazing job of "triggering" a feed response in these fish. If you learn how to use both baits to complement each other, you can trigger larger bass into feeding in almost every situation you'll face during Spring. 

Jerkbaits are an amazing lure in Spring. The way bass attack these baits at full speed is incredible! Their only fault is they can't be fished in heavy cover or ultra shallow water. That's where the fluke comes in to play. Once you learn to modify your fluke rigging for different situations, these baits can be used in tandem to adjust to changing conditions throughout the day, or across the seasons.

If you haven't been using these baits to their fullest, its time to give it a try. Below you'll find links to all the baits discussed in the video, including favorite colors for each. We've also included links to the exact rod and reel combos Matt relies on for success. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Full Size Jerkbaits... 

-Jackall Rerange 110: http://bit.ly/2ge0qED

Colors: HL Hasu, HL Silver Shad

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

Colors: GP Pro Blue, M Shad, GP Skeleton Tennessee

-Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

Colors: GP Pro Blue, Tennessee Shad, M Shad

Smaller Jerkbaits...  

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

Colors: GP Pro Blue, Tennessee Shad

-Megabass Vision 110 Jr. +1: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: GP Pro Blue, Tennessee Shad

Soft Jerkbait... 

-Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Soft Jerkbait Rigging... 

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

Nose Ring- Owner CPS Spring (Medium): http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

Texas Rig- Gamakatsu Superline EWG (4/0): http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Matt's Favorite Jerkbait Combo... 

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

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

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

Matt's Nose-Hook Fluke Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 WindBuster: https://bit.ly/31Pt839

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

Line- Sufix 131 Braid 10 lb: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

Texas-Rig Fluke Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

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

Budget Jerkbait Combo... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb 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

Spring Topwater Tricks To Get Topwater Strikes Right Now!

Bass eat topwater baits long before most fisherman consider using them. If you’re waiting for hot weather you’re missing one of the best topwater bites of the year! You need to start now because most of the giant bass that get caught on topwater are caught early in the season. Of course, you’ll need to adapt your technique a bit to account for the cooler conditions, but that’s what we’re here for. 

Consistent topwater action during the cool spring months requires patience. You’ll need to fish slower than you’re used to, and you’ll be targeting a smaller percentage of fish than you would be in Summer. However, that smaller segment includes a lot of the biggest bass in the lake. This bite has a lot more to do with cadence and speed of retrieve than it does water temperature. Don’t get hung up on a certain water temperature, instead, be cognizant that if you’ve been able to wear a T-shirt in the afternoon in the past week or two, the topwater bite has potential. These fish are sitting extremely shallow so they’re able to find warm water pockets, even when the main lake remains cool. 

Again, the key is speed. Focus on baits that cover a lot of water (side to side) while moving slowly toward the boat. Walking baits, poppers, and frogs, are all great options. Additionally, baits like a buzz bait (with some adaptations) and a whopper plopper are also great options. Below you’ll find links to the EXACT baits that we use from each category, including our favorite colors for each model. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Poppers… 

-Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: Matte Shad, MB Gizzard, Gill

-Lobina Rio Rico: http://bit.ly/2f7gink

Colors: Tennessee Shad, Lightning Shad

-Yellow Magic: http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Smoke Shad, Bone

-Damiki D Pop 70: http://bit.ly/2Pjvqo3

Colors: Phantom, Spayu

Walking Baits… 

-River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Bone, Sooner

-Teckel KickKnocker: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

Colors: Chart Shiner, Vanilla Ice

-Evergreen Shower Blows 125: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: American Shad, Bone, Half Mirror Wakasagi

Ploppers… 

-Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Munky Butt, 

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

Colors: Munky Butt, Bone, Phantom Shad

Plopper Mods...

Swivel- Spro Power Swivel (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2ay0p7d

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire #3 or #4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Buzzbaits… 

Double Buzz- D&M Double Hammer: http://bit.ly/29W2t9z

Colors: Black Widow, Bluegill

Single Buzz- D&M Easy Roller: https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

Colors: Red Bug, White Shad

Frogs... 

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Colors: Little Allen, Ghost

-Spro Bronzeye 65: http://bit.ly/2sz9Qje

Colors: Killer Gill, Nasty Shad

-Jackall Gavacho: http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Colors: Gold Gill, White, Chart Strike Gill

-Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: White, Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

-Scum Frog Launch Frog: https://bit.ly/3rOYQIF

Colors: Bluegill, Shad, Dusk

Popper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL K: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

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

Walking Bait/Whopper Plopper Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

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

Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

Budget Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

Line- Power Pro Braided Line 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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