BUYER'S GUIDE: Crankbait Fishing (Shallow, Deep, Lipless, Rods, Reels)

Today's Buyers Guide is all about crankbaits! When should you throw a deep diver? Which shallow runners hit what depths? Is one lipless crankbait better than another? Which rod should you throw a crankbait on? From cold water speed cranking baits, to wide wobbling Summer baits, we’re showing you our favorite crankbaits for every season!

Crankbait fishing is a giant category! You can stand in front of the crankbait wall at your local tackle shop and your head will spin as you try to figure out what to try next. Or, you can simply watch this video and let us show you exactly how we’ve narrowed it down over the years. We’re eliminating all the guess work and showing you the best of the best!

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

PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES... 

•$100 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/n3AQnmNoUPQ

•$200 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/YqWwjXJtkdo

•$500 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/cAtbntQHpv4

•Ultra High End Rods And Reels: https://youtu.be/-4aUElWcGxw

•BFS (Bait Finesse) Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/xaEw2WvkgZA

•Dropshot Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/WwrrebYluSI

FAVORITE COMBO FOR MID-SIZE CRANKS...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906C CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel– Shimano Bantam A MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/2H44yjG

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

FAVORITE COMBO FOR LARGE CRANKBAITS...

Rod– G LOOMIS IMX Pro 968C CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel– Shimano Tranx 200 A (HG): http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line– Sunline Crank FC (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

BEST ALL AROUND GLASS CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Zodias 7'6" Medium Heavy Glass: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel– Shimano Tranx 200 A (HG): http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line– Sunline Crank FC (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

BUDGET ALL AROUND GLASS CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Intenza 7'6" Medium Heavy Glass: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

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

Line–Sunline Super FC (15 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET SMALLER CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'2" Medium: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

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

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

LIPLESS CRANKBAITS... 

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

Colors: American Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow

•Jackall TN 70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: Ghost Minnow, RT Scale Minnow, SG Threadfin

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

Color: Chrome Black, Chrome Blue, Royal Red

SQUAREBILL CRANKBAITS...

•River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Abalone Shad, Gizzard Shad, Cold Blooded

•Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Colors: American Shad, BP Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad

•SPRO Baby Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Colors: Matte Shad, Honey Shad, Nasty Shad

MID DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•Rapala DT 8: http://bit.ly/2BL0UYl

Colors: Delta, Olive Green Craw, Live River Shad

•Jackall MushBob MR: https://bit.ly/3AYyKcB

Colors: Half Mirror Wakasagi, Kawashima Red Black

•Spro RkCrawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Colors: Phantom Green, Red Crawfish, Olive Craw

SPEED CRANKING BAITS...

•R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: True Shad, Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow

•Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: Sexy Ayu, PM Kisyu Ayu, FireCraw

•Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Colors: Ito Wakasagi, MB Gizzard, Tora Zari

MAGNUM DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•Azuma Z Boss 22: http://bit.ly/2poLKUC

Colors: Grand Shad, Gold Digger, Goldie Lox

•Strike King 10 XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Colors: Green Gizzard Shad, Sexy Blue Back Herring

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

Winter Bass Fishing Is Fun! Here's How We Catch Them!

Epic fishing in early Winter! These fish started feeding when it got warm! Come along for a fun day on the water as we adapt to changing conditions and catch a ton of fish with power techniques! 

This time of year most anglers start slowing down or even put their gear away. That's a huge mistake! Fishing during the Fall to Winter transition can be amazing! There's less angling pressure than Spring and there are still a ton of fish to be caught! From glide baits to lipless, these fish were still feeding like it was early Fall!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt used throughout the day. We've also included the exact hooks and equipment he was using with the lipless. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

GLIDE BAITS...

•GRatt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Color: John Pearl Hitch

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

Color: I Know It

LIPLESS CRANKBAIT...

•Jackall TN 60: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Color: SG Threadfin

LIPLESS HOOK UPGRADES...

Split Ring– Owner Hyperwire: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Size: 3

Hook– Owner ST–35: http://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

TN 70: Size 4

TN 60: Size 6

LIPLESS COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 855C CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

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

Leader– Sunline Saltimate 16 lb Shock: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

S WAVER COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 7'6" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

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

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

Leader– Sunline Saltimate 20 lb Shock: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

BUDGET SMALL GLIDE COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Mojo Bass 7'4" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3wQ93Zn

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

Line– Sunline Super FC (15 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

Where Do Bass Hide In Winter? (And The Tricks We Use To Catch Them)

Bass are making their final transition, are you ready?? The shallow fish are vanishing and surface activity is coming to an end. Where has everything gone? The lake seem so dead but guys are still catching giant bass! Don't get left out, here's what you need to know... 

The Winter transition brings completely different bass behavior. Fish will move toward deep water access where there are ample food sources. You'll find them on the ends of deep points, on the edges of steep slopes near narrow "pinch points", and in featureless lakes, sitting out in the "hollows". The fish use these areas because they can move up and down the water column quickly with changing weather and there is typically an abundance of baitfish in these key locations as well. 

There are a variety of ways to catch these fish. You can catch them with traditional methods like jigs, small swimbaits, or a dropshot. But you can also go against the grain and catch them with big baits, or a variety of reaction baits. Below you'll find links to the exact baits that we rely on this time of year. to catch our fish. We've included our favorite colors and sizes for each, as well as some budget gear that will help you throw these baits effectively. 

Also, if you missed Tim's "Top 5 Baits For December" video you can see it here: https://youtu.be/ucnztbv1Y7k

ALABAMA RIG...

Bladed– Hogfarmer Tactical Flex Bladed: https://bit.ly/38xd1es

Non Bladed– HogFarmer Tactical Flex: https://bit.ly/3vhpSez

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

Baits– Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Dummy Baits– Netbait Little Spanky: http://bit.ly/2d0dpU8

SPEED CRANKBAITS…

•Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Color: Sexy Ayu, MB Gizzard

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

Color: Clearwater Minnow, True Shad

•Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Color: Phantom Green, Phantom Watermelon

BIG SWIMBAITS...

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

Color:  Dirty Silver, Trout

•Huddleston 8" Trout (ROF 12): http://bit.ly/2azFTon

Color: Rainbow Trout, Hitch

SMALL SWIMBAITS...

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

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head– Dirty Jigs Guppy: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 1/8 oz, 1/0 Hook

FINESSE FOOTBALL JIG...

Bait– Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Finesse Football: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Color: Supermatt Brown, The Go To

Trailer– Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Color: Cinn Black Purp, Green Pumpkin Blk

Bait– Yamamoto Hula Grub: http://bit.ly/2d7SpgG

Color: Green Pumpkin Purple and Copper

Hook– Gamakatsu Football (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2CTXHHt

NED RIG BAITS...

•ZMan Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Color: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Goby

•Yamamoto 3" Ned Senko Floater: https://bit.ly/3BIjwL2

Color: Electric Shad, Green Pumpkin Watermelon

NED RIG HEADS...

•ZMan Ned Lockz HD: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Size: 1/10

•ZMan Ned Football: https://bit.ly/3Ej3Kpm

Size: 1/8

BUDGET SPEED CRANKING COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

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

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

BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'8" Heavy: http://bit.ly/3QbMjvs

Reel– Shimano Cardiff A 300: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

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

Leader– Maxima Ultragreen (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

BUDGET NED RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Intenza 7' medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel– Shimano Miravel 3000: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5

Leader– 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

Top 5 Baits For December Bass Fishing!

December is cold but the bass are BIG! If you're ready to catch a giant bass, get outside and go fishing! You may not catch a ton of fish but the bites you get tend to be bigger and you'll have a shot at the fish of a lifetime! Here are the baits we rely on to get bit during the cold month of December!

You have a few different options in December. You can slow down and finesse, hoping to just get bit. You can use aggressive baits to trigger a feed response, despite the cold water (our favorite way to catch them). Or you can pick up a giant swimbait and commit to slowly crawling bottom around likely structures in search of a monster bass! No matter what you choose, you can catch a really big bass all month long. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits, in the exact colors and sizes that we trust to catch these fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

ALABAMA RIG...

Bladed– Hogfarmer Tactical Flex Bladed: https://bit.ly/38xd1es

Non Bladed– HogFarmer Tactical Flex: https://bit.ly/3vhpSez

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

Baits– Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Dummy Baits– Netbait Little Spanky: http://bit.ly/2d0dpU8

SPEED CRANKBAITS…

•Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Color: Sexy Ayu, MB Gizzard

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

Color: Clearwater Minnow, True Shad

•Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Color: Phantom Green, Phantom Watermelon

BIG SWIMBAITS...

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

Color:  Dirty Silver, Trout

•Huddleston 8" Trout (ROF 12): http://bit.ly/2azFTon

Color: Rainbow Trout, Hitch

SMALL SWIMBAITS...

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

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head– Dirty Jigs Guppy: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 1/8 oz, 1/0 Hook

FINESSE FOOTBALL JIG...

Bait– Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Finesse Football: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Color: Supermatt Brown, The Go To

Trailer– Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Color: Cinn Black Purp, Green Pumpkin Blk

Bait– Yamamoto Hula Grub: http://bit.ly/2d7SpgG

Color: Green Pumpkin Purple and Copper

Hook– Gamakatsu Football (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2CTXHHt

NED RIG BAITS...

•ZMan Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Color: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Goby

•Yamamoto 3" Ned Senko Floater: https://bit.ly/3BIjwL2

Color: Electric Shad, Green Pumpkin Watermelon

NED RIG HEADS...

•ZMan Ned Lockz HD: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Size: 1/10

•ZMan Ned Football: https://bit.ly/3Ej3Kpm

Size: 1/8

BUDGET SPEED CRANKING COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

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

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

BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'8" Heavy: http://bit.ly/3QbMjvs

Reel– Shimano Cardiff A 300: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

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

Leader– Maxima Ultragreen (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

BUDGET NED RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Intenza 7' medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel– Shimano Miravel 3000: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5

Leader– 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