How To Make Your Own Finesse Jig! (And Save A Lot Of Money)

Matt is always modifying jigs, but today he's taking it a step further! He's found a football head and skirt combination that are inexpensive, easy to assemble, and they'll save you a lot of money if you put them together yourself! Finesse jigs and micro jigs are taking over bass fishing for good reason, give it a try!

Matt and Tim are always testing new gear, tweaking existing baits, and dialing in their techniques. It should come as no surprise that Matt has been building some jigs along the way! With the boom in the finesse and micro jig categories, prices are constantly moving up. Given how many jigs he loses during a day of fishing, it was time to find a solution. Matt set out to find a cost effective solution, and in doing so, stumbled on a skirt and jighead combination that isn't just cheaper, it catches more fish!

Below you'll find links to the components Matt uses to build this jig, some of his favorite finesse and micro jig trailers, as well as the rod and reel combos the guys use to fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


JIG COMPONENTS...

•Dirty Jigs Finesse Cut Replacement Skirt: https://bit.ly/4i3SYpo

Colors: The Go To, Supermatt Brown, Alabama Craw


•VMC Finesse Football Jighead: https://bit.ly/3CZ1cQK

Preferred Size: 1/4 – 3/8 oz


PREFERRED JIG TRAILERS...

•Xzone Stealth Finesse Craw: https://bit.ly/4ckYPmX

Colors: Green Pumpkin Black, Grass Craw


•Zman TRD Crawz: https://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Orange


•Yamamoto Covert Craw: https://bit.ly/4dgmxBK

Colors: Green Pump Purple Copper, Green Pump Amber Lam


MID PRICED MICRO JIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Mod Fast: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line– Seaguar InvizX (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


BAIT FINESSE MICRO JIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Curado 6'8" Light: https://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Reel– Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (8 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


BUDGET MICRO JIG COMBO...

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

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

Line- Sunline Fluorocarbon 10 lb: http://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 apparel and merch! See it here…

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

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

Chatterbait Fishing Made Easy! (Beginner To Advanced Seminar)

These Chatterbaits tips will help you catch more bass! Bladed jigs don't just catch numbers, they catch giant fish too! By changing trailers you can get a chatterbait to mimic shad, panfish, crawfish, and a variety of other prey species. Chatterbaits are an enormous category, but today we're simplifying it in a way that any can understand.

The chatterbait is incredibly versatile once you learn to adapt your trailers and retrieves. We use 5 main baits, paired to a handful of trailers, to meet every situation we face. The chatterbait can remain a simple option in your arsenal, or you can start adapting retrieves from a high speed burn, to a popping retrieve, to a bottom hopping presentation, to take it to a whole different level! It's up to you, but either way you need to commit to the chatterbait this Spring.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits, trailers, and gear discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, colors, and styles for every option. 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...

Bait– Jack Hammer Chatterbait (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

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

Color: Sexy Shad


5 TYPES OF CHATTERBAITS...

•Jack Hammer Chatterbait (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2popvj6


•ZMan Elite Evo Chatterbait (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/3OAGB8y


•Zman Tungsten Evo Chatterbait (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/3YkW2Hd


•ZMan Mini Max (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3tqztzi


•ZMan CrossEyez (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2ZrZnVd


Natural Jackhammer Colors...

•Clearwater Shad, Green Pumpkin Shad, TW Green Pumpkin Watermelon


Bold Jackhammer Colors...

•Bhite Delite, Fire Craw, Green Shad


Natural Evo Colors...

•Electric Shad, Spot Remover


Bold Evo Colors...

•Glitter Bomb, Hot Snakes, Lava Craw


PINTAIL TRAILERS...

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

Sizes: 4.5, 5.5

Natural Colors: Sexy Shad, Electric Shad, Hematoma

Bold Colors: Green Pumpkin Chartreuse, Blow Torch


•MissileBaits Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/3CA8BCG

Sizes: 4.5, 5.5

Colors: Lava Craw, Bruiser Flash, Super Bug


•Hog Farmer Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Sizes: 4" and 5"

Colors: Green Shad, Electric Shad, Ghost Minnow


CRAW AND BAITFISH PROFILE TRAILERS...

•Xzone 4" Muscle Back Craw: https://bit.ly/43DZXOQ

Colors: Black/Blue, Green Pumpkin Black, Summer Craw


•Gratt Mixer: https://bit.ly/3NDIBLM

Colors: Black Blue, Green Pumpkin Blue, Craw


•Yamamoto Swimming Zako: https://bit.ly/3fPRQsF

Colors: Zako, Sexy Shad, Pro Blue


•ZMan Big Ballerz: https://bit.ly/3F4Xd5I

Colors: Beer Run, Pearl


MINI MAX TRAILERS...

•Hog Farmer 4" Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Electric Shad, Albino

•Big Bite Baits 3.75" Swimon: https://bit.ly/2NkSdPV

Colors: Smoky Gold, Green Pumpkin Orange Blue


UNIQUE SITUATION COLOR PAIRINGS...

Chatterbait– BHite Delight

Spunk Shad– Hog Farmer Green Pumpkin Chartreuse


Chatterbait– Bruised Green Pumpkin

Spunk Shad– MissileBaits Super Bug


Chatterbait– Fire Craw

Spunk Shad– MissileBaits Lava Craw


MAIN CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 883C BJR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

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

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

Leader– Sunline Saltimate System Shock 20 lb: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2


GLX CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis GLX 7'3" Med Hvy BJR: https://bit.ly/3TPrt9W

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

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

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


MEGABASS CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer "Daemos": https://bit.ly/3wHoXpD

Model: 7'2" Medium+

Reel– Shimano Metanium DC 70 A: https://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

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

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


BUDGET CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX XT (HG): https://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line– Seaguar Red Label (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA


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

This Lure Can Save Your Day When Spring Bass Won't Bite!

We all love Spring bass fishing, but when it gets tough, this is the bait we turn to! There is something about an Alabama Rig that gets bites in Spring when nothing else will. Early Spring and prespawn bass are motivated to feed, and even in tough conditions they will react to a ball of baitfish swimming by. Tim capitalized on this today and caught a great limit of fish when he was struggling to get bit on traditional Spring patterns.

A few years ago we approached Hog Farmer to build our line of Tactical Flex Rigs. For years we used a close friend's hand made specialized rigs that were made of thinner wire, and had more arms than the average rig. They were so much more effective than traditional rigs that we knew we had to bring them to the public. Today Tim caught all of his fish on our Tactical 5 Hook, 4 Blade Rig. We also have an entire line of 6 wire, 3 hook rigs in both bladed and non bladed configurations to help you adapt to changing conditions.

Below you'll find links to the baits Tim fished with today, along with links to the rest of our A–Rig designs. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


THE RIG THAT CAUGHT THEM...

Rig– Hog Farmer TacticalBassin 5 Hook 4 Blade Rig: https://bit.ly/429NWTK

Hooks– Dirty Jigs Tactical Screwed Up Head (1/4 oz): https://bit.ly/3U5RsIx

Swimbait– Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Shad


THE OTHER TACTICAL RIGS...

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

•Hog Farmer Tactical Flex (Non-Bladed): https://bit.ly/3vhpSez


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

•Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Non-Bladed): https://bit.ly/3isTio0


•HogFarmer Tactical Micro Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

•Hog Farmer Tactical Micro Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3Rui7Oc


RIG STORAGE...

•The Rig Rangler: https://bit.ly/3DqKUw2


UNDERSPIN...

•Xzone 4.75" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

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

Size: 5/0 – 1/4 oz


CHATTERBAIT...

•ZMan EverGreen JackHammer (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Colors: Hite's Hot Craw


•Hog Farmer Spunk Shad (4.5 and 5.5): https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Colors: Blow Torch


LIPLESS...

•Jackall TN 70 Lipless: https://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Today's Colors: RT Escape Craw


SQUAREBILL...

•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: https://bit.ly/41o3ctj

Colors: Red Glitter Craw, Fire Truck Craw


TIM'S A–RIG COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Tranx 200 A (HG): https://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

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


BUDGET A–RIG COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Eagle 7'5" Medium Heavy X Fast: https://bit.ly/4b25LGh

Reel– Abu Garcia Max Pro: https://bit.ly/3QKCQOG

Line– Seaguar Red Label (17 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA


CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis GLX 7'3" Med Hvy BJR: https://bit.ly/3TPrt9W

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

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

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


BUDGET CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX 70 A (HG): https://bit.ly/3vPtYQ5

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

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


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

Spring Swimbait Fishing Made Easy! (Seminar For Beginner And Advanced Anglers)

SPRING SWIMBAIT FISHING IS EASY! You only need a few baits to consistently catch fish, no matter where you live! Most anglers act like catching big bass with swimbaits is difficult, but aside from some little tricks, there isn't much you need to know to start catching bass with swimbaits.

Matt breaks swimbaits into basic categories, including bluegill, baitfish, and trout profiles. Based on what bass are primarily eating in your lake, he covers which baits to focus on, and how to fish them effectively. Once you've got the basics it's all about building confidence with those key baits. You can catch a giant swimbait fish this year, all you have to do is commit to it!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, sink rates, and colors. We've also included some great rod and reel combos, as well as some other swimbait videos. All the gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


RELATED SWIMBAIT VIDEOS…

•2024 Fall Swimbait Seminar: https://youtu.be/bsCFgHHb7vg

•Spring Gear Review (Outlier/Tranx): https://youtu.be/RWMXcgxUNQw


3 SWIMBAITS THAT WORK…

•Savage Gear LT Gill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill


•Megabass 6" Magdraft: http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Color: White Back Shad


•Bucca Brand 6” Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: Matte Shad


BLUEGILL BAITS…

•Savage Gear LT Gill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill, Bream


•Savage Gear 4" RTF Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill


•Baitsanity Explorer Gill: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK

Colors: Female Bluegill, Bluegill


•Jackall Gantarel: https://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Bluegill


•River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Color: Chrome Gill, Tactical Shad


SHAD SWIMBAITS…

•Megabass Magdraft (6" and 8"): https://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad, Nude Rainbow


•Megabass 5” Magdraft: https://bit.ly/4gNg7LN

Colors: Borealis Shad, Silver Shad, White Back Shad


•Megabass Magdraft Freestyle: https://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad


•Owner Beast Flashy Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2gx3A54

Size: 8/0


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

Colors: Tactical Shad, Tactical Gizzard Shad, Tactical Chartreuse Shad


•ZMan 6" ShadTron LT: https://bit.ly/46oXNoG

Colors: Blueback Herring, Threadfin Shad


SHAD GLIDE BAITS…

•Baitsanity Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/44XiYvW

Color: Ghost Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad


•Spro Chad Shad: https://bit.ly/3AqivoQ

Color: Threadfin Shad


•Bucca Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: ThreadfinTastic, Matte Shad


SOFT SHAD GLIDES…

•Savage Gear Soft Shine Glide: https://bit.ly/3WE2eIP

Color: Gizzard Shad


•Raid Osakana Slide: https://bit.ly/417QgrV

Colors: Golden Magic, Hustler


TROUT AND KOKANEE BAITS…

•Baitsanity Trout Explorer: https://bit.ly/33bQyxY

Colors: TW Steelhead


•Baitsanity Explorer 9 Bones: https://bit.ly/415emDU

Colors: Hatchery Trout, TW Steelhead


•Baitsanity Hatch Match Hard Tails: https://bit.ly/3sDtrf8

•Baitsanity Hatch Match Shadow V Tail: https://bit.ly/3YA761B


•Savage Gear 8" RTF Trout: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Dirty Silver, Rainbow


ALL AROUND SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis 966C SWBR: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel– Calcutta Conquest MD 300: https://bit.ly/3ZBEK5p

Line– Maxcuatro (80 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Saltimate Tunageat FC (35 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR


SHIMANO SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Outlier 7'10" Heavy+:  https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Reel– Shimano Tranx 300B HG: https://bit.ly/40QzQ7b

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Saltimate Tunageat FC (35 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR


ST. CROIX SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Victory 8' Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel– Shimano Curado 300K : https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi


BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'8" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3QbMjvs

Reel– Shimano Cardiff 300: https://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

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

Leader– Maxima Ultragreen (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae97J9


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