Bluegill Swimbaits - Everything You Need To Know! **Underwater Footage**

Bass love eating bluegill! Today we're covering everything you need to know to catch fish on bluegill swimbaits! Come underwater to see the actions of different soft baits, glide baits, and multi-piece hard baits as Matt teaches the fine details of how, when, and where to throw these fish catching baits. 

Not all bluegill swimbaits are created equal! Some are easy for bass to eat while others get bites but rarely hook the fish. We've spent years trying the different styles to find the best of the best and we're happy to share the results with you. Whether you're fishing around grass, pitching into heavy cover, or just casting along the shore, there is a bait in this mix that will help you catch more fish. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits, in the order they appear. We've included our favorite sizes and colors for each, along with some of the rods and gear we use to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

FULL SIZE SOFT BAITS...

-Mattlures Hammer Tail 5.5: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

Colors: TW Baby Gill, Male Bluegill

-Savage Gear Line Thru: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Colors: BlueGill, Ghost Gill, Black Gill

-13 Fishing Gill: https://bit.ly/3pzDsbX

Colors: Natural Bluegill, Natural Sunfish

SMALL BLUEGILL SOFT BAITS... 

-Mattlures Hammer Tail 4.5: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3 

Colors: TW Baby Gill, Male Bluegill

-Savage Gear RTF Gill (3" and 4"): https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Colors: BlueGill, Ghost Gill, Bream

FAST RETRIEVE HARD BAITS... 

-Mattlures Hard Gill: https://bit.ly/3s7pvU2

Colors: Spring Male, Summer Male, Female Bluegill

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

Colors: Bluegill

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

Colors: GG Gill, Wild Gill, Ito Cichlid

SLOW RETRIEVE HARD BAITS... 

-River2Sea S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Bluegill

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

Colors: HL Bluegill, Bluegill, Ghost Gill, Spawn Gill

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

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill, Spawn Gill

-Baitsanity Explorer Gill: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK

Colors: Dark Bluegill, Bluegill, Jungle Perch

HOOK/SPLIT RING UPGRADES... 

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

Sizes: 4 or 5

1X Hook- Owner ST-36: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Sizes: Size 2, 1, 1/0

3X Hook- Owner ST-56: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Sizes: Size 2, 1

MID PRICED BIG SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'10" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

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

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

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

BUDGET BIG SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806H (8' Heavy): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- 13 Fishing Concept A3 (6.3:1): https://bit.ly/3GLddq8

Line- Power Pro Braid (65 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (25 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

BUDGET SMALL SOFTBAIT COMBO...

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

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

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

Leader- 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

Topwater Popper and BFS (Bait Finesse) For Spring Bass!

Come along for a fun day of fishing! Need to go finesse but don't like spinning reels? Its time for Bait Finesse! We're fishing clear water on a sunny day but we know how to fool these fish! A small topwater popper and creature baits fished on BFS gear will do the trick!

Some days you have to turn to finesse gear to get bit. We turned a potentially tough day into an awesome day on the water by embracing light tackle! The popper got our biggest fish of the day but once the sun was high over head, nothing else would work except small ned creature baits rigged weedless on 7 lb line. Matt pulled out the Bait Finesse gear and went to work!

Below you'll find links to all the baits, as well as the gear Matt used throughout the day. We've also included some budget-friendly gear options that will work in this same situation. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

POPPERS...

-Megabass Pop X Popper: https://bit.ly/3i9T3sg

Colors: Deadly Black Shad, M Wakasagi, 

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

Colors: Smoke Shad, Alewife

WALKING TOPWATER... 

-Evergreen ShowerBlows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Skeleton Chartreuse, Bleeding White, Half Mirror

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

Color: Abalone Shad, Ghost Minnow

BFS BAITS... 

-Z Man TRD Bugz: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Color: Sprayed Grass

-Z Man TRD Crawz: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Color: Motor Oil

BFS RIGGING... 

Peg- VMC Sinker Stops: https://bit.ly/38XLQd4

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Worm (1/16 oz): https://bit.ly/3c28mks

Hook- Owner Rig-N-Hook (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2BnniXN

STICK BAIT... 

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

Hook- VMC Wacky Rig (Size 1): https://bit.ly/35Gtj31

SWIMBAIT... 

Savage Gear 8" RTF Trout (Slow Sink): https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Color: Dirty Silver

AFFORDABLE POPPER COMBO... 

Rod- 13 Fishing Fate Black 6'7" Medium: https://bit.ly/3xSUZB3

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

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

HIGH-END BFS COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 842C MBR: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

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

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

MID-PRICED BFS COMBO...

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

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

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

SWIMBAIT COMBO...

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

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

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

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

FINESSE vs BIG BAITS - Spring Bass Fishing!

Come along for a day on the water! Tim is slinging a swimbait while his buddy sticks to the spinning rod. Who's going to come out ahead? We'll see! Pay attention to where Tim focuses with the swimbaits and note the number of fish that commit to a dropshot or shaky head after refusing the big bait. Very interesting!

The Tennessee River is known for "power fishing" but make no mistake, there are a ton of fish to be caught with finesse techniques. Today the advantage went to the dropshot, shaky head and senko. Tim did manage one fish on the Magdraft and a few missed opportunities on other baits, but all in all the finesse gear was the champ. 

Below you'll find links to the baits the guys used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors, as well as a few of our other favorites. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SWIMBAITS... 

-Megabass Mag Draft (6" and 8"): http://bit.ly/2CANTU7

Colors: Albino Pearl Shad, White Back Shad, Brownie

-Mike Bucca 6" Burrito: https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Who Dat, Disco, Pearl White

-Osprey 6" Tournament Talon: http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, TW Shad, Reverse Hitch

-R2S S-Waver 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Warden Hitch

DROPSHOT... 

Worm- Roboworm 6" straight Tail: http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Color: Aaron's Morning Dawn

Hook- Owner Cover Shot: http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

Wes' size: 1/0

Tim's Size: 3/0

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Casting Pencil (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2YAoMuv

SHAKY HEAD... 

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

Color: Junebug

Hook- Dirty Jigs Canterbury: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Size: 3/16 oz

SENKO... 

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

Hook- Owner Jungle Wacky Weedless: https://bit.ly/2VKZl9U

Size: 1/0

UNDERSPIN... 

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

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer (5/0, 1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Blade Upgrade: Nichols Willow (3.5): https://bit.ly/3Mdl8OJ

BIG SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'10" Extra Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

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

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 (35 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BAITCASTING BUBBA SHOT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

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

Line- Sunline Super FC (12 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET DROPSHOT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

Line- Sunline Super FC 8 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

Sight Fishing Tips And Shallow Water Tricks! + Jet Boat Tour!

Come along for a day on the water as we target shallow prespawn and spawning fish. Along the way we take a tour of the the completely redesigned jet boat, and cover some of the key information you need for ethical sight fishing during the spawn. If that's not enough, we end the day skipping docks with a swimbait!

The spawn is in full swing in much of the country. Its always a hot button issue full of heated debate about the ethics of fishing during the spawn. Our position is that in most of the country its legal, and if guys are going to do it, we'd like to see them doing it right. So today, in the midst of catching fish, Matt sits down and covers what you need to know about fish care, how to catch these big bass, and the baits he relies on to catch them quickly. 

Below you'll find links to the baits Matt caught fish on today, as well as the gear he used. We've also included links to the baits he recommends for the spawn and the glasses he and Tim designed for this purpose. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SIGHT FISHING GLASSES... 

-Eye Surrender TacticalBassin Glasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl

Lense Colors For Sight Fishing: Amber, Copper

...TODAY'S BAITS...

SENKO... 

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

Hook- VMC Wacky Hook (Size 1): https://bit.ly/35Gtj31

CHATTERBAIT... 

Bait- Zman Mini Max (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3tqztzi

Color: Pearl Ghost

Trailer- Big Bite Kamikaze SwimOn (3.75): https://bit.ly/2NkSdPV

Color: Pearl

SWIMBAIT... 

-Bucca 6" Burrito Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Color: Who Dat

...SIGHT FISHING BAITS...

DROPSHOT...

Bait- Big Bite Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Grn Pump Org Blk Purp Prl Bl

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2V2B63h

JIG... 

Jig- Dirty Jigs Pitchin Jig: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

Colors: Magic Craw, Warmouth, Bluegill 

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Okeechobee Flare 

BLUEGILL SWIMBAITS... 

-Savage Gear 4" Jig Hook Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

-Savage Gear Line Through Bluegill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

-13 Fishing Gill Wedge: https://bit.ly/3pzDsbX

Colors: Natural Sunfish, Natural Gill

JET BOAT TOUR VIDEO: https://youtu.be/zv5Wp7m_0W8

SENKO COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" medium: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

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

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

SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 8' Extra Extra Heavy: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

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

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

Leader- Sunline FC-100 (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BUDGET-FRIENDLY SENKO COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'1" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

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

Line- Suline Super FC 12 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