DIY Boat Project: The First Upgrade I Make To Every Boat!

Today we're doing a simple project that every fishing boat on the market should do. Boat Buckles are a retractable rod strap that hold your fishing rods in place when the boat is moving and conveniently store inside the gunwale when you stop.  Most used boats have bungee straps or old velcro straps and are desperately in need of an upgrade. Watch step by step as Matt installs a set of Boat Buckle straps. 

We just picked up CC's new boat, a used Champion 198. Any time you purchase used boats you know there will be some work involved. The Boat Buckles are just the beginning as we plan to upgrade the batteries, trolling motor, electronics, and wiring in the coming weeks. We do these first because its a mandatory upgrade on all our boats, its relatively inexpensive, and can be done very quickly with minimal tools. 

A lot of anglers are afraid to work on their own boats. There is something taboo about pulling off a motor cowling and going to work. While some jobs really do need a boat mechanic, a job like this can be done quickly and easily at home. Below are links to the parts we used for this upgrade. Also linked if you're curious are the additional upgrades we'll be doing to the rest of the boat. 

-Boat Buckle Rod Straps: https://bit.ly/3aC7bYf

**Be sure to add the concealment kit if you want your buckles mounted on the inside of the hull like we did on this boat**

Additional items we're upgrading on CC's boat... 

-Ultrex 112 MEGA I-Pilot Link 52" Shaft Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2RqrT4v

-Humminbird Helix 12 Chirp G3 Electronics: https://bit.ly/2w7u3jx

-Kong Wave Tamer Mount: http://bit.ly/2wsJVbA

-Megaware Keel Guard: http://bit.ly/2N5p36m

-Boat Buckle Retractable Transom Straps: https://bit.ly/2QYpbEz

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 Swimbait Bite Is On! Big Bass Attacking Glide Baits!

We found the bass! No light rods today, its all swimbaits and heavy tackle! We knew going in that we'd probably catch a bunch of fish on the big bait so instead of throwing our favorite glide bait (S-Waver 200) we decided to mix it up and find out what else they would eat. Let's see if these bass will eat a Baitsanity Explorer, Storm Arashi Glide, or G Ratt Sneaky Pete. (Spoiler Alert: THEY DO!) Spring swimbait fishing with glide baits can be incredible, let us show you how to be successful as we catch some nice Clearlake bass.

Glide Baits have a remarkable ability to trigger a feed response in bass. Learning how to use them to your advantage can change your Spring fishing. These baits naturally draw larger than average bass due to their size (drawing power) but if you don't know what to do when those fish appear, it can be incredibly frustrating! Pay close attention to the guy's hands as they twitch and work the baits to trigger a feed response and convert these bass from casual followers to aggressive biters. 

We're all struggling to adapt during these difficult times. The virus is causing lake closures, fishing bans, and a whole range of difficult circumstances for anglers.  If you're still able to get out on the water and want to maximize your limited time with a shot at a giant bass, the glide bait could be your best bet for success. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits, equipment, and component upgrades the guys used to find success today. Stock hardware on most of these baits is severely lacking, you absolutely want to upgrade both the hooks and split rings to avoid bend outs when you hook the fish of a lifetime. 

The Baits... 

-Storm Arashi Glide (Threadfin Shad): http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1

Other Great Colors- Oikawa Mesu, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout)

-Baitsanity Antidote Slow Sink (Shad): http://bit.ly/2ztUk9z

Other Great Colors- Summer Shad, Killer Shad

-G-Ratt Sneaky Pete 7.5 (Hitch): http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Other Great Colors- Green Perch, Baby Trout

-S Waver 200 (Light Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Other Great Colors- Bluegill, Warden Hitch

Open Water GlideBaits (Not Used Today)... 

-Baitsanity Explorer: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

-Deps Slide Swimmer 250: http://bit.ly/2AfXQnF

-Gan Craft Jointed Claw 230: http://bit.ly/2fLjSnm

Hardware Upgrades... 

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 5 or 6: http://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

Hooks- Owner ST-56 (3X Strong) Size 1: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Tim's High-End Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Destroyer 7'11" Onager: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 80 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 30 lb Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Budget Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 80 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 35 lb Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

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

Tim Flips His Kayak In COLD Water!! Spring Bass Fishing FAIL!

Tim paddled out into Clearlake in search of big bass. He got more than he bargained for! He started out catching a few fish on a post-front afternoon with a light chop but it changed in a second when a boat wake caught him from behind. Thankfully he was wearing his life jacket but his gear wasn't so lucky!

Despite the cold swim, the video starts with some Spring fishing tips as Tim works his way along the bank. He switches between a lipless crankbait, a worm, and a small underspin swimbait in search of bass on what proves to be a very tough afternoon. Not knowing what was to come he catches a nice bass, followed by a crappie. The most important bit of information you can glean from this video is to always wear your life jacket!!

 We've been guilty of taking our life jackets off from time to time, just like everyone else. This is a serious reminder of how quickly the situation can change! Tim never saw the wave coming and in a blink he was in the water. Temperatures were in the 50's and he was no where near shore when it happened. If not for a passing boater the situation could have been much more dangerous. In the end, Tim lost 4 rod and reel combos, a new IPhone, two GoPro 8's, and a lot of tackle. Oops! 

Below are links to some of our more successful kayak outings, including Matt catching a 10 lber from the yak! We also included links to the baits Tim was throwing prior to flipping the kayak, and links to the exact inflatable life jackets that we wear on the boat because they're incredible comfortable and low profile. 

Kayak Videos...

Matt's 10 lber From the Kayak: https://youtu.be/bNTZvcyep-0

Tiny Creek Kayaking for BIG Smallmouth: https://youtu.be/6k76sDqv7hA

Whopper Plopper Fishing From The Kayak: https://youtu.be/qVrUAzAZwWE

Summer Topwater Madness! Awesome Kayak Fishing: https://youtu.be/QpGrXiY5t0c

Tim's Baits... 

Lipless Crankbait- Lucky Craft LV-500 (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Alabama Rig- Hog Farmer Flex BFL: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

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

Swimbait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact (TW Ghost Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Tim's Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Power Pro 15 lb (Hi Vis Yellow) Braid: http://bit.ly/2g9c2GV

Leader- Sunline Sniper 8 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Lifejackets... 

Inflatable Life Jacket- Mustang Elite Inflatable PFD: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP

Budget Inflatable- Onyx TW A-24 Auto Inflatable Life Jacket: https://bit.ly/3aySOUw

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

Awesome Bank Fishing With 3 Tips To Catch More Bass While Pond Fishing

Tim got access to an awesome pond! He's walking the shore with son JD and friend Caleb and they're catching nice bass! Come along for really good fishing with a glide bait, small swimbait, senko, and more. Fishing from shore allows you to fish unique angles that boats can't reach. Tim has a few tips that will make it even easier the next time you're on the bank. 

Tim starts off fishing with an S-Waver. The idea being that glide baits have incredible drawing power, pulling fish up from great distances. Best case scenario, you'll catch a giant, but even if you don't you're likely to see what is lurking in the depths as they come up to examine the bait. Tim's next trick is to focus on smaller swimbaits in bluegill and panfish colors. 

While every pond's ecosystem is different, almost all of them contain panfish. You simply can't go wrong with a bluegill imitator. You may find that white or flashy colors will work but unlike most large bodies of water, its always smart to start with bluegill imitators rather than shad imitators. When Tim switches to the senko he shares his 3rd trick for maximizing his time on the water. 

When shore fishing its often important to make long casts to maximize your fishing area. At the end of a long cast it can be really difficult to detect bites, especially with weightless presentations. Tim recommends switching your finesse rod to "high visibility" (Neon) line so that you can see the bites instead of feeling them. 

Pond fishing is often overlooked and with the current shelter in place around the country, its more likely than ever that you're pond hopping to catch a bass. Use these tips the next time you do and you'll be surprised by the results. Below is a breakdown of all the baits (in order of appearance) as well as Tim's top 3 Pond Fishing/Bank Fishing combos. 

The Baits... 

GlideBait- S-Waver 168 (Light Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

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

Chatterbait Trailer- Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact (Sungill): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Senko- Yamamoto 5" Senko (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- Owner Twist Lock Hook 3/0: http://bit.ly/2cYZ3rM

Dropshot- Roboworm 6" Straight Tail (Marten's Madness): http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 1/8 oz Pencil: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Swimbait- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (TW Ghost Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

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

Swimbait- 4.3" Fat Swing Impact Keitech (Sun Gill): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Tim's All-Around Casting Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

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

Tim's Small Swimbait/Chatterbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'10" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Daiwa Tatula 150: https://bit.ly/33X5Zfr

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

Leader- 15 lb Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's All-Around Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline SX-1 High Vis Yellow 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2FngUkQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 10 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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