How to Rig Swimbaits for a Variety of Conditions

This week Matt and Tim break down swimbait rigging. From Basstrix to Keitechs they explain the best options to help you load the boat on your next trip! Whether you're fishing heavy cover for big largemouth or suspended smallmouth in clear water there is an easy way to rig your baits to optimize every bite.

Tim kicks it off by showing the best way to rig a swimbait weedless. We've found two hooks that consistently stand out from the crowd. They are the 5/0 trokar and the 4/0 Owner Beast. It depends what bait you're throwing but if you use the 4.8 Keitech like we often do, you can't beat the Beast.

Next Matt breaks down his very own "Matt Allen Swimbait Head". If you've wondered what makes this head different, you'll see it here. The 30 degree line tie helps keep the bait rocking and rolling in the water while the combination wire and cone keeper system helps lock in both solid and hollow body baits. If you haven't used the Matt Allen Swimbait Head yet, you need to give it a try!

Lastly, Tim circles back around and teaches how to save $$$ and headaches by turning the above mentioned heads into underspins by adding a willow leaf to the bait. Forget messing with light wire underspins, just take your favorite head, add the pre-rigged blade, and create your own underspin!

We hope these tips help you as you build swimbait confidence this year! If you have questions feel free to leave us a comment, send an email, and don't forget to join us on facebook and Instagram to stay connected between videos. If you haven't done so already you're missing a lot of big bass pictures, videos, and the low down on the specific baits that are producing our most recent big bites!

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How to: Make Swimbaits Last Longer

As swimbaits get more and more expensive the need for them to last is ever increasing. There are some simple modifications you can do to any softbait that will make it last much longer. This week Matt shows how to cut open a soft swimbait and properly secure the harness to make it last. He also covers how to repair the baits once they're damaged.

The two baits shown in the video are the Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill and Huddleston Deluxe 8" trout. All you need to increase the life of your baits is a razor blade, superglue and Mend-it.

Step 1: Cut Open your brand new bait with a razor Blade. (I know its scary)

Step 2: Once the harness is fully exposed, carefully cover the harness in superglue and carefully lay the body back in place.

Step 3: Use Mend-It to seal the razor cut in the bait.

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Big Delta Swimbait Fish

This week Tim and I took a break from all the work of filming and editing. Tim got to Spend some time with family and I went fun fishing. Despite the brutal wind/rain forecast I headed for the Delta to see if any of the early prespawn females were moving up to feed and was not disappointed!

All too often anglers back themselves into a corner by continually fishing the same patterns with the same baits. When major weather events happen its a great time to get out and try new things. Often times the fish will move into the shallows to feed on whatever is being washed into the lake (or river). These shallow fish are an easy target. Even if they're not biting, they'll show themselves. If you pay attention while fishing reaction baits you might be able to catch them on a return visit.

This fish came on a bank I hadn't fished in years, with a bait (S-Waver 200) that I'd never thrown there before. The key to consistently catching giant bass, especially on multiple waterways, is to never stop searching. The Delta is constantly changing. The bass are shifting from one spot to the next, feeding on different food sources and its important you keep up with the changes to maximize your time on the water.

As Winter begins to turn to Spring, branch out, try new lakes, new spots, and new baits. This just might be the best year you've ever had!

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How to Catch the Fish of a Lifetime

I recently had the opportunity to do two seminars at the International Sportsman's Expo in Sacramento. From swimbaits to jigs, even going so far as fishing a chartreuse spinnerbait with willow leaf blades at night, I laid out my tricks for fooling big Winter and Spring bass. There was a great turnout and a lot of positive feedback. There were also quite a few requests from anglers that live outside the area, that we record the seminar so they could listen and learn as well. The show was extremely loud and there is some background noise but Tim did everything he could to bring you the complete seminar.

From start to finish, here it is! Below you will find a breakdown of the various baits I discuss in the seminar with quick links to see them on Tackle Warehouse.

We hope you're able to glean some knowledge from the seminar and put it to work on your local fisheries. If you have any questions, we're here so feel free to ask.

The following baits were used in the tank: