GIANT Bass In A Lake Full Of Predators!

We're on a SMALL Lake full of BIG predators! The plan is to target bass but we've got to avoid the musky and pike to make it happen. How do you find bass in a lake like this? We're about to find out! The plan is to target bass that are moving into the shallows as the water warms up. Come along for a fun day full of GIANT Smallmouth!

We began the day by looking shallow. In clear water fisheries your best bet is often to simply look, don't even make a cast. If the water is murky, use a fast moving search bait as your eyes to determine if the fish have moved in. Once we established the fish had moved up, the hunt for the big ones began! The first bite of the day came from a musky, the second from a 5 lb smallmouth!

We spent the day targeting bass in and around cover. Even the big bass are wary to mix with the big pike and musky for fear of becoming a snack. Despite the presence of heavy cover, we focused on 5-6 lb fluorocarbon line to fool the clear water bass into biting. We used a variety of baits to target these fish, catching them on nearly everything we threw. Below is a breakdown of the baits and gear we used to make this day a success!

The baits...

-Roboworm FX Sculpin (Oxblood Light Red Flake): http://bit.ly/2XMbwoQ

-Megabass Okashira Screwhead (Real Minnow): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

-Keitech Fat 3.3 (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Dry Creek Tube (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

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

-Strike King Half Shell (KVD Magic): http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

Worm Rod...

Rod- Conquest 902S SJR: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Reel- Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

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

(This rod was selected for its incredible sensitivity and parabolic action. It was the perfect match for 5 lb fluorocarbon against BIG fish. Its a rare combination of sensitivity and flex.)

Keitech/Screwhead Rod...

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

Reel- Shimano Stella FJ 2500: http://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

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

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

Budget-Friendly Finesse Combo...

Rod- SLX Spinning 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2AdvIC1

Reel- Nasci 1000 FB: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- 6 lb Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

How To Catch Bass In A Flooded Lake - Oklahoma Edition

We're in Oklahoma to fish but the lakes are flooded! Instead of leaving we headed out on Tenkiller Lake to show you how to break down a lake with unstable water conditions and to hopefully catch a few bass along the way. The day ends with CC catching her new personal best! Come along for a fun day of bass fishing in the MidWest.

We started the day targeting fish offshore. In Summer most lakes have two groups of fish, those that stay shallow after they spawned and those that moved offshore. When lakes begin to rise the shallow fish are most impacted by the rising water. They will typically push up along the new shoreline and can be incredibly difficult to target. By staying offshore and targeting fish on structure (humps, ledges, and long tapering points) we're able to get on a much more consistent pattern without having to bury ourselves in cover.

High rising water is much more difficult in early Spring when bass are moving up in the prespawn. After the spawn its much easier to simply target the off shore bass. Whether the water stays clear or turns to mud, the fish will typically stay positioned the same way they were before the flooding began. Below is a breakdown of the baits and gear that we were using to catch fish on Tenkiller Lake.

Baits...

Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Keitech 4.3" Swimbait (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Keitech 3.8" Swimbait (Crystal Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Heads...

Matt Allen Swimbait Head 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Stefan Guppy Head 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Matt's Keitech Combo...

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Ultra Clear Water Fishing For BIG Bass!

Have you seen water this clear? Tim found schools of giant bass and panfish holding on current seams in fast moving water. He's sight fishing them as they feed in the current. If you've ever seen water this clear you know how intimidating it can be but by adapting your equipment and carefully selecting the right bait you can catch some truly GIANT fish. The best part of all is you get to watch them bite!

As Tim explains in the video the fish are holding on the seam between fast moving current and the eddies. He uses a 1/4 ounce Ned rig to get the bait down as quickly as possible then bumps it down the current toward the bass. The concept is very similar to back bouncing a bait for salmon or steelhead.

The key to fishing in water this clear is gear selection. Light fluorocarbon is essential as is a rod and reel that can withstand the screaming runs that these big smallmouth make in current. If your line is too heavy the fish refuse to bite, too light and you'll break off. The same goes for rods and reels. Too heavy, you'll break off every time but too light and you'll never gain control of the fish. Below is a breakdown of the tackle Tim was using to catch this awesome limit of bass!

The tackle...

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

(TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Desert Craw)

Hook-Z Man LockZ HD Head 1/5 oz: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Ultrex Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW

Rod/Reel Combo...

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 902S: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Reel- Shimano Stella 3000: http://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

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

Leader- Sniper Fluorocarbon 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

All-Around Combo...

Rod- Megabass Levante 2019 Whipsnake: http://bit.ly/2Ibeo70

Reel- Ultegra 2500: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

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

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

Budget Friendly Combo...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7' Med Light: http://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

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

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

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Best Fish Catches of 2018! 6 lb Smallies, Giant Largemouth, Record Catfish!

Merry Christmas! We've assembled our top fish catches of 2018 for you in a quick highlight reel. This time of year is about family, friends, and good memories. Its been an exciting year and we appreciate you coming along with us. Thank you for your continued support!

The fish in this highlight reel were caught all across the country. 2018 was supposed to be the year of travel and despite some serious hiccups, we still made it happen. Come along for the ride, its only going to get better!

Below is a breakdown of the baits and gear used to subdue these 4 giants.

Matt's Smallmouth...

Bait- Megabass Deep X 300 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Rod- G Loomis Deep Flex 864 CBR (Custom Wrapped): http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

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

Tim's Michigan Smallmouth...

Bait- Keitech 4.8 Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Matt Allen Swimbait Head 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Rod- G Loomis GLX 894C: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Metanium MGL: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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

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

Matt's Arizona Largemouth...

Bait- Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Flippin' Jig (Go To): http://bit.ly/2aUtZsG

Trailer- Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

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

Leader- 20 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Tim's Monster Catfish...

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

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

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

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