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

Buyer's Guide: BFS (Bait Finesse System) Rods, Reels, And Lures For Bait Finesse Fishing!

Bait Finesse is here!! If you're wondering what BFS is for, you aren't alone! In today's Buyer's Guide we're covering our favorite BFS rods and reels for casting ultralight presentations with casting gear. Then we're looking at some of our favorite baits for catching fish with this ultra finesse technique. If you're not familiar with BFS the concept is very simple. Essentially, anything you've ever done with a spinning rod, can now be done with a bait caster, and with even more precision. Plus, its a lot of fun!

BFS has been around for decades but has exploded into the US Market in the last 2 years. The arrival of the Shimano Curado BFS Reel opened the door for a wave of anglers to experience BFS without paying the astronomical prices previously required with JDM rod and reel imports. If you've ever been curious about this unique way of fishing, we're here to help!

Below you'll find links to all the rods, reels, and baits discussed in the video. We've included favorite sizes and colors where applicable to make it as easy as possible for you to find the items you want. 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

•$300 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/N-NHeMwI77Q

•$400 Rod And Reel Combos: https://youtu.be/-H9VEnkSiow

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

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

BFS REELS... 

•Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

•KastKing Zephyr Bait Finesse: https://bit.ly/3cy03ij

BFS RODS...

•Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Models: 7' Light (700) 6'9" Light Fast (691)

•Shimano Zodias: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Model: 7'2" ML (Medium Light)

•Shimano Expride: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Model: 7'2" ML+ (Medium Light+)

•Megabass Destroyer P5: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: Z Crank Elseil

•G Loomis IMX Pro Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Model: 864 CBR DF (7'2" MH Deep Flex)

•G Loomis Conquest: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

Model: 842C MBR

LINES...

Fluorocarbon– Sunline Super FC (6-8 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Braid– Power Pro Spectra (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

BFS TEXAS RIGGING... 

Weight– Swagger Tungsten Vader 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Heavy Wire Hook– Owner Rig-N-Hook Size 1/0: http://bit.ly/2BnniXN

Light Wire Hook– Owner J-Light Size 1/0: https://bit.ly/3HDg0SH

DROPSHOT RIGGING... 

Hook– Owner Mosquito Light (Size 4 or 6): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight– Swagger Tungsten (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

NED HEADS... 

Micro– Z Man Micro Finesse Shroomz (1/15th): https://bit.ly/3QDdlw7

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

Lead– Z Man OG (1/32 - 1/16th): https://bit.ly/3nyFyZc

CRANKBAITS...

•Megabass Z-1 Crank: https://bit.ly/2Y9dkHB

Colors: Kasumi Ito, Wild Craw, Mat Craw 2

•Rapala Ultralight Crank: https://bit.ly/3qSt14V

Colors: Chrome, Shad

•Shimano Macbeth 39 Tiny: https://bit.ly/3xTsnG0

Colors: Clear Green Craw, Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad

MICRO SWIMBAIT...

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

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

Bait– Megabass 3" Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Color: Real, Albino

Head– Dirty Jigs Guppy (1/8 with 1/0): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

TOPWATER... 

•Evergreen Shower Blows 77.7: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Black Bone, Full Metal

•Owner Cultiva Zip N Ziggy: https://bit.ly/3BTMLuh

Colors: Natural Minnow, Shiner, Brown Trout

•Whopper Plopper 60: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Phantom Shad, Monkey Butt, Bone

•Rapala Ultralight Popper: https://bit.ly/3FzvsNP

Colors: Chrome, Clown, Yellow Perch

•Megabass Grand Siglett: https://bit.ly/3UMyhn6

Colors: Abura Zemi, Lamune Bug, Skeleton Sirius

NED/TEXAS RIG SOFT BAITS... 

•Savage Gear Ned Salamander: https://bit.ly/3rSNi8g

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple Copper, Mojito

•Z Man TRD CrawZ: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Canada Craw

•Zman TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Colors: Sprayed Grass, Green Pumpkin, Canada Craw

•Zman TRD TicklerZ: http://bit.ly/2mGyDAC

Colors: Canada Craw, Houdini, The Deal

NED MICRO FINESSE SOFT BAITS...

•Zman Micro Finesse TRD: https://bit.ly/3d8bmBm

Colors: Coppertreuse, Green Pumpkin, The Deal

•Zman Micro Finesse TicklerZ: https://bit.ly/3BIABob

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Hot Snakes

INLINE SPINNER...

•Blue Fox Inline Spinner: https://bit.ly/3qAVlqb

Colors: Shiner, Shad

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

These Fall Tricks Make Fish Bite!

When fish don't want to bite you can still make them react! Forget trying to fool bass into biting and use these tricks to draw a reaction strike instead! There are a handful of key baits that consistently draw reaction strikes, even as Fall begins to fade into Winter. 

Come along for a day on the water as Matt uses speed cranking and soft jerkbaits to trigger a feed response in wary bass. Not every day is a prime fishing day but if you know how to get bass to feed you can catch quality fish in tough conditions.  

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt was using throughout the video. He's included sizes, colors, hooks, as well as the exact rods he used to fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

CRANKBAIT...

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

Color: Clearwater Minnow

GLIDE BAIT...

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

Color: I Know It

ALABAMA RIG...

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

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

SOFT JERKBAITS...

•Zoom Super Fluke Jr: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Color: Albino

•Jackall Rhythm Wag 3.5: https://bit.ly/3NT6OvF

Color: Prism Shad

•Gamakatsu Superline 2/0 Hook: https://bit.ly/3AmFDnK

CRANKBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Bantam MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): http://bit.ly/3fohguC

SOFT JERKBAIT SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'8" Medium: https://bit.ly/3AFcaFF

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

Line– Power Pro Spectra 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" MH: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

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

Line- Sunline FC 15 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

Fall Bass Fishing: Trick To Target Offshore And Suspended Bass!

Come along as we smash big bass offshore! We're targeting Spotted Bass and Largemouth suspending around offshore structure and the bite is wide open! Tim catches them on everything from a crankbait, to a dropshot, to a topwater on this wide open bite!

Suspended bass are the final frontier of bass fishing. Targeting these open water creatures is extremely difficult and until recently, required incredible work, timing, and a little luck. The advancements in forward facing sonar have opened the door further but it still requires finely honed skills to catch these fish consistently. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment Tim used to catch these fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

CRANKBAITS...

•Rapala DT20: https://bit.ly/3y6IYHy

Color: Ike's Blue Back Herring

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

Color: Mirrored Minnow, Clear Water Minnow

DROPSHOT...

Bait– Keitech 3" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: TW Pro Blue

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

Weight– Swagger Tungsten (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

SPYBAIT...

•Duo Realis SpinBait 3.5": https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Color: BK Ayu, Ghost SX Shad

TOPWATER...

•Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Color: Full Metal

UNDERSPIN...

Bait– Storm 3" Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Color: Tennessee Shad

Head– Gamakatsu Mini (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3PbOduU

CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Tournament 7'4" MH Mod: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

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

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis Nrx + 822S DSR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel– Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line– Sunline Super FC (6 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BFS COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse 700: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

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

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (6 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Sunline Fluorocarbon Leader (5 lb): http://bit.ly/2aiu0Wu

UNDERSPIN COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

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

Line– Sunline Super FC (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

MAPPING...

•Lakemaster Plus Digital Charts: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

ELECTRONICS...

•Humminbird Mega Live Target Lock: https://bit.ly/3uWwTmE

•Humminbird Apex 13: https://bit.ly/3pdaK1q

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