Senko and Underspin Tips For Big Bass! Kayak Bass Fishing on Clearlake

I only brought 3 rods! A senko, an underspin, and a swimbait are all tied on. Which will get the biggest bite? Can we build a pattern? Come along for a really fun day of fishing on Clearlake! We're going to put the kayak to work and stick some big bass along the way!

Today really highlighted the value of fishing from a kayak or other small boat. Often times anglers in smaller craft feel like they're at a disadvantage but the big bites today absolutely would not have come if I was on my bass boat. These are highly pressured fish that are very leery of boats but they had no concerns about the kayak! 

The underspin proved to be the hero of the day. Both of the big fish (a 5 and 6 lber) both annihilated the underspin along the edges of submerged trees. The senko also proved to be invaluable. After making a pass through our small area with the underspin we slowly and methodically worked back through the fish with the senko and were able to pick up a few more key bites to finish out the day. These two baits proved to be an awesome pairing as one got the majority of bites while the other got the kicker bites we were hoping for. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits we had tied on and the gear we were using to throw it. All the bait links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see up close photos of each bait and a detailed description. 

Underspin.. 

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

-Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Senko... 

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

-Yamamoto 6" Senko (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Glide Baits... 

-R2S S-Waver 200 (Phantom Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

-Gratt Sneaky Pete 7'5" (Hitch): http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Underspin Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (Current Model): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

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

Senko Combo... 

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

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

Line- 40 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Gear...

Life Jacket- Mustang Elite Inflatable: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP

Camera- GoPro Hero 8: http://bit.ly/37hVTX4

Kayak- Old Town Predator PDL: http://bit.ly/2WyVQka

**Kayak Link Goes To Manufacturer's Website**

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

Matt Kayak web.jpg

Girl Fishing: Spring Jerkbait and Swimbait Fishing For Bass!

Tonya and CC are back on the lake for an awesome day of fishing! Come along with the girls on CC's new bass boat! These two take their bass fishing very seriously, Tonya is throwing a jerkbait and CC is throwing an A-Rig loaded with Keitech swimbaits. They find a school of big ones feeding on shad and load the boat, you don't want to miss it! 

In the midst of catching big bass the girls take the time to share some really key tips for shallow water fishing and dialing in your equipment. CC struggled with the A-Rig in the past but she's discovered that shortening her leader and making some key reel adjustments has made all the difference. This isn't just watching women who fish, these girls know what they're doing and can help you dial in your fishing as well!

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment the ladies are using in today's video. From rods and reels to specifics on the baits, all the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions for all the items. 

CC's Rig... 

Rig- Hog Farmer Flex BFL Rig: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

Heads- 1/8 oz Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (TW Ghost Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Dummy Baits- RI Little Dipper (Bad Shad Green): http://bit.ly/2brnU5I

Tonya's Jerkbait... 

Jerkbait- Lucky Craft Pointer 100 (Ghost minnow): http://bit.ly/tbpointer

Hooks- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano Treble (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2dWWAut

CC's Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Curado 7'6" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

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

Grips- Trigger Happy Comfort Grips: https://bit.ly/34e3hCw

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

Leader- Sunline FC 100 Fluorocarbon 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Tonya's Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 HG: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line- 12 lb Sunline Sniper 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

Girls web.jpg

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

Underspin web.jpg

Tim Flips His Kayak In COLD Water!! Spring Bass Fishing FAIL!

Tim paddled out into Clearlake in search of big bass. He got more than he bargained for! He started out catching a few fish on a post-front afternoon with a light chop but it changed in a second when a boat wake caught him from behind. Thankfully he was wearing his life jacket but his gear wasn't so lucky!

Despite the cold swim, the video starts with some Spring fishing tips as Tim works his way along the bank. He switches between a lipless crankbait, a worm, and a small underspin swimbait in search of bass on what proves to be a very tough afternoon. Not knowing what was to come he catches a nice bass, followed by a crappie. The most important bit of information you can glean from this video is to always wear your life jacket!!

 We've been guilty of taking our life jackets off from time to time, just like everyone else. This is a serious reminder of how quickly the situation can change! Tim never saw the wave coming and in a blink he was in the water. Temperatures were in the 50's and he was no where near shore when it happened. If not for a passing boater the situation could have been much more dangerous. In the end, Tim lost 4 rod and reel combos, a new IPhone, two GoPro 8's, and a lot of tackle. Oops! 

Below are links to some of our more successful kayak outings, including Matt catching a 10 lber from the yak! We also included links to the baits Tim was throwing prior to flipping the kayak, and links to the exact inflatable life jackets that we wear on the boat because they're incredible comfortable and low profile. 

Kayak Videos...

Matt's 10 lber From the Kayak: https://youtu.be/bNTZvcyep-0

Tiny Creek Kayaking for BIG Smallmouth: https://youtu.be/6k76sDqv7hA

Whopper Plopper Fishing From The Kayak: https://youtu.be/qVrUAzAZwWE

Summer Topwater Madness! Awesome Kayak Fishing: https://youtu.be/QpGrXiY5t0c

Tim's Baits... 

Lipless Crankbait- Lucky Craft LV-500 (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Alabama Rig- Hog Farmer Flex BFL: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

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

Swimbait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact (TW Ghost Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Tim's Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

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

Line- Power Pro 15 lb (Hi Vis Yellow) Braid: http://bit.ly/2g9c2GV

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

Lifejackets... 

Inflatable Life Jacket- Mustang Elite Inflatable PFD: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP

Budget Inflatable- Onyx TW A-24 Auto Inflatable Life Jacket: https://bit.ly/3aySOUw

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

kayak web (1).jpg