Finesse Swimbait Tricks! Heads, Colors, Actions! **Underwater Footage**

Not all swimbaits are created equal! Today we're comparing how different swimbaits move in the water. We're looking at how different head styles impact action, and when each swimbait's movement style will help you catch more fish! 

Finesse swimbaits are awesome! They catch large numbers of fish, but they catch giants too! It wasn't long ago that there were only 2 styles of finesse swimbait on the market... today it can take up an entire row at your local shop. So what's the deal? Which baits should you be using? And does that answer change throughout the year? Let's find out!

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


SWIMBAIT HEADS...

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

Line Tie Angle: 30 Degree

Favorite Size: 3/8 oz


•Tactical Finesse Head: https://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Line Tie Angle: 30 Degree

Favorite Size: 3/8 oz


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

Line Tie Angle: 90 Degree

Favorite Sizes: 1/8 oz, 3/16 oz


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

Line Tie Angle: 30 Degree

Favorite Size: 3/8 oz


BLADED SWIMBAIT HEADS...

•Megabass Okashira Screw Head: https://bit.ly/2EpluSA

Favorite Size: 1/8 oz


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

Favorite Sizes: 1/8, 3/8 oz


SWIMBAITS (Most Subtle To Most Aggressive)...

•Keitech Easy Shiner: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Finesse Sizes: 3.5" and 4"

Favorite Colors: Electric Shad, Silver Flash Minnow, Tennessee Shad

Smallmouth Colors: Sungill, Electric Blue Chartreuse


•Storm Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Finesse Sizes: 3", 3.5"

Favorite Colors: Albino Shad, Sexy Shad


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

Finesse Sizes: 2.8, 3.3 

Favorite Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl


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

Finesse Sizes: 3.5", 4"

Favorite Colors: Electric Shad, Sexy Shad

Smallmouth Colors: Electric Blue Chart, Bluegill


WEEDLESS FINESSE SWIMBAIT...

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

Size: 1/2 or 3/4 oz

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze, Donko


FINESSE SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 902S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel– Shimano Stella FK 3000: https://bit.ly/38LaK2u

Line– Sunline SX1 (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader– Sunline Super FC (6 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


BAIT FINESSE COMBO...

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

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

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


CASTING COMBO FOR HEAVIER HEADS...

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

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

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


BUDGET FINESSE SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Daiwa Tatula 7'6" Med–Light Medium: https://bit.ly/3IHDDeU

Reel– Daiwa Fuego LT 2500 XH: https://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ

Line– Sunline Super FC (8 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

The TacticalBassin FINESSE Swimbait Head Is Here!!!

Announcing the TACTICALBASSIN FINESSE SWIMBAIT HEAD! This new head is designed to fill a huge void for bass fishermen. When heavy hooks are too much but you’re not looking for a micro hook either, the TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head is exactly what you’re searching for! This new head incorporates a medium wire 4/0 hook that pairs perfectly with 3 1/2 inch to 5 inch swimbaits and paddle tails.

Many companies offer tiny finesse heads and big heavy wire heads but few have heads that fit the middle (which is exactly where most fishermen are). For this project we partnered with Dirty Jigs Tackle and the already proven design of the Matt Allen Swimbait Head (see link below). We used the exact head shape (fantastic profile), same 30 degree line tie (destabilization to get more bites), and proven twin keeper system (single wire keeper paired with a lead collar keeper). By working from this already proven head design we were able to compare hooks and wire sizes with ease. It didn’t take long to find the perfect hook, a medium wire 4/0.

This 4/0 hook will land big fish with ease but won’t overpower smaller baits when a finesse approach is needed. The reduced wire size (as compared to the Matt Allen Swimbait Head) will also allow anglers to fish this head on lighter line and tackle, allowing for more bites in clear water finesse situations. If you loving throwing small swimbaits and paddle tails and need a hook to “do it all”, this is your hook!

If you’re in a big bass environment, especially around heavy cover, the Matt Allen Swimbait Head is your best bet. If you’re throwing micro swimbaits like a 2.8 keitech, a Guppy Head with its small 1/0 hook is a great match, but if you’re fishing anywhere in the middle, its time to try the TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head.

The Heads…

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Recommended Finesse Swimbaits…

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.8 - 4.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-River2Sea D Walker 100: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Megabass Spark Shad 4": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

-X Zone Lures Swammer 3.5" - 4": http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

-Basstrix Paddle Tail 4" - 5": http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR

-Strike King Rage Swimmer 3.75 - 4.75: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Favorite Combo For This Technique…

Rod- G Loomis GLX 843 MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch 150 MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

5 rods from highest price to most budget-minded that will work great for this technique…

-G Loomis NRX 853C JWR (7’1” MH): http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

-Dobyns Xtasy 7’2” Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

-Shimano Zodias 7’2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

-Shimano SLX 7’2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

-Daiwa Aird X 7’ Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2Z2JfYG

Finesse Heads Web.jpg

Adapting Swimbaits and Crankbaits To Changing Conditions and Giant Smallmouth

We're on an epic school of Smallmouth when the conditions start changing. We were catching them up to 7 lbs but when temperatures began to drop and flows diminished the fish shut down. What do you do now?

Watch how we adapt to the changing conditions by transitioning to heavier weights, deeper diving crankbaits, and a variety of other baits to continue catching the bass in this crazy video!

We had an awesome time catching these big smallmouth but the story is really about how we were able to continue catching fish as the conditions changed radically. Below is a break down of the equipment we were fishing with. 

What were we using? 

Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Keitech 4.8” Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
6” Basstrix Paddletail Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR
Megabass Deep X 300 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt
Strike King 6 XD Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2ery44M
Neko Worm: http://bit.ly/2o2O3LG
3 1/2" Tube: http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r
1/2 oz. Finesse Football Jig: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm
Yamamoto Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Matt's Crankbait Setup...
Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'6” Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
Hooks- Megabass Katsuage: http://bit.ly/2r9lUmI

Tim's Swimbait Setup...
Rod- G Loomis NRX 7'5" XH: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq
Reel- Shimano Antares: http://bit.ly/2ha2zNI
Line- 50 lb Sufix 832 Braid: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Reasonably Priced Swimbait combo for the average angler...
Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line- 50 lb Sufix 832 Braid: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Our favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Our favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero5 GoPro Camera: http://bit.ly/2iwZqqU
Brecknell Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Promar Net: http://bit.ly/2dh9xQP


Tacticalbassin Apparel: Email tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com

Bass Fishing For GIANT Smallmouth | Swimbaits, Crankbaits and 100 Mile Runs!

100 miles through floating debris fields, 44 degree temps, but the Smallmouth were chewing! Tim caught his 7 lber the evening before so no matter what was in front of us we were going to make it back for more!

The smallmouth were sitting on current seams and ledges in 5 to 18 feet of water. We used a combination of swimbaits and crankbaits to trigger the schools into feeding and then the slugfest began! This was one of the most viscious feeding sessions we've ever seen with smallmouth bass.

What were we using?

Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Keitech 4.8” Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

6” Basstrix Paddletail Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR

Megabass Deep X 300 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Strike King 6 XD Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

 

Matt's Crankbait Setup...

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'6” Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

Hooks- Megabass Katsuage: http://bit.ly/2r9lUmI

 

Tim's Swimbait Setup...

Rod- G Loomis NRX 7'5" XH: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

Reel- Shimano Antares: http://bit.ly/2ha2zNI

Line- 50 lb Sufix 832 Braid: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

 

Reasonably Priced Swimbait combo for the average angler...

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line- 50 lb Sufix 832 Braid: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

 

Tacticalbassin Apparel: Email

Music Credit - Pete Wilson @ www.northcoastsoundsystem.com