Fishing The Post Spawn Transition: BFS To Topwater For Big Bass!

Come along for an amazing day on the water! The post spawn can be a difficult time for anglers to understand, especially when bass are lethargic. But with the right techniques and a little patience, you can have magical days like this. Come along as Tim sticks giants on bait finesse, topwater, and everything in between!

Some days the bass are aggressive and other days they're just "off". Today was an off day, but Tim turned it around by being patient and adapting to changing conditions. What could have been a struggle, turned out to be an incredible day on the water!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Tim used throughout the day. We've included exact sizes and colors, as well as the specifics of the rods and reels. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

DROPSHOT…

Bait– MissileBaits 6" Magic Worm: https://bit.ly/3T7dHgB

Color: MissileMorning

Hook– Owner Cover Shot HD: https://bit.ly/36Gunbf

Size: 2/0

Weight– Xzone Skinny Tungsten: https://bit.ly/40NDHjT

Size: 1/4 oz

TOPWATER...

•Evergreen Shower Blows SB 105: https://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Color: Bone

JUVY CRAW...

•Great Lakes Finesse Juvy Craw: https://bit.ly/4aCo9UC

Color: GP Purple Copper

•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 3/16 oz

FINESSE SWIMBAITS...

•Megabass 3" Spark Shad: https://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Color: Baby Bass

•Dirty jigs Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 1/8 oz

•Megabass 3" Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Physyx 6'8" Medium XFast: https://bit.ly/3xeqpn2

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

Line– Sufix 131 (30 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Sunline Super FC (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer Z Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: 7' Medium Regular

Reel– Daiwa Steez SV TW: https://bit.ly/3wXZ9Jb

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

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

BFS COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran BFS: https://bit.ly/3ryXKpR

Line– Sunline Super FC (7 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 hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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

Early Fall Bass Fishing! (Finesse Baits And Big Smallmouth)

We're exploring new water in search of big bass and taking you along for the ride on the Great Lakes! Don't miss any of the details as we adapt lure color, size, and retrieve to dial in a pattern for Smallmouth. Watch as the guys start off with power techniques like swimbaits and topwater but adapt with changing conditions, and continue catching fish with a ned rig, tube, and hair jig. 

Fishing Lake Michigan is all about adapting to changing conditions. Today started out with wind, settled to slick calm and high sun, then a lightning storm blew in. With no history to rely on the guys had to adapt on the fly, trying different presentations and locations (they ran over 50 miles!) to keep catching fish. They caught fish all day long and were vocal about the choices they were making and reasoning behind them. If you want to understand the mindset behind fish catching, this video is for you!

Below you'll find links to all the baits used in the video. We've included the exact models, sizes, and colors for each presentation. As promised, we've also included the jerkbait colors we use to adapt to changing conditions. Finally, you'll find links to our favorite rod and reel combos from the day with exact specs on each model. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SWIMBAIT... 

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3" (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi, Donko

TOPWATER...

-Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Color: Bone, Skeleton Chartreuse

JERKBAIT... 

-Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Natural Colors: Ito Natural, Matte Shad, Clear Laker

Bold Colors: Elegy Bone, Western Clown, Wakin React

TUBE...

Bait- STH Finesse Tube 2.5: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Color: Dark Melon Gold Purple, Dark Melon Gold

Head- Blade Runner Inhaler: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Size: 1/8 oz 1/0 Hook

Alt. Head- Northland Tackle Short Shank: https://bit.ly/3AM4xwu

HAIR JIG... 

-Andy's Custom Maribou Jig (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3uYqDsw

Color: Black

NED RIG... 

Bait- Roboworm 3" Ned: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Color: Desert Craw

Head- Swagger Tungsten Flanders: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Size: 1/10th with 1/0 Hook

DARK SLEEPER COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

HAIR JIG COMBO... (Back Order Available)

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 901 SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Sustain FJ 3000: https://bit.ly/3BQLlNP

Line- Sunline Super FC 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TUBE COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Extreme 7'6" Medium: https://bit.ly/37UhrKR

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline SX1 12 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- 6 lb Sunline Super FC: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

JERKBAIT COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line- Sunline Super FC 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

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

Sunken Shipwreck Explored! Amazing Smallmouth Fishing!

We won't let a broken boat stop us! Come along as we explore Lake Superior! Fall comes early in the North so we're able to target smallmouth moving shallow and feeding on baitfish long before they make the mouth in the Southern US. You'll see how clear the water is when we stumble across an 1800's era shipwreck along the way!

A lot of anglers are intimidated by big lakes. We often hear questions like, "where do you start?", "how do you know where to go?", and "Is it safe?" Fishing these GIANT bodies of water requires a dedication to safety but beyond that, its no different than fishing your local lake. Focus on protected areas or unique structures (coves, bays, points, and humps). We always start out fishing with reaction baits to cover water and find active fish, then slow down with finesse techniques as needed. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment we used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors, sizes, and any other important details. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

PRIMARY BAITS…

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3": http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze

Size: 1/2 oz and 3/4 oz

-Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Color: Bone

OUR OTHER BAITS... 

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

Colors: Mirrored Minnow, Glass Minnow

Swimbait- Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: SunGill, Smallmouth Magic

Head: Dirty Jigs Tactical Finesse 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Jerkbait- Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Colors: Mat Skeleton Shad, Elegy Bone

Spinnerbait- Megabass SV-3 3/8 oz: https://bit.ly/3lk1SD0

Color: Gill

Hair Jig- Andy's Custom Maribou Jig (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3uYqDsw

Color: Black

DARK SLEEPER COMBO...

Rod- Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

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

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

CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" Medium heavy: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line- Sunline Super FC 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

SPINNERBAIT COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'1" Med Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

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

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

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

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

Fishing Cold Water Crankbaits For Big Winter Bass

Come along for a fun day chasing Cold Water Bass! The plan is to throw a Ned Rig, Jig, Dark Sleeper, and Crankbait. It doesn't take long before BIG bass start coming in the boat! Winter bass fishing doesn't have to be tough, let us show you the tricks along the way that will make all the difference. If you understand where the fish position in Winter and how to trigger a feed response, Winter bass fishing becomes a lot more fun! 

At the start of the day the plan was to use slow bottom contact baits to catch the majority of fish then try to get a bigger bite on a crankbait. It became apparent very quickly that the "traditional" methods of Winter fishing simply were not working. The bass were completely shut down and uninterested in biting. These are some of the best conditions for the crankbait because it does not rely on the bass' desire to feed, instead triggering a core reaction response. 

While many of the baits Matt threw didn't work well on this day, they are all proven producers in the Winter months so we've linked them all below. Additionally, we've included a detailed list of the potential "cold water crankbaits" that we have confidence in so that you can start cold water cranking right away if that is a technique you'd like to try. The Tactical Crankbait is backordered into March but it would still advisable to get in line if that is a bait you would like to try this coming season. 

Today's Baits... 

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(Ghost Minnow, Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow)

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3" 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

(Donko, Wakasagi)

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

(Supermatt Brown)

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

(Cinnamon Black and Purple Flake)

-Roboworm Ned Worm 3": http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

(Oxblood Light Red Flake, Peoples Worm)

-Swagger Tungsten 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Other Cold Water Crankbaits... 

-Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

-Spro RK Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

-6th Sense Curve 55: http://bit.ly/37hZ1TD

Matt's Crankbait Combo... 

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

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

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

Budget Cranking Combo... 

Rod- Fury 7' Medium Heavy Cranking: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

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