Under Spins, Tail Spins, And Other Cold Water Fishing Tricks!

Still struggling to catch fish this Winter?? Don't worry! We haven't run out of tricks yet! In cold, off colored water nothing can compete with the vibration of a small blade. That could be a blade bait, an underspin, or a tail spin. Whatever you choose, the drawing power of that small blade will pull fish much farther than a stand alone bait. 

The power of vibration in cold water is remarkable. Fish will move farther for a small blade than they will for a bare swimbait. However, you don't want to take that to the extreme. If you switch to larger baits and bigger blades, you often lose the fish catching effectiveness. As we head through the brutal part of Winter, focus your attention on those small 2 to 3 inch baits with this technique. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits and the equipment we use to fish them. Also, we've included our favorite sizes and colors where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

TAIL SPINS... 

-Jackall Deracoup: http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Favorite Colors- Dera Shad, Clear Shad, Silver

-Blade Runner Line Thru: http://bit.ly/2UZaQXP

Favorite Colors- Pearl White, Blue Shad, Iris Shad

BLADE BAITS... 

-Damiki Vault 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Holo Ayu, Flash Gill, Cyber Purple, Real Shad

-Megabass Dyna Response 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Gill OB, Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad

BLADE BAIT HOOK UPGRADES...

Hook- VMC Bladed Treble (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2oqWODi

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

FINESSE SWIMBAIT... 

Bladed Head- Cool Baits Down Under (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Swimbait- Keitech 2.8 Fat Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Finesse Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Swimbait- Keitech 3" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

BLADE BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'2" Med Heavy Mod: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

Leader- Sufix Advance Green 14 lb: https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

TAIL SPIN COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis GCX 845 CBR: https://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line- Sunline Super FC 12 LB: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BFS RODS... 

-Shimano Curado Casting: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Models: 6'10" Medium Light, 7'2" Medium Light

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

Models: 7'0", 7'4"

BFS REEL...

-Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

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

Catch More Bass This Fall Transition! Junk Fishing Tips!!

We're going "junk fishing" on Lake Chickamauga, come along! Throughout the year we spend a ton of time teaching anglers how to build patterns but during the transition, you need to get every bite possible. Today we mix it up by fishing deep ledges with a tail spinner, fan casting with swimbaits, and breaking down grass flats with flukes and topwater. Come along for a day of junk fishing and exploring on the Tennessee River. 

The term "junk fishing" is a reference to fishing without a specific pattern. You may be throwing a jig one moment, a spinnerbait the next, and be slinging topwater toward schooling fish, all on the same spot. Its about adapting to changing conditions instead of running a pattern. We spend all year dialing in patterns but during transition times, learning to junk fish is a must. 

Today Matt starts out with a handful of baits he thinks will work but in a matter of minutes he's already sitting down, tying on different baits, and adapting to what he's seeing on the water. He's reading conditions, following baitfish, and exploring. The next time you go fishing you can do the same on your local lake. Below is a breakdown of the baits Matt used to find success today along with the gear he used to throw them. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Tail Spinner... 

Bait- Damiki Axe Blade: http://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu EWG Red (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2dmxXK8

Today's Bait Color: Black holo

Other Great Colors: Holo Real Shad, Holo Silver

Swimbait... 

Bait- Scottsboro Tackle 6" Paddle Tail: http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH

Hook- Owner Beast 8/0 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Today's Bait Color: Natural Light

Other Great Colors: Mullin's Madness, Ol Smokey

Soft Jerkbait... 

Bait- Zoom Super Fluke: http://bit.ly/2aqys0H

Hook- Gamakatsu Superline EWG 4/0: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

Today's Bait Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Other Great Colors: Smokin Shad, Sexy Shad, Electric Shad

Topwater... 

Bait- Evergreen Shower Blow 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Today's Bait Color: Skeleton Chartreuse

Other Great Colors: Blueback Herring, American Shad

Topwater Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Fluke Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Curado 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Reel- Shimano Curado DC 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Big Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 965: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 Shock Leader 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Topwater/Tail Spin Combo...

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

Line- Power Pro Braid 40 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Tail Spins Tricks for Fall and Winter Bass

One of the most overlooked baits in bass fishing, the tail spin (tail spinner) produces amazing fish catches during the Fall and Winter season. While simple in appearance, the bait is incredibly versatile when used with different retrieves. Bass can't resist a well placed tail spinner fished around baitfish! In Today's video Matt explains how to fish the lures, which retrieves work best for different situations, and even shows his confidence baits.

Most anglers consider tail spins to be a deep water lure for schooling bass. While they are incredibly effective in deep water, a tail spin is also at home in the shallows. These baits can be fished in as shallow as a few feet of water around visible cover with a fast, steady retrieve. If the bass are down deep, switching to a slow roll or a pumping retrieve will yield the best results.

Tail spins come in many shapes and sizes. Single treble hook, double hook, even line through offerings are available. Once you learn how to adapt the baits to your fishing conditions the tail spin will become a staple in your cold water bass fishing arsenal. Below is a breakdown of Matt's confidence baits as well as the equipment he uses to consistently land his tail spin fish.

The baits...

-Jackall Deracoup 1/2 - 1oz: http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

(Clear Shad, Dera Shad, Silver)

-Damiki Axe Blade 3/4 - 1oz: http://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

(Black Holo, Bream, Holo Real Shad)

-Blade Runner Line Through Tail Spin: http://bit.ly/2UZaQXP

(Iris Shad, Chartreuse White, Pearl White)

-Duo Realis Spin: http://bit.ly/2QKeL9X

(Black Smokey Shad, Gill ND, Tanago 2)

-Revenge Tail Spinner 1/2 - 3/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2tmR2lv

(Blue Shad, Silverside, Shad)

Matt's Braid Combo...

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

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 20 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Matt's Fluoro Combo...

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" M: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Aldebaran MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

Upgrades and Storage...

Treble- Gamakatsu EWG Size 4 and 6: http://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire Size 2: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Box- Plano Waterproof 3740: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB

We caught them deep! Swimbait and Spoon Tips For Fall Bass

Big bass love deep water, don’t be afraid to catch them! In late Fall bass congregate offshore, forming schools that are much larger than anything found in the shallows. Most anglers ignore these fish because they’re not used to fishing deeper structure with electronics, or don’t have confidence targeting suspended fish. Come along with Matt and CC to find out just how easy it is to catch quality bass in deep, open water. 

At the start of the day Matt and CC planned to locate feeding fish around offshore schools of baitfish. Upon arriving at the lake they were greeted by heavy winds and cold air temperatures. While this required some adaptation, they stuck to their plan and successfully located schooling bass. This style of fishing is a commitment and often requires time spent on your electronics searching for fish. Matt used his Humminbird Solix units to scan flats and located an old house foundation in the process. While it didn’t produce today, a few waypoints were dropped around the foundation’s perimeter for future trips. This goes to show once again that time spent on your electronics is never wasted time. 

After a few stops the bass were located around baitfish in 35-40 feet of water. Matt and CC made short work of them using a jigging spoon, finesse swimbait, and a tail spin. This 3-part approach allowed them to cover water by fan casting but also provided an option for dropping down in an instant on fish that appeared below the boat. The key to schooling fish is speed. Once the bass are fired up you must get the bait to them as quickly as possible or the school will calm down and the feeding frenzy will end. The combination of spooning for a quick reaction and casting to relocate the school as it moved around the area was a deadly combination. 

Below is a breakdown of the gear and equipment that was used in today’s video. 

The baits… 

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

(Blue Shad, Tennessee Shad)

-ZXone Lures 4” Swammer Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

(309, Bream, Tennessee Shad)

-Keitech 4.3” Fat Swing Impact Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

(Electric Shad, Ghost Rainbow)

-Damiki Axe Blade 1 oz Underspin: http://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

(Holo Real Shad, Black Holo)

-Blade Runner 1 3/4 oz Spoon: http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

(Morning Dawn UV, UV Fried Chicken)

Matt’s Spoon Combo… 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7’2” MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Daiwa Tatula CT 7:1 Reel: http://bit.ly/2zT6tDZ

Line- 20 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

CC’s Swimbait Combo… 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6’10” MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 20 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Spooning Combo… 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7’ MH: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX HG Casting: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- 20 lb Seaguar Red Label: http://bit.ly/2LOVEwA