I like the way you broke it down Tim. I really love these winter time vids. They're the only reason the boy and I still catch fish these days. Our thanks to the both of you. You guys have really upped our bass game.
Makes two of us. Have a baby due in a couple months and just bought a house... She says I'm obsessed and spend too much. She's right abt the first, but the second is just wrong. I'm spending a lot on the tackle, buttttt I'm stocking up to take my son fishing with his Dad!....?...
Was it megabass brand? And what color have u had the most luck with? Im gonna buy some underspins. I already use kietech and suicide shad stuff but not a whole lot of luck
Excellent Tim. I really like this new format adding demonstration of techniques, it's what most people with my limited skill experience are looking for. I still look forward to more 1st person views from the chest rig for these types of videos too. and more vids with your family too. that last one with your son was great...
Hey Matt and Tim, just wanted to thank you for all that you guys do, I've been a follower since the beginning, and I have learned SO much from you guys, which has amplified my love for bass fishing ten fold. I live and sacramento and have met you guys a few times at the ISE shows and I couldnt be more stoked about the tacticalbassin channel and everything it represents. 👍 keep doing what you do !
Love the way you mentioned how to count down your lure where it matters. I think that’s key for every video you do of how you fish because that helps us understand what to do as a fan learning off of yourself TB guys
Great info! These little finesse swimbaits are almost all I use. Even if the conditions AREN'T tough, I catch more fish on these than I do the bigger baits like crankbaits etc. I always felt like the big baits, imo, are overrated and the little baits, like a Johnson paddletail for example, are underrated. Not only do I catch a lot more numbers of fish on them but they can be good quality fish too.
Another great vid Tim. I think it goes without saying, but the bottom dragging technique on these is ideal for hard rocky/sand bottoms. In lakes and ponds were you have any timber/stops, you will lose a lot of baits. 🙂 One thing I found with the dark sleeper to make it a little more Weedless, is a tiny drop of superglue at front of that top dorsal fan in front of the hook. That helps a little bit. Tight lines!
The original finesse swimbait is the Mister Twister grub. Been catch smallmouth on those for 30 years. Don’t sleep on fishing a grub. Especially in cold water, where a paddle tail is too aggressive. 👍🏻
Another great video! And I definitely enjoy my fishhead underspins, flashy owners, etc. If you’re on a budget the northland thumper jigs are a great alternative. And it offers a real subtle presentation with the smaller blade. Have had great luck with 1/8 - 1/4 oz thumper jigs paired with smaller keitechs and rage swimmers.
Excellent - bait recommendations followed by demo. Thank you! I'll be be googling your recommendations for best all around swimbait/finesse/drop shot rod and reel combos as my next significant purchase will be a spinning rod and reel.
Love your Finesse videos. I primarily fish in crystal clear waters of Northern MI. My go to is the 3.3 Sungill Keitech(perch imitation) and the Pro blue red pearl 3" easy shiner when the SMB are suspended. Love the Dark Sleeper when they move up on the rock points targeting the Gobies.
You still have open water up there? I'm near Ann Arbor and have been struggling to catch anything with this 35 degree water temps and crazy wind and overcast skies.
I think a 6 inch dark sleeper might also work, a lot of luck fishing with bigger live sculpins or guppies. Thanks for the content and advice I’ll definitely pick one up for fishing smallies in the river.
Hey Tim, I loved this video. I do have a question though. Please break down the transition of conditions you look for that signal when you should move away from your wintertime finesse swimbait sizes (2.8" Keitech FAT Impact Swing or 3" Easy Shiner) to larger swimbait sizes (3.8" Keitech FAT Impact Swing or 4" Easy Shiner) as bass enter the prespawn period. Specifically, as fish move from winter into prespawn what water temperature and/or water depth prompts you to switch from the smaller winter finesse swimbait sizes to larger sized swimbaits for the prespawn feeding frenzy? What other factors prompt you to switch from the finesse swimbait sizes? Or, do the finesse swimbait sizes work throughout the prespawn period as well? I fish in the Chicago area in clear small PRESSURED inland waters and the SUPER CLEAR Lake Michigan shoreline. Accordingly, I usually use smaller than average lures.
Can you guys please do a video on what pound braid to leader line you use for different techniques? Specifically crankbaits and flipping in clear water!
You guys ever use a gulp minnow. I often employ a 3 or 4 in gulp minnow on a light jig and drag bottom, hop, or swim. No tail wag, slight darting action. Great all year round but especially in cold water and works on multiple species.
I use those a fair amount here for the winter months. Even worked like a small fluke. The scent and super soft material of the bait sometime make all the difference.
Something you said really caught my attention, you said these finesse swimbaits catch a ton of spots and small mouth. I've been throwing finesse swimbaits religiously over the last 4 months and like 95% of the fish I catch are spots. Is there a reason why we catch more spots than large mouth on these?
Thank you for your informative videos - learned so much from your channel - i am wondering if you will ever do some in-depth guides for pike fishing and would also love a review of the intenza rods series - just recommendations. Thanks for the awesome information you provide for us!
Hey Tim! I’m getting ready for winter fishing. What is the brand name of your cover alls or wadders or what clothing do you recommend for winter fishing?
Thanks again for a great video. Midwest question. Same finesse swim bait techniques for our early spring? Water temp similar to your Cali winter. Thanks.
Definitely. They aren’t talked about as much lately...but a 3-4 inch grub rigged on a jighead (1/8 to a 1/4 depending on depth) is killer in the winter for me.
One of my go-tos is the Strike King swimjig. Caught my PB on one just the other day. It's similar to what you mentioned but skirted. I notice you didn't mention anything with a skirt so would I be better off putting that away until warmer temps? Thanks!
JD Wells yeah typically you don’t want a skirt because the bass are trying to get an easy meal and not exert a lot of energy so if you’re bait looks even a little intimidating and hard to prey on then you lower your chances of getting bites. It’s best to use a smaller finesse jig if you’re going to jig fish
In regards to the dark sleeper. When I first got my hands on those they worked phenomenally. I couldn’t put them down. Now I struggle to get bit on one. I should point out that when I slayed with the dark sleeper the lake I fish was way down. Since the lake has filled up it’s been difficult. Got any ideas of why this is happening?
Tim do you have color recmmendations on the these lures? I fish mostly lake that have more blue gill than shad, but either way, what would you recommend
These small swimbaits will still work you just need to get some in more bluegill type patterns like sungill , green pumpkins fire, or any other type that has chartreuse and blues
What unseenoutdoors said. I've had good success with a keitech in sight flash dipped in chartreuse spike it. Caught 6 LMB and a nice Pike on that rig in 3 hrs last Spring!
What is your most common gear ratio on your spinning reels Tim ? I have Stradics 6.0.1 but I know some reels offer 5.4.1 You certainly are the one to teach finesse and I appreciate all of your videos and guidance and have for years. I’ve got 2020 Vision to get my first NRX this year 🙏🎣😉 I have a few IMX PROS.
Great video, however, it seems that you usually say the winter techniques work bestowed in clear water. My closest NorCal lake is very murky pretty much year around. Visibility is a foot or less. Can these methods be effective in very dirty water? This lake has Spots & Largemouth and some very nice ones. They are stacked up suspending on bluffs and deep channel breaks at 24 to 28ft in 30ft of water and we have yet to get a single hit from them this winter. Only the occasional shallow feeder.
So here in upstate NY we have had some warmer days for us at least lol. Needless to say we are not froze over . Water temps are in the 30s though . Will these same techniques still apply to water temps that low ? I know they work well in our late fall temps but as you know are cold is a bit different . I do understand that relative temp is different to every region though .
You have discussed ElaZtech "not playing nice" with other materials. How do ElaZtech trailers (crawz, TRDs, etc.) interact with rubber/silicone jigs? I would like to ask you before I experiment and potentially ruin a finesse jig. Thank you.
Buell Richmond here’s one of them. I just googled it. Too damn many videos in their library to go through 😂 this was 4 years ago th-cam.com/video/qcpcFiFw8lE/w-d-xo.html
Buell Richmond dude you’re right, I can’t find the video where they disclose the bait. I did find this one which is way more in-depth than the first link I sent you but in this video he comes out and says that he’s withholding the techniques they’re using until a later date. Now I have to dig more and see if there’s a later video discussing the bait. Great it’s already 1am lol
(Still) deeply appreciative of your videos. I feel that one of the phrases you and Matt use a lot, “to help you put more fish in the *boat*”, is very informative, particularly in winter: it shows how effortlessly you’re able to reach the spots where you finesse fish your small baits. It’s harder to do this from shore because of how deep/far out the fish generally are right now (even at a dam), and how light these baits. So, I find myself bomb-casting a 3/8 or even 1/2oz dropshot in winter - not because I need it for sensitivity, but to even reach the spots that hold fish. (Same with this video: I’d love to fish a little 1/8oz finesse swimbait head, but it doesn’t cast out far enough! So the only option I can think of is to upsize to 3/8oz or more.) Any other ideas or advice?
Matthias Worch I’m with you Matt, to reach the fish I’m after I have to go to heavier heads...plus I have zero patience waiting for a 1/8oz bait to get to the bottom in 25-30’ of water 😁
Does it make that big a difference running braid to leader or just straight floro? I've been just running 14lb and 17lb floro for everything except my finesse rod which I use 10lb mono. All are casting reels...
Depends what you are throwing. Braid to leader is great for cranking when you want the instant stop and go (braid has no stretch). It is also amazing for dropshot and Ned rig due to the sensitivity of braid. (Just watch one of the many tacticalbassin vids on this they explain it better lol)
@@BradHouston95 yeah I've seen all there vids. Lol It's just a lot extra work rigging up. Is it actually worth the trouble. I havent broken off and only lost one that I didnt set the hook cause my drag was down. Even got me a 6lb3oz largemouth 2 weeks ago on 14lb floro and a chatterdonkey...
@@TexasAirGunner For the Chatterbait I'd continue running straight floro. Ive changed almost all of my setups over to braid with floro leader, best decision ever. The casting distance and sensitivity are much greater. Look into the Alberto knot, pretty easy leader knot to tie and I've caught some giants on it without breaking it.
@@BradHouston95 also I fish mainly shallow in creeks and onto banks. I have helix 12 di and garmin 7sv but dont know how to use them worth a crap yet. Lol
I was using a MH for my 1/2 dark sleeper an I didn’t feel like I was getting a very good hook set should I jump up to a H with a softer tip I also noticed the hook point had rolled up with no snags is this common?
Wes Warden you are fishing exactly the size he’s discussing in the video. In between would be 6” & 8” worms and regular size bass jigs. So what they’re saying is go small or go extremely large like 8” Huddlestons and other slow dragging giant swimbaits
I have a bit of a loaded question. We were fishing a lake in texas yesterday that ranged from 17-44 ft deep. Bluebird skys, 72 degree air temp, 55-60 water temps, fish ABSOLUTELY everywhere on the graph: schools of crappie and baitfish, striped bass, big cats on bottom. Suspended bass, etc. We threw 20ft deep diving cranks, flutter spoons, swimjigs, chatterbaits, squarebills in the shallow near wood, crappie jigs, trigged worms and none of us caught a single thing or even snagged any species of fish the whole day. In your opinion, are there days when the fish literally wont bite? Were we doing something wrong? Is there a right way to fish bluebird skys? Never ever had this issue before but after finding no solutions or patterns after 10+ hours of fishing, im even more confused
34 degree water temps up here in Michgan with open water, what the heck should I be fishing? Ive tried swimbaits, blade baits, jigs and ned rigs and I couldn't buy a bite if I tried. fishing ledges and holes.
I’m in your exact same position here in northern Illinois. It’s definitely been tough, lol. The crappie bite has been great though! Haha In terms of bass though, the few I have caught these past few weeks have been on jigs, underspins, and super tight wobbling cranks (shad raps in particular).
Were you fishing holes and ledges as well? Unfortunately the lakes I am fishing have a miniscule crappy population so that is a no go. I've been trying the tacticalbassin crankbait but haven't had luck with that yet either. Gunna have to try harder 🤷🏽♂️ the grind continues.
Yup. And definitely hitting the rocks on days where the sun shines. But by no means am I catching numbers lol. It’s definitely a grind here, too. I just want spring to get here already. After 30 years I still despise winter every time it comes around lol
Why don't you guys tell us the depth of water your fishing alot of your baits or the types of bottom you guys are fishing? This can give us a better understanding
So funny to watch that you fish spinning gear with the right hand and switch over when you fish with a baitcaster. Why on earth would anybody wanna do that?
I’m confused...I thought most people did this? Lol When I’m using spinning gear I reel in with my left hand (I write with my right) and when I’m using casting gear I’m reeling in with my right hand.
@@danieltaylor9459 Hi, yes most people in the US do it like that but for what reason? They cast with the right and than switch hands for the retrieve. When there where nearly no baitcasters in left hand retrieve available it made sense but nowadays I clearly wanna have my strong hand on the rod to set the hook etc. I think reeling with the right hand came from Big Game fishing where you need you strong hand for reeling but for freshwater it makes no sense to me if you are not left handed.
I like the way you broke it down Tim. I really love these winter time vids. They're the only reason the boy and I still catch fish these days. Our thanks to the both of you. You guys have really upped our bass game.
My wife said your channel is bankrupting us! Another great video!
Makes two of us. Have a baby due in a couple months and just bought a house... She says I'm obsessed and spend too much. She's right abt the first, but the second is just wrong. I'm spending a lot on the tackle, buttttt I'm stocking up to take my son fishing with his Dad!....?...
@@demolitionwilliams7419 same story but I have a 3 month old daughter now!
I have slayed the past couple months on 3in spark shads and underspins!
Was it megabass brand? And what color have u had the most luck with? Im gonna buy some underspins. I already use kietech and suicide shad stuff but not a whole lot of luck
@@street1013 megabass and off brand keitech, you can check it out on my channel, I have lots of videos using them
Excellent Tim. I really like this new format adding demonstration of techniques, it's what most people with my limited skill experience are looking for. I still look forward to more 1st person views from the chest rig for these types of videos too. and more vids with your family too. that last one with your son was great...
Thanks for the tips guys! Y'all are the true best youtube fisherman
Georgia Bassmasters agreed!
Another great video from the best bass fishermen on the internet. Tactical Rocks. Thank Tim for sharing the tip with us. God Bless.
Hey Matt and Tim, just wanted to thank you for all that you guys do, I've been a follower since the beginning, and I have learned SO much from you guys, which has amplified my love for bass fishing ten fold. I live and sacramento and have met you guys a few times at the ISE shows and I couldnt be more stoked about the tacticalbassin channel and everything it represents. 👍 keep doing what you do !
Thanks Tim. Great I have been waiting for one of these. Dude went to the dam at Rollins and actually caught fish....Again you guys are great......
Love the way you mentioned how to count down your lure where it matters. I think that’s key for every video you do of how you fish because that helps us understand what to do as a fan learning off of yourself TB guys
Great info! These little finesse swimbaits are almost all I use. Even if the conditions AREN'T tough, I catch more fish on these than I do the bigger baits like crankbaits etc. I always felt like the big baits, imo, are overrated and the little baits, like a Johnson paddletail for example, are underrated. Not only do I catch a lot more numbers of fish on them but they can be good quality fish too.
My favorite video from you, Tim!
These baits straight catch them love these baits great info tim as always. Keep it up taticalbassin best channel out there hands down
Y’all are the best Source for info on the internet
Another great vid Tim. I think it goes without saying, but the bottom dragging technique on these is ideal for hard rocky/sand bottoms. In lakes and ponds were you have any timber/stops, you will lose a lot of baits. 🙂 One thing I found with the dark sleeper to make it a little more Weedless, is a tiny drop of superglue at front of that top dorsal fan in front of the hook. That helps a little bit. Tight lines!
The original finesse swimbait is the Mister Twister grub. Been catch smallmouth on those for 30 years. Don’t sleep on fishing a grub. Especially in cold water, where a paddle tail is too aggressive. 👍🏻
Definitely a go-to here in northern IL as well!
Well I’m originally from Northern Illinois so makes sense to me! ✌🏻
Another great video!
And I definitely enjoy my fishhead underspins, flashy owners, etc.
If you’re on a budget the northland thumper jigs are a great alternative. And it offers a real subtle presentation with the smaller blade. Have had great luck with 1/8 - 1/4 oz thumper jigs paired with smaller keitechs and rage swimmers.
Excellent - bait recommendations followed by demo. Thank you! I'll be be googling your recommendations for best all around swimbait/finesse/drop shot rod and reel combos as my next significant purchase will be a spinning rod and reel.
Love your Finesse videos. I primarily fish in crystal clear waters of Northern MI. My go to is the 3.3 Sungill Keitech(perch imitation) and the Pro blue red pearl 3" easy shiner when the SMB are suspended. Love the Dark Sleeper when they move up on the rock points targeting the Gobies.
Boyne city represent!
You still have open water up there? I'm near Ann Arbor and have been struggling to catch anything with this 35 degree water temps and crazy wind and overcast skies.
Awesome tips will use this spring on some small jaw in Michigan
Really enjoy all your videos very informative
Great video as usual Tim. No doubt Winter fishing is a grind! Tight lines 👊🏼
I go really small, I use a 1/64oz. Jig head with a 1in gulp minnow. I got a 5.8 pounder just yesterday
I think a 6 inch dark sleeper might also work, a lot of luck fishing with bigger live sculpins or guppies. Thanks for the content and advice I’ll definitely pick one up for fishing smallies in the river.
Monday starting off good!
This is so true, just loaded a video about the Easy Shiner. Good baits for cold water dock fishing. FLC
Awesome job Tim,the complete break down, thank you ❤👍👊
Just looked for a dark sleeper how to fish video 3 days ago. Tactical bassing always has the best timinig!
Great video Tim 💪😎
Tim: talking about throwing finesse swimbaits on spinning worm gear.
Me: to heck with that! I’ll throw it on my med-heavy baitcaster!
Great video Tim!Thanks for the good information!
Been waiting for this!
You guys are great, thanks!
Hey Tim, I loved this video. I do have a question though.
Please break down the transition of conditions you look for that signal when you should move away from your wintertime finesse swimbait sizes (2.8" Keitech FAT Impact Swing or 3" Easy Shiner) to larger swimbait sizes (3.8" Keitech FAT Impact Swing or 4" Easy Shiner) as bass enter the prespawn period. Specifically, as fish move from winter into prespawn what water temperature and/or water depth prompts you to switch from the smaller winter finesse swimbait sizes to larger sized swimbaits for the prespawn feeding frenzy? What other factors prompt you to switch from the finesse swimbait sizes?
Or, do the finesse swimbait sizes work throughout the prespawn period as well? I fish in the Chicago area in clear small PRESSURED inland waters and the SUPER CLEAR Lake Michigan shoreline. Accordingly, I usually use smaller than average lures.
Great tips, I have tried some of these baits they worked pretty good and my ponds could have half ice on them!
Cool, you should try the Megabass Hazendong swimbaits. 👍🏼👊🏼👊🏼😁
Can you guys please do a video on what pound braid to leader line you use for different techniques? Specifically crankbaits and flipping in clear water!
You guys ever use a gulp minnow. I often employ a 3 or 4 in gulp minnow on a light jig and drag bottom, hop, or swim. No tail wag, slight darting action. Great all year round but especially in cold water and works on multiple species.
I use those a fair amount here for the winter months. Even worked like a small fluke. The scent and super soft material of the bait sometime make all the difference.
Something you said really caught my attention, you said these finesse swimbaits catch a ton of spots and small mouth. I've been throwing finesse swimbaits religiously over the last 4 months and like 95% of the fish I catch are spots. Is there a reason why we catch more spots than large mouth on these?
Spots have smaller mouths so this finesse profile is the perfect size for them to engulf.
Great video Thank you for the information where can i buy these baits
Thank you for your informative videos - learned so much from your channel - i am wondering if you will ever do some in-depth guides for pike fishing and would also love a review of the intenza rods series - just recommendations. Thanks for the awesome information you provide for us!
Great video time for me to go shopping thanks 👍
Great video, thanks for the good info!!
Hey Tim! I’m getting ready for winter fishing. What is the brand name of your cover alls or wadders or what clothing do you recommend for winter fishing?
Any tips on finding a wintering hole for smallies in a small lake
Thanks again for a great video. Midwest question. Same finesse swim bait techniques for our early spring? Water temp similar to your Cali winter. Thanks.
this is my confidence bait and i thought i knew quite a bit about it but its crazy how much there still is to learn
Thanks for this...the struggle is real right now because I'm not committing to this type of fishing.
Best tip here is to fish them uphill to maintain bottom contact while using light heads. Smart.
Do twister 🌪 tails work ? I don’t see or hear about grubs anymore.
Definitely. They aren’t talked about as much lately...but a 3-4 inch grub rigged on a jighead (1/8 to a 1/4 depending on depth) is killer in the winter for me.
One of my go-tos is the Strike King swimjig. Caught my PB on one just the other day. It's similar to what you mentioned but skirted. I notice you didn't mention anything with a skirt so would I be better off putting that away until warmer temps? Thanks!
JD Wells yeah typically you don’t want a skirt because the bass are trying to get an easy meal and not exert a lot of energy so if you’re bait looks even a little intimidating and hard to prey on then you lower your chances of getting bites. It’s best to use a smaller finesse jig if you’re going to jig fish
In regards to the dark sleeper. When I first got my hands on those they worked phenomenally. I couldn’t put them down. Now I struggle to get bit on one. I should point out that when I slayed with the dark sleeper the lake I fish was way down. Since the lake has filled up it’s been difficult. Got any ideas of why this is happening?
Tim do you have color recmmendations on the these lures? I fish mostly lake that have more blue gill than shad, but either way, what would you recommend
These small swimbaits will still work you just need to get some in more bluegill type patterns like sungill , green pumpkins fire, or any other type that has chartreuse and blues
What unseenoutdoors said. I've had good success with a keitech in sight flash dipped in chartreuse spike it. Caught 6 LMB and a nice Pike on that rig in 3 hrs last Spring!
What is your most common gear ratio on your spinning reels Tim ? I have Stradics 6.0.1 but I know some reels offer 5.4.1
You certainly are the one to teach finesse and I appreciate all of your videos and guidance and have for years. I’ve got 2020 Vision to get my first NRX this year 🙏🎣😉 I have a few IMX PROS.
When will you guys sell apparel again? Or is that TB reaper hoodie gonna be on Aftco?!? That would be awesome!
Great video, however, it seems that you usually say the winter techniques work bestowed in clear water. My closest NorCal lake is very murky pretty much year around. Visibility is a foot or less. Can these methods be effective in very dirty water? This lake has Spots & Largemouth and some very nice ones. They are stacked up suspending on bluffs and deep channel breaks at 24 to 28ft in 30ft of water and we have yet to get a single hit from them this winter. Only the occasional shallow feeder.
So here in upstate NY we have had some warmer days for us at least lol. Needless to say we are not froze over . Water temps are in the 30s though . Will these same techniques still apply to water temps that low ? I know they work well in our late fall temps but as you know are cold is a bit different . I do understand that relative temp is different to every region though .
You should try slayer inc lures or gambler little ez. This swimbaits are killer.
Tim, what size armor shad is that? Great info in this one
How does the Easy Shiner compare to the Spark Shad for action?
And also what’s the point in using the chartreuse head on a natural color swimbait?
The damiki armor shad holds up!
Would these baits work for trout too?
Any tips for Bass in Lake Ontario harbours or from shore ?
13:44 what if they see the hooks or the boat or any number of things ?
Hey Tim, I like fishing with those smaller swimbaits on the split shot rig...Do you think it get's better action on the jig? Awesome video btw!!
Tim you are a little one day you will be big like me my friend 👊
Tim,
Are you fishing in Clear Water Lakes? I'd say that you were according to the depths that you were describing.
THANKS & keep on Fishin.
Which braid to leader knot to you use?
You have discussed ElaZtech "not playing nice" with other materials. How do ElaZtech trailers (crawz, TRDs, etc.) interact with rubber/silicone jigs? I would like to ask you before I experiment and potentially ruin a finesse jig. Thank you.
Awesome!!
Did you ever tell us how you caught that Record spot? Was it on finesse swim bait or is it more secret than that?
Buell Richmond look back in their older videos. They documented the whole trip, including sleeping on the boat lol
Buell Richmond here’s one of them. I just googled it. Too damn many videos in their library to go through 😂 this was 4 years ago
th-cam.com/video/qcpcFiFw8lE/w-d-xo.html
Buell Richmond dude you’re right, I can’t find the video where they disclose the bait. I did find this one which is way more in-depth than the first link I sent you but in this video he comes out and says that he’s withholding the techniques they’re using until a later date. Now I have to dig more and see if there’s a later video discussing the bait. Great it’s already 1am lol
Buell Richmond th-cam.com/video/En7S82Y2Gw8/w-d-xo.html
Yes I've seen those vids. Been a sub of tack for a while. That's why I asked.
(Still) deeply appreciative of your videos. I feel that one of the phrases you and Matt use a lot, “to help you put more fish in the *boat*”, is very informative, particularly in winter: it shows how effortlessly you’re able to reach the spots where you finesse fish your small baits. It’s harder to do this from shore because of how deep/far out the fish generally are right now (even at a dam), and how light these baits. So, I find myself bomb-casting a 3/8 or even 1/2oz dropshot in winter - not because I need it for sensitivity, but to even reach the spots that hold fish. (Same with this video: I’d love to fish a little 1/8oz finesse swimbait head, but it doesn’t cast out far enough! So the only option I can think of is to upsize to 3/8oz or more.) Any other ideas or advice?
Matthias Worch I’m with you Matt, to reach the fish I’m after I have to go to heavier heads...plus I have zero patience waiting for a 1/8oz bait to get to the bottom in 25-30’ of water 😁
Tim... you still miss the roboworm ez shad...
I know this is an old video but....if you're dragging it on the bottom why not use a small football head?
Does it make that big a difference running braid to leader or just straight floro? I've been just running 14lb and 17lb floro for everything except my finesse rod which I use 10lb mono. All are casting reels...
Depends what you are throwing. Braid to leader is great for cranking when you want the instant stop and go (braid has no stretch). It is also amazing for dropshot and Ned rig due to the sensitivity of braid.
(Just watch one of the many tacticalbassin vids on this they explain it better lol)
@@BradHouston95 yeah I've seen all there vids. Lol
It's just a lot extra work rigging up. Is it actually worth the trouble. I havent broken off and only lost one that I didnt set the hook cause my drag was down. Even got me a 6lb3oz largemouth 2 weeks ago on 14lb floro and a chatterdonkey...
@@TexasAirGunner For the Chatterbait I'd continue running straight floro. Ive changed almost all of my setups over to braid with floro leader, best decision ever. The casting distance and sensitivity are much greater. Look into the Alberto knot, pretty easy leader knot to tie and I've caught some giants on it without breaking it.
@@BradHouston95 I actually use that knot when I change line on my reels. I leave half old line and fill rest new.
@@BradHouston95 also I fish mainly shallow in creeks and onto banks. I have helix 12 di and garmin 7sv but dont know how to use them worth a crap yet. Lol
How comes you changed rod recommendation form last year which a 7' medium light
Do you find yourself setting the hook with any of these baits or just letting the rod load up?
I need that jacket
I use finess swim baits all year around they crush fish!
I lost a 9 lb largemouth on the 1/4 ounce dark sleeper!!!! And I lost two in one casts. I’m not complaining though, the things are fun to use
I was using a MH for my 1/2 dark sleeper an I didn’t feel like I was getting a very good hook set should I jump up to a H with a softer tip I also noticed the hook point had rolled up with no snags is this common?
I use a heavy on the sleeper with a soft tip and its been good for me
That’s what I am gonna try next
What do y'all think about how G Loomis rates the power of their rods? How does a heavy G Loomis compare to a heavy Dobyns?
Yall say no in between but where im at in va im having the most luck on 3 and 4 inch texas rigs
Wes Warden you are fishing exactly the size he’s discussing in the video. In between would be 6” & 8” worms and regular size bass jigs. So what they’re saying is go small or go extremely large like 8” Huddlestons and other slow dragging giant swimbaits
I have a bit of a loaded question. We were fishing a lake in texas yesterday that ranged from 17-44 ft deep. Bluebird skys, 72 degree air temp, 55-60 water temps, fish ABSOLUTELY everywhere on the graph: schools of crappie and baitfish, striped bass, big cats on bottom. Suspended bass, etc. We threw 20ft deep diving cranks, flutter spoons, swimjigs, chatterbaits, squarebills in the shallow near wood, crappie jigs, trigged worms and none of us caught a single thing or even snagged any species of fish the whole day. In your opinion, are there days when the fish literally wont bite? Were we doing something wrong? Is there a right way to fish bluebird skys? Never ever had this issue before but after finding no solutions or patterns after 10+ hours of fishing, im even more confused
Not sure it makes me feel any better, but you see those guys on MLF have the same kind of day.
34 degree water temps up here in Michgan with open water, what the heck should I be fishing? Ive tried swimbaits, blade baits, jigs and ned rigs and I couldn't buy a bite if I tried. fishing ledges and holes.
I’m in your exact same position here in northern Illinois. It’s definitely been tough, lol. The crappie bite has been great though! Haha
In terms of bass though, the few I have caught these past few weeks have been on jigs, underspins, and super tight wobbling cranks (shad raps in particular).
Were you fishing holes and ledges as well?
Unfortunately the lakes I am fishing have a miniscule crappy population so that is a no go. I've been trying the tacticalbassin crankbait but haven't had luck with that yet either. Gunna have to try harder 🤷🏽♂️ the grind continues.
Yup. And definitely hitting the rocks on days where the sun shines.
But by no means am I catching numbers lol. It’s definitely a grind here, too. I just want spring to get here already. After 30 years I still despise winter every time it comes around lol
@@danieltaylor9459 I know, 25 years in Michigan and I still whine like a baby lol. Next sunny day we have I'll try out rock or gravel!
Picked up the dark sleeper 2.4 and killed it 2days in a row. I have a video of a couple catches
What about the tactical finesse?!?!!
I love the tips, but I don't throw anything under 7"
How bout let it pendulum down through the bait fish
Why don't you guys tell us the depth of water your fishing alot of your baits or the types of bottom you guys are fishing? This can give us a better understanding
Tim doing a video in a dark closet?
So funny to watch that you fish spinning gear with the right hand and switch over when you fish with a baitcaster. Why on earth would anybody wanna do that?
I’m confused...I thought most people did this? Lol
When I’m using spinning gear I reel in with my left hand (I write with my right) and when I’m using casting gear I’m reeling in with my right hand.
A big reason is that most baitcasters don't come in very many options left handed but lots of options right handed.
@@danieltaylor9459 Hi, yes most people in the US do it like that but for what reason? They cast with the right and than switch hands for the retrieve. When there where nearly no baitcasters in left hand retrieve available it made sense but nowadays I clearly wanna have my strong hand on the rod to set the hook etc. I think reeling with the right hand came from Big Game fishing where you need you strong hand for reeling but for freshwater it makes no sense to me if you are not left handed.
No, absolutely. I definitely have thought about it before. It’s honestly just more comfortable for me that way. Not sure why, really?
I also had a handful of tendons repaired back together from a car accident years back...so maybe that has something to do with it, too.
Train of thought in these newer videos r all over the place,,words just being thrown together lmao
DONT USE THE DARK SLEEPER! IT DOESNT WORK ;)
Does the tail not kick? I bought a couple of them on Wish.com and you really have to burn them fast to get any action at all.
Wish products are trash
kcbennie yeah buy them straight from tacklewarehouse or another well known tackle site otherwise you’re probably getting a knock off
@@Pursuedwinter you're telling me you wouldn't try a couple for $1 each?
kcbennie lol id let my kid try them if they were a $1 each, but Megabass almost never has them on sale, not even on TW