Gear Review! Shimano Curado BFS, Megabass P5, Creature Baits, Swimbaits, And Finesse!

Today’s tackle review is covering some amazing new items in bass fishing. From rods and reels, to a variety of baits, there are a ton of new options for late Spring and early Summer bass fishing! We kick the reviews off with a look at the brand new Shimano Curado BFS casting reel, then follow it up with the Megabass P5 Baby Plugging rod. From there we jump into baits that range from a 2” tube to a 10” swimbait, with a lot of stops in between. 

While the Northern guys are coming strong into the prespawn, the Southern anglers are pushing more toward Summer patterns. We’ve taken this into consideration and found items that help both groups be more successful. For the Northern guys we’re reviewing the Curado BFS, The P5 Baby Plugging, Tubes, and small swimbaits. For the South guys we’re looking at creatures for the wobble head, as well as some great swimbait options.

Below you’ll find links to all the gear reviewed in the video. We’ve included favorite sizes and colors where applicable, as well as favorite methods for rigging. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

BFS Gear...

Reel- Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Rod #1- Shimano Zodias 7'2" ML: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

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

Megabass Rod... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Spinning Rod: https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Preferred Reel- Shimano Vanford 1000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Wobble Heads... 

Bait- XZone Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Favorite Colors: Junebug, Green Pumpkin Black

Head- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point: http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Size: 1/2 oz 4/0 hook

Bait Alternative- Zoom Z Craw: http://bit.ly/2vW7Jo5

Tubes... 

Bait- Netbait STH Finesse Tube: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Ten Point, Dark Melon Copper

Heads- Blade Runner Inhaler: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Sizes: 1/0 for 2.5" and 2/0 for 4" Tube

Small Swimbaits... 

Bait- Storm Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Colors: Albino Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Sexy Shad

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

Underspin- VMC Spin Jig 1/4 oz: https://bit.ly/3381fEf

Weedless Swimbait... 

Bait- JSJ Hitch 6 Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3vxPgw3

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, Light Hitch

Hook- Owner Beast 8/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Savage Gear Swimbait... 

6" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/2Ib674q

8" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

10" Pulse Tail Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3lsKP0t

Favorite Colors: Dirty Silver, Ghost Trout

Braided Line... 

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

-Sufix 131 Braided Line: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

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

GIANT Georgia Bass! Swimbait, Senko, and Texas Rigs For Pre-Spawn Bass

We're on a new lake and there are BIG BASS in the shallows! It doesn't take long for CC to get a big one to commit to the glide bait! Come along as we adapt to changing conditions and build a pattern on a brand new fishery with a combination of big baits and Texas-Rigged plastics. 

When visiting new fisheries, swimbaits are one of our confidence baits because of their ability to draw fish out of cover. You can learn more in a few hours watching what follows behind your swimbait than you can in weeks with traditional lures. Its an added bonus when those big fish start biting! Today was one of those days when a big one committed to the bait and our very first fish on a new lake was a giant! 

As the sun began breaking through we turned to more traditional methods to get consistent bites. Our fish came on a combination of 6" senkos and curly tail worms. Below you'll find links to all the baits we used in the video. We've included the exact colors we were throwing, the hooks and rigging we used, as well as some of our gear.  

CC's Glide Bait... 

Bait- S Waver 168 (Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Hooks- Owner ST-56 (Size 2): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

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

Our Other Swimbaits... 

-G Ratt Sneaky Pete (Hitch): http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

-Jackall Gantarel (RT Ghost Gill): http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

-Bucca Bull Gill (Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2f1ASHn

Senko...  

Bait- Yamamoto 6" Senko (Wtrmln/Grn Pump Red Flk): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

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

Curly Tail Worm... 

Bait- Keitech Mad Wag Long Worm 8" (Blue Fleck): https://bit.ly/3dkFMLl

Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap (Size 4/0): http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Vader Weight (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3c28mks

Sinker Stop- VMC Sinker Stops: http://bit.ly/38XLQd4

CC's Glide Bait Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 151 DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Matt's Senko Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'3" Heavy: http://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

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

Line- Sufix 131 Braid 50 lb: http://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Sunline FC100 16 lb Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Texas Rig Combo...

Rod- Megabass Levante Tour Versatile: http://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

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

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

Leader- 25 lb Sunline FC100 Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Small Glide Bait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

Line- Sunline Assassin 20 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

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

Bass Eat Bluegill! Top Bluegill Swimbaits For Spring Bass Fishing

Bluegill and panfish are a huge part of a bass' diet. Whether you fish small ponds or huge lakes, knowing how to imitate bluegill will help you catch bigger bass in Spring. While visiting his childhood fishery, Tim was inspired to shoot this quick video about applying Bluegill swimbaits to your Spring bass fishing. 

The bluegill swimbait category has exploded in recent years. Where we used to talk about one or two baits, there are now dozens of options on the market and it seems to grow every years. With every company jumping on the bandwagon, its more important than ever to have a little insight into which baits have proven themselves. To help narrow down the selection, Tim is walking us through his favorite soft baits, Hard Baits, and Bluegill-Imitating Glidebaits. 

All of the baits discussed in the video are linked below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included some of our favorite combos for fishing these baits. While most bluegill baits can be thrown on a stout jig rod, the heavier soft baits and GlideBaits should be thrown on a dedicated swimbait combo. 

Soft Bluegill Baits... 

-Mattlures U2 Bluegill (Shown By Tim): http://bit.ly/2s1dqyf

Colors: Male Bluegill, TW Baby Gill

-Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2aAuAz5

Colors: Male Bluegill, TW Baby Gill

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail RTF (Jig hook): https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail LB (Weedless): https://bit.ly/2Kd6qct

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

-All American Sunfish: http://bit.ly/2ahBNOT

Colors: Male Bluegill, Bream

Hook- Owner 4/0 Weighted Beast: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Hard Bluegill Baits... 

-Megabass Vatalion: http://bit.ly/367AOxD

Colors: GG Gill, GG Wild Gill

-Jackall Gantarel Jr: https://bit.ly/3pcIzvW

Colors: RT Ghost Gill, RT Spawn Gill

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Ghost Gill, RT Bluegill

-Mike Bucca Bull Gill: http://bit.ly/2f1ASHn

Colors: Bluegill

Bluegill Glidebaits... 

-R2S S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Bluegill, New Bluegill

-Arashi Glide: http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1

Colors: Bluegill, Green Gill

Our Favorite Large Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 (HG): http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (80 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (35 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Large Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Savage Gear Squad 8' Heavy Swimbait: http://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

Reel- Shimano Curado 300K: https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (65 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Small Bluegill Bait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

Line- Sunline Assassin 20 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

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

Prespawn Bass Fishing With Worms, Creature Baits, and Swimbaits - A Day On The Water

We're back in Florida, avoiding the cold and chasing big bass! Matt's family joins him today for a fun day on the water, dialing in patterns and catching quality fish. We love to power fish in Spring but sometimes you have to listen to the fish and just slow down. Today's biggest fish fell for a plastic worm, but that didn't stop Matt from finding a frog bite in the end! 

We love to focus on power fishing in early Spring but weather is the ultimate deciding factor. You can be on an amazing reaction bite one day but the next you'll need a spinning rod in your hand if cold weather comes in. Planning for the best while preparing to adapt, is the name of the game in the early season. With mixed weather in the forecast, Matt and CC had everything from heavy punching, to light plastic worms, to swimbaits, and frogs, all ready to go when conditions dictated. 

If you're tired of the cold, a quick trips South might be just what you need. But take heart, the prespawn will be here before you know it, no matter where you live. If you're interested in what we were using today we've linked all the baits and equipment in the description below. We've included the exact colors, weights, hook sizes, etc. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Plastic Worm... 

Worm- Netbait Big Bopper Paddle Tail: http://bit.ly/3qOxeU7

Color: Okeechobee Craw

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 3/16 Flippin: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

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

Creature Bait... 

Creature- Netbait 4" Paca Slim: http://bit.ly/2M5cuGF

Color: Green Pumpkin

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Vader 3/16 Flippin: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV 

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

Swimbait... 

Swimbait- Gambler EZ Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2OLlyUf

Colors: Black Blue Green Pumpkin, Gold Rush

Hook- Owner Weighted Beast Hook 4/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Frog... 

Frog- Savage Gear DC Walker: https://bit.ly/2VVjRVl

Color: Green Leopard

Texas-rig Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend X 7'1" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2r3Wskp

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 16 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Frog Combo... 

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

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

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

Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Extreme 7'4" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2wlJQLu

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

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Want TacticalBassin Gear?  

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