Early Spring Gear Review 2025! Rods, Reels, Tackle And Gear!

This is the hottest new gear in bass fishing for 2025! We've been testing a ton of new gear the past few months and these are the clear stand outs! From the new Shimano Outlier Series, to Aftco's Fortress Suit, to a variety of reels, baits, and tackle, these are the best new items we've found! Let's take a look!

This is our first gear review of 2025 and it's packed with amazing gear! We've been busily testing rods, reels, and baits, throughout Fall and Winter. Most baits didn't make the cut, but these gems earned their place! These new Strolling options are must haves, and the chatterbait trailers speak for themselves. For the swimbait anglers we've got the new Tranx 300 B, and the whole Shimano Outlier series! For those in the armed forces, or who want to support those that are, the Abu Garcia Zata Tact Z is an awesome addition!

Below you'll find links to all our favorite gear that was featured in this video. We've listed them in the order they appeared, and included all relevant information on favorite colors, sizes, etc. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICAL APPAREL...

•New TacticalBassin Gear: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

New Items: Hoodies, Hats, Beanies

AFTCO GEAR...

•Aftco Fortress Rain Jacket: https://bit.ly/42LrGQ8

•Aftco Fortress Rain Bibs: https://bit.ly/4aPp45O

•Aftco Packable Transformer Jacket: https://bit.ly/3t4y4lP

•Aftco Packable Transformer Pants: https://bit.ly/3Zzy89y

SHIMANO TRANX...

•Shimano Tranx 300 B: https://bit.ly/40QzQ7b

Favorite Speed: 7:1 (HG)

SHIMANO OUTLIER ROD SERIES...

•Shimano Outlier Rods: https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

7'4" MH Baits: S–Waver, 6" Trick Shad, Flag, 6" Magdraft

7'9" MH+ Baits: 7" Trick Shad, TK, Chad Shad, Toxic Gill

7'10" H+ Baits: Hinkle Shad, Phoney, K9, 8" Magdraft

7'11" H Baits: Citizen 6"–7", Bacca Burrito, Tyrant 9, Loose Caboose

8' XH Baits: 8" Hudd, SlideSwimmer 250, Hawghunter Mag, Tyrant 10

8' XXH Baits: Hinkle Trout, DRT Ghost, Roman Made Mother, DRT Frenzy

ABU GARCIA REEL...

•Abu Garcia Zata Tact Z: https://bit.ly/3B8E7Ks

Favorite Speed: 7.1:1

STROLL SHAD...

•Hog Farmer 5" Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Favorite Colors: Electric Shad, Ghost Minnow, Green Shad

Pairing– Dirty Jigs HD Tungsten Guppy: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 oz

OWNER HEAD...

•Owner Round Ball XL: https://bit.ly/3Et1q33

Favorite Sizes: 5/16 oz – 4/0, 3/8 oz – 5/0

CHATTERBAIT TRAILER...

•ZMan ChatterShad: https://bit.ly/4jPaGOX

Favorite Colors: Bad Shad, Electric Shad, The Deal

YAMAMOTO SWIMBAIT...

•Yamamoto Shad Shape Swimmer: https://bit.ly/4hOE5al

Sizes: 3.2", 3.7", 4.2"

Favorite Colors: Green Gizzard, Natural Shad, Rainbow Shad

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

BUYER'S GUIDE: STROLLING, JIG AND MINNOW, HEAD DESIGNS, AND RODS!

Fishing minnow plastics on a jighead continues to sweep bass fishing! Here's why! While this technique isn't new, advancements in forward facing sonar have caused a huge resurgence. That said, you DO NOT NEED ELECTRONICS to fish these presentations effectively! They work equally well on the shores of a pond, as they do for offshore suspended fish.

Today we're covering the most effective baits for "mid strolling" and "bottom strolling". Both methods are incredibly effective and after today, you'll understand how to apply them to your fishing. Every brand in the fishing industry is hustling to add a bait to this category, but there are key baits that stand out from the crowd and consistently catch fish in a variety of conditions.

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

DEDICATED STROLLING VIDEO...

Jig And Minnow Fishing– https://youtu.be/5Gz4rap0DpE

PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...

Buyer's Guide: Best Jigs And Jig Trailers– https://youtu.be/OQwFNTORnN4

Buyer's Guide: Best Chatterbaits And Trailers– https://youtu.be/14NqxFIWGgo

Buyer's Guide: $100 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/2eCEb3G3VE0

Buyer's Guide: $200 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/AcrTDhtaSQg

Buyer's Guide: $300 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/aFhefLwNHGQ

Buyer's Guide: $500 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/WAgpVnuE800

Buyer's Guide: High End Combos– https://youtu.be/obxNp48IALo

Buyer'S Guide: Alabama Rigs– https://youtu.be/wPm3izTumxk

Buyer's Guide: Spinnerbaits– https://youtu.be/eQvFnnfj3sw

FULL SIZE BAITS...

•Deps 5" Sakamata Shad: https://bit.ly/3QMt9yd

Colors: Purple Shad, Silver Shad

•Hog Farmer 4.5" Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Blue Gizzard, Electric Shad

•Rapala Crush City Freeloader: https://bit.ly/3QWwj4b

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Tennessee Shad

FINESSE BAITS...

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

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Electric Shad, Blizzard Gizzard

•Yamamoto Scope Shad: https://bit.ly/3MVUjBH

Colors: Natural Shad, Sexy Shad

•Duo Realis BR Fish: https://bit.ly/3Twy751

Colors: Seguro KataKuchi, Smokey Magic

•Hog Farmer 3.5" Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Blue Gizzard, Electric Shad

•Great Lakes Finesse Hover Minnow: https://bit.ly/3YkWsgL

Colors: Iridescent, Gizzard Shad, Crush Shad

•Raid Fish Roller: https://bit.ly/3GMrpAg

Colors: Clear Wakasagi, Fish Skin Jewel Wakasagi

OVERSIZE BAITS...

•Damiki 7” Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Colors: American Shad, PB Silver, Tennessee Shad

GRAPH SHADZ…

•ZMan Graph Shadz: https://bit.ly/3Spu6xP

Colors: Electric Shad, Bad Shad, Tennessee Shad

Size: 1/4 - 3/8 oz

UNIQUE HEADS...

•Duo Realis BR Head: https://bit.ly/3MV2y0C

Sizes: 1/10 - 3/16 oz

•Great Lakes Finesse Sneaky Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/46piwbK

Size: 1/8 - 1/4 oz

•Great Lakes Finesse Hanging Jig Head: https://bit.ly/3yf7fOI

Size: 3/16 - 1/4 oz

OUR FAVORITE HEADS…

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

Size: 1/4 - 3/8 oz, 1/0 - 3/0 Hook

•Owner Range Roller: https://bit.ly/42cqaUR

Size: 1/8 - 3/16 oz

•Gamakatsu Horizon LG: https://bit.ly/3QklyHO

Size: 5/32 oz, 3/0 Hook

TUNGSTEN JIGHEADS…

•Dirty Jigs Tungsten Guppy: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 - 3/8 oz

•Queen Tackle Strolling Rolling Head: https://bit.ly/4eX7NIP

Size: 1/4 oz

HIGH END STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Poison Adrena 6'10" Med+ Extra Fast: https://bit.ly/4c0fQmq

Reel– Shimano Stella FJ 2500: https://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

Line– Sunline Almight Braid (16 lb): https://bit.ly/4flJrsg

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (8 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

MAIN STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'10" MHSB: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Model: 6'10" Medium Heavy Extra Fast

Reel– Shimano Sustain FJ 2500: https://bit.ly/3BQLlNP

Line– Sufix 832 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

BUDGET STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Eagle 7'1" Medium: https://bit.ly/3Lo1gKC

Reel– Shimano Miravel 2500: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5

Line– Power Pro Braid (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader– Sufix Advance (10 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 hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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