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

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

4 Lipless Crankbait Tricks For Springtime Bass Fishing

Prespawn Bass and Lipless crankbaits go hand in hand! After a long Winter of slow fishing its hard to imagine anything better than burning a lipless across shallow flats in search of big prespawn bass! Its ability to cover water quickly combined with amazing drawing power should put the lipless crankbait at the top of your list in Spring. In today's video Tim teaches two different approaches to lipless fishing and gives some bonus tips along the way that you don't want to miss. 

When you hear the words "lipless crank" most anglers envision burning traps in shallow water, usually around grass beds. This method is so deadly on Spring time bass that its engrained in the minds of bass fishermen everywhere. However there is a second way to fish these baits that is often overlooked and typically catches even bigger fish than the burning method! The slow hop elicits strikes unlike any other lure we've ever encountered. It requires very specialized lipless baits to achieve the right action but once mastered, its amazing the caliber of fish you can catch. 

Both methods should have a place in your arsenal. Both will work on any given day so we're typically prepared with both styles of lipless tied on. While both the burning and hopping styles are done with lipless crankbaits, the similarities end there. You'll want different lures, different weights, and even different line to really dial in the patterns. Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment by style. 

Lipless For Hopping... 

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

(Ghost Minnow, Spring Craw, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad)

-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

(Escape Craw, Super Shad, SG Threadfin)

-Jackall TN-70 Disk Knocker: http://bit.ly/2wuc9Y0

(Escape Craw, Sprinkle Wakasagi, SG Threadfin)

-6th Sense Quake 70: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

(Shad Hammer, Shad Scales, Delta Craw)

Shallow Burners... 

-Strike King Red Eye Shad: http://bit.ly/2fqX1RT

(Blue Gizzard Shad, Sexy Shad, Delta Red)

-Strike King Red Eye 2-Tap: http://bit.ly/2gmACC5

(Delta Red, Sexy Shad, Chrome Sexy Shad)

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

(Royal Red, Rayburn Red, Chrome Blue)

Hook Upgrades... 

-Gamakatsu EWG Black Size 4: http://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

-Owner ST-56 Treble Size 4: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

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

Favorite Crankbait Combo... 

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

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

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

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

Budget Crankbait Combo... 

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

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

Line- 12 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

4 Easy Lipless Crankbait Tips For Fall Bass Fishing!

Lipless crankbaits for Fall Bass?! Yes! These Tips will make it so easy that anyone can fish a lipless crankbait with confidence. Crankbait fishing doesn't have to be complicated and Matt makes it incredibly simple by breaking down 3 baits and 4 colors that will work anywhere in the country. (And then he proves it with fish catches from 5 different states!)

Lipless crankbaits are known for their effectiveness in Spring but they're equally effective in Fall. Understanding what attributes make different baits work takes all the guess work out of your fishing. In today's video Matt breaks down three baits (Jackall TN-70, 6th Sense Quake, and Lucky Craft LV-500) and shows how they can be used to cover the entire water column from coast to coast.

After explaining the baits, Matt shows how changing hooks can completely change your fishing experience, then he shows how important proper rod action is when fishing lipless crankbaits. He wraps up with some final tips on blade bait fishing in Late Fall and Early Winter. Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Matt discussed in the video.

The Baits...

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

-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

-6th Sense Quake 80: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

-Jackall Keeburn Blade: http://bit.ly/2or8sy0

-Damiki Vault Blade: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

4 colors- Reflective, Ghost, Bold, Craw

Lucky Craft Colors: Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad, Aurora Craw, Clear Water Shad

Jackall Colors: HL Aurora Black, Ghost Minnow, SS Shad, RT Escape Craw

6th Sense Colors: Shad Hammer, Rayburn Ghost, 4K Shad, Delta Craw

Hook Upgrades...

Bladed Hook- VMC Bladed Hybrid (Size 4 or 2): http://bit.ly/2oqWODi

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

Light Wire- Gamakatsu EWG Bronze (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Heavy Wire- Owner 3X ST-56 Treble (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

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

Matt's Favorite Lipless Combo...

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

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

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

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

Budget-Friendly Lipless Combo...

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

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

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