Catching Winter Bass On Almost Every Cast!

Think Winter Bass Fishing is tough? It doesn't have to be! When you understand how the fish are positioned and which baits will trigger them to feed, it can be amazing! Come along as Tim explores a brand new lake and starts getting bites from big bass on his very first stop!

Most anglers think of Winter as the time to stay at home. If you are going out, you're probably finesse fishing, dragging small plastics along the bottom. While slow finesse fishing can be effective, its a whole lot more fun to get fish to react! In today's video Tim is using a handful of key baits to break down a new lake without any mapping. He's combining visual clues along the shoreline with his vast fishing knowledge, to immediately catch fish. Pay close attention to the details he's teaching throughout the video and apply them to your next day on the water. 

Tim used a handful of baits and some very specific equipment to catch these fish and to map the lake for future trips. Below you'll find links to all of the gear he used. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Swimbait... 

Bait- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n


Tube... 

Bait- Big Bite Baits Tour Tube (Green Pump Purp Cop): http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Head- Bite Me Big Dude Goby Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2CV3o7S


A-Rig... 

Rig- G Funk Baits Cali Rig: http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Heads (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v


Neko... 

Bait- Yamamoto 5" Senko (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- Owner Weedless Finesse Sniper Neko (Size 1/0): https://bit.ly/2zXirRH

Harness- G7 Protect Tube: http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pagoda Nail (1/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW


Tim's Electronics/Autochart Live... 

Unit- Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY

Mapping- LakeMaster Plus Digital Charts: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Map Making- Humminbird AutoChart Live: http://bit.ly/2unEs8y


Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 893C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL HG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Champion Extreme 784 7'8" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2ab2kRX

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Fluorocarbon 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB


Budget Swimbait/Heavy Tube Combo... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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

Tim winter fishing web.jpg

Winter Bass Fishing: Simple Tricks To Catch More Fish!

Winter doesn't have to be tough! Today we're on Watts Bar Lake after a storm. Its cold, post-front, and windy, but that won't stop us from catching a pile of fish! Come along for an awesome multi-species day of fish catching as we dial in a pattern by simplifying our approach. 

Many anglers have quit fishing by now in favor of hunting, or just staying indoors. Don't be that guy! There are fish just waiting to be caught and the lake is the most peaceful you've ever seen it. As Winter sets in, bass group together and become very predictable. If you narrow down your offerings to a few key baits, you can have an amazing time on the water! Today is a prime example of that as we caught Largemouth, Smallmouth, Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass, and Drum, by slowing down with a finesse Underspin and an A-rig. 

Keep it simple, focus on key confidence baits, and you'll have amazing days on the water this time of year. Below are links to the exact baits we used throughout the day (including sizes and colors), along with links to the rods and reels. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

 

Lipless Crankbait...

-Jackall TN-50: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: RT Holo Bluegill, RT Scale Minnow


Underspin... 

-Cool Baits Down Under Spin (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

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

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad


A-Rig... 

Rig- G Funk Baits Cali Rig: http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

Head- Matt Allen 1/8 oz Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Bait- Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad


Underspin Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 1000: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- Power Pro 10 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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


Budget Finesse Underspin Combo... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Sniper 8 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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

winter fishing web.jpg

Where Do Bass Go In Winter? (And How To Catch Them!)

As Winter sets in, the bass make one final transition. The fish that had been ambushing baitfish in the shallows suddenly vanish. You look across the lake and there is no longer any kind of surface activity. Where has everything gone? And most importantly, can you still catch bass? Yes you can! Best of all, you can catch really big bass all Winter long!

The Winter transition brings completely different bass behavior. Fish will move toward deep water access where there are ample food sources. You'll find them on the ends of deep points, on the edges of steep slopes near narrow "pinch points", and in featureless lakes, sitting out in the "hollows". The fish use these areas because they can quickly move up and down the water column with changing weather, but more importantly these are the same areas the baitfish will gather for Winter. 

There are a variety of ways to catch these fish. Traditional information would tell you to fish a jig, small keitech, or a dropshot very slowly along the bottom. These techniques can be incredibly effective! Big bass knowledge would tell you to throw a swimbait and slow crawl it along the bottom. The most cutting edge information would tell you to draw reaction strikes from the biggest bass with a cold water crankbait, jerkbait, or A-rig. 

With all of these methods to choose from, its hard to decide what to throw. We're linking our 5 favorite below. These are the baits that we always have tied on this year to help trigger a feed response from the bass. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Reaction Baits... 


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

Favorite Colors: DD Minnow, Mirrored Minnow


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

 Favorite Colors: GP Pro Blue 2, Tennessee Shad


-Alabama Rig- Hog Farmer Flex BFL Rig: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

-Secondary Rig- G Funk Baits Cali Rig: http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.8 (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v


Big Baits... 


-Swimbait- Huddleston 8" Trout: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ 

Favorite Colors: Silver/Blue, Hitch, Trout


Finesse Baits... 


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

Swimbait- Keitech Fat Swing Impact 2.8 (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v


-Dropshot- Roboworm 4.5" Fat Worm (MMIII): http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2V2B63h


Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 Shock Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB


Budget Dropshot/Keitech Combo...

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

line- Power Pro 10 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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

where do they go web.png

Winter Bass Fishing: Finesse Tips To Keep Catching Fish!

Winter is coming fast! If your fish disappear as the water gets cold, there is hope! Over the years we’ve found a handful of key baits that get bit day after day, year after year, even when conditions are tough. If the Winter blues are setting in, turn to these proven choices to keep catching fish. 

Many anglers quit fishing in the Winter. They turn to the woods or the couch to pass the days until Spring returns. Don’t be that guy! The lakes are incredibly peaceful in Winter and there are BIG bass to be caught! Some days you can still catch them on reaction baits but when the going gets tough, turning to finesse is a sure way to keep getting bit. Tim has a handful of baits including worms, jigs, and flies, that work everywhere he goes. 

Below you’ll find a breakdown of all the baits he discussed in the video. We’ve included the rigging, the exact colors he relies on to keep getting bit, and some of the rods and reels he uses to stay successful. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.  


Dropshot Baits… 

-Big Bite Smallie Smasher 3.5” (Green Pumpkin Purple Flake): http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

-Strike King Half Shell (Morning Dawn): http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

-Damiki Armor Shad Fluke (American Shad): http://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o


Dropshot Rigging… 

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

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


Jigs… 

Jig-Keitech Tungsten Football (Brown/Purple): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Trailer- Z Man TRD BugZ (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Football 5/8 oz (Green Pumpkin Craw): http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Trailer- Yamamoto 5” Double Tail (Green Pump purp copper): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p


Fly… 

-Spro Phat Fly 1/8 (Grey Ghost): http://bit.ly/2mboisG


Neko Rig… 

Bait- Yamamoto 5” Senko (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Weight- Tungsten Pagoda Nail (1/16): http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

Hook- Owner Weedless Sniper Finesse Neko (1/0): https://bit.ly/2zXirRH

Ring- G7 Protect Tube (7MM): http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs


Ned RIg… 

Bait- Roboworm 3” Ned Worm (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Bait- Z Man Finesse TRD (Green Pumpkin Goby): http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

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

Lead Head- Owner Block Head (1/16th): http://bit.ly/2qL0A8n


Swimbait… 

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Bait- Keitech 3.3 or 3.8 Fat Swing Impact (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

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

Bait- Keitech 2.8” Fat Swing Impact (TW Ghost Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Cool Baits Down Under 1/8 oz (Black Silver): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA


Dropshot/Ned Rig Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline SX-1 12 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


Finesse Jig/Swimbait Casting Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 843C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

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

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

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


Budget Finesse Spinning Combo... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro 15 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 8 lb Leader: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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

winter finesse baits thumb.jpg