Buzzbaits and Frogs! Summer Bass Fishing On Clearlake!

After months on the road we're finally back on Clearlake! Come along as we explore the lake, build patterns, and catch fish! Matt utilizes a buzzbait, frog, and toad to catch a fish in the grass on a hot Summer day. Many anglers avoid fishing in the heat but if you know where to look there are big fish to be caught!

Catching fish consistently in Summer requires an understanding of how and why they position. Shallow water bass love to be close to cover. A consistent food source is also key. In most lakes, if you can find baitfish and grass in the same area, you're around bass. This morning Matt hit the water at first light. He already knew where to find grass but the baitfish remained a mystery. By getting out early he was able to quickly locate active birds searching for a meal. 

It took time to get the first bite but the bird activity confirmed the presence of baitfish and ultimately the presence of bass. Whenever you're on the water pay close attention to nature, it's clues can really shorten your search time. Once Matt located fish he used a combination of baits to get consistent bites from bass that were positioned to ambush prey as it passed by the grass beds. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Matt used to catch his fish. We've included color recommendations for the various baits, the exact combos Matt was fishing with, and even a budget-minded alternative. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

The Baits... 

-Skirtless Buzzbait- Dirty Jigs Canterbury Pro Buzz 1/2 oz (Blue Glimmer): http://bit.ly/2cWI6if

Trailer- River2Sea D Walker Swimbait 120 (PB Red): http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-4 Blade Buzzbait- D&M Easy Roller Buzz (Night Stalker): https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

-Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 2: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Colors: Dirty White, Ghost, Little Allen, TW Gill

-Big Bite Baits Tour Toad: http://bit.ly/2NtAghc

Colors: Hematoma, Pearl Shine

Hook- Owner 6/0 Twist Lock Open Gap: http://bit.ly/2cYZ3rM

Matt's Buzzbait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7'5" 5 Power (Heavy): http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

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

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

Matt's Frog Combo...

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Budget Buzzbait Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Power Pro 50 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Budget Frog Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 736 (7'3" Mag Heavy): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Power Pro 65 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Raw and Uncut Fishing For GIANT Fish! HUGE Bass On Ultralight Tackle!

Come along for a whole day of fishing! We're on the Great Lakes targeting bass with finesse tackle and are catching a ton of fish! Its raw and uncut so if you've ever wanted to watch a 6+ lb Smallmouth caught from cast to catch on a swimbait, this is for you! Its an epic day of fishing! Come be a part of it!

In this unedited live video Matt utilized a variety of baits. A tube was the major player in the beginning, while the dark sleeper and keitech stole the show toward the end. Matt teaches throughout the day about adapting to changing conditions, specifically targeting bass in clear water, how to fish transitions and breaks, how to target shallow water fish, and so much more! This style of video is unlike anything else we do. Its long format but you’ve been asking for it so here is the change to see the struggles, the miles of water covered, and the successes as the day unfolds!

Down below the cut points you'll find a full list of all the tackle used in the video including links that go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.  Matt included his exact colors and weights, the rods and reels, and even included a great combo for the bass angler on a budget that still wants excellent performance while targeting big fish. Enjoy!

Cut Points... 

-1st Fish Catch: 3:01

-5th Fish Catch: 32:00

-Suprise Species Catch: 53:55

-Explaining Next Move: 01:00:25

-Start Fishing Next Spot: 01:11:04

-10th Fish Catch: 01:29:53

-Start Fishing Next Spot: 01:38:26

-Retie Dark Sleeper Then Catch 6.2 lb Smallmouth!: 01:50:41

-Weighing 6 lb Smallmouth: 01:55:05

-Releasing 6 lb Smallmouth: 01:55:55

-15th Fish Catch: 02:16:11

-Matt Misses Another Giant!: 02:36:43

-Teaching About Dark Sleeper Swimbaits: 02:41:30

-20th Fish Catch: 03:02:09

-Motor Overheats!!: 03:09:05

-Final Fish Catch: 03:29:10

-Outro and Final Thoughts: 03:35:10

The Baits... 

-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube 3.5" (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Jighead- BladeRunner Inhaler 3/16 oz 2/0: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

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

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

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3" 1/2 oz (Wakasagi): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Matt's Tube Combo... 

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

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

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

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

Dark Sleeper Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

Budget Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX DC HG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb 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

Best Fishing Knots Made Easy! 5 Knots You Need To Know!

Learn a couple of these easy knots and you'll be able to catch fish anywhere in the world! We choose our knots based on ease of tying and consistent results. You don't need special tools and you don't need to use your knees and toes to help tie them. These knots are EASY! 

Today Tim is showing the 5 knots we use for all of our fishing. The 3 "Line-To-Lure" knots are the San Diego Jam knot, Palomar Knot, and Uni Knot. The two "Line-To-Line" (leader) knots are the Double Uni Knot and the Double Blood Knot. 

Every time "knots" come up everyone seems to have an opinion. Some people insist on tying incredibly complex knots. Others prefer knots that require special tools. Some anglers just tie whatever knot their grandpa taught them because it works... most of the time. We choose our knots based on a handful of variables. The knot must be easy to tie on the water and can't take an excessive amount of time. It must work with a variety of lines and line sizes. And most important, you must be able to visibly verify that it is tied correctly.  

Now that you know the knots to tie, let's talk about line. There are different lines for different purposes. Below is a breakdown of all our favorite fishing lines for different circumstances. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each line. 

Braided Lines... We use these lines for the vast majority of our fishing. Braided line is incredibly strong, has very little stretch, and is very thin. The downside of braid is that its highly visible in the water. For power fishing techniques like frogging, topwater, flipping, etc braid is amazing! It gives you incredible power to set the hook hard and drag the fish away from cover. In these situations its okay to tie the braided line direct to your lure. If you're fishing slower or in clearer water you'll want to add a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader to reduce visibility. 

-Favorite Braid (Ultra Thin)- Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

-Budget Braid- Power Pro Original: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

-Finesse Braid (Spinning Rods)- Sunline SX-1: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

-Smooth Braid- Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Fluorocarbon Lines... Fluorocarbon is the best of both worlds between braid and mono. It has good sensitivity, strength, and is virtually invisible in the water. Its a great stand alone line for all fishing applications (except for topwater because it tends to sink) but it truly shines as a finesse line. It can be used as a main line or as a leader (Sniper for finesse leader, FC100 for power fishing leader). 

-Finesse Applications- Sunline Sniper FC: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

-Power Applications- Sunline Assassin FC: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

-Leader Material- Sunline FC100 System Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Monofilament... Mono is what most anglers start with. Its incredibly forgiving, has a lot of stretch, is very strong, and its relatively cheap. Traditionally monofilament shines for topwater and crankbaits where stretch is a plus. Over the years we have shifted to braided line and currently only use monofilament as a leader material. 

-Favorite Mono- Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

-Budget Mono- Berkley Big Game: http://bit.ly/2vZGjSb

Line Size Recommendations By Technique... 

Dropshot- 10 lb Braid or 6 lb Fluorocarbon

Crankbait- 12-17 lb Fluorocarbon or 30 lb Braid

Topwater- 40 lb Braid or 15 lb Mono

Frog- 65 lb Braid

Jig- 50 lb Braid, 15-20 lb Fluorocarbon, 15-20 lb Mono Leader

Ned Rig- 8 lb Braid or 6 lb Fluorocarbon

Senko- 30 lb Braid, 10-15 lb Mono leader, 12 lb fluorocarbon

Shakey Head- 20 lb Braid, 10-12 lb fluorocarbon, 10 lb mono leader

Spnnerbait/Chatterbait- 15-20 lb fluorocarbon, 40-50 lb Braid

Big Swimbait- 80 lb braid, 25-35 lb mono or fluorocarbon leader

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

New Kayak Review! Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 136!

This kayak just won "Best Of Show" At ICAST 2020, let's look at why! When we heard the Sportsman Autopilot 136 had an Ultrex trolling motor and could "spot lock" to hold position so we didn't have to paddle the kayak constantly, we knew we had to have it! Come along as Tim takes it for a spin on the water, looks at the features, and shows how to operate the motor. 

This is a top of the line kayak! Its incredibly stable, has room to stand, walk, and enough stability to fish from virtually any position. We've had it out in big waves, heavy winds, and have had the opportunity to catch some great big bass from these boats. If you're upgrading to a larger kayak or considering adding a trolling motor to an existing kayak, you should give this a look. 

The 13'6" version (136) retails for $3999 while the smaller 12' version (120) retails for $3799. This is a serious investment for an entry level kayaker but is a no brainer for a bass angler coming down from a bass boat. As bass boat angler's we've already fallen in love with the spot lock feature of the Ultrex trolling motor and know there is no going back. Having this same feature in a kayak gives us the ability to go farther, stay more stable in rough water, and most importantly, focus on the fishing instead of the positioning. 

Below you'll find links to the kayak as well as some of our favorite kayak accessories. The kayak link will take you directly to the manufacturer's website (Old Town), while the accessory links will go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of the items. 

Sportsman Kayaks... 

-Sportsman AutoPilot 136: https://bit.ly/3h9ngaS

-Sportsman AutoPilot 120: https://bit.ly/32ySIuZ

Favorite Pedal Drive Kayak... 

-Predator PDL: http://bit.ly/2WyVQka

Favorite Kayak Accessories... 

Storage- Plano Guide Series V-Crate: http://bit.ly/2BLjK4f

Life Vest- Mustang Elite Inflatable PFD: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP

Electronics- Humminbird Helix 9 Chirp G3: http://bit.ly/2GmFXui

Anchor- Kayak Anchor Wizard: Source Locally

Battery- Bioenno Lithium 100 AH: Source Locally

Links To Some Of Our Kayak Fishing Videos... 

-10 lber Caught From A Kayak: https://youtu.be/bNTZvcyep-0

-Epic Golf Course Pond Fishing: https://youtu.be/8NoDLM2fpyE

-Tiny Creek Fishing- Crystal Clear Water and BIG Fish: https://youtu.be/6k76sDqv7hA

-Summer Topwater Fishing: https://youtu.be/QpGrXiY5t0c

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