Free Rig Fishing For Bass! Tips And Tricks + Underwater Footage!!

Have you tried the "Free Rig" yet? This rig plays off the traditional Texas rig and will give your bait more freedom, allow for slower falls, and catches a ton of fish this time of year! If you haven't tried the Free Rig, this is the right time of year to experiment with it. It's a fish catcher and it's here to stay!

The Free Rig isn't new, but is continuing to gain popularity, especially as grass begins dying back in the Fall. This rig shines around hard cover and will produce long after bass have become leery of traditional presentations. The benefit of this rig is it allows your bait to fall very slowly, while still keeping great contact with the bottom.

Below you'll find links to Tim's favorite baits for free rigging, along with the gear he uses to fish them effectively. We've also included our favorite colors for each bait to help you get started. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

CREATURE BAITS...

•XZone Adrenaline Craw Jr (3.5"): https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors: Tilapia, Green Pumpkin Blk Flake

•Rapala Crush City Bronco Bug: https://bit.ly/4aUfkGv

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blue, Black Blue/Green Pumpkin

•OSP DoLive Beaver: https://bit.ly/3ECnepu

Colors: Green Pumpkin Pepper, Watermelon Pepper

SHAD PROFILES...

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

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

•Zoom Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Electric Shad, Albino

•GeeCrack Bellows Shad: https://bit.ly/3E4zVdl

Colors: Electric Shad, AJ's Juice

GILL PROFILES...

•GeeCrack Bellow Gill: https://bit.ly/3PUJgbL

Colors: TW Zapata Gill, Green Pumpkin Blue

•Deps 3.8" Bull Flat: https://bit.ly/3Ey9Jr6

Colors: TW Black Blue Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Blue

BAIT FINESSE CREATURE...

•Xzone Stealth Finesse Creature: https://bit.ly/3M0BXOU

Colors: Green Pumpkin/Black Blue

RIGGING COMPONENTS...

Bait Finesse Hook– BKK Basilisk Hook: https://bit.ly/3ZRtt1M

Size: 1/0

Light Wire Hook– Hayabusa Round Bend: https://bit.ly/3Zbo8Ty

Sizes: 2/0 for small profiles, 4/0 for large

Medium Wire Hook– Hayabusa HD Round Bend: https://bit.ly/3EzvYwE

Sizes: 2/0 for small profiles, 4/0 for large

Heavy Wire Hook– Owner Cover Shot HD: https://bit.ly/36Gunbf

Size: 3/0

Heavy Weight– Reins Heavy Tungsten: https://bit.ly/47iSN4V

Size: 1/2 oz

Light Weight– Zappu Pinfree Shot Tungsten: https://bit.ly/48750Kw

Size: 1/8 - 1/4 oz

TIM'S FAVORITE COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

TIM'S HEAVY COVER COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 7'6" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

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

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

BAIT FINESSE COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'8" Light: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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 hats and hoodies! It's all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...

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

Soft Jerkbait Tricks You Need To Try!

The Fluke is one of the best bass fishing lures of all time! You can fish a soft jerkbait quickly as a topwater, twitch it as a jerkbait, slow fish it like a weightless worm, and even Carolina rig it! The soft jerkbait's ability to adapt puts it in a category of its own, and it deserves to be in every angler's arsenal!

Most anglers fish a soft jerkbait but few realize its true potential. With a simple hook adjustment this bait can become a topwater or a subsurface bait. It can be Texas rigged in heavy cover, nose hooked in clear water, or be "donkey rigged" and fished around schooling fish. Most anglers use the Fluke, but few know how to keep fishing biting with simple adjustments.

Below you'll find links to the all the baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, colors, and rigging components for each. We've also included some of our favorite soft jerkbait combos for the different rigging methods. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

FULL SIZE SOFT JERKBAITS...

•Zoom Salty Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Albino, Tennessee Shad, Smokin Shad

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

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

•Yamamoto D Shad: https://bit.ly/3lG1b7T

Colors: Green Gizzard, Pro Blue, Tilapia

SMALL SOFT JERKBAITS...

•Jackall Rhythm Wag 3.5: https://bit.ly/3NT6OvF

Colors: Blue Pearl Shad, Prism Shad, Sexy Albino

•Zoom Super Fluke Jr: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Arkansas Shiner, Smokin Shad

WEEDLESS RIG HOOKS...

Standard Wire– Owner All Purpose: https://bit.ly/2QbbdRW

Size: 3/0 or 4/0

Heavy Wire– Gamakatsu Superline: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 3/0 or 4/0

Xtra Heavy– Owner Jungle Wide Gap: https://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Size: 3/0

Rhythm Wag Hook– BKK Chimera: https://bit.ly/3IS3pwf

Size: 1/0

NOSE HOOKS COMPONENTS...

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

Size: 1/0

Spring– Owner CPS Spring: https://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

Size: Medium

DONKEY RIG COMPONENTS...

•Owner All Purpose Bait Hooks: https://bit.ly/2QbbdRW

Size: 3/0 and 4/0

•SPRO Power Swivel: https://bit.ly/2ay0p7d

Size: 10

MATT'S SOFT JERKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 7'2" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (14 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

DONKEY RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Zodias 7'5" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

ine– Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BFS FLUKE COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Pop X Stick: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran BFS: https://bit.ly/3ryXKpR

Line– 7 lb Daiwa Hidden Fluoro: https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

BUDGET FLUKE COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

Line– Sunline FC (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

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

Spy Bait Fishing: Everything You Need To Know (And Why You Should Give Them Another Try)

Spy baits are one of the most underrated lures in bass fishing! Their ability to catch big fish in both clear and stained water, makes them a staple in our bass fishing line up. There aren't many baits that are this good, that go relatively unnoticed by the majority of anglers. From fan casting flats, to ledge fishing, to targeting schooling fish, the spy bait should have a place in your tackle box.

It's amazing how many anglers look right past the spybait. And honestly, we get it. To the eye, they don't look like they have much action, and unless you've given them a fair shot, you don't realize that big fish devour them. But now you know, and you really need to put time in with these little gems, because you better believe the competition is going to! From the smaller 70 and 80 sizes for Smallmouth and Spotted Bass, to the larger 90 and 100 sizes for big Largemouth, these baits have earned their place on the deck of the boat.

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

IF YOU COULD ONLY HAVE ONE...

•Duo Realis Spinbait 80 (1/4 oz): https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Color: Ghost Minnow

RELATED VIDEO...

•BIG SMALLMOUTH ON SPYBAITS: https://youtu.be/bPjmUwUEYy4

MAIN SPY BAITS...

•Duo Realis Spinbait Series: https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Sizes: 70, 80

Colors: Ghost Minnow, River Bait, AM Edge

•Spro Spin John 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Herring Pink, Matte Shad, Ayu

LARGER/SHAD SHAPED BAITS...

•Duo Realis Spinbait Series: https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Sizes: 90, 100

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Chartreuse Shad, Komochi Wakasagi

•Duo Realis Spinbait Alpha: https://bit.ly/2UbnUu9

Colors: Ghost Minnow, River Bait, Wakasagi

•Nishine Baby Abino 70S: https://bit.ly/3sb4xDe

Colors: Ghost Shad, Wakasagi, Pink Back

HOOK UPGRADES...

•Duo Realis Nano Treble Hooks: https://bit.ly/3RKoHBi

80 Size: 8

90 Size: 6

100 Size: 5

Alpha 72: 6

Alpha 62: 8

MATT'S SPY BAIT COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Destroyer P5 Flyssa: https://bit.ly/3RmuKdN

Model: 7'6" Light+

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

Line– Seaguar InvizX (6 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

BFS SPY BAIT COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Icon 6'8" Ultralight: https://bit.ly/4aurFAO

*This Rod Is a Tackle Warehouse Exclusive

Reel– Daiwa Tatula BF 70 BFS: https://bit.ly/4b7UbYM

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (6 lb): https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

LARGER SPY BAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel– Shimano Sustain C3000HG: https://bit.ly/3BQLlNP

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

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

ICAST Gear Review: Best New Rods And Reels Of 2024!

Come check out our favorite new rods and reels from ICAST 2024! From casting reels to spinning reels, bait finesse to power fishing, the show was packed with awesome new gear! It didn't take us long to wade through the noise and find the gems from the show. You've got to check these out!

This year's ICAST event was packed with awesome new gear! So much so that we've had to break this gear review into multiple videos! Today we're covering rods and reels from budget friendly offerings, to enthusiast tackle. If you missed the show and want to know what the real gems were, we've got you covered!

Below you'll find links to the rods and reels discussed in the video. We've included all our favorite reel speeds and rod models to help you find the best options for you. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

If you missed yesterday's bait segment, you missed out, see it here:

•Bait And Tackle Review: https://youtu.be/i7ktZDzKdJI

SPINNING REEL...

•Shimano Vanford FA: https://bit.ly/3WAPNO1

Favorite Sizes: 2500, 3000

CASTING REELS...

•Shimano SLX XT: https://bit.ly/3YgnWE8

Favorite Speed: 7:1 (HG)

•Daiwa Tatula SV TW 150: https://bit.ly/3yiO3zJ

Favorite Speed: 7.3:1 (H)

•Abu Garcia Revo X BFS: https://bit.ly/4flqwi3

•Seviin GSC 150: https://bit.ly/3WptV6W

Favorite Speed: 7.3:1

SHIMANO RODS...

•Shimano Poison Adrena Spinning: https://bit.ly/4c0fQmq

Favorite Models: 6'10" Medium+

•Shimano Poison Adrena Casting: https://bit.ly/4cVIwOI

Favorite Models: 6'10" Medium, 7' Medium Heavy Fast

JDM Models: 7'4" Heavy Regular, 7'2" Heavy Fast

•Shimano Poison Adrena BFS: https://bit.ly/3WE4yQ3

Favorite Model: 6'10" Light

CASHION RODS...

•Cashion 6'8" Ultralight TW Exclusive: https://bit.ly/4aurFAO

•Cashion Icon BF Series: https://bit.ly/3mLIIes

New Models: 7'2" Medium Light, 7'6" Light

ST. CROIX RODS...

•St. Croix Black Bass Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/4cX7VHL

Models: 7'4" Heavy Fast, 7'2" MHM, 7'3" MH Fast

•St. Croix Black Bass Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/4diwkqT

Models: 6'8" Medium X Fast, 7'3" Medium Light XFast

DAIWA RODS...

•Daiwa Tatula XT Bait Finesse: https://bit.ly/3LFqEeH

Model: 6'5" Light Fast

•Daiwa Ardito Jitte Travel Rod: https://bit.ly/4dmTsVn

Model: 6'7" Medium Regular

•Daiwa Presso Trout Rod: (Not Yet Available For Pre Order)

Model: 5'10" Ultralight Casting

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