Free Rig Fishing For Fall Bass! ( Underwater Footage, Baits, and Rigging Tricks )

The "Free Rig" is an overlooked technique for catching bass in Fall! Have you tried the Free Rig yet? This rig modifies the traditional "Texas Rig" to create bait separation for a more natural fall. Give your bait more freedom, allow for slower falls, and catches a ton of fish this time of year!

If you haven't tried the Free Rig, this is the right time of year to experiment with it. The Free Rig isn't new, but is continuing to gain popularity, especially with newer Urchin baits. This rig shines around hard cover and will produce bites long after bass have become leery of traditional presentations. The benefit of this rig is it allows your bait to fall very slowly, while still keeping great contact with the bottom.

Below you'll find links to Tim's favorite baits for free rigging, along with the gear he uses to fish them effectively. We've also included our favorite colors for each bait to help you get started. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

URCHIN BAITS...

•Tiemco Harinezume 88MM Elastomer Creature: https://bit.ly/4yX6YL5

Favorite Colors: Dark Mimizu, Loco Beetle, Green Pumpkin

•Yamamoto Uni Mas: https://bit.ly/4fC83Pc

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purp Cop, Green Pump, Scuppernong

•Berkley Moeba: https://bit.ly/4wu7i1w

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, Bloodshot

•Zman Fuzzy Nuggetz: https://bit.ly/3KFn2Mv

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Goby

BAITFISH PROFILES...

•Berkley 3.5" Flux Gill: https://bit.ly/4deiBV8

Dark Gill, Green Pumpkin

•Megabass Sling Shad: https://bit.ly/41tgaaT

Colors: G Biwahigai, Hasu, Oikawa

•Zman 5" Jerk Shadz: https://bit.ly/3yRocN0

Colors: Electric Shad, Smelt

CREATURE BAITS...

•MissileBaits Baby D Stroyer: https://bit.ly/3248BXL

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Super Bug

•Xzone Stealth Finesse Creature: https://bit.ly/3M0BXOU

Colors: Tilapia, Black Blue/Green Pumpkin

CRAW BAITS...

•XZone Adrenaline Craw Jr (3.5"): https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blk Flake, Tilapia

•Rapala Crush City Bronco Bug (3.25"): https://bit.ly/4aUfkGv

Colors: Black Blue Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Blue

HOOKS BY BAIT STYLE...

Tiemco: Zman ZWG Hook (3/0): https://bit.ly/4qWQlLQ

Urchin: Gamakatsu Weedless Ball Rig (3/0): https://bit.ly/4i2attD

Dice: Owner Sniper Finesse (1/0): https://bit.ly/2kfdv37

Creatures: Owner All Purpose (2/0): https://bit.ly/4qXdQUY

BFS Creature: Owner Rig N Hook (1/0): https://bit.ly/2BnniXN

FREE RIG WEIGHTS...

Lead– Cast Again Tackle Frag Weight: https://bit.ly/4qxAfbm

Sizes: 1/8 – 3/8 oz

Tungsten– Nako Free Rig Weight: https://bit.ly/4xM7p9t

Sizes: 3/16 – 1/2 oz

Tungsten– Nako Skinny Free Weight: https://bit.ly/4zSUu7D

Sizes: 1/8 – 1/2 oz

TIM'S ALL AROUND FREE RIG COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 6'10" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/47EvHYz

Reel– Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70 (7:1): https://bit.ly/3ZcBbCZ

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar JDM Grand Max (12 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

TIM'S FULL SIZE BAIT COMBO...

Rod– Abu Garcia Zenon 7' Medium Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/43y32RU

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon MG–X: https://bit.ly/4dv7WT0

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

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

TIM'S SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 7'2" Med (723): https://bit.ly/2KS92gK

Reel– Dobyns Tatula MQ LT 2500: https://bit.ly/3IWhxbv

Line– Seaguar PEX8 Braid (21 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

BUDGET FREE RIG COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 7' Med Hvy (703): https://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel– Shimano SLX 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

If you plan to do any shopping, using our affiliate links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!

Tube Fishing Tricks For Bass Fishing! (Beginner To Advanced + Underwater Footage)

One of the best baits in bass fishing is being forgotten! If you haven't thrown a tube lately, it's time to bring it back to the top of the list for Summer! We have some key tricks we use to take our tube fishing to the next level, and today we're sharing them with you!

Many anglers grew up fishing tube jigs but have forgotten their effectiveness through the years. Most never realized the bait's true potential before slowly forgetting about it. Today Matt is covering the basics of how to catch bass with tubes, but it isn't long before he gives up the keys to this finesse presentation. From head sizes and shapes, to tube lengths and colors, this is everything you need to know.

Below you'll find links to all the baits, heads, and gear Matt discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes and colors where applicable as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICALBASSIN MERCH...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

IF YOU COULD ONLY HAVE ONE...

•Dry Creek 3.5" Tournament Tube: https://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

Color: Green Pumpkin

•Xzone Stealth Finesse Tube: https://bit.ly/3yEr6aj

Color: Great Lakes Sand

TOURNAMENT TUBES...

•Dry Creek 3'5" Tournament Tube: https://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Old Ugly, Crazy Eddie

•Powerbait Power Tubes: https://bit.ly/4uL4kp8

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Goby Magic

DOUBLE DIPPED TUBES...

•Big Bite Baits 3.5" Scentsation Tube: https://bit.ly/43eGkzS

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Vegas Flash, Tilapia

•Big Bite Baits 3.5" Tour Tube: https://bit.ly/32e23VR

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pump Purp Cop

FINESSE TUBES...

•Xzone Stealth Finesse 2.25" Tube: https://bit.ly/3yEr6aj

Colors: Great Lakes Sand, Goby Punch, Green Pumpkin Black

•Zman 2" Llama Tube: https://bit.ly/3RShvWz

Colors: Goby Bryant, The Deal, Canada Craw

JUVY CRAWS...

•Great Lakes Finesse Juvy Craw: https://bit.ly/4aCo9UC

Colors: Amber Black Green, Brown Pumpkin Special, Motor Oil

•Great Lakes Finesse Micro Juvy Craw: https://bit.ly/4fdTgKd

Colors: Amber Black Green, Brown Pumpkin Special, Motor Oil

FINESSE TUBE HEADS...

•Xzone Stealth Finesse Tube Head: https://bit.ly/3WY18YM

Favorite Size: 1/8 – 3/8 oz

•Great Lakes Finesse Mini Pro Tube Head: https://bit.ly/41C1W6g

Favorite Size: 3/16 oz #1, 1/2 oz #1/0

•Zman Llama Tubes Head: https://bit.ly/3SdihgU

Favorite Sizes: 1/8, 3/16 oz

TUBE HEADS...

•Xzone 60 Degree Goby Head: https://bit.ly/3hV3cPE

Size: 3/8 - 1/2 oz

•Bite Me Big Goby Head: https://bit.ly/2CV3o7S

Size: 1/2 - 3/4 oz

•Xzone 60 Degree Tube Head: https://bit.ly/3jCHmR8

Size: 1/8 – 1/4 oz

MATT'S MAIN TUBE COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6" Medium: http://bit.ly/2pjJWMA

Reel– Shimano Twin Power FE 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line– Seaguar PEX8 Braid (21 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (12 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

MATT'S HEAVY TUBE COMBO...

Rod– Great Lakes Finesse CX 7'8" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/4m8BJGs

Reel– Daiwa Certate 2500 D–H: https://bit.ly/35Kclij

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (12 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

BUDGET TUBE COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick HMG 7'6" Medium: https://bit.ly/3Lo1gKC

Reel– Daiwa Fuego LT 2500: https://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ

Line– Sunline Super FC (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

Swinging Jigs And Wobble Heads For Summer Bass! Beginner To Advanced + Underwater Footage!

This is Matt's favorite technique for catching BIG BASS in late Spring and early Summer! Most fishermen completely ignore the Swing head jig, and they're missing out! This technique is easy to do, won't require new gear, and catches a ton of big fish! It's time to set your old patterns aside, and try something completely different.

The swinging jig is incredibly simple. All you do is pair the free swinging head with your favorite soft plastic bait, and retrieve it along the bottom. As you swim it along, the bait will deflect off cover and draw reaction strikes from bass. While this technique can be done with swimbaits, worms, and craws, our best results have consistently come with creature baits.

When it comes to baits, there are endless options that can be rigged on these heads. However, we've found very specific baits that consistently get bigger bites. Below you'll find links to those exact baits, as well as the heads and gear we use to fish them. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICALBASSIN MERCH...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

FULL SIZE CREATURE BAITS...

•XZone Adrenaline Craw 4.25: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors: Junebug, TW Dark Junebug, Green Pumpkin

•Berkley Crash Craw: https://bit.ly/4lJMEX8

Color: GOAT, Junebug, Bama Bug

•Zman Billy Goat: https://bit.ly/3u4ZT8l

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Black Blue

•Xzone 4" Muscle Back Craw: https://bit.ly/43DZXOQ

Colors: Green Pumpkin Black, Summer Craw

SMALL CREATURE BAITS...

•XZone Adrenaline Craw 3.5: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors: 309, Green Pumpkin Blue, TW Dark Junebug

•Yamamoto 3" Yama Craw: https://bit.ly/42VEPoo

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Junebug, Bama Bug

•Crush City Cleanup Craw: https://bit.ly/3TyfMmo

Colors: Bama Bug, Candy Bug

FAVORITE JIG HEADS...

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

Common Sizes: 1/2 oz 4/0 Hook, 3/4 oz 5/0 Hook

•Xzone Tungsten Swing Football: https://bit.ly/3wYgDpf

Common Sizes: 3/8 oz 3/0, 1/2 oz 5/0

FAVORITE BARE HEADS AND HOOKS...

•Gamakatsu Tungsten Hybrid Swing Head: https://bit.ly/3AHXshQ

Sizes: 1/2 – 1 oz

•Strike King Tungsten Swing Football: https://bit.ly/4ekHAXN

Sizes: 3/8 – 3/4 oz

•Owner Jungle Wide Gap Hook: https://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Size: 3/0 – 5/0

•Owner Haymaker Hook: https://bit.ly/4tpVU5I

Size: 3/0 – 5/0

FENWICK WOBBLE HEAD COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Elite 7'5" Medium Heavy X Fast: https://bit.ly/3MyC6tb

Reel– Shimano Metanium DC 70 A: https://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (24 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

MEGABASS WOBBLE HEAD COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante EMTF: https://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Model: 7'5" Medium Medium Fast

Reel– Daiwa Tatula Elite: https://bit.ly/2ONCBS1

Line– Daiwa J Braid Grand 8X (40 lb): https://bit.ly/488sttq

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

ST. CROIX WOBBLE HEAD COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Xtreme 7'4" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2wlJQLu

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Sufix Advance (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BUDGET FRIENDLY WOBBLE HEAD COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Black Bass 7'4" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/4cX7VHL

Reel– Seviin GF (7.3:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line- Sunline Super FC (18 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

5 Keys To Strolling The Jig And Minnow! ( The Details No One Is Telling! )

The Jig And Minnow continues to sweep bass fishing, don't be left behind! There are 5 key elements to strolling that very few anglers understand. These key differences are what sets certain baits apart, and helps select anglers catch fish consistently. If you want to be successful with these baits in cold water, we can help!

This technique is known by many names, but regardless of what you call it, it's working. It's not new, but it's erupted on the bass fishing scene over the last few years. Pairing a pin tailed, fork tailed, order paddle tailed minnow to a jighead and shaking it around bass is incredibly effective in the cold Winter months! If you want to stay consistent all Winter, you'll want to focus on smaller baits in natural colors, as well as much lighter heads than we use in Summer. We're also adapting our rod selection to these lighter offerings so that we can work them more effectively.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt discussed in the video. We've included his favorite colors for each, along with some of the key rods (at different price points) that will fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

WINGED AND FLANGED BAITS...

•Deps Sakamata Shad: https://bit.ly/3QMt9yd

Favorite Sizes: 5" and 6"

Colors: Silver Shiner, Electric Shad, Smoke Pepper Clear

•Yamamoto Hinge Minnow: https://bit.ly/4hCOze1

Favorite Size: 5" and 6"

Colors: Rainbow Shad, Electric Shad, Tennessee Shad

ROUND BAITS...

•Zman Jerk Shadz: https://bit.ly/3yRocN0

Favorite Winter Size: 3.5" and 4"

Favorite Summer Size: 7"

Colors: Bad Shad, The Deal

•Hog Farmer Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Favorite Winter Size: 4"

Favorite Summer Size: 5" and 6"

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Green Shad, Electric Shad

•Hog Farmer Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Favorite Winter Size: 3" and 3.5"

Favorite Summer Size: 4.5"

Colors: Electric Shad, Ghost Minnow, Tennessee Shad

FLAT SIDED BAITS...

•Damiki 3" Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Colors: American Shad, Pure Gill

•Crush City Freeloader: https://bit.ly/3QWwj4b

Favorite Winter Size: 6.25"

Favorite Summer Size: 4.25"

Colors: Shad, Green Shad, Gizzard Shad

•Megabass 5" Sling Shad: https://bit.ly/41tgaaT

Colors: G Biwahigai, Hasu, Wakasagi

•Crush City Mooch Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Yn4NR6

Favorite Winter Size: 3.5"

Favorite Summer Size: 4.5"

Colors: Electric Shad, Gizzard Shad

HEADS FOR STROLLING...

•Dirty Jigs Guppy HD Head: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 – 3/8 oz with 2/0 Hook

•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Small Minnow Size: 3/16 – 1/4 oz with 1/0 Hook

Large Minnow Size: 3/8 – 1/2 oz with 5/0 Hook

•MissileBaits Eye Roll Head: https://bit.ly/3JiR3BP

Size: 3/16 – 3/8 oz

•Owner Range Roller Head: https://bit.ly/42cqaUR

Size: 1/8 – 3/16 oz

HIGH END STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Poison Adrena 6'10" Med+ Extra Fast: https://bit.ly/4c0fQmq

Reel– Shimano Sustain 2500: https://bit.ly/47SJ3R6

Line– Sunline Almight Braid (16 lb): https://bit.ly/4flJrsg

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (10 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

MID PRICED STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Daiwa Power Scope: https://bit.ly/3FGPr2H

Model: 6'8" Medium Heavy Regular

Reel– Daiwa Fuego LT 2500: https://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

HEAVY BAIT STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'10" MHSB: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Model: 6'10" Medium Heavy Extra Fast

Reel– Shimano Vanford 2500 HG: https://bit.ly/3WAPNO1

Line– Seaguar PEX8 (21 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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