Sight Fishing Mistakes You've Been Making - How To Catch More Bass!

LOVE IT or HATE IT, bed fishing is here to stay! This is always a controversial topic but sight fishing for spawning bass in Spring is legal in nearly every state so today we're going to teach you how to do it more effectively and with respect to the fish. Sight fishing is its own animal... you can be an excellent bass fisherman and a horrible sight fisherman. Its an art and if you learn to do it properly, the result is some of the best memories you'll ever have on the water. Come along as we catch a bunch of fish and cover some of the biggest mistakes that anglers make during the spawn. 

If sight fishing isn't for you, there are plenty of ways to catch bass during the spawn that don't involve sight or bed fishing. But for anglers that are interested, this one is for you. Matt covers important topics like lure selection and color. How to blend in to the environment. How to choose the best sunglasses for fishing. How to position the boat so you don't scare the fish. How to find the sweet spot on the bed. And finally, how to do all of this while still respecting the fishery. 

Below is a breakdown of the different baits, glasses, and equipment that Matt used in today's video. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see up close photos and descriptions of each item. The baits are linked in order of appearance to help you identify them. 

Sunglasses... 

-Eye Surrender ESE Glasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN

Amber Lense- Clear Water

Copper Lense- Suspended Sediment

Grey Lense- Year Round Eye Protection

The Jig...

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig 5/16 oz (Go To): http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

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

Ned Rig... 

Worm- Missile Baits Ned Bomb (Super Bug): http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

Head- Swagger Tungsten Flanders Head 1/6 oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Dropshot... 

Worm- Big Bite Smallie Smasher (Chart White Laminate): http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Other Color- Green Pumpkin Purple Flake

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

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

Bluegill... 

Bait- Imakatsu Javallon Gill 110 Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2IvM1jj

Hook- Magnum Shaky 3/4 oz: https://bit.ly/3b3DbVn

Amazing Finesse Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

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

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

Matt's Finesse Jig Combo... 

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

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

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

Leader- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: 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

Bed Fishing web.jpg

Spring Fluke and Jerkbait Tricks To Catch More Bass!

Learn how to adapt to changing conditions during a day of fishing a clear water reservoir with Matt. He starts out with a Zoom Super Fluke on a Texas Rig but is soon mixing it up with traditional jerkbaits and the nose-hook rig (Banjo Minnow Rig) as he adapts from a cold morning to a slick calm, warm afternoon. 

A jerkbait is incredibly versatile if you know how to adapt it to changing conditions. We were able to catch fish on a cold morning with a slow retrieve around this cover then switched to a Vision 110 Jr. to match the size of baitfish being ambushed by schooling bass. Ultimately it required a drop to 8 lb fluorocarbon and a small nose-hook rig to catch fish in clear water that were ambushing on an aggressive retrieve. Few baits are as adaptable as the jerkbait. 

Below is a breakdown of all the gear Matt was using throughout the day. We've included direct links to Tackle Warehouse for the baits, hooks, and gear. We also included links to some of our previous underwater and fluke rigging videos that will help you adapt traditional jerkbaits and soft jerkbaits to the conditions.

The Baits... 

-Zoom Super Fluke (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Other Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Smoking Shad

-Megabass Vision 110 Jr. (GP Pro Blue): http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

Other Colors: Clear Laker, Tennessee Shad

-Keitech 2.8 Fat Swimbait (TW Pro Blue): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Texas Rig Hooks... 

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

Slower Sink- Gamakatsu EWG 4/0: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

Nose Hook Rig... 

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

Weedless Hook- Gamakatsu Weedless Finesse Wide Gap 1/0: http://bit.ly/2i57dOP

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

Texas Rig Fluke Combo... 

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

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

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

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

Jerkbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium (Backorder Available): http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

Nose Hook Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 872S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 3000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Sunline XPlasma Asegai 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Leader- Sunline Sniper 8 lb 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

jerkbait web.jpg

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

Delta web.jpg

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

Girls web.jpg