Big Bait Fishing Southern California With Adam Hinkle! – Tactical Family

Come along or an awesome day on the water with Adam Hinkle! Adam has a long history of big bait fishing, and today he's catching big bass with glide baits, wake baits, and topwater. Before its over, he pulls out some of his hand made baits and catches the biggest fish of the day!

We're continuing to expand in 2025 with bonus content featuring some of our closest friends! Meet Adam Hinkle, a serious bass angler from the San Diego area in Southern California. Adam brings a unique perspective to the Tactical Family, having grown up in California's "Big Bass Era", and constantly adapting both power fishing and finesse presentations to the clear, pressured waters of Southern California.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Adam was using, as well as some widely available options that are very similar to his custom gear. All the link go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

ADAM'S WAKEBAIT...

•Discontinued Rago Top Trout: Unavailable today

TACTICAL'S FAVORITE WAKEBAITS...

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

Colors: Copper Carp, Tactical Shad, Chrome Gill

•Bucca Bull Shad Wake: https://bit.ly/2yceVRt

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Dirty Bone

ADAM'S POPPER...

•Megabass Pop Max: https://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Color: Pagani Raigyo

ADAM'S GLIDE BAIT...

•86 Baits Fail Safe: Source Directly When Available

TACTICAL'S FAVORITE SHAD GLIDES...

•Baitsanity Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/44XiYvW

Color: Ghost Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad

•Bucca Brand Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: ThreadfinTastic, Matte Shad

•Spro Chad Shad: https://bit.ly/3AqivoQ

Color: Threadfin Shad

TACTICAL'S FAVORITE BUZZBAITS...

Full Size– Megabass Jamaica Boa: https://bit.ly/3iofbiZ

Loud– Damiki MTB Noisy Buzz: https://bit.ly/2P8PWnd

Subtle– D&M Easy Roller: https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

THE FLUKE...

•Zoom Salty Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad

•Gamakatsu Superline Hook: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 3/0

SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns 7'9" Champion XP 795: https://bit.ly/2aivwYX

Reel– Curado 300K (HG): https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line– Maxima Ultragreen (25 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae97J9

POPPER COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'2" Med Mod Glass: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano SLX DC (XG): https://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

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

BUZZBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante 7'5"  EMTF: https://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Reel– Shimano Curado 200 DC (XG): https://bit.ly/3QMMb6o

Line– Seaguar InvizX (17 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

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

Post Spawn Fishing With A 9 lber On A Bluegill Swimbait!

Matt catches a post spawn 9 lber! Come along for an incredible day of fishing! The fish are in the shallows and they're eating everything Matt throws their way. From big swimbaits to bait finesse and topwater, this is one of those special days! Listen closely as Matt explains his theory behind bass behavior this time of year.

These bass are ambushing bluegill and Matt takes advantage of it with a bluegill swimbait and a topwater. He also discovers fish suspending in laydowns and prowling the shallows, and builds awesome patterns flipping cover and fishing a Karashi around the edges. He explains his thought process every step of the way, and shows how you can use this time of year to build confidence in new techniques.

Below you'll find links to all the baits and gear Matt used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors and sizes for each, along with the rod and reel combos he was fishing. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

SWIMBAITS...

•Savage Gear Line Thru Bluegill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill – Moderate Sink

•Raid Osakana Slide: https://bit.ly/417QgrV

Color: Hustler

BFS CRAW...

Bait– Xzone Stealth Finesse Craw: https://bit.ly/4ckYPmX

Color: Green Pumpkin/Black Blue

Hook– ZMan Finesse Bulletz: https://bit.ly/4cHyEsv

Size: 1/10th oz

KARASHI...

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

Colors: HT Ito Wakasagi KS

TEXAS RIGGED CREATURE...

Bait– Xzone 4.25" Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Color: Tilapia

Weight– Xzone 3/8 oz Tungsten: https://bit.ly/3c28mks

Hook– Gamakatsu 4/0 Superline EWG: https://bit.ly/3AmFDnK

SENKO...

Bait– Yamamoto 5" Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Color: Green Pumpkin Blue Flake

Hook– Gamakatsu 2/0 Superline EWG Hook: https://bit.ly/3AmFDnK

TOPWATER...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Color: Megabass Sexy Shad

BLUEGILL SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Outlier 7'9" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Reel– Shimano Tranx 300 B (HG): https://bit.ly/40QzQ7b

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sunline Tunageat (30 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR

KARASHI COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Icon 7' Light: https://bit.ly/3mLIIes

Reel– Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (7 lb): https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

TEXAS RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 7'2" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Model: DRX 723 C

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

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

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

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

Spring Swimbait Fishing Made Easy! (Seminar For Beginner And Advanced Anglers)

SPRING SWIMBAIT FISHING IS EASY! You only need a few baits to consistently catch fish, no matter where you live! Most anglers act like catching big bass with swimbaits is difficult, but aside from some little tricks, there isn't much you need to know to start catching bass with swimbaits.

Matt breaks swimbaits into basic categories, including bluegill, baitfish, and trout profiles. Based on what bass are primarily eating in your lake, he covers which baits to focus on, and how to fish them effectively. Once you've got the basics it's all about building confidence with those key baits. You can catch a giant swimbait fish this year, all you have to do is commit to it!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, sink rates, and colors. We've also included some great rod and reel combos, as well as some other swimbait videos. All the gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

RELATED SWIMBAIT VIDEOS…

•2024 Fall Swimbait Seminar: https://youtu.be/bsCFgHHb7vg

•Spring Gear Review (Outlier/Tranx): https://youtu.be/RWMXcgxUNQw

3 SWIMBAITS THAT WORK…

•Savage Gear LT Gill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill

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

Color: White Back Shad

•Bucca Brand 6” Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: Matte Shad

BLUEGILL BAITS…

•Savage Gear LT Gill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill, Bream

•Savage Gear 4" RTF Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

•Baitsanity Explorer Gill: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK

Colors: Female Bluegill, Bluegill

•Jackall Gantarel: https://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Bluegill

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

Color: Chrome Gill, Tactical Shad

SHAD SWIMBAITS…

•Megabass Magdraft (6" and 8"): https://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad, Nude Rainbow

•Megabass 5” Magdraft: https://bit.ly/4gNg7LN

Colors: Borealis Shad, Silver Shad, White Back Shad

•Megabass Magdraft Freestyle: https://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad

•Owner Beast Flashy Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2gx3A54

Size: 8/0

•Bacca Burrito Swimbait (5" and 6"): https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Tactical Shad, Tactical Gizzard Shad, Tactical Chartreuse Shad

•ZMan 6" ShadTron LT: https://bit.ly/46oXNoG

Colors: Blueback Herring, Threadfin Shad

SHAD GLIDE BAITS…

•Baitsanity Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/44XiYvW

Color: Ghost Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad

•Spro Chad Shad: https://bit.ly/3AqivoQ

Color: Threadfin Shad

•Bucca Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: ThreadfinTastic, Matte Shad

SOFT SHAD GLIDES…

•Savage Gear Soft Shine Glide: https://bit.ly/3WE2eIP

Color: Gizzard Shad

•Raid Osakana Slide: https://bit.ly/417QgrV

Colors: Golden Magic, Hustler

TROUT AND KOKANEE BAITS…

•Baitsanity Trout Explorer: https://bit.ly/33bQyxY

Colors: TW Steelhead

•Baitsanity Explorer 9 Bones: https://bit.ly/415emDU

Colors: Hatchery Trout, TW Steelhead

•Baitsanity Hatch Match Hard Tails: https://bit.ly/3sDtrf8

•Baitsanity Hatch Match Shadow V Tail: https://bit.ly/3YA761B

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

Colors: Dirty Silver, Rainbow

ALL AROUND SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis 966C SWBR: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel– Calcutta Conquest MD 300: https://bit.ly/3ZBEK5p

Line– Maxcuatro (80 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Saltimate Tunageat FC (35 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR

SHIMANO SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Outlier 7'10" Heavy+:  https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Reel– Shimano Tranx 300B HG: https://bit.ly/40QzQ7b

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Saltimate Tunageat FC (35 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR

ST. CROIX SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Victory 8' Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel– Shimano Curado 300K : https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'8" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3QbMjvs

Reel– Shimano Cardiff 300: https://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Maxima Ultragreen (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae97J9

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

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

Swimbait Fishing Seminar For Beginners And Advanced Anglers! Raw and Uncut!

Everything you need to know about swimbaits, in one place! The guys have spent a lifetime dialing in their swimbait fishing and today Matt is laying it all out, like he’s never done before. From fish positioning, to cast angles, soft baits to glide baits, Matt is sharing everything you’ll ever need to know about swimbait fishing!

Below you’ll find links to all the baits, gear, and rods and reels, as Matt discussed them in the video. We’ve even included favorite colors and sizes where applicable. All links below go to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions.

EASY BAITS...

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

Color: White Back Shad

•Savage Gear LT Gill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill

•R2S S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Warden Hitch

•Jackall Gantarel: https://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Bluegill

BOOT TAILS...

•Megabass Magdraft (6" and 8"): https://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad

•JSJ Loose Caboose: https://bit.ly/43hpeyl

Colors: Spring Hitch, Tennessee Shad

•Bacca Burrito Swimbait (5" and 6"): https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Tactical Shad, Tactical Gizzard Shad, Tactical Chartreuse Shad

•B5 Line Thru: https://bit.ly/3LLU4pm

Color: Blue Gizzard

•B6 Line Thru: https://bit.ly/3bw7lWR

Color: Sunny Shad

WEEDLESS PADDLE TAILS...

•Megabass Magdraft Freestyle: https://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad

•Scottsboro Tackle (6" and 7"): https://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH

Colors: Natural Shad

•No Live Bait Needed K Tail (7"): https://bit.ly/4eG64Y9

Colors: Snow Bird

SWIMBAIT HOOKS...

•ZMan Diezel Eye Jighead: https://bit.ly/4db6LI2

Size: 6/0 Hook

•Owner Beast Hook: https://bit.ly/2ancP66

Size: 8/0

•BKK Titan Diver+: https://bit.ly/3D5VNnJ

Size: 8/0

SOFT BLUEGILL BAITS...

•Savage Gear LT Bluegill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

•Mattlures Hammertail Gill: https://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

Colors: Male Bluegill

•Megabass Sleeper Gill: https://bit.ly/3HPvgMT

Colors: Gill, Gillkko

•Savage Gear 4" RTF Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

WEDGE TAIL SWIMBAITS...

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

Colors: Dirty Silver

•Huddleston 8" Trout (ROF 12): https://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

Colors: Rainbow Trout

•Mattlures 6" Shad: https://bit.ly/2vM8cKF

Colors: Light Gizzard

•Huddleston 68 Trout (ROF 12): https://bit.ly/2dj5apG

Colors: Black Gizzard Shad

•ZMan 6" ShadTron LT: https://bit.ly/46oXNoG

Colors: Blueback Herring, Threadfin Shad

TREBLE HOOKS AND HARDWARE...

•Owner ST–36 Trebles: https://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

•Owner ST–56 Trebles: https://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

•Owner HyperWire Split Ring: https://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

Sizes: 4-6

•Owner UltraWire Split Ring: https://bit.ly/3bQgswL

Sizes: 3-5

•Single Strand Wire: https://bit.ly/2IwNAiE

Size: 174 lb

•SuspenStrips: https://bit.ly/2YDQNUf

LURE RETRIEVER...

•Toothy Fishman XL Retriever: https://bit.ly/3A8370q

•Frabill Extendable Retriever: https://bit.ly/2TLTJc6

SWIMBAIT LINE/LEADER...

•Sufix 832 Braid: https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

•Sunline Saltimate Nylon Mono: https://bit.ly/3WqDIJp

•Sunline Saltimate Tunageat: https://bit.ly/47MCfkR

•Seaguar Gold Label: https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

BLUEGILL HARD BAITS...

•Jackall Gantarel: https://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Bluegill

•Baitsanity Explorer Gill: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK

Colors: Female Bluegill, Bluegill

•Bucca Bull Gill: https://bit.ly/2f1ASHn

Colors: Bluegill

•Megabass Vatalion: https://bit.ly/367AOxD

Colors: GG Gill

OPEN WATER GLIDES...

•Deps Slide Swimmer 250: https://bit.ly/2AfXQnF

Colors: Heavy Metal Trout

•Baitsanity Trout Explorer: https://bit.ly/33bQyxY

Colors: TW Steelhead

•River2Sea S Waver 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Rainbow Trout

COVER GLIDES...

•GanCraft Jointed Claw 178: https://bit.ly/2d5l48K

Color: Waka Ayu

•River2Sea S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Light Trout

•Savage Gear Glide Swimmer: https://bit.ly/4eGJ5No

Color: Ghost Gill

•Bucca Trick Shad: Source Locally

Color: ThreadfinTastic

GIZZARD GLIDES...

•Spro Chad Shad: https://bit.ly/3AqivoQ

Color: Threadfin Shad

•Baitsanity Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/44XiYvW

Color: Gizzard Shad

•Clutch OG Glide: https://bit.ly/3ZJfeyS

Color: Natural Shad

•Savage Gear Soft Shine Glide: https://bit.ly/3WE2eIP

Color: Gizzard Shad

MULTI JOINTS...

•22nd Century Triple Trout (7"-8"): https://bit.ly/2E8Up5P

•Bucca Bull Shad (6"-7"): https://bit.ly/2eJ8gWM

•Shimano Armajoint SS: https://bit.ly/3RsENjw

WAKEBAITS...

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

•Spro 8" Floater: https://bit.ly/2cU1x5P

•Baitsanity Antidote TUG: https://bit.ly/3Y0MhtS

•Bucca Wake: https://bit.ly/2yceVRt

STORAGE…

•Eye Surrender Wrap: https://bit.ly/2h4IN6I

•Spro Surrpa Sleeves: https://bit.ly/3N3JEo4

•Lakewood Vertical Box: https://bit.ly/3ZueBXZ

•Plano Open Box: https://bit.ly/2WWIrU9

FAVORITE SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis 966C SWBR: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel– Shimano Tranx 300 (HG): https://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (80): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Saltimate Shock (35 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR

BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO…

Rod– Shimano SLX 7'8" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3QbMjvs

Reel– Shimano Cardiff 300: https://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

LIne– Sufix 832 Braid (80): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

SWIMBAIT RODS/REELS...

•Daiwa DX Rod 8' Med Heavy: https://bit.ly/3PKk8q6

•St. Croix Victory 8' Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

•Shimano Zodias 7'9" Extra Heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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. 

Tactical Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz