BUYER'S GUIDE: BEST SOFT SWIMBAITS

[@ciprynus]

I really appreciate the extra effort to display the bait on screen this time

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks for noticing! We couldn't so it in all of them (top many guides) but we did what we could.

[@andybales7318]

Screw buying a Turkey! Im buying some swimbaits

[@tacticalbassin]

😂😂😂

[@peterbolinski6706]

Agreed, HAPPY THANKS I'm GIVING me more swimbaits !😮

[@tjdavis56]

Let's not get crazy now.......

[@richardbossman9875]

Can’t catch bad with a turkey....

[@secretbassrigs]

GENIUS!

[@secretbassrigs]

Mattlures straight tail bluegill makes a very effective wakebait when modified by adding an oversized boot on its straight tail. the larger size boottail mod gives it a tail kick and easily swim to the surface, with an extremely natural tail kick that produces a pronounced wake.

[@S.R.Backwoods1]

Happy Thanksgiving, guys. I’ve been watching your videos for a couple years and have learned a lot. I caught my first bass about 50 years ago and have been hooked on bass fishing ever since. Also did some salmon fishing in Alaska that was great and really loved my time in Alaska. I was a bass fishing junkie since the 70s and read all the magazines and watched all the shows. You guys are among the best teachers in the sport that I’ve seen. Great work!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you!! We appreciate the kind words. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@stevencaldwell838]

Good to see you guys still doing your annual buyer’s guide videos. I’ve been away from bass fishing for a couple of years but I’m back and I’m putting down the finesse gear and going big!

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes! You're going to love it!!

[@MsRodrigo989898]

Two legends, I’ve watched you guys for a long time. Love the swimbait stories 🤝

[@tedlincolnsfishinglife]

So many good baits! I can also back up what matt said about that 13fishing defy swimbait rod! I’ve stuck and landed a bunch of BIG bass on big weedless baits on that rod!

[@d10dozerman2]

I want to wish both your families a Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for another great video. I've learned so much from you guys and I truly appreciate it.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@Cornelius798]

Love the buyers guide series.

[@davidinsane665]

Cooper gifted me a loose caboose and it has crushed everything that swims in eastern oklahoma. Happy Holidays!

[@puddlejumper1689]

zodias 7’9” XH might be a early Christmas gift thanks for the gem of a recommendation👍

[@tacticalbassin]

Nice!!! That rod is AMAZING!

[@jimw1518]

Happy thanksgiving to you and your families! Thanks for all the work you guys do!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@seanshanahan8844]

Happy Thanksgiving, thank you for your hard work. Every time I fish I'm able to inject knowledge I've learned from tacticalbassin over the years. I'm definitely a better fishermen because of you guys!

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! We love to hear that! Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@hunterbohman7555]

You guys never disappoint with your knowledge and experience. Thanks for another awesome buyers guide! Been loving the 6" magdraft myself for pike and bass!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks Hunter!

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

Thank you, Matt and Tim. Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving Bob!

[@johno7435]

Great review. Curious if you guys have tried the new Berkeley Nessie?

[@112591ms]

will the budget combo work for hard body swimbaits as well ?

[@caseysaunders2137]

I''m only "now" getting into trying big baits. I just bought a new Dobyns 8'6" Mag X Heavy for 4-6 oz baits. That's a 50% savings vs the NRX SWBR X-heavy. Can't say it will perform as well as the NRX but the Dobyns has great reviews and can handle a Deps 250.

[@ScuffedEngineer]

They used to only use Dobyns and Gloomis rods. Matt I think helped or was one of the testers at least for the Dobyns 908SWB rod.

[@xDx0xUxGx]

Would a 7'3"H Zodias and Tranx 150 be able to handle swimbaits in the 1 - 2 1/2oz(ish) category? In my area, "big" smallmouth are around 4-5lbs and largemouth are 6-8lbs.

[@Alan_lay]

Love watching you guys vids, although I’m in Australia a lot of your techniques and presentations are relevant to our fisheries down under. I use soft swim baits for barramundi and we don’t get any of the bait’s described in this segment yet most of them would get inhaled by a barra, I got the pen and pad out and made some notes so I can look into importing a few to try out.

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! Matt has actually had quite a few Austrailian guide clients through the years that wanted to learn swimbaits and punching to take back for other species.

[@Alan_lay]

@@tacticalbassin cool, soft swims are pretty popular in our impoundment Barra scene, the hit from a Barra on soft swims is like nothing else 😈, but we don’t get half the range of lures over here compared to your market in the states so vids like these really help with selection when blokes like me look to buying lures/gear from overseas.

[@g-radm3827]

Bought a Tatula 100, thanks to the two of you😂

[@tacticalbassin]

Nice! You'll enjoy it, great choice!

[@chasevanover]

Just bought a swim bait rod blank to build from mud hole. Looking forward to do some big swim bait fishing this next season.

[@tacticalbassin]

Nice!!

[@granttoutant1935]

Great video guys! What are your thoughts on the 8” cullshad vs the 8” magdraft. I tend to prefer the cullshad because of the hook keeper vs the magnet and feel like it has more action vs the magdraft

[@tacticalbassin]

We're sold on the 8" Magdraft. We catch so many giants on that bait it's ridiculous! Little tip when using the magnet... stick one of the hook points in the plastic on the edge of the slot and all your problems will be solved. 👍🏼

[@ericpettyfishing]

I agree. The cull shad has better action.

[@brandonrussVOLS-FAN-4-LIFE]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING guys!!! How about the expride 8 foot extra heavy good jig hook rod??

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

🔥🔥awesome job boys,thank you and happy Thanksgiving

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks Ken! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@maxcole3930]

A soft bait you should check out!!! New Zmans mulletron 6 inch swimbait. It's a top hook line through with a wedge tail made of elastech. Swims great, good colors

[@tacticalbassin]

We just picked some up, they're really interesting!

[@hardyrichards5360]

How would you fish the 8” mag draft in smaller rivers with current.

[@p1sc281]

Ive always wanted to try this kind of fishing here in Central Florida, harris chain, Kissimmee, toho....what setup would you recommend? On the budget side? Thanks

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

Check the video description; they have a budget combo linked. Good luck out there!

[@danielkinn782]

Happy Thanksgiving Matt, Tim and all the TB family and viewers! What are your thoughts on the Real Prey Gill? Have you played with it at all? Does Josh still make the Snack Size? That was a great bait too.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks man! Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@raytubach8988]

Thanks guys! Do you use a higher speed reel for treble hook baits? What about glides? What speed?

[@tacticalbassin]

We prefer a 7:1 for both applications.

[@raytubach8988]

@@tacticalbassin that’s with a 300 size reel or a 200?.. 🙏🏻

[@vincentgelles3805]

Happy Thanksgiving guys! Going to get a quick morning bank fishing trip in now. Gotta take advantage of the little bit of time off I get!

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! Good luck!!

[@Local.Hammer82]

Super looking forward to hardbaits

[@tacticalbassin]

We are too! See you tomorrow!

[@ratbird3290]

@tacticalbassin I am trying to find a sub 8' rod that can handle jig hook swimbaits 6" mag freestyle (

[@thesonorandesertangler]

I prefer the Bass Mafia Zaldangerous Swimbait over the Magdraft freestyle. I can rip it without it fouling and it's more durable. The trout pattern slays when they start stocking trout!

[@ericpettyfishing]

Savage gear bluegills are the best in the bluegill market imo. Just got a megabass Ayu twitcher. Its great

[@DavidBronstein1961]

I can’t get the B5 to track straight. Maybe I am rigging/placing the treble hook wrong. Should I use a split ring? A certain type of knot? What’s ideal line? Thanks!

[@tacticalbassin]

I typically throw it on 12 lb. If it's tracking a little off, move the Treble hook slightly off center the opposite direction until it tracks straight.

[@johndominguez7404]

Happy Thanksgiving to you both and your family

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@fishingmaster99]

The sale this year really sucks, to bad i was gonna order a lot of tackle. Had to go to Omnia, discount tackle , land big fish, american legacy and scheels.

[@greenpighunter6930]

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[@chasegurkin8291]

How do y’all feel about dobyns swimbait rods? I use mostly dobyns and since I’m trying something new I want a brand I have confidence in

[@tacticalbassin]

Dobyns swimbait rods are very solid. In fact, many years ago Matt had a hand in the design of several of them. The 806 and 807 are both great models (Treble and jig hook respectively)

[@dylanlaughman8126]

@tacticalbassin what shimano or st croix rod would you suggest for the 5" to 6" baits like those small bluegill baits to smaller magdraft or trashfish

[@Gumby905]

Mojo bass, legend tournament, curado, clarus, slx. Just want a rating of what your throwing to match the weight with fast action. I personally use the mojo bass 2-4 ounce for my swimbait rod.

[@kevinloper6551]

Thanks Guys, Happy Thanksgiving.

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@johnnyg9223]

Happy thanksgiving. What size trebles do you use on the line through baits?

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving! The B5 gets a size 4, 6" magdraft gets a size 2, 8" Magdraft gets a size 2/0.

[@josephhrnciar9376]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!! 🦃🍻

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@lightningmusky5286]

Great video! Can you please ask TW to add individual model names to their Gloomis rods? They don’t list the 966 just their stock item number. Got a 966 can you explain why braid to leader over straight 25lb fluro?

[@tacticalbassin]

We literally made this request 2 weeks ago and they said they were working on the fix 👍🏼 It's the same with Megabass and St. Croix's named models as well.

[@lightningmusky5286]

@@tacticalbassin thank you!

[@richardbossman9875]

Can the bluegill profile wedge tails be fished like the Huddlestons and creeeeped on bottom in fisheries with no trout during the winter?

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes 👍🏼

[@holdenpoole5008]

Happy thanksgiving guys! How do yall store yalls swimbaits so they still run straight and true?

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving! We'll answer that and more in just a few days 😎

[@holdenpoole5008]

@tacticalbassin awesome. I looked forward to it. Yall have got me branching out trying different techniques!

[@billschroeder3005]

Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for taking the time to do these buyers guides. Finally broke down and ordered my 1st Stella last night. Hope it's as good as everything i've heard about it. Looking at getting my 1st NRX+ to pair with it when the rod sale hits. Leaning towards the 872s. Any thoughts on that rod. Thanks

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!! Thats awesome! You're going to love it!! What applications are you looking to cover with the NRX+? If you're just looking for an "all around" you can't beat an 852.

[@chonz1253]

Have you guys fished the savage gear line thru gizzard shad? Would love to hear your opinion on it

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes, we've covered it in a few videos, including underwater swim footage.

[@secretbassrigs]

the 5" Bacca Burrito is a must have and very easy to fish.

[@tacticalbassin]

💯 It's an amazing fish catcher!

[@secretbassrigs]

@@tacticalbassin during the day, the "Who Dat" just triggers them on a steady retrieve, when all your favorite finesse baits wont. other than color it must be the silicone and frequency of the tail kicks. my guess anyway.

[@andybales7318]

Just ordered 2 of these...I'd like to use them like a spinnerbait...They run decent like that?

[@secretbassrigs]

@@andybales7318 slow and steady, yes . Or fast enough to feel the tail kicking. Hopefully you at least ordered one in the "Who Dat?" Color. It's great during the day. Enjoy bro! 😎👍🏆

[@secretbassrigs]

@@andybales7318 any tears can be easily fixed with super glue gel. Same for the eyes.

[@Twangtown7]

Good stuff fellas! No smaller paddletail swimbaits like Keitech's?

[@tacticalbassin]

We love small keitechs but not in a big swimbait video. Their time will come later.

[@TylersReelFishing]

I live for these

[@tacticalbassin]

We all have to live for something... its okay that soft swimbaits are your thing.

[@billmichlig55]

Hey guys just want to throw a plug in here for some different brands large soft swimbaits: Musky innovations swimming dawg, and Chaos Tackle Poseidon. 8"-11" paddletail baits, yes for musky, but Ive caught plenty of Wisconsin 5-6 lb largemouth on them! edit: Happy thanksgiving!

[@tacticalbassin]

We have both 👍🏼 Great options for sure... we've also stuck some serious musky on the Magdraft... the crossover goes both ways. And happy Thanksgiving!

[@jamesscarberry3128]

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 to y’all too 🫦💆‍♂️🎣🐟

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks James! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@midwestfischerman]

I need to step up my swimbait game in 2024..... just like the DETROIT LIONS stepped up their game this year!!! GO LIONS!!!🏈 HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!! And GO BLUE!!!🏈🏈

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@Meadmon]

Scoreboard

[@midwestfischerman]

@Meadmon The Lions had a rough first half, no doubt. However, ask Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears what happens when you celebrate too early against these 2023 Lions.

[@midwestfischerman]

​@@Meadmon Or, Take Two, former #1 national high school prospect and Michigan Wolverine great Rashan Gary is having a MONSTER GAME. GO BLUE!!!🤷🏼‍♂️🏈

[@Meadmon]

Happy Thanksgiving

[@Mr.Higgs.]

I hope you guys get to try out all the other new harness swimbaits that were brought to the market this year. Found some solid baits to throw other than the mag draft.

[@tacticalbassin]

We're working our way through them in multiple scenarios but haven't seen anything that unseats a Magdraft for us yet. Time will tell.

[@secretbassrigs]

​@@tacticalbassin it's only 5 inches, and it comes from an open pour mold, but the AnglingAi G5 is a head wagging, smooth kicking, realistically sculpted DIY Swimbait. i think the best design in its field. I poured one the other day with platinum silicone having a shore hardness of 0A. When fished you can feel the thumping of the tail when retrieved. the silicone in the burrito's shore hardness is similar to 0A, but perhaps a notch stiffer in grade. 00-30 is similar to elaztech and the silicone used in the JSJ Caboose- nice and stretchy but heavy enough to sink. I've also injection molded 00-30 silicone Senkos yesterday and will be going to the pool any minute to try them out.

[@secretbassrigs]

@@tacticalbassin Hopefully Angling Ai makes an 8 inch version of the G5 aluminum mold very soon

[@Mr.Higgs.]

@tacticalbassin I think a underwater comparison video should be made with them. There is at least 6 more this year alone that were released to the public within the past 3 months. I think next year the impressions will change.

[@secretbassrigs]

@@Mr.Higgs. so what are some of the awesome swimbaits you found?

[@donself8673]

Have you guys looked at the daiwa lexa 400 and 300? I have noticed over the years you have been talking more and more daiwa. I'm a huge daiwa fan. I use a budget swim baits reel now and have been eye balling the lexa 300

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes, we have both. If you happen to see that short a few weeks back where Matt got broken off by a giant striper, that was on a Lexa.

[@Glock-1]

You guys not like the 13Fishing BAMF line of baits I think they are awesome?

[@kesterharding1819]

Hey guys, I removed the jig hook from the hudd and put it on an owner. I'm in Florida, and we have a lot of grass. Do you think that's a good approach?

[@tacticalbassin]

A lot of people do that approach. We personally stick with the jighook (incredible hookup to land ratio) but there are plenty of guys doing the other. We have dedicated huddleston rigging videos and stinger hook videos if you search for them. 👍🏼

[@andybales7318]

I think they still make a weedless Hudd..6", no 8 I don't believe

[@bigfah2506]

Do you guys have experience with the P5 Destroyer Mark 56?

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes, what would you like to know? It's a great rod!

[@bigfah2506]

@@tacticalbassin where do you think it's sweet spot? Soft or hard baits? I've been using mine for 6inch weedless magdrafts. Haven't tired glides to much on it. What's your reel that you pair it up?

[@scotsemmens596]

What gear ratio in the Tranx 300 are you guys running?

[@tacticalbassin]

The "HG" (7:1)

[@20block.Pologroundz]

All remember, swimbaits & reels are on sale today at tackle warehouse

[@Meadmon]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@fatbackcrowe2448]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING GUYS!!!

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@midwestfischerman]

None of the new Berkley or Z-Man offerings make your cut. Duly noted.☑️

[@robertdaly6512]

Happy Thanksgiving guys!!!!

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving Robert!

[@SmokinBaits]

Let’s Go!

[@itllkeal]

Happy Thanksgiving

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@bobfishnut]

Happy Thanksgiving, guys!

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@davidkelley1989]

The items you are posting are not showing on sale at tackle warehouse. I contcted customer service and they said follow through with purchase and sale will be applied at the end of checkout. I did this and i was charged the full price . Can you please help correct this issue. Thank you

[@tacticalbassin]

You'll have to call customer service and they'll take care of you. We don't work for Tackle Warehouse. The reels are on sale and you will get the discount 👍🏼

[@averymills25]

Those are all great, but come to Florida, ya better have a gambler Big EZ tired on!

[@tacticalbassin]

😂 Been there, experienced that! But if you overlook the wakebait in FL you're also missing an amazing bite!

[@erk678]

So many baits so little time.🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

[@Twangtown7]

I know it's a Megabass rip-off, but the Bass Mafia Zaldangerous is almost identical to the Magdraft Freestyle. Except it's cheaper, more durable and can be fished at faster speeds without rolling.

[@repairdrive]

Yes!!!

[@maxcole3930]

Let us know what you think of them. So far I'm liking mine!

[@Kennethschorpp]

I'm trying to buy some big soft swimbaits already pre-rigged I live in London Kentucky a fish Laurel River Lake it's a deep water clear water reservoir I need a swimbait that I can throw out there and crawl on the bottom

[@dansmallwood2409]

LFG!!!!

[@ChorizoPig2]

"Best soft swimbaits you can buy at TW" would be a more accurate title. Any list of the best soft swimbaits would include the mission fish, line-trhough rising sons, flag-150 and the WCZ baits.

[@WadeDemoss]

Let's goooooooo

[@tacticalbassin]

🙌

[@jesseboyden3119]

I live for Matt allens "wwweelllllcooommee back totacticalbassin today were...." lol that line is literally burned in my brain I've watched so many of yalls videos over the past 3-4 years. Not that Tim's intro isn't just as great 😂

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! Well welcome back!!!

[@johnbarrett4274]

What about the Shimano SLX swim bait rod for us poor folk?

[@jasonwhite8520]

Tw really dropped the ball on their sale thus yr.

[@maxcole3930]

Happy Thanksgiving guys! I'm looking for a new glide bait reel with a faster gear ratio in the $200-250 range. I was considering tranx 200 xg, any other suggestions??

[@tacticalbassin]

It depends on the size of the glide but the tranx series is great! We typically go with the "HG" rather than "XG" so you have more torque when you hook a giant.

[@ratbird3290]

Sleeper gill is unfortunately disappointing. The dorsal fin folds back on the hook extremely easily. Not like dark sleeper.

[@tacticalbassin]

We've found that tipping that point up ever so slightly makes a BIG difference in hookup 👍

[@Gumby905]

No working class zero or livetarget. Kinda surprised