Best Baits To Catch Bass When Its HOT In August!

These baits get bit despite the heat! If you're struggling to get bit, it's time to downsize. We're at the beginning of a trend that will last all the way into Fall. Juvenile baitfish are beginning to show up in your lake, and they'll become more prevalent in the coming months. Catch bass around them by downsizing your presentation!

We love power fishing! We love swimbaits, topwater, and large creature baits, but we also understand when it's time to put them down. As the heat of August sets in, smaller profiles will save your fishing. Don't be afraid to try these tiny soft plastics and hard baits when the going gets tough.

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits for this time period. We've included our favorite colors, rigging components, as well as the gear we use to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

SHAKEY HEAD...

Worm– Xzone Deception Worm: https://bit.ly/43YDE6x

Colors: Pumpkin Plum Party, Junebug, Plum

Worm– Crush City Janitor Worm: https://bit.ly/3Fy6nsd

Colors: Bama Bug, Plum

Small Head– Missile Baits Warlock: https://bit.ly/4bg8DyC

Size: 3/16 oz

DROPSHOT...

Worm– MissileBaits 6" Magic Worm: https://bit.ly/3T7dHgB

Colors: Blueback Secret, Junebug Dream

Hook– Owner Cover Shot HD: https://bit.ly/36Gunbf

Size: 2/0

Dice– Owner OSP Dice (No Salt): https://bit.ly/4e0DII9

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Invincible Shrimp

Hook– Gamakatsu Dropshot: https://bit.ly/43MMNjU

Size: 1/0

Weight– Xzone Tungsten Tie On Skinny Weight: https://bit.ly/4c86nt6

Size: 1/4 oz

BAIT FINESSE CRAWS AND CREATURES...

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

Colors: Black Blue/Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin

•Xzone Stealth Craw: https://bit.ly/4ckYPmX

Colors: Grass Craw, Tilapia

•Zman Finesse Bulletz: https://bit.ly/4cHyEsv

Size: 1/15 oz

•Zman Nedlockz: https://bit.ly/3OWdp9W

Size: 1/10 oz

•Owner All Purpose Bait Hook: https://bit.ly/2QbbdRW

Size: 1/0

•VMC Tungsten Worm Weight: https://bit.ly/3Vo2dbo

Size: 1/16 oz

MINI UNDERSPIN...

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

Size: 1/8 oz – 1/4 oz

•Xzone 2.75" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

•Crush City 2.5" Mayor: https://bit.ly/43Uhyli

Colors: Albino Shad, Gizzard Shad

FINESSE TOPWATER...

•Jackall Kaera Frog: https://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

•Megabass Pop X: https://bit.ly/3i9T3sg

Colors: GG Deadly Black Shad, Mat Shad

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

Colors: Glitz Shad, See Through Shad

TIM'S DROPSHOT BAITCAST COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Elite 6'10" Medium XFast: https://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

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

Line– Power Pro maxcuatro (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

MATT'S BFS COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'8" Light: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

SHAKEY HEAD COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Zodias 6'10" Med Heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

BUDGET BFS COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Element Z2 6'10" Medium Light Fast: https://bit.ly/48w69eC

Reel– Abu Garcia Revo X BFS: https://bit.ly/4flqwi3

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

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

Fishing Tricks When Its HOT Outside! (Its Easy!!!)

The weather is hot, and so is the bite! Come along for an awesome afternoon of fishing for bass on the Tennessee River! Matt is targeting fish with a variety of baits, and sharing his knowledge about fish behavior along the way. If you want to catch more fish this Summer, pay attention to the details he shares today!

Summer fishing is all about understanding the balance between a bass' need to eat, and its struggle with warm water and low oxygen. If you understand how this impacts fish and where they position, you can have incredible fishing in the Summer! Today it took Matt 3 casts to catch a giant... it really is that easy!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt used throughout the day. We've included his exact colors, as well as the rod and reel combos he relied on to land his fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

FREELOADER...

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

Color: Green Shad

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

Size: 1/4 oz

STROLL SHAD...

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

Color: Green Shad

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

Size: 3/8 oz

SPOON...

•Nichols Lake Fork Flutter Spoon (1 1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Color: Shattered Glass Silver Scale

TOPWATER...

•Rapala Jowler 127: https://bit.ly/3A3HDVs

Color: Matte Shad

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

Color: HT–ITO Tennessee Shad, Spotlight Shad

TAIL SPIN...

•Damiki Axe Blade (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

Color: Black Holo

FREELOADER COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Twin Power (3000): https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line– Sunline Almight (13 lb): https://bit.ly/4flJrsg

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

SPOON COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'4" Heavy Mod Fast: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

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

TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 843C MBR: https://bit.ly/2lVATTC

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

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

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

TAIL SPIN COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Victory 6'8" Medium: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel– Seviin GSC 150: https://bit.ly/3WptV6W

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Seaguar Gold Label (15 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

Decoding Bass Behavior: Summertime Struggles And Solutions

Summer Bass Fishing can be fun! Forget the struggle with these key tips! From where bass are positioning, to key bite windows, Tim breaks down what you need to know to overcome the peak heat of Summer. Don't let the temperatures get you down, it's time to adapt and catch more fish!

For most of the Summer we've focused on how to catch bigger bass. Today, Tim is focused on making sure everyone is catching fish, regardless of size. Summer heat is real and its impact is tangible. He's got advice to help you locate fish on deep structure, and when to target them. If it were all to be summarized into one line it would be, "Find The Bait, Find The Bass."

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Tim discussed throughout the video. We've included our favorite sizes and colors for each, as well as some great budget combos to fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

SUMMER JIG...

•Dirty Jigs Canterbury Flipping Jig: https://bit.ly/2aUtZsG

Color: Brown Craw, Alabama Craw

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

Color: Green pumpkin, California Craw

SHAKY WORM...

•Xzone Deception Worm: https://bit.ly/43YDE6x

Colors: Junebug, Pumpkin Plum Partk

•Yamamoto Sensei Worm: https://bit.ly/3WgAaM5

Colors: Plum Candy, Green Pumpkin Black, OG Junebug

•Xzone Blitz Worm: https://bit.ly/422SaJA

Colors: Green Pumpkin Black, Plum, Junebug

TOPWATER...

•Rapala PXR Jowler: https://bit.ly/3A3HDVs

Colors: Black Back Shad, Broken Bone

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

Colors: Spotlight Shad, Bone Python, HT Ito Tennessee Shad

CRANKBAIT...

•Rapala DT 20: https://bit.ly/3JmnnR3

Colors: Green Gizzard Shad, Pearl Grey Shiner

SPOONS...

Nichols Lake Fork Flutter Spoon: https://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Size: 1 1/8 oz

Color: Shattered Glass Holo Silver

MINI UNDERSPIN...

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

Size: 1/4 oz

•Xzone 2.75" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Eagle 7'1" Medium XFast: https://bit.ly/4b25LGh

Reel– Abu Garcia Max Pro: https://bit.ly/3QKCQOG

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

Leader– Sufix Advance (14 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BUDGET JIG COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel– Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): https://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line– Sunline Super FC 17 lb: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET SHAKEY HEAD SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Intenza 7' Medium: https://bit.ly/3O8zBye

Reel– Shimano Miravel 2500 HG: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5

Line– Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon (10 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

Where Bass Go When Its Really Hot! (And How To Catch Them)

Come along for a HOT day on the water and watch Tim prove that you can still power fish in the heat! Step one when it gets hot is to decide if you want to target shallow or deep fish. Today, Tim focused on the shallow bite. He used a handful of reaction baits (Karashi and Topwater) to target fish that were hidden in shade lines.

Summer heat is uncomfortable, but the fishing can be amazing! Watch how Tim instantly eliminates 99% of the lake and focuses solely on shallow shade. This is because the shallow bass are forced into these locations, making them vulnerable to his power fishing approach. He switches back and forth between a Karashi, Jowler, and Giant Dog X, before finally turning to the free rig.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Tim used throughout the day. We've also included the combos he used to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

KARASHI...

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

Colors: See–Through Shad, HT Ito Wakasagi KS

GIANT DOG X...

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

Chrome Color: Spot Light Shad

JOWLER...

•Rapala PXR Jowler: https://bit.ly/3A3HDVs

Colors: Pure Chrome

FREE RIG...

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Blk Flake

•Owner Covershot HD: https://bit.ly/36Gunbf

Size: 2/0

•VMC Tungsten BET Weight: https://bit.ly/4gFECei

Size: 1/4 oz

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

TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer Z Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: 7' Medium Regular

Reel– Daiwa Steez SV TW: https://bit.ly/3wXZ9Jb

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

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

FREE RIG COMBO...

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

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

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT: https://bit.ly/35hugfH

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

Leader– Sufix Advance (15 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