How To Catch Fish In Clear Water - Finesse And Power Fishing Tricks!

Clear water fishing is easy! Sure, the fish can see you, but that doesn't mean they won't bite! The key to fishing clear water is focusing on the extremes. While most anglers tend to target clear water fish with micro baits and light line, you can also catch them on big baits!

Don't be intimidated by clear water. Once you learn to drop down in line size, or up in bait size, you won't have any trouble getting bit. The keys to consistency are long casts and slow movements on the boat. With a little practice, you'll be catching fish with ease, even when they see you. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits the guys were fishing with today. We've included the exact sizes, colors, and rigging components for each, along with some of the big baits that Tim was talking about for fishing at the other end of the spectrum.  All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

HAIR JIG... 

-Feider Fly Maribou Jig 3/32 oz: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black

SENKO... 

Bait- Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Baby Bass, Crushed Goby

Hook- VMC Sure Set Dropshot (Size 1/0): https://bit.ly/3oXxOz8

Ring- VMC Crossover Ring (Size 7MM): https://bit.ly/3w0NYdz

DROPSHOT... 

Bait- Netbait STH Flat Sided Shad: https://bit.ly/3OBN9AW

Color: Green Pumpkin, Shiner

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 3/16 Pencil: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

TUBE... 

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

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Dark Melon Purple

Head- Blade Runner Inhaler Head (1/0): https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

BIG BAITS... 

-River2Sea S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Light Trout

-Megabass 6" and 8" Magdraft: http://bit.ly/2CANTU7

Colors: Albino Pearl Shad, MSS

-Big Bite Bait B5 Line Thru: https://bit.ly/3LLU4pm

Colors: Bling, Citrus Shad, Pearly Shad

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

Color: Electric Blue Chartreuse, Chartreuse Shad

DROPSHOT/ HAIR JIG COMBO...

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

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

SENKO COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 902S SJR: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

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

"BANG FOR THE BUCK" FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'6" Light: https://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Vanford 3000: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

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

BUDGET FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: https://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Super FC 6 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

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

BEST FISHING EVER! Bites On EVERY Cast!

They're biting EVERY cast! Come along for some of the most insane bass fishing ever!! This is the day we all dream about and today, the camera is running full time while the BIG bass are biting! Come along for the full day on an epic bite and see exactly what we're using, where we're fishing, and how we adapt to keep catching the fish! 

We love catching smallmouth because of their amazing power. Battling big smallmouth on light line is an incredible experience. Doing it in crystal clear water is even better! We knew this day was going to be special when Matt's first smallmouth of the day was over 5 1/2 lbs, but we couldn't have imagined the chaos would go on for hours!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt was using throughout the day. Below that you'll find cut points so you can jump between the high points of the video. All the gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Dark Sleeper... 

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

Color: Wakasagi

Preferred Weights: 1/2 - 3/4 oz

Tube Bait... 

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

Color: Juvenile Goby

Head- Blade Runner Inhaler (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Jerkbait... 

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

Color: Mat Skeleton Shad

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano Treble (Size 5): http://bit.ly/2dWWAut

Larger Keitech... 

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

Color: Smallmouth Magic

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Finesse Keitech... 

Bait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: TW Ghost Shad

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/0 Hook (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Hair Jig... 

Bait- Outkast Tackle Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black

Tube Fishing Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6" Medium: http://bit.ly/2pjJWMA

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

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

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

Dark Sleeper Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 "Dark Sleeper": https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

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

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

Jerkbait Combo... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Finesse Keitech Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 821S NNR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Power Pro Braid (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Cut Points... 

5:25 - Matt catches a GIANT on the Dark Sleeper!

11:30 - Boat Runs Over Matt's line!!

27:45 - Matt catches a GIANT on the tube!

40:45 - First fish on the jerkbait

47:30 - Another boater gets WAYYYY too close!!

57:15 - Matt goes off about boat traffic!

01:04:50 - Matt catches BIG one on Dark Sleeper

01:06:40 - Dark Sleeper: The exact details

01:33:00 - Insanely hard hookset and Tube Fishing tips!

01:38:40 - First fish on the Keitech

01:48:25 - Trick for fishing clear water

01:56:40 - Matt's trick with finesse swimbaits

02:03:00 - Arriving at 2nd Spot

02:11:35 - First fish on new spot

02:22:15 - Watching a big one chase and eat the bait!

02:26:20 - Birds eye view of fish swimming in CRYSTAL CLEAR water!

02:30:40 - Matt uses a bait switch to sight cast this BIG ONE!!

03:27:45 - Arrive at 4th spot

03:44:44 - Arrive at 5th spot, catch one first cast!

04:07:28 - Matt catches a big one on the jerkbait!

04:13:18 - BIG fish catches the Dark Sleeper on the fall!!

04:28:55 - Matt shows each bait and the exact rods and reels he used

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