New Boat For 2021!! Aluminum Jet Boat!

Let's go exploring! This aluminum boat has been Matt's dream for 3 years! While fast bass boats and advanced technologies are important parts of bass fishing, there is something to be said for a basic aluminum that can run in skinny water, away from the crowds. Come along as Matt shows his new (used) aluminum boat and talks about where TacticalBassin is headed in 2021!

The boat is a War Eagle 1754 With a Yamaha 4 Stroke 70 HP motor. Its going to allow Matt and Tim to explore backwaters, ponds, rivers, and creeks, that could never be explored with the bass boat or even the kayak. They will be able to venture into new areas, reach untouched fish (hopefully) and take you along on all kinds of adventures! Matt is keeping the boat very simple. He's installing a depth finder and a trolling motor so the guys can fish comfortably, but that will be the extent of the technology. 

When its time for advanced videos, the guys will be in their bass boats. When its time to just go fishing and have a good time, they'll be in the aluminum, and when its time to pick apart places that can't be reached by either one, they'll be in the kayaks. 

Below you'll find links to the handful of upgrades Matt is making to the boat, along with some of his favorite tools and equipment that he put into the boat for safety and reliability. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Depth Finder... 

-Humminbird Helix 7 G3: http://bit.ly/2SoFl8a

Trolling Motor... 

-Minn Kota Ultrex 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2NPTY6c

Life Jackets... 

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

Tools... 

-Rapala Long Reach Pliers: https://bit.ly/2MpUBEr

-Gerber Neat Freak Braid Scissors: https://bit.ly/2JyvFJI

-Texas Tackle Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

How To Catch Bass In Cold Water Without Slowing Down!

Winter fishing doesn't have to be boring! So many anglers have fallen into the trap of slow, methodical fishing in the Winter. Did you know you can trigger a feed response by speeding up? Its true! Matt explains the keys to getting consistent bites in the coldest Winter temperatures without ever slowing down. 

The key to consistent Winter bites with reaction baits is understanding what it takes to "trigger" a feed response. Its also key to understand all baits are not created equal. Cold water separates the perfectly balanced, perfectly tuned baits, from the endless stream of new tackle hitting the market every year. If you want to be consistent in Winter, fish the right baits with proper technique and its only a matter of time before you start catching quality fish. 

There are 3 very different approaches to Winter. You can swimbait for a giant, finesse fish for consistent action, or power fish with bite triggering retrieves to try and find the best of both worlds. Whichever path you choose, Winter fishing is worse the effort. Its incredibly peaceful, there is minimal boat traffic, and the odds of catching a big bass are very high. 

Below you'll find links to the 5 styles of baits we use to trigger a feed response. We've included our favorite baits, favorite colors, and hardware upgrades where relevant. We've also included our favorite equipment for some of these techniques. All of the links go directly Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Related Videos... 

-Winter Reaction On Chickamauga: https://youtu.be/hLC67fc3vqw

-Cold Water Crankbaits In-Depth: https://youtu.be/FPaL13899uc

Main Crankbaits... 

Our Deep Diver- R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Ghost Minnow, DD Minnow, Mirrored Minnow

Shallow Diver- Rapala Ott's Garage Slim 06: https://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Colors: Live River Shad, Green Gizzard Shad, Rootbeer Craw

Other Phenomenal Winter Cranks... 

Shallower Cover- Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Colors: Phantom Green, Green Craw

Mid Depth- Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: PM Kisyu Ayu, MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu

Deep Diving- Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Colors: PM Kisyu Ayu, MB Gizzard, Ito Wakasagi

Alabama Rigs... 

-HogFarmer BFL FLEX Rig: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

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

A-Rig components... 

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

Baits- Keitech 4.3" or 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire #4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Jerkbaits... 

Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

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

Megabass Vision 110 Jr: http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: GP Pro Blue, Elegy Bone, Ito Tennessee Shad, Mat Shad

Lipless Crankbaits... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad
-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: Ghost Minnow, RT Scale Minnow, SG Threadfin

Blade Baits... 

-Damiki Vault 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Cyber Purple, Real Shad

-Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu

Blade Bait Component Upgrades... 

Line Tie: Owner Hyperwire #3 Split Ring: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hook Rings: Owner Hyperwire #2 Split Rings: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hooks: Owner ST-36 Size 6: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Matt's 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 System Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Jerkbait/Blade Bait Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6'8" Medium XFast: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Winter Bass Fishing: Crankbaits, Blade Baits, and A-Rigs For Cold Water Bass

We're back on the water at Chickamauga and the bass are biting! Most anglers think of January as finesse fishing time but that's not what we're doing! While finesse can be effective, there is something rewarding about successfully power fishing in cold water. Come along as we throw everything from crankbaits to A-rigs in search of Winter bass. 

There are 3 ways to consistently catch fish in cold water. Two weeks ago Matt talked about the power of a swimbait for drawing bites from large fish. Last week Tim discussed the benefits of finesse fishing and how you can consistently catch fish in Winter. Today we're demonstrating how to power fish in Winter by eliciting a core feed response in the bass. Its not about whether or not they want to bite, its about reacting to a fast moving, erratic bait. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits Matt fished in the video. He's included the color he was throwing for each as well as the hook upgrades for the crankbait. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

The Baits... 

-Rapala Ott's Garage Bait 06: http://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Color: Live River Shad 

**Can Be Backordered**

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Color: Ghost Minnow

-Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response Blade: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Color: Ito Hiuo

-Damiki Vault Blade: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Color: Real Shad

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

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

Baits- Keitech Swing Impact 4.3 Fat: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-River2Sea Tactical DD75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: Ghost Minnow

Crankbait Hooks and Split Rings... 

Rings- Owner Hyperwire #3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hooks- Owner ST-35 Size 2: http://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

Matt's Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Matt's 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 System Leader 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Deep Crank 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

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Matt's Cancer Surgery **Positive Update**

2020 was a brutal year for all of us! Matt and Tim both visit the dermatologist on a regular basis because of the amount of sun exposure they receive each year. After a clean bill of health early in 2020 Matt noticed a small spot on his cheek by late Summer. When it didn't go away, he went to see the dermatologist. Sure enough, it was cancer. To be more specific, it was a Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Now for the good news, Matt is back to being cancer free! They found the spot before it metastasized (spread). He had a Mohs surgery done in Mid-December and is ready to get back on the water. We don't tell you about his situation looking for pity, we tell you because we want you to take care of yourself! Many anglers don't take skin cancer seriously and it takes a shock close to home to shake them up. We hope that Matt's brush with cancer is close enough to get you to take it seriously!

When it comes to skin cancer, its not always obvious. Sure, it could be a big spot on your face that changes color and can't be ignored. It could be a mole that suddenly changes size, shape, or color. But its much more likely it will be a scab that doesn't go away, or even just a dry patch where you skin has a sandpaper-like feel. 

No matter how it appears, "different" on your skin is not a good sign and you need to see a dermatologist. Skin cancers are very treatable when you find them early but extremely deadly when you wait. If you're been wondering, its time to go in. Let Matt's story encourage you to do the right thing and take care of yourself while there is still time. For the younger anglers, take the time to cover up now, it will save you a lot of pain later. 

Below, we've linked a variety of sun garments that will help protect you from the sun. From long sleeve sun shirts that are incredibly cool, even in the Summer, to masks and gloves. Take it seriously and cover up so you don't have to go down this rough road later. We've also included the names of a handful of tinted zinc-based sunscreens that will add another layer of protection between you and the sun's rays.

Tactical Sun Gear... 

-TacticalBassin Hooded Samurai SunShirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

-TacticalBassin Samurai SunShirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

Our Favorites Sun Protection Items... 

Sun Mask- Aftco Nukam: http://bit.ly/2MfwxDY

Sun Gloves- Aftco SolPro Glove: http://bit.ly/2X38BWs

Sun Pants- Aftco Original Fishing Pant: http://bit.ly/2foDx10

All-Brands Sun Protection…
All Brands Sun Shirts: http://bit.ly/383JTM1

All Brands Sun Gloves: http://bit.ly/3huOPNg

All Brands Head and Neck Protection: http://bit.ly/380ZagO

Sunscreens We've Been Happy With (No Particular Order)...

-Elta MD Broad Spectrum Tinted SPF 41

-La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 60

-Cotz Flawless Complexion Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

_________________________________________________________________

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz