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

How to Spoon for Bass

Is there a more fun or cost effective way to catch a ton of fish in the Fall or Winter? Probably not! Spooning is often over looked in favor of finesse tactics but don't be fooled, its a technique you need to get comfortable using.

When the bass are schooling on baitfish, even when they're just scattered on deep water points and ledges, a spoon is hard to beat. When the fish are suspended around bait, it can't be beaten. A spoon perfectly imitates a dying or injured baitfish, fluttering toward the bottom. Bass are hardwired to react to this quick fluttering action, often resulting in jarring strikes! So why should you be using a spoon during the colder months?

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First, its cost effective. Unlike soft plastics which tear up easily, spoons hold up over time. Assuming you don't snag and lose them, you can use the same spoon trip after trip. Second, they're deadly. When the fish are lethargic and don't want to feed you can often draw the "reaction" strike with a few quick hops off the bottom.

Over the years I've used a lot of different brands and models of spoons. For deep water vertical jigging the best spoons I've found are Blade Runner Duh Spoons. They're offered in a variety of colors but my personal favorites are Morning Dawn, Black Shad, and Electric Chicken. The most consistent sizes are the 1 1/4 and 1 3/4 ounce but experiment with the fish on your lakes to see what works best for them.

One other point to consider is that spoons can even work around busting fish. The temptation is to pick up a spook or whopper plopper in pursuit of the fish you can see but often times the largest bass in the school will be holding back, below all the others, waiting for the smaller fish to stun the bait and provide them an easy meal. The next time you see active fish on the surface consider dropping the spoon below and you might just be surprised by the biggest bite of the day.

Showing the Float and Fly in Action

As promised, here is the follow up to the float and fly post. This first video shows exactly how I fish the rig. You can see as I shake the fly then let it sit, shake then sit, shake then BITE! The overall presentation is a little tricky. Casting the rig can be difficult at first but you’ll soon get used to it. Using the long rod can really make a difference. Can you get a way with an 8 foot rod in tournament conditions? Yes. But if you’re just fun fishing a 9 1/2 foot rod will work much better.

In the second video you get a great comparison between the fly and a dropshot. Notice which one is putting more fish in the boat! The dropshot did actually land two fish off camera but its clear that they were targeting the fly.

To recap from the previous post, the equipment used is a Redington 9′ 6″ ultralight steelhead rod. I coupled it with a Shimano Symetre reel and 3 lb flourocarbon line. The bait is a 1/16th ounce hair jig with a Thill bobber set between 15′ and 18′.
These fish were easy to see as they would just pull the bobber under water. Some days all they do is sit there with the bait in their mouth. This is harder to detect but with the properly weighted bobber you can see these bites as well.
It doesn’t matter if you live in California, Tennessee, or Texas, the Float and Fly can work for you. I look forward to your thoughts!