TacticalBassin Is Expanding! Meet Adam Hinkle!

We're expanding in 2025 with bonus content featuring some of our closest friends! Meet Adam Hinkle, a serious bass angler from the San Diego area in Southern California. Adam brings a unique perspective to the Tactical Family, having grown up in California's "Big Bass Era", and constantly adapting both power fishing and finesse presentations to the clear, pressured waters of Southern California.

Today Adam is showing how different Southern California can be from the rest of the country in "Winter". A hoodie and a shallow crankbait can get the job done on a crisp San Diego morning. Despite the temperate climate, there are many aspects of fishing in this region that translate to the whole country, and Adam is going to help us stay connected to those trends. Expect to see him featured a few times a year in bonus videos, along with the other members of our newly formed "Tactical Family" team of anglers.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Adam was using, as well as some widely available options that are very similar to his custom gear. All the link go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

CRANKBAIT...

•Berkley Fritside 5 HD Crankbait: https://bit.ly/4hcwfXJ

Color: HD Green Craw

ADAM'S HOMEMADE JIG...

Jig Skirt: Dirty Jigs Replacement Skirts: https://bit.ly/3Xu0BwC

Jig Head: Boss Mini Ball Head (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/4aeiBRK

ADAM'S CAROLINA RIG...

Bait– Zoom Baby Brush Hog: https://bit.ly/2bnpCRx

Color: Watermelon Red Flake

Hook– Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend (Size 3/0): https://bit.ly/3BVoabb

Swivel– Spro Power Swivel (Size 6): https://bit.ly/2ay0p7d

Weight– Picasso Tungsten Cylinder (1 oz): https://bit.ly/3E2CSxo

SIMILAR CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906C CBR: https://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

Reel– Shimano SLX 150 DC (XG): https://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line– Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3Cje0Rw

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Black Bass 7'4" Medium Hvy Mod: https://bit.ly/41ntbDB

Reel– Shimano SLX A 150 (XG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Socal Slugfest

Good music, hard hook sets, and monster bass, does it get any better??? By now nearly all of the members of the Tactical Bassin community recognize Adam Hinkle when he submits a video. For those of you who don't, Adam is a regular contributor and his work is much appreciated. Some of his recent pieces include Beating the Bank for Giants, Fall Jig Madness, and Mapping Your Approach. Adam Brings a unique perspective and a whole different style to the Tactical community.

True to form, Adam is smashing fish in Southern California. Lucky for us, we get a front row seat to the show. These fish were caught on the 8" Huddleston Swimbait in both ROF 5 and 12. The rod you see is a Dobyns 795 MLSB. Adam's approach to swimbaits is quite a bit different from my own. He uses 20 lb mainline and smaller hooks to draw the heavily-pressured Southern California bass into the open. It just goes to show there isn't always a right and a wrong way to catch these big bass. Its important to experiment and develop confidence but always stay open to progression.

Also, for those of you who are confined to smaller boats and are drooling over the net they keep sliding out of the rod locker, that is a Hiber-Net by Frabill. Its quite a bit different than what I carry but after watching how nicely it stores I may have to check it out myself.