Humminbird Mega Live 2 ( On The Water Real World Test and Sonar Settings )

Let's head out on the water for a first look at Humminbird's NEW Mega Live 2 Forward Facing Sonar transducer! We've just installed this unit and are checking it out before we even finish dialing it in! Our first priority is to see its bait tracking abilities, how it does with target separation, and to get a look at all the new color palettes we've been hearing about! Take a look and let us know what you think in the comments!

Our first impression is, it's a HUGE improvement over the original Mega Live! This new Mega Live 2 is superior in every way, with incredible clarity and drastically improved bait tracking! It's hard to choose a favorite color palette but if we had to choose two to get started, it would be Alabama Amber and Doppler. Also, pay close attention to Tim's sonar settings if you're looking for a starting place as you dial in your new Live 2.

We'll let you make your own judgement based on the footage, but from what we can see, Humminbird has a WINNER with this new Live 2! Whether you use FFS technology to locate structures and speed up your search for fish, or you're isolating single fish and targeting them with a Strolling bait, this new transducer has the ability to help you fish more effectively.

Below you'll find links to all the gear Tim used in today's video. From the Live 2 Transducer, to the Target Lock, to the electronics he uses to get these images. We've also included some great budget friendly units as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

MEGA LIVE 2...

•Humminbird Mega Live 2 Transducer: https://bit.ly/40FHMJR

TARGET LOCK TURRET...

•Humminbird Mega Live TargetLock Adapter Kit: https://bit.ly/3DWobfm

TIM'S HUMMINBIRD UNITS...

•Humminbird Apex 16 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/3QBaOli

•Humminbird Apex 13 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/3pdaK1q

THE LATEST BUDGET FRIENDLY UNITS...

•Humminbird Xplore 12 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/4jjdcwJ

•Humminbird Xplore 10 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/4hmChFf

•Humminbird Xplore  9 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/4hl9tgy

TIM’S TROLLING MOTOR...

*MinnKota Ultrex Quest 115 lbs: https://bit.ly/41RErpY

Shaft Length: 52"

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

The Truth About Winter Fishing! (How To Prepare For Tough Conditions)

Come along for a day of Winter bass fishing with Matt! The weather is cold, the fishing is tough, but Matt is determined to catch some bass! Listen to the details as he adapts to the conditions. What how he focuses on confidence baits and pieces together a pattern for a mixed bag of fish.

Winter isn't always easy! Sure, you've got a chance at a giant, but sometimes it's downright tough! Don't panic! Focus on your confidence baits, fish them slowly and effectively, and you can catch fish despite the conditions. Your next bite could be the fish of a lifetime, so stay focused, even when the bites are few and far between!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt used throughout the day. We've included his hook upgrades, bait colors, as well as the rods and reels he used to fish the baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

FULL SIZE RIG...

•Hog Farmer Tactical Flex Rig (Bladed): https://bit.ly/38xd1es

•Matt Allen Swimbait Heads (3/16 oz): https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

•Keitech 5" Easy Shiner Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Tennessee Shad

•Keitech 4" Easy Shiner Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Crystal Shad

MID SIZE RIG...

•Hog Farmer Tactical Mini Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

•Matt Allen Swimbait Heads (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

•Keitech 4.5" Easy Shiner Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Electric Shad

•Keitech 4" Easy Shiner Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Electric Shad

BLADE BAIT...

•Damiki Vault Blade (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Color: Holo Mossback

•BKK Hook Upgrade– Spear EWG: https://bit.ly/3PiUjM7

Size: 8

CRANKBAIT...

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

Color: Ghost Minnow

FULL SIZE RIG COMBO...

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

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

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

Leader– Sunline Saltimate Shock Leader (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2O4UElB

MID SIZE RIG COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Elite 7'4" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

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

Line– Seaguar InvizX (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

BLADE BAIT COMBO...

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

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

Line– Sufix 832 Sunrise Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3vbtuDw

Leader– Sufix Advance (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

SPEED CRANK COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

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

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

Where Do Bass Go In The Middle Of Winter?! (And How To Catch Them On Your Lake)

This is how to catch bass on those COLD Winter days! Giant bass are caught every Winter, so don't be the guy sitting at home. These are the places you need to fish, and the baits you can trust, whether you fish a pond, lake, or reservoir. The boat ramps are empty, the lakes are peaceful, and big bass are willing to bite!

We're in the heart of Winter and bass have settled into their seasonal pattern. Their locations are set, their feeding patterns are set, and only the most extreme weather can disturb the balance. What that means for you, is that once you find fish you can catch them day after day. Winter can be amazing! Sure it's cold, but the chill in the air vanishes when you set the first hook!

Below you'll find links to all the baits and gear Tim discussed in the video. We've included our favorite colors, sizes, and equipment for each technique. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see photos and descriptions of the items.

SPEED CRANKING...

•R2S Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Clearwater Minnow, True Shad, DD Minnow

•Megabass Deep X 300: https://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: Mat Shad, MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu

BLADED ALABAMA RIGS...

Largest– Tactical Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/38xd1es

Medium– Tactical Mini Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

Smallest– Tactical Micro Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

5 Hook– Tactical Mini 5 Hook Rig: https://bit.ly/429NWTK

WINTER A–RIG SWIMBAITS...

•Keitech Easy Shiner: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Size: 4", 4.5", 5"

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Crystal Shad

•Damiki 3" Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Colors: American Shad, Pure Gill

A–RIG SWIMBAIT HEADS...

Full Size Heads– Dirty Jigs Matt Allen: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Size: 1/8 - 3/16 oz

Micro Heads– ZMan Trout Eye Finesse: https://bit.ly/3C7H1iL

Size: 1/8 oz

JERKBAIT...

•Megabass Vision 110+1 Jr: https://bit.ly/2LnK389   

Colors: Matte Shad, Kasumi Ito

BLADE BAIT...

•Damiki Vault: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Size: 1/2 oz

Color: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Ayu

UNDERSPIN...

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

Size: 3/8 oz

•Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Smokin Blue

FOOTBALL JIG...

Jig– Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Finesse Football: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Color: Supermatt Brown, Canterbury Craw, The Go To

Trailer– Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Color: Cinn Blk Purp, Green Pump Purple Copper

BUDGET ALABAMA RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'5" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

Line– Power Pro Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader– Sufix Advance Green Mono (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

AFFORDABLE SPEED CRANKING COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Mojo Glass Trigon 7'4" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT (HS): https://bit.ly/35hugfH

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

AFFORDABLE FINESSE JIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Intenza 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3QjR9Kw

Reel– Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line– Sunline Super FC (14 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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

TacticalBassin Is Expanding! Meet Adam Hinkle!

We're expanding in 2025 with bonus content featuring some of our closest friends! Meet Adam Hinkle, a serious bass angler from the San Diego area in Southern California. Adam brings a unique perspective to the Tactical Family, having grown up in California's "Big Bass Era", and constantly adapting both power fishing and finesse presentations to the clear, pressured waters of Southern California.

Today Adam is showing how different Southern California can be from the rest of the country in "Winter". A hoodie and a shallow crankbait can get the job done on a crisp San Diego morning. Despite the temperate climate, there are many aspects of fishing in this region that translate to the whole country, and Adam is going to help us stay connected to those trends. Expect to see him featured a few times a year in bonus videos, along with the other members of our newly formed "Tactical Family" team of anglers.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Adam was using, as well as some widely available options that are very similar to his custom gear. All the link go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

CRANKBAIT...

•Berkley Fritside 5 HD Crankbait: https://bit.ly/4hcwfXJ

Color: HD Green Craw

ADAM'S HOMEMADE JIG...

Jig Skirt: Dirty Jigs Replacement Skirts: https://bit.ly/3Xu0BwC

Jig Head: Boss Mini Ball Head (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/4aeiBRK

ADAM'S CAROLINA RIG...

Bait– Zoom Baby Brush Hog: https://bit.ly/2bnpCRx

Color: Watermelon Red Flake

Hook– Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend (Size 3/0): https://bit.ly/3BVoabb

Swivel– Spro Power Swivel (Size 6): https://bit.ly/2ay0p7d

Weight– Picasso Tungsten Cylinder (1 oz): https://bit.ly/3E2CSxo

SIMILAR CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906C CBR: https://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

Reel– Shimano SLX 150 DC (XG): https://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line– Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3Cje0Rw

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Black Bass 7'4" Medium Hvy Mod: https://bit.ly/41ntbDB

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

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

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