GEAR REVIEW! Curado 150 MGL, Rods, Crankbaits, Topwater, Ned Rig, Swimbaits!

Want to see the best new rods, reels, and baits?! We went to ICAST and found the best of the best! We spent time testing the gear, fished the lures, and captured underwater footage of their actions before putting this gear review together. Check out our top picks!

Every year ICAST is packed with new gear. Whether you're into ultra-high end tech or just budget options, there are thousands of items around the show for you to check out. Frankly, its overwhelming! We attend the show so we can cut through the fluff, the hype, and the "game changers", and really find the innovative new products that might help us (and you) catch more fish!

Below you'll find links to all the baits, and gear reviewed in today's video. We've included 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 REELS... 

-Shimano Curado 150 MGL: https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Favorite Speed: HG (High Gear)

-Daiwa Zillion SV TW G: https://bit.ly/3xobPDM

Favorite Speed: 7.1:1

THE RODS... 

-St. Croix Bass X: https://bit.ly/3A5CFSU

Favorite Models: 7'4" Heavy, 7'11" XH, 7'11" XXH

-Shimano Zodias Glass: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Favorite Models: 7'6" MH Glass, 7'2" MH Glass

-G Loomis GCX Mag Bass (MBR): https://bit.ly/3ykNXSN

Favorite Models: 843C MBR, 903C MBR

-G Loomis GCX Crankbait Rods: https://bit.ly/2TQh3ul

Favorite Model: 845 CBR

TOP BAITS... 

-Rapala Ott's Garage Tiny 4: https://bit.ly/3A76zGi

Colors: Green Gizzard, Classic Craw, Live River Shad

-Strike King Chick Magnet: https://bit.ly/3frnKdX

Colors: Sexy Shad 2.0, Tomato Soup

-Uncle Josh Pork Big Daddy: https://bit.ly/37e9RLR

Colors: Crawdad Brown, Black

-SnagProof Bobby's Perfect Frog: https://bit.ly/3rHCOsQ

Colors: Bluegill, Hot Mess, Pine Frogs

-SnagProof Phat Frog: https://bit.ly/3vCrnTv

Colors: Bluegill, Hot Mess, Pine Frogs, Grey Ghost

-Spro Flappin Frog 65: https://bit.ly/37ljzM8

Colors: Killer Gill, Nasty Shad, Yellow Sparkle

-Evergreen Shower Blows 77.7: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Black Bone, Skeleton Chartreuse, Bone

-G-Ratt Poppa Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: Hitch, Gizzard Shad, Bone

-Basstrix 6" Swimbaits: http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR

Colors: Disco Gizzard Shad, Hologram Shad, Lanier Herring

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 August Bass Fishing!

Here are the top 5 baits we trust to catch bass in August! August is HOT but don't let that stop you because the fishing is can be incredible! You can fish these 5 (Its actually 10... but who's counting?) baits with confidence whether you're walking the shore of a pond, exploring a clear water reservoir, or flipping your way through a shallow Southern fishery. 

August brings some of the hottest days of the year and with them, very predictable patterns. Bass become more lethargic in the heat and spend much of the day tucked against cover or structure. Once you know where to look (we're going to explain that too) all you have to do is fish these baits with confidence. You can catch fish all Summer long and we're going to help you do it!

Below you'll find links to all 10 baits discussed in the video, separated into their two categories. We'll give you two bait choices in every category so you can decide between the most affordable option or the top-shelf option. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TOP 5 BAITS FOR POWER FISHERIES...

Frog...

Bait- SPRO Bronzeye Frog 65: http://bit.ly/2sz9Qje

Favorite Colors: Yellow Sparkle, Killer Gill, Nasty Shad

Soft Jerkbait...

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

Favorite Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad, Electric Shad

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

Texas Rigged Creature... 

Bait- R.I. Spicy Beaver: http://bit.ly/2MPuma1

Favorite Colors: Green Pumpkin, Tramp Stamp

Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap (3/0): http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Vader (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Dropshot Worm...

Bait- Roboworm 6" Fat: http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

Favorite Colors: MMIII, Oxblood Light Red

Hook- Owner Cover Shot 1/0: http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

Weight- Swagger Pencil 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Deep Crankbait...

Bait- Rapala DT 16: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Favorite Colors: Live River Shad, Pearl Gray Shiner

TOP 5 BAITS FOR FINESSE FISHERIES... 

Topwater...

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

Favorite Colors: Abalone Shad, Ghost Minnow

Jerkbait... 

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

Favorite Colors: GP Pro Blue, GP Pro Blue 2, Mat Shad

Swimbait... 

Bait- Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Favorite Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

Head- Cool Baits Down Under 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Bait- Megabass Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Size- 3" in 1/2 or 3/4 oz.

Dropshot... 

Bait- Netbait STH 3" Crush Worm: https://bit.ly/3s5BcIn

Favorite Colors: Smokin Joe, Bang, Green Pumpkin

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Pencil 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Ned Rig... 

Bait- Roboworm 3" Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Favorite Colors: Margarita Mutilator, Desert Craw, Twilight

Head- Swagger Tungsten Flanders Head (1/10 oz): http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

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

AFFORDABLE ALL-AROUND COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

AFFORDABLE FINESSE COMBO...

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

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

Line- Sunline 8 lb Fluorocarbon: 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

Summer Gear Review! Topwater, Crankbaits, Jigs, and Soft Plastics!

Let's see what's new! We've been testing a variety of new baits and today we're showing the best of the best! We've got a unique topwater, new frogs, crankbaits, swimbaits, and more. Summer is a great time to catch fish and there are some great new designs available to help you do just that. Some of today's baits are great improvements on existing designs, while others are truly unique creations. Let's take a look!

To kick it off we've got 3 topwater lures. The first is a custom approach to front runners that is going to help a lot of anglers catch schooling bass. After that we've got the complete redesign of the the Snagproof line of frogs, and finally a new size in the Spro Bronzeye series. 

For crankbaits we've got the Jackall Digle which takes a familiar Jackall shape and couples it with an awesome bill that will let the bait go anywhere. Next is a giant crankbait that reaches ultra-deep but fishes comfortably on mid-sized gear. 

From there we've got a new twist on the Savage Gear bluegill, a true handmade finesse jig, and a very unique soft plastic to round out the group. You'll find links to all the products list below. We've included our favorite colors, sizes, and rigging components when relevant. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Front Runner... 

-PH Lure Phront Runner: https://bit.ly/3wJIdkH

Favorite Color- Foil Black

Frogs... 

-SnagProof Phat Frog: https://bit.ly/3vCrnTv

Favorite Colors- Grey Ghost, Green Pumpkin

-Spro Bronzeye Poppin Frog 70: https://bit.ly/3iVW03I

Favorite Colors- Nasty Shad, Navy Seal, Killer Gill

Crankbaits... 

-Jackall Digle: https://bit.ly/2Uip6A6

Favorite Colors- Ghost AR Shad, SK Shad, Blueback Chartreuse

-Duel Hardcore Bullet 7+: https://bit.ly/3gH0hGB

Favorite Colors- Sexy Shad, Holographic Shad

Optional Hook Size Upgrade- Owner ST-36 Size 1: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Swimbait... 

-Savage Gear 3D RTF Bluegill: https://bit.ly/3gGH7R8

Favorite Colors- Bluegill, Black Gill

Jig... 

Nishine Lure Works Finesse Football: https://bit.ly/3gIKmrz

Favorite Colors- Pumpkin Pepper, Watermelon Candy

Trailer In Video- Z Man TRD Bugz (MudBug): http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Hellgramite... 

-Tackle HD Ned Mite: https://bit.ly/3q9VssH

Favorite Colors- Green pumpkin Orange, Green Pumpkin Goby

Head Used- Swagger Tungsten Flanders (1/10th): http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Discontinued Jackall Favorites... 

-Muscle Deep Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/35BMOtg

-Aska SR Squarebills: https://bit.ly/2UasX1U

-Aragon Jointed Crank: https://bit.ly/3vC2tUh

-Giron Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3gEHyKw

-Clone Gill Softbait: https://bit.ly/35B7l1l

Favorite Frog Combo... 

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

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

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

BIG Crankbait Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 968 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200 (HG): http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line- Sunline Fluorocarbon (15 lb): 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

Underspin Tricks For Post Spawn Bass Fishing

Underspins have exploded in recent years! There used to be a handful of light wire options, but these days you can get everything from a 12/0 weedless Beast hook to a tiny 1/8 oz finesse head. The rise of the underspin is directly tied to its effectiveness, and there is no better time to throw them than the prespawn. Could that little blade make that much of a difference? Let's find out... 

As the bass wrap up the spawn, shad and other baitfish begin spawning in the shallows. These baitfish congregate in schools and without fail, the bass take full advantage of the opportunity. The underspin allows you to choose your depth as you probe the edges of these bait balls in search of the biggest bass in the school. Yes, you could do this with a bare swimbait, but you'll never know what you've been missing until you try it with an underspin and experience the incredible drawing power created by the addition of a small blade below your bait. 

Fishing an underspin is simple, in most cases its an easy cast and retrieve presentation. Beyond that its a matter of matching the bait (willow leaf vs Colorado blade) to the baitfish and choosing the appropriate size. After that its just a matter of choosing a weedless presentation or an exposed hook. Narrowing down these selections is very simple. Below you'll find links to our favorite heads for each of these applications, as well as some of our favorite baits in each size category. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Weedless Heads... 

-Owner Flashy Swimmer (Silver Willow Leaf): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

-Owner Flashy Swimmer (Gold Colorado Blade): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

-Owner Flashy BEAST (For Big Swimbaits): http://bit.ly/2gx3A54

Favorite Swimbaits For Weedless Heads... 

-Keitech 3.3 - 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors- Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad

-Megabass Spark Shad 4": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Traditional Heads (Largest To Smallest)... 

Overall Favorite- Blade Runner Screw Lock Spintrix (3/8 - 3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2oocg0a

Best In Current- Hog Farmer War Pig (1/4 - 3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2pcQnRP

Best Finesse Bait- Cool Baits Down Under (1/8 - 3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Favorite Swimbaits For Traditional Heads... 

-River2Sea D Walker 120: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

Colors- PB Red, Shamrock Shad, Silver Side

-Keitech 2.8" - 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors- Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad

Non-Traditional Head... 

-Megabass Okashira Screw Head: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

Favorite Small Swimbaits For Okashira and CoolBaits... 

-Megabass Spark Shad 3: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Colors: Real, Albino, Baby Bass

-Keitech Easy Shiner 3" and 4": http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Colors: Electric Shad, TW Pro Blue

-Damiki Armor Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Colors: RP Blue Pearl, American Shad, Baby Bass

Keitech Sizing For Flashy Swimmer/Beast Hooks... 

1/0 Hook- Keitech 3.3

3/0 Hook- Keitech 4.3

5/0 Hook- Keitech 4.8

8/0 Hook- Keitech 6.8

Favorite All-Around Underspin Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'6" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 16 lb Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Tim's Finesse Underspin Spinning Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR: https://bit.ly/3y0Ss5m

Reel- Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/3hNG96T

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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

Budget Underspin Spinning Combo...

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium: http://bit.ly/2r69Sj6

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Fluorocarbon 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