Summer Topwater! Big Fish Can't Resist In Shallow Water!

Summer topwater is amazing! Come along on this evening session as Tim gets bit cast after cast on top! He ends up with way over 20 lbs for 5 smallmouth and a TON of BIG bites! Watch as he switches from finesse baits to topwater, then dials in an exact pattern targeting big fish around hard bottom contours. 

No matter the species of bass you're targeting, topwater should have a place in your arsenal during the Summer months. Not only is it fun to throw and exciting to see as the bass erupt on the baits, it tends to get a larger bite than many subsurface alternatives. Tim and Tonya fished this lake briefly a few days prior and caught a few quality fish but the moment Tim picked up the topwater it seemed like every fish in the lake got BIGGER!

Below you'll find links to the exact gear used in the video. From the topwater baits to colors, to rod and reel combos, we've included everything. We've even included some of our other favorite topwater walking baits. All the links go directly Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Today's Topwater... 

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

Colors: Bone, Full Metal, Morizo Pink

-River2Sea Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Color: Loon, Bone

Tim's Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'8" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Alternate Topwater Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

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

Other Great topwater Walking Baits... 

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

Colors: Bone, Abalone Shad, You Know It

-Teckel Kicknocker: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

Colors: Pro Blue Shore, Lime Ice, Threadfin Shad

-Savage Gear Prop Walker 4": https://bit.ly/3kwBFAa

Colors: Bone, American Shad, Ghost Minnow

Budget Topwater Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX MGL 70: https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

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

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... 

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BEST FISHING EVER! Bites On EVERY Cast!

They're biting EVERY cast! Come along for some of the most insane bass fishing ever!! This is the day we all dream about and today, the camera is running full time while the BIG bass are biting! Come along for the full day on an epic bite and see exactly what we're using, where we're fishing, and how we adapt to keep catching the fish! 

We love catching smallmouth because of their amazing power. Battling big smallmouth on light line is an incredible experience. Doing it in crystal clear water is even better! We knew this day was going to be special when Matt's first smallmouth of the day was over 5 1/2 lbs, but we couldn't have imagined the chaos would go on for hours!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt was using throughout the day. Below that you'll find cut points so you can jump between the high points of the video. All the gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Dark Sleeper... 

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3": http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

Preferred Weights: 1/2 - 3/4 oz

Tube Bait... 

Bait- Netbait STH 2.5" Tube: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Color: Juvenile Goby

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

Jerkbait... 

Bait- Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Color: Mat Skeleton Shad

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano Treble (Size 5): http://bit.ly/2dWWAut

Larger Keitech... 

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

Color: Smallmouth Magic

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

Finesse Keitech... 

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

Color: TW Ghost Shad

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

Hair Jig... 

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

Color: Black

Tube Fishing Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6" Medium: http://bit.ly/2pjJWMA

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

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

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

Dark Sleeper Combo... 

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

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

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

Jerkbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Finesse Keitech Combo... 

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

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

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

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

Cut Points... 

5:25 - Matt catches a GIANT on the Dark Sleeper!

11:30 - Boat Runs Over Matt's line!!

27:45 - Matt catches a GIANT on the tube!

40:45 - First fish on the jerkbait

47:30 - Another boater gets WAYYYY too close!!

57:15 - Matt goes off about boat traffic!

01:04:50 - Matt catches BIG one on Dark Sleeper

01:06:40 - Dark Sleeper: The exact details

01:33:00 - Insanely hard hookset and Tube Fishing tips!

01:38:40 - First fish on the Keitech

01:48:25 - Trick for fishing clear water

01:56:40 - Matt's trick with finesse swimbaits

02:03:00 - Arriving at 2nd Spot

02:11:35 - First fish on new spot

02:22:15 - Watching a big one chase and eat the bait!

02:26:20 - Birds eye view of fish swimming in CRYSTAL CLEAR water!

02:30:40 - Matt uses a bait switch to sight cast this BIG ONE!!

03:27:45 - Arrive at 4th spot

03:44:44 - Arrive at 5th spot, catch one first cast!

04:07:28 - Matt catches a big one on the jerkbait!

04:13:18 - BIG fish catches the Dark Sleeper on the fall!!

04:28:55 - Matt shows each bait and the exact rods and reels he used

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

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