SPRING SWIMBAITS FOR BASS! Best Baits, Techniques, Full Seminar!

SPRING SWIMBAIT FISHING IS EASY! You only need a few baits to consistently catch fish, no matter where you live. Most anglers act like catching big bass with swimbaits is difficult, but aside from some little tricks, there isn't much you need to know to start catching bass with swimbaits. Focus on key baits, fish with confidence, and the rest will come naturally.

Tim breaks swimbaits into basic categories, including bluegill, baitfish, and trout profiles. Based on what bass are primarily eating in your lake, he covers which baits to focus on, and how to fish them effectively. Once you've got the basics it's all about building confidence with those key baits. You can catch a giant swimbait fish this year, all you have to do is commit to it.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, sink rates, and colors. We've also included some great rod and reel combos, as well as some other swimbait videos. All the gear 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


3 CONFIDENCE BAITS...

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

Color: White Back Shad


•Savage Gear LT Gill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill


•Bucca Brand 6” Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: Matte Shad


RELATED SWIMBAIT VIDEOS…

•Swimbait Fishing For Bass Made Easy: https://youtu.be/mAuslfbxtBk


BLUEGILL SOFT BAITS...

•Savage Gear LT Gill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill


•Savage Gear 4" RTF Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill


•Megabass Sleeper Gill: https://bit.ly/3HPvgMT

Color: Gill, Gillkko, Glitter Wild Gill


BLUEGILL HARD BAITS...

•Megabass Vatalion: https://bit.ly/367AOxD

Color: GG Gill, GG Wild Gill


•Jackall Gantarel: https://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Bluegill, RT Ghost Gill


SHAD SOFT BAITS...

•Megabass Magdraft (6" and 8"): https://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad


•Megabass 5” Magdraft: https://bit.ly/4gNg7LN

Colors: Borealis Shad, Silver Shad, White Back Shad


•Megabass 6" Magdraft Freestyle: https://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad


•Owner Weighted Beast: https://bit.ly/2ancP66

Size: 8/0


•Megabass 5" Magdraft Freestyle: https://bit.ly/3NqWRel

Colors: White Back Shad, Aurora Shad, Brownie


•ZMan 6" ShadTron LT: https://bit.ly/46oXNoG

Colors: Blueback Herring, Threadfin Shad


•Bacca Burrito Swimbait (5" and 6"): https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Tactical Shad, Tactical Gizzard Shad, Tactical Chartreuse Shad


SHAD GLIDE BAITS...

•Bucca Brand 6" Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Colors: Threadfintastic, Gizzard Magic, Matte Shad


•Savage Gear Scandal 200: https://bit.ly/48q7MNJ

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Rainbow Trout, Ghost Bone


•Berkley 8" Chop Block: https://bit.ly/44MelaG

Colors: Shad, Chrome Gizzard, Golden Shiner


TROUT AND KOKANEE BAITS...

Megabass 8" and 10" Magdraft: https://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: Nude Rainbow, Stealth Rainbow


•Savage Gear Scandal 250: https://bit.ly/48q7MNJ

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout


DOBYNS SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Champion XP 806 Heavy: https://bit.ly/2aivwYX

Reel– Abu Garcia Beast 300: https://bit.ly/3VJM3Zp

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Saltimate Tunageat FC (30 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR


ST. CROIX SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Victory 8' Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel– Shimano Tranx 300B (HG): https://bit.ly/40QzQ7b

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi


SHIMANO SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Outlier 8' Extra Heavy:  https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Reel– Shimano Conquest MD: https://bit.ly/3ZBEK5p

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (80 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Saltimate Tunageat FC (35 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR


BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 7'9" Heavy (795): https://bit.ly/4q6IjyQ

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 300: https://bit.ly/4pYubaE

Line– Sunline Big Bait FC (22 lb): https://bit.ly/46NMLv7


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


If you plan to do any shopping, using our affiliate links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!

Swimbait Fishing For Bass Made Easy! Full Seminar (Beginner To Advanced)

SWIMBAIT FISHING IS EASY! You only need a few baits to consistently catch fish, no matter where you live! Most anglers act like catching big bass with swimbaits is difficult, but aside from some little tricks, there isn't much you need to know to start catching bass with swimbaits.

Matt breaks swimbaits into basic categories, including bluegill, baitfish, and trout profiles. Based on what bass are primarily eating in your lake, he covers which baits to focus on, and how to fish them effectively. Once you've got the basics it's all about building confidence with those key baits. You can catch a giant swimbait fish this year, all you have to do is commit to it!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, sink rates, and colors. We've also included some great rod and reel combos, as well as some other swimbait videos. All the gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


SIMPLE BAITS…

•Savage Gear LT Gill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill


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

Color: White Back Shad


•Bucca Brand 6” Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: Matte Shad


•Big Bite Baits B6 Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3bw7lWR

Colors: Blue Gizzard


•Zman 6" Diezel Minnow: https://bit.ly/3VHVhFi

Colors: Bad Shad

•Zman Diezel Eye Jighead: https://bit.ly/4db6LI2

Size: 3/4 oz


BLUEGILL HARD BAITS...

•Jackall Gantarel: https://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: RT Bluegill


•Baitsanity Explorer Gill: https://bit.ly/3F65FxK

Colors: Bluegill


•Bucca Bull Gill: https://bit.ly/2f1ASHn

Colors: Bluegill


•Bucca Brand 3.75" Baby Bull Gill: https://bit.ly/3IBscss

Colors: Violet Brim


•Megabass Vatalion: https://bit.ly/367AOxD

Colors: GG Gill


SHAD GLIDES...

•Clutch Eco: https://bit.ly/4bsZX9q


•Spro Chad Shad: https://bit.ly/3AqivoQ


•Shimano Gravitator: https://bit.ly/43HbYpQ


COVER GLIDES...

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


•Savage Gear Glide Swimmer: https://bit.ly/4eGJ5No


•Bucca Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go


OPEN WATER GLIDES...

•Deps Slide Swimmer 250: https://bit.ly/2AfXQnF


•Savage Gear Scandal 250: https://bit.ly/48q7MNJ


•Baitsanity Trout Explorer: https://bit.ly/33bQyxY


•Baitsanity 11.5" Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/3U1em4P


•Savage Gear 8" Glide Swimmer: https://bit.ly/4eGJ5No


MULTI JOINT...

•22nd Century Triple Trout (7"-8"): https://bit.ly/2E8Up5P


•Bucca Bull Shad (6"-7"): https://bit.ly/2eJ8gWM


•Shimano Armajoint SS: https://bit.ly/3RsENjw


WAKEBAITS...

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


•Spro 8" Floater: https://bit.ly/2cU1x5P


•Bucca Wake: https://bit.ly/2yceVRt


SOFT BLUEGILLS...

•Savage Gear LT Bluegill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill


•Mattlures Hammertail Gill: https://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

Colors: Male Bluegill


•Savage Gear 4" RTF Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Color: Bluegill, Ghost Gill


•Megabass Sleeper Gill: https://bit.ly/3HPvgMT

Colors: Gill, Gillkko


SOFT GLIDES...

•Grow Design Flag 170: https://bit.ly/46LrrVS

Colors: Albino Purple


•Raid Osakana Slide: https://bit.ly/417QgrV

Colors: TW Shad, Hustler


•Savage Soft Shine Glide: https://bit.ly/3WE2eIP

Colors: Gizzard Shad


WEDGE TAILS...

•Huddleston 8" Trout (ROF 12): https://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

Colors: Rainbow Trout


•Huddleston 68 Trout (ROF 12): https://bit.ly/2dj5apG

Colors: Black Gizzard Shad


•Mattlures 6" Shad: https://bit.ly/2vM8cKF

Colors: Light Gizzard


•ZMan 6" ShadTron LT: https://bit.ly/46oXNoG

Colors: Blueback Herring, Threadfin Shad


PADDLE TAILS...

•Bacca Burrito Swimbait (5" and 6"): https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Tactical Shad, Tactical Gizzard Shad, Tactical Chartreuse Shad


•Megabass Magdraft (6" and 8"): https://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad


•Zman Swag LT: https://bit.ly/3Kpz6l3

Colors: Threadfin Shad, Sight Flash


•Big Bite B5: https://bit.ly/3LLU4pm

Colors: Blue Gizzard, Sunny Shad


•Megabass Magdraft Freestyle: https://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad


SWIMBAIT HOOKS...

•ZMan Diezel Eye Jighead: https://bit.ly/4db6LI2

Size: 6/0 Hook


•Owner Beast: https://bit.ly/2ancP66

Size: 8/0


TREBLE HOOKS AND HARDWARE...

•Owner ST–36 Trebles: https://bit.ly/2cWpeyw


•Owner ST–56 Trebles: https://bit.ly/2cVg7xW


•Gamakatsu 2X Big Bait Trebles: https://bit.ly/42ot615


•Owner HyperWire Split Ring: https://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

Sizes: 4-6


•Owner UltraWire Split Ring: https://bit.ly/3bQgswL

Sizes: 3-5


•Single Strand Wire: https://bit.ly/2IwNAiE

Size: 174 lb


•SuspenStrips: https://bit.ly/2YDQNUf


•Zman Rattle Snaker: https://bit.ly/48q8mLp


•Gamakatsu Trigger Nail Weight: https://bit.ly/48EMWtI


STORAGE...

•Plano Flex Box: https://bit.ly/3kngvEG

•Savage Gear Bag: https://bit.ly/4mCGC9x

•Spro Surppa: https://bit.ly/3N3JEo4


SWIMBAIT LINE/LEADER...

•Sufix 832 Braid: https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

•Sunline Saltimate: https://bit.ly/47MCfkR

•Seaguar Gold Label: https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi


SWIMBAIT RODS...

•Megabass Valkyrie 8' XH: https://bit.ly/3J1gchq

•Shimano Conquest MD: https://bit.ly/3ZBEK5p


•Shimano Outlier: https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Models: 7'9" MH, 7'11" H

•Shimano Curado 300: https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4


•Fenwick Elite 7'8" MH: https://bit.ly/3MyC6tb

•Abu Garcia Beast 300: https://bit.ly/3VJM3Zp


•St. Croix Victory 8' H: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

•Shimano Tranx 300 HG: https://bit.ly/40QzQ7b


•Savage Squad 8' H: https://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

•Abu Garcia Beast 300: https://bit.ly/3VJM3Zp


•Dobyns Fury 8' H: https://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

•Daiwa Tatula 200: https://bit.ly/4ig0woA


•Shimano SLX 7'8" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3QbMjvs

•Cardiff 300 A: https://bit.ly/2cvhtMO


WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

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

If you plan to do any shopping, using these affiliate links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!

Big Bait Fishing Southern California With Adam Hinkle! – Tactical Family

Come along or an awesome day on the water with Adam Hinkle! Adam has a long history of big bait fishing, and today he's catching big bass with glide baits, wake baits, and topwater. Before its over, he pulls out some of his hand made baits and catches the biggest fish of the day!

We're continuing to expand 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.

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.


ADAM'S WAKEBAIT...

•Discontinued Rago Top Trout: Unavailable today


TACTICAL'S FAVORITE WAKEBAITS...

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

Colors: Copper Carp, Tactical Shad, Chrome Gill


•Bucca Bull Shad Wake: https://bit.ly/2yceVRt

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Dirty Bone


ADAM'S POPPER...

•Megabass Pop Max: https://bit.ly/2qqfmm1

Color: Pagani Raigyo


ADAM'S GLIDE BAIT...

•86 Baits Fail Safe: Source Directly When Available


TACTICAL'S FAVORITE SHAD GLIDES...

•Baitsanity Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/44XiYvW

Color: Ghost Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad


•Bucca Brand Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: ThreadfinTastic, Matte Shad


•Spro Chad Shad: https://bit.ly/3AqivoQ

Color: Threadfin Shad


TACTICAL'S FAVORITE BUZZBAITS...

Full Size– Megabass Jamaica Boa: https://bit.ly/3iofbiZ

Loud– Damiki MTB Noisy Buzz: https://bit.ly/2P8PWnd

Subtle– D&M Easy Roller: https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj


THE FLUKE...

•Zoom Salty Super Fluke: https://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Colors: Albino, Smokin Shad


•Gamakatsu Superline Hook: https://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Size: 3/0


SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns 7'9" Champion XP 795: https://bit.ly/2aivwYX

Reel– Curado 300K (HG): https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line– Maxima Ultragreen (25 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae97J9


POPPER COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'2" Med Mod Glass: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

Line– Sufix Advance Mono (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


BUZZBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante 7'5"  EMTF: https://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Reel– Shimano Curado 200 DC (XG): https://bit.ly/3QMMb6o

Line– Seaguar InvizX (17 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


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

Post Spawn Fishing With A 9 lber On A Bluegill Swimbait!

Matt catches a post spawn 9 lber! Come along for an incredible day of fishing! The fish are in the shallows and they're eating everything Matt throws their way. From big swimbaits to bait finesse and topwater, this is one of those special days! Listen closely as Matt explains his theory behind bass behavior this time of year.

These bass are ambushing bluegill and Matt takes advantage of it with a bluegill swimbait and a topwater. He also discovers fish suspending in laydowns and prowling the shallows, and builds awesome patterns flipping cover and fishing a Karashi around the edges. He explains his thought process every step of the way, and shows how you can use this time of year to build confidence in new techniques.

Below you'll find links to all the baits and gear Matt used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors and sizes for each, along with the rod and reel combos he was fishing. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


SWIMBAITS...

•Savage Gear Line Thru Bluegill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Color: Bluegill – Moderate Sink


•Raid Osakana Slide: https://bit.ly/417QgrV

Color: Hustler


BFS CRAW...

Bait– Xzone Stealth Finesse Craw: https://bit.ly/4ckYPmX

Color: Green Pumpkin/Black Blue

Hook– ZMan Finesse Bulletz: https://bit.ly/4cHyEsv

Size: 1/10th oz


KARASHI...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: HT Ito Wakasagi KS


TEXAS RIGGED CREATURE...

Bait– Xzone 4.25" Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Color: Tilapia

Weight– Xzone 3/8 oz Tungsten: https://bit.ly/3c28mks

Hook– Gamakatsu 4/0 Superline EWG: https://bit.ly/3AmFDnK


SENKO...

Bait– Yamamoto 5" Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Color: Green Pumpkin Blue Flake

Hook– Gamakatsu 2/0 Superline EWG Hook: https://bit.ly/3AmFDnK


TOPWATER...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Color: Megabass Sexy Shad


BLUEGILL SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Outlier 7'9" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Reel– Shimano Tranx 300 B (HG): https://bit.ly/40QzQ7b

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sunline Tunageat (30 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR


KARASHI COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Icon 7' Light: https://bit.ly/3mLIIes

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

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (7 lb): https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0


TEXAS RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 7'2" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Model: DRX 723 C

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon MG–X: https://bit.ly/4dv7WT0

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


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