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

30 LB SMALLMOUTH LIMIT!! 4 BAITS CATCH THESE GIANT BASS!

Come along for an INSANE day of Smallmouth Fishing! Tim is on the water targeting giant Smallmouth and the bite is on! He doesn't know it yet, but he's about to catch 5 Smallmouth for more than 30 pounds! Today is proof that big fish don't always require big baits!

Tim has no idea what he's in for as this day begins. He's greeted with a frigid wind and seemingly difficult conditions... but before you know it he's hold a 6 lber! He's using even smaller baits than normal, with the first few giants coming on the XZone Stealth Finesse Tube. After that he finds his groove and starts loading the boat with a Dark Sleeper, Spark Shad, and hair jig. What an incredible day!

Below you'll find links to all the baits Tim used throughout the day. We've included the exact sizes, colors, and rigging components, as well as Tim's rod and reel combos. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


THE TUBE...

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blue, 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: Royal Gill

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

Size: 1/8 oz


THE HAIR JIG...

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

Color: Black


THE SPY BAIT...

•Duo Realis Spinbait 80: https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Color: Green Smelt


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


THE SPARK SHAD COMBO...

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

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

Line– Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon (6 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


THE HAIR JIG COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 901S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel– Shimano Stella FK 3000: https://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

Line– Sunline Super FC (5 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 Vacation! Big Baits vs Finesse Baits On New Lakes

We're on vacation and the fishing is on fire! We're chasing big smallmouth and they're eating swimbaits! From tiny little finesse baits to larger swimbaits, the bite is rocking! Come along for a relaxed evening on the water as we lean back on the Smallies and enjoy some fun fishing!

This may just be a fun afternoon session for Matt but pay close attention to the details he drops while fishing. He's talking about targeting bigger fish on any natural lake in the country, then opens up about how to choose the best bait for the situation, even if you don't know anything about the lake you're on. There is key information sprinkled throughout this fishing session. And let's not overlook that in the North, fishing clear water, Matt opted to throw the bigger swimbaits and it worked!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits the guys were using. We've included the exact sizes and colors for each, along with the key rods and reels they used to successfully catch these fish, even on the lightest lines. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


LINE THRU SWIMBAIT...

-Big Bite Baits B5 Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3LLU4pm

Colors: Blue Gizzard, Pearly Shad


DARK SLEEPER...

-Megabass Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi


FINESSE SWIMBAIT...

Bait- Megabass Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Color: Real, Ayu

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS


JERKBAIT...

-Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Color: Mat Skeleton Shad

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano (Size 5): http://bit.ly/2dWWAut


HAIR JIG...

-Outkast Tackle Feider Fly (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj


LINE THRU SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod- Gamakatsu JDM Luxxe Avenge 7' MH: https://bit.ly/3hzK2ee

Reel- 13 Fishing Concept C2: https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

Line- Sunline Super FC 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


DARK SLEEPER COMBO...

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

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50 MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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


JERKBAIT COMBO...

Rod- Shimano Expride B 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50 MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line- Sunline Super FC 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


HAIR JIG COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 901S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

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

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


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. See it here...

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

Crystal Clear Water - Bass Fishing Paradise!

These fish had never even seen a lure! Come along as we fish some of the most beautiful, crystal clear water we've ever seen! We're on an untouched section of Lake Michigan in search of Smallmouth bass! Before we set out, realize that exploring areas like this comes with huge risks! If something goes wrong, there is no one coming to help. Its important that you have tools, food, and shelter, if you want to explore the far reaches of the Great Lakes!

Fishing crystal clear water is incredibly exciting! You can see the fish coming, and you can see them running from you. Light line, small hooks, and natural baits are a must! An adventure of this caliber takes a ton of planning and its not uncommon to fail entirely. But on this day, we landed on the fish and they were biting! It really seemed like some of these bass had never seen a lure!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits we threw throughout the day, including the exact sizes and colors. When you pair light tackle against big fish, quality drags and light line are key so you'll notice we are using very high-end equipment on this trip. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


COOP'S KEITECH... 

Bait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Blue and Chartreuse

Head- Megabass Okashira Screw Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA


MATT'S HAIR JIG... 

-Outkast Tackle Feider Fly (3/32 oz): http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black


DARK SLEEPER SWIMBAITS... 

-Megabass 3" Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz, 3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze


MATT'S HAIR JIG COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Baby Plugging: https://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2000: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


MATT'S DARK SLEEPER COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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


COOP'S KEITECH COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 842S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Stella 2500: https://bit.ly/38LaK2u

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju 


AFFORDABLE FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 3000: https://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju 


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. See it here... 

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