Fishing Below Freezing For Big Bass! Chickamauga In Winter!

Its Frozen solid! Its 21 degrees but Matt and Tim are back on the water for some Winter bass fishing. Come along for a frozen day on Chickamauga as the guys put together a really nice bag of fish. They're throwing reaction baits despite the frigid temperatures and its working!

Winter fishing doesn't have to be boring. The guys were faced with brutal post-front, frozen conditions but were able to power through it with a blade bait and an Alabama Rig. If you're willing to cover water and build patterns, Winter fishing can be a blast! The lakes are peaceful, the fish are big, and when you put the right reaction baits in front of them, they're aggressive! 

Below you'll find links to all the baits used in the videos. We included the colors we were using as well as the hook and hardware upgrades we made to help our hookup ratios in the cold water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Blade Bait... 

-Damiki Vault 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Holo Cyber Purple, Real Shad

Blade Bait Hook Upgrades... 

Hooks- Owner STX-38 (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2oNIeCD

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Ring Sizes: #3 for Belly and Back, #2 for Tail

Tim's Alabama Rig... 

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

Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Swimbait Color: Electric Shad

Matt's Alabama Rig... 

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

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

Baits- 13 Fishing Churro 4.25": http://bit.ly/2LLeRA6

Swimbait Color: Moonlight Clan

Matt's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

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

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

Tim's Blade Bait Combo...  

Rod- Megabass P5 Z-Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

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

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

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

Budget Blade Bait Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6'8" Medium XFast: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Winter Bass Fishing: Crankbaits, Blade Baits, and A-Rigs For Cold Water Bass

We're back on the water at Chickamauga and the bass are biting! Most anglers think of January as finesse fishing time but that's not what we're doing! While finesse can be effective, there is something rewarding about successfully power fishing in cold water. Come along as we throw everything from crankbaits to A-rigs in search of Winter bass. 

There are 3 ways to consistently catch fish in cold water. Two weeks ago Matt talked about the power of a swimbait for drawing bites from large fish. Last week Tim discussed the benefits of finesse fishing and how you can consistently catch fish in Winter. Today we're demonstrating how to power fish in Winter by eliciting a core feed response in the bass. Its not about whether or not they want to bite, its about reacting to a fast moving, erratic bait. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits Matt fished in the video. He's included the color he was throwing for each as well as the hook upgrades for the crankbait. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

The Baits... 

-Rapala Ott's Garage Bait 06: http://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Color: Live River Shad 

**Can Be Backordered**

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

Color: Ghost Minnow

-Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response Blade: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Color: Ito Hiuo

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

Color: Real Shad

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

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

Baits- Keitech Swing Impact 4.3 Fat: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-River2Sea Tactical DD75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: Ghost Minnow

Crankbait Hooks and Split Rings... 

Rings- Owner Hyperwire #3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

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

Matt's Lipless Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

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

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

Matt's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

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

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

Matt's Deep Crank Combo...

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

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

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

Want TacticalBassin Apparel?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Fall Frog Fishing: Small Frogs Get More Bites

Frog fishing is a fun way to catch bass before Winter. As the water cools, bass ambush small minnows in the shallows around the last remnants of grass. The Frog is a great baitfish imitator and one of the last topwater bites of the year. If you don't have snow on the ground, give the frog one last shot to wrap up the topwater season before Winter sets in.

This time of year, smaller frogs can be the difference between a tough bite and a day to remember. Smaller frogs perfectly mimic the small baitfish in the shallows. They elicit strikes when few baits will and typically have an excellent hookup ratio. Focus on ghost and glitter colors in cleaner water and bolder colors in murky water. 

Of course, you'll have to adapt your equipment to throw these smaller offerings. You'll still need a stout rod to set the double frog hook but it doesn't need to be nearly as strong as the rod you'd use for their larger cousins. Below you'll find links to the gear Tim was using today along with a list of our favorite small frogs for different situations. We've also included our favorite frog combo, small frog rod, and budget option. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Today's Bait... 

-Jackall Kaera (Glitter Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Small Frogs... 

-Best All Around: Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Favorite Colors: Glitter Hasu, Glitter Bluegill

-Best Walking: Spro Bronzeye Frog Jr: http://bit.ly/2XkbgxR

Favorite Colors: Killer Gill, Nasty Shad

-Best In Slop: R2S Bully Wa 55: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Favorite Colors: Bluegill, Little Allen

-Best Popping Frog: Spro Poppin Frog 60: http://bit.ly/2HsyqIJ

Favorite Colors: Speck, Killer Gill

Favorite Frog Combo... 

Rod- Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Tim's Combo Today... 

Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC HG: http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Line- Power Pro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Small Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Budget Small Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'4" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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

Fall Bass Fishing For Finicky Bass In Tough Conditions!

In the last 2 weeks the lake has been drawn down for Fall, then a hurricane dumped flooding rains and filled it back to full pool! Where did the bass go and how do you catch them during these crazy changing conditions? Come along for a day on the water as we strategize about the changing conditions, implement 2 patterns, and put fishing in the boat. 

Fall brings so many great fishing opportunities. The bite can be amazing and there are so many awesome techniques that come into play as the water cools. But what about when the weather doesn't cooperate? What do you do when it blows, or a cold snap happens, or it floods? Can you still catch fish? Today was a grind for the guys but watch closely as they analyze the conditions, pick key spots based on those conditions, and start catching fish. 

Using a 2-pattern approach Matt and Tim were able to have consistent action on what should have been a brutally tough day. While they didn't catch giant fish they got a ton of bites and identified a pattern for quality fish. When they just wanted to get bit, they ran the backs of shallow pockets with topwater, lipless crankbaits, blade baits, and a fluke. When they needed a better bite they moved to main lake grass mats and covered water until the right fish ate the frog. 

Below you'll find links to the gear the guys used throughout the day. Some of these baits are staples in their arsenal that you'll immediately recognize, some of them came out to help mimic the small shad that had gathered in the shallows. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you'll see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Topwater... 

Walking Bait- Rapala Skitter Walk (Shad Translucent): https://bit.ly/3mIem6Z

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

Matt's Frog- R2S Bully Wa 2 (Little Allen): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Tiny swimbaits and Crankbaits... 

-Spro BBZ-1 Baby Shad (Blue Back Herring): https://bit.ly/325h8ez

-Spro Fat John 50 (Honey Shad): http://bit.ly/2V03giW

-Jackall TN-50 Lipless (Scale Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Blade Baits... 

-Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

-Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Fluke...

-Zoom Fluke (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2OFjvjx

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

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

Tim's Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

Line- Sunline FX-2 60 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/31u57xA

Matt's Finesse Crank Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro Deep Flex 864 (7'2" MH): http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

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

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

Fluke Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Stradic 2500 HGFL: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

Line- power Pro Braided 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 8 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

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