How To Catch Open Water Bass! (When Others Are Giving Up)

Yes, those really are bass busting in open water! And yes, you can catch them! So many anglers pass on these fish because they don't understand what the bass are doing out there, and they have no idea how to target them. Here's what you need to know...

Catching open water bass is an art form. Once you've got it figured out, you've conquered the last frontier of bass fishing and the sky is the limit! Some of the largest, most unpressured fish in our lakes roam the open water, especially in Fall. These giants are rarely caught but its not because it can't be done, its because anglers are afraid to try. 


Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment we use for this fishing style. Again, the biggest tip is to use light line and smooth braid so you can cover more water effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


FINESSE SWIMBAITS... 

Bait- Storm 3" Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB

Colors: Albino Shad

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 3/16 oz, 3/0 Hook


Bait-Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Head- Picasso Single Barrel: https://bit.ly/3py2s0v

Size: 1/4 oz, 2/0 Hook


SWIMBAIT... 

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

Colors: White Back Shad, MB Gizzard Shad


-Savage Gear 8" Trout RTF: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Dirty Silver, Trout, Kokanee


WAKEBAIT... 

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

Colors: Rainbow Trout, Hitch, Tactical Shad


TOPWATER FRONT RUNNER... 

Main- River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Colors: Abalone Shad, Sooner


Front- PH Customs Phront Runner: https://bit.ly/3wJIdkH

Colors: Foil Black, Sexy Shad


TOPWATER... 

-Shower Blows 105 & 77: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Full Metal, Neon Wakasagi, Flash Silver Shad


-Lucky Craft Gunfish 117: https://bit.ly/3vy7Pln

Colors: Aurora Black, BP Golden Shiner


-Whopper Plopper 110: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Munky Butt, Phantom Shad


INLINE SPINNER... 

-Rooster Tail (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/3BkIfoc

Colors: White, Chrome White


SPY BAIT... 

-SPRO Spin John 80: https://bit.ly/3ycTg9o

Colors: Matte Shad, Herring Pink


TAIL SPIN... 

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

Colors: Dera Shad, Silver


SPOON... 

-Blade Runner DUH (3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

Colors: UV Sierra, UV Morning Dawn


SMOOTH BRAIDED LINES... 

-Power Pro Super Slick: https://bit.ly/3vSwa6Z

Sizes: 15, 20, 30


-Sufix 131 G-Core: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Sizes: 6,10, 20, 30


-Sunline X Plasma Asegai: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Sizes: 12, 16, 18


TIM'S TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod- Megabass P5 Z-Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Daiwa Steez 70 CT SV TW: https://bit.ly/3esUZjg

Line- Sufix 131 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


TIM'S SMALL TOPWATER COMBO... 

Rod- Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse 700: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Reel- Shimano Curado BFS (XG): https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (6 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


TIM'S FINESSE SWIMBAIT SPINNING COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3AFcaFF

Reel- Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sufix 131 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader- Sunline Super FC (8 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro Braid (15 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b


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

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Backwater Exploring On The South Delta! Tidal Fishery Tricks!

Come along as we explore the forgotten South Delta! Trailering overland with a stranger, navigating through hyacinth-choked canals, and catching fish is all part of a day deep in the extreme Southern reaches of the California Delta. There's a reason most anglers don't venture this far South, but today we're with Matt Leverich and he knows how to navigate the maze. 

We ventured out on the water planning to "junk fish" our way through the South Delta. As the sun got overhead we found a strong frog bite but in true Delta fashion, it wouldn't last long. Soon the tide was out and the winds came in and we were forced to adapt. The day ended with one of the most incredible flurries of juvenile striper and largemouth I've ever seen on this fishery. We included a small fraction of the catches as dozens upon dozens of fish bit cast after cast for over an hour!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment we used throughout the day. We've included our exact combos, bait sizes, colors, etc... to help you be more successful on your next trip. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of the items. 


FROGS...

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Color: Little Allen


-LiveTarget 65T Frog: http://bit.ly/2Q40BAk

Color: Emerald Brown


TOPWATER... 

-Evergreen SB 125: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Color: Morizo Pink


WEEDLESS SWIMBAIT... 

Bait- Gambler Big EZ: https://bit.ly/3axLYRV

Color: Gold Rush

Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer 5/0: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7


EXPOSED SWIMBAIT... 

Bait- Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Crystal Shad

Hook- Matt Allen Swimbait Head 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN


UNDERSPIN... 

Bait- Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Ghost Rainbow

Hook- Hog Farmer War Pig 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2pcQnRP


LEVERICH'S FROG COMBO...

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" XH: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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


MATT'S HEAVY DUTY TRAVEL COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass Dragoon: https://bit.ly/2Glg3au

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 Fluoro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB


MATT'S ALL AROUND TRAVEL COMBO...

Rod- Megabass Stym Palides: https://bit.ly/2Glg3au

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 MGL: https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

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

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


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

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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

________________________________________________________________

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

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