3 Paddle Tail Swimbaits That Catch Fish In Tough Conditions + Road Trip Fishing!

Jump in the boat for a wild day on the water! Matt is on a road trip in the North and has no idea what he’s in for. What begins as a beautiful day on the water quickly spirals into a snow storm, but that doesn’t stop him from catching fish! Come along and see how he adapts to the changing conditions to catch some beautiful bass in ugly conditions.

Today is a great example of a natural Northern lake. There seem to be a ton of fish in the shallows that are willing to bite, but it takes some adapting to catch the bigger bass. Notice how Matt cycles through baits and locations to fine tune a pattern to catch the bigger fish, ultimately using the wind to his advantage.

Below you’ll find links to all the baits and gear he used throughout the day. We’ve included the exact rod and reel combos, the baits, as well as specifics on hooks and bait colors. 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

THE BAITS…

•Megabass 3” Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

Weight: 1/2 oz

•Megabass 3” Spark Shad: https://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Color: Ayu

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

Size: 1/4 oz, 1/0 Hook

•Yamamoto 3.2” Shibo Swimmer: https://bit.ly/4txT8vy

Color: Rainbow Shad

•Dirty Jigs Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Size: 1/4 oz

•Great Lakes Finesse 3.25” Dropkick Shad: https://bit.ly/4ncjtg0

Color: Ayu

•Dirty Jigs Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Size: 1/4 oz

DARK SLEEPER COMBO…

Rod– Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel– Daiwa Steez A 100: https://bit.ly/489D4rb

Line– Sunline FC 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

LARGE PADDLETAIL COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend X2 7'1" Medium Heavy XFast: https://bit.ly/4farXAh

Reel– Shimano Vanquish 2500: https://bit.ly/4sAmR5X

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

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

FINESSE PADDLETAIL COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Champion XP 7'9" Medium Light Fast: https://bit.ly/2j7EBXD

Reel– Shimano Vanquish 2500: https://bit.ly/4sAmR5X

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

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (8 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

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

Top 5 Baits To Catch BIG Smallmouth Bass! (North, South, and Western Fisheries)

These baits catch BIG Bass! Fishing around Clear water like the Great Lakes, Southern Herring Fisheries, and Western reservoirs, requires unique baits. When it comes to Smallmouth (as well as Spotted Bass and Largemouth) there are a handful of baits that consistently catch the big bass. We've narrowed it down through countless hours on the water to a few key baits that you can trust.

During the prespawn you want to cover water quickly. Smallmouth school together, leaving huge parts of the lake virtually barren. The baits we use not only catch big bass, they help you locate fish quickly. After that the baits begin to fit niches. Swimbaits cover a ton of water, jerkbaits draw a core feed response, and the tube can elicit a strike from the wariest clear water bass.

Below you'll find links to all the baits Matt discussed in the video. We've included his favorite colors, rigging components, and even some great rod and reel combos to help you fish these baits effectively. 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

SWIMBAITS...

•Megabass Spark Shad: https://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Favorite Sizes: 3" and 3.6"

Favorite Colors: Albino, Natural Shad, Ayu, Real

•Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Top Shad, Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

•Xzone 3.5" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Colors: Electric Shad, Tennessee Shad, Natural Goby

•Megabass Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Size: 1/2 oz – 3/4 oz

Favorite Colors: Wakasagi, Morning Goby, Goby Desert

SWIMBAIT HEADS...

•Dirty Jigs Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Favorite Sizes: 1/4 – 3/8 oz

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

Favorite Sizes: 1/8 – 1/4 oz, 1/0 Hook

JERKBAITS...

•Megabass Vision 110: https://bit.ly/3tw8Cpz

Colors: Mat Tennessee Shad, Mat Shad, GLX Phantom Minnow

•Megabass Vision 110+2 Jr: https://bit.ly/4cZ29q7

Colors: Tennessee Shad, Elegy Bone

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: Glitz Shad, See Through Shad, Juvy Gill

SPY BAITS...

•Duo Realis Spinbait Series: https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Sizes: 70, 80

Favorite Colors: Ghost Minnow, River Bait, Ghost Wakasagi

•Great Lakes Finesse Stay Pinned Spybait: https://bit.ly/41mpM6J

Favorite Colors: Ghost Shad, Ghost Perch, Morning Dawn

HAIR JIG...

•Great Lakes Finesse Maribou Jig: https://bit.ly/4iPXoA2

Color: Black

BLADED RIGS...

•Hog Farmer Tactical MICRO Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

•Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

NON BLADED RIGS...

•Hog Farmer Tactical MICRO Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3Rui7Oc

•Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3isTio0

TUBES AND TUBE HEADS...

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

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

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

Favorite Size: 1/8 – 1/4 oz

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

Colors: Perch Dinner, Green Pump Purp Cop

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

Size: 3/8 – 1/2 oz

DROPSHOT WORMS...

•MissileBaits BombShot: https://bit.ly/2YYBipr

Colors: Fishalicious, Goby Bite, GP3

•Berkley Lab Series Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/4f3qxtm

Colors: Obsidian Black, Tactical, Oxblood Red Flake

MATT'S SPY BAIT SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Destroyer P5 Flyssa: https://bit.ly/3RmuKdN

Model: 7'6" Light+

Reel– Shimano Vanquish 2500 Spinning Reel: https://bit.ly/4sAmR5X

Line– Sunline Super FC (5 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

DARK SLEEPER COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel– Daiwa Steez A 100: https://bit.ly/489D4rb

Line– Sunline FC 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

TUBE FISHING COMBO...

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

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

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

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label Fluoro (8 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend X2 6'10" Med Light: https://bit.ly/4farXAh

Reel– Daiwa Luvias ST 2500: https://bit.ly/459jXLv

Line– Seaguar PEX8 (18 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

Leader– Sunline Super FC (6 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

TIM'S NEW PERSONAL BEST SMALLMOUTH BASS! IT'S A GIANT!!!

Tim is about to break his personal best! Let's go!! The conditions are absolutely brutal today with cold temperatures and heavy wind. It doesn't take long for Tim to realize he needs to use every advantage possible. He turns to finesse techniques, uses his Humminbird electronics to locate fish, and slowly dissects likely locations on the lake. What could have been a tough day, changed in an instant!

Tim's message at the end of the video sums it up perfectly, "Keep Grinding It Out. You're just one cast away." This is the time of year when you can catch the biggest bass of your life. It's worth the effort, it's worth battling the elements, you never know when your turn is going to come. Again, today was one of those days where you would normally blank and go home without a fish. It took every ounce of modern electronics and modern techniques to turn these brutal conditions into a truly special day. The fish were grumpy, but Tim was able to make it happen!

Below you'll find links to all the gear Tim used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors and sizes for the baits, Tim's rod and reel combos, as well as the specifics of the electronics he used to locate fish on isolated structure. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

STROLL SHAD...

•Hog Farmer 4" Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Color: Green Shad

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

Size: 1/4 oz

DROPSHOT...

•Megabass Haze ST: https://bit.ly/4l1S2Tq

Color: Ayu

•Owner Jungle Dropshot: https://bit.ly/4nRKl49

Size: 4

•Xzone Tungsten Dropshot: https://bit.ly/3HgdcMM

Size: 1/4 oz

SPUNK SHAD...

•Hog Farmer 3.5" Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Ghost Minnow

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

Size: 1/4 oz

ALABAMA RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Micro Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

Baits– Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Heads– Dirty Jigs Tungsten Guppy (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/4nfOJtT

ELECTRONICS...

•Humminbird Mega Live 2: https://bit.ly/40FHMJR

•Humminbird Apex 16 Fish Finder: https://bit.ly/3QBaOli

STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/47Cdeee

Reel– Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line– Power Pro Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 822S DSR: https://bit.ly/3XrALtj

Model: 6'10" Medium+

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

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

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (6 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

Two Baits Matt Trusts To Catch Bass When Fishing Gets Tough!

Matt is exploring a new lake today and we’re going along for the ride! He catches a ton of beautiful Smallmouth, but not the way he’s anticipating! What starts out as a crisp morning on the water quickly turns into a wind blown mess, thankfully Matt has a backup plan for these conditions. He turned to two key baits to get the bites and in no time, the fish start biting!

We all have confidence baits. Maybe it’s a crankbait that gets bit during a certain week in Spring, or perhaps it’s a senko color that never fails you. For us, when tough conditions arrive in the Fall, the 3” Spark Shad and a Micro Rig, can turn any day around.

Below you’ll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt used throughout the day. From the specific colors of the Spark Shad, to the rod and reel combos that landed the fish, its all included. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

SPY BAIT...

•Duo Realis Spinbait 80 (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Color: Ghost Wakasagi

CRANKBAITS...

•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: Northern Special

•Megabass Deep-X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Mat Shad

ALABAMA RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Bladed Tactical Micro Rig: https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

Heads– ZMan Trout Eye Finesse (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3C7H1iL

Swimbaits– Crush City 3" Mayor: https://bit.ly/43Uhyli

Color: Gizzard Shad

Dummy Baits– Damiki Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Color: PB Silver

SPARK SHAD...

•Megabass 3" Spark Shad: https://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Colors: Real, Baby Bass, Ayu

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

Size: 1/4 oz, 1/0 Hook

Tungsten Head– Dirty Jigs Tungsten Guppy: https://bit.ly/4nfOJtT

Size: 1/4 oz, 1/0 Hook

MICRO RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

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

MAIN GUPPY COMBO...

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

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

Line– Seaguar PEX8 (18 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (8 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

TUNGSTEN GUPPY COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Destroyer P5 Flyssa: https://bit.ly/3RmuKdN

Model: 7'6" Light+

Reel– Daiwa Luvias ST 2500: https://bit.ly/459jXLv

Line– Sunline Super FC (6 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