Topwater Lures Made Easy! (Beginner To Advanced)

Choosing the right topwater can be a real challenge! Between poppers, walkers, crawlers, whopper poppers, buzz baits, frogs, and toads its hard to know what to throw. But just like anything else, there are key baits that seem to work day after day and month after month. Today Matt is opening up his topwater boxes and sharing the key "stand outs" that he relies on to get bit when it counts. 

Matt breaks his spring topwater into 4 categories. He relies on poppers, walking baits, straight retrieve baits, and frogs, to catch fish throughout Spring. Within those 4 categories it gets pretty complicated (as witnessed by the 4 boxes of topwaters he pulls out of the rod locker) but today he is sharing his favorites with us. From each category he's able to quickly select the "key" baits that will get bit when you need them most. 

Below you'll find links to the exact topwater lures shown in the video. We've included the guys favorite colors and sizes for each, as well as some of the different rods they use to throw these baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

POPPERS... 

All Around- Damiki D Pop 70: http://bit.ly/2Pjvqo3

Colors: Spayu, Phantom, Black Holo

Refined- Yellow Magic 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Smoke Shad, Japanese Shad, Alewife

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

Colors: Gill, Pumpkinseed, MB Gizzard

WALKING BAITS... 

All Around- River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Sooner, Bone, Abalone Shad

Refined- Evergreen Shower Blows 105/125: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Bone, Half Mirror Wakasagi, Skeleton Chartreuse

Small Profile- Rapala Skitter Walk: https://bit.ly/37DC2Uz

Colors: Shad Translucent, Bluegill

STRAIGHT RETRIEVE BAITS... 

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

Colors: Bone, Bluegill, Munky Butt

-Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Bone, I Know It

-Dirty Jigs Skirtless Pro Buzz: https://bit.ly/2WJ85R3

Colors: Silver, Red

-Quad Blade Buzz: https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

Colors: Night Stalker, Red Bug

SMALL FROGS... 

-Jackall Kaera: http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Colors: Glitter Bluegill, Glitter Hasu, Green Frog

-Spro Bronzeye Jr. 60: http://bit.ly/2XkbgxR

Colors: Killer Gill, Red Ear, Neon Glow

MATT'S FAVORITE WALKING BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

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

Line- Sufix 131 Braid 40 lb: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

MATT'S FAVORITE 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

MID-PRICED WALKING BAIT COMBO... 

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

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

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

BUDGET POPPER COMBO...

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

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

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

5 Fishing Mistakes We All Make! (And How To Avoid Them)

Don't be the guy who misses his shot at a big bass this year! These mistakes are costing you fish! If you change these habits you'll begin catching more fish right away. Subtle details make a huge difference, especially around shallow water. Bass are coming up from deeper water and they're leery of the shallows. Make these adjustments and see the difference for yourself. 

From accidentally slamming locker lids to muddying up the shallows, we all make mistakes in the Spring. This video isn't about bashing the mistakes, its about showing you better ways to operate so you can begin catching more fish on your next trip. Matt highlights the negatives, then provides a solution for each, and even includes some baits that will help you along the way. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits he discussed in the video. We've included favorite colors, sizes, and rigging for each. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SENKO... 

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

Hook- Gamakatsu EWG (3/0): http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

SHAKY HEAD... 

Worm- Netbait T-Mac: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Colors: Tilapia, Bama Bug, Junebug

Head- Dirty Jigs Canterbury Shakey (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

FINESSE JIG... 

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

Colors: The Go To, Green Pumpkin Craw, Magic Craw Swirl

Trailer- Netbait Paca Chunk: http://bit.ly/2d8mIXx

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin, Tilapia Magic

UNDERSPIN SWIMBAIT... 

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

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

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

SQUAREBILL... 

Bait- River2Sea Biggie (Poppa): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Cold Blooded, Delta Craw

TOPWATER POPPER... 

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

Colors: Gill, Secret Gill, Pumpkinseed

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 CRANKBAITS - Everything You Need To Know! (Beginner To Advanced)

Lipless Cranks are awesome! These crankbaits catch great numbers of fish and they catch giant bass too! They can be hopped, ripped, or steady retrieved in open water, around cover, or right on the bottom. With so many variables, where do you even start?! We're here to help... 

The lipless is one of our favorite bass fishing techniques. It shines in the Spring and Fall but can catch fish any time of year. Our two main methods are hopping the baits on bottom and steady retrieving them in the middle of the water column. The two methods utilize completely different baits and today we're explaining why. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite colors for each, as well as links to some of our favorite gear for fishing these baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

IF YOU COULD ONLY HAVE ONE... 

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

BAITS FOR HOPPING...

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

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Spring Craw  

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

Colors: SG Threadfin, RT Scale Minnow, Ghost Minnow

SMALLER BAITS FOR HOPPING... 

-Lucky. Craft LV-150: https://bit.ly/3xh7Z38

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow

-Jackall TN-50: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: SG Threadfin, RT Scale Minnow 

BAITS FOR COVERING WATER...

-Strike King Red Eye Shad 2 Tap: http://bit.ly/2gmACC5

Colors: Delta Red, TN Shad 2.0, Chrome Sexy Shad

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

Colors: Chrome Blue, Rayburn Red, Royal Red

-Bill Lewis Rattle Trap 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2gm8CjC

Colors: Bleeding Shiner Chrome, Cali Craw, Ghost Minnow

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

Colors: 4K Shad, Shad Hammer, Delta Craw

HOOK/SPLIT RING UPGRADES...

-Gamakatsu EWG: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

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

-Owner STX-45: http://bit.ly/2FNnZwR

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

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

Size: 2 or 3

LIPLESS COMBO... 

Rod #1: G Loomis IMX PRO 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Rod #2: G Loomis IMX PRO 855 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

SMALLER LIPLESS COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Victory 72MH Moderate: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel- 13 Fishing Concept C2 (7:1): https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

BUDGET LIPLESS COMBO... 

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

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

Line- Sunline FC 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

Swim Jig and Chatterbait Tips For Prespawn Bass In The Shallows

Want to see how we approach heavy cover and shallow grass? Come along for a day on the water as Tim targets fish around cover in Florida! He’s using Swim Jigs and Chatterbaits on a windy day to consistently catch fish in the shallows. 

There are two approaches to shallow water fishing with reaction baits. The first approach is to fish close to the cover and draw fish out to bite. The second is to plow through the thickest cover and draw a reaction strike from the fish without ever getting them to move from their protected location. With the wind blowing all day, Tim is able to switch between a swim jig and chatterbait to catch quality fish with both of these methods. 

Below you’ll find links to the exact baits and trailers Tim used throughout the day. We’ve included his exact weights and sizes for each lure as well as some of the gear he used to catch these fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

CHATTERBAIT… 

-ZMan 3/8 oz JackHammer Chatterbait: http://bit.ly/2popvj6

Color: Green Pumpkin Shad

CHATTERBAIT TRAILERS... 

-Yamamoto Kickin Zako: https://bit.ly/3fPRQsF

Color: Zako

-13 Fishing 4.5" Pleasure Shad: https://bit.ly/3A4F4hx

Color: Black and Tan

-Yamamoto Zako: http://bit.ly/2fKmSRp

Color: Rainbow Shad

SWIM JIG… 

Bait- Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz No-Jack: http://bit.ly/2d8qUCv

Color: Black and Blue

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

Color: Gold Rush

FROG…

-SnagProof Bobby's Perfect Frog: https://bit.ly/3rHCOsQ

Color: Hot Mess

CHATTERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 883C BJR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL A (HG): https://bit.ly/3tdTQ36

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

Leader- Sunline Super FC 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

SWIM JIG COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns Champion Extreme HP 746: http://bit.ly/2ab2kRX

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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

FROG COMBO...

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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

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