Spring Topwater Tricks To Get Topwater Strikes Right Now!

Bass eat topwater baits long before most fisherman consider using them. If you’re waiting for hot weather you’re missing one of the best topwater bites of the year! You need to start now because most of the giant bass that get caught on topwater are caught early in the season. Of course, you’ll need to adapt your technique a bit to account for the cooler conditions, but that’s what we’re here for. 

Consistent topwater action during the cool spring months requires patience. You’ll need to fish slower than you’re used to, and you’ll be targeting a smaller percentage of fish than you would be in Summer. However, that smaller segment includes a lot of the biggest bass in the lake. This bite has a lot more to do with cadence and speed of retrieve than it does water temperature. Don’t get hung up on a certain water temperature, instead, be cognizant that if you’ve been able to wear a T-shirt in the afternoon in the past week or two, the topwater bite has potential. These fish are sitting extremely shallow so they’re able to find warm water pockets, even when the main lake remains cool. 

Again, the key is speed. Focus on baits that cover a lot of water (side to side) while moving slowly toward the boat. Walking baits, poppers, and frogs, are all great options. Additionally, baits like a buzz bait (with some adaptations) and a whopper plopper are also great options. Below you’ll find links to the EXACT baits that we use from each category, including our favorite colors for each model. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Poppers… 

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

Colors: Matte Shad, MB Gizzard, Gill

-Lobina Rio Rico: http://bit.ly/2f7gink

Colors: Tennessee Shad, Lightning Shad

-Yellow Magic: http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Smoke Shad, Bone

-Damiki D Pop 70: http://bit.ly/2Pjvqo3

Colors: Phantom, Spayu

Walking Baits… 

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

Colors: Bone, Sooner

-Teckel KickKnocker: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

Colors: Chart Shiner, Vanilla Ice

-Evergreen Shower Blows 125: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: American Shad, Bone, Half Mirror Wakasagi

Ploppers… 

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

Colors: Munky Butt, 

-Whopper Plopper 90: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Munky Butt, Bone, Phantom Shad

Plopper Mods...

Swivel- Spro Power Swivel (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2ay0p7d

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire #3 or #4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Buzzbaits… 

Double Buzz- D&M Double Hammer: http://bit.ly/29W2t9z

Colors: Black Widow, Bluegill

Single Buzz- D&M Easy Roller: https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

Colors: Red Bug, White Shad

Frogs... 

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

Colors: Little Allen, Ghost

-Spro Bronzeye 65: http://bit.ly/2sz9Qje

Colors: Killer Gill, Nasty Shad

-Jackall Gavacho: http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Colors: Gold Gill, White, Chart Strike Gill

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

Colors: White, Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

-Scum Frog Launch Frog: https://bit.ly/3rOYQIF

Colors: Bluegill, Shad, Dusk

Popper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL K: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

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

Walking Bait/Whopper Plopper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

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

Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

Budget Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX Casting: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Power Pro Braided Line 30 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

Catching BIG Bass In TOUGH Conditions! 30 lbs For 5 Bass!!!

With a 40 degree temperature drop most anglers would just stay home. But we're clear down in Texas and a cold snap won't keep us down! Come along for a day on the water as we adapt to the changing weather and dial in a pattern for BIG Bass, no matter what the weather throws our way! 

Its simple to catch big bass when everything is in your favor. When the sun is shining, you've got a breeze on the water, and the fish are up shallow, it can be downright easy. But what do you do when it starts to fall apart? We're 19 hours from home on Lake Falcon in South Texas. The day time temperatures were hovering around 100 degrees and suddenly plunged to 60. To make things worse, the wind blew 40+ mph overnight. We have 1 day of experience on the lake, no idea how these fish adapt to these conditions, but that's not going to stop us!

With modern electronics and some tenacity, even brutal conditions are no match. The key in this scenario was to slow down. Two days prior we had been on a great bite with a wobble head and a 10" ribbon tail worm. We stuck to the same basic pattern, downsized a bit, and focused on key offshore structures (the largest rock piles we could find) and caught a ton of big fish on a day when most bass fishermen would have preferred to stay home. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment we were using. We've included the key colors to help you dial in your fishery the next time you're faced with a tough bite. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of the items. 

Squarebill Crankbait... 

Crank- River2Sea Biggie Poppa (Abalone Shad): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Hook Upgrade- VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble (Size 3): http://bit.ly/2oqWODi

Wobble Head... 

Head- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Size: 1/2 oz with 4/0 Hook

Bait- Strike King Rage Bug (Junebug): http://bit.ly/2aAsuiV

Shaky Head... 

Head- Canterbury Shaky Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Bait- Culprit 7.5" Curly Tail Worm (Junebug): https://bit.ly/3v1ii6Z

Texas Rigged Worm... 

Bait- Zoom Ol Monster 10.5": http://bit.ly/2adPtjs

Colors: Junebug, Junebug Red, Candy Bug

Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap 5/0: http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Vader Flipping: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Sizes: 1/4 - 3/8 oz

Tim's Big Worm Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'6" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

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

Leader- Sunline Super FC Sniper 25 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Matt's Shakey Head Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

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

Matt's Travel Rod Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Triza Stym Palisades: https://bit.ly/2Glg3au

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: 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

5 Sight Fishing Mistakes You Need To Avoid! (Spring Bass Fishing)

Bass are spawning around the country and every boat on the lake has a white jig tied on. Guys are prowling the shallows in search of big bed fish and really, who can blame them? This is a great time of year to catch a giant bass, the issue is that most anglers are going about it completely wrong. If you get frustrated when bed fishing season comes, this video is for you!

Fishing for spawning bass is a hot button issue. We're not jumping into the debate today, instead we're encouraging anglers to do it properly. We want you to have the tools you need to be successful, and the knowledge to know how to treat the fish properly when you catch them. The list of mistakes anglers make when targeting spawning bass is endless! Today we're only covering the top 5 and its still a full-length video. 

From choosing the right lense color for your glasses, to boat positioning, to subtle colors that get more bites, we've got you covered. Below you'll find links to all of the gear Matt discussed in the video. We've included the exact colors, weights, etc, to help you make the best decision possible. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Sunglasses... 

-Eye Surrender TacticalBassin Sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl

Lense Colors: Amber (Clear Water), Copper (Suspended Particles)

Dropshot Bait (Underwater) In The Intro... 

STH Crush Worm 3": https://bit.ly/3s5BcIn

Color: Naked Perch

Main Dropshot Worm... 

Bait- Big Bite Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Grn Pump Org Blk Purp Prl Bl, Chart/White Lam

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2V2B63h

Ned Rig... 

Bait- Savage 3" Salamander: https://bit.ly/3rSNi8g

Color: Mojito

Head- Swagger Tungsten Flanders (1/10 oz): http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Creature Baits... 

-Netbait Baby Paca Craw (Magic Craw): http://bit.ly/2wlVAfh

-Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver (Magic Craw Swirl): http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

-Big Bite Baits BFE (Tilapia): https://bit.ly/2Ce0tf7

-Big Bite Flying Squirrel (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/2sn1FaT

Exposed Hook Jigheads... 

Ball Head- Owner Round Head (1/4 oz): https://bit.ly/2QmFmxU

Football Head- Owner Ultra Football (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2t1bY4y

Jigs and Trailers... 

Jig- Dirty Jigs Pitchin Jig: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

Colors: Magic Craw, Warmouth, Bluegill 

Trailer #1- Netbait Paca Chunk (Magic Craw): http://bit.ly/2d8mIXx

Trailer #2- Big Bite Double Tail (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/2qS1YtE

Bluegill Swimbaits...

-Savage Gear PulseTail Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

-Savage Gear Line Through Bluegill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

-Mattlures Hammer Tail Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

Matt's Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7' Light+: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Twin Power 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

line- Power Pro Braided 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Matt's Jig Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Levante Braillist: http://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

Leader- 20 lb Sunline FC100 Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Dropshot/Ned Rig Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium: http://bit.ly/2r69Sj6

Reel- Shimano Nasci 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Sniper 7 lb Fluorocarbon: 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

Bass Fishing With BIG Plastic Worms! Texas Bass Fishing On Falcon Lake!

Today we're catching BIG bass on Lake Falcon in Texas! The bass are already moving offshore in this part of the country and we're catching them on big worms and creature baits. Come along as we explore one of the most unique lakes in the US (and Mexico) and catch some big bass along the way!

When we got to the lake we were shocked to find it was more than 40 feet low. Only one boat ramp was open and the water was a dirty brown color. This may have deterred other anglers but we know that low water can mean huge congregations of fish on offshore structure. We weren't disappointed! 

If you've never been to this part of the country, its worth a visit. The town of Zapata on the shores of Lake Falcon is home to several tackle shops. Its a step back in time to the heart of bass fishing and a place where anglers don't even bat an eye when talk of double digit fish comes up. 

The vast majority of today's fish were caught on soft plastics. Below you'll find links to all the different baits we were throwing, the exact trailers, colors, rigging, etc. We've also included some of our favorite combos that we used throughout the course of the day. 

Plastic Worms... 

-Zoom Ol' Monster: http://bit.ly/2adPtjs

Color: Junebug, Junebug Red, Candy Bug

-Netbait T-Mac 6.5": http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Color: JuneBug

Today's Creature Baits... 

-Zoom Z-Craw (Standard): http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

Colors: Junebug, BlackLight

-Strike King Rage Bug: http://bit.ly/2aAsuiV

Colors: Junebug

-Zoom Magnum Ultravibe Speed Craw: https://bit.ly/3fTGlQQ

Colors: Junebug

Other Great Baits Available In Junebug... 

-Zoom Super Speed Craw: https://bit.ly/3cZOMby

-Netbait Paca Slim 4": http://bit.ly/2M5cuGF

-Netbait C-Mac Curtly Tail 11" Worm: https://bit.ly/2OxtIzR

-Strike King Magnum Rage Bug: https://bit.ly/3fX4O7U

-Keitech Mad Wag Long 11" Worm: https://bit.ly/3dkFMLl 

Texas-Rigging... 

Tim's Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap 5/0: http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Matt's Hook- Owner All Purpose 5/0: https://bit.ly/2QbbdRW

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Vader 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Peg- VMC Sinker Stops: https://bit.ly/38XLQd4

Other Rigging... 

Wobble Head- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Sizes: 1/2 oz 4/0 for Rage Bug, 3/4 oz 5/0 for Z-Craw

Shaky Head- Dirty Jigs Canterbury 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Chatterbait...

Bait- Evergreen JackHammer 1/2 oz (Hites Hot Craw): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Trailer- Yamamoto Kickin Zako (Green Pumpkin): https://bit.ly/3fPRQsF

Tim's Texas Rig Combo...

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'6" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

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

Leader- Sunline Super FC Sniper 25 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Matt's Travel Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Triza Stym Palisades: https://bit.ly/2Glg3au

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Matt's Favorite Wobble Head Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: 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