Catching Big Fish On Light Tackle! Tricks Of The Trade!

Targeting big fish with light line is incredible! When the drag is screaming and line is flying off the spool, the excitement is next level! It requires attention to detail, a whole lot of patience, and specialized tackle doesn't hurt, but its worth every second of preparation. Some anglers do it for the challenge, others do it out of necessity. Whether you're fishing smallmouth in the Great Lakes, largemouth in a highland reservoir, or saltwater species on the flats, these tips will help you prepare for your next light line battle!

Matt is targeting smallmouth because they have incredible strength for a freshwater fish. While this is by no means the most challenging fish to target with light tackle (compared to many saltwater species) it is an amazing fight and a very rewarding fish to catch. On this particular day he was faced with 20+ feet of visibility and very skittish fish. Thankfully the wind kicked up which helped offset the post frontal conditions that blew in part way through the day.  

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt was using in today's video. We've also included links to some excellent mid-priced and budget alternatives for battling big fish on light line. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Ned Rig... 

Bait- Savage Gear Ned Salamander: https://bit.ly/3rSNi8g

Color: Green Pumpkin Purple Copper

Hook- Swagger Tungsten Flanders 1/10th: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Hair Jig... 

Bait- Outkast Tackle Feider Fly 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black

Small Swimbait... 

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

Color: Electric Bluegill

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

Tube... 

Bait- Big Bite Salt Tube 3.5: https://bit.ly/2D7j6RX

Color: Pumpkin Pepper

Head- Blade Runner 1/8 oz Inhaler 2/0: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Ned Rig/2.8 Keitech Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 821S NRR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Sunline SX1 12 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Super FC 6 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Hair Jig Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 "Baby Plugging": https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Reel- Shimano Vanford 1000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

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

BFS Casting Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Best "Bang For The Buck" Reels... 

High End- Shimano Twin Power 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Mid Range- Shimano Vanford 3000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Best "Bang For The Buck" Rods... 

High End- G Loomis NRX+: https://bit.ly/3y0Ss5m

Mid Range- Shimano Expride A: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Budget- St. Croix Bass X: http://bit.ly/2r69Sj6

Favorite Braided Lines...

High End- Sufix 131: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Mid Range- Sunline SX1: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

All Around- Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Favorite Leader Materials... 

Heavy Application Fluoro- Sunline FC100: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Light Application Fluoro- Sunline Sniper FC: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Monofilament- Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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

Finesse Swimbaits For BIG Smallmouth! (Fishing With Matt's Dad)

Come along as we explore a new clear water lake in Michigan! Its full of prespawn Smallmouth and Northern Largemouth. They're feeding in schools along the edges of shallow flats and we're casting a variety of finesse swimbaits and hair jigs to catch them. If you've wondered what fishing is like in the North, its on fire!

Its been a while since we've had Matt's dad on the boat. In true form, he set the pace with a bunch of quality fish, leaving Matt and CC with a lot of ground to make up. Each member of the team settled on a different swimbait and all produced quality fish throughout the day. At the end Matt picked up a black hair jig and stuck some nice bonus fish as well. 

Smallmouth pull incredibly hard for their size. If you've never targeted them on finesse tackle, you need to give it a try! Below you'll find links to the exact baits we were using as well as the gear we trusted to get these fish in the boat. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Matt's Dad's Swimbait... 

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy 1/8 oz with 1/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Bait- Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Electric Bluegill

CC's Swimbait... 

Bait- Megabass Dark Sleeper 3" (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

Matt's Swimbait... 

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

Bait- Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Smallmouth Magic

Matt's Hair Jig... 

Bait- Andy's Maribou Pro Series Fly (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3uYqDsw

Color: Black

Matt's Casting Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 "Dark Sleeper": https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- Sunline 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Matt's Dad's Spinning Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR (Pre-Order): https://bit.ly/3y0Ss5m

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: https://bit.ly/3hNG96T

Line- Sunline SX1 12 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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

Matt's Hair Jig Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 "Baby Plugging": https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Reel- Shimano Vanford 1000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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

Underwater Dropshot Footage! Best Dropshot Worms For Bass Fishing!

Let's head underwater to watch how different plastic worms move, and which baits the fish attack! With hundreds of drop shot baits on the market, its almost impossible to know which baits to try first. Luckily, we've done the hard part for you and compiled a list of our favorite baits. Our selections are backed by underwater bite footage, underwater action shots, and years of traveling the country testing the baits in different lakes and environments. 

When selecting the right worm or bait for a dropshot there are some variables to consider. Which species of bass are you targeting? Is the water warm or cold? Are there a lot of small baitfish (minnows) present in the area? If you can answer these questions we can easily help you choose the right baits for your situation. Once you've chose the right baits, it comes down to color. Color selection can be incredibly intimidating but often times simple is best. If you have a green pumpkin, a purple, and a natural baitfish color, you can meet almost any situation you'll face on any lake in the country. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits Tim discussed in the video. We've separated them by intended species and style. We've also included our favorite colors for each, as well as the rods and reels we use when we're out dropshotting. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Largemouth Worms... 

-Roboworm 6" Straight Tail: http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Colors: MMIII, Morning Dawn, Aarons Magic

-Netbait Flex Worm: https://bit.ly/334C9pG

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Junebug, Tilapia Magic

-Strike King Dreamshot: http://bit.ly/2KNXuK9

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Ghost Shad, Brown/Purple

Smallmouth Worms... 

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Green Pump Org Blk Purp Prl Bl, Smoke Purple

-Berkeley Maxscent Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/3lAAorL

Colors: Goby, Green Pumpkin, Smoke Black Purple

-Roboworm 4.5" Straight Tail: http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Colors: MMIII, Morning Dawn, Aarons Magic

-Damiki Armor Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Colors: American Shad, Tennessee Shad, Blue Pearl

Dropshot Swimbaits... 

-Keitech 3" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Colors: Crystal Shad, Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad

-Megabass 3" Hazedong: http://bit.ly/2CIwgzt

Colors: Ghost Shad, Tennessee Shad

Texas Rig Dropshot Components... 

Hook- Owner Cover Shot 1/0: http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pencil 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Nose Hook Dropshot Components... 

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pencil 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

High-End Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Baby Plugging (JDM): https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 1000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Sunline SX-1 Braid 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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

Best "Bang For The Buck" Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7' Light +: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

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

Leader- Sufix Advance Clear Mono 6 lb: https://bit.ly/2RbkbPM

Budget Dropshot Combo...

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

Line- Sunline Fluorocarbon 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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

4 Finesse Tricks When Bass Won't Bite!

Bass fishing can be tough! You see other people catching them but every time you go to the lake its too windy, too cold, or too hot. Whatever it is, the bass just aren't biting when you're there. If you're tired of struggling to catch a bass, try these four techniques next time you're at the lake!

Tim is always catching fish. Whether its raining, snowing, or the conditions are perfect, he always manages to get bit. He's an incredibly talented angler but he also has a ton of confidence in his presentations. Over the years he's dialed in these four techniques to get bit under nearly any condition. No matter where he goes in the country, he always has a dropshot, a ned rig, a neko rig, and a finesse swimbait in the boat. 

Taking it a step further, he has very specific baits he throws with these techniques to ensure he's maximizing his time on the water. Below you'll find links to the gear he uses with these techniques, his favorite baits, and the exact colors he trusts as he travels the country. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Dropshot Worms... 

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher 3.5": http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple, Smoke Purple Flake

-Strike King Dream Shot OPT 3.5": http://bit.ly/2aAoUoR

Colors: Magic, Triple Magic

-STH Crush Worm 3.75": https://bit.ly/3s5BcIn

Colors: Bang, Green pumpkin, Smokin Joe

Dropshot Rigging... 

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pencil (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Ned Rig Worms... 

-Roboworm Ned 3": http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Colors: TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Desert Craw

-Missile Baits Ned Bomb: http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

 Colors: Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core, Green Pumpkin

Ned Rigging... 

Tungsten Head- Swagger Flanders (1/10th): http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Lead Head- Z Man Ned Lockz HD (1/10th): http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Neko Rig Worms... 

-Missile Baits Quiver Worm 6.5": https://bit.ly/2xehVgx

Colors: Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core, Green Pumpkin

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red Flake

Neko Rigging... 

Hook- Owner Sniper Finesse (Size 1/0): http://bit.ly/2kfdv37

Band- G7 Worm Protect Tube (7 MM): http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pagoda (3/32): http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

Finesse Swimbaits... 

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

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

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

All-Around Finesse Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7' Light+: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

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

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

Budget All-Around Finesse Combo...

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

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

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