Spring Swimbait Bite Is On! Big Bass Attacking Glide Baits!

We found the bass! No light rods today, its all swimbaits and heavy tackle! We knew going in that we'd probably catch a bunch of fish on the big bait so instead of throwing our favorite glide bait (S-Waver 200) we decided to mix it up and find out what else they would eat. Let's see if these bass will eat a Baitsanity Explorer, Storm Arashi Glide, or G Ratt Sneaky Pete. (Spoiler Alert: THEY DO!) Spring swimbait fishing with glide baits can be incredible, let us show you how to be successful as we catch some nice Clearlake bass.

Glide Baits have a remarkable ability to trigger a feed response in bass. Learning how to use them to your advantage can change your Spring fishing. These baits naturally draw larger than average bass due to their size (drawing power) but if you don't know what to do when those fish appear, it can be incredibly frustrating! Pay close attention to the guy's hands as they twitch and work the baits to trigger a feed response and convert these bass from casual followers to aggressive biters. 

We're all struggling to adapt during these difficult times. The virus is causing lake closures, fishing bans, and a whole range of difficult circumstances for anglers.  If you're still able to get out on the water and want to maximize your limited time with a shot at a giant bass, the glide bait could be your best bet for success. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits, equipment, and component upgrades the guys used to find success today. Stock hardware on most of these baits is severely lacking, you absolutely want to upgrade both the hooks and split rings to avoid bend outs when you hook the fish of a lifetime. 

The Baits... 

-Storm Arashi Glide (Threadfin Shad): http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1

Other Great Colors- Oikawa Mesu, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout)

-Baitsanity Antidote Slow Sink (Shad): http://bit.ly/2ztUk9z

Other Great Colors- Summer Shad, Killer Shad

-G-Ratt Sneaky Pete 7.5 (Hitch): http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Other Great Colors- Green Perch, Baby Trout

-S Waver 200 (Light Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Other Great Colors- Bluegill, Warden Hitch

Open Water GlideBaits (Not Used Today)... 

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

-Deps Slide Swimmer 250: http://bit.ly/2AfXQnF

-Gan Craft Jointed Claw 230: http://bit.ly/2fLjSnm

Hardware Upgrades... 

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 5 or 6: http://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

Hooks- Owner ST-56 (3X Strong) Size 1: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Tim's High-End Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Destroyer 7'11" Onager: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

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

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

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

Matt's Budget Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

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

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

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

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

How To Catch The Biggest Bass In Your Lake - Full Seminar

Want to catch bigger fish? Want to catch the BIGGEST fish?! Targeting big bass requires a different mind set and a special set of skills. You need to set new goals, approach the water, weather, and environmental conditions differently. It might even require a bait or two you're not familiar with. But when you set the hook on the biggest bass you've ever seen, its instantly worth it! Dive in to today's full-length seminar and learn everything you'll need to know to catch the biggest bass in your lake. 

Tim does an extraordinary job of teaching what you'll need to know to be successful. Catching bigger bass starts with a shift in your mindset. You're no longer on the water trying to catch fish, you're there to catch ONE fish. None of the other bass in the lake matter as much as the single fish you're pursuing so stay focused. Fish when the weather and environment are working in your favor, and success will follow. 

While giant swimbaits are a huge part of consistently targeting BIG bass but there are other baits that will also catch these fish. Knowing how to "trigger" a feed response is critical. Baits like jerkbaits, crankbaits, and Alabama Rigs all play a key role in this method. Its also important to understand when conditions simply aren't conducive to big bait fishing and you're better off with a finesse approach. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Tim recommends  as you pursue the biggest bass in the lake. 

Swimbaits... 

-Baitsanity Explorer Gen 2: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

(Rainbow Trout, Shad, Kokanee)

-R2S S Waver 200/168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

(Light Trout, Rainbow Trout, Bluegill)

-Osprey Inline Heavy 12” Light Hitch: http://bit.ly/2laKeWD

(Light Hitch)

-Savage Gear 4D Pulse Tail 8” and 10”: http://bit.ly/399bx97

(Rainbow, Ghost Rainbow, Hitch)

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

(Light Rainbow, Reverse Hitch, Chartreuse Shad)

-Little Creeper 6" Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2xRdCFP

(Natural Hitch, Chartreuse Shad, Hologram Shad)

Traditional Baits... 

-R2S Tactical DD Crankbait 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(Natural Gill, Mirrored Minnow, Green Pumpkin Craw, Ghost Minnow)

-Hog Farmer BFL HitchHiker A-Rig: http://bit.ly/36EcEuR

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

(Deadly Black, Mat Pro Blue, GP Pro Blue)

Finesse Baits... 

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

(Baby Bass, Natural Shad, Green Pumpkin Green and Copper Flake)

Dropshot Worm- Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

(Green Pumpkin Org Blk Purp Prl Bl, Green Pumpkin Purple Flake)

Big Bass Hook and Hardware Upgrades... 

Split Rings- Owner ULTRA 5 and 6: http://bit.ly/3bQgswL

Hooks- Owner ST-56 3X Trebles: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Favorite Rod/Reel Swimbait Combo... 

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

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

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

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

Alternative Rods... 

High End: Destroyer 7'11" Onager: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Budget: Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

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

Swimbaits and Underspins - All The Info (Winter Fishing)

Underspins and Finesse Swimbaits are both proven baits in Winter. Their fish catching ability is beyond question... but how do you know which one to throw? What makes a finesse swimbait get more bites one day and an underspin work so much better the next? Do you know when to use each style to consistently catch cold water bass? 

Swimbaits do an amazing job of imitating baitfish. Their natural presentation lures bites from cold water and warm water bass alike. When nothing else seems to be working, the swimbait can still get bit. However, its effectiveness is reliant on visibility. Understanding when its time to switch size, color, or abandon it in favor of the underspin is the trick. 

Underspins get their effectiveness from the flash and vibration the blade provides. Its that extra element that helps fish locate the bait in off colored water. It also helps them locate your lure amongst natural baitfish. However, it has its drawbacks. As water color changes its effectiveness can stop in the blink of an eye. Again, the key is knowing when to switch. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and heads Matt discussed in the video. He included 3 sizes of swimbait head and 3 sizes of underspin as well as a variety of swimbaits. We hope you take the information in this video and fish with confidence the next time you're on the water!

Swimbait Heads... 

-Matt Allen Swimbait Head 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

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

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

Underspins... 

-Blade Runner Spintrix Head 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/29UVegz

-Hog Farmer War Pig 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2pcQnRP

-Cool Baits Down Under 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Swim Jigs…

-California Swim Jig 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

Swimbaits... 

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

-River2Sea D Walker: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-XZone Lures Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

-Jackall Rhythm Wave: http://bit.ly/2m78LM9

Great Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

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

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

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

Budget All-Around Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

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

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

Winter Swimbait Fishing Is Easy! (I'll Prove It)

Its not hard! Anyone can catch the biggest bass of their life on a swimbait! Anglers fall into the trap that swimbaits are a magic bait that require some secret knowledge to produce and its just not true. If you head to the lake with quality baits and put in time, the bites will come. Winter bass are easy to predict, they love to group up, and they don't want to travel; this is the perfect scenario for big bait fishing for trophy bass.

Understanding where these bass are positioned is the key. We recently did a video explaining exactly where these fish are heading (see it here: http://bit.ly/2XOY2WR) then followed it up with a swimbait buyer's guide to show you the best baits for the job (See it here: http://bit.ly/35DIGqI) With that information all that is left to do is go fishing. The biggest mistake you can make during the Winter months is to fish quickly with a big swimbait. Slow down, then slow down some more, and just creep that swimbait along the bottom.

The bites typically feel like a distinct "tick". They will not be overly aggressive but they will clearly be a bite. When you feel the tick, set the hook hard and fast. Once the fish is hooked grind them to the boat as quickly as possible, never slowing down or letting up. Its really that easy! You can do this! We're rooting for you this Winter and when it pays off, come back and let us know about the big bass you caught.

Matt's Exact Setup...

Bait-Huddleston 8" Trout ROF 12 (Hold Over): http://bit.ly/2azFTon

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

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

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

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

Other Great Winter Soft Swimbaits...

-Huddleston 8" Trout ROF 5 Top Hook: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

-Huddleston 68 Special 6" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2dj5apG

-Little Creeper 8" Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2hmXtg1

-Scottsboro Tackle 6" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH

Budget Swimbait Combo...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line- 80 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9