Tag: topwater bass

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
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What we wear…

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

#Chickamauga #topwater #bassfishing

How To Catch Fish Around Docks: Summer Fishing Tips

If your lake has docks, the fish are under them right now! From bass and catfish down to the smallest baitfish, everything that swims relies on the shade of docks for safety and comfort in the Summer heat. Today Tim goes in-depth showing how to approach dock fishing, explains which docks are most likely to hold fish, and demonstrates some of his favorite ways to target them.

You can spend years dialing in which pilings on which docks consistently hold fish. Anglers make entire bass fishing careers out of doing exactly that. But if you just want to go fishing and consistently catch fish there are some simple tips that will help you choose the right docks quickly. Focus on docks that stand alone. A dock by itself will often hold large numbers of fish that would otherwise spread out along a row of docks. Focus on docks with quick deep water access. If the dock is in deeper water than those around it, there are likely to be bigger fish underneath.

Lastly, choose docks based on the type of fishing you plan to do. If you’re fishing slowly with finesse baits target single docks or areas with limited numbers of docks. This will give you the confidence to fish methodically and really pick the docks apart. If you’re fishing fast moving reaction baits then areas with a lot of docks will give you endless targets to throw to. While you’ll make more casts per fish, the reaction bite is so fun that it often outweighs the alternatives.

Our final tip is about skipping docks. You may have noticed Tim is able to do this effortlessly. While a skilled angler who practices can do this with virtually any reel, the “DC” reels make it simple for almost anyone to do. If you want to get serious about fishing docks, don’t be afraid to try a DC to shorten the learning curve and make the fishing more fun from the start.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment Tim recommends for Summer dock fishing. Of course you can dial in subtle details on your local lake but these baits and this equipment is what we use anywhere we go in the country when its time to target fish under docks. We’ve broken down the baits into reaction baits and slow moving baits to help you make the best choices. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Tim’s #1 Bait Today…
Swimbait- Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.8″ (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Hook- Owner Flashy Swimmer 1/4 oz with 5/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Fast Moving Baits…

-Damiki BTC Squarebill Crankbait: https://bit.ly/35yagXK
(Threadfin Flash, Moss Back, Real Shad)

-Teckel Kick Knocker Topwater: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA
(Bone, Bluegill, Chart Shiner)

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2 Frog: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a
(Ghost, TW Gill, Little Allen)

Slow Moving Baits…

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin’ Jig (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2amL3of
(Molting Craw, Hematoma, Go To)
-Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver Jig Trailer: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW
(Green Pumpkin Red, Hematoma, Tramp Stamp)

-Yamamoto Senko 5″: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS
(Green Pumpkin, Watermelon/Green Pumpkin, JuneBug)
-Gamakatsu Superline EWG 4/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

-Netbait T-Mac Worm 6.5″: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9
(Bama Bug, Green Pumpkin)
-Dirty Jigs Canterbury Shaky Head 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

DC Reels work great at every price point. As you move up to higher end equipment the reels become stronger and smoother but the technology that aids your ability to skip works throughout the line. Also, when dock fishing it is recommended to use an HG (high gear 7:1) or XG (Extra High Gear 8:1) to help you pull the fish out of the docks quickly before they tangle in the pilings.

High End DC: Shimano Metanium DC: http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs
Mid-Range DC: Shimano Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4
Budget DC: Shimano SLX 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Excellent All-Around Combo For Docks…
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2R4f2Ud
Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 14 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

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
________________________________________________________________

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!

#Summer #fishing #docks