TOP 5 BAITS FOR JANUARY BASS FISHING!

Winter bass fishing is in full swing! If you want to catch these fish in January, you need to adapt. These are the top 5 baits we rely on to consistently catch bass during the coldest part of the year. To the surprise of many, its not all about finesse! Come along as we share our confidence baits to help you catch more fish. 

In most of the country January is the coldest month of the year. Fish are lethargic and often laying right on bottom. Finesse is the natural approach for these fish but the right reaction baits can trigger a feed response as well, even in a lethargic bass. Specifically, the Alabama Rig and speed cranking can both fire these fish up in ways that nothing else can. Whether you choose finesse or reaction, this video is full of our favorite options. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear we use in January. We've linked the exact colors, sizes, and rigging components, to help you find the exact items you're looking for. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

BLADED ALABAMA RIG... 

Rig- Hog Farmer Tactical Flex Bladed: https://bit.ly/38xd1es

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

Dummy Baits- Lil Spanky: http://bit.ly/2d0dpU8

Colors: Albino

Swimbaits- Keitech 4.8" Fat: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl

NON-BLADED ALABAMA RIG... 

Rig- Hog Farmer Tactical Flex (Non-Bladed): https://bit.ly/3vhpSez

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

Dummy Baits- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v  

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Swimbaits- Keitech 3.8 - 4.3 Fat Swing: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

CRANKBAIT... 

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: DD Minnow, Ghost Minnow

BLADE BAITS... 

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

Colors: Black Holo, Cyber Purple, Real Shad

-Megabass Dyna Response (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jekucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu

BLADE BAIT HOOK UPGRADES... 

Hooks- Owner STX 45 (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2FNnZwR

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

Ring Size: 2 on line tie, 3 on tail and belly

MICRO SWIMBAIT... 

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

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

MICRO SWIMBAIT HEADS... 

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

Underspin- Cool Baits Down Under (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Spinner- Megabass Okashira Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

DROPSHOT... 

Bait- Netbait STH 3" Finesse Crush: https://bit.ly/3s5BcIn

Colors: Bang, Green Pumpkin, LON Goby Pearl

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

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

NED RIG... 

Bait- Roboworm 3" Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Colors: TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Aaron's Green Pumpkin

Hook- Swagger Tungsten Flanders (1/10th): http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

"BANG FOR THE BUCK" FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6'9" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

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

Leader- Sunline Super FC 6 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET A-RIG COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

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

Line- Sunline Super FC 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2AdvIC1

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju 

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

Blade Bait And Spoon Fishing Tricks For Fall Bass

Blades and spoons are amazing fish catching lures! The trouble is, you have to know how to use them. As bass corral shad and other baitfish, these baits become major players. While the spoon is typically focused around deep water fishing, with modern advances the blade bait can be used both deep and shallow. Here are the details you need to know... 

Blade baits have come a long way in recent years. With more advanced baitfish shapes and lifelike color patterns these baits have become shallow water slayers during the cool and cold water  months. When it comes to spoons, we use both jigging and flutter spoons. Jigging spoons are best fished quickly and aggressively around deep schooling bass that are on the move, while flutter spoons can be used more methodically. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits from each category, including our favorite weights and colors for each. We've also included relevant hook and hardware upgrades where applicable. Finally, we've included our exact rod and reel combos for each style, as well as a budget-friendly alternative. All the links to directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

BLADE BAITS...

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

Colors: Holo Ayu, Flash Gill, Cyber Purple, Real Shad

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

Colors: Gill OB, Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad

-Jackall Keeburn 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2or8sy0

Colors: Silver, Clear Shad

-Damiki Vault Tail Spinner: http://bit.ly/2or9wlu

Colors: Black Holo, holo Ayu, Real Shad

-Blade Runner Blade: http://bit.ly/2XMNoQj

Colors: Natural Shad, Chartreuse White

SPOONS... 

-Blade Runner Duh Spoon 1 3/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

Colors: Electric Chicken, Morning Dawn, Sierra

-Nichols Flutter Spoon 1 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Colors: Purple Threadfin, Blueback HD, Silver Chrome

DAMIKI VAULT HOOK UPGRADES... 

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

Sizes: 2 and 3

-Hooks- Owner STX-38: http://bit.ly/2oNIeCD

Size: 6

-Bladed Hook- VMC Bladed: http://bit.ly/2oqWODi

DUH SPOON HOOK UPGRADE... 

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

FLUTTER SPOON HOOK ADDITION... 

Stopper- VMC Sinker Stop: https://bit.ly/38XLQd4

Swivel- Spro Power Swivel (Size 4 or 6): http://bit.ly/2ay0p7d

Treble- Owner ST-36 Feathered (Size 2): http://bit.ly/2m7XrAx

TIM'S BLADE BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Z-Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

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

"BANG FOR THE BUCK" BLADE BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Curado 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

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

BUDGET BLADE BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

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

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

"BANG FOR THE BUCK" SPOON FISHING COMBO...

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Medium heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Line- Maxima Ultragreen 18 lb: 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

Lipless Crankbait and Blade Bait Tips For Spring Bass Fishing

The lipless crankbait is a staple in most angler's Spring bass fishing arsenal, but very few understand the late-season effectiveness of the blade bait. Both options can produce incredible results in Spring and you should fish them with confidence. 

Today we're heading down the rabbit hole of lipless and blade baits. Matt begins with a surface level approach, recommending a couple baits for all-around success, but it doesn't take long before we're looking at niche baits, detailed color analysis, and in-depth descriptions of how big bass stage in Spring. 

With an almost endless list of baits in today's video we're using the video description to simplify the selections. Below you'll find links to our favorite all-around baits, our favorite baits by depth, and our favorite gear to throw them. We've included favorite colors, hook upgrades, and more. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

If You Could Only Have One... 

Bottom Contact- Lucky Craft LV-500 (Ghost minnow): http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Shallow Retrieve- Cotton Cordell Spot (Chrome Blue): http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Favorite Blade Baits For Spring... 

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

Favorite Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Gill OB

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

Favorite Colors: Black Holo, Holo Cyber Purple, Real Shad

Lipless Crankbaits For Bottom Hopping... 

-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Favorite Colors: Super Shad, SG Threadfin, RT Escape Craw

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

Favorite Colors: Ghost minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad

Lipless Cranks For Mid-Column Fishing... 

-Booyah One Knocker: https://bit.ly/3kyOoD5

Colors: Bling, Ghost, Tiger Craw

-6th Sense Quake 70: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

Colors: Crimson Flash, Shad Hammer

-Strike King Red Eye Shad: http://bit.ly/2fqX1RT

Colors: Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Chrome Sexy Shad, Delta Red

Lipless Crankbaits For Shallow Fishing... 

-Damiki Tremor 65: http://bit.ly/2fVt8H6

Colors: American Shad, Real Shad, Red Craw

-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Colors: Chrome Blue, Royal Red

-Lucky Craft LVR D-7: http://bit.ly/3r45j1T

Colors: Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow

Split Ring/Treble Hook Upgrades...  

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire (Size 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hooks For BIG Fish- Owner ST-56: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Sizes: 4 for 1/2 oz baits, 2 for 3/4 oz baits

**LV-500 and TN-70 both use Size 4 Hooks**

Hooks For Quality Fish- Gamakatsu EWG: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Sizes: 4 for 1/2 oz baits, 2 for 3/4 oz baits

**LV-500 and TN-70 both use Size 4 Hooks**

Our Favorite Lipless Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

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

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

Great Mid-Price Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Levante Flat Size Special: http://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

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

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

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

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

Budget Blade Bait Combo...

Rod- 13 Fishing 6'10" Medium Omen Black 3: http://bit.ly/3lAXbEV

Reel- 13 Fishing Origin C (8:1): http://bit.ly/392qsU6

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 12 lb: 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

Blade Bait Tricks You Need To Try This Fall and Winter!

Most anglers have no idea how to fish a blade bait effectively. They might know that its traditionally considered a cold water lure but they have no idea it can be fished shallow around grass, worked aggressively, and even substituted for a lipless crankbait. Blades have so many uses in Fall and Winter, you really need to experience it for yourself. 

Traditionally the blade bait is hopped slowly along the bottom in cold water. It gives a slight vibration on the hop then "dies" and flutters back to bottom. Its remarkably effective for trophy smallmouth in frigid water but for the average angler, its applications stop there. That original cold water use is still effective and should be a part of your Winter arsenal but today is about expanding how you fish the blade bait. We use 2 retrieves throughout the Fall to get consistent bites. 

When the bottom is free of debris we fish the blade on the bottom. We use the exact same hopping motion as we use for the LV-500 to trigger a feed response. While that application is very traditional, you might be surprised to find out we often do it in 2-10 feet of water. The blade is not just a deep water bait, its incredibly effective in the shallows as well! The 2nd retrieve is a burning retrieve. 

We cast and wind the blade much like a traditional lipless crankbait, ripping it free when it comes in contact with grass or other debris. When fish have been pressured by tournaments or negative weather conditions, the switch to the silent vibration of a blade bait is deadly. Blade bait season is just beginning, you need to get out and give it a try!

Below you'll find links to our favorite blade baits along with the rods, reels, and gear we use to fish these baits effectively. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Traditional Blades... 

-Silver Buddy: http://bit.ly/2AcTelj

Preferred Colors: Silver Plated, Stainless Steel

-Blade Runner Blade Bait: http://bit.ly/2XMNoQj

Preferred Colors: Natural Shad, Chartreuse White

Custom-Style Blades... 

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

Preferred Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jukocho Shad, Craw, Gill OB

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

Preferred Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad, Red Craw, Flash Gill

-Jackall Keeburn: http://bit.ly/2or8sy0

Preferred Colors: Clear Shad, Dera Shad, Red Tiger, Silver

Hook and Hardware Upgrades... 

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

-Owner STX-38 Treble (Size 8): http://bit.ly/2oNIeCD

Tim's Favorite Blade Bait... 

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

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL K XG: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

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

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

Matt's Favorite Blade Bait Combo... 

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

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

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

Budget Blade Bait Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 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