Clear Water Bass Fishing Tricks! How To Catch Bass In Crystal Clear Water!

Clear water fishing scares a lot of people! Unless you've had a lot of rain, a lot of our fisheries get clear this time of year. When that visibility increases a lot of anglers lose confidence in their ability to catch bass. Maybe the fish see the line, maybe they see you, what can you do to keep catching them? Its not as tough as you think, and the answers may be VERY DIFFERENT than what you're expecting!

"Clear Water" doesn't always mean 10 or 20 feet of visibility, this can even happen when your fishery is usually muddy and suddenly has 2 or 3 feet of visibility. Step one is to stay very quiet. Don't make excess noise, avoid vibrations, and you'll get more bites. Step two, target the visibility line (AKA "color line"). Step three is to use lighter line for finesse techniques. If you're not going lighter, go faster, that keeps the fish from having time to inspect your offering. Step four, shade and wind are your friend. Focus on dark edges that fish can use to ambush food, or days when waves are breaking up the overall visibility.

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits for clear water situations. Yes, finesse is key, but don't be afraid to mix in reaction and target those bigger fish in clear water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included a couple of our favorite finesse fishing rod and reel combos in case you want to expand into this style of fishing.

Dropshot...

Bait- Smallie Smasher 3.5": http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Color: Green pumpkin Purple

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light Size 2: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pencil 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Crankbait...

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

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Green Pumpkin Craw

-Spro RKCrawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Colors: Phantom Green, Red Crawfish

Swimbaits...

Bait #1- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

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

Colors: Real, Albino, Silver Shad

Head- Megabass Okashira Head 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

Bait #3- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Bait #4- Dark Sleeper 3" 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Haze, Wakasagi, Donko

Favorite Chartreuse and Blue Baits...

-Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (Chart Blue): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Megabass Deep X 300 (Biwako See Through Chart): http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Polarized Glasses...

-Eye Surrender ESE: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN

(Amber for Sight Fishing, Grey For All-Around Use)

Amazing All-Around Finesse Combo...

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Twin Power 3000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Sunline SX-1 Braided Line 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Finesse Combo...

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano NASCI 3000: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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

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How To Catch Bass In Cold Water Without Slowing Down!

Winter fishing doesn't have to be boring! So many anglers have fallen into the trap of slow, methodical fishing in the Winter. Did you know you can trigger a feed response by speeding up? Its true! Matt explains the keys to getting consistent bites in the coldest Winter temperatures without ever slowing down.

The key to consistent Winter bites with reaction baits is understanding what it takes to "trigger" a feed response. Its also key to understand all baits are not created equal. Cold water separates the perfectly balanced, perfectly tuned baits, from the endless stream of new tackle hitting the market every year. If you want to be consistent in Winter, fish the right baits with proper technique and its only a matter of time before you start catching quality fish.

There are 3 very different approaches to Winter. You can swimbait for a giant, finesse fish for consistent action, or power fish with bite triggering retrieves to try and find the best of both worlds. Whichever path you choose, Winter fishing is worse the effort. Its incredibly peaceful, there is minimal boat traffic, and the odds of catching a big bass are very high.

Below you'll find links to the 5 styles of baits we use to trigger a feed response. We've included our favorite baits, favorite colors, and hardware upgrades where relevant. We've also included our favorite equipment for some of these techniques. All of the links go directly Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Related Videos...

-Winter Reaction On Chickamauga: https://youtu.be/hLC67fc3vqw

-Cold Water Crankbaits In-Depth: https://youtu.be/FPaL13899uc

Main Crankbaits...

Our Deep Diver- R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Ghost Minnow, DD Minnow, Mirrored Minnow

Shallow Diver- Rapala Ott's Garage Slim 06: https://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Colors: Live River Shad, Green Gizzard Shad, Rootbeer Craw

Other Phenomenal Winter Cranks...

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

Colors: Phantom Green, Green Craw

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

Colors: PM Kisyu Ayu, MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu

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

Colors: PM Kisyu Ayu, MB Gizzard, Ito Wakasagi

Alabama Rigs...

-HogFarmer BFL FLEX Rig: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

-G Funk Baits Cali Rig: http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

A-Rig components...

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

Baits- Keitech 4.3" or 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire #4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Jerkbaits...

Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

Megabass Vision 110 Jr: http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: GP Pro Blue, Elegy Bone, Ito Tennessee Shad, Mat Shad

Lipless Crankbaits...

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

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad
-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: Ghost Minnow, RT Scale Minnow, SG Threadfin

Blade Baits...

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

Colors: Black Holo, Cyber Purple, Real Shad

-Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu

Blade Bait Component Upgrades...

Line Tie: Owner Hyperwire #3 Split Ring: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

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

Hooks: Owner ST-36 Size 6: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

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

Budget Jerkbait/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

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

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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

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

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Buyer's Guide: Squarebills and Lipless Crankbaits For Every Season

Today's Buyer's guide is all about the reaction bite. In an effort to pack in as much information as possible, we've combined two of the largest crankbait categories into our final buyer's guide of the season. We're looking at shallow crankbaits for triggering a reaction bite, then switching gears to lipless crankbaits and exploring the best baits for fishing shallow grass flats, the best baits for deep water applications, and everything in between.

Choosing the right crankbait is a combination of 3 variables. First, do you want sound? Second, how large are the baitfish or crawfish you're imitating? And finally, how deep (or shallow) do you need to reach? Answering these 3 questions will guide you to the best bait in your box, every time. From there, a small selection of colors is all you need to meet every situation.

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits in every size and depth range. We've included our favorite colors, along with the rods, reels, and gear you'll need to be successful on the water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Magnum Squarebills...

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

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw

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

Colors: Ghost Shad Scales, Ghost Threadfin Shad, Delta Craw

Standard Squarebills...

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

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw, Ghost Minnow

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

Colors: American Shad, BP Golden Shiner, Ghost Minnow

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

Colors: Abalone Shad, Cold Blooded, I Know It