We Got STUCK! Caught Almost 30 LBS!!! Swimbaits, Creature Baits, and Senko!

Low Tide almost got us! We knew a school of giant bass were tucked up in a shallow backwater and we ALMOST made it! After blowing mud with the outboard we had to adapt and run a new pattern. Come along for the excitement! We started off catching bass with senkos and ended with some really nice bed fish. The Delta is always full of surprises but today it came together and we had a blast catching big bass in clear water! 

Today was one of those days where we rolled with the punches. Amazingly, when we pulled the boat out at the end of the day we had no prop or skeg damage on the Yamaha SHO despite the brutal beating it took to reach our fish! After the shallow water debacle we lost Tim to a giant sight fish for a few hours. Unfortunately that fish never committed but he did connect with a really nice fish on a swimbait to save his day. In the meantime Matt covered a ton of water and found some very nice fish moved up. He was able to combine a variety of baits from craws and creatures to senkos and bluegill swimbaits to get the key bites he needed. 

Tidal fisheries like the delta require constant adjustment. We started out with a plan and made change after change until we locked into a pattern we weren't anticipating. Once we found sight fish we were able to cover miles and miles of canals in search of matching conditions and every time we found the right water temperature and clarity, we found bed fish. By day's end we'd caught a handful of big delta bass on a variety of baits and put together a monster limit. Too much fun!

Below is a breakdown of all the baits that we caught fish on (in order of appearance) as well as some of the equipment we were using to be successful. 

Stick Bait... 

Bait- Yamamoto Senko 6" (Green Pump/Watermelon Laminate): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Other Great Colors- Green Pumpkin Black Flake, Natural Shad

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

Craw... 

Bait- Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver (Flora Bama): http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

Other Great Colors- Tramp Stamp, Spiked Watermelon

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

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

Bluegill Swimbait... 

Bait- Mattlures HammerTail Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

Hook- Owner ST-56 Size 2: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire Size 5: http://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

Line-Thru Swimbait... 

Bait- Savage Gear 4D Trout (Hitch): http://bit.ly/399bx97

Hook- Owner ST-56 Size 2: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Creature #1... 

Bait- Big Bite Baits Kreit Squirrel Tail (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/2sn1FaT

Other Great Colors... Tilapia Magic, Green Pumpkin

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

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

Creature #2... 

Bait- Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig (Flora Bama): http://bit.ly/2s51oIV

Other Great Colors... Dirty Wizard, Magic Craw Red

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

Weight- Swagger Vader Tungsten 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Frogs... 

-Jackall Gavacho (Chart Strike Gill): http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

-Megabass Big Gabot (Wild Gill): https://bit.ly/3bXW8Jh

Matt's All-Around Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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

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

Tim's All-Around Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 894C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line- Sunline FX2 Braid 50 lb: http://bit.ly/31u57xA

Leader- Sunline Sniper 18 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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

Girl Fishing: Spring Jerkbait and Swimbait Fishing For Bass!

Tonya and CC are back on the lake for an awesome day of fishing! Come along with the girls on CC's new bass boat! These two take their bass fishing very seriously, Tonya is throwing a jerkbait and CC is throwing an A-Rig loaded with Keitech swimbaits. They find a school of big ones feeding on shad and load the boat, you don't want to miss it! 

In the midst of catching big bass the girls take the time to share some really key tips for shallow water fishing and dialing in your equipment. CC struggled with the A-Rig in the past but she's discovered that shortening her leader and making some key reel adjustments has made all the difference. This isn't just watching women who fish, these girls know what they're doing and can help you dial in your fishing as well!

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment the ladies are using in today's video. From rods and reels to specifics on the baits, all the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions for all the items. 

CC's Rig... 

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

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

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

Dummy Baits- RI Little Dipper (Bad Shad Green): http://bit.ly/2brnU5I

Tonya's Jerkbait... 

Jerkbait- Lucky Craft Pointer 100 (Ghost minnow): http://bit.ly/tbpointer

Hooks- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano Treble (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2dWWAut

CC's Combo... 

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

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

Grips- Trigger Happy Comfort Grips: https://bit.ly/34e3hCw

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

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

Tonya's Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 HG: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

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

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

Spring Underspin Tricks For Bass With Bonus Slab Crappie Catches!

Do you know how to adapt your underspin to changing conditions? Underspins catch big bass but when you should you throw a large offering instead of a tiny finesse underspin? When is a keitech better than the others? Come along for a full day on Clearlake as we read the water, adapt to changing conditions, and switch between a variety of underspins and swimbaits to build a pattern. As a bonus, we find ourselves in the middle of GIANT slab crappie that aren't afraid to eat big underspins!

There's no way around it, we took a left when we should have taken a right and it took us down an interesting path of big waves and bigger panfish. Today leaves little doubt that virtually everything that swims will eat an underspin with a swimbait trailer! Many anglers go to the lake and simply fish but a select few anglers, many of which are members of the TacticalBassin Family, spend their time on the water absorbing information, adapting to changing conditions, and constantly building patterns. These method of building patterns and adapting to change will make you an incredibly consistent angler. But once in a while... you take a left when you should have taken a right. 

Below is a breakdown of all the baits discussed in the video. The links for each product go directly to Tackle Warehouse (who is still shipping orders during the pandemic) where you can see up close photos and detailed descriptions. We also included links to some of our favorite equipment for under spin fishing. 

The Baits... 

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

(TW Ghost Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad)

-Xzone Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

(210, Bream, Tennessee Shad)

-Megabass Spark Shad 3" and 4": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

(Albino, Real, Silver Shad)

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

(PB Red, Shamrock Shad, Silver Side)

The heads... 

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

(Black Silver, Silver Shad, Ol Faithful)

-Megabass Okashira Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

(Shad, Real Minnow)

-Hog Farmer War Pig HD 1/4 - 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2pcQnRP

(Albino, Blue Gizzard Shad, Green Gizzard Shad)

-Blade Runner Screw Lock Spintrix 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2oocg0a

(Anchovy, Black Shad, Grey Shad)

-Owner Flashy Swimmer 1/4 oz with 5/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

(Willow Blade)

Most Adaptable Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

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

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

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

Matt's Best "Bang For The Buck" Combo... 

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

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

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

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

Budget Combo... 

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

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

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

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

DIY Boat Project: The First Upgrade I Make To Every Boat!

Today we're doing a simple project that every fishing boat on the market should do. Boat Buckles are a retractable rod strap that hold your fishing rods in place when the boat is moving and conveniently store inside the gunwale when you stop.  Most used boats have bungee straps or old velcro straps and are desperately in need of an upgrade. Watch step by step as Matt installs a set of Boat Buckle straps. 

We just picked up CC's new boat, a used Champion 198. Any time you purchase used boats you know there will be some work involved. The Boat Buckles are just the beginning as we plan to upgrade the batteries, trolling motor, electronics, and wiring in the coming weeks. We do these first because its a mandatory upgrade on all our boats, its relatively inexpensive, and can be done very quickly with minimal tools. 

A lot of anglers are afraid to work on their own boats. There is something taboo about pulling off a motor cowling and going to work. While some jobs really do need a boat mechanic, a job like this can be done quickly and easily at home. Below are links to the parts we used for this upgrade. Also linked if you're curious are the additional upgrades we'll be doing to the rest of the boat. 

-Boat Buckle Rod Straps: https://bit.ly/3aC7bYf

**Be sure to add the concealment kit if you want your buckles mounted on the inside of the hull like we did on this boat**

Additional items we're upgrading on CC's boat... 

-Ultrex 112 MEGA I-Pilot Link 52" Shaft Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2RqrT4v

-Humminbird Helix 12 Chirp G3 Electronics: https://bit.ly/2w7u3jx

-Kong Wave Tamer Mount: http://bit.ly/2wsJVbA

-Megaware Keel Guard: http://bit.ly/2N5p36m

-Boat Buckle Retractable Transom Straps: https://bit.ly/2QYpbEz

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