Spring Swimbait Fishing For Bass: Everything You Need To Know!

Early Spring is prime time to throw the big baits! As we begin the transition into the prespawn, a swimbait is a key player in every serious bass fisherman's arsenal. Whether you're trying to catch better quality fish or you're hunting for the biggest bass of your life, swimbaits need to be part of your plan. Come along as we take an in-depth look at swimbait fishing for Spring bass!

"Swimbaits" is a giant category of lures and can be incredibly overwhelming. In order to simplify the conversation we've separated the baits into soft baits and hard baits. In the soft bait category we further divide the baits into Wedge-tail baits and boot-tail baits. For hard baits we separate them into multi-joint baits, open water glide baits, and cover glide baits. By doing this we can focus in on the handful of baits in each category that produce consistent results through the country. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits in today's video. We've also included a favorite color or two with each. Additionally, we included our favorite swimbait combo as well as some great budget options. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Soft Wedge tail Swimbaits...

-Huddleston Deluxe 8" ROF 12 - (Rainbow Trout): http://bit.ly/2azFTon

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail Trout **PRE-ORDER** (Trout, Hitch): https://bit.ly/33GROg1

-MattLures Hammer tail Shad - (Purple Gizzard, Threadfin): http://bit.ly/2vM8cKF

Soft Boot Tail Swimbaits... 

-Osprey Tournament Talon 6” - (Chartreuse Shad): http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0

-Megabass Magdraft - (MB Shad, Biwako Shad): http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

-Little Creeper Trash Fish Fat 6”  - (LC Hitch, Shiner): http://bit.ly/2ixaEw2

-Little Creeper 8” Trashfish  - (LC Hitch): http://bit.ly/2hmXtg1

-Scottsboro Tackle 6”  - (Natural Light, Mullins Madness): http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH

Multi-Jointed Hard Swimbaits...

-Bull Shad Slow Sinking 7” - (Gizzard Shad, Dirty Bone): http://bit.ly/2eJ8gWM

-Spro BBZ Slow sink 8” - (Rainbow Trout): http://bit.ly/3rDbKcT

-Sebile Magic Swimmer 145FSK, 165FSK - (Natural Shiner): http://bit.ly/3a6wofE

-Jackall Gantarel - (RT Spawn Gill): http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

-Jackall Gantarel Jr - (RT Spawn Gill): http://bit.ly/3pcIzvW

Open Water Glides...

-Gan Craft 230 - (Rainbow Trout): http://bit.ly/2fLjSnm

-Baitsanity Explorer - (Shad, Carp): http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

-R2S S-Waver 200 - (Warden, Lite Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Cover Glides...

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

-Baitsanity Antidote - (Trout, Summer Shad): http://bit.ly/2ztUk9z

-Storm Arashi Glide - (Rainbow Trout, Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1

-G Ratt Sneaky Pete - (Hitch, Gizzard Shad): http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

-Ima Glide Fluke - (Bluegill, Natural): http://bit.ly/2xrMwo4

Line...

-Power Pro Maxcuatro 65-80lb braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

-Maxima Ultragreen Monofilament: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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

Our Favorite Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 (HG): http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (80 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (35 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Mid-Priced Combo... 

Rod- Savage Gear Squad 8' Heavy Swimbait: http://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

Reel- Shimano Curado 300K: https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (65 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806 Heavy: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300A: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (65 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

leader- Maxima Ultragreen (30 lb Mono): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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 Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Urban Fishing In Backyards For GIANT Largemouth and Peacock Bass!

Crazy weather has forced us into an urban jungle in South Florida! We’re chasing largemouth, Peacock Bass, and exotic Cichlids. Come along as we traverse ditches, bridges, tunnels, and backyards in search of some of Florida’s most interesting species. If you’ve ever wondered if these little roadside waters hold big fish, stick around because Tim is going to set the hook on an absolute GIANT bass!

When we dipped into Florida we have visions of warm air and aggressive bass. Instead we were met with freezing temperatures and brutal winds but we made the best of it by heading all the way to the Southern tip of the state where there were still some quality fish to be caught. We used a variety of baits including topwater, square bills, chatter baits, and a tiny keitech to get consistent bites. 

If you’re a bank fisherman, an urban angler, or just someone who’s wondered if those small waters along the road really hold fish, they do! Next time you get the opportunity to pull over and fish you should give it a try. We used all sorts of baits to try and catch fish today and a select few really stood out despite the cold weather. Below you’ll find links to all the baits as well as some of the equipment we used to throw them. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Topwater… 

-Savage Gear Prop Walker 4” (American Shad): https://bit.ly/3kwBFAa

-NEW Whopper Plopper 60 (Loon): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

-Whopper Plopper 90 (Sooner): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Crankbait… 

-13 Fishing Scamp 1.5 (Olive Crush): https://bit.ly/3iMkYAw

Chatterbait…

Bait- Evergreen JackHammer 1/2 oz (Bruised Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Trailer- Keitech 4.3” Fat Swing Impact (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Underspin… 

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

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

Tim’s Chatterbait/Topwater Rod… 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7’ Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel-Shimano Metanium MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line- Sunline FX2 Braid (50 lb): http://bit.ly/31u57xA

Matt’s Underspin Combo… 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7’ Light: https://bit.ly/3ab5b9V

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

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon (5 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Topwater Combo… 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6’8” Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

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 Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Top 5 Baits For Early Spring Bass Fishing!

Its time to fish for giant bass! Your best shot of the year at a new "Personal Best" has arrived, don't get left behind! The early spring transition to prespawn signals the move toward shallow water. Big fish are moving up, they're feeding, and you can catch them. This isn't the time to slow down and finesse, its time to use a few key baits to hunt the biggest bass of the year!

Early Spring and Prespawn is the time to cover water. You want to focus on baits that will move quickly and that can trigger a feed response from big fish. Even if you're a finesse fisherman the rest of the year, change gears and pick up a crankbait, chatterbait, swimbait, or A-Rig and start targeting those bigger fish. The fish are moving up shallow to feed, they haven't seen as many baits during the Winter, its prime time to catch them. 

Below you'll find links to the related videos Tim mentioned, as well as all the baits discussed in the video. With each bait we've included our favorite colors and any additional components you may need. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Related Videos... 

Where Do Bass Go In Early Spring: https://youtu.be/PxQ2yH1fFco

Top Baits For Late Winter Bass Fishing: https://youtu.be/CnOxRnbMV3U

Glide Baits... 

-River2Sea S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Lite trout

-Baitsanity Antidote: http://bit.ly/2ztUk9z

Colors: Summer Shad, Trout

Alabama Rigs... 

Rig #1- HogFarmer BFL Flex: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

Rig #2- G Funk Bladed Cali: http://bit.ly/2rZhST7

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

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

Lipless Cranks... 

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

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Spring Craw

-Strike King Red Eye Shad: http://bit.ly/2fqX1RT

Color: Delta Red 

-Strike King Red Eye Shad 2 Tap: http://bit.ly/2gmACC5

Color: Delta Red

Deep Cranks... 

-R2S Tactical DD75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Blood Craw

-Spro Rk Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Colors: Red Crawfish, Phantom Watermelon

Squarebills... 

-River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Cold Blooded, TS Minnow

-Spro Little John 50 Type R: http://bit.ly/3j0GS3a

Colors: Rayburn Red, Nasty Shad

Chatterbaits...

Bait- Z Man Jackhammer 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Colors: Green pumpkin Shad, Fire Craw

Trailer- HogFarmer Spunk Shad: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Colors: Tennessee Magic, Green Pumpkin

Jerkbaits... 

-Rapala Shadow Rap Deep: http://bit.ly/3aerPi6

Colors: Moss Back Shiner

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

Colors: GP Pro Blue 2, Illusion Tennessee Shad

Favorite A-Rig Combo... 

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

**The Zodias Rod Can Be Backordered and should arrive soon**

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

Budget Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Heavy Cranking: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

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

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

Budget Glidebait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7'9" Medium Heavy Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Curado 300K: https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 Shock Leader 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

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 Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

**Crazy Underwater Footage** Big Bass Attacking Bluegill Lures!

Come underwater and watch these bass attacking bluegill! We're using a variety of bluegill imitating swimbaits and plastic worms to elicit reaction strikes. Early Spring signals the start of the war between bass and bluegill, let us show you how to take advantage of it and catch more bass in today's underwater video!

Once bass turn their attention to the shallows, bluegill become an immediate threat. Instinctively, bass begin to erratic them from their shallow haunts. Knowing this, we can stay one step ahead of the bass. By imitating bluegill we are able to draw on the bass' natural aggression and ultimately catch more fish. 

In today's underwater footage we used a variety of bluegill imitators. From worms to swimbaits, we've linked all of the baits below in the order they appeared in the video. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included rigging components where relevant. 

Hard Baits... 

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Color: RT Ghost Gill, RT Spawn Gill

Dropshot Worms... 

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

Color: "Green Pump Org Blk Purp Prl"

-X Zone Lures Finesse Slammer: http://bit.ly/2TJt7L8

Color: Bluegill

Soft Swimbaits...

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

Color: Haze

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

Color: Bluegill

-Little Creeper All-American Sunfish: http://bit.ly/2ahBNOT

Colors: Male Bluegill, Female Bluegill

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail RTF Bluegill (JigHook): https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail LB Bluegill (Weedless): https://bit.ly/2Kd6qct

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

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

-Mattlures U2 Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2s1dqyf

Colors: Male Bluegill, TW Baby Gill 

3"-5" Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" 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

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

Budget Small Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

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

Leader: Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Dropshot Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano NASCI 3000: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

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

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 Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz