TacticalBassin Put To The Test In The Midwest!

Brutal Rain, Cold, and Wind settled in over Michigan but the guys from TacticalBassin still found active fish. Come along for a Wet and Windy trip! You might just see them catch a few on Topwater when its 40 degrees outside!

The plan was to spend some time on the Crystal Clear waters of Northern Michigan catching Smallmouth and shooting video with a handful of great anglers. The reality was a storm that reached from Northern Canada all the way to Florida and seemed to be centered perfectly over Michigan. Day after day the rains continued to pour until we couldn't stand it anymore and had to get out on the water!

You'd have expected a slow bite but that wasn't the case. While it was difficult to film it wasn't difficult to get bit. From swimbaits to Topwater, those Smallmouth and Largemouth bass were feeding up before Winter arrived!

The Gear...

Reaction Innovations Vixen (Bone, Chartreuse Shiner): http://bit.ly/2rp11nr
Upgraded Vixen Hooks (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw
Upgraded Vixen Split Rings (Size 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Jackall TN70 Lipless Crankbait (RT Scale Minnow, Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Matt Allen Swimbait Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Keitech 3.8 and 4.8 (Electric Shad, Chartreuse Blue): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Keitech Combo...
Rod- G-Loomis GLX 843C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB
Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Lipless Combo...
Rod- St. Croix Big Cranker (7'8" Moderate): http://bit.ly/2bPOSpx
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran (AMAZING finesse cranking reel): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Line- 12 lb AbrazX Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2aaBBDX

Vixen Combo...
Rod- Daiwa Zillion 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2yOGpdh
Reel- Daiwa Tatula CT: http://bit.ly/2zT6tDZ
Line- Sunline FX2 50 lb: http://bit.ly/2lkp8FE

Budget Friendly Combo that could do all 3...
Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado K 7:1 Ratio: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh
Line- 30 lb MaxCuatro Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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Need Apparel?

Here's what we wear...
Tacticalbassin Gear (Hats, Hoodies, Sunshirts): Email Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com for details. 

Sun Mask: http://bit.ly/2vgSsh4
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: http://bit.ly/2vgTOst
Light Fishing Pants: http://bit.ly/2foDx10
Horizon Sweater (Water resistant, great for layering): http://bit.ly/2gTC1oB
Anhydrous Rain Jacket: http://bit.ly/2uIWf5V
Anhydrous Rain Bib: http://bit.ly/2xxLDbW

Shimano Curado Rod Review | Worth the Money???

Have you seen the new Shimano Curado Rods? We all know about the new Curado K Reel but now there is a rod to match! We got the opportunity to fish them this Summer and really give them a test run. Here are our thoughts...

If you visit Shimano's site they'll teach you about UD Carbon, NanoResins, and quality of cork. That's not the style of review we are interested in. Instead, we're going to give you a quick rundown of the rods, how they fished, and whether or not we'd purchase them again in the future. 

New Shimano Curado Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft
New Shimano Curado Crankbait Rods: http://bit.ly/2zCjAtd
New Shimano Curado Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2ydQjbi

Stand Out Models...
7'2" Heavy- Frogs, Light Flipping
7'5" Heavy - Frogs, Flipping, pitching
7'6" Med/Hvy Moderate- Jigs, Texas Rigs, Light Flip
7'6" Heavy - Heavy Flipping, Frogging, Pitching
7'8" Medium Heavy Crankbait: Crankbaits with size 2 or larger trebles
7'2" Medium Crankbait: Size 6 or larger trebles
7'1" Medium Spinning: All-around Spinning Rod

Shimano Curado K Reel: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

High End Rods with Comparable models- Expride Series: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Price Point Rods with Comparable models- Exage Series: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc

Other rod options with "moderate actions"...
Dobyns Champion 765 Flip: http://bit.ly/2afyhHp
St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6" Med/Hvy Mod: http://bit.ly/2z2qdHc
St. Croix Legend Tournament 7'2" or 7'6" Moderate: http://bit.ly/2bPOSpx

Line Recommendations for various applications...
Frog and Flip- 65 lb Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
All-around fishing Braid- 50 lb Power Pro MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
All-around fishing fluoro- 15 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
Crankbait Braid- 20 lb Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Crankbait fluoro- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
Leader Material- Maxima Ultragreen (8-30 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Lure on the rod- Strike King 8.0: http://bit.ly/2dzeCUk
Rod Racks on the wall: http://bit.ly/2cNSBkA

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Want TacticalBassin Gear? Email tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com for all the details on hats, sunshirts and hoodies. 

Which Topwater Baits Should You Throw? Ft. Eric Cooper

When it comes to topwater walking baits Eric Cooper has got it dialed! He's got different baits, different tricks, and a unique approach to fishing them. Come along as we dig into his topwater box and see some new baits. 

There is something magical about that explosive topwater strike on a still morning that keeps bringing us back for more! Day after day, season after season, the topwater addiction is a sickness all its own. We all know the power of topwater baits but most of us rely on a small handful of baits to find success. 

Eric's approach and varied arsenal has proven incredibly successful. If you've wondered about branching out and trying new baits, this is the video for you. See them in person where you can compare sizes, hear sounds, and listen to how each should be fished in this in-depth comparison. 

The Baits in Coop's Box (In no particular order)...

Lucky Craft Sammy: http://bit.ly/2hyADWA
Evergreen Shower Blows: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH
Megabass Giant Dog-X: http://bit.ly/2yU84eE
Megabass Dog-X Diamante: http://bit.ly/2yQdpnE
Gan Craft S-Caper: http://bit.ly/2hcEKGI
River2Sea Rover: http://bit.ly/2acSVea
Lucky Craft Gunfish: http://bit.ly/2llg5UL
Reaction Innovations Vixen: http://bit.ly/2rp11nr
Yellow Magic Havana: http://bit.ly/2zHlFTK
River2Sea Whopper Plopper: http://bit.ly/2a7ipHL
Jackall Bowstick: http://bit.ly/2yWq1JT
Jackall Pompadour: http://bit.ly/2yNkCFf
Storm Arashi Top Walker: http://bit.ly/2iCXAua
Ima Big Stick: http://bit.ly/2gAf0TO
Lobina Rico Suave: http://bit.ly/2hdihcz

Owner Hook Keepers: http://bit.ly/2lj89Ui
Plano Deep Storage Box: http://bit.ly/2he2j1P

Upgraded Hooks and Split Rings...
Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 3 or 4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Owner ST-36 Treble Hooks: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw
Gamakatsu 1X Treble Hooks: http://bit.ly/2fJzTgu
Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0

Coop's Preferred Topwater Combo...
Rod-  Megabass Javelin 7'5" Destroyer: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY
Reel- Zillion SVTW1016SH: http://bit.ly/2i823Rz
Line- Sunline FX2 50 lb: http://bit.ly/2lkp8FE

Cooper's Budget Topwater Combo...
Rod- Daiwa Zillion 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2yOGpdh
Reel- Daiwa Tatula CT: http://bit.ly/2zT6tDZ
Line- Sunline FX2 50 lb: http://bit.ly/2lkp8FE

Catching GIANT STRIPER on the CA Delta!

We went out searching for the truly GIANT BITE and we found it! One after another the monsters just kept coming! This was one of the best bites we've ever experienced and we could hardly wait to share it with you. Come along on an EPIC striper bite! 

The Baits...

S-Waver 200 Glide Bait: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
S-Waver 168 Glide Bait: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Colors: Bone, Bluegill, Powder
Replacement Hook/Split Ring Sizes: 200 replace with size 1/0 or 2/0, 168 replace with size 2. Split Rings are size 5 for the 200 and size 4 for the 168. 

Keitech 6.8 Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Owner 12/0 BEAST Hook: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Smash Tech Head Hunter Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2pc3ROF
Owner St-36 2/0 Treble Hook: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Bubble Walker Topwater: http://bit.ly/2e0PZOY
Pencil Popper Topwater: http://bit.ly/2x4kMnG
River2Sea Rover (190 size has been discontinued): http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Dip N Dye Chartreuse: http://bit.ly/2lJQAI4

Upgraded Hardware...

Owner Hypewire SILVER Split Rings: http://bit.ly/2aTH3f1
Gamakatsu 4X Treble Hooks: http://bit.ly/2fTy4vu
Owner 3x Treble Hooks: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW
Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0

Treble Hook Swimbait Setup...
Rod- Dobyns 806H: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Alternate Rod- G Loomis 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS
Reel- Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw
Line- 80 lb Power Pro Moss Green: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- 30 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Giant Topwater Setup...
Rod- Dobyns 867 Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Reel- Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw
Line- Power Pro MaxCuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Small Topwater Setup...
Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Med/Hvy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line- 65 lb Sufix 832 Braid: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
________________________________________________________________

Want TacticalBassin Gear? Email tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com for all the details on hats, sunshirts and hoodies.