Never Get Skunked - Micro Swimbait Tips For Early Season Bass

We're back on Lake Berryessa for a quick evening fishing trip. Fresh off the jerkbait and fluke video from a few days ago, we're back to see how many bass we can catch! Matt hopes to pick up where he left off so he's brought a variety of jerkbaits and topwater options. Of course nothing goes to plan but he adapts and has an awesome evening fishing with finesse swimbaits!

Spring bass fishing is all about adapting to changing conditions. One day its beautiful, the next day its snowing. One day you've got the lake to yourself, the next day there are boats everywhere. If you find that your fish have shut down, look no further than a tiny swimbait like the 2.8 keitech to save the day! These little baits are incredibly adaptable and get bit by everything that swims. Trout, crappie, and even trophy bass, have no problem gulping them! 

Hopefully you enjoyed today's video as much as we did. We were met with challenging conditions but were able to adapt and overcome. Below is a breakdown of the exact equipment we were using and a few bonus baits that are worth trying if your fish are already conditioned to the Keitech. All of these baits go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up photos and detailed descriptions of each item. 

The Baits In order Of Appearance... 

Topwater- Showerblows 105 (Half Mirror Wakasagi): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

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

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

Swimbait Head- Dirty Jigs 1/8 oz Guppy Head 1/0: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Other Great Finesse Swimbaits... 

-Damiki Armor Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

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

-Jackall Rhythm Wave 2.8": http://bit.ly/2m78LM9

Matt's Finesse Swimbait Combo...

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

Reel- Shimano Stadic FL 1000: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

Line- Sunline Asegai 10 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

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

Mid-Priced Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'8" ML: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

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

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 8 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

Underwater Sight Fishing - How To Catch More Fish!

Want to catch more fish? Come underwater and watch how these fish interact with our lures around their spawning beds! The fish are biting a jig, dropshot, texas rig, ned rig, and a variety of swimbaits! Whether you're a beginner or advanced angler, pay close attention to the details about how to avoid short strikes and false bites if you want to become a better angler overnight. 

During the spawn, bass are less motivated to feed than other periods. If you haven't spent much time sight fishing start with this recent Sight Fishing Video to help you avoid common mistakes: https://youtu.be/3pJsNGdv9QM

 Because bass are focused on spawning rather than feeding their habits change. They become more protective and aggressive but rarely fully engulf your lure. Knowing how to adapt color, size, and retrieve goes a long way to catching more fish. This is the time of year to catch a new personal best so pay close attention to the details in this video and apply them the next time you're at the lake. 

Below is a breakdown of all the baits (in order of appearance) used in the video. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and lure descriptions.

-Missile Baits Ned Bomb (Fishaliscious): http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

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

-Roboworm Ned Worm 3" (Hologram Shad): http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

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

-Bass Patrol Football Jig 3/8 oz (Brown/Orange): http://bit.ly/2Hbyf5x

*Trailer- Z Man TRD Crawz (Green Pumpkin Orange): http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

-Mattlures 6" Tournament Series Swimbait (Blue Back Herring): http://bit.ly/2de1x2n

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin' Jig 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

*Trailer- Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

-Big Bite Baits Warmouth (Chartreuse Bluegill): https://bit.ly/3bl46wd

*Rigged- Yamamoto 4/0 Football Head: http://bit.ly/2dQmqyS

-Reaction Innovations Shiver Shot (Snow Pig): http://bit.ly/2JCpY7S

*Rigged- Owner Mosquito Light Size 1/0: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-River2Sea Stand'n Yabbie (Pearl): http://bit.ly/2DfkxuQ

-Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill (Female): http://bit.ly/2aAuAz5

-Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact Swimbait (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

*Rigged on Revenge Dart Hedz 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2cHMZbm

-Xzone Ned Zone (Minnow Magic): http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

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

-Strike King Half Shell OPT (Edge): http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

*Rigged on- Owner Cover Shot 1/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

-Netbait Contour Worm (Am Dawn): https://bit.ly/2VkIGda

*Rigged on- Gamakatsu EWG 1/0 hook: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

-Roboworm 4.5" Fat Straight Tail Worm (Desert Craw): http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

*Rigged- Owner Mosquito Light Size 1: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-Strike King Dream Shot Worm (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2KNXuK9

*Rigged- Owner Mosquito Light Size 1: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-Mattlures Bluegill Hammer Tail (Female Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

-Storm Wildeye Sunfish 3": http://bit.ly/2psTO6t

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3" (Haze): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

-Dirty Jigs Football Jig 1/2 oz (Molting Craw): http://bit.ly/2d0iJbd

*Trailer- Yamamoto Double Tail Grub 5" (Cinnamon Blk Purp): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

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

Catching Big Slab Crappie From My Dock!

Giant Slab Crappie! We don't have to go far, they're all around our dock! The fish are schooling around the pilings and feeding aggressively on small shad. They'll eat a variety of baits but we figured out the biggest fish like to eat the float and fly. Come along as JD and I throw light line and ultralight bass tackle for crappie and bass.

Big slabs can be caught on any cheap crappie jig but we've demonstrated in previous crappie videos (links below) that your odds of catching the really big ones goes up exponentially when you use higher quality lures. Flies and hair jigs consistently out produce crappie jigs and small swimbaits like keitechs are far superior to traditional curly tail grubs. If your goal is bigger crappie, don't be afraid to pick up some of your finesse bass tackle and give it a try!

Today's video was all about having a good time. JD is doing a great job of learning the techniques and we're glad you could come along for the fun! If you're interested in any of the gear we were using in today's video, we've linked them below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up photos and descriptions of each item. We also linked some of our previous crappie and float n fly videos. 

Our Favorite Crappie Baits... 

-Spro 1/16 oz Phat Fly (Grey Ghost): http://bit.ly/2mboisG

-Thill Stealth Mini Float Bobber: http://bit.ly/2EYoXWa

-Thill Bobber Stops: http://bit.ly/2CJz1F0

-Cumberland Pro Lures 1/16 oz Float-N-Fly: http://bit.ly/2o9PE63

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

-Acme Tackle 1/4 oz Kastmasters: http://bit.ly/2PtUwi3

Tim's Hair Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis Trout Series 901: Source Locally

Reel- Shimano Stradic FL 1000: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Bass / Crappie Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Convergence 7' Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3euARZO

Reel- Shimano Sedona FL 1000: http://bit.ly/2wgh50Z

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Crappie Videos... 

How To Catch Huge Slab Crappie: https://youtu.be/WjDVpQ4aTsc

Huge Slab Crappie On Every Cast!: https://youtu.be/cBpu1suTnno

Float N Fly Video... 

The Float N Fly Just Got Easier!: https://youtu.be/oqZfnRkIvc0

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

Epic Golf Course Pond Fishing! Big Bass From The Kayak!

Come along as we explore an awesome golf course pond! The water is crystal clear with big bass all around! Tim jumps in the kayak armed with a senko, chatterbait, and a variety of keitech swimbaits. It doesn't take long for the pond fish to start biting! Kick back, relax, and enjoy some awesome pond fishing!

Any time you go out in the kayak space is going to be a bit limited. Tim prepared by carrying a small bag with a great mix of baits. He chose 3 rods (2 bait casting and one spinning) that he could adapt to all the baits he was carrying so he wouldn't be overloaded with equipment. On the water he started his fishing targeting deeper water but found the best quality fish along shallow grass edges. 

Below is a breakdown of all the baits and equipment Tim used in the video. All the bait and gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed descriptions and close up photos of each item. 

Glidebait... 

-R2S S-Waver 168 (Phantom Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Small Swimbait... 

-Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact (SunGill): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Underspin Swimbait... 

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

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

Chatterbait... 

-JackHammer Chatterbait 3/8 oz (Green Pumpkin Shad): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

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

Senko... 

-Yamamoto Senko 5" (Green Pumpkin Red Flake): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

-Owner Twist Lock 3/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2cYZ3rM

Tackle... 

-Plano Guide 3600 Tackle Bag: https://bit.ly/2xxtIar

-Plano Edge 3600 Box: http://bit.ly/2YBaWYX

Old Town Kayak's Website... 

-Old Town Topwater 120 Kayak: http://bit.ly/2KGiYf5

Tim's Primary Casting Combo... 

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

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

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

Leader- 15 lb Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's All-Around Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

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

Line- Sunline SX-1 High Vis Yellow 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2FngUkQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 10 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