Fluke Rigging Tricks to Catch Bass Shallow or Deep

Learn how to use a soft jerkbait as a topwater, a mid-depth jerkbait, and a deep bait without adding any weight. Matt demonstrates how to adjust hooks and hook placement to get a variety of actions out of a fluke. If you're looking for a single "do everything" bait this Spring, look no further than the fluke.

The Super Fluke is in every angler's arsenal. Some use it as a Carolina rig bait, others as a stick bait, still others use it as a topwater. Today Matt explains some quick hook and bait modifications that will open doors to completely different ways to fish the Fluke. If you've been using the bait with a single-use approach, its time to learn what you've been missing!

Below is a breakdown of the baits, colors, and hook options that Matt recommends for fishing Flukes and other soft jerkbaits in the Spring and Summer.

Baits...

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

-Strike King Caffeine Shad: http://bit.ly/2jjyvzr

-Bass Assassin Split Tail Shad: http://bit.ly/2JoeVCN

-Reaction Innovations Shiver Glide: http://bit.ly/2DUwrtM

Hooks and Hardware...

-Gamakatsu Offset EWG Wide Gap 4/0: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

-Gamakatsu Superline EWG 4/0: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

-Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap 1/0: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

-Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Weedless: http://bit.ly/2i57dOP

-Owner CPS Spring Medium: http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

-Decoy Versatile Keeper: http://bit.ly/2NNtJci

Best Bait Colors are white or shad, Ghost, and Green Pumpkin.

All-Around Combo...

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

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

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

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

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Which Senko Style Bait Is The Best? Crystal Clear Underwater Video!

Today we're taking 5 of the most popular stick baits and watching their action underwater. Each bait was wacky-rigged and Texas-rigged to give the most fair comparison of the actions. Have you ever wondered if a Senko is worth the price? Are they really different than the other options? Let's find out!

Tim selected 5 different baits with different materials and salt content. He also traveled to the clearest water he could find so we could see the smallest movements and subtle differences between baits. By rigging them the same way we get a fair comparison that you can trust as you decide which baits are the best for your fishing style and location.

Below is a breakdown of the baits, hooks, and gear used to make this video.

The Baits...

-Power Bait The General: http://bit.ly/2DALv0j

-Z Man ZinkerZ: http://bit.ly/2ZVJANs

-Gary Yamamoto Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

-Yum Dinger: http://bit.ly/2J8nMrF

-Strike King Zero: http://bit.ly/2GU4o0n

Hooks...

-Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Size 1: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

-Gamakatsu G-Finesse Hybrid Worm Hook 2/0: http://bit.ly/2GT2T29

-Wacky Saddle: http://bit.ly/2xnYcJo

Favorite All-Around Senko Combo...

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

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

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

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

Cross Country Trip Begins With Grand Slam!

We're coming to a lake near you! The TacticalBassin crew is hitting the road so keep an eye out the next time you pump gas, head for the launch ramp, or pull up along side a boat on the freeway. Our first stop as we head cross country is Elephant Butte, New Mexico. The trip started off with a bang as Matt landed an unexpected Grand Slam on this amazing fishery!

The bass in Elephant Butte had to survive terrible conditions in recent years. The lake was drawn down to only 3% of capacity at its worst but is now well on its way to filling back up. The fishing has begun to rebound with many big bass being caught this Spring. Matt, CC, and Sierra chose the lake as their first stop as they travel. across the US to find out if the fishing in New Mexico is as good as they'd heard. They weren't disappointed and you won't be either!

Keep an eye out for the TacticalBassin crew in your area. We'll be traveling all through the South, Midwest, and much of the North. We're making as many stops as possible so you just don't know where we will show up next... but word is that Texas and Oklahoma anglers should keep an eye out first.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and gear Matt and CC used on Elephant Butte.

The baits...

Glide Bait- S-Waver 168 (Light Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Finesse Swimbait- Keitech 4" Easy Shiner (Silver Flash Minnow): http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Finesse Swimbait Head (1/8 oz): Revenge Darter Hedz: http://bit.ly/2cHMZbm

CC's Glide Bait Rod...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 893C JWR: http://bit.ly/2R4f2Ud

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

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

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

Matt's Finesse Combo...

Rod- Daiwa Aird-X 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2P7Z3Vu

Reel- Shimano Sahara 1000: http://bit.ly/2XhhM43

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

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

Boat Accessories...

Minn Kota 15' Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP

Minn Kota Tilt Brackets: Source Locally

Humminbird 360 Imaging: http://bit.ly/2K8jPl4

Loc-R-Bar: http://bit.ly/2CMF1NP

Banshee Lock: http://bit.ly/2vt3ilq

Bob's Hydraulic Jack Plate: http://bit.ly/2RtsHc

Where Do Bass Go After They Spawn? (And How To Catch Them)

Its really easy once someone explains it! Post Spawn bass don't just disappear, they follow a very consistent pattern as they transition to Summer haunts. Today Matt walks us through each step as the fish shift from spawning to recuperating, and from traveling back to feeding. Post spawn is notoriously difficult because many anglers are unclear about how the fish move from April to June but its about to get a whole lot easier!

We've already discussed "Where Bass Go In Spring", post spawn is the exact same story run in reverse, but with a twist. After the fish spawn they'll move to the first ledge or point along their transition route. Here they will sit for a week or two to recuperate before feeding again. This is often the time when anglers feel lost and begin to panic about where the fish have gone. As soon as this period ends, the fish make a split. Half of the bass follow the remainder of the route out to deep outside or offshore structures and the other half push back in to the shallows.

The fish that turn shallow are the most fun because you're able to power fish them (flipping, punching, and frogging) but the fish that head offshore school up into mega schools and offer a whole different kind of excitement! It doesn't matter which direction you go, you're going to have a great time targeting either group of bass.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and tackle we're using to target these fish throughout the transition process and beyond.

Frog…

- Bully Wa 2 Frog: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

(Little Allen, Ghost, Snipe)

Punching/Flippin’…

-Sweet Beaver: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

(Tramp Stamp, Delicious, Hematoma)

-1 oz Tungsten Weight: http://bit.ly/2bHj2pB

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

-Peg X Bobber Stopper: http://bit.ly/2bHjowk

Offshore or Ledge Fish...

-Norman DD-22 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2LKB37w

(Glimmer Shad, Smokey Joe, Blue/Chart)

-Strike King 6XD Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

(Clear water minnow, sexy shad, Sexy Ghost Minnow)

-Strike King 10XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

(Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Green Gizzard Shad)

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin' Jig: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

-Zoom Trick Worm: http://bit.ly/2aWkG7E

(Junebug, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Magic)

-Strike King Fat Baby Finesse Worm: http://bit.ly/2aKei5y

(Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red, Blue Fleck)

Matt's Crankbait Combo...

Rod- Zodias 7'6" Med Heavy Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

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

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