Spring Fluke and Jerkbait Tricks To Catch More Bass!

Learn how to adapt to changing conditions during a day of fishing a clear water reservoir with Matt. He starts out with a Zoom Super Fluke on a Texas Rig but is soon mixing it up with traditional jerkbaits and the nose-hook rig (Banjo Minnow Rig) as he adapts from a cold morning to a slick calm, warm afternoon. 

A jerkbait is incredibly versatile if you know how to adapt it to changing conditions. We were able to catch fish on a cold morning with a slow retrieve around this cover then switched to a Vision 110 Jr. to match the size of baitfish being ambushed by schooling bass. Ultimately it required a drop to 8 lb fluorocarbon and a small nose-hook rig to catch fish in clear water that were ambushing on an aggressive retrieve. Few baits are as adaptable as the jerkbait. 

Below is a breakdown of all the gear Matt was using throughout the day. We've included direct links to Tackle Warehouse for the baits, hooks, and gear. We also included links to some of our previous underwater and fluke rigging videos that will help you adapt traditional jerkbaits and soft jerkbaits to the conditions.

The Baits... 

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

Other Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Smoking Shad

-Megabass Vision 110 Jr. (GP Pro Blue): http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

Other Colors: Clear Laker, Tennessee Shad

-Keitech 2.8 Fat Swimbait (TW Pro Blue): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Texas Rig Hooks... 

Faster Sink- Gamakatsu EWG Superline 4/0: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Slower Sink- Gamakatsu EWG 4/0: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

Nose Hook Rig... 

Hook- Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Size 1/0: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Weedless Hook- Gamakatsu Weedless Finesse Wide Gap 1/0: http://bit.ly/2i57dOP

Nose Screw- Owner CPS Spring Medium: http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

Texas Rig Fluke Combo... 

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

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

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

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Jerkbait Combo... 

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

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

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

Nose Hook Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 872S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 3000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

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

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Spring Underspin Tricks For Bass With Bonus Slab Crappie Catches!

Do you know how to adapt your underspin to changing conditions? Underspins catch big bass but when you should you throw a large offering instead of a tiny finesse underspin? When is a keitech better than the others? Come along for a full day on Clearlake as we read the water, adapt to changing conditions, and switch between a variety of underspins and swimbaits to build a pattern. As a bonus, we find ourselves in the middle of GIANT slab crappie that aren't afraid to eat big underspins!

There's no way around it, we took a left when we should have taken a right and it took us down an interesting path of big waves and bigger panfish. Today leaves little doubt that virtually everything that swims will eat an underspin with a swimbait trailer! Many anglers go to the lake and simply fish but a select few anglers, many of which are members of the TacticalBassin Family, spend their time on the water absorbing information, adapting to changing conditions, and constantly building patterns. These method of building patterns and adapting to change will make you an incredibly consistent angler. But once in a while... you take a left when you should have taken a right. 

Below is a breakdown of all the baits discussed in the video. The links for each product go directly to Tackle Warehouse (who is still shipping orders during the pandemic) where you can see up close photos and detailed descriptions. We also included links to some of our favorite equipment for under spin fishing. 

The Baits... 

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

(TW Ghost Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad)

-Xzone Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

(210, Bream, Tennessee Shad)

-Megabass Spark Shad 3" and 4": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

(Albino, Real, Silver Shad)

-River2Sea D Walker: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

(PB Red, Shamrock Shad, Silver Side)

The heads... 

-Cool Baits Down Under 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

(Black Silver, Silver Shad, Ol Faithful)

-Megabass Okashira Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

(Shad, Real Minnow)

-Hog Farmer War Pig HD 1/4 - 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2pcQnRP

(Albino, Blue Gizzard Shad, Green Gizzard Shad)

-Blade Runner Screw Lock Spintrix 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2oocg0a

(Anchovy, Black Shad, Grey Shad)

-Owner Flashy Swimmer 1/4 oz with 5/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

(Willow Blade)

Most Adaptable Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

Leader- 16 lb Sunline FC100: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Best "Bang For The Buck" Combo... 

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

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

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

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Combo... 

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

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

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Top 5 Finesse Swimbaits For Spring Bass Fishing

Can TINY swimbaits catch BIG bass? You better believe it! Learning how to use small swimbaits as part of your finesse fishing arsenal is a key to consistent success during the ever-changing Spring fishing season. With rain storms, flood waters, and cold snaps, Spring brings a lot of challenges for bass fishing but if you know how to turn to the finesse swimbait, a lot of the struggle can be avoided. 

In recent years the market has been flooded with tiny swimbaits. Every brand makes one and many brands make 2 or 3. How do you know which baits are worth your time? In today's video we narrow it down to a few select baits. These are the baits that are consistent producers and that provide unique actions you won't find in most of the swimbaits on the market. 

Knowing exactly which swimbait to throw on a given day will require some practice but remember that the softer the bait, the more likely it will continue to kick well in cold water. The harder the bait, the more likely it will provide a strong vibration in warm water. Below is a breakdown of the heads, baits, and colors that we use when we're finesse swimbait fishing. 

The heads... 

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

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

-Cool Baits Down Underspin (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

-Megabass Okashira (both sizes): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

The baits... 

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

(Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad, Chart/Blue)

-River2Sea D Walker 100: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

(PB Red, Shamrock Shad, Silverside)

-Xzone Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

(Tennessee Shad, 210, 309)

-Megabass Spark Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

(Purple Haze, Royal Gill, Silver Shad)

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

(Donko, Haze, Wakasagi)

Alternate Colors To Try... Chartreuse/Blue, Morning Dawn (Pink), All White, Yellow. 

Casting Combo For Mid Size Finesse Swimbaits... 

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

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

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

Leader- 10 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Spinning Combo For Finesse Swimbaits... 

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

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

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

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

High-End Spinning Combo For Subtle Bite Detection... 

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

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

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

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

3 Tricks To Catch More Fish With Finesse Swimbaits

Finesse swimbaits are awesome! These little paddle tails get bit every month of the year and they catch way bigger bass than most anglers realize. If you aren't using them, you're missing out on some of the easiest bites you can get. Simple adjustments to cadence and head design will make the baits even more effective. Come along as Tim explains exactly how to maximize your time with small swimbaits. 

Tim has a handful of heads he uses to really dial in his finesse swimbaits. He adjusts head selection with the size of the bait, depth he's fishing, and water clarity. (Underspin for muddy water, Okashira for Ultra finesse tactics, and a mix of Guppy and TacticalBassin Finesse swimbait heads for all the standard clear to murky water fishing.) He combines those heads with 3 different cadences that help him maximize his time on the water. By adjusting cadence he is able to keep catching fish on small swimbaits when most anglers have given up. 

The finesse swimbait is truly deadly in Winter. It will work today and will continue to work all the way through the spawn. Below is a breakdown of the baits, heads, and Gear Tim is using to catch bass on finesse swimbaits. 

The Heads... 

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Heads (3.8 - 4.8 Keitechs): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/0 Hook (2.8 - 3.3 Keitechs): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

-Megabass Okashira Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

-Cool Baits Down Under 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

The Baits... 

-keitech Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Megabass Spark Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

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

Damiki Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Megabass Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

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

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

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

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

Budget Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

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

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

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

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