Gear Review! Shimano Curado BFS, Megabass P5, Creature Baits, Swimbaits, And Finesse!

Today’s tackle review is covering some amazing new items in bass fishing. From rods and reels, to a variety of baits, there are a ton of new options for late Spring and early Summer bass fishing! We kick the reviews off with a look at the brand new Shimano Curado BFS casting reel, then follow it up with the Megabass P5 Baby Plugging rod. From there we jump into baits that range from a 2” tube to a 10” swimbait, with a lot of stops in between. 

While the Northern guys are coming strong into the prespawn, the Southern anglers are pushing more toward Summer patterns. We’ve taken this into consideration and found items that help both groups be more successful. For the Northern guys we’re reviewing the Curado BFS, The P5 Baby Plugging, Tubes, and small swimbaits. For the South guys we’re looking at creatures for the wobble head, as well as some great swimbait options.

Below you’ll find links to all the gear reviewed in the video. We’ve included favorite sizes and colors where applicable, as well as favorite methods for rigging. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

BFS Gear...

Reel- Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Rod #1- Shimano Zodias 7'2" ML: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

Megabass Rod... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Spinning Rod: https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Preferred Reel- Shimano Vanford 1000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Wobble Heads... 

Bait- XZone Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Favorite Colors: Junebug, Green Pumpkin Black

Head- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Size: 1/2 oz 4/0 hook

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

Tubes... 

Bait- Netbait STH Finesse Tube: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Ten Point, Dark Melon Copper

Heads- Blade Runner Inhaler: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Sizes: 1/0 for 2.5" and 2/0 for 4" Tube

Small Swimbaits... 

Bait- Storm Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Colors: Albino Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Sexy Shad

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

Underspin- VMC Spin Jig 1/4 oz: https://bit.ly/3381fEf

Weedless Swimbait... 

Bait- JSJ Hitch 6 Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3vxPgw3

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, Light Hitch

Hook- Owner Beast 8/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Savage Gear Swimbait... 

6" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/2Ib674q

8" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

10" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3lsKP0t

Favorite Colors: Dirty Silver, Ghost Trout

Braided Line... 

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

-Sufix 131 Braided Line: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

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

Underwater Dropshot Footage! Best Dropshot Worms For Bass Fishing!

Let's head underwater to watch how different plastic worms move, and which baits the fish attack! With hundreds of drop shot baits on the market, its almost impossible to know which baits to try first. Luckily, we've done the hard part for you and compiled a list of our favorite baits. Our selections are backed by underwater bite footage, underwater action shots, and years of traveling the country testing the baits in different lakes and environments. 

When selecting the right worm or bait for a dropshot there are some variables to consider. Which species of bass are you targeting? Is the water warm or cold? Are there a lot of small baitfish (minnows) present in the area? If you can answer these questions we can easily help you choose the right baits for your situation. Once you've chose the right baits, it comes down to color. Color selection can be incredibly intimidating but often times simple is best. If you have a green pumpkin, a purple, and a natural baitfish color, you can meet almost any situation you'll face on any lake in the country. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits Tim discussed in the video. We've separated them by intended species and style. We've also included our favorite colors for each, as well as the rods and reels we use when we're out dropshotting. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Largemouth Worms... 

-Roboworm 6" Straight Tail: http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Colors: MMIII, Morning Dawn, Aarons Magic

-Netbait Flex Worm: https://bit.ly/334C9pG

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Junebug, Tilapia Magic

-Strike King Dreamshot: http://bit.ly/2KNXuK9

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Ghost Shad, Brown/Purple

Smallmouth Worms... 

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

Colors: Green Pump Org Blk Purp Prl Bl, Smoke Purple

-Berkeley Maxscent Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/3lAAorL

Colors: Goby, Green Pumpkin, Smoke Black Purple

-Roboworm 4.5" Straight Tail: http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Colors: MMIII, Morning Dawn, Aarons Magic

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

Colors: American Shad, Tennessee Shad, Blue Pearl

Dropshot Swimbaits... 

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

Colors: Crystal Shad, Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad

-Megabass 3" Hazedong: http://bit.ly/2CIwgzt

Colors: Ghost Shad, Tennessee Shad

Texas Rig Dropshot Components... 

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pencil 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Nose Hook Dropshot Components... 

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pencil 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

High-End Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Baby Plugging (JDM): https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 1000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Sunline SX-1 Braid 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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

Best "Bang For The Buck" Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7' Light +: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

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

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

Leader- Sufix Advance Clear Mono 6 lb: https://bit.ly/2RbkbPM

Budget Dropshot Combo...

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

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

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

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

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

Bass Boats Can't Go Here! Lake Chickamauga Kayak Bass Fishing!

We're sneaking around the backwaters today to avoid boat traffic. With hundreds of boats on the water and fishing pressure at an all time high, its time to jump in the kayak. Why a kayak in such a big lake? We're able to get into all the places the boats can't go! Come along as Matt catches fish in backwater coves and pockets. 

Today is all about finesse. Matt started off with a tiny underspin, a senko, and a shaky head, then added a dropshot to the mix as conditions dictated. There were a few prespawn fish around but the majority of these bass were spawning. Since he was using finesse tackle, Matt added some new rods into the mix as well. He tried out a new Halo KSII Elite, a Savage Gear Black Ops, and the new Ultegra spinning reel and had great success with all of them. 

While we love fishing out of the bass boats and using all the modern electronic advantages, there is something very rewarding about getting on the water in a small craft, no electronics, and just going fishing. If you haven't given kayak fishing a try, you really should. Below you'll find links to all the gear, the baits, and the equipment Matt used today. We've included the exact models and specific colors Matt was using as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item, except for the kayak link which goes directly to the manufacturer. 

Underspin... 

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

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

Senko... 

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

Hook- Gamakatsu 4/0 Superline: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Shaky Head... 

Hook- Dirty Jigs Canterbury 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Bait #1- Strike King Fat Baby Finesse: http://bit.ly/2aKei5y

Color: Green Pumpkin Sapphire

Bait #2- Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver: http://bit.ly/2dR6CkP

Colors: Green Pumpkin, White Trash

Dropshot... 

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light 1/0: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tungsten TearDrop 1/8: http://bit.ly/2V2B63h

Bait- Big Bite Smallie Smasher (Chart/White): http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Kayak... 

-Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136: https://bit.ly/3h9ngaS

Dropshot/Keitech Combo... 

Rod- Halo KS II Elite 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/32Rp9nh

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 3000: https://bit.ly/2PeNvUH

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

Shaky Head Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

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

Senko Combo... 

Rod- Savage Gear Black Ops 7'1" Medium: https://bit.ly/3aLTsAh

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 3000: https://bit.ly/2PeNvUH

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro Braided 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

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

8 Year Old Kid Catches MASSIVE Fish!!! GIANT Striped Bass!!!

8 year old JD has never caught a Striped Bass until today. He's fishing with this dad, Tim Little, and he's about to get two GIANT bites! Come along for the chaos and the excitement as he tries not to get pulled into the Tennessee River by a massive striper that any adult would be proud to catch! 

The striper have moved up to feed below the dam because the flood gates are spilling water after a storm. The waves are big, the water is turbulent, and the big fish are feeding! JD is throwing a Spark Shad swimbait on an underspin to mimic a baitfish that has been flushed through the gates from the lake above. Its amazing the fish can even find the bait in these conditions but they do!

Fighting a big striped bass is always a work out but battling one in the midst of raging current would exhaust the strongest adult. JD did a great job of battling the beast in brutal conditions! Below you'll find links to the exact gear JD was using as well as the rod and reel combos the adults use when its our turn to battle these beasts. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

JD's Swimbait... 

Bait- Megabass Spark Shad 4" (Hiuo): http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Head- Blade Runner 1/2 oz Underspin (Anchovy): http://bit.ly/29UVegz

JD's Rod/Reel Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7' Medium Heavy Spinning: http://bit.ly/2AdvIC1

Reel- Shimano Stradic FL 3000: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

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

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

Other baits we throw for these fish... 

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

-Megabass Spark Shad 5" (Hiuo): http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

-River2Sea D Walker 120 (Pearl): http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Hog Farmer Hog Ties Jigs (1 oz): https://bit.ly/3vhhTgL

Our Favorite Striper Casting Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 200 K: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 25 lb Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Striper Casting Combo...

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 25 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

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