Spring Gear Review! The Hottest Bass Fishing Baits And Gear Of 2026!

This gear review is packed with incredible baits and tackle! With the Bassmaster Classic behind us, it's time to explore all the awesome new gear that's come to market for Spring! From a high end reel, to a new line of rods, and a whole lot of baits, this gear review is packed with awesome gear for bass fishing!

There were so many products launched around the Classic, it will make your head spin! How do you even know where to start? What is worth buying and what is a waste of money? We're here to help! We've put in the time to find the very best baits and gear that stand out from the crowd this Spring.

Below you'll find links to the exact gear discussed in the video. We've included favorite colors, models, and sizes where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

IMX PRO CASTING RODS...

•G Loomis IMX Pro Jig And Worm Rods: https://bit.ly/41Geqe9

Favorite Models...

•853C JWR (7'1" Medium Heavy)

•894C JWR (7'5" Heavy)

•G Loomis IMX Pro Mag Bass Rods: https://bit.ly/41lfbZW

Favorite Models...

•823C MBR (6'10" Medium Heavy)

•843C MBR (7' Medium Heavy)

•844C MBR (7' Heavy)

•G Loomis IMX Pro Bait Finesse Rod: https://bit.ly/4e9Lane

IMX PRO SPINNING RODS...

•G Loomis IMX Pro Dropshot Rods: https://bit.ly/4bYRVa3

Favorite Models...

•822S DSR (6'10" Medium+)     

•862S DSR (7'2" Medium+)

•G Loomis IMX Pro Jig And Worm Rods: https://bit.ly/4t1wBH7

Favorite Models...

•871S JWR (7'3" Medium Light)

•852S JWR (7'1" Medium)

•G Loomis IMX Pro Spin Jig Rods: https://bit.ly/4tyzfUv

•842S SJR (7' Medium)

SPINNING REEL...

•Shimano Vanquish Spinning Reel: https://bit.ly/4sAmR5X

Favorite Size: 2500 SHG

FISHING LINE...

•Berkley GinClear: https://bit.ly/4si6sCz

Favorite Sizes: 12, 15, 20 lb

•Seaguar Carbon Ultra: https://bit.ly/4sl6s4G

Favorite Sizes: 12, 15, 17 lb

TACKLE MANAGEMENT...

•BKK OCD Tackle Management (SMALL): https://bit.ly/4ciKCsJ

•BKK OCD Fully Loaded Box: https://bit.ly/46ph2OI

•BKK Hook And Accessory Boxes: https://bit.ly/3Yl2TQN

SOFT JERKBAIT...

•Xzone Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/4buE4qx

Favorite Sizes: 3.5" and 5"

Favorite Colors: Electric Shad, Smelt, Pro Blue Red Pearl

•BKK Armor Point Offset Worm Hook: https://bit.ly/48hOoBq

Size For 3.5 Whiplash: 1/0

SWIMBAIT...

•Nomad Dozer Paddletail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/4cciSpA

Favorite Colors: Astro, Sandy Pearl

SPY BAIT...

•Great Lakes Finesse Stay Pinned Spybait: https://bit.ly/41mpM6J

Favorite Colors: Ghost Shad, Ghost Perch, Morning Dawn

SPINNERBAIT...

•Megabass SV–3 Single Willow: https://bit.ly/4t1jYvN

Colors: Hasu, Pearl Shad, Wakasagi

SPOONS...

•Nichols Duh Spoon 2.0: https://bit.ly/4iGlkrd

Favorite Sizes: 3/8 and 1/2 oz

Favorite Colors: Sierra, Tactical Shad, Shattered Glass

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…
•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Early Spring Gear Review! Rods, Reels, And Baits For Bass Fishing!

Check out all this awesome new gear for bass fishing! We're reviewing a high-end rod line, then looking at a great budget-friendly reel. We're covering baits from BFS and Finesse, all the way up to big swimbaits. If you're a bass fisherman (or a trout fisherman), this one is for you!

This review is packed full of amazing baits and gear! We've spent the Fall and early Winter testing and comparing a ton of new products and these are the best of the best! Whether you finesse fish or power fish, minnow fish or drag a worm, there is something here for everyone!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, models, and colors where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

THE GEAR IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE...

•Megabass Great Hunting "Huntsman" Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/48URsnX

Model Shown: 6' Light Med Fast

•Megabass Great Hunting GH 51 FS Humpback: https://bit.ly/4sdt1JU

Favorite Colors: AL Indicator Yamame, Takumi Yamame

•Abu Garcia Max5 300 Casting Reel: https://bit.ly/4pYubaE

•Bucca Brand 2.5" Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4blc761

Colors: Matte Shad, Threadfintastic

•Rapala DT 12 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/4pSzbNU

Colors: Citrus Shad, Crystal Craw, Lemon Shad

•DUH 2.0 Spoon: https://bit.ly/4iGlkrd

Colors: Tactical Shad, Shattered Glass Silver, Sierra

•Yamamoto Uni Bait: https://bit.ly/4q359Hp

Colors: Baby Bass, Natural Shad, Green Pumpkin

•Hog Farmer Utility Player Worm: https://bit.ly/4s8AzxH

Colors: Junebug, Green Pumpkin, Plum

•MissileBaits Freedom Flyer: https://bit.ly/4qnPvGn

Colors: Electric Shad, Live Minnow, Silver Shiner

•MissileBaits Eye Roll Head: https://bit.ly/3JiR3BP

•Buzbe Lure Sleeves: https://bit.ly/4pcb1wP

•Berkley Chop Block Glide Bait: https://bit.ly/44MelaG

Colors: CA Hitch, Chrome Gizzard, Shad

•Bill Lewis Big Gizz: https://bit.ly/494ZoSb

Colors: Numb Shad, Chrome Black Shad

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Best Fish Hook For Every Situation! (Fishing Hooks Explained And Simplified)

The right hook for every situation can be really confusing! Today Tim is explaining the differences between hooks and what each style is used for. He covers beginner basics, like the name of different parts of a hook, then gets into advanced details with specific hook type and size recommendations for specific baits. Whether you're just learning to fish, or you want to take your bass fishing to the next level, this is for you!

It's shocking how many anglers don't understand the differences between hooks. They use hooks that cost them fish every day, and never realize the issue. The hook point angle on a treble hook can be the difference between landing all your fish, and losing all your fish. The difference between a light wire dropshot hook and a standard hook might mean snagging bottom all day or catching fish without problems. These subtle details have huge impacts on your fishing success!

Below you'll find links to all of Tim's favorite hooks, with an explanation of what each hook is for. He's also included his favorite sizes where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

WORM HOOKS...

•Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hook: https://bit.ly/3BVoabb

Size: 4/0 for 5" Stick Bait

•Gamakatsu EWG Hook: https://bit.ly/2d07gvp

Favorite Size: 2/0 – 4/0

(All around for most soft plastics)

•Gamakatsu Superline EWG Hook: https://bit.ly/3AmFDnK

Favorite Size: 3/0 – 4/0

(Big Creatures, Soft Jerkbaits)

•Owner Haymaker Hook: https://bit.ly/3Muie8j

Favorite Size: 3/0 – 4/0

(Flipping Cover With Large Creatures)

•Owner Jungle Flippin HD Straight Shank: https://bit.ly/3NZpvzp

Favorite Size: 3/0 – 4/0

(Punching Heavy Cover With Creatures And Craws)

WACKY RIGGING HOOKS...

•Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap: https://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Favorite Sizes: 1/0

(Wacky Rigged Worms and Stick Baits)

•Owner Sniper Finesse Weedless: https://bit.ly/2zXirRH

Favorite Sizes: 1/0

(Weedless Wacky For Stick Baits)

•Gamakatsu G Finesse: https://bit.ly/3JJ0NCM

Favorite Sizes: 1 or 1/0

(Neko Rigging Straight Worms)

DROPSHOT HOOKS...

•Owner Mosquito Light: https://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Favorite Sizes: 4, 2, 1

(Small nose hooked worms in clear water)

•BKK Armorpoint Dropshot: https://bit.ly/4jveyoy

Favorite Size: 2 or 1

(All Around For Most Worms)

•VMC Redline Drop Shot: https://bit.ly/3K4VpbR

Favorite Size: 1 or 1/0

(Targeting Larger Bass with nose hooked worms)

•Owner Cover Shot HD Straight Shank: https://bit.ly/36Gunbf

Favorite Size: 2/0

(5-7" Straight worms, weedless texas rigged dropshot

JIG HEADS...

Traditional Ned– BKK Silent Chaser: https://bit.ly/3ZvTJ2g

Favorite Size: 1/16 oz, 1/0 Hook

Weedless Ned– Zman Nedlockz EWG: https://bit.ly/3OWdp9W

Favorite Size: 1/10 oz

Shaky Head– Dirty Jigs Canterbury: https://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Favorite Size: 3/16 oz

Standard Football– Owner Ultra Football Head: https://bit.ly/2t1bY4y

Favorite Size: 3/8 oz

Small Football– VMC Finesse Football: https://bit.ly/3CZ1cQK

Favorite Size: 1/4 oz

ROUND BEND TREBLES... (Topwater and Jerkbaits)

Standard– Owner ST–36: https://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Favorite Size: 2 or 4

Heavy Wire– Owner ST–56: https://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Favorite Size: 2 or 4

EWG TREBLES... (Lipless Cranks)

Standard EWG: Gamakatsu EWG: https://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

Favorite Size: 4 or 6

Heavy Wire EWG– BKK Spear EWG 71 SS: https://bit.ly/3PiUjM7

Favorite Size: 4 or 6

SPECIALTY TREBLES...

Short Shank– VMC Short Shank: https://bit.ly/4ptcBKN

Favorite Size: 2 or 3

(Topwater Walking Baits)

Crankbait– Owner ST–35: https://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

Favorite Size: 2

(Deep Diving Crankbaits)

Jerkbaits– Gamakatsu G Finesse: https://bit.ly/2dWWAut

Vision 110: Size 5

(jerkbaits)

If you plan to do any shopping, using these affiliate links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!

Top 10 Bass Fishing Baits Of 2025!

Here are the best baits of 2025! Which baits caught the biggest fish?! Which baits caught the most?! We were blessed with a bunch of great fish catches this year as we traveled around the country. Come along as we look back on some of the best catches of the year and the great baits that fooled the fish into biting!

Some of our best baits continue to produce year after year. Others are brand new, but clearly stand out from the rest. Some of these baits made the list because they consistently caught big fish while others made the list because we could rely on them to get bit when nothing else was working. We constantly try new gear, new baits, and new patterns. These are the best of the best of 2025, and if you're not using them yet, it's probably worth giving them a try.

Below you'll find links to all the baits Tim showed in the video. We've included our favorite colors for each, as well as any relevant rigging components. We've also included some great "budget friendly" rods and reels to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

1) THE RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

Hooks– Dirty Jigs Matt Allen Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Size: 1/4 oz

Baits– Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Shad

Dummy Baits– 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad

2) STROLL SHAD...

•Hog Farmer 4" Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Color: Green Shad

•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 3/16 oz – 1/0 Hook

3) THE SENKO...

•Yamamoto 5" Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Color: Green Pumpkin Amber Laminate, Green Pumpkin Black Flake

•Gamakatsu Superline Offset Hook: https://bit.ly/4l2QhGL

Size: 3/0

4) THE MAGDRAFT...

•Megabass 6" Magdraft: https://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Color: Borealis Shad

5) THE KARASHI...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Color: Glitz Shad, Juvy Gill, See Through Shad

•Megabass Tinsel Treble: https://bit.ly/4ltPizz

(Replacement Treble For Karashi)

6) STRAIGHT TAIL WORM...

•MissileBaits 6" Magic Worm: https://bit.ly/3T7dHgB

Colors: MissileMorning, Blueback Secret

•Owner Cover Shot HD (Size 2): https://bit.ly/36Gunbf

•Xzone Dropshot Weight: https://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Size: 1/4 oz

7) TOPWATER...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Colors: Bone Python, Spotlight Shad, Juvy Gill

8) SPARK SHAD...

•Megabass 3" Spark Shad: https://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Color: Real

•Dirty Jigs Guppy HD: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/8 oz

9) SPUNK SHAD...

•Hog Farmer 3.5" Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Ghost Minnow

•Dirty Jigs Guppy HD: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 oz

10) JIGGING SPOON...

•Nichols DUH Spoon 2.0: https://bit.ly/4iGlkrd

Colors: Tactical Shad, Shattered Glass

Size: 3/4 oz and 1 3/4 oz

•War Eagle Jiggin' Spoon: https://bit.ly/2H9dJV1

Size: 7/8 oz

BUDGET RIG/MAGDRAFT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3A5CFSU

Reel– Seviin GF (7.3:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line- Seaguar AbrazX Fluorocarbon (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2aaBBDX

BUDGET STROLLING/FINESSE COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Eagle 7' Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3Lo1gKC

Reel– Shimano Miravel 2500: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5

Line– Sunline Super FC (8 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET TOPWATER/SENKO COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Maverick 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3ncP1nX

Model: 733 C

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT (7.3:1): https://bit.ly/35hugfH

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz