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

Crankbait Retrieves And Other Spring Bass Fishing Tricks!

Come along with Matt for an evening of Spring Bass Fishing! The Tennessee River is a vast fishery, and with only a few hours to catch fish, Matt employs the "pattern method" to locate active fish. Watch he checks likely locations, quickly adapts, and puts a pile of fish in the boat!

This video highlights the benefits of using reaction baits in Spring. Matt employs baits like a Lipless Crankbait, a Squarebill Crankbait, and an Alabama Rig, to quickly locate fish. Once he's found them, he cycles through baits to keep them biting. This fishing method works everywhere, and is one of the best ways to quickly break down water and locate fish.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt used throughout the evening. We've also included the exact colors, hook upgrades, and the rod and reel combos Matt used to consistently land the fish that bit. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

LIPLESS CRANKBAITS...

•Jackall TN 70 Lipless: https://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Color: SS Shad

Hook Upgrade: Gamakatsu EWG (Size 4): https://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

•Nomad Swimtrex Max (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/3SjrDWD

Color: Threadfin Shad

Hook Upgrade: Owner ST-35 (Size 6): https://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

SQUAREBILL CRANKBAIT...

•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: https://bit.ly/41o3ctj

Color: Red Glitter Craw

GLIDE BAIT...

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

Color: Threadfintastic

MICRO RIG...

•Hog Farmer Tactical Micro Rig (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

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

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

Color: American Shad

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

Color: Gizzard Shad

LIPLESS COMBO #1...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Tournament Carbon Cranker: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

Model: 7'2" Medium Heavy Moderate

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

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

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

LIPLESS COMBO #2...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 855C CBR: https://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

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

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

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

SQUAREBILL COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante Flat Side Special: https://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

Reel– Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70: https://bit.ly/3ZcBbCZ

Line– Seaguar InvizX (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

MICRO RIG COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Abu Garcia Premier: https://bit.ly/4e8LPCc

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Blue Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/48EP2Hz

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

The BEST Bait For The Early Spring Transition!

Come along for a great day on the water! Tim is putting his confidence bait to work and it only takes 3 casts to catch a BIG largemouth! That's just the start, he goes on to put together a big limit of bass, and has a lot of fun along the way! Listen closely to the details as he breaks down when he uses the different versions, plus a few other key tips.

The Alabama Rig is an incredible tool when anglers understand how to harness its power. Traditional rigs were cumbersome and difficult to fish with, but today's downsized rigs with lighter wires and smaller components, are very easy to use. Tim implements our Hog Farmer collaboration rig (The Hog Farmer Tactical Mini Flex) in both the bladed and non–bladed versions to catch fish in changing conditions.

Below you'll find links to the rigs, the components he uses to set them up, his rod and reel combos, as well as a few of the other baits he had on deck. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

THE BLADED RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Tactical Mini Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

Hooks– Dirty Jigs Tactical Screwed Up Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/3U5RsIx

Size: 1/8 oz

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

Color: Electric Shad

Dummy Baits– Damiki 3" Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Color: American Shad

THE NON BLADED RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Tactical Mini Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3isTio0

Hooks– Dirty Jigs Tactical Screwed Up Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/3U5RsIx

Size: 1/8 oz

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

Color: Electric Shad

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

Color: Electric Shad

LURE RETRIEVER...

•Toothy Fishman Lure Retriever: https://bit.ly/3Lcntfd

STROLL SHAD...

•Hog Farmer 5" Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Color: Green Shad

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

Size: 1/8 oz

BULK KEITECHS...

•Keitech Pro Pack: https://bit.ly/418wxdb

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

ADDITIONAL BAITS ON DECK...

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

Colors: Ghost Gizzard Shad, Hitch

•Megabass Vision 110 Jr: https://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

Color: Wagin Hasu

•ZMan Tungsten Evo Chatterbait (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/3YkW2Hd

Colors: Electric Shad, Glitter Bomb

•Hog Farmer 4.5" Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Colors: Electric Shad, Chartreuse Shad

TACTICAL MINI FLEX RIG (BLADED) COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 7'7" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Tranx 200 A (HG): https://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line– Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3pF7HBK

TACTICAL MINI FLEX RIG (NON BLADED) COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Champion Extreme 7'8" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2ab2kRX

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

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

Line– Sunline Saltimate Shock Leader (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BUDGET RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX 7'5" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX A 150: https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line– Seaguar Red Label (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

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

New TacticalBassin Baits And Designs For 2025!! ** Full Review **

We're thrilled to announces our latest lure collaboration! We've partnered up with Hog Farmer once again, this time to build the ultimate 5–Hook Rig! The Tactical 5 Hook, 4 Blade Rig is here! Anglers have been asking for a 5 hook option for years that has great flexibility, durability, and high end components. We've answered that call with our 7th addition to the Tactical family of rigs with Hog Farmer Bait Company.

The fun doesn't stop there! We've also launched an entire line of Merch! From T Shirts and Sun Shirts, to hats, stickers, and more... you can now get our merch directly from Tactical Bassin for the first time in years! Keep an eye on the merch page, as there are constant additions being made, with all the cold weather staples arriving soon.

Back to the rig... the Tactical "Flex" line of rigs has seen incredible success the last few years. From the full size, to the mini, to the micro, giant bass have been fooled by these rigs all over the country! The one request that constantly arises is from the anglers in states that allow 5 hooks. No matter how you modify the rigging, many anglers just prefer 5 hooks, and today we've answered that call with a perfectly balanced, flexible, and durable 5 hook rig.

Below you'll find links to the baits, apparel, and merch. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse for the baits, and directly to the "Merch" page on TacticalBassin.com for the gear. Thank you for your continued support of Tactical Bassin as we continue to teach as many anglers as possible how to catch more and bigger fish!

THE RIG...

•Hog Farmer TacticalBassin 5 Hook 4 Blade Rig: https://bit.ly/429NWTK

THE MERCH...

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

TACTICAL'S EXISTING BAIT AND GEAR COLLABORATIONS...

•Eye Surrender Tactical Bassin Sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl

Favorite Lenses: Matt– Grey, Tim– Green

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

Favorite Colors: Copper Carp, Tactical Shad, Chrome Gill

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

Favorite Colors: True Shad, Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow

TACTICAL'S EXISTING JIGHEAD AND UNDERSPIN COLLABORATIONS...

•Dirty Jigs TacticalBassin Mini Underspin: https://bit.ly/3JOd8UY

Favorite Size: 3/16 oz

•Dirty Jigs TacticalBassin Underspin Series: https://bit.ly/4bKgVQf

Favorite Size: 1/2 oz, 4/0 Hook

•Matt Allen Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Favorite Size: 1/4 oz

•TacticalBassin Screwed Up Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/3U5RsIx

Favorite Size: 3/8 oz

•TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Favorite Size: 3/8 oz

TACTICAL'S EXISTING A–RIG COLLABORATIONS...

•Hog Farmer Tactical Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/38xd1es

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

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

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

•HogFarmer Tactical Micro Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

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

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 see any change, but they'll know you're part of the Tactical Bassin Family!