Buyer's Guide: Best Dropshot Baits and Gear!

Today's Buyer's Guide is all about dropshotting! The dropshot is a reliable way to catch bass throughout the year. Paired with the right baits, it can produce big bass as well. We've selected a handful of baits for this video that work exceptionally well at different times of year and in different conditions. Come along as we dial in the dropshot. 

This rig can excel when the water is cold. When nothing else is working the dropshot can keep getting bit. The key is knowing which baits will give you the action you're looking for, and how to work them. A lot of anglers over-work the dropshot, meaning they shake it way too much. In the cold months in particular, the dropshot is all about a soft touch and subtle presentation. As the water warms in Spring, you can mix up the presentation with more movement and different baits to continue seeing success. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits in the order they were discussed in the video. We've also included color recommendations, favorite hooks and weights for properly rigging the baits, and some of our favorite rods and reels for fishing this technique. All of the links go directly to TackleWarehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


The Worms...

-Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm: http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

Colors: MM3, Peoples Worm, Prism Shad


-Big Bite Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple, Green Pump, org, blk, pro blue flake


-Reaction Innovations Flirt 4.95: http://bit.ly/2CMB33J

Colors: Spanish Fly, Morning Dawn

-Strike King Dream Shot: http://bit.ly/2aAoUoR

Colors: Triple Magic, Prism Shad, Desert Craw


-Damiki Armor Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Colors: Rp Blue Pearl, Pure Gill, American Shad


-Keitech Easy Shiner 3": http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Colors: TW Pro Blue, Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad


-Reaction Innovations Shiver Shot: http://bit.ly/2JCpY7S

Colors: SunGill, Bad Shad Green


-Strike King Half Shell: http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

Colors: Morning Dawn, Green Pumpkin Purple


Favorite Dropshot Hooks...

Light Wire- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1 or 2): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Heavy Wire- Trokar Dropshot (Size 1 or 2): http://bit.ly/2ahxJOr

Weedless- Owner Cover Shot (Size 1 or 1/0): http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR


Favorite Weights... 

Tungsten- Swagger Pencil (Black): http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Lead- QuickDrops Drop Shot: http://bit.ly/2BjFCp3


Tim's Favorite Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 822S DSR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

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

Line- Sunline SX-1 Braid 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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


Matt's Favorite Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX WhipSnake: http://bit.ly/2XkVoej

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

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

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


Budget-Friendly Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

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

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


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz


Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Craws and Creatures: https://bit.ly/3lU4vLe

-Ned Rigs: https://bit.ly/3fo75GV

-Deep Diving Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/3kXuH6h

-Big Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

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Winter Bass Fishing: Simple Tricks To Catch More Fish!

Winter doesn't have to be tough! Today we're on Watts Bar Lake after a storm. Its cold, post-front, and windy, but that won't stop us from catching a pile of fish! Come along for an awesome multi-species day of fish catching as we dial in a pattern by simplifying our approach. 

Many anglers have quit fishing by now in favor of hunting, or just staying indoors. Don't be that guy! There are fish just waiting to be caught and the lake is the most peaceful you've ever seen it. As Winter sets in, bass group together and become very predictable. If you narrow down your offerings to a few key baits, you can have an amazing time on the water! Today is a prime example of that as we caught Largemouth, Smallmouth, Striped Bass, White Bass, Yellow Bass, and Drum, by slowing down with a finesse Underspin and an A-rig. 

Keep it simple, focus on key confidence baits, and you'll have amazing days on the water this time of year. Below are links to the exact baits we used throughout the day (including sizes and colors), along with links to the rods and reels. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

 

Lipless Crankbait...

-Jackall TN-50: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: RT Holo Bluegill, RT Scale Minnow


Underspin... 

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

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

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad


A-Rig... 

Rig- G Funk Baits Cali Rig: http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

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

Bait- Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad


Underspin Combo... 

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

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

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

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


Budget Finesse Underspin Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano Nasci 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Sniper 8 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

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

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


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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

winter fishing web.jpg

Where Do Bass Go In Winter? (And How To Catch Them!)

As Winter sets in, the bass make one final transition. The fish that had been ambushing baitfish in the shallows suddenly vanish. You look across the lake and there is no longer any kind of surface activity. Where has everything gone? And most importantly, can you still catch bass? Yes you can! Best of all, you can catch really big bass all Winter long!

The Winter transition brings completely different bass behavior. Fish will move toward deep water access where there are ample food sources. You'll find them on the ends of deep points, on the edges of steep slopes near narrow "pinch points", and in featureless lakes, sitting out in the "hollows". The fish use these areas because they can quickly move up and down the water column with changing weather, but more importantly these are the same areas the baitfish will gather for Winter. 

There are a variety of ways to catch these fish. Traditional information would tell you to fish a jig, small keitech, or a dropshot very slowly along the bottom. These techniques can be incredibly effective! Big bass knowledge would tell you to throw a swimbait and slow crawl it along the bottom. The most cutting edge information would tell you to draw reaction strikes from the biggest bass with a cold water crankbait, jerkbait, or A-rig. 

With all of these methods to choose from, its hard to decide what to throw. We're linking our 5 favorite below. These are the baits that we always have tied on this year to help trigger a feed response from the bass. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Reaction Baits... 


-Crankbait- Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Favorite Colors: DD Minnow, Mirrored Minnow


-Jerbait- Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

 Favorite Colors: GP Pro Blue 2, Tennessee Shad


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

-Secondary Rig- G Funk Baits Cali Rig: http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

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

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


Big Baits... 


-Swimbait- Huddleston 8" Trout: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ 

Favorite Colors: Silver/Blue, Hitch, Trout


Finesse Baits... 


-Underspin- Cool Baits Down Under 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

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


-Dropshot- Roboworm 4.5" Fat Worm (MMIII): http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

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


Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

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


A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 Shock Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB


Budget Dropshot/Keitech Combo...

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

line- Power Pro 10 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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

where do they go web.png

Buyer's Guide: Craw and Creature Baits for Year Round Success!

Creature baits are not all created equal! In today's buyer's guide we're simplifying creatures and craws by narrowing it down to 8 baits for different situations. Each of these baits will help you catch more fish throughout the year! Whether you're punching mats, flipping, throwing a wobble head, or working a jig, there is a creature here that you can rely on.

These 8 baits all have very unique applications. One is best on wobble head, another is a bait we exclusively punch with, and yet another is the bait we turn to early in the year. There are a lot of great baits on the market but when you discover a key situation for a specific bait, you've got a bait that will put fish in the boat over and over again. If you want to shorten your learning curve, pay close attention to why and when we're throwing each of these baits, then give them a try on your lakes.

We've included links to all 8 of these baits below. We've also included our favorite colors for each, the gear we use to rig them, and a couple great "All-Around" creature bait rods at different price points. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


#1... 

-Big Bite Baits Flying Squirrel: http://bit.ly/2sn1FaT

Colors: Tilapia, Tilapia Magic


#2... 

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin Red, Tramp Stamp


#3... 

-Zoom Z-Craw: http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

Colors: Junebug, Tilapia, Green Pumpkin


#4... 

-Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig: http://bit.ly/2s51oIV

Colors: Hematoma, Tramp Stamp


#5...

-Zoom Midsize Brush Hog: https://bit.ly/35Wtmst

Colors: Junebug, Watermelon Candy


#6... 

-Missile Baits Baby D Stroyer: http://bit.ly/3248BXL

Colors: Super Bug, California Love


#7... 

-Jackall Archelon: http://bit.ly/2uo4sN5

Colors: School Bluegill, Green Pumpkin Candy


#8... 

-Keitech Crazy Flapper: http://bit.ly/2c3cXrp

Colors: Green Pumpkin Watermelon, Double Trouble


Jig Heads and Rigging... 

Shaky Head- Dirty Jigs Magnum Stand Up Head: http://bit.ly/2apouhn

Lead Wobble Head- Pivot Point Football Jig (1/2 - 3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Tungsten Wobble Head- Swagger Swing Jig (1/2 oz - 3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2MmBuur

Texas Rig Weight- Swagger Tungsten "Vader": http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Texas Rig Hook (Heavy Wire): Owner Jungle Wide Gap 4/0: http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Texas Rig Hook (Light Wire): Gamakatsu Offset EWG: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp


All-Around Texas Rig 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 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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


Budget Texas Rig Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

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


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz


Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Ned Rigs: https://bit.ly/3fo75GV

-Deep Diving Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/3kXuH6h

-Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

creature web.jpg