Topwater, Flukes, and Underspins For Aggressive Fall Bass!

There are dozen of bass busting on the surface and we've got the right baits to catch them! Come along as Matt takes a finesse approach to Chickamuaga. He's throwing a fluke, a topwater, and several bladed swimbaits, but everything has been downsized to match the size of baitfish in the shallows. By "matching the hatch" the bite gets so good he can almost call his shots. Let's go fishing!

One of the biggest mistakes we see anglers make when they downsize their lures is they also downsize their drawing power. Choosing baits that will draw a finesse bite but still maintain drawing power is an art in itself. Today Matt focused in on 4 key baits to accomplish this and ultimately added fifth. 

The fluke is by far the easiest of the bunch, it has natural drawing power at any size because of its aggressive darting action. The topwater was accomplished by choosing a bait with a cupped face that spit water and created a larger disturbance than other similarly sized baits. Upsizing the drawing power of tiny swimbaits is a task but its most easily accomplished by adding flash. Matt used one with a flashing underspin blade and another with a spinner on the nose. And finally, when he backed out to deep water, the tail spin was implemented to maintain a small size but increase drawing power. 

The next time you're met with tiny baitfish in the shallows remember that you can downsize your presentation without downsizing your catch rate. Focus on baits with significant drawing power and you'll catch fish. Below are links to all the baits and equipment Matt used in the video. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Fluke... 

Bait- Zoom Super Fluke Jr: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Smokin Shad, Albino, Arkansas Shiner

Hook- Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap (Size 2): http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Support- Owner CPS Spring (Size Small): http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

Video detailing this rigging method: https://youtu.be/U3bP0HkJxk0

Topwater... 

Bait- Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Skeleton Chartreuse, American Shad, Emerald Shiner

Underspin... 

Bait- Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer 1/8 oz with 1/0 hook: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Screw Head... 

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

Colors: Albino, Real, Silver Shad

Hook- Megabass Okashira Screw Head (1/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

Tail Spinner... 

Bait- Jackall Deracoup 1 oz (Silver): http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Red Hook Upgrade- Owner ST-36 Red (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2wSknXp

Matt's Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

Topwater Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Bantam Metanium MGL HG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

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

Budget All-Around Finesse Casting Combo...

Rod- Shimano Intenza 6'10" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX DC: http://bit.ly/2MJyuXN

Line- Sunline Assassin 10 lb 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

We're Moving! Huge News!! (Not Click Bait)

We're moving! Clearlake has been an amazing home lake but its time for a change! Where are we headed? Why are we moving? Find out the details! We've spent several years scouring the country in search of a new home that would balance family, fishing, and life. It was a very tough decision but we're thrilled with our choice!

After nearly 25,000 miles on the road over 4 road trips we scratched dozens of places off our list. We narrowed the search down to Tennessee after discovering it had the perfect balance of quality of life for our families and quality of fisheries. After an extensive search we settled on Lake Chickamauga near Chattanooga as our new home lake. We're thrilled to head out on this new journey and look forward to bringing you along for the ride. We'll be exploring new waters, learning new techniques, and taking you along for all of it! We can't wait to pit ourselves against some of the greatest fisheries in the country and break them down with a Tactical perspective.  

To the anglers in California, we'll still see you regularly. We've already got trips planned back home and will continue to fish and film on local fisheries on a regular basis. To the angler's in corners of the country we've yet to visit, your turn is coming! Now you know why we've been so focused in the midwest. Once we've settled into our new homes we'll get right back on the road to visit a fishery near you!

This is a huge transition for all of us and we're so thankful to take you along for the ride! Its easy to look back now at previous videos and see that we were searching. Check out a few of the videos that were filmed on lakes we were considering as we traveled around the country in search of a new home. 

Texas- https://youtu.be/h8bmOcOF0fc

Wisconsin- https://youtu.be/wS-2CX5W8jM

Michigan- https://youtu.be/ypJwB-Qlrtk

Alabama- https://youtu.be/cSY4rL85wYY

Tennessee- https://youtu.be/wtllwQWmfZo

Florida- https://youtu.be/tdXSbNJ1Jio

Idaho- https://youtu.be/Gvegwdy2uGI

Arizona- https://youtu.be/NIWjf5AKEoM

_________________________________________________________________

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

RUNAWAY BOAT CRASH!! - Lake Chickamauga Summer Boating

IT HAPPENS FAST! After the driver was ejected his boat spun out of control. With no operator to slow it down and the throttle pinned, the boat was whipping donuts uncontrollably. The boat made its way dangerously close to an island full of partying weekend boaters before ultimately crashing through the trees and underbrush. Could this have been prevented? Of course! 

Boating has inherent risks. Raising those risks by ignoring the boat's built-in safety features is negligent. Its easy to see the mistake in hindsight. Admittedly, we've all made the same mistake at some point. Let this incident cement the importance of wearing your kill switch. Its imperative not only for your safety but also for the safety of those recreating around you. Thankfully the boat driver in this incident was uninjured after being ejected from his boat and all of the on lookers were spared as well. The only real damage in this crash was to the boat as it plowed through trees and sand repeatedly. 

The message here is anything can happen when you're on the water. When it does happen, it happens quickly. Wear your life jacket and kill switch any time the outboard is running. If something happens, its better to be prepared than caught off guard. Below are links to the life jackets we use when we're on the water as well as some budget friendly options. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of the items.

** When purchasing inflatable PFD's its wise to purchase the  automatic versions so there is an extra level of security if you are not alert when the life jacket is needed.**

Life Jackets... 

What We Wear- Mustang Elite Inflatable PFD: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP

Basic Automatic (Budget)- Mustang Classic M.I.T. 100: https://bit.ly/3dqoddd

Traditional Type- Onyx Tackle Warehouse: https://bit.ly/2ZVYmpE

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

Summer Fishing Tricks: Early Morning Bite (Whopper plopper and Crankbait)

No one likes getting up early but in Summer, its worth it! Midday the lake can feel like a Dead Sea if you don't know where to look but in the morning, everything is alive! Come along with Matt on the Tennessee River as he explores new water and builds a morning pattern with a whopper plopper, lipless crankbait, and wobble head (swing head jig).

Most anglers fish a whopper plopper on a slow, steady retrieve. Most of the time we do too, but there is a time and place for the popping method and today it paid off with 2 nice bites. After the topwater bite slowed Matt turned to a lipless and ultimately a swinging jig to continue catching fish. 

The morning bite window is incredibly easy but is also very short. Its imperative that you get on the water at first light and if you're not prepared to begin shadow fishing and targeting offshore fish, expect the bite to be done before 9 AM. Below we've included links to all the gear Matt used in today's video. We included the exact colors as well as recommendations on some of our other favorites. 

Hard Baits... 

-Whopper Plopper 110 Topwater (Bone): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Other Favorites- Loon, Munky Butt

-TN70 Lipless Crank (RT Scale Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Other Favorites- Super Shad, Ghost Minnow

Swing Head Jig... 

Jighead- Swing Head Football 3/4 oz 4/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

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

Second Bait- Zoom Z Craw (Junebug): http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

Matt's Topwater Combo... 

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

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

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

Matt's Swing Head Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: 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