Fishing The Dog Days Of Summer! (Frog And Topwater Tips)

Come along for some HOT Summer Bass Fishing! Tim and JD are back on the water and the bass are biting! They're exploring shallow, grassy coves with topwater and Tim is teaching JD as they go. From cast angles to subtle bait entry into the water, there are some knowledge gems amongst the fish catches.

Summer heat can be brutal! Scorching Summer temperatures seem to have come early this year, and while it may be uncomfortable to fish in, the bass are biting! Let the high temperatures work for you, as bass position around shade edges. The guys were able to capitalize with a variety of topwater baits, with the occasional dropshot fish mixed in.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear they used used throughout the day. We've also included some great budget–friendly combos for the angler who wants to fish these techniques effectively without spending excessively on the gear. 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...

•Jackall Gavacho: https://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Colors: Chart Strike Gill

•Whopper Plopper 90: https://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Color: Chrome Black

•Baby Pop X: https://bit.ly/3QgjPDY

Color: MG Sexy Stream

TIM'S MAIN 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 (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

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

TIM'S FROG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

BUDGET FROG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'2" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): https://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line– Power Pro Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

BUDGET WALKING BAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT: https://bit.ly/35hugfH

Line– Sufix 832 (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance (15 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

The Topwater Lures You Missed, But Your Friends Didn't!

Things are changing! Sure, the old staple baits work, but there are new baits in town and they're making waves! From subtle differences between walking baits and frogs, to this new category of straight retrieved, erratic baits... there is a lot to learn about topwater fishing for bass in 2024! Come along as Tim takes a quick dive into his favorite baits, new confidence baits, and how he's adapting to keep catching fish.

We all have a favorite topwater lure or two. Its great to have those confidence baits, but if you're not adapting, you're missing out! Fish are becoming wary of our presentations, and new innovations are emerging. Straight retrieve baits with erratic actions are coming over from Saltwater and you better be ready!

Below you'll find links to all the baits discussed in the video. We've included favorite colors, hook upgrades, as well as the rods and reels we use to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

RELATED VIDEOS...

•5 "Must Try" Topwater Tricks For Summer Bass!: https://youtu.be/_4NRKoJ2BN4

•Don't Miss These 5 Overlooked Topwater Baits! They're Amazing!!: https://youtu.be/2fTVGa2JsNw

WALKING BAITS...

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

Colors: Ghost Threadfin Shad, Bone, Full Metal

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Colors: Megabass Sexy Shad, Wagin Hasu 2, White Python

TOPWATER FROG...

•Jackall Gavacho: https://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Colors: Chart Strike Gill, Gold Gill

•Snagproof Bobby's Perfect: https://bit.ly/3rHCOsQ

Colors: Bluegill, Hot Mess

WHOPPER PLOPPER...

•River2Sea Whopper Plopper 90/110: https://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Chrome Black, Bone, Monkey Butt

BUZZBAIT...

•D&M Easy Roller (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

Colors: White Shad, Sexy Shad

•Big Bite Suicide Buzz: https://bit.ly/3iDnLLi

Colors: Pearly Shad, Blue Gizzard

POPPERS...

•Shimano World Pop 69F: https://bit.ly/3sSjJpI

Colors: Clown, N Smelt, T Smelt

•Megabass Pop Max: https://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: Gill, Mat Shad

WAKEBAIT...

•River2Sea Tactical 210 Wake: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Colors: Tactical Shad, Chrome Gill

STRAIGHT RETRIEVE BAITS...

•ZMan HellRaizer: https://bit.ly/3P0vseM

Colors: Ghost Shad, Chrome

•Nomad Dartwing: https://bit.ly/4eKzWnd

Colors: Natural Shad, Holo Ghost Shad

HOOK UPGRADES...

•Hayabusa TBL 930 NRB Coated: https://bit.ly/3qBuXkB

Size: 2, 4

•Gamakatsu Feathered Treble: https://bit.ly/2Ii4IXO

Size: 4, 2

TIM'S MAIN 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 (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

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

TIM'S FROG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

BUDGET WALKING BAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT: https://bit.ly/35hugfH

Line– Sufix 832 (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BUDGET FROG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'2" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): https://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line– Power Pro Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Topwater Lures Made Easy! (Beginner To Advanced)

Choosing the right topwater can be a real challenge! Between poppers, walkers, crawlers, whopper poppers, buzz baits, frogs, and toads its hard to know what to throw. But just like anything else, there are key baits that seem to work day after day and month after month. Today Matt is opening up his topwater boxes and sharing the key "stand outs" that he relies on to get bit when it counts. 

Matt breaks his spring topwater into 4 categories. He relies on poppers, walking baits, straight retrieve baits, and frogs, to catch fish throughout Spring. Within those 4 categories it gets pretty complicated (as witnessed by the 4 boxes of topwaters he pulls out of the rod locker) but today he is sharing his favorites with us. From each category he's able to quickly select the "key" baits that will get bit when you need them most. 

Below you'll find links to the exact topwater lures shown in the video. We've included the guys favorite colors and sizes for each, as well as some of the different rods they use to throw these baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

POPPERS... 

All Around- Damiki D Pop 70: http://bit.ly/2Pjvqo3

Colors: Spayu, Phantom, Black Holo

Refined- Yellow Magic 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Smoke Shad, Japanese Shad, Alewife

Bigger Fish- Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Colors: Gill, Pumpkinseed, MB Gizzard

WALKING BAITS... 

All Around- River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Sooner, Bone, Abalone Shad

Refined- Evergreen Shower Blows 105/125: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Bone, Half Mirror Wakasagi, Skeleton Chartreuse

Small Profile- Rapala Skitter Walk: https://bit.ly/37DC2Uz

Colors: Shad Translucent, Bluegill

STRAIGHT RETRIEVE BAITS... 

-Whopper Plopper 130: http://bit.ly/2a7ipHL

Colors: Bone, Bluegill, Munky Butt

-Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Bone, I Know It

-Dirty Jigs Skirtless Pro Buzz: https://bit.ly/2WJ85R3

Colors: Silver, Red

-Quad Blade Buzz: https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

Colors: Night Stalker, Red Bug

SMALL FROGS... 

-Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: Glitter Bluegill, Glitter Hasu, Green Frog

-Spro Bronzeye Jr. 60: http://bit.ly/2XkbgxR

Colors: Killer Gill, Red Ear, Neon Glow

MATT'S FAVORITE WALKING BAIT COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Line- Sufix 131 Braid 40 lb: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

MATT'S FAVORITE FROG COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

MID-PRICED WALKING BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

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

BUDGET POPPER COMBO...

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

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

Line- Power Pro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

RAW and UNCUT Fishing For BIG Bass!

Come along for a day of bass fishing! Watch how we build patterns and target these BIG bass in a large lake. If you want to see what its like to really figure out a new body of water, this is for you! We're using a chatterbait, swimbait, fluke, and topwater to coax these fish into biting. 

This style of video gives a complete view of what its really like to get out on the water and dial in the fish. When we're just showing highlights its easy to assume that we don't have struggles. Put this video on and watch the ups and downs, the good decisions and the bad, and see how it plays out in the end as Tim sticks some true monster bass! If you don't have time to watch it all, use the cut points below to jump between highlights. If you enjoy this style of video leave a comment and let us know!

These bass are transitioning into the shallows to feed and spawn. Spring has arrived in the South and these bass are feeding! If you want to replicate some of these patterns, we've included links to all the equipment Tim was using. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've included relevant colors, as well as the rods and reels he was using to throw the baits. 

CHATTERBAIT... 

 Bait- Evergreen JackHammer (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

Trailer- Yamamoto Zako: http://bit.ly/2fKmSRp

Color: Zako, Green Pumpkin Black Flake

UNDERSPIN...

Bait- Megabass Uoze Swimmer (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2kmDjdK

Color: Black/Blue

Trailer- Yamamoto Zako Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2fKmSRp

Color: Zako

SWIM JIG... 

Bait- Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2dIVUMd

Color: Black and Blue

Trailer- Gambler EZ Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2OLlyUf

Color: Gold Rush

FLUKE...

Bait- Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Color: Smokin Shad

Hook- Gamakatsu 4/0 Superline: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

FROG... 

-Jackall Gavacho: http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Color: Chart Strike Gill

TOPWATER...

-Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Color: Loon

CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 883C BJR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL A (HG): https://bit.ly/3tdTQ36

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

Leader- Sunline Super FC 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

SWIM JIG COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

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

CUT POINTS...

5:50 - 1st Fish On Chatterbait

14:05 - Explaining The Mindset

22:40 - 2nd Fish Catch

23:40 - Teach How To Fish A Chatterbait

30:10 - Catch GIANT BASS on Chatterbait!

37:20 - Grass Fishing Tips

42:00 - Chatterbait Retrieves Instruction

54:25 - 4th Fish Catch

57:40 - Lose Big Bass At The Boat!

01:01:15 - Teaching About Swim Jigs In Grass

01:26:45 - Mega Live Instruction

01:50:00 - Catching A 6 lber!

02:20:45 - 6th Fish Catch

02:45:00 - 7th Fish Catch

02:48:40 - 8th Fish Catch

02:52:40 - 9th Fish Catch

03:12:00 - Discussing Baits, Gear, And Choices (Wrapping Up)

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