Top 5 Baits To Catch BIG Smallmouth Bass! (North, South, and Western Fisheries)
These baits catch BIG Bass! Fishing around Clear water like the Great Lakes, Southern Herring Fisheries, and Western reservoirs, requires unique baits. When it comes to Smallmouth (as well as Spotted Bass and Largemouth) there are a handful of baits that consistently catch the big bass. We've narrowed it down through countless hours on the water to a few key baits that you can trust.
During the prespawn you want to cover water quickly. Smallmouth school together, leaving huge parts of the lake virtually barren. The baits we use not only catch big bass, they help you locate fish quickly. After that the baits begin to fit niches. Swimbaits cover a ton of water, jerkbaits draw a core feed response, and the tube can elicit a strike from the wariest clear water bass.
Below you'll find links to all the baits Matt discussed in the video. We've included his favorite colors, rigging components, and even some great rod and reel combos to help you fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...
•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z
•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
SWIMBAITS...
•Megabass Spark Shad: https://bit.ly/2XcLZk4
Favorite Sizes: 3" and 3.6"
Favorite Colors: Albino, Natural Shad, Ayu, Real
•Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Colors: Top Shad, Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl
•Xzone 3.5" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q
Colors: Electric Shad, Tennessee Shad, Natural Goby
•Megabass Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2TyR1GT
Size: 1/2 oz – 3/4 oz
Favorite Colors: Wakasagi, Morning Goby, Goby Desert
SWIMBAIT HEADS...
•Dirty Jigs Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n
Favorite Sizes: 1/4 – 3/8 oz
•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS
Favorite Sizes: 1/8 – 1/4 oz, 1/0 Hook
JERKBAITS...
•Megabass Vision 110: https://bit.ly/3tw8Cpz
Colors: Mat Tennessee Shad, Mat Shad, GLX Phantom Minnow
•Megabass Vision 110+2 Jr: https://bit.ly/4cZ29q7
Colors: Tennessee Shad, Elegy Bone
•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7
Colors: Glitz Shad, See Through Shad, Juvy Gill
SPY BAITS...
•Duo Realis Spinbait Series: https://bit.ly/3QE27YK
Sizes: 70, 80
Favorite Colors: Ghost Minnow, River Bait, Ghost Wakasagi
•Great Lakes Finesse Stay Pinned Spybait: https://bit.ly/41mpM6J
Favorite Colors: Ghost Shad, Ghost Perch, Morning Dawn
HAIR JIG...
•Great Lakes Finesse Maribou Jig: https://bit.ly/4iPXoA2
Color: Black
BLADED RIGS...
•Hog Farmer Tactical MICRO Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK
•Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md
NON BLADED RIGS...
•Hog Farmer Tactical MICRO Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3Rui7Oc
•Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3isTio0
TUBES AND TUBE HEADS...
•Xzone Stealth Finesse 2.25" Tube: https://bit.ly/3yEr6aj
Colors: Great Lakes Sand, Goby Punch, Green Pumpkin Black
•Xzone Stealth Finesse Tube Head: https://bit.ly/3WY18YM
Favorite Size: 1/8 – 1/4 oz
•Big Bite Baits 3.5" Scentsation Tube: https://bit.ly/43eGkzS
Colors: Perch Dinner, Green Pump Purp Cop
•Xzone 60 Degree Goby Head: https://bit.ly/3hV3cPE
Size: 3/8 – 1/2 oz
DROPSHOT WORMS...
•MissileBaits BombShot: https://bit.ly/2YYBipr
Colors: Fishalicious, Goby Bite, GP3
•Berkley Lab Series Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/4f3qxtm
Colors: Obsidian Black, Tactical, Oxblood Red Flake
MATT'S SPY BAIT SPINNING COMBO...
Rod– Megabass Destroyer P5 Flyssa: https://bit.ly/3RmuKdN
Model: 7'6" Light+
Reel– Shimano Vanquish 2500 Spinning Reel: https://bit.ly/4sAmR5X
Line– Sunline Super FC (5 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju
DARK SLEEPER COMBO...
Rod– Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY
Reel– Daiwa Steez A 100: https://bit.ly/489D4rb
Line– Sunline FC 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
TUBE FISHING COMBO...
Rod– St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6" Medium: http://bit.ly/2pjJWMA
Reel– Shimano Twin Power FE 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5
Line– Sufix 832 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader– Seaguar Gold Label Fluoro (8 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi
DROPSHOT COMBO...
Rod– St. Croix Legend X2 6'10" Med Light: https://bit.ly/4farXAh
Reel– Daiwa Luvias ST 2500: https://bit.ly/459jXLv
Line– Seaguar PEX8 (18 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2
Leader– Sunline Super FC (6 lb): https://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 apparel and merch! See it here…
•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z
•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
