Topwater Popper and BFS (Bait Finesse) For Spring Bass!

Come along for a fun day of fishing! Need to go finesse but don't like spinning reels? Its time for Bait Finesse! We're fishing clear water on a sunny day but we know how to fool these fish! A small topwater popper and creature baits fished on BFS gear will do the trick!

Some days you have to turn to finesse gear to get bit. We turned a potentially tough day into an awesome day on the water by embracing light tackle! The popper got our biggest fish of the day but once the sun was high over head, nothing else would work except small ned creature baits rigged weedless on 7 lb line. Matt pulled out the Bait Finesse gear and went to work!

Below you'll find links to all the baits, as well as the gear Matt used throughout the day. We've also included some budget-friendly gear options that will work in this same situation. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

POPPERS...

-Megabass Pop X Popper: https://bit.ly/3i9T3sg

Colors: Deadly Black Shad, M Wakasagi, 

-Yellow Magic (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Smoke Shad, Alewife

WALKING TOPWATER... 

-Evergreen ShowerBlows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Skeleton Chartreuse, Bleeding White, Half Mirror

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

Color: Abalone Shad, Ghost Minnow

BFS BAITS... 

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

Color: Sprayed Grass

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

Color: Motor Oil

BFS RIGGING... 

Peg- VMC Sinker Stops: https://bit.ly/38XLQd4

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Worm (1/16 oz): https://bit.ly/3c28mks

Hook- Owner Rig-N-Hook (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2BnniXN

STICK BAIT... 

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

Hook- VMC Wacky Rig (Size 1): https://bit.ly/35Gtj31

SWIMBAIT... 

Savage Gear 8" RTF Trout (Slow Sink): https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Color: Dirty Silver

AFFORDABLE POPPER COMBO... 

Rod- 13 Fishing Fate Black 6'7" Medium: https://bit.ly/3xSUZB3

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

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

HIGH-END BFS COMBO... 

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

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

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

MID-PRICED BFS COMBO...

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

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

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

SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 35 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

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 for May Bass Fishing!

The bass are in transition and we're showing you how to catch them! May brings a lot of change in bass fishing. There are still lingering spawners but there are also a lot of post spawn fish. Some go deep right away while others stay shallow around cover. If you love fishing aggressively, you can power fish for post spawners and if you prefer to slow fish you can pick apart shallow cover. 

While we strive to stick with 5 baits, there is so much going on in May we couldn't quite narrow it down that far. In actuality Tim breaks down 9 key baits and what each one is for. You may be able to combine one or two of these on your lake to really narrow it down but all of them will catch fish this month. 

Below you'll find links to the baits discussed in the video. We've listed them in the order they appeared and included our favorite sizes and colors for each. We've also included a couple budget combos to help you consistently land the fish that bite. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SHALLOW CRANKBAITS... 

-Lucky Craft BDS 3: http://bit.ly/2blTVwI

Colors: Golden Shiner, Ghost Minnow, Spring Craw

-River2Sea Biggie: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Abalone Shad

DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS... 

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

Colors: Mirrored Minnow, Metallic Shad, Ghost Minnow

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

Colors: Sexy Blue Back Herring, Chartreuse Sexy Shad

SPINNERBAIT... 

Bait- Damiki TOT Spinnerbait (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/368VED0

Colors: Smelt Shad, Snow Shad

Trailer- Storm 4" Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Colors: Albino Shad, Sexy Shad

LIPLESS CRANKBAIT... 

-Rat-L-Trap (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2gm8CjC

Colors: Bleeding Shiner Chrome, Silverado, Transparent

LIPLESS HOOK UPGRADES... 

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hooks- Gamakatsu EWG Size 4: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

TOPWATER... 

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

Colors: Matte Shad, MB Gizzard

FLUKE... 

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

Colors: Smokin Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl 

SENKO... 

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin Black Flake, Green Pumpkin Watermelon Lam

FLUKE/SENKO HOOKS... 

Texas Rigged- Gamakatsu 3/0 Superline EWG: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

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

SHAKY HEAD... 

Bait- Netbait T-Mac: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Colors: Bama Bug, Junebug, Green Pumpkin

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

Size: 3/16 oz

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

BUDGET WORMING 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

BUDGET SPINNERBAIT/FLUKE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

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

Line- Sunline FC 15 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

Topwater Lures Made Easy! (Beginner To Advanced)

Choosing the right topwater can be a real challenge! Between poppers, walkers, crawlers, whopper poppers, buzz baits, frogs, and toads its hard to know what to throw. But just like anything else, there are key baits that seem to work day after day and month after month. Today Matt is opening up his topwater boxes and sharing the key "stand outs" that he relies on to get bit when it counts. 

Matt breaks his spring topwater into 4 categories. He relies on poppers, walking baits, straight retrieve baits, and frogs, to catch fish throughout Spring. Within those 4 categories it gets pretty complicated (as witnessed by the 4 boxes of topwaters he pulls out of the rod locker) but today he is sharing his favorites with us. From each category he's able to quickly select the "key" baits that will get bit when you need them most. 

Below you'll find links to the exact topwater lures shown in the video. We've included the guys favorite colors and sizes for each, as well as some of the different rods they use to throw these baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

POPPERS... 

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

Colors: Spayu, Phantom, Black Holo

Refined- Yellow Magic 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Smoke Shad, Japanese Shad, Alewife

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

Colors: Gill, Pumpkinseed, MB Gizzard

WALKING BAITS... 

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

Colors: Sooner, Bone, Abalone Shad

Refined- Evergreen Shower Blows 105/125: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Bone, Half Mirror Wakasagi, Skeleton Chartreuse

Small Profile- Rapala Skitter Walk: https://bit.ly/37DC2Uz

Colors: Shad Translucent, Bluegill

STRAIGHT RETRIEVE BAITS... 

-Whopper Plopper 130: http://bit.ly/2a7ipHL

Colors: Bone, Bluegill, Munky Butt

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

Colors: Bone, I Know It

-Dirty Jigs Skirtless Pro Buzz: https://bit.ly/2WJ85R3

Colors: Silver, Red

-Quad Blade Buzz: https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

Colors: Night Stalker, Red Bug

SMALL FROGS... 

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

Colors: Glitter Bluegill, Glitter Hasu, Green Frog

-Spro Bronzeye Jr. 60: http://bit.ly/2XkbgxR

Colors: Killer Gill, Red Ear, Neon Glow

MATT'S FAVORITE WALKING BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Line- Sufix 131 Braid 40 lb: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

MATT'S FAVORITE FROG COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

MID-PRICED WALKING BAIT COMBO... 

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

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

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

BUDGET POPPER COMBO...

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

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

Line- Power Pro 30 lb Braid: 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

FINESSE vs BIG BAITS - Spring Bass Fishing!

Come along for a day on the water! Tim is slinging a swimbait while his buddy sticks to the spinning rod. Who's going to come out ahead? We'll see! Pay attention to where Tim focuses with the swimbaits and note the number of fish that commit to a dropshot or shaky head after refusing the big bait. Very interesting!

The Tennessee River is known for "power fishing" but make no mistake, there are a ton of fish to be caught with finesse techniques. Today the advantage went to the dropshot, shaky head and senko. Tim did manage one fish on the Magdraft and a few missed opportunities on other baits, but all in all the finesse gear was the champ. 

Below you'll find links to the baits the guys used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors, as well as a few of our other favorites. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SWIMBAITS... 

-Megabass Mag Draft (6" and 8"): http://bit.ly/2CANTU7

Colors: Albino Pearl Shad, White Back Shad, Brownie

-Mike Bucca 6" Burrito: https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Who Dat, Disco, Pearl White

-Osprey 6" Tournament Talon: http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, TW Shad, Reverse Hitch

-R2S S-Waver 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Warden Hitch

DROPSHOT... 

Worm- Roboworm 6" straight Tail: http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Color: Aaron's Morning Dawn

Hook- Owner Cover Shot: http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

Wes' size: 1/0

Tim's Size: 3/0

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Casting Pencil (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2YAoMuv

SHAKY HEAD... 

Worm- Netbait T-Mac: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Color: Junebug

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

Size: 3/16 oz

SENKO... 

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

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

Size: 1/0

UNDERSPIN... 

Bait- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer (5/0, 1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Blade Upgrade: Nichols Willow (3.5): https://bit.ly/3Mdl8OJ

BIG SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'10" Extra Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 (35 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BAITCASTING BUBBA SHOT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

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

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

BUDGET DROPSHOT COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Sahara FI 2500: http://bit.ly/2XhhM43

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