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

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

3 Baits Every Midwest And Northern Angler Should Own! (To Catch Bigger Fish)

Come along for an incredible day fishing on the Great Lakes! Tim is targeting trophy smallmouth with finesse tackle. He catches a ton of fish, catches big ones, its just an all around great day of fishing! Pay close attention to his bait selection, as there are 3 key baits that he relies on to consistently get these fish to bite.

Clear water finesse fishing is all about the subtle details. Notice how Tim adjusts his retrieves, adjusts his baits, and targets specific fish. These tricks are all key to consistently catching the big fish in a school.

Below you'll find links to all the baits Tim used throughout the day. We've also included the rod and reel combos he focused on, as well as specifics on bait color, hooks, etc. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

FINESSE TUBE...

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

Colors: Great Lakes Sand, 309

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

Size: 3/16 oz

THE DARK SLEEPER...

•Megabass 3" Dark Sleeper (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

THE SPARK SHAD...

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

Color: Real, Royal Gill

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

Size: 3/16 oz – 1/4 oz

THE SCALE...

•Bubba Smart Fish Scale: https://bit.ly/43tkx5W

THE TUBE COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 852C JWR: https://bit.ly/2hedqsq

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line– Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

THE DARK SLEEPER COMBO...

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

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

Line– Sunline Super FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

SPARK SHAD COMBO #1...

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

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

Line– Sunline Super FC (7 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

SPARK SHAD COMBO #2...

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

Reel– Daiwa PX BF 70: https://bit.ly/3y0fWw0

Line– Sunline Super FC (7 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

Bass Fishing When Its COLD! Key Baits And Locations To Catch Fish!

Come along for a very cold day on the water! Matt uses a combination of power and finesse techniques to catch bass all day long! He hits the water with a plan, puts key baits to work, and catches a pile of really nice bass. Listen as he talks through fish location, bait selection, and how he adapts to changing conditions throughout the day.

Matt starts the day speed cranking for bass that have moved up to feed, then immediately switches to a football jig and a strolling bait for midday fish. He targets likely locations by studying mapping, and uses the best bait for each location, based on depth. This method of fishing is very simple, and extremely effective!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt used through the day. He's included his baits, trailers, colors, etc. He's also included all of the high end combos he used to help detect subtle bites in the cold. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

THE CRANKBAIT...

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Craw

THE JIGS...

•Dirty Jigs Finesse Football Jig (5/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Color: Alabama Craw

•Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub: https://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

•Beast Coast Fishing OW Football (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/4gFj0yq

Color: MB Pumpkin

•Reins 3" Double Tail Grub: https://bit.ly/3ZWP3o6

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

•Yamamoto 2.5" Hula Grub: https://bit.ly/497jz1m

Color: Green Pumpkin Purple Copper Flake

•Great Lakes Finesse Stealth Football: https://bit.ly/4eQjXTb

Size: 3/8 oz, 2/0 Hook

THE MINNOW...

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

Color: Electric Shad

•VMC Redline Tungsten Ball Head: https://bit.ly/3ZIjeyd

Size: 1/4 oz

CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

HEAVY FINESSE FOOTBALL COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 844C MBR: https://bit.ly/2SuZG15

Model: 7' Heavy

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

HULA GRUB COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Poison Ultima 6'10" Medium Fast: https://bit.ly/3OfNBGe

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line– Seaguar PEX8 Braid (24 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

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

MICRO JIG COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer "X Bites": https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: 7'2" Heavy Extra Fast

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

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

Leader– Sunline Super FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

STROLLING COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Stella FJ 2500: https://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

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

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (8 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