Humminbird Mega Live 2 ( On The Water Real World Test and Sonar Settings )

Let's head out on the water for a first look at Humminbird's NEW Mega Live 2 Forward Facing Sonar transducer! We've just installed this unit and are checking it out before we even finish dialing it in! Our first priority is to see its bait tracking abilities, how it does with target separation, and to get a look at all the new color palettes we've been hearing about! Take a look and let us know what you think in the comments!

Our first impression is, it's a HUGE improvement over the original Mega Live! This new Mega Live 2 is superior in every way, with incredible clarity and drastically improved bait tracking! It's hard to choose a favorite color palette but if we had to choose two to get started, it would be Alabama Amber and Doppler. Also, pay close attention to Tim's sonar settings if you're looking for a starting place as you dial in your new Live 2.

We'll let you make your own judgement based on the footage, but from what we can see, Humminbird has a WINNER with this new Live 2! Whether you use FFS technology to locate structures and speed up your search for fish, or you're isolating single fish and targeting them with a Strolling bait, this new transducer has the ability to help you fish more effectively.

Below you'll find links to all the gear Tim used in today's video. From the Live 2 Transducer, to the Target Lock, to the electronics he uses to get these images. We've also included some great budget friendly units as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

MEGA LIVE 2...

•Humminbird Mega Live 2 Transducer: https://bit.ly/40FHMJR

TARGET LOCK TURRET...

•Humminbird Mega Live TargetLock Adapter Kit: https://bit.ly/3DWobfm

TIM'S HUMMINBIRD UNITS...

•Humminbird Apex 16 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/3QBaOli

•Humminbird Apex 13 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/3pdaK1q

THE LATEST BUDGET FRIENDLY UNITS...

•Humminbird Xplore 12 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/4jjdcwJ

•Humminbird Xplore 10 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/4hmChFf

•Humminbird Xplore  9 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/4hl9tgy

TIM’S TROLLING MOTOR...

*MinnKota Ultrex Quest 115 lbs: https://bit.ly/41RErpY

Shaft Length: 52"

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

GIANT 9 lb BASS + Cold Water Fishing Tips!

Winter fishing is a hunt for big fish! Some days are tougher than others but you always know the right fish is just a cast away. Today was one of those days, as Tim struggled all day, but was rewarded by a MONSTER 9.24 lb largemouth! Come along for a fun day on the water!

We talk a lot about the fun patterns that Winter fishing can bring. We catch them cranking, on jerkbaits, on metal baits, and jigs. But some days, it just gets tough. For whatever reason, those tough days seem to be the days when the really big bass bite! Tim spent a full day on the water and only got one bite from a largemouth, but it was a giant bite!

Below you'll find links to the baits and gear he used throughout the day. Of course, there is a full breakdown of the A–Rig that caught the giant, but also the baits that caught drum, because those are key baits that he was using in the search for big bass. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

STROLLING...

•Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Yn4NR6

Color: Electric Shad

•Dirty Jigs Guppy head: https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 1/8 oz, 1/0 Hook

SPOONS AND BLADES...

•Nichols DUH Spoon (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/4cSEVki

Color: Black Shad

•Damiki Vault Blade (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Color: Holo Silver

TACTICAL RIG...

•Hog Farmer Tactical Mini Flex Rig (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

•Dirty Jigs Tactical Screwed Up Head: https://bit.ly/3U5RsIx

Size: 1/4 oz

•Main Baits: Keitech 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Shad

•Dummies: Damiki 3" Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Color: American Shad

LURE RETRIEVERS...

Retreiver– Toothy Fishman Retriever: https://bit.ly/3Lcntfd

Knocker– StrikeZone: https://bit.ly/2csyRVT

TIM'S LAYERED COLD WEATHER CLOTHES...

Beanie– Summit Beanie: https://bit.ly/3vLCEGR

Jacket– Aftco Insulated Hydronaut: https://bit.ly/426eOnu

Bibs– Aftco Insulated Hydronaut: https://bit.ly/3FS21bC

Puffy Jacket– Crosswind Puff Hooded: https://bit.ly/4jausEt

Mid Layer Top– https://bit.ly/3Wgk2Jo

Mid Layer Bottom– https://bit.ly/3tXLIbr

Gloves– Aftco Breakwater Waterproof: https://bit.ly/3C73i0q

Boots– Aftco Deck Boot: https://bit.ly/3OhVo7z

TACTICAL MINI FLEX RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 7'7" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Shimano Tranx 200 A (HG): https://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line– Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3pF7HBK

STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'10" ML XFast: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q

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

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (8 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

BLADE BAIT COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

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

Bass Fishing When Its COLD! Key Baits And Locations To Catch Fish!

Come along for a very cold day on the water! Matt uses a combination of power and finesse techniques to catch bass all day long! He hits the water with a plan, puts key baits to work, and catches a pile of really nice bass. Listen as he talks through fish location, bait selection, and how he adapts to changing conditions throughout the day.

Matt starts the day speed cranking for bass that have moved up to feed, then immediately switches to a football jig and a strolling bait for midday fish. He targets likely locations by studying mapping, and uses the best bait for each location, based on depth. This method of fishing is very simple, and extremely effective!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt used through the day. He's included his baits, trailers, colors, etc. He's also included all of the high end combos he used to help detect subtle bites in the cold. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

THE CRANKBAIT...

•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: https://bit.ly/37dclbX

Color: Green Pumpkin Craw

THE JIGS...

•Dirty Jigs Finesse Football Jig (5/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Color: Alabama Craw

•Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub: https://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

•Beast Coast Fishing OW Football (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/4gFj0yq

Color: MB Pumpkin

•Reins 3" Double Tail Grub: https://bit.ly/3ZWP3o6

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

•Yamamoto 2.5" Hula Grub: https://bit.ly/497jz1m

Color: Green Pumpkin Purple Copper Flake

•Great Lakes Finesse Stealth Football: https://bit.ly/4eQjXTb

Size: 3/8 oz, 2/0 Hook

THE MINNOW...

•Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Yn4NR6

Color: Electric Shad

•VMC Redline Tungsten Ball Head: https://bit.ly/3ZIjeyd

Size: 1/4 oz

CRANKBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

HEAVY FINESSE FOOTBALL COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 844C MBR: https://bit.ly/2SuZG15

Model: 7' Heavy

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

HULA GRUB COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Poison Ultima 6'10" Medium Fast: https://bit.ly/3OfNBGe

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line– Seaguar PEX8 Braid (24 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

MICRO JIG COMBO...

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer "X Bites": https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: 7'2" Heavy Extra Fast

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Super FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Poison Adrena 6'10" Med+ Extra Fast: https://bit.ly/4c0fQmq

Reel– Shimano Stella FJ 2500: https://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

Line– Sunline Almight Braid (16 lb): https://bit.ly/4flJrsg

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (8 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

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

2 Strolling Tricks You Need To Know For Winter Bass!

The Jig And Minnow continues to sweep through bass fishing, but you'd better be ready to adapt to cold water! This technique continues to gain popularity by the day, and for good reason! Fish react to a straight tail bait being strolled past them, very similarly to the way they used to react to a paddle tail swimbait. The bite is wide open so you'd better capitalize while you can, because if not, everyone else will!

This technique is known by many names, but regardless of what you call it, it's working. It's not new, but it's erupted on the bass fishing scene over the last 3 years. Pairing a pin tailed or fork tailed minnow to a jighead and shaking it around bass is incredibly effective in the cold Winter months! If you want to stay consistent all Winter, you'll want to focus on smaller baits in natural colors, as well as much lighter heads than we use in Summer. We're also adapting our rod selection to these lighter offerings so that we can work them more effectively.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Tim discussed in the video. We've included his favorite colors for each, along with some of the key rods (at different price points) that will fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

WINTER STROLLING BAITS...

•Hog Farmer 4" Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Colors: Electric Shad, Ghost Minnow, Blue Gizzard

•Hog Farmer 3" Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Colors: Electric Shad, Blue Gizzard, Ghost Minnow

•Crush City Mooch Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Yn4NR6

Colors: Shad, Gizzard Shad, Electric Shad

•Damiki 3" Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Colors: American Shad, Pro Blue

•Yamamoto 3" Scope Shad: https://bit.ly/3MVUjBH

Colors: Electric Shad, Sexy Shad, Pro Blue

•Great Lakes Finesse Hover Minnow: https://bit.ly/3YkWsgL

Colors: Crush Shad, Iridescent

WINTER STROLLING HEADS...

•Owner Range Roller: https://bit.ly/42cqaUR

Sizes: 3/64 – 1/0, 1/32 – 1/0, 1/16 – 1/0

•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 1/8 oz

•Damiki Rig Jighead: https://bit.ly/2tg1ajm

Size: 1/8 oz

•Great Lakes Finesse Sneaky Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/46piwbK

Size: 1/8 oz

MAIN WINTER STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'10" MSB: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Model: 6'10" Medium Extra Fast

Reel– Shimano Sustain FJ 2500: https://bit.ly/3BQLlNP

Line– Sufix 832 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

MID PRICED STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Halo KSII Elite 6'10" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/32Rp9nh

Reel– Shimano Ultegra 2500 HG: https://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line– Sufix 832 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

BUDGET STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Eagle 7' Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3Lo1gKC

Reel– Shimano Miravel 2500: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5

Line– Power Pro Braid (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader– Sufix Advance (10 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