Summer Fishing Tricks: Early Morning Bite (Whopper plopper and Crankbait)

No one likes getting up early but in Summer, its worth it! Midday the lake can feel like a Dead Sea if you don't know where to look but in the morning, everything is alive! Come along with Matt on the Tennessee River as he explores new water and builds a morning pattern with a whopper plopper, lipless crankbait, and wobble head (swing head jig).

Most anglers fish a whopper plopper on a slow, steady retrieve. Most of the time we do too, but there is a time and place for the popping method and today it paid off with 2 nice bites. After the topwater bite slowed Matt turned to a lipless and ultimately a swinging jig to continue catching fish. 

The morning bite window is incredibly easy but is also very short. Its imperative that you get on the water at first light and if you're not prepared to begin shadow fishing and targeting offshore fish, expect the bite to be done before 9 AM. Below we've included links to all the gear Matt used in today's video. We included the exact colors as well as recommendations on some of our other favorites. 

Hard Baits... 

-Whopper Plopper 110 Topwater (Bone): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Other Favorites- Loon, Munky Butt

-TN70 Lipless Crank (RT Scale Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Other Favorites- Super Shad, Ghost Minnow

Swing Head Jig... 

Jighead- Swing Head Football 3/4 oz 4/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

First Bait- Keitech Crazy Flapper 4.4 (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2c3cXrp

Second Bait- Zoom Z Craw (Junebug): http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

Matt's Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado DC 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Matt's Swing Head Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Braid- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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

Frog Fishing And Topwater On Lake Chickamauga - Big Bass Caught!

Come along on Lake Chickamauga as we explore a new lake and catch fish! Pay close attention as we refine a pattern and put it into action with no outside information. Chickamauga has almost 800 miles of shoreline but we're able to build a pattern in minutes and start catching really nice bass! You can too! 

Any time you're on a new body of water (Matt has been to the lake once but never this end and Tim has not been here at all) it can be overwhelming. We're thousands of miles from home with hundreds of miles of water to choose from where do you start? Matt and Tim chose to start with reaction. They focused on a spinnerbait, chatterbait, and lipless crankbait to cover water quickly. When that didn't work they turned their attention to the back of a cove that looked promising on the map. 

Once in the cove our attention again turned to covering water. Matt focused on a frog so he could quickly work around vegetation and Tim chose a senko to reach deep in the pockets under flooded trees. A pattern quickly emerged and we were able to dial in a combination of topwater, stick baits, and sight fishing. You can use this method of breaking down water on any lake in the nation. Cover water, get bit, and adapt until a pattern emerges. 

Below is a breakdown of the equipment the we were using to find success. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included links to the rods and reels we were using to consistently catch these fish. 

Topwater... 

Frog- Jackall Kaera (White): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Popper- Damiki D Pop 70 (Phantom): http://bit.ly/2Pjvqo3

Soft Baits... 

Stick Bait- Yamamoto 5" Senko (Crushed Goby): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

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

Creature- Big Bite Baits Flying Squirrel (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/2sn1FaT

Creature Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Superline 2/0: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Dropshot Weight- Swagger 1/4 oz Tungsten Tear Drop: http://bit.ly/2V2B63h

Reaction... 

Spinnerbait- Megabass V-9 1/2 oz (Kohoku Reaction): http://bit.ly/2tOaVCt

Spinnerbait Trailer- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Lipless Crank- Jackall TN-70 Crankbait (RT Scale Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Chatterbait- Z Man JackHammer 1/2 oz (BHite Delight): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Chatterbait Trailer- HogFarmer Spunk Shad (Ghost Minnow 4.5): http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Matt's Senko/ Heavy Dropshot Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

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

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

Tim's Popper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'10" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

Budget Frog Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7'3" Mag Heavy (736): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

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

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

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

Ultimate Frog Review: 14 Frogs Compared! (Frog Fishing Tips For Summer Bass Fishing)

Which frog is the best? Let's compare their action in the water and find out! Come along as we test swim and review 14 different frogs in search of the best walking frogs, popping frogs, and all around producers. If you like frog fishing, this video is going to save you a ton of time and money! Let us do all the hard work while you kick back and pick the frogs that will best suit your bass fishing style. 

As an added bonus Matt goes in-depth to help beginner frog fishermen. He covers the biggest mistakes anglers make and shows exactly how to avoid them. If frog fishing has been a struggle for you in the past, its time to take another look. Don't let this awesome Summer pattern slip away when you can make small adaptations to your technique and equipment and begin catching frog fish right away. 

Below you will find links to all the baits shown in the video. We begin with a few of Matt's overall favorites then look at all 14 frogs. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed descriptions and photos of each bait. Next we included links to Matt and Tim's favorite frog combo, affordable alternatives, and rods specifically adapted for smaller anglers so they too can enjoy the explosive strikes that make frog fishing so fun!

Matt's Top Picks... 

Overall Favorite Frog: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Best Walker: http://bit.ly/2QNyXra

Best Cover Frog: https://bit.ly/2VVjRVl

Small Frogs... 

1) Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors- White, Green Frog, Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

2) Evergreen Boota: https://bit.ly/2StZ4Ge

Colors- Rain Call, Shining Wizard, Golden Killer

Large Frogs... 

3) Spro King Daddy: http://bit.ly/2h0LCYd

Colors- Nasty Shad, Killer Gill, Midnight Walker

4) Molix Sneaky Frog 3.5": http://bit.ly/2QNyXra

Colors- Tarpon, Silver Albino, Black Mamba

Popping Frogs... 

5) Jackall Gavacho: http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Colors- Black Gill, Chart Strike Gill, Lime Frog, Gold Gill

6) Evergreen SS Softshell Frog: http://bit.ly/2NChzTZ

Colors- Secret Gill, Modo CH, Champion Shad

7) Megabass Big Gabot: https://bit.ly/3bXW8Jh

Colors- Wild Gill, Ama Gear, MB Gizzard Shad

8) Spro Bronzeye Poppin: http://bit.ly/2HsyqIJ

Colors- Freak, Misty Shad, Nasty Shad, Killer Gill

Standard Frogs... 

9) Teckel Honker: http://bit.ly/2Xj7Ye4

Colors- Grey Camo, Crystal Chart, Bluegill

10) Snagproof Bobby's Perfect: http://bit.ly/2abpR40

Colors- Brown Bullfrog, Tweety, Sexy Shad

11) River2Sea Bully Wa 2 65: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Colors- Little Allen, Ghost, Yellow Head, TW Bluegill

12) LIVETARGET Hollow Body 65: http://bit.ly/2Q40BAk

Colors- White, Black, Bright Green, Fluorescent Green Yellow

13) Savage Gear DC Walker: https://bit.ly/2VVjRVl

Colors- White, Gill, Black

14) Spro Bronzeye 65: http://bit.ly/2sz9Qje

Colors- Black, Freak, Albino, Leopard

Favorite Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" XH: http://bit.ly/2czPlZl

Reel- Shimano Curado DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

Budget Friendly Frog Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7'3" Mag Heavy: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Braid 65 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Rods For Smaller Anglers... 

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

-Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

Underwater Footage From Bass Heaven!! (Is This Even Real?!) Insane Topwater Strike Footage!!

This is the craziest school of GIANT BASS ever! They just finished spawning, they've schooled up on outside structure, and they're hungry! Come UNDERWATER and watch as we throw TOPWATER lures over them. These fish are exploding on a frog, whopper plopper, walking bait, and popper. The topwater strikes are crazy!

Its amazing to see how different the bass treat each of these topwaters. The Whopper Plopper gets hunted down at top speed and ambushed any which way the fish is able to get it. The walking bait is hunted back and forth and ultimately ambushed from the side. The frog and popper are both hunted vertically with the bass shooting straight up and eating the bait belly first. 

There is so much we can learn from this! Knowing how the bass eat the baits tells us which baits to throw when the bass are in different moods. We also see that the slower moving baits will rely much more heavily on "fooling the fish" (bait color, sound, hook color, etc) than the faster moving offerings. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits in the video including our top 3 baits from each category. We've also included our favorite color choices for each style, hook and hardware upgrades, and our favorite rods for throwing topwater. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Frogs... 

-R2S Bully Wa 2 65(Shown In Video): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Favorite Colors: Little Allen, Ghost, TW Bluegill

-Jackall Kaera (Small Profile): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Favorite Colors: Glitter Hasu, Green Frog, White

-Snagproof Bobby's Perfect Frog (Soft, Easy Hookset): http://bit.ly/2abpR40

Favorite Colors: Brown Bullfrog, Sexy Shad, Tweety

Poppers... 

-R2S Bubble Walker 80 (Shown In Video): http://bit.ly/2e0PZOY

Favorite Colors: Sooner, Loon, Bluegill

-Megabass Pop Max (Incredible Colors): http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Favorite Colors: Gill, MB Gizzard, Ito Wakasagi

-Yellow Magic (Small Profile): http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Favorite Colors: Smoke Shad, Japanese Shad, Alewife

Whopper Plopper...

-Whopper Plopper 130 (Shown In Video): http://bit.ly/2a7ipHL

Favorite Colors: I Know It, TW Bluegill, Chubby

-Whopper Plopper 110 (Stop and Start Retrieve): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Favorite Colors: T-1000, Monkey Butt, Bone

Walking Baits... 

-R2S Rover 128 (Shown In Video): http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Favorite Colors: Abalone Shad, Ghost Minnow, Sooner

-Evergreen Shower Blows 125 (Amazing Sound): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Favorite Colors: American Shad, Emerald Shiner, Bone

-Heddon Super Spook (Inexpensive): http://bit.ly/2diThgH

Favorite Colors: Bone, Lakefork Shad, Okie Shad

Hook Upgrades…

Red Hooks- Owner ST-36 (Size 2, 4): http://bit.ly/2wSknXp

Strong Hooks- Owner St-56 (Size 2, 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Split Rings: Owner Hyperwire Size 2,3,4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Favorite Frog Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

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

All-Around Topwater Rod... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Med light+: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

Budget Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Sellus 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2dQNkw7

Reel- Caius B HG: http://bit.ly/2O3Dvuw

Line- Power Pro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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