Does Technology Help You Catch More Fish? Humminbird Mega 360

Live Imaging, Side Imaging, Down Imaging, Sonar, 360... there are so many options! Do you really need all this technology?! How do you choose between them? Does all this tech really help you catch more fish? Today we're taking an in-depth look at Humminbird's Mega 360 Imaging!

We've had 360 imaging on our boats for several years, and mega 360 for the past year. We've spent countless hours using the technology before we voiced our opinions. To answer the initial question, you can catch fish without ANY technology at all. However, understanding and applying these new tools to your fishing will absolutely lead to more fish catches. Mega 360 imaging is an incredible tool and one we will continue to use for many years to come. 

Are you wondering why we aren't talking about LIVE imaging yet? We will! We need more time to test this technology so we can speak with authority, rather than speculation. However, we can already say with confidence that if your budget allows, live sonar technologies and 360 imaging complement each other incredibly well. One is remarkable at identifying structure and fish positioning around structure, while the other is remarkable at helping you trigger strikes while watching the fish interact with your lure.  

360 SETTING RECOMMENDATIONS...

Sensitivity: 12 

Contrast: 14

Range: 55ft

Speed: 4

TIPS TO DIAL IN YOUR 360 IMAGING... 

-Keep your range rings turned on at all times. 

-Remember your boat icon is not to scale and adjust your cast accordingly. 

-Your clearest picture will be when the boat is stationary.

-Signal readout: brighter readouts are harder bottom than dull readouts.

-Watching the shadow behind a structure will give a clearer picture of what you're seeing. 

-The slower the unit's speed, the clearer the picture. However, you'll have a longer delay between 

 real time and what you're seeing.  

360 IMAGING...

-Humminbird Mega 360 Imaging: https://bit.ly/3oUt7oO

TIM'S DAILY ELECTRONICS... 

Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW

Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY

Anchors- Minn Kota 10' Raptor: https://bit.ly/3iMUrEJ

360- Humminbird Mega 360 Imaging: https://bit.ly/3oUt7oO

LIVE IMAGING... 

-Humminbird Mega Live (BackOrder Available): https://bit.ly/2VXoaC7

-Garmin Panoptix LiveScope System: https://bit.ly/3smfocM

-Lowrance Active Target Sonar: https://bit.ly/37Lcox8

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

The EASIEST Way To Catch MORE BASS!! Chatterbait, Spinnerbait, Crankbait Trick!

Matt catches a ton of fish while demonstrating how the early morning hours can be incredible with a spinnerbait, lipless crankbait, and chatterbait. He teaches as he goes so you can learn to use these baits as a system to maximize your time while bass are moved up for the shad spawn, and he does it all before breakfast! Come along for the chaos and see how easy it really is to catch fish after the spawn!

In the early morning hours the bass are patrolling shallow water in schools, searching for a meal. Any of these lures can catch those fish but there is a trick! By hitting the fish in quick succession and switching quickly between pre-rigged baits, you can keep a school of aggressive fish fired up for long periods of time. The key is continued action... if you let up, the fish will quit. 

This method works for small fish, big fish, and huge numbers of fish. If you're not getting out early and targeting schooling bass, you're missing some of the most intense action of the year! Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt was using. He's also included some of his other favorites, his favorite colors, and the gear he was using to fish the baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Spinnerbaits... 

Bait #1- Terminator P1 Pro Series 3/8 oz: https://bit.ly/36B34vN

Color: Silver Shiner

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

Color: Electric Shad

Bait#2- River2Sea Bling 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2diSwqq

Color: Abalone Shad

Trailer- Storm Largo Shad 4": https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Color: Albino

Lipless Crankbait... 

Bait- Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Color: RT Scale Minnow

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu EWG Size 4: http://bit.ly/2dmxXK8

Chatterbait... 

Bait- Z Man Evergreen Jackhammer 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Spot Remover

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

Color: Blue Gizzard

Other Great Shad Spawn Spinnerbaits... 

-Megabass SV-3 Spinnerbait: https://bit.ly/3lk1SD0

Colors: Hasu, Wakasagi

- Damiki TOT Spinnerbait: http://bit.ly/38cxmD6

Colors: Smelt Shad, Sharp Belly

-War Eagle Nickel Screamin Eagle: http://bit.ly/2w5zoor

Colors: Blue Shad, Silver Shiner

Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro Lipless 855C: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K (HG): http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

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

Shimano Spinnerbait Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

St. Croix Spinnerbait Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'3" Medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- 13 Fishing 7:1 Concept C2: https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

Line- Sufix 131 Braided Line 40 lb: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

Chatterbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis 883C Bladed Jig: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Jet Boat Rigging... 

-Humminbird Helix 9: https://bit.ly/35OP5Sm

-Minn Kota Ultrex 80 lb 45" Shaft: http://bit.ly/2NPTY6c

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

Pond Fishing For Bass: 5 Tips To Catch More Fish!

Tim has spent more than 30 years fishing ponds for bass! He grew up in the country, fishing every pond he could find. Over the years he's developed a handful of confidence baits that he relies on to consistently catch fish. He also has a method of covering water to quickly determine if a pond is worth continuing to fish. 

The 3 factors Tim takes into consideration when approaching a new pond are... water clarity, types and quantity of vegetation (grass), and what kind of dam the pond has. With these 3 questions answered he can quickly assess what type of pond this is and exactly how fish should be positioning. As a general rule of thumb, you should start your search near the dam, along the edges of the deepest water. 

When approaching a new pond Tim uses a "top down" approach. He begins with topwater, then switches to reaction baits, then bottom contact, then finally to a weightless presentation. This stepped method allows him to quickly identify the overall mood of the pond, the quality and quantity of fish in the pond, and whether or not this is somewhere he should continue to fish in the future. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and presentations he recommends using for this method. We've included links to the exact baits, including colors, sizes, and best rigging components. We've also included some great budget rod and reel combos for pond fishing. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Topwater... 

-Whopper Plopper (75 or 90): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Bluegill, Munky Butt, Loon

-Spro Bronzeye Poppin Frog 60: http://bit.ly/2hKsO0g

Colors: Sunfish, Killer Gill, Leopard

-Zoom Horny Toad: http://bit.ly/2aY5lBt

Colors: White, Bullfrog, Green Pumpkin Pearl

Swimbait... 

Bait- Keitech 4.3"-4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: SunGill, Copperfield

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

Style: Gold Colorado Blade

Soft jerkbait...  

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Baby Bass

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

Creature Bait... 

Bait- Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig: http://bit.ly/2s51oIV

Colors: Flora Bama, Magic Craw Red

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Vader 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Hook- Owner Offset Shank 2/0: http://bit.ly/2D9Pmj0

Senko... 

Bait- Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Electric Shad, Baby Bass

Hook- Owner Twist Lock 2/0: http://bit.ly/2ZlkuLl

Glide Bait... 

S-Waver 168 (Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Budget-Friendly Combo (Frog/Flashy Swimmer/Glide)... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Budget-Friendly Combo (Soft Jerkbait/Creature/Senko)... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

Budget Topwater Combo... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro 30 lb Braid: 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

How To Find Fish On Any Lake! (Beginner to Advanced Maps and Electronics)

Its easy! You can find fish on ANY lake with these simple tricks! Its all about eliminating water quickly and searching for high percentage water. Come along as we look at the fastest way to find fish with a lake map, then take an in-depth look at how to break down a lake with advanced sonar mapping. 

Step one to breaking down any lake is deciding if you want a short term breakdown or an in-depth breakdown. If the goal is short term (day or weekend trip, week long vacation, etc) then the goal is to locate the single spot on the lake that has the highest odds of holding fish and focusing all of your attention in that one area. If your goal is to truly understand a lake (long term, in-depth) we'll divide the lake into sections and begin building repeatable patterns. 

The key to breaking down any lake is quality mapping. Whether you accomplish this with high end electronics, a map card, or a quality paper map, just depends on how much time you want to put in to the project. Below are links to the equipment we use, the most reliable map cards on the market, and the best paper maps of the most popular lakes around the country. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Related Videos... 

Google Earth Video- https://youtu.be/_ZgGGBWbyEs

How To Read Lake Maps Video (Circa 2011): https://youtu.be/Xo5ADb6Tgoc

Fishing Chickamauga in 2019 Video- https://youtu.be/gvBwBkjlwmA

Paper Maps... 

-Fishing Hotspots Maps: https://bit.ly/2FgBWHi

-Fish-N-Maps: https://bit.ly/2QXY5gt

Map Cards... 

-LakeMaster Plus Digital Charts (What we use): http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

-Navionics Hot Maps: http://bit.ly/2ZitTiR

Our Electronics... 

-Humminbird Solix 12 G2: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

-Humminbird Solix 15 G2: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G