Summer Crankbaits: Everything You Need To Know! (Shallow & Deep)

Its crankbait time! If you want to catch bass consistent in the Summer, the crankbait should be part of your plan. Deep diving crankbaits and shallow crankbaits both deserve a place in your Summer line up. Today we're teaching what makes one bait better than another and how to pick the right baits for this time of year. We're covering details like best colors, hook arrangements, and retrieve speeds to help you catch more fish. 

You can go broke buying crankbaits! We know, because we've been there! If you try to buy a couple good colors in every major model of crankbait you can sink an entire retirement fund! Instead of going through that hassle, let us show you what we've already learned. There are a handful of crankbaits (ultra shallow, shallow, deep, and ultra deep) that should be in your line-up but you don't need a ton of models and you only need 2-3 colors. 

Below you'll find links to every bait Tim discussed in the video. We've included the baits, recommended colors, even hook upgrades. We've also included the best rod and reel combos for each style of bait, including an all-around budget friendly option. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can get detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

OVERSIZED DEEP CRANKBAITS...

-Strike King 10XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Colors: Powder Blue Back, Sexy Shad, Delta Red

-Megabass BIG M: https://bit.ly/2yHmm4R

Colors: Green Craw, Jukucho Shad, Blue Back Chart

-AZUMA Z Boss (22, 24): http://bit.ly/2poLKUC

Colors: Hot Mess, Grand Shad

DEEP-DIVING CRANKBAITS... 

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

Colors: Blood Craw, Metallic Shad, Mirrored Minnow

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2TcuSyi

Colors: Powder Blue Back, Sexy Ghost Minnow, Sexy Shad

-Rapala DT 16: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Colors: Delta, Parrot, Green Gizzard Shad

RATTLING SHALLOW CRANKS... 

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

Colors: Abalone Shad, T-1000, TS Minnow

-Luhr Jensen Speed Trap: https://bit.ly/3ccfJbV

Colors: Orange Crawfish, Chartreuse Shad, Near Clear Pearl

-Rapala DT-4: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Colors: Delta, Citrus Shad, Green Gizzard Shad

SILENT SHALLOW CRANKS... 

-Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Colors: Spring Craw, American Shad, Ghost Minnow

-Megabass S-Crank: http://bit.ly/2dPdTxb

Colors: Fire Craw, Sexy French Pearl, MB Gizzard

ULTRA-SHALLOW CRANK... 

-SPRO Baby Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Colors: Matte Shad, Honey Shad, Nasty Shad

HOOK UPGRADES...

-Owner ST-56 Treble: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

-Gamakatsu EWG Bronze: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

-VMC Hybrid Bladed: http://bit.ly/2oqWODi

FAVORITE ALL-AROUND DEEP CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Flurocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

FAVORITE SHALLOW CRANKBAIT COMBO...

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

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

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

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

"BANG FOR THE BUCK" DEEP CRANK COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns Champion 805 CB: http://bit.ly/29OVD4V

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200: http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line- Sunline Flurocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

BUDGET ALL-AROUND CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

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

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: 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

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