GEAR REVIEW! Curado 150 MGL, Rods, Crankbaits, Topwater, Ned Rig, Swimbaits!

Want to see the best new rods, reels, and baits?! We went to ICAST and found the best of the best! We spent time testing the gear, fished the lures, and captured underwater footage of their actions before putting this gear review together. Check out our top picks!

Every year ICAST is packed with new gear. Whether you're into ultra-high end tech or just budget options, there are thousands of items around the show for you to check out. Frankly, its overwhelming! We attend the show so we can cut through the fluff, the hype, and the "game changers", and really find the innovative new products that might help us (and you) catch more fish!

Below you'll find links to all the baits, and gear reviewed in today's video. We've included favorite sizes, models, and colors, where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

THE REELS... 

-Shimano Curado 150 MGL: https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Favorite Speed: HG (High Gear)

-Daiwa Zillion SV TW G: https://bit.ly/3xobPDM

Favorite Speed: 7.1:1

THE RODS... 

-St. Croix Bass X: https://bit.ly/3A5CFSU

Favorite Models: 7'4" Heavy, 7'11" XH, 7'11" XXH

-Shimano Zodias Glass: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Favorite Models: 7'6" MH Glass, 7'2" MH Glass

-G Loomis GCX Mag Bass (MBR): https://bit.ly/3ykNXSN

Favorite Models: 843C MBR, 903C MBR

-G Loomis GCX Crankbait Rods: https://bit.ly/2TQh3ul

Favorite Model: 845 CBR

TOP BAITS... 

-Rapala Ott's Garage Tiny 4: https://bit.ly/3A76zGi

Colors: Green Gizzard, Classic Craw, Live River Shad

-Strike King Chick Magnet: https://bit.ly/3frnKdX

Colors: Sexy Shad 2.0, Tomato Soup

-Uncle Josh Pork Big Daddy: https://bit.ly/37e9RLR

Colors: Crawdad Brown, Black

-SnagProof Bobby's Perfect Frog: https://bit.ly/3rHCOsQ

Colors: Bluegill, Hot Mess, Pine Frogs

-SnagProof Phat Frog: https://bit.ly/3vCrnTv

Colors: Bluegill, Hot Mess, Pine Frogs, Grey Ghost

-Spro Flappin Frog 65: https://bit.ly/37ljzM8

Colors: Killer Gill, Nasty Shad, Yellow Sparkle

-Evergreen Shower Blows 77.7: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Black Bone, Skeleton Chartreuse, Bone

-G-Ratt Poppa Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: Hitch, Gizzard Shad, Bone

-Basstrix 6" Swimbaits: http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR

Colors: Disco Gizzard Shad, Hologram Shad, Lanier Herring

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

How To Catch Bass In The Heat! ( Its Easy! )

Quit struggling when its hot! Bass become really predictable on hot days. If you know where to look and what to throw, catching fish is no problem... even in the hottest weather! If you're going to go to the lake and sweat, you might as well learn the right places to fish. Pay close attention as Tim points out key cover elements and demonstrates the baits he uses to pick them apart. 

Many anglers give up on fishing during the day during the heat of Summer. They switch to night fishing or just give up all together. However, there are a few anglers that understand what a huge help the heat can be to fish positioning and predictability. The hotter it gets, the easier it is to catch the bass! When the peak of Summer heat arrives, shallow bass position under the thickest pieces of overhead cover. If you're looking down an entire bank of shallow cover you can instantly see the 2 or 3 spots where the largest fish will sit. 

With the guess work removed from the equation, all you need are a handful of reliable baits to catch the fish. Below you'll find links to our favorite flipping baits, frogs, and swim jigs. We've included the best sizes, our favorite colors, as well as the gear we use to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

PUNCHING BAITS... 

-Big Bite BFE Creature: https://bit.ly/2Ce0tf7

Colors: Tilapia, Hematoma, Black Blue Flake

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

Colors: Black Blue Silver, School Bluegill

-Reaction Innovations Kinky Beaver: http://bit.ly/2XQ1kJ1

Colors: Hematoma, Penetration, Tramp Stamp

PUNCHING COMPONENTS... 

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Vader 1.5 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Straight Shank Hook- Owner 4X Jungle Flippin (4/0): http://bit.ly/2G5aQTk

Wide Gap Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap (4/0): http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Stops- VMC Sinker Stops (Large): https://bit.ly/38XLQd4

FROGS... 

Small- Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: Black gill, Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

Medium- River2Sea Bully Wa 2 (65): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Colors: Ghost, Little, Allen, Yellow Head

Large- Spro King Daddy: http://bit.ly/2h0LCYd

Colors: Killer Gill, Midnight Walker, Outback

SWIM JIGS... 

-California Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

Colors: Crappie, Tactical Shad, Alabama Bream

-Dirty Jigs No-Jack Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2dIVUMd

Colors: Crappie, Tactical Shad, Threadfin Shad

SWIM JIG TRAILERS... 

-River2Sea D Walker: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

Colors: PB Red, Shamrock Shad, Green Pumpkin Red

-Gambler EZ Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2OLlyUf

Colors: Alewife, Electric One, Ghost Shad

-13 Fishing Pleasure Shad: https://bit.ly/3A4F4hx

Favorite Colors: Black and Tan, Collard Greens, Witches Brew

PUNCHING COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'11" XH: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

FROG COMBO... 

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

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

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

SWIM JIG COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'6" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

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

BUDGET HEAVY-COVER COMBO... 

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

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

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

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

Chatterbait and Topwater! Exploring New Lake During ICAST!

Forget the show, we're going fishing!! ICAST is awesome but you've already seen enough coverage of the new baits and gear... its time to catch some bass! We're exploring the Orlando area and sticking a ton of fish on a chatterbait, frog, and whopper plopper! Come along as we break down a new fishery and adapt to changing conditions before a big thunderstorm rolls in. 

Florida isn't known for the greatest Summer fishing... but it should be! Sure its hot... really hot... but the bass don't seem to care. You can catch them offshore or right up on the bank, it just depends on your style. Today we started offshore and while we caught fish, they weren't the right size. We moved up shallow into backwater canals and shallow coves and immediately started getting quality bites. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits we were throwing. We've included the exact models, colors, and sizes for each lure. We've also included the trailers where applicable, and some of our favorite rod and reel combos from the day. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

TOPWATER (In Order Of Appearance)... 

Bait- River2Sea Whopper Plopper 90: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Color: Phantom Shad

Bait- Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Color: Matte Shad

Bait- Jackall Gavacho Frog: http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Color: Chart Strike Gill

Bait- Scum Frog: https://bit.ly/3rOYQIF

Color: Leopard

SUBSURFACE BAITS (In Order Of Appearance)... 

Bait- Evergreen Jack Hammer Chatterbait (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

Trailer- Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 5.5: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Ghost Minnow

Bait- Jackall Rerange 110 Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2ge0qED

Color: SG Threadfin

Bait- Big Bite Pro Swimmer 4.8: https://bit.ly/3AeQsaS

Color: Albino Shad

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer 5/0: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

FROG COMBO... 

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

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

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

CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass Orochi Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

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

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock Leader 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BUDGET CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 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

Kayak Fishing DISASTER! HIDING Deep In The WOODS!

Today started off innocently enough. Matt headed out to explore a brand new lake from the kayak. He’s checked the weather and has a beautiful day ahead, it should be great! Only... that's not what happens! Come along for a day on the water packed with the worst weather ever! Its so bad Matt has to hide in the woods... twice! 

He's able to regain his composure between storm fronts. He catches quite a few fish along the way and has some excellent tackle and gear tips for anglers fishing from kayaks, small boats, and even bank fishing. But over and over again waves of horrendous weather come in, ultimately forcing him to abandon his efforts as thunder and lightning pour down around him. 

Did you enjoy this crazy video? Some days just don't go according to plan. Even so, Matt was able to catch a bunch of fish. Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment he used throughout the day. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

TODAY'S BAITS... 

-Jackall Gantarel Jr. Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3pcIzvW

Color: RT Bluegill

-Jackall Kaera Frog: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Color: Glitter Hasu, Green Frog

-Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Color: Albino

Hook- VMC Heavy Duty Wide Gap: https://bit.ly/3ad5XVc

Size: 4/0

-Megabass Super Z Z-2 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/3fsxn9G

Color: Kasumi Ito

MATT’S KAYAK…

Old Town AutoPilot 120: https://bit.ly/32ySIuZ

5 SOFTBAITS EVERY KAYAK ANGLER NEEDS... 

Senko- Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Ned- Z Man Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Fluke- Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

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

Worm- Netbait T-Mac: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

5 HARDBAITS EVERY KAYAK ANGLER NEEDS...

Shallow Crankbait- Spro Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Popper- Damiki D Pop 70: http://bit.ly/2Pjvqo3

Mid-Dive Crankbait- Spro Rock Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Lipless Crankbait- Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Plopper- Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

5 HOOKS EVERY KAYAK ANGLER NEEDS... 

Wacky Hook- Owner Jungle 1/0: https://bit.ly/2VKZl9U

Wide Gap Hook- VMC Heavy Duty 3/0: https://bit.ly/3ad5XVc

Swimbait Head- Dirty Jigs Tactical Finesse: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Shaky Head- Canterbury Shaky 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Ned Head- Z Man Ned LockZ: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

TODAY’S HEAVY COMBO... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

TODAY’S ALL-AROUND COMBO...

Rod- HALO HFX 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/36rfYvW

Reel- 13 Fishing C2 Casting Reel: https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

Line- Sufix 131 40 lb Braid: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

TODAY’S FINESSE (BFS) COMBO...

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium Light (BFS): http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

Line- Sufix 832 20 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

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