FALL TRANSITION GEAR REVIEW! The Best New Rods, Reels and Baits!

Let's look at the hottest new items in bass fishing for Early Fall 2023! We've been testing a variety of new gear the past few months and these are the stand outs! From rods and reels, to baits and terminal tackle, these are the best of the best! Let's check them out!

This is our 3rd gear review to come out of ICAST 2023! There were more products launched at this event than any in recent history. From high end rods and reels to budget gear that feels high end, the list goes on and on! The BFS trend is in full swing but there were plenty of full size baits to drool over as well. Which was your favorite?

Below you'll find links to all our favorite gear that was featured in this video. We've listed them in the order they appeared in the video and included all relevant information on favorite colors, sizes, etc. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

FISHING RODS...

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

•Shimano Curado Casting 6'8" Light: https://bit.ly/2gUWTft

•St. Croix Bass X Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/45EVigL

Favorite Models: 7'4" Heavy Fast, 6'8" Medium, 7'1" Medium Heavy

•St. Croix Bass X Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/3Enw0Ys

Favorite Models: 6'10" Med Light, 7'1" Medium

FISHING REELS...

•Daiwa Tatula 100: https://bit.ly/3P1CbGz

Favorite Speed: 7.1:1

•Shimano Sedona FJ: https://bit.ly/3L30djp

Favorite Size: 2500

GOBY BAIT...

•ZMan TRD GobyZ: https://bit.ly/3P35U1R

Colors: The Deal, Green Pumpkin

MEGABASS BFS JERKBAITS...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: Kasumi Ito KS, HT Ito Wakasagi

•Megabass X80 Jr BFS Jerkbait: https://bit.ly/3KFaLoz

Colors: GP Invisible Wakasagi, GP Pro Green

•Megabass X70 BFS Jerkbait: https://bit.ly/3EplsrV

Colors: GP Phantom, GG Deadly Black Shad

MEGABASS BFS CRANKBAITS...

•Megabass Griffin Bait Finesse SR: https://bit.ly/3qOyDj6

Colors: Mat Craw 2, Phantom Green Craw

•Megabass Griffin Bait Finesse MR: https://bit.ly/47of55j

Colors: GP Kawamatsu, Mat Shad

MEGABASS BFS TOPWATER...

•Megabass Baby Pop X BFS Popper: https://bit.ly/3QgjPDY

Colors: Mat Shad, Galaxy Smoke

•Megabass Dog X Jr Coayu BFS: https://bit.ly/475zcoD

Colors: Laser Beam, Bahama Milk Pearl

SPINNERBAIT...

•Shimano Swagy Spinnerbait: https://bit.ly/45E03ao

Colors: Natural Bait, Tidal Killer

ICE JIG...

•Rapala Jigging Rap Magnum: https://bit.ly/47ZF5Ej

Colors: Bleak, Live Smelt, Shad

SHALLOW SQUAREBILL...

•Damiki BTC 50: https://bit.ly/3OVb3Lc

Colors: Mossy Shad, Ghost Minnow

SHAKEY HEAD...

•BKK Silent Chaser Glide'N Shake: https://bit.ly/3R6qTne

Favorite Size: 1/8 oz, 3/16 oz, 1/0 Hook

TOPWATER...

•ZMan 4" Hellraizer: https://bit.ly/3P0vseM

Colors: Chrome, Ghost Shad, Scaly Shad

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

How To Fish The Free Rig! ( Fall Bass Fishing )

Have you tried the "Free Rig" yet? If you haven't tried the Free Rig, this is the right time of year to experiment with it. Think of it as a finesse version of a Texas Rig or Carolina Rig. Its 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

•MissileBaits D Stroyer: https://bit.ly/2QiTTrM

Colors: Super Bug, Green Pumpkin

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin Pepper, Watermelon Pepper

SHAD/GILL PROFILES...

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

Colors: Electric Shad, AJ's Juice

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

Colors: TW Black Blue Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Blue

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

Colors: Electric Shad, Albino

•Xzone Stealth Invader: https://bit.ly/43OrFJx

Colors: Bass Candy, Touch Down

RIGGING COMPONENTS...

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

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

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

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

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

BUDGET FRIENDLY COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

Reel– Shimano SLX 150 A (HG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line– Sunline FC (12 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

How To Catch Bass During Changing Conditions (Fall Transition On A New Lake)

Come along as the guys explore a new lake! The conditions are changing throughout the day and the guys have to adapt quickly. They're faced with overcast skies, then high sun and heat. They start with heavy current,and end with virtually no flow at all. It's about as bi–polar as conditions can get but the guys adapt and overcome, come along to see how they do it!

These bass are gorging on baitfish and bluegill! The guys come in with no information but immediately see fields of grass and matted vegetation. As a result they start out with a frog and flipping bait, then as conditions get tougher they turn to a soft jerkbait. When flows begin to wain they study the map and fish the narrowest section of the lake where the remaining current is still moving quickly. Changes like this are all about mindset and understanding how fish will adapt to changing conditions. These concepts can be applied to any lake, whether or not you've been there before.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear the guys were using throughout the day. We've even included our exact sizes and colors where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

THE FROGS...

•Spro Flappin Frog 65: https://bit.ly/37ljzM8

Color: Killer Gill

•Snagproof Bobby's Perfect Frog: https://bit.ly/3rHCOsQ

Color: Pine Frog

•Jackall Kaera S2 Beat: https://bit.ly/3q6aAvF

Color: White

PUNCH BAIT...

Bait– Jackall Archelon: https://bit.ly/2uo4sN5

Color: School Bluegill

Weight– Gamakatsu G–Shield Tungsten: https://bit.ly/3PcA7gj

Size: 1.5 oz

Hook– Owner Jungle Flippin HD: https://bit.ly/3NZpvzp

Size: 3/0

SOFT JERKBAITS...

Bait #1– Zoom Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Color: Albino

Bait #2–  Xzone Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/3IpMKQo

Color: Electric Shad

Hook– Hayabusa Wide Gap Offset: https://bit.ly/44nQwms

Size: 4/0

UNDERSPIN...

Bait– Big Bite Pro Swimmer 3.8: https://bit.ly/3AeQsaS

Color: Chick Magnet

Hook– Owner Flashy Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Size: 3/0 Colorado Gold

FROG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Zodias 7'4" XH Plus: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel– Shimano Bantam MGL A (HG): https://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

FLIPPING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 7'11" XH: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Curado M 200 (HG): https://bit.ly/3YafZyg

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

MATT'S FLUKE COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Extreme 7'4" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2wlJQLu

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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

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

BUDGET FROG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

Reel– Shimano SLX 150 A (HG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line– Power Pro Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Where Do Bass Go During The Fall Transition? ( 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 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 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.

DEEP CRANKS...

•River2Sea Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Mirrored Minnow, Glass Minnow, DD Minnow

•Rapala DT 16 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/42ITxNr

Colors: Green Gizzard Shad, Helsinki Shad

SWIMBAIT...

•Bacca Burrito Swimbait (5" and 6"): https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Tactical Shad, Who Dat

SPOONS...

•Nichols Flutter Spoon: https://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Colors: Purple Threadfin, Shattered Grass Silver Scale

OFFSHORE TOPWATER...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Colors: Sexy French Pearl, GP Pro Blue 2

SQUAREBILL CRANKBAITS...

•River2Sea Biggie Poppa: https://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Abalone Shad, Mullet

•Jabber Jaw: https://bit.ly/3z7hVdH

Colors: Lucky Charm, Green Gizzard Shad

•Spro Baby Fat John 50: https://bit.ly/2V03giW

Colors: Matte Shad, Honey Shad

CHATTERBAIT...

•JackHammer Chatterbait: https://bit.ly/2popvj6

Size: 1/2 oz

Colors: Green Pumpkin Shad, Clear Water Shad

•Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 4.5: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Colors: Electric Shad, Sexy Shad

UNDERSPINS...

•Owner Flashy Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Size: 5/0, 1/4 oz

•Gamakatsu Underspin: https://bit.ly/3Hhy6cU

Size: 3/8 oz, 4/0

•Tactical Mini Underspin: https://bit.ly/3JOd8UY

Size: 3/16 oz

UNDERSPIN SWIMBAITS...

•Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

•Storm Largo Shad (3" or 3.5"): https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Sexy Shad

JERKBAITS...

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

Colors: S Hasu, ST Chiayu

SOFT JERKBAITS...

Bait– Zoom Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Albino, Electric Shad

Hook– Gamakatsu Superline Wide Gap: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 4/0

SHALLOW TOPWATER BAITS...

•Whopper Plopper 110: https://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Bone, Loon

•Bobby's Perfect Frog: https://bit.ly/3rHCOsQ

Colors: Hot Mess, Grey Ghost

•Jackall Kaera Frog: https://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

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