Finesse Fishing Tricks – Northern Smallmouth and Southern Reservoirs!

The time has come! Northern Smallmouth! Southern Spots and Largemouth! Fisheries are opening up and the bite is beginning to happen throughout the North! Come along as we take a deep dive into both the finesse baits and power fishing techniques that shine in the early season!

From dropshot worms to tubes, and swimbaits to spy baits, these are the baits that consistently catch fish! Matt goes into detail on confidence colors, rigging upgrades, and the subtle tricks he uses to catch more fish. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits, including color recommendations and rigging components. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

DROPSHOT BAITS...

•Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: https://bit.ly/3xEADuo

Colors: Bully, Chick Magnet, Perch Dinner

•Netbait STH Crush Worm: https://bit.ly/3Q3mmyz

Colors: Juvenile Goby Pearl, Bang

•Xzone Finesse Slammer: http://bit.ly/2TJt7L8

Colors: 309, Big Limit, Smallie Magic

DROPSHOT TERMINAL...

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

Weight– VMC Cylinder Weight (1/4 oz): https://bit.ly/43Lun2f

TUBE BAITS...

•Netbait STH Finesse Tube (Both Sizes): https://bit.ly/3zAsnf6

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Dark Melon Purple, Ten Point

•Savage Gear Goby Tube (3.5"): https://bit.ly/33QGXzy

Colors: Light Pumpkin Purp Silver, Green Pumpkin

TUBE HEADS...

Small Tubes– Blade Runner Inhaler Head: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Size: 1/8 oz with 1/0 Hook

Standard Tubes– Xzone 60 Degree Head: https://bit.ly/3jCHmR8

Size: 1/4 oz

ALABAMA RIGS...

•Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

•Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3isTio0

MINI RIG COMPONENTS...

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

Baits– XZone Swammer: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Sizes: 3.5", 4"

Colors: Electric Shad, Dirty Shad

Dummy Baits– Damiki 3" Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Colors: American Shad, Pure Gill

SPY BAITS...

•Duo Realis Spin Bait (3.5): https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Komochi Wakasagi

•Spro SpinJohn 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Matte Shad, Herring Pink

HAIR JIGS...

•Outkast Tackle Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black

SOFT SWIMBAITS...

•Megabass 3" Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze

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

Colors: Albino, Real, Baby Bass

•Keitech 3.8 Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Bass Candy, Yellow Magic, Electric Bluegill

SWIMBAIT HEADS...

•Tactical Finesse Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

•Tactical Underspin (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3JOd8UY

•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

•Megabass Okashira Screwhead (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

BIG SWIMBAITS...

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

Colors: Guida's Citrus Shad, Gizzard Shad, Light Trout

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

Colors: MSS, White Back Shad, MB Gizzard

•Big Bite Baits B5: https://bit.ly/3LLU4pm

Colors: Light Shad, Sunny Shad, Blue Gizzard

JERKBAITS...

•Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Colors: Matte Shad, Elegy Bone, Mat Skeleton Shad

•Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1: https://bit.ly/2LnK389

Colors: Elegy Bone, GLX Northern Secret, Mat Shad

•Shimano World Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Fwg9F6

Colors: Clown, Chart Silver, Pink Smelt

FAVORITE JERKBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

DARK SLEEPER COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 "Dark Sleeper": https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

FAVORITE ULTRALIGHT SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 901 SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

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

Line– Sunline Super FC (5 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

AFFORDABLE LIGHT SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Zodias 7'6" Light: https://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

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

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

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin 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

Summer Fishing - Tips For Finding Fish And Catching Bigger Bass

These boys dodged the heat wave and caught some giant bass! Hop in the boat with them as they arrive in Wisconsin after a 12 hour drive across 5 states! Watch how they build a pattern, immediately locate fish, and not only catch fish, but catch great BIG bass! 

The key to success this evening was understanding bass' movements during the post spawn. With no history to rely on the guys looked at the map, chose a couple likely locations, and immediately began catching fish. They used a two-part approach, mixing a spy bait in with a variety of swimbaits. Post spawn fish tend to be aggressive, they want to feed, and this mix of reaction baits was the perfect option to catch these bass. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits the guys were using. We've included the exact colors and sizes, along with the gear they were using to throw them. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can find detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SPY BAIT... 

-Duo Realis 3.5" Spinbait: https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Color: Komochi Wakasagi

DARK SLEEPER... 

-Megabass 3" Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

FINESSE SWIMBAIT... 

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

Color: Real

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Color: Tennessee Shad

LARGE SWIMBAITS... 

-Big Bite Baits B5 Line Thru: https://bit.ly/3LLU4pm

Color: Blue Gizzard

-Megabass 6" Magdraft: http://bit.ly/2CANTU7

Colors: White Back Shad

SPY BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 901S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

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

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

DARK SLEEPER COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50 MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

GUPPY HEAD SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 902S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

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

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

5" LINE THRU SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Gamakatsu JDM Luxxe Avenge 7' MH: https://bit.ly/3hzK2ee

Reel- 13 Fishing Concept C2: https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

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

How To Catch Bigger Smallmouth (And Largemouth) - Everything You Need To Know - Finesse Bass Fishing

Smallmouth are amazing! They're aggressive, even in cold water. They're willing to migrate huge distances for food. When you set the hook they give you a ride that is unrivaled by the other bass. There is little wonder why so many anglers love Smallmouth bass fishing. Targeting these predators requires a finesse touch and some unique gear that is often overlooked for the other bass species.  

While you can catch a smallmouth on virtually anything, the fish tend to favor clearer water and a true finesse touch will increase your odds dramatically. In today's video Tim dives into his favorite finesse tactics and equipment for consistently targeting these bronze backs. 

Below is a breakdown of the gear he discussed in order of appearance. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Finesse Keitech Swimbaits... 

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3 and 3.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Chartreuse Blue, Crystal Shad, Goby, Smallmouth Magic

-Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-2.8 keitech Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Tennessee Shad

-Dirty Jigs 1/8 oz Guppy Head 1/0: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Finesse Swimbaits…

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

Colors: Purple Haze, Real, Silver Shad

-Megabass 1/16 oz Okashira Head: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 2.4" and 3": http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Donko, Haze, Hanahaze Wakasagi

Spy Baits... 

-Duo Realis Spin Bait 80: http://bit.ly/2oeVG1m

Colors: Ghost SX Shad, BK Ayu, Ghost Minnow

-Duo Realis Spin Bait 90: http://bit.ly/2nhw56N

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Purple Reign AM, Shiner AM

Hair Jigs... 

-Outkast Tackle Feider Fly 3/32 (Black): http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Dropshot Worms...

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

Colors: Chick Magnet, Green Pump Purp, Smoke Purp Flake

-Strike King Half Shell: http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

Colors: Morning Dawn, Magic, TW Green Pumpkin

Dropshot Rigging... 

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

Medium Wire Hook- Trokar Dropshot (Size 1, 2): http://bit.ly/2ahxJOr

Tungsten Tie-On Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16): http://bit.ly/37AVcrx

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

Tubes... 

-Dry Creek Tournament Tube 3.5": http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

Colors: Old Ugly, Mocha Copper Pepper, Crazy Eddie

-Big Bite Tour Tube 3.5": http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Colors: Tilapia, Green Pumpkin Purple Copper Flk

Tube Heads... 

-Bite me 60 degree Flat Eye Head (3/16): http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

-Provider Tackle 90 degree (3/16): http://bit.ly/2OAvYRv

Z Man Ned Rig Baits... 

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Mud Bug

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

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Mud Bug, Hot Snakes

-Z Man TRD TicklerZ: http://bit.ly/2mGyDAC

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Mud Bug

Other Ned Rig Worms... 

-Xzone Ned Zone stick Bait 3": http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Colors: 309, Green Pump Purple, Minnow Magic

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

Colors: Desert Craw, TW Black Blue Pumpkin

-Missile Baits Ned Bomb: http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

Colors: Super Bug, Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core

Ned Heads... 

Tungsten- Swagger Flanders Head 1/6 oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Lead- Z Man Ned LockZ HD Head: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Stick Baits... 

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

Colors: Baby Bass, Crushed Goby, Electric Worm

-5" Yum Dinger: http://bit.ly/2J8nMrF

Colors: Elders Magic, Green Pumpkin, Ozark Smoke

Stick Bait Rigging... 

-G7 O-Rings 7MM: http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

-G7 O Ring Tool: http://bit.ly/2PRMNrG

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

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

Tim's Favorite Keitech Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's Favorite Ultra-Finesse Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Conquest 902S SJR: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

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

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's Feider Combo... 

Rod- Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7'6" ML: http://bit.ly/2QHupT9

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline 6 lb Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju