Catching Big Slab Crappie From My Dock!

Giant Slab Crappie! We don't have to go far, they're all around our dock! The fish are schooling around the pilings and feeding aggressively on small shad. They'll eat a variety of baits but we figured out the biggest fish like to eat the float and fly. Come along as JD and I throw light line and ultralight bass tackle for crappie and bass.

Big slabs can be caught on any cheap crappie jig but we've demonstrated in previous crappie videos (links below) that your odds of catching the really big ones goes up exponentially when you use higher quality lures. Flies and hair jigs consistently out produce crappie jigs and small swimbaits like keitechs are far superior to traditional curly tail grubs. If your goal is bigger crappie, don't be afraid to pick up some of your finesse bass tackle and give it a try!

Today's video was all about having a good time. JD is doing a great job of learning the techniques and we're glad you could come along for the fun! If you're interested in any of the gear we were using in today's video, we've linked them below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up photos and descriptions of each item. We also linked some of our previous crappie and float n fly videos. 

Our Favorite Crappie Baits... 

-Spro 1/16 oz Phat Fly (Grey Ghost): http://bit.ly/2mboisG

-Thill Stealth Mini Float Bobber: http://bit.ly/2EYoXWa

-Thill Bobber Stops: http://bit.ly/2CJz1F0

-Cumberland Pro Lures 1/16 oz Float-N-Fly: http://bit.ly/2o9PE63

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

-Acme Tackle 1/4 oz Kastmasters: http://bit.ly/2PtUwi3

Tim's Hair Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis Trout Series 901: Source Locally

Reel- Shimano Stradic FL 1000: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Bass / Crappie Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Convergence 7' Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3euARZO

Reel- Shimano Sedona FL 1000: http://bit.ly/2wgh50Z

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Crappie Videos... 

How To Catch Huge Slab Crappie: https://youtu.be/WjDVpQ4aTsc

Huge Slab Crappie On Every Cast!: https://youtu.be/cBpu1suTnno

Float N Fly Video... 

The Float N Fly Just Got Easier!: https://youtu.be/oqZfnRkIvc0

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

Spring Underspin Tricks For Bass With Bonus Slab Crappie Catches!

Do you know how to adapt your underspin to changing conditions? Underspins catch big bass but when you should you throw a large offering instead of a tiny finesse underspin? When is a keitech better than the others? Come along for a full day on Clearlake as we read the water, adapt to changing conditions, and switch between a variety of underspins and swimbaits to build a pattern. As a bonus, we find ourselves in the middle of GIANT slab crappie that aren't afraid to eat big underspins!

There's no way around it, we took a left when we should have taken a right and it took us down an interesting path of big waves and bigger panfish. Today leaves little doubt that virtually everything that swims will eat an underspin with a swimbait trailer! Many anglers go to the lake and simply fish but a select few anglers, many of which are members of the TacticalBassin Family, spend their time on the water absorbing information, adapting to changing conditions, and constantly building patterns. These method of building patterns and adapting to change will make you an incredibly consistent angler. But once in a while... you take a left when you should have taken a right. 

Below is a breakdown of all the baits discussed in the video. The links for each product go directly to Tackle Warehouse (who is still shipping orders during the pandemic) where you can see up close photos and detailed descriptions. We also included links to some of our favorite equipment for under spin fishing. 

The Baits... 

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

(TW Ghost Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad)

-Xzone Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

(210, Bream, Tennessee Shad)

-Megabass Spark Shad 3" and 4": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

(Albino, Real, Silver Shad)

-River2Sea D Walker: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

(PB Red, Shamrock Shad, Silver Side)

The heads... 

-Cool Baits Down Under 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

(Black Silver, Silver Shad, Ol Faithful)

-Megabass Okashira Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

(Shad, Real Minnow)

-Hog Farmer War Pig HD 1/4 - 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2pcQnRP

(Albino, Blue Gizzard Shad, Green Gizzard Shad)

-Blade Runner Screw Lock Spintrix 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2oocg0a

(Anchovy, Black Shad, Grey Shad)

-Owner Flashy Swimmer 1/4 oz with 5/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

(Willow Blade)

Most Adaptable Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 16 lb Sunline FC100: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Best "Bang For The Buck" Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Combo... 

Rod- St Croix Bass X 7'2" MH: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

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

Winter Fishing for Bull Bluegill

We're chasing giant bluegill today! We usually focus on bass fishing but at the end of the day, we just love catching fish! During the Winter months, giant Bull Bluegill gather with the other predators and gorge on baitfish. These extraordinary fish are often overlooked but are amazing fighters and a worthy adversary on a cold Winter day. If you're tired of struggling this Winter, take a day off and  let us show you how to chase these amazing fish.

Bass fisherman often fall into the trap of only fishing for bass. While we don't recommend fishing for every tiny little fish that swims, branching out a little can be very healthy. These mental breaks help us to refocus before Spring arrives. Bluegill are a perfect candidate because they're plentiful all over the country and with relatively little effort you can learn to find the GIANTS. It doesn't matter what species it is, when you're catching some of the biggest, its going to be a good time. 

Fishing for oversized bluegill requires no specialized equipment. As a bass fisherman, your lightest dropshot or ned rig rods should be just fine. Carry a few downsized baits (we linked our favorites below) and be prepared for a suprisingly powerful fight. As soon as conditions allow, get back to bass fishing but don't hesitate to take a break and enjoy the plentiful fishing that is around you this Winter. 

The baits... 

-Kastmaster 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2PtUwi3

-Damiki Vault 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

-Spro Phat Fly 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2mboisG

-Keitech 2.8" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

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

Matt's Combo... 

Rod-  Zodias 6'8" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 1000: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline Sniper 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Combo... 

Rod- Daiwa Aird-X 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2P7Z3Vu

Reel- Shimano Sedona FI: http://bit.ly/2wgh50Z

Line- Maxima Ultragreen 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

How To Catch Huge Slab Crappie

Today we're catching Slab Crappie on swimbaits, hair jigs, and finesse plastics. If you want to catch bigger crappie, these tips are what you've been looking for. Crappie are abundant but anyone who fishes for them regularly knows how temperamental they can be. Some crappie gear works remarkably well but a lot of it is unrefined. By making a few quick changes you can take your crappie fishing to a whole new level.

For years bass fishermen have known the power of Keitech swimbaits and hair jigs for bass. By applying these same refined lures to Crappie, anglers can increase their catch rates and typically increase the size of catch as well. We tend to use heavier heads than traditional crappie fishing in order to get the correct action out of the lures. The heavier weights also allow us to use light bass tackle.

Below is a break down of the gear we were using in this video as well as a few color recommendations for the various baits.

The baits...

Matt Stefan Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Keitech Fat 2.8 Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Realis V-TailShad: http://bit.ly/2PUH83Q

Basstrix 2" Flash Trix: http://bit.ly/2KHVxiy

Feider Hair Jig: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Typical colors include Shad, Smelt, Chartreuse/Blue, and Pearl

Matt's Rod/Reel Combo...

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'8" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 1000 size: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline Sniper 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's Rod/Reel Combo...

Rod- Daiwa Elite AGS 7'6" Feider: http://bit.ly/2QHupT9

Reel- Daiwa Tatula LT 2000: http://bit.ly/2zrq4id

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

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