Bass Fishing Gear Review! New Rods, BFS Baits, Bait Designs, and Swimbaits!

[@Tbowie13]

I love you guys put these out first thing in the morning. Coffee and TB... good combo!

[@plooker68]

Being a bank beater, that line storage system is the deal, been looking for something like that for a minute, instead of having to jam spools in my tackle bag, thanks for that, Matt.

[@rhodesianhunter9360]

I’ve had the 7’2 ml expride and zodias for years. They always go with me. Ones rigged for light top water and the other is light free rig. I love those two rods. Anytime I build a rod for myself I use North fork Magbass actions. I’ve always liked the versatility of those blanks. You can have high end rods that are perfect for one thing and really good for other techniques.

[@GaryAnderson87]

What size bait and weight are you using on the free rig?

[@arnemueller2112]

After so many years of following you guys are still awesome. Very valuable content, great presentation (your enthusiasm always gets me) and still an inspiration….

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you so much!

[@repairdrive]

Can't wait for that trick shad!! 😍😍

[@btzee5035]

So much AWESOME information. THANK YOU!!!!

[@ADKyakman]

The guru. Love mornings with Matt Allen. No one can teach me anything on KZbin… besides Matt Allen - dude can not only teach me things I wouldn’t of thought of otherwise, but he speaks about gear and baits and tactics that I do daily or use daily- that he’s 100% right about .. th Karashi, the Daiwa regal 2500xh-D, the xpride, the swammer on a guppie underspin. That’s a flake off a giant iceberg of information. The man just knows. Grab my coffee… taking a seat and listening to to quality information and entertainment. Never stop Matt. I really wished for one or two years you would compete in the opens or Toyotas… I’d hate to see him in the mfl and BPT fishing for 2lbers.. I wanna see him compete with 5 big fish against the rest of the “professionals” on the circuit. Clean sweep 100 %.

[@Daiwa_Is_King]

😂😂😂

[@RyanSmith-fb8rf]

The Falcon Cara 6-174 is phenomenal Jig rod. My favorite rod besides my 4 Exprides

[@timdarnell7819]

Just ordered a Nasci reel based past reviews from you guys, cant wait to try it out. Thanks for all y'all do.

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! You'll love it!

[@garyplowman5838]

Great video Matt. Gear looks great and baits have to check those out

[@Glock-1]

I already bought 2 of the Trick Shad’s a Threadfintastic and a Pearl Bone

[@nofx21081]

I’m so psyched to see you guys “especially Matt lol” so excited when talking BFS! I was explaining BFS to guys at work and they were laughing at how excited I was and they don’t fish! I can’t wait to get my first rod and reel. I just can’t decide what to get. But you’re videos def help! All I know is my wife is going to flip about all the BFS things I’m hoping to get in to🎣🤙🏻

[@tacticalbassin]

You're going to have so much fun with it!!

[@justyngilliam4051]

Man that stealth craw is one of the best representations ive seen for the crawdads around where im at. I was wishing i had a bait just like it the other day on the water when i seen a bass spit one out in the net.

[@friendlyfishingguy9556]

Amen on the tubes, was never comfortable throwing anything over 2.5inch. even when punching a netbait. I use the jr sizes all the time.

[@ADKyakman]

14:54 that stealth minnow would be lights out on a green pumpkin miniMAX. This week alone I’ve caught a dozen 18”-21” 3.5 pounds to 5.14 pound river smallmouth on the GP miniMAX in 1/4oz paired with a 3.5 gp/chart Spunk shad.. I’m always looking for good miniMAX trailers and have been experimenting a lot. That’s being added to cart

[@toddpossum]

Thanks!

[@redclayoutdoors]

I have been using the 7’2 heavy expride for close quarter flipping and skipping jigs but have been waiting very patiently for the 7’4” heavy expride for football jigs and wobble head jigs.

[@tacticalbassin]

You're going to love it!!

[@AlanMorris-f5f]

Use the lures that work best for you, don't over do it. 🇺🇲✌🏻🎣

[@jersey4755]

I have always thought the Expride 7’2” MH is a great jig rod. One of if not my favorite for 1/2oz Football jig. Also works really well with a Hula Grub.

[@Twangtown7]

I notice a lot of these strolling baits don't have a darker top half. You were saying while back how important that is because you can more easily see the bait rocking back and forth then. Thanks for the video, and keep up the great job you two!

[@tacticalbassin]

It doesn't necessarily need a dark top... just two tones. If there's a color difference, you can see the movement.

[@MitchRyanComedy]

First !! Heading out to bay fish San Diego currently, but then off to do some bass fishing once the sun goes down Thanks for the early morning coffee content yall

[@pj3p488]

Matt is living like a kid on Christmas every day.

[@tacticalbassin]

😂😂😂

[@jimt5683]

Tripping that 172h is a fantastic jig/frog rod

[@tacticalbassin]

If you get the chance to try the 7'4", you'll immediately see the value in the action, helping control jig fish during the fight 👍🏼

[@mylespfingsten7043]

Always ready for a tackle nerd session with Matt 👍🏻

[@justinperdue3657]

I'm really looking into the 7,4 expride. i usually use the dobyns 744 jig rod special, and im losing a lot of fish on it. I love the rod, but i think its just too fast when they jump and pop off.

[@AmericasBestMech]

Have you tested the Trika 6X rods yet? I recently bought 2 and love them.

[@WaddupItsYaBoi]

Pleaseeeee do a video about proper technique for strolling WITHOUT sonar. Most of us, whether we want it or not, can’t afford it 😅 This is the first I’ve heard of doing it without sonar!

[@tacticalbassin]

If you go back a couple weeks, you'll find a dedicated strolling video where we did exactly that 👍🏼 It just happen to slip by you.

[@lpbass8369]

Boy Xzone is hitting it out of the park I had to put a new pegboard section up just for them.

[@tacticalbassin]

No joke! Between Swammers, Whiplash, and Stealth Finesse, there are 9 containers of baits that never leave the boat. I never would have thought my keitechs could end up in backstock in the garage 🤯

[@fantasticfail1796]

Was just gonna comment that! They’ve been releasing great baits that work.

[@lpbass8369]

@@fantasticfail1796 That muscle back finnese craw and swammers have been killing it all year for me brother.

[@timdarnell7819]

Swammers have been my saving grace on tough fishing days. Can't wait to try the whiplash shad

[@fantasticfail1796]

@@lpbass8369 yup me too lol love me some swammers

[@jacksonbrooks]

Can you do a micro jig video for bfs fishing I just got a bfs set up a couple of months and I want to fish a jig on it

[@rickyrodriguez9831]

I’ve been using the ewg ned hook exclusively for a couple years. I hardly ever hang up

[@brendanbutkus2392]

You dont need FFS to stroll its insane, even in ponds when its tough im throwing that or a ned rig and you're guaranteed fish, you can cover so much water strolling, i dont necessarily enjoy fishing it... BUT it works phenomenal

[@tacticalbassin]

You nailed it! So many fail to realize this. 👍🏼

[@IISR9II]

I have the expride 7'2" ml+, the best rod that i've owned...

[@tacticalbassin]

Such an under rated model!!!

[@xDx0xUxGx]

Would a 7' 3" h/f Zodias work for the Trick Shad?

[@smoovefishing]

My favorite jig rod is Shimano 7’4” Gen 1 Cumara I will cry if something happens to it

[@richardblake4777]

Matt, great video, you knocked it out of the park. Company's should pay you big bucks for promoting their products. You are a natural salesman that comes across as 100% truthful. God bless you and Tim and your families.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Richard!

[@tylerblank7565]

Why? So he can promote stuff that he doesn’t even like? Just like Every professional angler says their sponsors have “the best product they ever used” then their contract ends and then they find new sponsors and say “this is the best product ever”

[@chrischrist7982]

What is your favorite scent sir

[@tacticalbassin]

Lately, it's been Baitfuel

[@wineghost317]

Would those hog farmer baits (either style) be good for a micro A-rig? I’ve been trying to find the subtle baits for the micro rig. What would you suggest with all the new baits? I’ve been using zman darterz. They are ok.

[@jamesbarron1202]

What’s your weedless strolling hook for shallow water ponds with lots of brush and vegetation? I never hear anyone talk about a weedless version.

[@jamesboice2763]

trig?

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@jamesboice2763 I don’t know how you’d get that to sway side to side without a 90 degree line tie. That would just dart forward. You’d need a weedless 90 degree jig head or a hover stroll head that fits inside. I wanted to see which head they preferred.

[@BigCb_live]

Where can I find the handle for the poison adrena b that's all I want I wanna make a medium heavy rod

[@Dcaridi]

I was positive today was going to be the fall transition video - this might be even better

[@tacticalbassin]

You weren't too far off!

[@Dcaridi]

@@tacticalbassin Ha, looking forward to it. Listened to last year’s video on the way to the river today (we’re deep in it up in VT). Also, what would yall think about that 6’10 M Expride as a wacky rig rod? Thinking about getting a dedicated rod for that technique next year, and already know the NRX+ is going to be out of the price range!

[@MrWhiteboy573]

I use the 7’2 heavy expride with a bantam! Would you say the 7’4 is similar to the 7’2 heavy?

[@tacticalbassin]

The 7'4" is more moderate, has more tip, and is a little more accurate with pinpoint casts.

[@SW_OhioFinesseBandit]

You literally just sold me on buying the Shimano bfs rod…. Just waiting on Omnia to get it back in stock so I can get the deal… if the poison adrena comes back in before the expride I’m just going to spend the money.. my only regret is not just spending the extra cash on the aldarbaran

[@kensimpson8581]

Good morning, what knot do you use to tie braid to leader?

[@tacticalbassin]

A modified blood knot

[@darylhamilton4296]

Hey Matt, can the new 3" spunk shad work on the Zman Mini Max?

[@tacticalbassin]

The 3" is really small, but the 4" Stroll Shad is AMAZING on it 👍🏼

[@darylhamilton4296]

​@@tacticalbassinThanks!

[@shaunmoore1230]

Being so close in price, would you spend the extra 20-30 bucks for the brailist or is the expride close to or just as good?

[@tacticalbassin]

Both are amazing! Both are working really well. If you're a Shimano guy, you've got a new option. If you're not, there is nothing wrong with the Braillist, it continues its legacy. 👍🏼

[@realjeffgarrett]

How would you say the 7’4” Heavy Expride compares to Dobyns’ 744 jig rod?

[@wilmerpruitt6324]

Any idea when that GSM Bucca Brand Trick Shad will be offered to the public and where???

[@tacticalbassin]

It's sounding like October(ish) at all retailers.

[@Rudyf522]

Used to throw the 7’2 ML expride it’s What initially got me into BFS but sadly, I snapped it last season. Have the opportunity to get the steez finesse special for the same price. What should I do ?

[@tacticalbassin]

Those two rods are as different as a dropshot rod and a flipping stick. I would 100% put hands on that Steez before I made a switch. You may absolutely love it, but if you don't try it first you'll be shooting in the dark.

[@yummygogolak]

When I hear "heavy rod" I always think of Murphy brothers stomping on Rick James's legs. But this time - also shoulders.

[@Justin_Mooney11]

Boy did I ever need this one to get goin this mornin thanks for the Monday upload Matt can’t tell you how nice it is being able to rely on you guys to be on time every time !!! 1st fall fat largees on the bronco bug this weekend this falls gonna be insane !!!!

[@tacticalbassin]

We're happy to do it! Thank you for the constant support!

[@marcusmoreland3571]

These guys can duck dodge dip and dive the word livescope

[@matthewdelacruz4678]

So my 7ft Mach jacked isn’t a good set up for jigs bro

[@jont1427]

Strike king caffeine shad is a better chatterbait trailer than the spunk shad. If you don’t believe me, just try it.

[@pacman_17]

Do you guys have the new 2024 Shimano Zodias BFS (7' Light Extra Fast) yet? It's available for preorder.

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes, that rod is really fun! We actually got to fish with it a bit, and were extremely impressed.

[@Tylerbone96]

Matt would you say that new Expride 7’4” is comparable to the St. Croix 7’4”? But man, that seaguar line storage… I wish I was the guy who thought of that 😂

[@tacticalbassin]

The Expride has a little more backbone but yes, they're similar.

[@jasoncowick2376]

That 4in stroll shad from Hog farmer will be an awesome trailer for the Minimax! The 3.5 spunk shad just isn’t it for me. It’s just not quite long enough. This will fill that hole for me!

[@tacticalbassin]

100% agreed! This is the deal on a mini max!

[@jasoncowick2376]

@@tacticalbassin Matt and Tim, talk them into making a few more colors! Specially in that tw sunfish magic!

[@dustinwalker8152]

I love the spunk shad, the round body really helps the chatterbait to hunt better than just about any other trailer. However, when it comes to strolling, the rounded body doesn't want to rock very well. It more just kind of hops than strolls. I've been mid strolling, originally the Biwa rig, for right at a decade. Prior to live imaging, it was my clean up bait and heavily pressured bait for offshore spots. The flatter the sides the better a bait will rock, add in being salted in the right places and you can get more than 90 degrees to each side. Also, I've found that the shorter the rod, especially with a stinger tip, the better and easier it is to get a bait to rock. Especially with the stuff under 1/8oz, when you start getting really light the bait tends to hop instead of rock unless you've got a short rod. I'm fairly tall, 6'3", and I've always preferred longer rods for most everything except roll casting around cypresses. I've found that 6'3"-6'5" is the perfect length for anything from 3/16-1/2oz heads, 1/8>oz 6'1"-6'4" seems to be the perfect length range. Though I have been playing around with the 6'10MH solid tip Expride and like it for longer casts, but it seems like I get better action with the 6'5" p5 with the solid tip.

[@billschroeder3005]

Good morning. Any thoughts on that new GLX jerkbait rod. Seen they briefly showed a couple in stock, but mines on pre order. Also burned up a couple Cabelas gift cards and picked up the new Metanium DC to put on it. Looking forward to trying it out!

[@hometownguy7184]

SUPERMATT delivers again!

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! Thanks!!

[@scottielentz9401]

Just come throw my baits for me, got skunked at a lillypad spot this weekend.

[@squonto47]

You sound like the guys that come into our store demanding their money back because they backlashed their reel or expect us to get the backlash out.

[@holdengamble]

I love the video but solid tip rods are not stronger. Quite the opposite in fact. Stinger tips break much easier than a normal rod blank.

[@Daiwa_Is_King]

Depends which rod company you get them from. Obviously you haven’t done your homework and your statement shows your lack of knowledge.

[@fishinninja18]

Cmon! Flip the tree! You know you want to.

[@BirdDog85]

Great video Matt! Would you be able to review one of the new Lew's reels that has the new ParaMag ITB braking system?

[@jacksonbrooks]

Does any one know why Matt and Tim don’t curse

[@fleo962]

Hey Matt, I know the spunk shad is an amazing bladed jig trailer, however, have you tried the bellows stick? Amazing trailer!

[@jtotherog]

Omg I’ve been dying for somebody to come up with a new line storage container.❤

[@tacticalbassin]

Right?! These are awesome!

[@FerrisStatePerformance]

Seems like that 7’4” H Expride is a poor man’s NRX 873 crr, does that seem accurate? In terms of what it can handle, what it’s good at.

[@solaydbak]

If you guys get your hands on the okuma x series 7’3H, you won’t be disappointed.

[@ADKyakman]

20:29 GTFO. Add to cart x25. Give me all of them. I’ve always wanted a little smaller size than the 3.5, a LITTLE less bulk, and a tiny less length. For the 1/4 miniMAX, and nedmiki… yes yes yes yes yes …my dreams are coming true in this one! Thank you so much Matt!

[@shwa8157]

I hope to someday soon consider a $270-$300+ rod a beneficial price point option! Literally applying for 3rd job now. #Bidenomics hurt me, #Kamalanomics will kill me. #VoteTrump2024 #AffordMoreFish Let's make it happen without needing endless credit debt! #MakeFishingAffordableAgain 🤣

[@liljoe5139]

60% of fishing lures are meant to catch fishermen…. Not fish. All about the money

[@tacticalbassin]

Thats why we spend countless hours wading through them, wasting time and money. Now you don't have to 👍🏼

[@Justin_Mooney11]

Hence the entire point of the show smh

[@ADKyakman]

@@tacticalbassinI’m sure I’m speaking for ALL of us when i say- we appreciate you Matt. And Tim. The work you guys put in, I wish i was involved in or had that kind of opportunity..but you guys are just right. There’s so much out there that’s just wrong , and so many people just trying to sell.. never the case here. We thank you for honesty and the hard work 🙏

[@FishingWithChris_Tv]

This is a pretty dumb statement, like it applies to only fishing when it applies to everything. If it isn’t your money being spent, then why do you care?

[@ambassin3280]

😂​@@tacticalbassin

[@ADKyakman]

20:29 GTFO. Add to cart x25. Give me all of them. I’ve always wanted a little smaller size than the 3.5, a LITTLE less bulk, and a tiny less length. For the 1/4 miniMAX, and nedmiki… yes yes yes yes yes …my dreams are coming true in this one! Thank you so much Matt!

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome!! You're going to have a lot of fun with those!!