Fish Finder Explained For Beginners: Sonar, Side Imaging, Down Imaging, Mapping Tricks

What do fish look like? Tired of guessing and wasting time, not knowing what you're looking at? This is what you need to know! Tim is switching between 2D Sonar, Down Imaging, Side Imaging, and Mapping to help you fully understand what objects look like on your depth finder so you can find and catch more fish. Modern electronics are overwhelming for any level of angler until someone shows you what you’re looking for, we're here to help!

From hard spots to old foundations, Fish to air bubbles, Tim gives a quick crash course on using your electronics to their full potential. Tim is showing images from his Humminbird Apex 13 units but this information can be applied from the smallest screens to the largest. If you’re ready to stop scrambling and start catching more fish, this for you. 

Below you’ll find links to the units Tim is using, his mapping program, along with some great units from all the major brands at different price ranges. We choose Humminbird for all our boating electronics but no matter what brand you use, we’ll help you identify a quality unit to fit your budget. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

TIM’S PRIMARY ELECTRONICS… 

Console– Humminbird Apex 13: https://bit.ly/3pdaK1q

Bow– Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/2Hazsej

Bow– Humminbird Apex 16: https://bit.ly/3QBaOli

MAPPING… 

•Lakemaster Plus Digital Charts: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Region: Select Your Local Region

MID–PRICED UNITS BY BRAND… 

•Humminbird Helix 9 CHIRP G4: https://bit.ly/35OP5Sm

•Lowrance Elite FS 9: https://bit.ly/3sxIvtm

•Garmin GPS Map UHD 943xsv: https://bit.ly/3qNGfPf

BUDGET UNITS BY BRAND… 

•Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP G3: https://bit.ly/3BxU7mQ

•Lowrance Hook Reveal 5: https://bit.ly/3BQdG7q

•Garmin Striker Vivid 5CV: https://bit.ly/2KmQurV

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

Jet Boat Fail!! (Subtle Tricks For Pressured Bass)

Some days just don't go according to plan! When things go wrong, how you handle it is everything! Come along as Matt starts out catching mixed species, then adapts, changes lakes, changes boats, and sticks a bunch of really nice largemouth before dark!

We love to fish multi-species! From Musky to trout, from perch to panfish, if it pulls, we're interested in catching them! Today starts off slow but ends with a bang so don't bail out before the bass fishing gets hot! 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt was throwing throughout the day on both fisheries. We've included the exact baits, colors, and gear he used to fish them. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

INLINE SPINNER... 

-Blue Fox Spinners: https://bit.ly/3qAVlqb

FINESSE SWIMBAITS... 

Bait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 1/8 oz

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

Color: Sexy Shad

Head- Owner Round Head (With Lockdown): https://bit.ly/2QmFmxU

Size: 3/8 oz

UNDERSPIN... 

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

Color: Sexy Shad

Head- Picasso Single Barrel Underspin: https://bit.ly/3py2s0v

Size: 1/4 oz, 2/0 Hook

COVER SCAT... 

Bait- Deps 3.5" Cover Scat: https://bit.ly/3dj8LVl

Color: Watermelon Seed

Hook- VMC Heavy Duty 4/0: https://bit.ly/3ad5XVc

INLINE SPINNER COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7' Light: https://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Vanford 1000: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

COVER SCAT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Poison Adrena 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3diigiT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

Leader- Sunline Saltimate System Shock (16 lb): https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

LIGHT LARGO COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 902S SJR: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Reel- Shimano Exsence A (3000): https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline Super FC 6 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET FINESSE SPINNING COMBO...

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

Reel- Shimano Sahara FJ 2500: https://bit.ly/2XhhM43

Line- Sunline Super FC (7 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

WANT TACTICAL BASSIN 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 Open Water Bass! (When Others Are Giving Up)

Yes, those really are bass busting in open water! And yes, you can catch them! So many anglers pass on these fish because they don't understand what the bass are doing out there, and they have no idea how to target them. Here's what you need to know...

Catching open water bass is an art form. Once you've got it figured out, you've conquered the last frontier of bass fishing and the sky is the limit! Some of the largest, most unpressured fish in our lakes roam the open water, especially in Fall. These giants are rarely caught but its not because it can't be done, its because anglers are afraid to try. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment we use for this fishing style. Again, the biggest tip is to use light line and smooth braid so you can cover more water effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

FINESSE SWIMBAITS... 

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

Colors: Albino Shad

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 3/16 oz, 3/0 Hook

Bait-Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head- Picasso Single Barrel: https://bit.ly/3py2s0v

Size: 1/4 oz, 2/0 Hook

SWIMBAIT... 

-Megabass 6" Magdraft: http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: White Back Shad, MB Gizzard Shad

-Savage Gear 8" Trout RTF: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Dirty Silver, Trout, Kokanee

WAKEBAIT... 

-River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Colors: Rainbow Trout, Hitch, Tactical Shad

TOPWATER FRONT RUNNER... 

Main- River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Abalone Shad, Sooner

Front- PH Customs Phront Runner: https://bit.ly/3wJIdkH

Colors: Foil Black, Sexy Shad

TOPWATER... 

-Shower Blows 105 & 77: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Full Metal, Neon Wakasagi, Flash Silver Shad

-Lucky Craft Gunfish 117: https://bit.ly/3vy7Pln

Colors: Aurora Black, BP Golden Shiner

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

Colors: Munky Butt, Phantom Shad

INLINE SPINNER... 

-Rooster Tail (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/3BkIfoc

Colors: White, Chrome White

SPY BAIT... 

-SPRO Spin John 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Matte Shad, Herring Pink

TAIL SPIN... 

-Jackall Deracoup (1 oz): http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Colors: Dera Shad, Silver

SPOON... 

-Blade Runner DUH (3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

Colors: UV Sierra, UV Morning Dawn

SMOOTH BRAIDED LINES... 

-Power Pro Super Slick: https://bit.ly/3vSwa6Z

Sizes: 15, 20, 30

-Sufix 131 G-Core: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Sizes: 6,10, 20, 30

-Sunline X Plasma Asegai: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Sizes: 12, 16, 18

TIM'S TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod- Megabass P5 Z-Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Daiwa Steez 70 CT SV TW: https://bit.ly/3esUZjg

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

TIM'S SMALL TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse 700: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

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

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (6 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

TIM'S FINESSE SWIMBAIT SPINNING COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

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

Leader- Sunline Super FC (8 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

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

Line- Power Pro Braid (15 lb): 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

Fall Transition: Where Do Bass Go (And How To Catch Them)

Fall is fast approaching! If your fish are starting to disappear and you don't know why, you're not alone! As the nights get cooler the bass fishing changes almost over night. Bass transition toward their Fall patterns and many anglers are left wondering what happened. We're here to help! 

The Fall Transition comes much earlier than most anglers realize. Its not a slow progression either, in most situations, bass will begin their movements almost overnight. One day you're on an awesome topwater bite, the next you can't find a fish. When this happens its time to step back and look at what is motivating these fish to move. Whether you're targeting shallow bass or deep, the bass' next movement is motivated by the baitfish's location. As the bait begins to gather, so will the bass. 

If your fish are out deep, expect them to begin gathering on the best structures. Expect to find them on corners of creek channel bends, along long tapering points that break to deep water, and later you can expect them to transition toward the backs of deep coves. Shallow fish will abandon the scattered weeds in favor of thick weed clumps and hard structure. As the seasons progress these fish will begin bunching up along ambush points and pockets. 

Below is a breakdown of the gear we recommend using during these conditions. We've included rigging components where applicable and even included our favorite colors for each technique. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

CHATTERBAITS... 

Full Size- Jack Hammer Chatterbait 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

Trailer- Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 4.5: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Sexy Shad

Small Size- -ZMan Mini Max 3/8 oz: https://bit.ly/3tqztzi

Color: Bluegill

Trailer- Big Bite 3.75" Swim On: https://bit.ly/2NkSdPV

Color: Green Pump Chartreuse Swirl

SQUAREBILLS... 

-R2S Biggie (Poppa AND Smalls): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Abalone Shad

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

Colors: Matte Shad, Honey Shad

JERKBAITS... 

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

Colors: Elegy Bone, Tennessee Shad

-Shimano World Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Fwg9F6

Colors: Clown, Chart Silver, Black Silver

TOPWATER... 

-R2S Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Bone, Munky Butt

-Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/3JHJd08

Colors: Wagin Hasu, Ito Tennessee Shad

-Owner Cultiva Zip'N'Ziggy: https://bit.ly/3BTMLuh

Colors: Ivory Chartreuse, Brown Trout

CRANKBAITS... 

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

Colors: True Shad, Mirrored Minnow, Northern Special

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

Colors: Sexy Blue Back Herring, Sexy Shad

METAL BAITS... 

-Jackall Deracoup (3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Colors: Dera Shad, Silver

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

Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad

-Nichols Lake Fork Flutter Spoon: http://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Colors: Shattered Glass Holo Silver, Purple Threadfin

BUDGET JERKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

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

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

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" MH: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

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

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- 13 Fishing Defy Black 6'7" Medium: https://bit.ly/32gzFnN

Reel- Origin F1 Casting Reel (8:1): https://bit.ly/3qD6hpc

Line- Power Pro Braid 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb: 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