How To Catch Open Water Bass! (When Others Are Giving Up)

Yes, those really are bass busting in open water! And yes, you can catch them! So many anglers pass on these fish because they don't understand what the bass are doing out there, and they have no idea how to target them. Here's what you need to know...

Catching open water bass is an art form. Once you've got it figured out, you've conquered the last frontier of bass fishing and the sky is the limit! Some of the largest, most unpressured fish in our lakes roam the open water, especially in Fall. These giants are rarely caught but its not because it can't be done, its because anglers are afraid to try. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment we use for this fishing style. Again, the biggest tip is to use light line and smooth braid so you can cover more water effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

FINESSE SWIMBAITS... 

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

Colors: Albino Shad

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

Size: 3/16 oz, 3/0 Hook

Bait-Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head- Picasso Single Barrel: https://bit.ly/3py2s0v

Size: 1/4 oz, 2/0 Hook

SWIMBAIT... 

-Megabass 6" Magdraft: http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: White Back Shad, MB Gizzard Shad

-Savage Gear 8" Trout RTF: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Dirty Silver, Trout, Kokanee

WAKEBAIT... 

-River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Colors: Rainbow Trout, Hitch, Tactical Shad

TOPWATER FRONT RUNNER... 

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

Colors: Abalone Shad, Sooner

Front- PH Customs Phront Runner: https://bit.ly/3wJIdkH

Colors: Foil Black, Sexy Shad

TOPWATER... 

-Shower Blows 105 & 77: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Full Metal, Neon Wakasagi, Flash Silver Shad

-Lucky Craft Gunfish 117: https://bit.ly/3vy7Pln

Colors: Aurora Black, BP Golden Shiner

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

Colors: Munky Butt, Phantom Shad

INLINE SPINNER... 

-Rooster Tail (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/3BkIfoc

Colors: White, Chrome White

SPY BAIT... 

-SPRO Spin John 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Matte Shad, Herring Pink

TAIL SPIN... 

-Jackall Deracoup (1 oz): http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Colors: Dera Shad, Silver

SPOON... 

-Blade Runner DUH (3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

Colors: UV Sierra, UV Morning Dawn

SMOOTH BRAIDED LINES... 

-Power Pro Super Slick: https://bit.ly/3vSwa6Z

Sizes: 15, 20, 30

-Sufix 131 G-Core: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Sizes: 6,10, 20, 30

-Sunline X Plasma Asegai: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Sizes: 12, 16, 18

TIM'S TOPWATER COMBO...

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

Reel- Daiwa Steez 70 CT SV TW: https://bit.ly/3esUZjg

Line- Sufix 131 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

TIM'S SMALL TOPWATER COMBO... 

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

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

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

TIM'S FINESSE SWIMBAIT SPINNING COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3AFcaFF

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

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

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

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro Braid (15 lb): 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

Where Do Bass Go In Summer?? (And Tricks To Catch Them)

Summer fishing is amazing! As temperatures rise, bass follow very predictable patterns. Once you know where to find them, its easy to consistently catch fish! Even when Summer temperatures are at their highest, bass can be caught in these key locations. Quit struggling in the heat and start catching fish! Let us show you where they are!

If you don't know where to look, Summer can be overwhelming. The bass have separated into two distinct schools. The first goes shallow into cover and the second heads out to main lake structures. The shallow fish are fun because you can target them with a variety of power fishing techniques, our favorite are frogging and flipping. The fish on outside structures group up around current when available and hard bottom when the water is calm. These fish can be caught on wobble heads, crankbaits, worms, jigs, and a variety of other lures. 

Below you'll find links to our other in-depth videos on the subject, as well as the key baits we fish with this time of year. We've also included details on size and color for each lure, as well as some great budget-friendly rod and reel combos for fishing these baits affectively. 

RELATED VIDEOS... 

Top 5 Baits For June Bass Fishing (2022): https://youtu.be/_nuMNoCoteU

Top 5 Baits For July Bass Fishing (2021): https://youtu.be/8yrAQlKvG2E

Fishing Swing Head Jigs: https://youtu.be/gc30nnOrdt4

SHAKEY HEAD WORMS... 

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

Colors: Junebug, Black Grape, Bama Bug

-Zoom Swamp Crawler: http://bit.ly/2arWoA8

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Junebug, Watermelon Seed

SHAKEY HEAD... 

-Dirty Jigs Canterbury (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

WOBBLE HEAD... 

Head- Dirty Jigs Pivot Point Football (1/2 oz with 4/0): http://bit.ly/2jOY1Ns

Bait- XZone Lures Adrenaline Craw (Junebug): https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

TEXAS RIGGED CREATURE BAIT... 

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Black Shadow Flare, Okeechobee Craw

TEXAS-RIG COMPONENTS... 

Hook- Owner 4/0 All Purpose Soft Bait: https://bit.ly/2QbbdRW

Weight- Swagger Vader Flippin: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

SENKO (WACKY RIG)... 

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

Colors: Natural Shad, Baby Bass, Green Pumpkin Black Flake

Hook- Gamakatsu 1/0 Finesse Wide Gap: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

TOPWATER... 

Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 2 (65): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Color: Little Allen

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

Colors: Secret Gill, Mat Shad

CRANKBAITS... 

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

Colors: Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Powder Blue Back Chart

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

Colors: Grand Shad, Goldie Lox, Gizzard Blue Green 

BUDGET SHAKY HEAD COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 6'10" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

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

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

BUDGET WOBBLE HEAD COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" Heavy Fast: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

Line- Sunline FC 17 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 DC (HG): http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

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

BUDGET FROG COMBO... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro 50 lb: 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

Swimbait Fishing Is EASY! Spring Bass Fishing For BIG Bass!

We're down in Georgia and Matt is throwing big baits! Come along on a post-front day and watch how Matt targets big bass with a swimbait despite tough conditions. Spring is prime time to catch a new personal best and Matt is showing us just how easy it can be when you commit to a big swimbait and fish it instead of other lures.

After fishing traditional baits like a Senko and Texas-Rigged worm Matt quickly realized it was going to be a difficult day on the water. Instead of putting his head down and catching what he could, he re-geared, picked up the big baits, and committed to trying to get a BIG bite, rather than catching numbers of fish. The decision paid off immediately when Matt got his biggest bass of the day on the 3rd cast!

Below you'll find links to the swimbaits Matt was throwing, including the rigging components, as well as his swimbait setups. We've also included some of our other favorite Spring time swimbaits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

BURRITO SWIMBAIT...

-Bacca Burrito: https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Today's Color: Unicorn Poop

Other Great Colors: Who Dat, Threadfin Shad, Crappie

MAGDRAFT SWIMBAIT...

Bait- Megabass MagDraft Freestyle: http://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi

Color: White Back Shad

Hook- Owner 8/0 Beast (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2ancP66

S-WAVER... 

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

Color: Bluegill

OTHER GREAT SOFT SWIMBAITS...

-Savage Gear RTF 8": https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Dirty Silver, Ghost Trout, Trout

-Bacca Burrito Medium Sink: https://bit.ly/3AFcV1t

Colors: Copper Top, Lucky Charms, Blueberry Wine

-Megabass MagDraft 8": http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: Albino Pearl Shad, White Back Shad, MB Gizzard

-Scottsboro Paddle Tail 7": http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH

Colors: Mullins Madness, Natural Light

Hook- Owner Beast 10/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

MATT'S FAVORITE SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

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

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

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

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

TODAY'S TRAVEL SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- BPM Customs XH Travel- Instagram: @bpm_custom_rods

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

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

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

TODAY'S SMALLER SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

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

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 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

4 FINESSE TRICKS To Catch BASS When FISHING is TOUGH!

This year has been tough for a lot of anglers! Increased fishing pressure and intense weather has made it difficult for a lot of us to consistently catch bass. Now isn't the time to give up! Some of the most exciting fishing of the year is just around the corner! If you're struggling to get bit right now, turn to one of these 4 proven techniques to catch more fish. 

When the going gets tough, its time to pick up the finesse rods! Power fishing is our passion so when its time to lighten up and slow down our first move is the finesse swimbait. Fishing these small swimbaits still gives us the feel and the fun of power fishing, but we get way more bites than we do on larger presentations. If the swimbait isn't working, its time to turn to slower bottom contact baits. 

Which one should you try first? This is where you fishing style comes into play. All of these are proven options and you really can't go wrong. If you ask Tim, he's probably reaching for a Neko rig. If you ask Matt, he's probably reaching for a tube. All 3 bottom contact presentations work incredibly well so make sure you've got at least one of them rigged up at all times. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included the baits, the hooks, and our favorite colors for each presentation. We've also included the rod and reel combos we use with each presentation. If you prefer BFS to spinning tackle, we've linked that combo as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

FINESSE SWIMBAITS...

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

Colors: Real, Albino, Purple Haze

Keitech Fat 2.8 Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

FINESSE SWIMBAIT HEADS...

Non-Bladed- Dirty Jigs 1/8 oz Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Bladed- Okashira 1/8 oz Screw Head: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

NEKO RIG...

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

Colors: Baby Bass, Green Pumpkin Black Flake

Skirted Weight- VMC Neko Skirt: https://bit.ly/2WRNgTM

Hook- Owner Sniper Finesse Neko (1/0): http://bit.ly/2kfdv37

NED RIG BAITS... 

-Z Man Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Green pumpkin Goby

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

Colors: TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Desert Craw

NED RIG HEADS...

Tungsten- Swagger Tungsten Flanders Head: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Lead- Owner Block head: http://bit.ly/2qL0A8n

FINESSE TUBES...

Bait- Netbait STH 2.5" Finesse Tube: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors: Dark Melon Purple, Ten Point, Juvenile Goby

Head- Blade Runner Inhaler: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Size: 1/8 oz with 1/0 hook

TIM'S BFS COMBO...

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" ML+ BFS: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

Line- Sunline Super FC 8lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

FINESSE TUBE COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'3" Medium: https://bit.ly/2RPMkfV

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

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

Leader- Sunline Sniper 7 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

ALL-AROUND FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

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

Line- Sunline SX1 16 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 7 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET ALL-AROUND FINESSE COMBO...

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

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

Line- Sunline Sniper 8 lb Fluorocarbon: 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