Tag: top water

We Made It To Chickamauga! Topwater Bite Is On Fire!

We’re finally on Chickamauga in Tennessee! We survived the cross country road trip and now its time to fish! We’re starting out in search of a midday topwater bite and will adapt from there. Do that patterns that work on one side of the country work on the other? Let’s find out if the Clearlake pattern holds up!

Matt is joined by his nephew Ethan and together they mix up a variety of topwater offerings including a blade waker, buzzbait, walking bait, popper, and frog. It doesn’t take long to find aggressive bass willing to eat them all! Later Matt switches to a Keitech while Ethan switches to a chatterbait, and again they find consistent action. This further confirms the old adage “A Bass Is A Bass” no matter where it lives.

So many anglers are convinced their fish are different, that they won’t eat a particular bait or won’t follow seasonal patterns like bass in other parts of the country. While a rare example might exist, the vast majority of fish from coast to coast behave very Similarly. Its incredibly rewarding to drive thousands of miles (literally) and find bass eating the exact baits you were throwing before hitting the road.

Below is a breakdown of the baits in the video. We’ve included direct links to Tackle Warehouse for each item where you can see detailed photos and descriptions. We’ve also included trailers, color, weights, etc… where applicable.

Teckel Topwater…
Bait- Teckel Blade Waker: https://bit.ly/2DuYZxU
Colors: Pearl White, Silver Shiner, Bluegill
Trailer: Gambler Little EZ Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3jmeYgM
Colors: Alewife, Ghost Shad

Other Topwaters…
Popper- Megabass Pop Max (Mat Shad): http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1
Walking Bait- Evergreen Shower Blows 125 (Half Mirror): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH
Buzzbait- Dirty Jigs Skirtless (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2cWI6if
Small Frog- Jackall Kaera (Glitter Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3
Large Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 65 (Little Allen): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Swimbaits…
Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n
Keitech- 4.8″ Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Rage- 4.75″ Rage Swimmer (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Chatterbait…
Bait- Evergreen JackHammer 1/2 oz (Green Pumpkin Shad): http://bit.ly/2popvj6
Trailer- Hog Farmer Spunk Shad 4.5″ (Crystal Shad): http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Blade Waker Combo…
Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7’5″ MH: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg
Reel- Shimano Metanium 150 MGL XG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Keitech Combo…
Rod- Jackall Poison Adrena 7’4″ Heavy: https://bit.ly/3diigiT
Reel- Shimano Metanium 150 MGL HG: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Sunline FC-100 Fluorocarbon 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Popper Combo…
Rod- Shimano Curado 6’10” Medium: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft
Reel-Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel…
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
_________________________________________________________________

What we wear…

Sun Mask: http://bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
Light Fishing Pants: http://bit.ly/2foDx10
_________________________________________________________________

Equipment We Recommend…

Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: http://bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: http://bit.ly/2CMF1NP

Favorite Storage Box: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: http://bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: http://bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: http://bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
________________________________________________________________

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!

#Chickamauga #topwater #bassfishing

Buzzbaits and Frogs! Summer Bass Fishing On Clearlake!

After months on the road we’re finally back on Clearlake! Come along as we explore the lake, build patterns, and catch fish! Matt utilizes a buzzbait, frog, and toad to catch a fish in the grass on a hot Summer day. Many anglers avoid fishing in the heat but if you know where to look there are big fish to be caught!

Catching fish consistently in Summer requires an understanding of how and why they position. Shallow water bass love to be close to cover. A consistent food source is also key. In most lakes, if you can find baitfish and grass in the same area, you’re around bass. This morning Matt hit the water at first light. He already knew where to find grass but the baitfish remained a mystery. By getting out early he was able to quickly locate active birds searching for a meal.

It took time to get the first bite but the bird activity confirmed the presence of baitfish and ultimately the presence of bass. Whenever you’re on the water pay close attention to nature, it’s clues can really shorten your search time. Once Matt located fish he used a combination of baits to get consistent bites from bass that were positioned to ambush prey as it passed by the grass beds.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Matt used to catch his fish. We’ve included color recommendations for the various baits, the exact combos Matt was fishing with, and even a budget-minded alternative. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

The Baits…
-Skirtless Buzzbait- Dirty Jigs Canterbury Pro Buzz 1/2 oz (Blue Glimmer): http://bit.ly/2cWI6if
Trailer- River2Sea D Walker Swimbait 120 (PB Red): http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-4 Blade Buzzbait- D&M Easy Roller Buzz (Night Stalker): https://bit.ly/2SCqcmj

-Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 2: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a
Colors: Dirty White, Ghost, Little Allen, TW Gill

-Big Bite Baits Tour Toad: http://bit.ly/2NtAghc
Colors: Hematoma, Pearl Shine
Hook- Owner 6/0 Twist Lock Open Gap: http://bit.ly/2cYZ3rM

Matt’s Buzzbait Combo…
Rod- Dobyns Xtasy 7’5″ 5 Power (Heavy): http://bit.ly/36fIHCg
Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC XG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Matt’s Frog Combo…
Rod- Shimano Expride 7’3″ Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Budget Buzzbait Combo…
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7’2″ Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq
Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q
Line- Power Pro 50 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Budget Frog Combo…
Rod- Dobyns Fury 736 (7’3″ Mag Heavy): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV
Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q
Line- Power Pro 65 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel…
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
_________________________________________________________________

What we wear…

Sun Mask: http://bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
Light Fishing Pants: http://bit.ly/2foDx10
_________________________________________________________________

Equipment We Recommend…

Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: http://bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: http://bit.ly/2CMF1NP

Favorite Storage Box: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: http://bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: http://bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: http://bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
________________________________________________________________

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!

#bassfishing #frogfishing #topwater