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

Bass Fishing WITHOUT Electronics! How To Read The Water And Catch Fish!

Tired of watching people stare at their electronics? We're going fishing without them, come along! Tim is on a river system and he's dialing in a pattern the old fashioned way. He's got a crankbait and an underspin, and he's catching a ton of fish!

When current is present in a waterbody, bass will always use it to their advantage. If you can understand what that looks like, you can predict how bass will position, even if you don't have any electronics. Watch as Tim power fishes his way to some GIANT Smallmouth, without any outside help. Speed cranking is the star of the show today, but it's not the only way he catches them.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Tim used throughout the day. From exact weights and colors, to his rod and reel choices, everything is included. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICAL RIG...

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

Head– Dirty Jigs TacticalBassin Screwed Up (1/4 oz): https://bit.ly/3U5RsIx

Bait– Xzone 3.5"/4" Swammer Swimbait: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Colors: Electric Blue/Chart

UNDERSPIN...

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

Favorite Sizes: 1/2 – 3/0

•Xzone 4" Swammer Swimbait: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Colors: Electric Blue/Chart

CRANKBAIT...

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

Colors: Metallic Shad, Northern Special

•Rapala DT 10: https://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Color: Citrus Shad

UNDERSPIN COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Poison Adrena 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/4cVIwOI

Reel– Shimano Metanium DC A 70: https://bit.ly/49al91d

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

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

TACTICAL CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX PRO 906 CBR: https://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

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

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

DT CRANKBAIT COMBO...

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

Model: 7'2" MHMF

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

Line– Sunline Super FC (12 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 hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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

Finesse Fishing Tricks – Northern Smallmouth and Southern Reservoirs!

The time has come! Northern Smallmouth! Southern Spots and Largemouth! Fisheries are opening up and the bite is beginning to happen throughout the North! Come along as we take a deep dive into both the finesse baits and power fishing techniques that shine in the early season!

From dropshot worms to tubes, and swimbaits to spy baits, these are the baits that consistently catch fish! Matt goes into detail on confidence colors, rigging upgrades, and the subtle tricks he uses to catch more fish. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits, including color recommendations and rigging components. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

DROPSHOT BAITS...

•Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: https://bit.ly/3xEADuo

Colors: Bully, Chick Magnet, Perch Dinner

•Netbait STH Crush Worm: https://bit.ly/3Q3mmyz

Colors: Juvenile Goby Pearl, Bang

•Xzone Finesse Slammer: http://bit.ly/2TJt7L8

Colors: 309, Big Limit, Smallie Magic

DROPSHOT TERMINAL...

Hook– Owner Mosquito Light (Size 2): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight– VMC Cylinder Weight (1/4 oz): https://bit.ly/43Lun2f

TUBE BAITS...

•Netbait STH Finesse Tube (Both Sizes): https://bit.ly/3zAsnf6

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Dark Melon Purple, Ten Point

•Savage Gear Goby Tube (3.5"): https://bit.ly/33QGXzy

Colors: Light Pumpkin Purp Silver, Green Pumpkin

TUBE HEADS...

Small Tubes– Blade Runner Inhaler Head: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Size: 1/8 oz with 1/0 Hook

Standard Tubes– Xzone 60 Degree Head: https://bit.ly/3jCHmR8

Size: 1/4 oz

ALABAMA RIGS...

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

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

MINI RIG COMPONENTS...

Heads– Matt Allen 1/8 oz Heads: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits– XZone Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Sizes: 3.5", 4"

Colors: Electric Shad, Dirty Shad

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

Colors: American Shad, Pure Gill

SPY BAITS...

•Duo Realis Spin Bait (3.5): https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Komochi Wakasagi

•Spro SpinJohn 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Matte Shad, Herring Pink

HAIR JIGS...

•Outkast Tackle Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black

SOFT SWIMBAITS...

•Megabass 3" Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze

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

Colors: Albino, Real, Baby Bass

•Keitech 3.8 Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Bass Candy, Yellow Magic, Electric Bluegill

SWIMBAIT HEADS...

•Tactical Finesse Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

•Tactical Underspin (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3JOd8UY

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

•Megabass Okashira Screwhead (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

BIG SWIMBAITS...

•GRatt Pistol Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: Guida's Citrus Shad, Gizzard Shad, Light Trout

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

Colors: MSS, White Back Shad, MB Gizzard

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

Colors: Light Shad, Sunny Shad, Blue Gizzard

JERKBAITS...

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

Colors: Matte Shad, Elegy Bone, Mat Skeleton Shad

•Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: Elegy Bone, GLX Northern Secret, Mat Shad

•Shimano World Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Fwg9F6

Colors: Clown, Chart Silver, Pink Smelt

FAVORITE JERKBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

DARK SLEEPER COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 "Dark Sleeper": https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line– Sunline 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

FAVORITE ULTRALIGHT SPINNING COMBO...

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

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

Line– Sunline Super FC (5 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

AFFORDABLE LIGHT SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Zodias 7'6" Light: https://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel– Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line– Sunline Super FC 6 lb: http://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 hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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

Power Fishing Tips For Spring! (Spinnerbait, Swimbait, And Micro Baits)

What an awesome day on the water!!! Come along as Matt throws everything from micro baits in clear water, to spinnerbaits and swimbaits for big bass in murky water. Spring bass fishing is all about adapting to changing conditions and today was a perfect example of how to do it!

When the guys get on a spinnerbait or swimbait bite you'd better look out! Both Matt and Tim love a shallow water power fishing bite and today the fish were lined up and waiting to bite once Matt located them! Pay attention to the details Matt lets slip about dialing in his spinnerbaits, as well as about dialing in Multi–use rods. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment Matt was using. We've included his favorite sizes and colors for each lure, as well as the rods he was using for these techniques. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

THE SMALL BAITS...

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

Colors: Kasumi Ito KS, HT Ito Wakasagi, HT Moroko KS

•Jackall Pikupiku: https://bit.ly/399wl59

Colors: Lively Wakasagi, Natural Ghost Wakasagi

•Megabass Vision 110 +1 Jr: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: Kasumi Ito, Mat Shad

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

Size: 1/8 oz

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

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

THE POWER FISHING BAITS...

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

Color: White Back Shad

•Megabass SV–3 Spinnebait: https://bit.ly/3lk1SD0

Size: 1/2 oz

Color: Ayu

•Gratt Pistol Pete Glide Bait: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Color: American Shad, Gizzard Shad

•Damiki TOT Spinnerbait: https://bit.ly/368VED0

Size: 3/8 oz

Color: Smelt Shad

Trailer: Xzone 4" Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Color: Electric Shad

MAGDRAFT COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

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

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate FC 20 lb: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

SPINNERBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Tournament 7'1" MH Fast: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

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

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate FC 16 lb: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

SMALL GLIDE COMBO...

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

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

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate FC 16 lb: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

KARASHI COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer "Baby Plugging": https://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

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

Line– Power Pro Braid (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader– Sunline Super FC 6 lb: http://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 hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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