Chatterbait and Topwater! Exploring New Lake During ICAST!

Forget the show, we're going fishing!! ICAST is awesome but you've already seen enough coverage of the new baits and gear... its time to catch some bass! We're exploring the Orlando area and sticking a ton of fish on a chatterbait, frog, and whopper plopper! Come along as we break down a new fishery and adapt to changing conditions before a big thunderstorm rolls in. 

Florida isn't known for the greatest Summer fishing... but it should be! Sure its hot... really hot... but the bass don't seem to care. You can catch them offshore or right up on the bank, it just depends on your style. Today we started offshore and while we caught fish, they weren't the right size. We moved up shallow into backwater canals and shallow coves and immediately started getting quality bites. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits we were throwing. We've included the exact models, colors, and sizes for each lure. We've also included the trailers where applicable, and some of our favorite rod and reel combos from the day. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

TOPWATER (In Order Of Appearance)... 

Bait- River2Sea Whopper Plopper 90: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Color: Phantom Shad

Bait- Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Color: Matte Shad

Bait- Jackall Gavacho Frog: http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Color: Chart Strike Gill

Bait- Scum Frog: https://bit.ly/3rOYQIF

Color: Leopard

SUBSURFACE BAITS (In Order Of Appearance)... 

Bait- Evergreen Jack Hammer Chatterbait (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

Trailer- Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 5.5: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Ghost Minnow

Bait- Jackall Rerange 110 Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2ge0qED

Color: SG Threadfin

Bait- Big Bite Pro Swimmer 4.8: https://bit.ly/3AeQsaS

Color: Albino Shad

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer 5/0: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

FROG COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" XH: 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

CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass Orochi Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

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

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

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

BUDGET CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 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

Chatterbait VS Whopper Plopper! Summer Fishing Our Local Lake

Come along on a topwater mission as Tim and JD go in search of big Summer bass! Watch as they adapt to changing conditions, dodge storms, and catch some really nice fish. The goal for the day is topwater but they do what it takes to build a consistent pattern. They end up switching back and forth between 3 sizes of Whopper Plopper and a JackHammer Chatterbait to keep the pattern alive! 

Summer fishing is all about adapting to the conditions. When the weather is up and down so are the fish. If you add in changes in current, angling pressure, etc... it can be overwhelming. Sometimes it helps to just simplify your game plan. Today the guys knew exactly they wanted to throw and they searched until they found a way to make it work. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits they used throughout the day. We've included the exact sizes, colors, trailers, etc. We also included links to the rod and reel combos they were using, as well as a budget-friendly option. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

CHATTERBAIT... 

Bait- Evergreen JackHammer 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

Trailer- HogFarmer Spunk Shad 5.5: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Ghost Minnow

TOPWATER...

-Whopper Plopper 130 (Loon): http://bit.ly/2a7ipHL

-Whopper Plopper 110 (I Know It): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Whopper Plopper 90 (Phantom Shad): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2lVATTC

Reel- SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

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

CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro Bladed Jig (883) http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

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

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

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

BUDGET ALL-AROUND COMBO... 

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

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

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

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

Pond Fishing For Bass: 5 Tips To Catch More Fish!

Tim has spent more than 30 years fishing ponds for bass! He grew up in the country, fishing every pond he could find. Over the years he's developed a handful of confidence baits that he relies on to consistently catch fish. He also has a method of covering water to quickly determine if a pond is worth continuing to fish. 

The 3 factors Tim takes into consideration when approaching a new pond are... water clarity, types and quantity of vegetation (grass), and what kind of dam the pond has. With these 3 questions answered he can quickly assess what type of pond this is and exactly how fish should be positioning. As a general rule of thumb, you should start your search near the dam, along the edges of the deepest water. 

When approaching a new pond Tim uses a "top down" approach. He begins with topwater, then switches to reaction baits, then bottom contact, then finally to a weightless presentation. This stepped method allows him to quickly identify the overall mood of the pond, the quality and quantity of fish in the pond, and whether or not this is somewhere he should continue to fish in the future. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and presentations he recommends using for this method. We've included links to the exact baits, including colors, sizes, and best rigging components. We've also included some great budget rod and reel combos for pond fishing. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Topwater... 

-Whopper Plopper (75 or 90): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Bluegill, Munky Butt, Loon

-Spro Bronzeye Poppin Frog 60: http://bit.ly/2hKsO0g

Colors: Sunfish, Killer Gill, Leopard

-Zoom Horny Toad: http://bit.ly/2aY5lBt

Colors: White, Bullfrog, Green Pumpkin Pearl

Swimbait... 

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

Colors: SunGill, Copperfield

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer 5/0: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Style: Gold Colorado Blade

Soft jerkbait...  

Bait- Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Baby Bass

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

Creature Bait... 

Bait- Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig: http://bit.ly/2s51oIV

Colors: Flora Bama, Magic Craw Red

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Vader 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Hook- Owner Offset Shank 2/0: http://bit.ly/2D9Pmj0

Senko... 

Bait- Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Electric Shad, Baby Bass

Hook- Owner Twist Lock 2/0: http://bit.ly/2ZlkuLl

Glide Bait... 

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

Budget-Friendly Combo (Frog/Flashy Swimmer/Glide)... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Budget-Friendly Combo (Soft Jerkbait/Creature/Senko)... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

Budget Topwater Combo... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Roadside Fishing For Big Florida Bass With Whopper Ploppers!

We're fishing for big bass in the city! Our Florida adventure continues as we explore freeway canals and backwaters in search of big bass and exotic species. If you're ready to forget the cold that is plaguing the country, come on down to Florida with us as we get on a Winter topwater bite!

The fish in these ditches and backwaters are struggling through a Winter cold snap but they're still willing to eat. Most anglers in this area fish with live bait but that's not our style. It takes a bit to dial in the pattern but soon we're catching quality bass on the Whopper Plopper! This adventure has taken us to some bizarre places but it turns out there are quality fish under 10-lane freeways, in backyard ditches, and in roadside canals, all across the state. 

Below you'll find links to the baits we used throughout the day. We've included our exact colors so you can replicate the patterns, as well as the rods and reels we used to throw them. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Punch Rig... 

Bait- Big Bite Baits BFE (Tilapia): https://bit.ly/2Ce0tf7

Hook- Owner Jungle Flippin' Hook 3/0: http://bit.ly/2G5aQTk

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 1 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Topwater... 

Whopper Plopper 90: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Yoda, Loon

Hook Upgrade: Owner ST-36 (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Tim's Punch Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'11" XH: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Matt's Whopper Plopper Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL XG: 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 Topwater Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT (XG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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