Catching Big Slab Crappie From My Dock!

Giant Slab Crappie! We don't have to go far, they're all around our dock! The fish are schooling around the pilings and feeding aggressively on small shad. They'll eat a variety of baits but we figured out the biggest fish like to eat the float and fly. Come along as JD and I throw light line and ultralight bass tackle for crappie and bass.

Big slabs can be caught on any cheap crappie jig but we've demonstrated in previous crappie videos (links below) that your odds of catching the really big ones goes up exponentially when you use higher quality lures. Flies and hair jigs consistently out produce crappie jigs and small swimbaits like keitechs are far superior to traditional curly tail grubs. If your goal is bigger crappie, don't be afraid to pick up some of your finesse bass tackle and give it a try!

Today's video was all about having a good time. JD is doing a great job of learning the techniques and we're glad you could come along for the fun! If you're interested in any of the gear we were using in today's video, we've linked them below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up photos and descriptions of each item. We also linked some of our previous crappie and float n fly videos. 

Our Favorite Crappie Baits... 

-Spro 1/16 oz Phat Fly (Grey Ghost): http://bit.ly/2mboisG

-Thill Stealth Mini Float Bobber: http://bit.ly/2EYoXWa

-Thill Bobber Stops: http://bit.ly/2CJz1F0

-Cumberland Pro Lures 1/16 oz Float-N-Fly: http://bit.ly/2o9PE63

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

-Acme Tackle 1/4 oz Kastmasters: http://bit.ly/2PtUwi3

Tim's Hair Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis Trout Series 901: Source Locally

Reel- Shimano Stradic FL 1000: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Bass / Crappie Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Convergence 7' Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3euARZO

Reel- Shimano Sedona FL 1000: http://bit.ly/2wgh50Z

Line- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Crappie Videos... 

How To Catch Huge Slab Crappie: https://youtu.be/WjDVpQ4aTsc

Huge Slab Crappie On Every Cast!: https://youtu.be/cBpu1suTnno

Float N Fly Video... 

The Float N Fly Just Got Easier!: https://youtu.be/oqZfnRkIvc0

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

Early Spring A-Rig Tricks For Prespawn Bass

The A-rig is an awesome way to catch bass in early Spring! Few baits will cover water as quickly and draw fish up as well as an Alabama Rig. With some quick adjustments your Winter A-Rigs can be adapted for Prespawn fishing. Come along for a day on the water and learn as you watch Tim target bass in dock lines. 

In today's video Tim primarily used a bladed 5-wire rig. The blades create commotion in the water and help draw fish off the bottom when the water is still cold. However, when Tim found clear water he quickly changed to a rig with no blades and baits with a tighter kicking action to continue getting bit. In addition to the changes in rig, Tim also explained the advantage of gold vs. silver blades. As a final tip, he was able to go ultra slow by dropping down to 1/8 ounce heads to get fish to react in the cold water. 

By paying close attempting to water color, temperature, and fish behavior Tim (and you) were able to adapt to the changing conditions with adjustments to retrieve speed and presentation to keep getting bit. In addition to his depth finder Tim also used his 360 imaging to spot fish out away from the boat and get a few bonus bites that he wouldn't have been able to get without. Below is a breakdown of the rigs, baits, and equipment Tim was using in the video.

The Rigs... 

Silver Blades- Yum Flash Mob Jr: http://bit.ly/2bgDGNu

Gold Blades- Picasso Flash Back Jr: http://bit.ly/2S4LwB9

No Blades- Yum Ultralight Yumbrella: http://bit.ly/2cq4pJQ

Pre-Rigged- Hog Farmer BFL Hitchhiker: http://bit.ly/36EcEuR

The Hardware... 

-Matt Allen Swimbait Heads: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-Owner CPS Springs (Medium): http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

-Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Preferred baits... 

Main Baits- Keitech 4.8 Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

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

Finesse Baits- Keitech Easy Shiner 4": http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

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

Dummy Baits- Reaction Innovations Little Dippers: http://bit.ly/2brnU5I

(Bad Shad Green, Purple Smoke)

Tim's Combo... 

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

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Combo... 

Rod- SLX 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

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

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

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

Dock Fishing In The Heat - Everything You Need To Know

Summer bass love to hide in shade so today we're taking an in-depth look at fishing docks for bass. Matt explains which docks hold the best fish, how to find the key spots, and then shows his actual dock fishing box and explains why each bait deserves to be there. If you have any questions about catching bass in the heat around docks and overhead cover, this video will answer them!

Some anglers consistently catch bigger fish around docks than others. This is because they understand what makes a "high percentage" dock. If you want to become a better dock fisherman take the information in this video to heart and began looking at the docks in a systematic way. Which docks are transitional? Which docks cast larger shadows? Which docks reach farther into the open? When you begin making intentional moves you'll start catching more fish, even before you start incorporating some of Matt's confidence baits.

Every once in a while we get a video where Matt opens up a dedicated Plano and lets everyone peek inside. Today he opens his "Dock Box" and he's not holding anything back. From Buzzbaits that can be skipped, to slow falling creatures, he explains every trick he uses to pull big bass from the shadows all Summer long.

The baits in order of appearance in the box...

-D&M Slow Roller Buzzbait (Red Bug 1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2t7BMKt

-Dirty Jigs Pro Buzz (Blue Glimmer): http://bit.ly/2cWI6if

-River2Sea D Walker 120 Buzz trailer (PB Red): http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

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

-River2Sea Biggie Papa Squarebill (Abalone Shad, TS Minnow): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

-Lucky Craft 1.5 Squarebill (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

-6th Sense Crush 50 Squarebill (4k Shad): http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

-Azuma Square Boss Crank (Grand Shad): http://bit.ly/2zfBwuK

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2 (Little Allen): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

-Jackall Gavacho (Chart Strike Gill): http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

-Canterbury Shaky Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

-Netbait T-Mac Worm (Kentucky Craw, Junebug): http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

-Owner Flashy Swimmer Underspin (5/0 hook 1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

-Keitech 4.8" Fat Swimbait (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Swagger Tungsten 3/16 oz Vader Weight: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

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

-Keitech Crazy Flapper 4.4 (Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Fire): http://bit.ly/2c3cXrp

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig 5/16 oz (Alabama Craw): http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

-Yamamoto Double Tail Grub 4" (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Plano 3700 Stowaway Pro Latch: http://bit.ly/2rFRJpk

Matt's All-Around Dock Combo...

Rod- G Loomis GLX 843C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

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

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

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget-Friendly All-Around Dock Combo...

Rod- SLX 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

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

Top Rod & Reel Combos For Dock Fishing!

Skipping docks and overhanging cover is easy with the right equipment! Tim shows the 4 combos and the baits he uses for dock fishing. From Senkos to swimbaits to jigs, this is the information you need to improve your dock fishing this year. 

Tim covers the spectrum with 4 rods and can adapt to changing conditions on the fly. From giant bass suspended in the water column to small bucks at the base of pilings, Tim has a method for effectively targeting those fish. 

Combo #1: Weightless Worm...
Rod- G Loomis NRX 852: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv
Rod #2- Loomis GLX 852: http://bit.ly/2A6HH3O
Modern Reel- Daiwa Exist 2500: http://bit.ly/2JCa79E
Line- 10 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- 6 lb Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
Strike King Shim -E- Stick: http://bit.ly/2vXqewr
Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS
Wacky Saddle: http://bit.ly/2xnYcJo
Mosquito Hook (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2fqYFCR

Combo #2: Weighted Worm...
Rod- 6'10" Expride Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q
Reel- Daiwa Tatula LT: http://bit.ly/2zrq4id
Line- 10 lb Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- 8 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
6" Robo Straight Tail Worm: http://bit.ly/2asZyH3
Owner Block Head Jig: http://bit.ly/2qL0A8n

Combo #3: Glide Bait...
Rod- IMX Pro 904: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS
Reel- Curado 200K 7:1 Ratio: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh
Line- 65 lb Power Pro MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- 18 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
S-Waver 168 (Bluegill or Light Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Gan Craft 178: http://bit.ly/2d5l48K

Combo #4: Soft Swimbait...
Rod- Dobyns Fury 795: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV
Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO
Line- 65 lb Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Osprey 6" Tournament Talon: http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0
(TW Shad, Reverse Hitch, Bluegill)
________________________________________________________________

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