Bass Fishing Vacation! Big Baits vs Finesse Baits On New Lakes

We're on vacation and the fishing is on fire! We're chasing big smallmouth and they're eating swimbaits! From tiny little finesse baits to larger swimbaits, the bite is rocking! Come along for a relaxed evening on the water as we lean back on the Smallies and enjoy some fun fishing!

This may just be a fun afternoon session for Matt but pay close attention to the details he drops while fishing. He's talking about targeting bigger fish on any natural lake in the country, then opens up about how to choose the best bait for the situation, even if you don't know anything about the lake you're on. There is key information sprinkled throughout this fishing session. And let's not overlook that in the North, fishing clear water, Matt opted to throw the bigger swimbaits and it worked!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits the guys were using. We've included the exact sizes and colors for each, along with the key rods and reels they used to successfully catch these fish, even on the lightest lines. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

LINE THRU SWIMBAIT...

-Big Bite Baits B5 Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3LLU4pm

Colors: Blue Gizzard, Pearly Shad

DARK SLEEPER...

-Megabass Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

FINESSE SWIMBAIT...

Bait- Megabass Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Color: Real, Ayu

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

JERKBAIT...

-Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Color: Mat Skeleton Shad

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano (Size 5): http://bit.ly/2dWWAut

HAIR JIG...

-Outkast Tackle Feider Fly (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

LINE THRU SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod- Gamakatsu JDM Luxxe Avenge 7' MH: https://bit.ly/3hzK2ee

Reel- 13 Fishing Concept C2: https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

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

DARK SLEEPER COMBO...

Rod- Megabass Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50 MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

JERKBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50 MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line- Sunline Super FC 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

HAIR JIG COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 901S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

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

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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

Crystal Clear Water - Bass Fishing Paradise!

These fish had never even seen a lure! Come along as we fish some of the most beautiful, crystal clear water we've ever seen! We're on an untouched section of Lake Michigan in search of Smallmouth bass! Before we set out, realize that exploring areas like this comes with huge risks! If something goes wrong, there is no one coming to help. Its important that you have tools, food, and shelter, if you want to explore the far reaches of the Great Lakes!

Fishing crystal clear water is incredibly exciting! You can see the fish coming, and you can see them running from you. Light line, small hooks, and natural baits are a must! An adventure of this caliber takes a ton of planning and its not uncommon to fail entirely. But on this day, we landed on the fish and they were biting! It really seemed like some of these bass had never seen a lure!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits we threw throughout the day, including the exact sizes and colors. When you pair light tackle against big fish, quality drags and light line are key so you'll notice we are using very high-end equipment on this trip. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

COOP'S KEITECH... 

Bait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Blue and Chartreuse

Head- Megabass Okashira Screw Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

MATT'S HAIR JIG... 

-Outkast Tackle Feider Fly (3/32 oz): http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black

DARK SLEEPER SWIMBAITS... 

-Megabass 3" Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz, 3/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze

MATT'S HAIR JIG COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Baby Plugging: https://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2000: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

MATT'S DARK SLEEPER COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

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

COOP'S KEITECH COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 842S SJR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Stella 2500: https://bit.ly/38LaK2u

Line- Sunline Super FC 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju 

AFFORDABLE FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 3000: https://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju 

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

Smallmouth Fishing Tips For Spring Bass Fishing!

Its Smallmouth Time! If you live in the North, its go time for big smallmouth! We love chasing big bronze backs and get pretty fanatical about our tackle. Come along for a deep dive into our favorite baits for consistently catching jumbo smallies throughout Spring. 

Smallmouth can be found all over the country but the Great Lakes region is the Mecca of big smallmouth. This entire region is about to fire up so today we're shedding some light on our key baits for fishing in the North. From swimbaits, to topwater, to finesse, these are the baits we rely on to catch the big ones. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, colors, and weights for each application. We've also included some of our favorite high-end smallmouth gear and a great budget combo as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

SWIMBAITS...

Bait- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Chartreuse Electric Blue

Head- Tactical Finesse Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-Megabass Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Haze

Bait- Megabass 3" Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Colors: Albino, Real, Purple Haze

Head- Megabass Okashira Screw head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

CRANKBAITS... 

-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow, Green Pumpkin Craw

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: See Thru Chart, Elegy Bone, Sexy Ayu

-Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

Colors: Goby, Phantom Brown, Phantom Green

TOPWATER... 

-Lucky Craft Gunfish 95: https://bit.ly/3MUktST

Colors: Chrome, Bone Shad

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

Colors: Bone, Full Metal, Skeleton Chartreuse

-Reaction Innovations Vixen: http://bit.ly/2rp11nr

Colors: Bone, Lime Ice

-Whopper Plopper 90: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Loon, Monkey Butt, Bone

DROPSHOT RIGGING... 

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tungsten "Tie On" Dropshot: http://bit.ly/2YAoMuv

DROPSHOT BAITS... 

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Green Pump orange black blu flk, Chick Magnet

-STH Finesse Crush: https://bit.ly/3s5BcIn

Colors: Smokin Joe, Magic Chart, Bang

-Berkley Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/3lAAorL

Colors: Black, Natural Shad, Smoke Black Purple

TUBES... 

-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube: http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Colors: Green Pump Purp Cop Flk, Green Pump Orange

-STH Finesse Tube 2.5: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors: Juvenile Goby, Ten Point, Dark melon Purple

TUBE HEADS... 

-Bite Me Tackle Big Dude Goby (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2CV3o7S

-Blade Runner Inhaler Head (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

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

HAIR JIGS... 

-Oukast Tackle Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Colors: Black

NED WORMS... 

-Roboworm 3" Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Colors: TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Desert Craw

-XZone Ned Zone: http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Colors: 309, Big Limit 

-Zman Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Goby Bryant

JIG... 

-Keitech Finesse Football (3.8 oz): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Color: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Black

Trailer- Zman TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Color: Green Pumpkin

DARK SLEEPER COMBO... 

Rod- Megabass P5 "Dark Sleeper": https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

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

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

DROPSHOT COMBO...

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

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

Line- Power Pro Super Slick V2 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3vSwa6Z

Leader- Sunline Super FC (6 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

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

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

BUDGET FINESSE COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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

BEST FISHING EVER! Bites On EVERY Cast!

They're biting EVERY cast! Come along for some of the most insane bass fishing ever!! This is the day we all dream about and today, the camera is running full time while the BIG bass are biting! Come along for the full day on an epic bite and see exactly what we're using, where we're fishing, and how we adapt to keep catching the fish! 

We love catching smallmouth because of their amazing power. Battling big smallmouth on light line is an incredible experience. Doing it in crystal clear water is even better! We knew this day was going to be special when Matt's first smallmouth of the day was over 5 1/2 lbs, but we couldn't have imagined the chaos would go on for hours!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt was using throughout the day. Below that you'll find cut points so you can jump between the high points of the video. All the gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Dark Sleeper... 

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 3": http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Color: Wakasagi

Preferred Weights: 1/2 - 3/4 oz

Tube Bait... 

Bait- Netbait STH 2.5" Tube: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Color: Juvenile Goby

Head- Blade Runner Inhaler (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

Jerkbait... 

Bait- Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Color: Mat Skeleton Shad

Hook Upgrade- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano Treble (Size 5): http://bit.ly/2dWWAut

Larger Keitech... 

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

Color: Smallmouth Magic

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Finesse Keitech... 

Bait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: TW Ghost Shad

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/0 Hook (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Hair Jig... 

Bait- Outkast Tackle Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Color: Black

Tube Fishing Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid (12 lb): http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Super FC (6 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Dark Sleeper Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 "Dark Sleeper": https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

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

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

Jerkbait Combo... 

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

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

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Finesse Keitech Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 821S NNR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Power Pro Braid (10 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Leader- Sunline Super FC (6 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Cut Points... 

5:25 - Matt catches a GIANT on the Dark Sleeper!

11:30 - Boat Runs Over Matt's line!!

27:45 - Matt catches a GIANT on the tube!

40:45 - First fish on the jerkbait

47:30 - Another boater gets WAYYYY too close!!

57:15 - Matt goes off about boat traffic!

01:04:50 - Matt catches BIG one on Dark Sleeper

01:06:40 - Dark Sleeper: The exact details

01:33:00 - Insanely hard hookset and Tube Fishing tips!

01:38:40 - First fish on the Keitech

01:48:25 - Trick for fishing clear water

01:56:40 - Matt's trick with finesse swimbaits

02:03:00 - Arriving at 2nd Spot

02:11:35 - First fish on new spot

02:22:15 - Watching a big one chase and eat the bait!

02:26:20 - Birds eye view of fish swimming in CRYSTAL CLEAR water!

02:30:40 - Matt uses a bait switch to sight cast this BIG ONE!!

03:27:45 - Arrive at 4th spot

03:44:44 - Arrive at 5th spot, catch one first cast!

04:07:28 - Matt catches a big one on the jerkbait!

04:13:18 - BIG fish catches the Dark Sleeper on the fall!!

04:28:55 - Matt shows each bait and the exact rods and reels he used

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