Roadside Fishing For Big Florida Bass With Whopper Ploppers!

We're fishing for big bass in the city! Our Florida adventure continues as we explore freeway canals and backwaters in search of big bass and exotic species. If you're ready to forget the cold that is plaguing the country, come on down to Florida with us as we get on a Winter topwater bite!

The fish in these ditches and backwaters are struggling through a Winter cold snap but they're still willing to eat. Most anglers in this area fish with live bait but that's not our style. It takes a bit to dial in the pattern but soon we're catching quality bass on the Whopper Plopper! This adventure has taken us to some bizarre places but it turns out there are quality fish under 10-lane freeways, in backyard ditches, and in roadside canals, all across the state. 

Below you'll find links to the baits we used throughout the day. We've included our exact colors so you can replicate the patterns, as well as the rods and reels we used to throw them. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Punch Rig... 

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

Hook- Owner Jungle Flippin' Hook 3/0: http://bit.ly/2G5aQTk

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

Topwater... 

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

Colors: Yoda, Loon

Hook Upgrade: Owner ST-36 (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Tim's Punch Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'11" XH: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Matt's Whopper Plopper Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL XG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

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

Budget Topwater Combo... 

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

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

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

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

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

Urban Fishing In Backyards For GIANT Largemouth and Peacock Bass!

Crazy weather has forced us into an urban jungle in South Florida! We’re chasing largemouth, Peacock Bass, and exotic Cichlids. Come along as we traverse ditches, bridges, tunnels, and backyards in search of some of Florida’s most interesting species. If you’ve ever wondered if these little roadside waters hold big fish, stick around because Tim is going to set the hook on an absolute GIANT bass!

When we dipped into Florida we have visions of warm air and aggressive bass. Instead we were met with freezing temperatures and brutal winds but we made the best of it by heading all the way to the Southern tip of the state where there were still some quality fish to be caught. We used a variety of baits including topwater, square bills, chatter baits, and a tiny keitech to get consistent bites. 

If you’re a bank fisherman, an urban angler, or just someone who’s wondered if those small waters along the road really hold fish, they do! Next time you get the opportunity to pull over and fish you should give it a try. We used all sorts of baits to try and catch fish today and a select few really stood out despite the cold weather. Below you’ll find links to all the baits as well as some of the equipment we used to throw them. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Topwater… 

-Savage Gear Prop Walker 4” (American Shad): https://bit.ly/3kwBFAa

-NEW Whopper Plopper 60 (Loon): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

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

Crankbait… 

-13 Fishing Scamp 1.5 (Olive Crush): https://bit.ly/3iMkYAw

Chatterbait…

Bait- Evergreen JackHammer 1/2 oz (Bruised Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Trailer- Keitech 4.3” Fat Swing Impact (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Underspin… 

Bait- Keitech 2.8” Fat Swing Impact (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Cool Baits Down Under 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Tim’s Chatterbait/Topwater Rod… 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7’ Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

Line- Sunline FX2 Braid (50 lb): http://bit.ly/31u57xA

Matt’s Underspin Combo… 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7’ Light: https://bit.ly/3ab5b9V

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon (5 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Topwater Combo… 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6’8” Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?

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 Frog Fishing: Small Frogs Get More Bites

Frog fishing is a fun way to catch bass before Winter. As the water cools, bass ambush small minnows in the shallows around the last remnants of grass. The Frog is a great baitfish imitator and one of the last topwater bites of the year. If you don't have snow on the ground, give the frog one last shot to wrap up the topwater season before Winter sets in.

This time of year, smaller frogs can be the difference between a tough bite and a day to remember. Smaller frogs perfectly mimic the small baitfish in the shallows. They elicit strikes when few baits will and typically have an excellent hookup ratio. Focus on ghost and glitter colors in cleaner water and bolder colors in murky water. 

Of course, you'll have to adapt your equipment to throw these smaller offerings. You'll still need a stout rod to set the double frog hook but it doesn't need to be nearly as strong as the rod you'd use for their larger cousins. Below you'll find links to the gear Tim was using today along with a list of our favorite small frogs for different situations. We've also included our favorite frog combo, small frog rod, and budget option. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Today's Bait... 

-Jackall Kaera (Glitter Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Small Frogs... 

-Best All Around: Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Favorite Colors: Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

-Best Walking: Spro Bronzeye Frog Jr: http://bit.ly/2XkbgxR

Favorite Colors: Killer Gill, Nasty Shad

-Best In Slop: R2S Bully Wa 55: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Favorite Colors: Bluegill, Little Allen

-Best Popping Frog: Spro Poppin Frog 60: http://bit.ly/2HsyqIJ

Favorite Colors: Speck, Killer Gill

Favorite Frog Combo... 

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

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

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

Tim's Combo Today... 

Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

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

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

Small Frog Combo... 

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

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

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

Budget Small Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'4" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

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

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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

We Made It To Chickamauga! Topwater Bite Is On Fire!

We're finally on Chickamauga in Tennessee! We survived the cross country road trip and now its time to fish! We're starting out in search of a midday topwater bite and will adapt from there. Do that patterns that work on one side of the country work on the other? Let's find out if the Clearlake pattern holds up!

Matt is joined by his nephew Ethan and together they mix up a variety of topwater offerings including a blade waker, buzzbait, walking bait, popper, and frog. It doesn't take long to find aggressive bass willing to eat them all! Later Matt switches to a Keitech while Ethan switches to a chatterbait, and again they find consistent action. This further confirms the old adage "A Bass Is A Bass" no matter where it lives. 

So many anglers are convinced their fish are different, that they won't eat a particular bait or won't follow seasonal patterns like bass in other parts of the country. While a rare example might exist, the vast majority of fish from coast to coast behave very Similarly. Its incredibly rewarding to drive thousands of miles (literally) and find bass eating the exact baits you were throwing before hitting the road. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits in the video. We've included direct links to Tackle Warehouse for each item where you can see detailed photos and descriptions. We've also included trailers, color, weights, etc... where applicable. 

Teckel Topwater... 

Bait- Teckel Blade Waker: https://bit.ly/2DuYZxU

Colors: Pearl White, Silver Shiner, Bluegill

Trailer: Gambler Little EZ Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3jmeYgM

Colors: Alewife, Ghost Shad

Other Topwaters... 

Popper- Megabass Pop Max (Mat Shad): http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Walking Bait- Evergreen Shower Blows 125 (Half Mirror): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Buzzbait- Dirty Jigs Skirtless (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2cWI6if

Small Frog- Jackall Kaera (Glitter Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Large Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 65 (Little Allen): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Swimbaits... 

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Keitech- 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Rage- 4.75" Rage Swimmer (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Chatterbait... 

Bait- Evergreen JackHammer 1/2 oz (Green Pumpkin Shad): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

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

Blade Waker Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7'5" MH: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

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

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

Keitech Combo... 

Rod- Jackall Poison Adrena 7'4" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3diigiT

Reel- Shimano Metanium 150 MGL HG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

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

Popper Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Curado 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Reel-Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

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

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