Where Do Bass Go During Early Spring? (And How To Catch Them)

Forget the Winter haunts, bass are on the move! The Prespawn is approaching and the fish are beginning to push toward their Spring spawning grounds in huge numbers. Its still early in the transition but if you're not following their movements they'll leave you behind. Come along as Matt explain where they're heading and how to stay ahead of them! 

Whether you fish a reservoir, lake, river, or pond, there is information in this video for you. Matt explains exactly where bass are heading in each style of fishery. Once you understand how and why the fish are moving, predicting their next move becomes very easy. 

This is not the time of year to stick with old patterns and hope to run into fish. You need to actively stay ahead of their movements, fish key locations, and adjust constantly to find the big, prespawn females you're searching for. Below is breakdown of the equipment used in the video as well as some of Matt and Tim's favorite baits this time of year. 

Electronics... 

-Humminbird Solix 15: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

-Humminbird Solix 12: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

Mapping (How We Get the Detail)... 

-Humminbird Lakemaster Plus: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

The EXACT Baits Matt has tied on... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500 (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

-Tactical DD 75 Crankbait (DD Minnow): http://bit.ly/37dclbX

-Spro Little John 50 Crank (Blood Craw): http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

-River2Sea S Waver 200 (TW Phantom Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

-Hogfarmer BFL Hitchhiker A-Rig: http://bit.ly/36EcEuR

-Matt Allen Swimbait Heads 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Excellent Spring Colors In Each Bait... 

LV: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Phantom Chartreuse Shad

Tactical: DD Minnow, Glass Minnow, Ghost Minnow, Craw

Spro Little John: Blood Craw, Fire Craw, Clear Chartreuse

S Waver: TW Phantom Trout, Light Trout, Bluegill

Other Great Spring Lures... 

-Coolbaits Underspin: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

-River2Sea Biggie squarebill: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

-Bling Spinnerbait: http://bit.ly/2diSwqq

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

Cold Water A-Rigs Tricks For Bass

Today we're adapting the A-Rig to catch deep cold water bass. Come along for a day on the water and see where these cold Winter fish are staging, how we target them, and what we do to the alabama rig to adapt to the colder conditions. Too many anglers focus on the shoreline during the cold months. Until we reach the prespawn, offshore fishing is an important part of Winter success. 

When probing deep water with an A-rig its important to adjust the sink rate of the rig. Changing from 1/8 ounce heads in shallow water to 3/16, 3/8, even 3/4 ounce heads will allow you to fish much, much deeper water with ease. You can take it a step further however if you're really paying attention. 

RETRIEVE SPEED is probably the single most important component to catching bass with A-rigs. With that in mind, you can fish an Alabama rig in 20 feet of water with 1/8 ounce heads as long as you go ultra slow. You can fish that same depth with 3/4 ounce heads and burn the bait along the bottom. Anglers understand the value of adjusting retrieve speed in shallow water but it is often overlooked in the depths. Pay attention to the speed you're getting bit at, adjust the swimbait heads on your rig to lighter or heavier models and you will be far more successful this Late Winter and early Pre Spawn. 

Below you'll find a breakdown of some of the best A-rigs available, an explanation of the two head styles we use, along with the gear we were using in the video to throw these rigs in deeper water. 

Lighter Wire A-Rigs... 

-Flash Mob Jr: http://bit.ly/2bgDGNu

-Yum Ultralight Rig: http://bit.ly/2cq4pJQ

-Hogfarmer Baits BFL Hitchhiker: http://bit.ly/36EcEuR

-G Funk Baits Cali Rig Bladed: http://bit.ly/2rZhST7

Swimbait Heads... 

-Matt Allen Swimbait Heads: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Heads: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Matt Allen heads have a heavier hook for big fish and stout gear. TacticalBassin finesse heads feature a lighter wire hook that is excellent for Winter fish, smallmouth, spotted bass, or mid-sized largemouth. 

Equipment Upgrades To Dial In Your A-Rig... 

-Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

-Owner CPS Springs (Medium): http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

-Keitech 4.8 Swimbait (Main Baits): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Reaction Innovations Little Dipper (non-hook baits): http://bit.ly/2brnU5I

Favorite Keitech colors for A-rigs: Pro Blue Red Pearl, TW Pro Blue, Electric Shad

Favorite Little Dipper colors: Bad Shad Green, Purple Smoke

Matt's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Curado 7'6" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 System 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Tim's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 System 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

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

Tail Spins Tricks for Fall and Winter Bass

One of the most overlooked baits in bass fishing, the tail spin (tail spinner) produces amazing fish catches during the Fall and Winter season. While simple in appearance, the bait is incredibly versatile when used with different retrieves. Bass can't resist a well placed tail spinner fished around baitfish! In Today's video Matt explains how to fish the lures, which retrieves work best for different situations, and even shows his confidence baits.

Most anglers consider tail spins to be a deep water lure for schooling bass. While they are incredibly effective in deep water, a tail spin is also at home in the shallows. These baits can be fished in as shallow as a few feet of water around visible cover with a fast, steady retrieve. If the bass are down deep, switching to a slow roll or a pumping retrieve will yield the best results.

Tail spins come in many shapes and sizes. Single treble hook, double hook, even line through offerings are available. Once you learn how to adapt the baits to your fishing conditions the tail spin will become a staple in your cold water bass fishing arsenal. Below is a breakdown of Matt's confidence baits as well as the equipment he uses to consistently land his tail spin fish.

The baits...

-Jackall Deracoup 1/2 - 1oz: http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

(Clear Shad, Dera Shad, Silver)

-Damiki Axe Blade 3/4 - 1oz: http://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

(Black Holo, Bream, Holo Real Shad)

-Blade Runner Line Through Tail Spin: http://bit.ly/2UZaQXP

(Iris Shad, Chartreuse White, Pearl White)

-Duo Realis Spin: http://bit.ly/2QKeL9X

(Black Smokey Shad, Gill ND, Tanago 2)

-Revenge Tail Spinner 1/2 - 3/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2tmR2lv

(Blue Shad, Silverside, Shad)

Matt's Braid Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 20 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Matt's Fluoro Combo...

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" M: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Aldebaran MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Upgrades and Storage...

Treble- Gamakatsu EWG Size 4 and 6: http://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire Size 2: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Box- Plano Waterproof 3740: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB

How To Quickly Catch Bass On Any Lake!

Ever wondered how the pros show up on a new lake and immediately start catching fish? Developing patterns quickly is an art, but its not a secret. Once you learn the method, you can do it too! Matt explains his mindset as he develops a pattern on a cold winter day. 

Matt explains how changing conditions have repositioned the fish in the lake but by applying a few keys baits a depth and location is quickly established. Your lake may look completely different but the information will apply whether you fish a river system, a tiny pond, or a giant reservoir in the South. 

Matt's Swimbait...
Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Keitech 4.8 Fat Swing Impact Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Matt's Favorite Winter Jigs...
Finesse Football Jig: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm
Finesse Jig: http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

Jig Trailers...
Yamamoto Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p
Smallie Beaver: http://bit.ly/2dR6CkP

Matt's Preferred Winter Spinnerbaits...
Revenge Deep Runner: http://bit.ly/2oSfWd6
War Eagle Screamin Eagle: http://bit.ly/2w5zoor
River2Sea Bling 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2diSwqq

The Underpin...
BladeRunner 1/2 oz Underspin: http://bit.ly/29UVegz
Keitech 4.3 Fat Swing Impact Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Jig Setup...
Rod- G Loomis GLX 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Line- 20 lb Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Spinnerbait/Swimbait Setup...
Rod- Zodias 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Curado 70 8:1 Ratio: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line- 50 lb MaxCuatro Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Friendly Combo for jig and spinnerbait...
Rod- Exage 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc
Reel- Shimano Casitas 7:1 Ratio: http://bit.ly/2geKxsp
Line- 50 lb Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
________________________________________________________________

Need Tacticalbassin Apparel? Get Hats, Hoodies, and Sun Shirts by emailing Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com for pricing and availability.