Best Worms and Creature Baits For Bass Fishing - Buyer's Guide

Today we continue the Buyer's Guide Series with a look at our favorite soft plastics. We've chosen 12 of our favorite plastics including worms, tubes, creatures, and minnow baits. Some of them are old stand by's while others are wild cards you might never have heard of.

This bonus video is designed to help you wade through the hundreds of soft plastics on the market and focus on the proven producers and best new options without wasting time and money. Each of these baits has been producing for us and we're confident will do the same for you.

Below is a breakdown of the baits we have confidence in. Whether you're finesse fishing, flipping, or chasing a reaction bite, there are baits here that will work for you. We're including some of our favorite colors and size recommendations for each as well. In no particular order, here are the baits...

1) Yamamoto Senko 5" and 6": http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

-Some of our favorite senko colors include Green Pumpkin black flake, Green Pumpkin Watermelon laminate, Baby Bass, and June Bug.

2) Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

- The Fluke can be used to mimic any baitfish so "match the hatch" the best you can. Some of our favorite colors are Tennessee Shad, Green Pumpkin, Albino, and Smokin Shad.

3) Strike King Fat Baby Finesse Worm: http://bit.ly/2aKei5y

-Favorite colors include Blue Fleck, Green Pumpkin, and Watermelon Red Flake.

4) Net Bait 6.5" T-Mac Worm: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Favorite Colors Include Green Pumpkin, Junebug, Kentucky Special, and Texas Craw.

5) Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig: http://bit.ly/2s51oIV

Not to be confused with Al Gore's Man Bear Pig, the Reaction Innovations version is a true fish producer! We've seen incredible results with this bait and often throw it in place of the Brush Hog. Favorite colors include Hematoma, Okeechobee Craw, Tramp Stamp, and Watermelon Red.

6) Keitech Crazy Flapper 4.4": http://bit.ly/2c3cXrp

This bait is a sleeper and you should really check it out. It has a TON of action and shines on a light Texas rig. Favorite colors include Green Pumpkin, Double Trouble, Green Pumpkin Fire, and Sprayed Grass.

7) Roboworm Alive Shad 4": http://bit.ly/2kDNeYw

Give your fish a unique look with this full-bodied worm. Favorite colors include Aarons Magic, Hologram Shad, Margarita Mutilator, and Morning Dawn.

8) Dry Creek 3.5" Tournament Tube: http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

Favorite colors include Butt Ugly, Green Pumpkin, Old Ugly, and Mocha Copper Pepper.

9) Z-Man Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

If you haven't thrown a ned rig yet, you're missing the boat. This one is for you! Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Goby, Yoga Pants, and Mud Bug are all proven producers.

10) Roboworm Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Favorite Colors include Aarons Magic, Desert Craw, MM3, and Peoples Worm.

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

Unique bait that works equally well on a dropshot or a Damiki Rig. Favorite colors include Bluegill, Ghost Pearl Silver, and Violet Wakasagi.

12) Roboworm Fat 6" Straight Tail Worm: http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

The Roboworm is a proven bait in the West that is winning tournaments all over the country. Favorite colors include Aaron's Magic, MMIII, People's Worm, and Red Crawler.

13) Jackall Archelon: http://bit.ly/2uo4sN5

This is our favorite flipping bait fished on a heavy Texas Rig. Favorite colors include Green Pumpkin Candy, Green Pumpkin Pepper, and School Bluegill.

Favorite Flippin Stick- Expride 7'11" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Favorite Hooks, jigheads, and weights...

-Vike Tungsten Weights: http://bit.ly/2DUIxB4

-Strike King 3/16 Tube Heads: http://bit.ly/2xpDBDK

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

-Ned LockZ HD Heads: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

-Owner Shaky Ultrahead: http://bit.ly/2iofJdg

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Bass Fishing: How To Catch Bass On Tough Days

Eat! Eat! Eat! Food is all that bass are thinking about in the Late Fall! These creatures know the cold season is coming and they waste no time filling their reserves with anything that passes in front of them. This time of year an angler can gain a ton of confidence in new lures by targeting bass that are anxious to feed. Need to learn how to catch bass on crankbaits, swimbait, jigs, etc? No problem! It all sounds wonderful until they shut down. All of a sudden you can’t get a bite, no one can, so what do you do now?

Today Tim breaks down his approach to catching bass that are shut down. Anyone can get a bite when the fish are chasing but knowing when its time to stop and adapt can be the difference between a great day and a frustrating outing. Knowing when to downsize to a dropshot, Neko rig, or other finesse bait is an art all its own. Tim explains the signs you need to keep an eye out for and follows it up with tackle recommendations.

Below is a breakdown of the tackle that Tim uses during tough conditions. When the fish turn negative, fish with confidence, knowing that you’ve adapted at the right time. The bass are still there and with a little persistence you can salvage your day on the water.

Dropshot Presentation...

Worm- Strike King Half Shell: http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light 1/0: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Vike Skinny Tungsten Dropshot: http://bit.ly/2kppo3p

Swimbait Presentation...

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

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

Ned Rig Presentation...

Worm 1- Roboworm Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Worm 2- Z Man Finesse T.R.D.: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Head- 1/8 oz Owner Block Head: http://bit.ly/2qL0A8n

Neko Rig Presentation...

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

Hook- Mustad TitanX Neko Hook: http://bit.ly/2yYcJLc

Weight- Swagger Tackle Pagoda: http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

Other Great baits when fish are slowing down...

Baby Brush Hog: http://bit.ly/2bnpCRx

Man Bear Pig: http://bit.ly/2s51oIV

Roboworm 4" Fat Worm: http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

Tim's Favorite Finesse Combo...

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

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

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

Leader- 6 lb Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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Need Apparel? Tacticalbassin Gear is in stock! Get your hats, Hoodies, and sunshirts by emailing Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com

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How To Catch More Fish On The Neko Rig

The Neko rig is a deadly finesse bait for lethargic bass. Its one of those lures that just seems to catch a bigger-than-average bass. If you're faced with tough weather conditions or bass that just don't seem to want to bite, pick up a Neko Rig and give it a try.

The Neko is a new spin on an old favorite. Neko rigging can be applied to virtually any soft plastic but it shines with straight tail and cut tail worms. It combines the best of both worlds with an exposed hook but still remains incredibly weedless.

Below is a breakdown of Tim's favorite baits, gear, and rigging components for this method. The key to a great hookup ratio with the Neko rig is in the details. Pay close attention to how Tim rigs the baits in order to maximize your time on the water.

Gear...

G7 Worm Pliers - http://bit.ly/2PRMNrG

G7 Worm Protect Tubes - http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

O- Wacky Tool - http://bit.ly/2wtX7M8

The O-Wacky Tool O-Rings 25pk - http://bit.ly/2h5MhX2

Weights...

Swagger Tackle Tungsten Pagoda Nail Weights - http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

Lunker City Wacky Weight 10pk - http://bit.ly/2SbAesV

Hooks...

Owner Mosquito "Light" Hooks - http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Mustad TitanX Wacky/Neko Rig Hook - http://bit.ly/2yYcJLc

Worms...

Yamamoto Kut Tail Worm - http://bit.ly/2iXlzPu

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

Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Fat 5" - http://bit.ly/2o2O3LG

Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Straight - http://bit.ly/2kH4KuC

Zoom Trick Worm - http://bit.ly/2aWkG7E

Zoom Swamp Crawler - http://bit.ly/2arWoA8

Strike King Fat Baby Finesse - http://bit.ly/2aKei5y

Tim's Neko Setup...

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

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

Line- 12 lb Sunline Xplasma Asegai Braid: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Leader- 6 lb Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Friendly Combo...

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

Reel- Nasci 2500 - http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- 15 lb Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- 8 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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Need Apparel? Tacticalbassin Gear is in stock! Get your hats, Hoodies, and sunshirts by emailing Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com

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Ned Rig Vs Dropshot Challenge - Girl vs Girl

Tonya and CC are going head to head with the Drop shot and the Ned Rig! Which one will be victorious? Come along for a fun day on the water with a couple women who really know how to fish! The girls locate fish, dial in the pattern, and have some fun along the way.

It became apparent almost immediately that the Ned Rig would prevail. There is something special about the "dead action" when conditions get tough. Instead of continuing to fight it for the sake of the challenge the girls tied on 2 ned rigs for their afternoon session and proceeded to slay the bass!

If you're not proficient with the Ned Rig (or dropshot) the cooling days of the Fall Transition are a great time to pull them out and build confidence. Below you'll find a breakdown of the gear the girls were using as they battled their way through this challenge.

The Baits...

Z Man Finesse TRD Ned Worm (Green Pumpkin, Yoga Pants): http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Z Man Ned LockZ Head (1/6 oz): http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Roboworm 4" Fat Worm: http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

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

Vike Tungsten Dropshot Weight (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2kppo3p

CC's Setup...

Rod- Dobyns 742 Champion Extreme: http://bit.ly/29OVnDa

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 2000: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- 20 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 8 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Tonya's Setup...

Rod- Expride 6'10" Med Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 1000: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- 15 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- 8 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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Need Apparel? Tacticalbassin Gear is in stock! Get your hats, Hoodies, and sunshirts by emailing Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com

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