How To Catch Open Water Bass! (When Others Are Giving Up)

Yes, those really are bass busting in open water! And yes, you can catch them! So many anglers pass on these fish because they don't understand what the bass are doing out there, and they have no idea how to target them. Here's what you need to know...

Catching open water bass is an art form. Once you've got it figured out, you've conquered the last frontier of bass fishing and the sky is the limit! Some of the largest, most unpressured fish in our lakes roam the open water, especially in Fall. These giants are rarely caught but its not because it can't be done, its because anglers are afraid to try. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment we use for this fishing style. Again, the biggest tip is to use light line and smooth braid so you can cover more water effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

FINESSE SWIMBAITS... 

Bait- Storm 3" Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Colors: Albino Shad

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

Size: 3/16 oz, 3/0 Hook

Bait-Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head- Picasso Single Barrel: https://bit.ly/3py2s0v

Size: 1/4 oz, 2/0 Hook

SWIMBAIT... 

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

Colors: White Back Shad, MB Gizzard Shad

-Savage Gear 8" Trout RTF: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Dirty Silver, Trout, Kokanee

WAKEBAIT... 

-River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Colors: Rainbow Trout, Hitch, Tactical Shad

TOPWATER FRONT RUNNER... 

Main- River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Abalone Shad, Sooner

Front- PH Customs Phront Runner: https://bit.ly/3wJIdkH

Colors: Foil Black, Sexy Shad

TOPWATER... 

-Shower Blows 105 & 77: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Full Metal, Neon Wakasagi, Flash Silver Shad

-Lucky Craft Gunfish 117: https://bit.ly/3vy7Pln

Colors: Aurora Black, BP Golden Shiner

-Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Munky Butt, Phantom Shad

INLINE SPINNER... 

-Rooster Tail (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/3BkIfoc

Colors: White, Chrome White

SPY BAIT... 

-SPRO Spin John 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Matte Shad, Herring Pink

TAIL SPIN... 

-Jackall Deracoup (1 oz): http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Colors: Dera Shad, Silver

SPOON... 

-Blade Runner DUH (3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

Colors: UV Sierra, UV Morning Dawn

SMOOTH BRAIDED LINES... 

-Power Pro Super Slick: https://bit.ly/3vSwa6Z

Sizes: 15, 20, 30

-Sufix 131 G-Core: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Sizes: 6,10, 20, 30

-Sunline X Plasma Asegai: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Sizes: 12, 16, 18

TIM'S TOPWATER COMBO...

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

Reel- Daiwa Steez 70 CT SV TW: https://bit.ly/3esUZjg

Line- Sufix 131 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

TIM'S SMALL TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse 700: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Reel- Shimano Curado BFS (XG): https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (6 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

TIM'S FINESSE SWIMBAIT SPINNING COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3AFcaFF

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

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Sunline Super FC (8 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Power Pro Braid (15 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Fall Transition: Where Do Bass Go (And How To Catch Them)

Fall is fast approaching! If your fish are starting to disappear and you don't know why, you're not alone! As the nights get cooler the bass fishing changes almost over night. Bass transition toward their Fall patterns and many anglers are left wondering what happened. We're here to help! 

The Fall Transition comes much earlier than most anglers realize. Its not a slow progression either, in most situations, bass will begin their movements almost overnight. One day you're on an awesome topwater bite, the next you can't find a fish. When this happens its time to step back and look at what is motivating these fish to move. Whether you're targeting shallow bass or deep, the bass' next movement is motivated by the baitfish's location. As the bait begins to gather, so will the bass. 

If your fish are out deep, expect them to begin gathering on the best structures. Expect to find them on corners of creek channel bends, along long tapering points that break to deep water, and later you can expect them to transition toward the backs of deep coves. Shallow fish will abandon the scattered weeds in favor of thick weed clumps and hard structure. As the seasons progress these fish will begin bunching up along ambush points and pockets. 

Below is a breakdown of the gear we recommend using during these conditions. We've included rigging components where applicable and even included our favorite colors for each technique. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

CHATTERBAITS... 

Full Size- Jack Hammer Chatterbait 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

Trailer- Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 4.5: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Sexy Shad

Small Size- -ZMan Mini Max 3/8 oz: https://bit.ly/3tqztzi

Color: Bluegill

Trailer- Big Bite 3.75" Swim On: https://bit.ly/2NkSdPV

Color: Green Pump Chartreuse Swirl

SQUAREBILLS... 

-R2S Biggie (Poppa AND Smalls): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Abalone Shad

-Spro Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Colors: Matte Shad, Honey Shad

JERKBAITS... 

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

Colors: Elegy Bone, Tennessee Shad

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

Colors: Clown, Chart Silver, Black Silver

TOPWATER... 

-R2S Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Bone, Munky Butt

-Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/3JHJd08

Colors: Wagin Hasu, Ito Tennessee Shad

-Owner Cultiva Zip'N'Ziggy: https://bit.ly/3BTMLuh

Colors: Ivory Chartreuse, Brown Trout

CRANKBAITS... 

-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: True Shad, Mirrored Minnow, Northern Special

-Strike King 10XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Colors: Sexy Blue Back Herring, Sexy Shad

METAL BAITS... 

-Jackall Deracoup (3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Colors: Dera Shad, Silver

-Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad

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

Colors: Shattered Glass Holo Silver, Purple Threadfin

BUDGET JERKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

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

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" MH: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline FC 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- 13 Fishing Defy Black 6'7" Medium: https://bit.ly/32gzFnN

Reel- Origin F1 Casting Reel (8:1): https://bit.ly/3qD6hpc

Line- Power Pro Braid 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

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

Top 5 Baits For September Bass Fishing!

Bass are in transition in September. As water temperatures drop, the bass move to their Fall haunts and begin feeding heavily. If you're not paying attention to their movements the bite can be amazing one day and leave you scratching your head the next but with these baits you know you're showing them the right lures to keep catching fish. Throw them with confidence in likely locations to find success all month long!

September can be amazing topwater fishing! It can also be an amazing time to throw subsurface lures that imitate small baitfish. We spend very little time finesse fishing in September, instead leaning on fast moving, power fishing techniques to get consistent bites. The best part about September is that as you build patterns toward the end of the month, those patterns are likely to last all the way through the Fall and into the beginning of Winter. 

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

FROGS...

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2 65: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Colors: Little Allen, Ghost

-Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

WALKING BAITS... 

-Evergreen SB Shower Blows 105 and 77: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Bleeding White, Full Metal

-Lucky Craft Gunfish 117: https://bit.ly/3vy7Pln

Colors: Bone Shad, Chrome

POPPERS... 

-Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: Mat Shad, MB Gizzard, Gill 

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

Colors: Mat Shad, Wagin Hasu, Gill

CHATTERBAIT... 

Bait- Zman JackHammer Chatterbait (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

Trailer- Yamamoto Zako: http://bit.ly/2fKmSRp

Colors: Zako, Green Pumpkin

Bait- Zman Mini Max (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3tqztzi

Color: Gizzard Shad, Spot Remover

Trailer- Big Bite SwimOn (3.75): https://bit.ly/2NkSdPV

Color: Smoky Gold, Glow Silver

Bait- Jack Hammer Stealth Blade (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/30J8L8h

Color: Clearwater Shad, Spot Remover

Trailer- Storm Largo Shad (3"): https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Color: Sexy Shad, Albino Shad

UNDERSPIN... 

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

Color: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer (5/0): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Size: 1/4 oz

Bait- Storm Largo Shad (3"): https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Color: Sexy Shad, Albino Shad

Head- Gamakatsu Mini Underspin: https://bit.ly/3PbOduU

Size: 3/8 oz

CRANKBAIT... 

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

Color: Sexy Blue Back Herring, Sexy Shad

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: DD Minnow, Summer Minnow, True Shad

SPOON...

-Blade Runner Duh Spoon (1 3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/3cmtcAJ

Colors: UV Morning Dawn, UV Sierra

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

Colors: Shattered Glass Holo Silver

FLUKE... 

Bait- Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad

Hook- Gamakatsu Superline: https://bit.ly/3AmFDnK

Size: 4/0

BUDGET SPOON/UNDERSPIN/FLUKE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline FC (17 lb): http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- 13 Fishing Fate Black 7'1" Medium: https://bit.ly/3xSUZB3

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

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

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" MH: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

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

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

4 Bass Fishing Mistakes We All Make Right Now! (And How To Change Them)

We all make the same mistakes! Learn from ours, so you can catch more fish! Late Summer and the Early Fall transition can be a complicated time to fish for bass. Its even more complicated if you fall into these common pitfalls! Instead of making the same mistakes over and over, here are some key tips to help you catch way more fish on your next trip!

We love to focus on the positive, so while this video is about mistakes; its also full of solutions. Focus on covering water with finesse baits or going big with large swimbaits. Avoid the mid-sized baits unless you're trying a unique bait that other guys aren't throwing. There are some very simple ways to catch fish as we approach the Fall transition, you just need to recognize what's happening and adapt accordingly. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits we're discussing in the video. We've included our favorite heads and rigging components where applicable, along with some budget-friendly gear to help you catch more fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

FINESSE BAITS... 

Bait- Storm 3" Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Colors: Sexy Shad, Albino Shad, Tennessee Shad

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

Size: 3/16 oz, 3/0 Hook

Bait- Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head- Gamakatsu Underspin Mini: https://bit.ly/3PbOduU

Size: 3/16 oz, Size 1 Hook

BIG BAITS... 

-River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Colors: Tactical Shad, Copper Carp, Chrome Gill

-GRatt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: Hitch, Gizzard Shad, John Pearl Hitch

JIGS... 

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig (7/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

Colors: Supermat Brown, Alabama Craw, Green Pumpkin Craw

Trailer- Yamamoto 5" Double Tail: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blk Flake

Jig- Dirty Jigs Compact Pitchin (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2hAIyCV

Colors: Canterbury Craw, Green Pumpkin Craw

Trailer- Yamamoto 5" Double Tail: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple and Copper Flake

UNIQUE SOFT PLASTICS... 

Bait- Jackall 3.8" Honey Nugget: https://bit.ly/3Qd04dL

Colors: Zarigani, Smoke Light Green Pumpkin Blue

Hook- Owner All Purpose Soft Bait (4/0): https://bit.ly/2QbbdRW

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Casting (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/37AVcrx

Bait- Deps 3.5" Cover Scat: https://bit.ly/3dj8LVl

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Seed, Blue Melon

Hook- Gamakatsu 4/0 Superline: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

BUDGET FINESSE SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano Sahara FJ 2500: https://bit.ly/2XhhM43

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

BUDGET BIG BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Savage Gear Squad 8' Heavy: https://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

Reel- 13 Fishing Concept A3: https://bit.ly/3GLddq8

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

BUDGET ALL-AROUND COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Power Pro Braid (40 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

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