Catch Shallow Bass Right Now - Shad Spawn And Shallow Water Tricks

Shallow water bass are EASY to catch if you know what to do! Whether you're on a pond or a giant lake, some very big bass move shallow in the post spawn and we can help you catch them. Some lakes have an incredible shad spawn that you don't want to miss, others just have fish ambushing bluegill. Today we're covering the best techniques to target all of these fish!

Pond and bank fishermen can really simplify their fishing this time of year. You can narrow down your arsenal to two baits that will maximize your time on the water. Get up early and hit the water with a fluke and a weedless underspin, you'll be amazed by the results. 

Anglers on larger lakes should focus their attention on the shad spawn. Its critical that you be on the water at or before first light, armed with key baits that these fish are susceptible to. It doesn't matter where you live, if there are shad in your lake these techniques will work! 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment that we recommend for fishing during the post spawn and early Summer when targeting shallow water bass. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up photos and detailed video descriptions. 

Pond and Bank Fishing Gear... 

Soft Jerkbait- Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Electric Shad, Smokin Shad

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

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

Colors: Electric Shad, Gizzard Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

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

Spinnerbaits... 

-Damiki TOT Spinnerbait: http://bit.ly/38cxmD6

Colors: Smelt Shad, Snow Shad, Amazing Chartreuse

-Megabass V-9 Spinnerbait: http://bit.ly/2tOaVCt

Colors: Hasu, Kohoku Reaction, Pearl Shad

-War Eagle Screamin Eagle Spinnerbait: http://bit.ly/2w5zoor

Colors: Aurora, Hot White Shad, Mouse

Spinnerbait Trailer... 

-Keitech Fat Swimbait (4.3 or 3.8): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Gizzard Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Weedless Underspin... 

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

Colors: Electric Shad, Gizzard Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

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

Squarebill Crankbaits... 

-6th Sense Crush 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

Colors: 4K Shad, Chrome Treuse Shad

-River2Sea Biggie: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: I Know It, T-1000, Abalone Shad

Lipless Crankbaits... 

-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Colors: Chrome Black, Chrome Blue, Gold Black

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Golden Shiner

All-Around Combo... 

Rod- Zodias 7'5" Medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

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

Leader- Sunliner FC-100 Shock Leader 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

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

Squarebill Crankbait Tricks For Spring Bass Fishing

With all the colors, sizes, and sounds, which crankbaits should you fish? Virtually every company in bass fishing makes a squarebill crankbait but they are NOT created equal! Knowing how to use different crankbaits to match conditions will help you catch way more fish this Spring. It's more than just looks so come along as we dive into the details that make all the difference with square bills. 

Tim splits his square bills into several categories. He's got silent baits for pressured conditions and rattling baits for aggressive fish or murky water. He uses bill size (diving depth) to adapt to different water levels, and size to match the baitfish. He keeps color simple, relying on 3 categories (baitfish, crawfish, and bold) to adapt to changing conditions. Where it really gets interesting is his use of different hooks to adapt to the fish he's targeting. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits Tim has the most confidence in. He's also included his favorite colors in each, all of his favorite hooks and terminal tackle. Additionally, he's listed his favorite Crankbait combo and a few other rods at different price points that will help you land more crankbait fish on your next trip. 

Rattling Baits... 

-River2Sea Biggie: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

(Rooster, Abalone Shad, I Know It)

-6th Sense Crush 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

(Shad Streaker, Shad Scales, Mudbug Red)

-Spro Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

(Matte Shad, Blood Craw, Rootbeer Chartreuse)

Silent Baits... 

-Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

(American Shad, Crack, Delta Crazy Red Craw)

-Lucky Craft BDS 3: http://bit.ly/2blTVwI

(TO Craw, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow)

-Megabass S-Crank: http://bit.ly/2dPdTxb

(MB Phantom, Fire Craw, Megabass Sexy Shad)

-Strike King 1.5: http://bit.ly/2Pz3HvE

(Delta Red, Olive Shad, Sexy Ghost Minnow)

Hook and Hardware Upgrades... 

-Owner ST-36: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

(Extremely sharp and reliable, excellent all-around hooks)

-Owner ST-35: http://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

(Short shank hooks with 3 hooks positioned specifically for crankbaits)

-Gamakatsu EWG: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

(Incredible sharp, light wire, tipped in hook points)

-Mustad Short Shank Triple Grip: http://bit.ly/32U3TN1

(Short Shank, tipped points, and offered in Red)

-Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 3 or 4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Tim's Favorite Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

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

Leader- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Other Great Crankbait Rods... 

Glass- Shimano Zodias 7' Med Light Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Budget- Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Heavy Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Squarebill Storage... 

-Plano Elite Medium Crankbait Organizer: http://bit.ly/2KwA8Kp

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

Crankbait Tricks For Spring Bass Fishing (Everything You Need To Know)

No secrets are safe in today's in-depth look at Spring crankbait fishing! From shallow square bills to deep diving cranks, from bright red crawdad colors to water temperatures, nothing is sacred in this video! If you want to catch more bass on crankbaits, this video is for you. Learn how to adapt your crankbaits with water temperature, phase of the spawn, and weather. Crankbaits constantly catch giant bass for the angler that knows how to adapt to changing conditions, you're about to become that angler!

Crankbaits have an incredible ability to TRIGGER a feed response in bass. When a bait is fished properly and deflected off cover a bass is triggered at a core level. They simply have to bite, regardless of mood. Understanding how to apply that information to your fishing will change your entire crankbait fishing experience. Learning when to change diving depths, sizes,  and colors, will take it to the next level. 

In today's video Matt shares the 6 categories of crankbait the Tactical crew uses in Spring. He focuses on 5 of them in this video and Tim will follow up shortly with the 6th. Below you will find a breakdown of those 5 main categories, Matt's best confidence baits for each category, recommended colors, and so much more. 

Related Crankbait Videos... 

-TacticalBassin's New Cold Water Crankbait: https://youtu.be/HAtzFASSeGY

-Cold Water Crankbait Tricks For Big Bass In Winter: https://youtu.be/G-DR1mmX9d8

Deep Diving Crankbaits... 

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(DD Minnow, Natural Gill, Blood Craw, Ghost Minnow)

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

(Fire Craw, Sexy French Pearl, MB Gizzard, M Western Clown)

-Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

(Fire Craw, Threadfin Shad, Sexy French Pearl, Ito Wakasagi)

Mid-Depth Diving Crankbaits... 

-Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

(Red River Craw, Red Crawfish, Nasty Shad)

-Strike King 3XD: http://bit.ly/2oSMj8s

(Clearwater Minnow, Delta Red, Chili Craw)

-Norman DLN (Deep Little N): http://bit.ly/2acSLUd

(Clearlake Crystal Craw, Red Black Craw, Texas Shad)

Squarebills... 

-River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

(Cold Blooded, Delta Craw, Abalone Shad, TS Minnow)

-6th Sense Crush 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

(Shad Scales, Shad Greens, Boiled Crawfish)

-Spro Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

(Blood Craw, Spooky Shad, Matte Shad, Chrome Olive)

-Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

(Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, TO Craw)

Bigger Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft BDS 6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

(Golden Shiner, TO Craw)

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

(Craw Bomb, Shad Scales, Ghost Shad Scales)

Magnum Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft Magnum 110: http://bit.ly/2yaomxB

(Chartreuse Shad, Flake Flake Striped Gill, Nasty Bluegill)

-6th Sense Cloud 9 Magnum Silent: http://bit.ly/31J4Mr5

(Baby Crappie, Shad Treuse, Cajun Gill)

-6th Sense Cloud 9 Magnum: http://bit.ly/31EZooR

(Shad Sense)

7' Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

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

7'6" Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

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

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Large Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'6" Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

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

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin: 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

Squarebill Crankbait Tricks To Catch Fall Bass

Bass can't resist a squarebill crankbait in the Fall! As the water cools in shallow lakes the bass pull to hard cover along the shoreline. They gather on rocks, logs, dock pilings, and any other hard structure. This move creates a predictable situation that bass fishermen can take advantage of with a fast moving crankbait. Learning to "trigger" bites is the key to this fishing style.

Today's video focuses on size, sound and speed. Understanding how to adjust these 3 variables will instantly take you from a casual fisherman to an expert crankbait angler. Mastering this technique can be done with a small handful of crankbaits and some moderately priced equipment. The key is to focus in on the details and don't be afraid to make adjustments. If you see larger baitfish, throw the larger baits. If you see other anglers fishing the same waters, switch to a silent offering. Did a windy day change the water color? It might be time to try a bolder color that you don't usually throw.

Making minor changes can result in huge successes as bass bunch together in the Fall. Anglers that are willing to constantly adapt will find the most success as the water continues to cool into the Winter months. Below is a breakdown of the baits, gear, and components to help you consistently catch squarebill fish this Fall.

Rattling Baits...

-River2Sea Biggie (Poppa): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

(Abalone Shad, I Know It, TS Minnow, Cold Blooded)

-6th Sense Crush 50 and 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

(Shad Burst, Threadfin Flash, Shad Greens, Craw Bomb)

-Spro Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

(Blood Craw, Chrome Olive, Spooky Shad, Clear Chartreuse)

Silent Baits...

-Lucky Craft 1.5 and 2.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

(Ghost Minnow, Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad, Spring Craw)

-6th Sense Crush Silent 50 and 100: http://bit.ly/2BGUQlS

(Rayburn Ghost, Shad Treuse Scales, Shad Trance, Delta Craw)

Larger Baits...

-Strike King 4.0 and 8.0: http://bit.ly/2dzeCUk

(TN Shad 2.0, Natural Shad, Green Gizzard Shad, Delta Red)

-6th Sense Cloud 9 Mini Mag: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

(Ghost Shad Scales, Sleeper Shad, 4K Shad, Delta Craw)

-Lucky Craft BDS 6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

(BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw)

Hook Upgrades...

Lighter Wire Red Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Treble (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2dmxXK8

Lighter Wire Bronze Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Treble (Size 2 and 4): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Heavy Wire Black Hook- Owner ST-56 Treble (Size 2 and 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Split Rings- Hyperwire Size 2 or 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Matt and Tim's Favorite Squarebill Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

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

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

Other Great Crankbait Rods...

-Expride 7' Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

-G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

-Dobyns Colt 705 CB: http://bit.ly/2lU0LfV