4 Finesse Baits That Always Catch Bass (Beginner To Advanced)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Struggling to catch bass during the Fall Transition? You're not alone! While some anglers have located aggressive schools and are catching fish on topwater and reaction baits many others continue to struggle. When the bite is tough, these 4 rigs are what Tim relies on to consistently put fish in the boat.
We all dream about aggressive schools and big bass but all too often we're met with wind, rain, and tough fishing conditions. We always start with reaction baits in search of aggressive fish but if its not happening, its time to slow down and finesse. The rigs we rely on are a dropshot (both texas rigged and nose hooked), a shaky head, and a senko. Each rig has a purpose and when you learn how to switch between them, the combination can be deadly.
Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment discussed in the video. The links go directly to TackleWarehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've included our favorite colors for each bait as well as our favorite combos to fish them effectively.
Weedless Dropshot…
Bait- Roboworm 6” Straight Tail Worm (MMIII): bit.ly/2asZyH3
Hook- Owner Cover Shot 2/0: bit.ly/2ISr7bR
Weight- Swagger Tungsten Cylinder 1/4 oz: bit.ly/2UY7cgx
Nose Hook Dropshot…
Bait #1- Keitech Easy Shiner 3” or 4” (Electric Shad): bit.ly/2bxJK6H
Bait #2- Damiki Armor Shad 3” (American Shad): bit.ly/2KtPDAT
Hook- Owner Mosquito 1/0: bit.ly/2fqYFCR
Weight- Swagger Tungsten Cylinder 1/4 oz: bit.ly/2UY7cgx
Senko…
Bait- Gamakatsu 5” Senko (Natural Shad or 956): bit.ly/2axAmNS
Colors- Natural Shad, Watermelon Copper Org Red Lam (956)
Hook- Owner Worm Hook 5/0: bit.ly/2D9Pmj0
Shaky Head…
Bait- Netbait T-Mac 6.5”: bit.ly/2jndwj9
Colors- JuneBug, Alabama Craw
Hook- Dirty Jigs Canterbury Shaky Head 1/4 oz: bit.ly/2aFOs0V
Nose Hook Dropshot Combo…
Rod- Shimano Zodias 7’ Light: bit.ly/3ab5b9V
Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: bit.ly/2gu84t7
Line- Power Pro 15 lb Braid: bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Sunline Sniper 8 lb Fluorocarbon: bit.ly/2p7fxju
Weedless Dropshot Combo…
Rod- Shimano Expride 7’ Light+: bit.ly/2osaj3q
Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: bit.ly/2iMtscV
Line- Sunline SX1 12 lb Braid: bit.ly/2tn8EzQ
Leader- Sunline Sniper 10 lb Fluorocarbon: bit.ly/2p7fxju
Shaky Head Rod…
Rod- Expride 6’10” Medium: bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL HG: bit.ly/2uQ4oH8
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: bit.ly/2p7fxju
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TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: bit.ly/2TvFMBD
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What we wear...
Sun Mask: bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: bit.ly/38cVi9G
Light Fishing Pants: bit.ly/2foDx10
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Equipment We Recommend...
Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: bit.ly/2CMF1NP
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#Fall #bassfishing #beginner
Man i tell ya i recently jus bought those natural shad senkos about 3 weeks ago because i like to firsh senkos weightless 90 percent of the time. Also, i bought the green and orange copper red flake senko a year ago. Gotta say i been watching you guys so much obviously im starting to thjnk like you guys when buyimg tackle where inused to walkin and jus feel completely clueless. Jus wnat to give a big thanks to you guys...bass fishin is my passion....thanks again for helping a young fella out
Tim, I had about a half hour to fish this afternoon. I haven’t used my spinning rod in a while, so I rigged up a drop shot with a soft swim bait in a bluegill color. On the first cast, the second the weight hit bottom, I had a fish on. It was a itty bitty guy, but I was amazed at how fast it happened. Thanks for this video today! It was perfect timing!
We are really having success with the 3 inch morning dawn drop shot here in North West Tennessee. When nothing else seems to work. Go to the drop shot. Thank you guys for the great lessons.
Amen to that margarita mutulator! Fish a drop shot non stop here in Florida on the St. John’s river!
That orange green pumpkin senko is one of my FAVORITE senko colors. It's awesome. Crushed fish fishing it weightless texas rigged. That said seeing your comments to fish shaky head to get aggressive fish, I am going to fish that orange green senko on a shaky head to mimic crayfish. Great tip.
Your kids school would luv to have you involved with their schools fishing team. What a lucky fishing teacher you would be! Same with Matt!
I just have to say thanks for the reaction vid I caught a 4 pound smallmouth in a highly pressured public dock fishing spot that. It's the only place I can fish and you guys really helped
Watermelon Copper Org Red Laminate!!! This has been my favorite color senko for many years and with very good success! This has been the first time I have ever seen anyone else praise it let alone use it.
Excellent. Thank you for an excellent presentation. Just what I need for my next tournament in scorching Az heat.
This scenario is EXACTLY what happened, yesterday. I was reactuon fishing, and my buddy was weightless Senko fishing. I caught bigger fish, but he SPANKED me in numbers, 4 to 1! I GOTTA learn to see the signs, and slow down, when I should.
3 inch Keitech easy shiners are the best finesse swimbaits in my opinion. I always have them with me. Tight lines from BFG
On a drop shot?
JaxOutdoorsman heck ya bud! That’s a west coast staple. I throw the smallest easy shiner on a ned head too, good little change up
i like the newer 3.5 for easy shiner and 2.8 or 3.3 for the fat impact. even the bigger sizes are good on the drop shot too. its just that good of a rig
@@kaseysmith9156 Yeah don't sleep on that ned head, had great luck with those ned missle baits this season.
Sound reception is good! The noise dampening feature was Apparently working!!.. great clip!
Tim thank you for your dedication to teaching us about bass fishing. I liked your outro!
Like the way you keep it current. Been doing mostly finesse lately, Have more than reaction baits. Good stuff!
keitech! favorite
lure in japan!
Thanks Tim just got home from Clear Lake and had to get finesse' to get bit but your tips are always great additions to my ideas. Don't you miss CA weather already? Don't show the wife the lightening at timecode 15:12. When the hairs on your arms rise time to take cover!
I've been using similar techniques for years. Always catch fish with them!
good info as always. enjoy that deep south fall....cuz when summer hits...POW right in the kisser.
As always Great info. I catch myself fishing fineness too slow, thanks for the suggestion on speeding up ...I will definitely try it out this weekend on Chick. Thanks again Tim
Really like the idea of a swimbait on the drop shot. I don't have a boat but I feel good about dragging it slow along the bottom
we do appreciate you braving the elements to make videos for us, THANKS !
Honestly my favorite and most effective finesse tech for whatever reason is that basic ol wacky rig. Don't get me wrong the drop shot works great too, but when the bite is tough the wacky seems to always get em for me.
Welcome to the south bro! The weather is the same way in Georgia lol!
Not at all 😂
Amazing, my rods are rigged exactly for those 3 ways right now. Thanks for letting me know I might be doing it right. Thanks always for the videos
Love the Netbait T Mac! Bought it off yalls recommendation and it’s the real deal on a Shakey head
God is good
I love the Shaky Head but I like the wobble head better. Just a Shaky Head on a hinge! The action seems to get me more bites and bigger bites.
The 956 you use as a wacky presentation? No shad in my local lake. Will they work on river smallies in the potomac? Maybe cut down? Tight lines Matt! Congrats on your move and the new home!
Nice. Thanks for another informative video. Looking forward to visiting east Tennessee.
Hard to have lots of hobbies this time of year. Do I hit the water and get bit? Or, head for the woods on ND’s archery opener? I guess if we’re living in a land where that’s one of the hardest choices, we got it made. I appreciate all the groundwork you guys put in to give us weekend warriors a leg up.
THANKYOU TacticalBassin!!!!
Way to weather the storm boss! The ending was fantastic
Thanks for the knowledge Tim. Great video as always
Hey yall! Thanks for all the amazing content. Quick question. Is the Dobyns Fury 7Ft MedLT too much for nose hooking? I feel like I'm having a hard time with it being a little faster than my previous cheapo rod and fish coming unpinned.
I’m guilty of always resorting to that drop shot 😂 I catch fish a lot of times when other guys aren’t. It helps the drop shot isn’t used as much in the South as some of the other finesse tactics. You’d be surprised at how appendages that make some movement can draw bites compared to a straight finesse worm sometimes. Most of the time it depends on relative water clarity for me.
Damn. Got the notification while I was already watching the video
Enjoyed the video. Lots of great information. P.S. Remember the fish you worked -from the bank-when you and Matt were on the delta a few months ago. Shes still on the same bank-living under the pump-you know the place.
For me trick shotz is the best dropshot bait for this time of year.
I love the T-mac for Neko
They say if you don’t like TN weather don’t worry because it will change in a few mins! I have lived in TN my whole life!
That bama craw color shake head has caught me the most fish this year.
I’m glad to see y’all moved to East TN! Can you all please go into some detail about breaking down highland reservoir lakes for the fall transition. Like South Holston lake in Bristol, TN or Watagua lake in Butler, TN. HELP PLEASE!
I started using the Picasso Aaron Martens Rhino shaky head this year. What a great shaky head.
I just caught one of my biggest small mouths on the easy shiner. Also why is that robo color work the best
Which one do you like the most for bank fishers? Thanks Tim
Great video buddy
I am sure you have mentioned it before but what is your favorite knot for your top shot? And do you use a different knot for mono to broad than fluorocarbon to braid? Love the videos you both are great teachers!
Thank you for the tips I am going to have to try them. Thanks again.
How do you go about fishing a northern pond with no shad, only bluegill, in the fall? Lots of dead tall, really thick grass and dead lily pads
Good info! Very informative.
For clearlake (cali) in April what colors for line and bait would be good? I got a bunch of low vis green line and a assortment of white,green,pb&j and purple plastics . Does the line color really matter? 🤔 never been to clearlake so don't really know the color of water .. appreciate thee advice!
Love your videos and depth you go into.
How do you decide whether to switch presentations, or move locations?
They aren't biting
Yep
Gut feeling.
If fish are there then change presentation, if no fish(gotta have radar) then change spots
@@rickyrodriguez9831 good info now all I need is a radar and a boat. I fish the same place every time because of it and I know bass are there so I use both presentations, and most of the time it's the reaction bite.
I have three neighborhood ponds, only 1 has grass and trees. It is generally stocked by some people who live here, mainly catfish.. I have tried texas rigged lixard, craw, 6in senko, chatterbait, and a top frog. Should I try some of these techniques, or cut my loses and drive to another body of water?
Nice vid Tim! Down here on Lanier, same type weather. Just hang in there. It gets better and stable I promise. 👍
Which ramp is best on Lanier for Kayak fishing creeks off the main lake? Thanks 🐟👊🏼
BottomLineBassin Long hollow is half way in creek in chestatee bay (big bay just north of browns bridge. charleston is have way in 6 mile creek with is on the south end of the lake. south end gets more pressure because the biggest spots live there. chestatee also has very big spots. long hollow is smaller ramp that usually isn’t crowded. charleston is a big ramp with a lot of folks. good luck man
@@averymills6921 Man I appreciate that Intel, it's hard to find a good spot where you're not getting blown around by pleasure boats. Thanks again brother!🐟👊🏼
How do you fish a drop shot on a bait caster. Was told it doesn’t or won’t fall fast enough on a bait caster??
Matt allen and tim little I have a question for you guys. The lake I'm fishing,the bass are demolishing spinner baits. My question is I have trouble figuring out what kind of trailer to use. Would you guys be able to give me some advice on how to pick the right trailer. Please and thank you. You guys have helped me out alot with your videos
Imagine the first time you fished a drop shot , that was me yesterday. From 3 to 5 fish to 30 something day ... now how to get my hands on an expride finesse combo. Thanks tactical.
Hey TB family. Could you kindly tell me what ia the best all round finesse combo I can buy? High end and bang for buck.
Welcome to east coast lol weather changes alot.id love to see yall come to buggs island or smith mountain lake. Are crawl colored cranks good along with shad color cranks this time of year?
Good job...you beat the rain. Are you and Matt going to guide?
Definitely right! Either you're smashing them or can't find the bite this time of year. 👊🏼💥
A lot like the 956, I like the sweet potato pie from I think yum
I know you were big in NorCal lakes. Did you guys ever fish lakes in Central Coast? Like Naci or Margarita?
As always, I appreciate the tips!
Awesome job Tim in spite of the weather 😂
Great vid, very useful. Do y’all ever use JDM reels?
Great vid! Korea is big on finesse bass fishing so im sure this will help! Haha
I'm fairly new to the finesse fishing..... i see how you rig the drop shot but how do you fish it?
Hi Matt is it possible to make a video of how to fish rip rap. I’m in California and I fish rip rap from the bank but I can only catch a couple of fish. Do you have any tips?
Welcome to the middle section of the country! Everything is green there cause it rains all the time! I wasn’t sure you were going to get thru this one!🤣😂
Surprised of no mention on the Ned rig. It’s become my go-to.
Good stuff Tim, THANKS!
So are you saying you start to do these technics (in this vid) when it starts to transition into Fall? Like you talked about in the last video. Or do you do this all Summer? You may have said somewhere in the video and I just missed it. Like I said in Wed. video I'm glad you guy's are over here now. Thanks for another great teaching video. To bad they do not give Oscars for TH-cam video's. You and Matt would have a house full of little gold statues.
With the drop shot swimbait, is the fluke not as good as the plastic you mentioned? Because I noticed that one has a forked tail like a fluke. I don't mean will it work, I mean is it not as good?
How long till they move back to CA where the fish are big and the weather is nice?
After your last video I went out with some reaction baits and the fish just weren’t interested. Threw out the big TRD and started to catch them. Sometimes they just want the finesse
Welcome to the south I live in Burlington n.c. what is the best tactic for this cool down we r going to expect come this labor day weekend?
Could the Ned rig be used just as the shaky head? Fishing both, all I’ve really noticed is the shaky head is weedless. Am I missing something? Thanks again for a great video Tim 🤙🏼
Hey Tim. Is top water bite essentially done at clearlake this time of year? Heading up this weekend. Thanks for all the great info.
How would you recommend working the drop shot with the sinker below the hook thats a setup I havent seen i just started bass fishing back in May would you only do it offshore or would that set up work shallow also
As always, thanks for the great info!
Hey Tim, I'm brand new at artificial bait fishing, your videos are informative. I get lost though when you start throwing out all the different names of rigs and bait names, I know I will eventually catch on, but these terms are second nature to you and I get confused sorry.
You know what they say about Tennessee weather, "if you don't like it, stick around till tomorrow and it'll be different!"😁
I caught a bunch of spots wednesday with a weedless ned with the ned ocho in redbug and i
Caught a few decent largemouths flipping a bandito bug ive enjoyed summer fishing this year havent got skunked yet been catching a ton of spots
Unlike California, it actually rains in Tenn. LOL
Great video Tim thank you
Good advice as always! Growing up in northern MN, bass was never my first species to go for so after moving to GA, I had to relearn how to fish, so to speak. Your guys' videos help me so much! Are you guys doing any guiding on Chickamauga? If so, where can I look for rates/availabilities? Thanks and keep up the awesome work!!!
You guys do yourself a favor and check out Rader baits. Last chance tackle is the only place I can find them but they’re awesome. Hand poured perfect for the bulk injection prices!! Oxblood red flake!
How long does it take yall to upload videos from the day you film until it's on TH-cam?
Great video dang rain lol
What pound line do you use for weightless senko set up?
Any help for people who live and fish Florida waters
A lot of grass on one hand and shallow waters (2.5ft) on the other
Surprised that you guys didn’t mention Jackall Flickshake, killer finesse worm
Tim
where do you put the ned rig in you list of finesse baits?
What line do you suggest for casting gear with a senko? I’ve used p line floroclear on casting gear for years. Got a Slx dc combo id like to use for weightless senkos and such. Currently have 15lb Abrazx. Love your guys informative videos!
Hey Tim! Is there anything different you would suggest for finesse techniques in a pond as opposed to a lake? I saw the video about ponds, but they seem finicky about those types of baits and rigs. The bass in the ponds I fish seem pressured or they are very lethargic lately.
What drop shot baits do you guys recommend for Canadian fisheries that don't have shad?
Is a medium heavy to heavy rod for finesse fishing?W hat action do you recommend?
Is fall transition the time to bench Neko and Ned? Thanks!
That last reel has me so confused.... is it an FK/FL with the Ci4+ spool?? Lol
Hah...weather: you're not in Cali anymore. Lol. Love seeing relatively samilair scenery (ie- Midwest/south looking trees, not mountains etc lol)