Spring Buyer's Guide: Budget Rods and Reels For Bass Fishing!

Welcome to the 1st Annual Spring Buyer's Guide Series! We're kicking this series off with budget-minded rods and reels for serious anglers. We scoured the fishing industry for the best rods and reels for different techniques, so you don't have to break the bank when you need a new combo. This is only the beginning! We've got 6 videos in total, a new video launching every day this week, to help you with everything from rods to baits, and electronics to apparel. Check back every day for a fresh video!

When it comes to budget gear, the rod actions allow for some wiggle room between techniques. As a result, we were able to narrow the search down to a handful of models to cover all the most popular Spring bass fishing techniques. We specifically searched for rods that would multi-task at least 2 major categories, then paired them with affordable reels that could take the abuse needed for the techniques. 

Below you'll find links to the exact rods and reels shown in the video. They're listed in the order they appeared and we've even included our favorite line, based on the techniques we recommend. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

CHATTERBAIT/SPINNERBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- 13 Fishing Defy Black 7' Crankbait: https://bit.ly/34UI0mh

Reel- 13 Fishing Origin Chrome: https://bit.ly/3EF9ubC

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

JERKBAIT/FLUKE/ WACKY RIG COMBO... 

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

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

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

SQUAREBILL/LIPLESS COMBO...

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

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

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

TEXAS RIG/JIG/SMALL GLIDE COMBO...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 704C (7' Heavy): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Lews Speed Spool LFS (7:1): http://bit.ly/2xEElEw

Line- Power Pro 20 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Sufix Advance 12 lb Green: https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

SHAKY HEAD/SENKO COMBO...

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'1" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- 13 Fishing Inception (6.6:1): https://bit.ly/3JrZSDX

Line- Power Pro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Sufix Advance 17 lb Green: https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

DROPSHOT/NED RIG COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6'8" Medium XFast: https://bit.ly/3xi0ren

Reel- Daiwa BG 2000: http://bit.ly/32Xscbb

Line- Sunline SX1 12: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Fluorocarbon leader (7 lb): http://bit.ly/2aiu0Wu

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

Spring Bass Fishing Gear Review!

Let's see what's new! We've tracked down the hottest new rods, reels, and baits! After putting a ton of new gear through the paces, the best of the best made it into today's gear review. We're covering everything from finesse baits to swimbaits, apparel to boat accessories, and of course the latest rods and reels!

These gear reviews are some of our favorite videos. It lets our inner tackle junkies go wild as we discover gems from every corner of the sport. In today's video we really spread it out, with something for everyone. We also took a few minutes to follow up on our previous gear review and gave an in-depth analysis of the new Expride B rods, after getting to spend more time on the water with them. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits and equipment, in the order it appeared in the video. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included a link to our previous Gear Review so you can see Tim's initial impression on Expride B and a handful of other great items. 

RODS AND REELS... 

-Shimano Bantam MGL A Reel: https://bit.ly/3tdTQ36

-Gamakatsu JDM Luxxe Avenge Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/3hzK2ee

-Gamakatsu JDM Luxxe Avenge Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/3tom6A2

-Shimano Expride B Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

-Shimano Expride B Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/3AFcaFF

APPAREL... 

-Aftco Reaper Soft Shell Jacket: https://bit.ly/3puhk2U

SWIMBAITS... 

-13 Fishing Coalition Wedge Tail Shad: https://bit.ly/3MiBXsj

Preferred Hook- Owner Beast 12/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

-13 Fishing Coalition Wedge Tail Gill: https://bit.ly/3pzDsbX

Preferred Hook- Owner Beast 8/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

BLADE BAIT...

Bait- Spro Carbon Blade Tungsten: https://bit.ly/35orACQ

Favorite Colors: Nanko Reaction, Nasty Shad, Gold Black

BLADE BAIT HOOK UPGRADE...

Split Ring Upgrade- Owner Hyperwire (Size 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hook Upgrade- Owner STX 45 (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2FNnZwR

CRANKBAITS...

-Megabass Super Z Z-3: https://bit.ly/3HDg7wc

Favorite Colors: Phantom Green Craw, GP Skeleton Craw, Green Craw

-Imakatsu IK-800 R2: https://bit.ly/35ku05z

Favorite Colors: Biwako Legend Classic, Baratanago, Power White

ATTRACTOR... 

-Cat 3 Bladed Teaser: https://bit.ly/3vAGmRN

BOAT ACCESSORY... 

-Moto Stop Steering Stabilizer: https://bit.ly/348CQm7

PREVIOUS REVIEWS...

Tim's January 2022 Review: https://youtu.be/i2JQ1_fpAc8

Fall Gear Review 2021: https://youtu.be/sIy0M5_n3qs

ICAST Gear Review: https://youtu.be/5gBkLLM7BpA

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 Choose The Right Fishing Rod (Beginner To Advanced)

This is the information no one is talking about! From the basics (how to interpret rod models) to advanced details on rod action and power, Matt is laying down everything you need to know to make educated decisions about fishing rods. 

Fishing gear is expensive and the truth is, most anglers are guessing when they make a purchase. They have no idea if the rod they're buying will do what they need. But it doesn't have to be that way. Understanding ratings will take out all the guess work so you can begin making easy decisions. 

Below you'll find links to many of our favorite rods, separated by technique. We've also included a few budget-minded rods as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. In many cases the rods are available, in a few they're available for pre-order and expected to arrive in early Spring.

FAVORITE RODS BY TECHNIQUE... 

Jig (Pitch and Flip)- Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Jig (Light Football)- G Loomis GLX 844C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Jig (Heavy Football)- Megabass Orochi XX Extreme Mission Type F: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Jerkbait- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

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

Lipless- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Chatterbait- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Heavy Glass: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

Dropshot- G Loomis NRX+ 822S DSR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Ned Rig- G Loomis NRX+ 821S DSR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Tube- St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6" Medium: http://bit.ly/2pjJWMA

Heavy Flipping- Shimano Expride 7'11" XH: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Light Flip- Shimano Curado 7'5" XH: https://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Tail Spin- G Loomis IMX Pro 843 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Keitech (4.8)- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Big Swimbait- G Loomis IMX Pro 966 SWBR: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Deep Crank (Tight Action)- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Deep Crank (All Around)- Shimano Zodias 7'6" MH Glass: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Squarebill- Megabass Orochi XX Flat Side Special: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Spinnerbait- G Loomis IMX Pro 812 SBR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

Frog- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

BFS- Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse 7': https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Northern Hair Jig- Megabass P5 Baby Plugging: https://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

FAVORITE BUDGET RODS BY TECHNIQUE... 

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

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

Jig- St. Croix Bass X 7'4" MH Mod Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Texas Rig- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" MH Fast: https://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

All Around- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

Dropshot/Ned Rig- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Topwater- Halo XDIII 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3ojz68h

Big Swimbait- Savage Gear 8' Heavy Squad: https://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

Frog- Dobyns Fury 7'3" Mag Heavy: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

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

2022 Gear Review - Shimano Expride B + New Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, and Creatures!

They're here!! Who's ready to check out the latest rods, swimbaits, hard baits, and soft baits to hit the market?! Its no secret that we're tackle addicts! We spend countless hours each week tracking down the newest gear from around the globe so we can put it through the paces! Some of it turns out to be junk, some of it is amazing and the best of the best make it into our gear review videos.

Today's video begins with the all new Shimano Expride B line of rods. We've been fanatical about Expride since the original series and have been blown away each time an updated version has come out. Shimano continues to advance the performance and sensitivity while still keeping the price affordable. 

From there we branch into a variety of new hard baits. From flash boosting jerkbaits to hard knocking crankbaits, there are some great new additions. On the softbait side, there are several downsized creatures to check out and just in time for the pre spawn, Mike Bucca has introduced a medium-sinking version of the Bacca Burrito. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits and equipment in the video. Many items are in stock today, those that aren't can be pre-ordered. For the Expride B's we've included some of our favorite models as a reference if you don't know where to start. 

RODS...

-Shimano Expride B Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

Favorite Models: 6'10" Medium, 7'2" ML, 7'3" XH 

-Shimano Expride B Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/3AFcaFF

Favorite Models: 7'2" ML, 7' Light 

JERKBAITS...

-Shimano World Minnow Jerkbait: https://bit.ly/3Fwg9F6

-Shimano World Diver Jerkbait: https://bit.ly/3o1BwrR

CRANKBAITS...

-Strike King 6XD Hard Knock: https://bit.ly/3rTd1OZ

SOFT BAITS... 

-Strike King Midsize Rage Bug: https://bit.ly/3HanGLB

-XZone Adrenaline Craw 3.5": https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

SWIMBAITS... 

-Bucca's Bacca Burrito (Medium Sink): https://bit.ly/3AFcV1t

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