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

clear water web.jpg

Wide Open Winter Bass Fishing! Its A Slugfest!

Come along for a day on the water as we pound the fish while battling the cold! Most anglers think the Winter is tough fishing but it can be amazing! We're targeting fish with a wide variety of baits but the big ones are eating a tube and a jig on this cold Winter day! 

This is a Highland Reservoir with water temperatures in the mid to upper 40's and water clarity of 5 to 8 feet. We found bass positioned in 20-50 feet of water on outside points and breaks with quick deep water access. At the end of the day we found a bonus pattern with bass in shallow water feeding aggressively around the remnants of a grass mat. We caught fish on a variety of baits today but our best success came on a 5/8 ounce jig with a double tail grub, a 1/2 oz Tube, a blade bait, and a Dark Sleeper. If you're deciding whether or not to fish this Winter, we hope this video inspires you to get back on the water!

Below you'll find links to all of the baits and equipment used in the video. We've included exact colors and sizes so you can perfectly mirror these patterns on your own lake this Winter. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Matt's Jig... 

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Football 5/8 oz (Pond Bug): http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Trailer- Yamamoto Double Tail 5" Grub (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p


Tim's Tube... 

Tube- Dry Creek 3.5" Full Body (Bama Craw): https://bit.ly/38BgQ15

Head- Bite Me Tackle Big Dude Goby Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2CV3o7S


Blade Bait... 

Blade- Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response 1/2 oz (Ito Hiuo): http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL


Dark Sleeper... 

Swimbait- 3" Dark Sleeper 3/4 oz (Donko): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT


Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 904C MBR: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

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

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

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


Tube/Blade Bait Combo... 

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

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

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


Dark Sleeper Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend X 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2r3Wskp

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

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

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


Budget Jig Combo... 

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

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

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


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

winter fishing dale web.jpg

Raw and Uncut Fishing For GIANT Fish! HUGE Bass On Ultralight Tackle!

Come along for a whole day of fishing! We're on the Great Lakes targeting bass with finesse tackle and are catching a ton of fish! Its raw and uncut so if you've ever wanted to watch a 6+ lb Smallmouth caught from cast to catch on a swimbait, this is for you! Its an epic day of fishing! Come be a part of it!

In this unedited live video Matt utilized a variety of baits. A tube was the major player in the beginning, while the dark sleeper and keitech stole the show toward the end. Matt teaches throughout the day about adapting to changing conditions, specifically targeting bass in clear water, how to fish transitions and breaks, how to target shallow water fish, and so much more! This style of video is unlike anything else we do. Its long format but you’ve been asking for it so here is the change to see the struggles, the miles of water covered, and the successes as the day unfolds!

Down below the cut points you'll find a full list of all the tackle used in the video including links that go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.  Matt included his exact colors and weights, the rods and reels, and even included a great combo for the bass angler on a budget that still wants excellent performance while targeting big fish. Enjoy!

Cut Points... 

-1st Fish Catch: 3:01

-5th Fish Catch: 32:00

-Suprise Species Catch: 53:55

-Explaining Next Move: 01:00:25

-Start Fishing Next Spot: 01:11:04

-10th Fish Catch: 01:29:53

-Start Fishing Next Spot: 01:38:26

-Retie Dark Sleeper Then Catch 6.2 lb Smallmouth!: 01:50:41

-Weighing 6 lb Smallmouth: 01:55:05

-Releasing 6 lb Smallmouth: 01:55:55

-15th Fish Catch: 02:16:11

-Matt Misses Another Giant!: 02:36:43

-Teaching About Dark Sleeper Swimbaits: 02:41:30

-20th Fish Catch: 03:02:09

-Motor Overheats!!: 03:09:05

-Final Fish Catch: 03:29:10

-Outro and Final Thoughts: 03:35:10

The Baits... 

-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube 3.5" (Tilapia): http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Jighead- BladeRunner Inhaler 3/16 oz 2/0: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

-Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact (SunGill): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Jighead- TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3" 1/2 oz (Wakasagi): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Matt's Tube Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 872S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

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

Line- Power Pro Braided Line 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Dark Sleeper Combo... 

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

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

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

Budget Finesse Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX DC HG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 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

Big Smallie 1-01.jpeg

Sight Casting For GIANT Smallmouth Bass In The Clearest Water You've Ever Seen!

We've found water so clear you can see giant bass swimming 50 yards away! We're sight casting to them like they're snook on a saltwater flat and its working!!! Come along as Matt and CC stalk big fish with ultralight tackle in the Great Lakes and catch a monster bag the first day! Don't let clear water and big fish intimidate you, Matt is about to show you everything you need to know to consistently catch these fish!

If you've ever been faced with fish in crystal clear water you know they can be very finicky. Knowing how to adapt your gear and lead the fish so they don't spook is critical. Once you've established how much lead you need to put your bait in their line of sight without spooking them, its clock work. Today we did our best work with a tube and a dark sleeper. The fish ambushing around rocks would crush the dark sleeper but fish on the open flats would only eat a tube worked with tiny pops of the rod tip. 

The next time you're faced with clear water conditions, don't be afraid to try and catch those bass! Use long leaders, make long casts, and don't be afraid to search for fish where no one else is willing to go. Below is a breakdown of the baits (including exact colors, weights, etc) and the gear we were using to throw them. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

The Tube... 

Matt's Tube- Big Bite Baits 3.5" Salt Tube: https://bit.ly/2D7j6RX

Matt's Color: Green Pumpkin Black Orange

CC's Tube- Big Bite Baits 3.5" Tour Tube: http://bit.ly/32e23VR

CC's Color: Green Pumpkin Blue Flake

Tube Head- Blade Runner Inhaler 1/4 oz 2/0: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

The Swimbait... 

Swimbait- Megabass Dark Sleeper 1/2 oz 3": http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

The Hair Jig…

Jig- Feider Fly 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black

Matt's Tube Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX 872S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

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

Line- Power Pro Braided Line 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Budget Tube Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Reel- Shimano Sahara FI 2500: http://bit.ly/2XhhM43

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

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

Matt's Dark Sleeper Combo... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 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

CC Clear water.jpg