Where Do Bass Go In Summer ?! (And How We Catch Them)

Summer bass fishing is amazing! As temperatures rise, bass become very predictable. They're driven by 3 main variables, and once you understand these simple concepts, you can always find fish. Once you know where they are, catching them is easy! Even when Summer temperatures are at their peak, you can catch fish consistently.

For those that don't know where to start the search, Summer bass fishing seems tough. Here's what you need to know... Since the spawn, the bass have separated into two distinct groups. The first group goes shallow into cover and the second heads out to main lake structures. The shallow fish are fun because you can target them with a variety of power fishing techniques. The fish on outside structures group up around current when available and hard bottom when the water is calm. These fish can be caught on a variety of lures and tend to feed in aggressive "bite windows".

Below you'll find links to the key baits we discussed in the video. We've also included details on size and color for each lure, as well as some great budget-friendly rod and reel combos for fishing these baits affectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.

TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

TOPWATER...

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

Colors: Spotlight Shad, Juvy Gill

•Whopper Plopper 110: https://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Phantom Shad, Loon

•Swamp Lord Frog: https://bit.ly/3MAFQum

Colors: Maverick, MF Bluegill, Burnt Bone

•Shimano World Pop: https://bit.ly/3sSjJpI

Colors: N Smelt, T Smelt

DROPSHOT WORM...

•Berkley Lab Series Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/4f3qxtm

Colors: Obsidian Black, Tactical

FLIPPING...

Bait– MissileBaits DBomb: https://bit.ly/2d2dVlt

Colors: Bruiser Phantom, Bruiser Flash, Super Bug

Hook– Owner Haymaker (4/0): https://bit.ly/3Muie8j

Weight– VMC Tungsten (1.5 oz): https://bit.ly/3G0WGCg

WOBBLE HEAD...

•Xzone Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors: Junebug, TW Dark Junebug, Tilapia

•Dirty Jigs Pivot Point Football: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Sizes: 1/2 oz 4/0, 3/4 oz 5/0

OFFSHORE BAITS...

•Rapala DT 20 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/3JmnnR3

Colors: Green Gizzard Shad

•Nichols Flutter Spoon: https://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Colors: Shattered Glass Holo Silver, Purple Threadfin

BIG WORMS AND SHAKY HEAD...

•Xzone MB Fat Finesse: https://bit.ly/4lSgfx4

Colors: Junebug, Green Pumpkin Junebug

•Xzone 11" Blitz Worm: https://bit.ly/422SaJA

Colors: Junebug, Plum, Green Pumpkin

•Dirty Jigs Canterbury Shaky Head: https://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Size: 1/8 oz

SWIM JIG...

•Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

Size: 3/4 oz

Favorite Colors: Tactical Shad, Alabama Bream, Crappie

•Nomad 5" Dozer: https://bit.ly/4cciSpA

Color: Astro, Sandy Pearl

CHATTERBAIT...

•Zman 1/2 oz Evo Elite Chatterbait: https://bit.ly/3OAGB8y

Color: Alabama Bream

•Hog Farmer 4.5" Spunk Shad: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: TW Sunfish Magic

SOFT JERKBAIT...

•XZone 5" Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/3IpMKQo

Colors: Electric Shad, Baby Bass, Pro Blue Red Pearl

•BKK Offset Worm HD: https://bit.ly/4lcHa6U

Size: 3/0

BUDGET WOBBLE HEAD/JIG COMBO...

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

Reel– Seviin GF (7.3:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

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

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO...

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

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 Pro: https://bit.ly/3QKCQOG

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

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BUDGET SHAKY SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Fast (703): https://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Reel– Daiwa Fuego LT 2000: https://bit.ly/488CsQb

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

BUDGET FROG/SWIM JIG FISHING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line– Power Pro Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

4 Tricks That Get Bass To Bite In Early Summer! ( Ft. Adam Hinkle – Tactical Family )

We're jumping in the boat with Adam Hinkle (member of the Tactical Family) for an awesome day on the water! He's targeting bass on one of California's toughest lakes, and he's using some really surprising techniques. This is a great reminder that bass can be caught on a variety of baits, even in the toughest conditions.

We expected Adam to turn to finesse presentations to get bit after listening to his description of the lake. He did do some drop shotting, but most of his fish came while power fishing the shallows. He caught his biggest fish on a large topwater swimbait before ultimately dialing in a shallow crankbait bite. This was a great reminder that while fishing may be tough, there are plenty of techniques that continue to catch fish.

Below you'll find links to the baits and gear he used throughout the day. We've also included some great budget–friendly combos that work effectively for each of these techniques. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

THE KARASHI...

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

Colors: Juvy Gill

DROPSHOT...

Worm– Roboworm 6" Straight Tail: https://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Colors: Purple Weenie

Other Great Colors: Aarons Magic, Watermelon Magic, Baby Bluegill

Hook– Roboworm Rebarb: https://bit.ly/4uFwcdk

Size: 1/0 Hook

Weight– Xzone Tungsten: https://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Size: 3/16 oz

CRANKBAIT...

•Berkley Frittside 5: https://bit.ly/4hcwfXJ

Color: HD Bluegill

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Black Bass 7'4" Medium Hvy Mod: https://bit.ly/41ntbDB

Reel– Seviin GF Series (7:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

BUDGET DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Element Z2 7'1" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/47GAOVA

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

Line– Sunline Super FC 8 lb: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

ALL AROUND CASTING COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 733C 7'3" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 Pro: https://bit.ly/4pGZ4Az

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

ALL AROUND 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

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 " MUST HAVE " Baits For Early Summer Bass Fishing!

Jump in the boat with Matt and his dad for a fun day on the water! They're keeping it simple, focusing on key patterns and enjoying the day together. It doesn't take long before the fish start getting bigger, the patterns branch out, and the real fun begins!

The duo quickly built a pattern throwing the new "Tactical Shad" and "Tactical Twilight" senkos that Matt and Tim designed in collaboration with Yamamoto. Once the pattern is established, Matt begins mixing it up in search of more and bigger bass. While the best fish of the day all came on senkos, there were two other key patterns that have been proven producers this time of year.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt and his dad used throughout the day. They've included bait colors, terminal components, as well as the rod and reel combos that helped them land their fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can find detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICALBASSIN MERCH...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

SENKO LAUNCH VIDEO...

Tactical Senko Announcement Video: https://youtu.be/xkcAMPmtbWk

THE SENKOS...

•Yamamoto 5" Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Tactical Shad, Tactical Twilight

Wacky Hook– Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap: https://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Size: 1/0

Texas Hook– Gamakatsu Superline EWG: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 2/0

SOFT JERKBAITS...

•Megabass Sling Shad: https://bit.ly/41tgaaT

Color: Tinsel Brown

•Xzone 5" Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/3IpMKQo

Color: Gizzard Shad

•Gamakatsu Superline EWG: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 3/0

THE KARASHI...

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

Colors: See Through Shad, Juvy Gill

MATT'S SENKO COMBO...

Rod– Daiwa Steez AGS 6'9" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3RhFit1

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

Line– Seaguar InvizX (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

DALE'S SENKO COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Poison Ultima 7'4" Med Light: https://bit.ly/3uDBhcY

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

Line– Sunline SX1 Braid (16 lb): https://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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

SOFT JERKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 6'8" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon MG LTX: https://bit.ly/40ltb6s

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

KARASHI COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Destroyer Evoluzion: https://bit.ly/4oXDY0A

Model: Expada

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

NEW Tactical Senko Colors! TacticalBassin's Latest Lure Collaboration!!

We're thrilled to announce the release of two new Yamamoto Senko colors! "Tactical Shad" and "Tactical Twilight" were designed by Matt and Tim, in collaboration with Yamamoto, to provide natural options for a variety of water clarities. The guys were asked if they'd like to develop a limited run custom color, but in true TacticalBassin fashion one became two, and the rest is history!

Tactical Shad is a natural–toned senko designed with clearer water and finesse conditions in mind. Leaning on Tim's years of experience on highland reservoirs, this senko combines shad tones with modern flake and glitter, to bring amazing color–shifting tones without over powering the bait. One color in the hand, another in the water, you have to see it in person to fully grasp its potential.

Tactical Twilight is designed around a Black and Blue base, but without any of the exaggerated tones. By pulsing a very natural, non-intrusive blue, this bait has an incredible range of effectiveness. It has the right blend of color, with faint hints of red and purple flake, to fool the wariest fish, with almost unlimited applications. From clear water to stained, this bait gets big bites when other colors fall away.

Below you'll find links to the Senkos, as well as to all of our favorite rigging components. We've also included links to some of our favorite rod and reel combos for fishing senkos effectively, as well as a link to the video where Tim catches a GIANT largemouth on the "Tactical Shad" color. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

YAMAMOTO SENKO...

•Yamamoto 5" Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Tactical Shad, Tactical Twlight

FAVORITE HOOKS BY RIGGING...

Wacky – Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap (1/0): https://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Texas Rig (Matt)– Gamakatsu Superline EWG (2/0): https://bit.ly/4bbBuDW

Texas Rig (Tim)– Gamakatsu Superline Offset (3/0): https://bit.ly/4l2QhGL

Neko Rig– Owner Sniper Finesse (Size 2): https://bit.ly/2kfdv37

RELATED VIDEOS...

•Tim's Big Bass On Tactical Shad Senko: https://youtu.be/PnLkDaLGKSA

TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

TIM'S WACKY RIG (SPINNING) COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR: https://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel– Shimano Vanquish 3000: https://bit.ly/4sAmR5X

Line– Sunline SX1 12 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader– Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

MATT'S TEXAS RIG (CASTING) COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 7'2" Medium Heavy (723): https://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Reel– Daiwa Steez A 100: https://bit.ly/489D4rb

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

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (15 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

BUDGET FRIENDLY SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium: https://bit.ly/3xi0ren

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

Line– Sunline Super FC 8 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET FRIENDLY CASTING COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 Pro: https://bit.ly/4pGZ4Az

Line– Seaguar InvizX (12 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