Bass Fishing: Top 10 baits of 2019

In 2019 we fished more than 25 states and 3 countries. We had the opportunity to test lures against bass in every situation imaginable! During our travels a handful of baits stood out from the rest. These lures were the true "best of the best". They caught numbers of quality fish everywhere we went but they also caught the BIG bass we all dream of catching. 

When traveling everything familiar fades away. You know longer have "spots" to fish. You rely 100% on clues given by the fish to develop patterns. In addition to developing patterns on the water, patterns in the gear will emerge as well. By the time our 2 month road trip around the country ended, a handful of baits had proven themselves from coast to coast. Add in a few catches North and South of the border this Spring and Fall and its easy to identify this year's Top 10 Baits for consistently catching bass.

Below is a breakdown of the baits (in order of appearance) along with a few color recommendations for each lure. If you're looking for baits that you can trust to consistently get bit regardless of where you fish, look no further than this list. 

The baits... 

-6th Sense Mini Mag Squarebill: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

(Ghost Threadfin Shad, Ghost Shad Scales)

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

(Haze, Donko, Wakasagi)

-Blade Runner 1 3/4 oz Duh Spoon: http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

(Morning Dawn, Electric Chicken)

-River2Sea 1/2 oz Bling Spinnerbait: http://bit.ly/2diSwqq

(Abalone Shad, I Know It, Iced)

-Jackall Kaera Frog: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

(Glitter Bluegill, Glitter Hasu, White)

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

(Green Pumpkin Org Blk Purp Prl Bl, Smoke Purple Flake)

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

(Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Tennessee Shad)

-River2Sea S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

(Light Trout, Warden Hitch, Bluegill)

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

(Green Pumpkin Blk Flk, Watermelon/Green Pumpkin, Natural Shad)

-Dirty Jigs 3/8 oz Finesse Jig: http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

(Supermatt Brown, Go To, Brown Craw)

Tackle Storage Buyer's Guide: Which Boxes Work Best???

Tackle storage isn't glamorous but we all struggle with it. Should you use waterproof, breathable, sticky, soft sided, anti-rust or bullet proof? There are so many options on the market its almost impossible to see through the hype. Today Tim shows his favorite ways to store each type of tackle.  It ranges from general storage boxes to technique specific, to bagging his hooks by brand in heavy duty bags. If a tackle junkie can successfully store his gear, you should have no problem storing yours!

Tim has spent years buying containers to store his tackle. He's found some gimmicks along the way but more often than not he's found awesome storage solutions. He's already done the difficult part so today he's sharing the best solutions he's found that will save you time and money while you protect your gear. Whether you're trying to find a way to pack up your keitechs, or a way to dry your frogs, or perhaps a container that let's you pack in a few extra crankbaits, Tim has found a solution.

These buyer's guides are designed to simplify your gear. We covered a wide range of products in today's video but each has a specific purpose. Below you'll find a list of the products mentioned (in order of appearance) with links that go directly to the products on Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up pictures and availability. If you have any questions leave them in the comments and we'll do all we can to help you select the right gear for the job. 

Boxes...

-Plano 3700 Stowaway Box: http://bit.ly/2rFRJpk

-Plano Alabama Rig Box: http://bit.ly/2DUvbJN

-Bass Mafia Bait Coffin: http://bit.ly/2VBdFPe

-Plano Hydro-Flo Stowaway: http://bit.ly/2PR1kU0

-Plano Custom Divider 3770 (Tim's Favorite): http://bit.ly/2XCbMnb

-Plano Edge 3600 STD Box: http://bit.ly/2YBaWYX

-Plano Edge 3700 STD Box: http://bit.ly/2t3uHMR

-Plano Edge Master Plastics Box (Keitechs): http://bit.ly/2PaiAq6

-Plano Waterproof 3740 (Matt's Favorite): http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB

Soft Bags... 

-Bass Mafia Money Bag: http://bit.ly/2P059cO

-Plano KVD Speed Bags: http://bit.ly/2GYT4RC

-Eye Surrender Swimbait storage: http://bit.ly/2h4IN6I

Line Storage... 

-Spoolin' Buddy: http://bit.ly/2YDUaZ3

Backpack... 

-Tackle Warehouse Digital Camo Angler: http://bit.ly/2hvexCd

Buyer's Guide: Best Rod and Reel Combos Under $500

With a $500 budget you can find incredible rod and reel combos! Many companies use this price point to help anglers transition into high-end tackle. The differences in sensitivity and value at the price point are amazing! Want to feel every rock, every twig, and every soft bite in cold water? You can do it with these combos!

If you've ever wondered what "high-end" feels like, you can find out with a $250 rod and $250 reel and save yourself hundreds of dollars over the ultra high-end offerings that we'll be covering in tomorrow's video. These "mid-range" rods come with high-end sensitivity at a great price. Rods like the Shimano Expride and Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS will change your entire fishing experience.

In addition to highly sensitive rods the reels available at this price are next level. Ultra smooth and durable are the best way to describe these offerings. Below you'll find a breakdown of each combo (in order of appearance), including a handful of model recommendations for each and a direct link to Tackle Warehouse where you can see the detailed descriptions for each.

Combo #1...

-G Loomis IMX Pro Casting Rod: http://bit.ly/2lVATTC

Favorite Models Include 7' Medium, 7' Medium Heavy, and 7'6" Heavy.

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

Combo #2...

-Megabass Orochi XX Casting Rod: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Favorite Models Include Braillist, Extreme Mission Type F, and Perfect Pitch.

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

Combo #3...

-Dobyns Champion XP Casting Rod: http://bit.ly/2abq8nl

Favorite Models Include 733, 744, and 764.

-Shimano SLX 150 DC HG Reel: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Combo #4...

-Shimano Expride Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Favorite Models Include 6'10" Medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy, 7'6" Heavy, and 7'11" Extra Heavy

-Shimano Curado 150DC HG Reel: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Combo #5...

-Megabass Orochi XX Spinning Rod: http://bit.ly/2XkVoej

Favorite Models Include Whipsnake, Shaky Head, and Enforcer

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

Combo #6...

-Shimano Expride Spinning Rod: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Favorite Models Include 6'10" Medium Light and 7' Medium

-Shimano Stradic 2500 FL Spinning Reel: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

Combo #7...

-Daiwa Elite AGS Spinnig Rod: http://bit.ly/2QHupT9

Favorite Models Include 7'1" Med Ehrler and 7'6" ML Feider

-Daiwa Tatula LT 2000 Spinning Reel: http://bit.ly/2zrq4id

Favorite Braided Lines...

Sunline SX1 Hi-Vis 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2FngUkQ

Power Pro Moss Green 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Protect Your Investment...

Casting Rod Sleeve- http://bit.ly/2TJSF8X

Spinning Rod Sleeve- http://bit.ly/2AoTECD

Casting Reel Cover- http://bit.ly/34k7ow1

Spinning Reel Cover- http://bit.ly/2sfSiJT

Buyer's Guide: Best Casting Rod and Reel Combos Under $200

Welcome to the 2019 Holiday Buyer's Guide Series! These are the most requested videos of the year and we're thrilled to bring them back for 2019! We're kicking it off with Rod and Reel Combos Under $200! Matt and Tim show some of the best values on the market in this quick review of rods and reels from a variety of companies.

Why start with $200 combos? $100 for a rod or reel seems to be the threshold where you start seeing huge leaps in technology. The reels become smoother and lighter while the rods become more sensitive and action specific. Since this is the threshold where most anglers advancing from beginner to intermediate tend to purchase, companies often strive to put products in the category that defy their price point. This is great news for the angler looking for the best equipment at the lowest price!

In today's video Matt and Tim explore 7 different combos. These rods and reels stand out from the pack with great sensitivity, actions, and features that rise above similarly priced products. Below you will find links to all of the products in the video. Matt and Tim also picked their two favorite combos each and are listing those above the rest of the combos. To make it even easier for you this holiday season the guys included their favorite actions for each rod and reel model so that you and your loved once can easily select the best "bang for the buck" models.

Tim's First choice... SLX/SLX Combo...

Rod- Shimano SLX: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

(6'10" Medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy, 7'2" Heavy)

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

(SLX150HG)

Tim's Second Choice... Fury/Daiwa CG Combo...

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

(7' Medium heavy, 7' Heavy, 8' heavy swimbait)

Reel- Daiwa CG80: http://bit.ly/2NxaGbe

(CG80HS)

Matt's First Choice... Intenza/Caius Combo...

Rod- Shimano Intenza: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

(7'1" Medium Heavy, 7'4" Heavy)

Reel- Shimano Caius B: http://bit.ly/2O3Dvuw

(CIS150HGB)

Matt's Second Choice... Bass X/SLX Combo...

Rod- St. Croix Bass X: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

(7'1" Medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy)

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

(SLX150HG)

The Other Great Combos Around $200...

Rod- Cashion CRT: http://bit.ly/2qxYIUj

(7' Heavy, 7'3" Medium Heavy)

Reel- Daiwa Fuego CT: http://bit.ly/35hugfH

(FGCT100HS)

Rod- Dobyns Colt: http://bit.ly/2lU0LfV

(7' Medium Heavy, 7' Medium Heavy Cranking, 7'3" Heavy)

Reel- Daiwa CG80: http://bit.ly/2NxaGbe

(CG80HS)

Rod- Lews TP-1 Black Speed Stick: http://bit.ly/2Ovtbxc

(7' Medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy)

Reel- Lews Speel Spool LFS: http://bit.ly/2xEElEw

(SS1SHA)