Big Baits only and Dodging California storms

[@alfaq654]

Greg, I doubt you'll see this comment but I'm gonna type it anyway. The reason I like your channel so much is because of how relatable it is. The "Googan Squad" guys, and other channels like theirs, are riding around on $100k boats, throwing their plastics in the trash after every bite. It's so unrelatable for any of us normal guys. You channel, on the other hand, showcases what it's like to be an everyday angler and I just want you to know that I appreciate it and want to thank you for putting in the effort to entertain us all. Tight lines my man, tight lines!

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

I appreciate that man. I just love fishing and have been fortunate to show my adventures on this platform. Gonna keep at it as long as I'm able!

[@salvadoraboytes6470]

Tanks for your time and your videos

[@reidbosco275]

I haven’t been commenting much but I’m watching, trust me. Every damn video😂love it all. Your the man

[@oldschoolhawking8191]

Greg Blanchard, 618 Fishing and Master Crow Outdoors, three channels I instantly watch when notified. 😎🎣📹👍

[@SouthJerseyBaitReviews]

When fishing these big baits the best advice like Butch said last night on cast and crank u cant throw them for 20 minutes and expect to catch a fish u show the bait to more and more fish and sooner or later one of them will bite. You just gotta be patient and it will start to click for ya and once u figure what they want and how they want it retrieved u can get some consistent bites with them.

[@Sincityslay3r]

Dang it Greg I was about to go to sleep lol. I guess I’ll just watch this as I pass out. But I will have to rewatch this because it’s my morning ritual to watch your videos and drink my coffee. It’s been a while since you did an all big baits video so I have to watch this a few times.

[@norriceleroux3281]

Same situation here. Lol 😂

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

haha, im guilty as well of turning on fishing shows/podcasts and passing out

[@alexbosinger5507]

Thank you! The season is open for me in MA. I grew up in Santa Cruz and hats off to you for going out on Berryessa/McClure/New Melones etc on your kayak. Those are far larger bodies of water than I fish and I day dream of a Newport vessels or something like that often. You and the crew keep my stoke up when my responsibilities keep me out of the water.

[@LastRODbender]

I I started kayak fishing because of you and Covid. I appreciate you ALWAYS wearing your PFD. Leasing by example. Thanks G.

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

right on, Clifford. yep, PFD always, no question.

[@kumaboyy.7443]

Maybe that big bait challenge would have been better at clear lake, but at least it was not an in-n-out day! Stay safe, Greg! Thanks!🙏👍

[@Buckeye2043]

Hey Greg. Ronnie Egan here. Congrats on your BASS masters placement dude. Unreal. Keep it up man.

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

What's up Ronnie! Thanks man, hope you're doing good

[@BassUnion]

Needed that senko as a follow up bait!

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

Had to be the 10'' senko tho 😂

[@BassUnion]

@@GregBlanchardFishing 😂😂

[@madhatter1957]

good choice bailing when that thunder started rolling in!

[@cstar8116]

I think you're right on the rod, I like more parabolic rods for the treble hook baits. I've been liking my Dobyns 795SB lately, but not something you'd want to use for single hook baits like a hudd. In a pinch you could also try tying a mono leader to the braid and that would help you get some more stretch in the line rather than straight braid.

[@maddmannziggy89]

Yep smart idea to get off the water! I got caught on lake fork during a storm and the boat died and we crashed into a dock and destroyed a bunch of the boat! Was not good. Great video as always buddy!

[@lizsmith9948]

Wow, what a tough day! It's good that in real life, we have more choices in baits to throw. We just came from a Clear Lake tournament where we had a tough time finding the bass. We totally understand! Tight lines! 😊

[@J.WannaFish]

For the Whipper snapper, I use the iRod Gen3 7'9" Large Swimbait Heavy rod. It's a moderate taper perfect for the large treble hooks baits. Use floro, it'll get your bait down deeper.

[@bretthumphries7911]

Nice morning. I need to try this. I have one bass rod, and it's a big swimbait setup. As a fly fisherman, it's either finesse or go BIG. Tight lines

[@mdepeel1]

Great video! I appreciate how you walk through your thought process on bait selection and how it pertains to situational fishing. Thanks for taking us along with you as a ‘fishing buddy’! Tight lines from the PNW 🍻

[@FishingWithFred]

That whipper snapper lol. Have you thought of modifying the hooks? Maybe use braid instead of split rings. Maybe give you hook a little more dangle

[@kellymathiason9349]

Hello Greg your video are awesome as always.....well the ice is finely gone off the lakes up here ...I was super stoked, i took my native 12.5 out for the first time and it was worth the wait ...it performed perfectly, watching you fish from a kayak and showing how easy and safe it is really convinced me to invest in my own kayak and it is really awesome . Thank you.

[@dontnonowuno9953]

12.5 easy for you to maneuver?I'm 240 lb and looking for a stable platform that you can still get around in easy

[@kellymathiason9349]

@@dontnonowuno9953 yes it is real stable im 6'4" 230lb and it works great and im a old dude..59..i mounted a 55lb thrust trolling motor with a power control switch and it works great

[@dontnonowuno9953]

@@kellymathiason9349 👍thanks for info much appreciated

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

Glad the kayak is working out, Kelly! I think that's an overlooked factor with the Titan series. It's a big (and overall heavy) kayak but when you're on the water with it, it feels great and you feel comfortable in it.

[@thatfishingnoob]

Man, good to see you hook up on some fish. Thanks for showing the misses too man. It happens! I’ll be going out trying to work a top water frog again soon. Hopefully I’ll get some good practice in! Cheers man!

[@karlagutierrez5141]

Hey! Looks like Vegas weather! 😂 It’s ok, Greg…. Video was great and In n Out will make it somewhat better.

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

always does😂

[@F1Hopeful]

We’ve been in stuff like that with strong lightening that came up on us literally in a few minutes. Rods started to hum with the static in the atmosphere. VERY SCARY. Without a doubt, you did absolutely the right thing. I’ve found it super useful to add a mono leader about a foot long between the braid and topwater (trebled) or glide bait. Keeps from fouling the hooks with the braid and acts as a shock absorber….of sorts. 25-40 lb mono or whatever I have around that’s in that range. Try it!! Love topwater!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Greg!! BTW some of the footage of the lake with the clouds and weather was majestic!!

[@Wicked03GT]

I love the whipper snapper baits. Work good on the east coast with the reservoirs that have some massive gills in them already. I prefer a H power mod-fast action rod on that bait. It’s big and heavy and I feel like getting that big bend in the rod helps keep them pinned. Think how fly fishing works, tiny hooks, no barbs. But the rods are long and whip like, they keep the fish pinned well as no tension is even given up on the bait, no matter how much they head shake.

[@jamescanady3442]

I'm in Florida and I'm definitely going to pick a couple up for this season. Thank you!

[@rudydodds6054]

Great video, thanks for sharing 👍

[@mattbarber4199]

Always be safe then sorry! Enjoyed your big fishing lures! U said that right, don't carry a light rod! Take care!

[@emilioespinoza9852]

Awesome video, I gotta get out there and try big baits.

[@whitty2575]

I swear spots never get hooked! I missed one 4 times yesterday on my big waking bait! He was with a school of 3 more and they were all so aggressive, I was so disappointed I couldn’t get them lol

[@dennisdavis3066]

Great that you made this video Greg and way to commit to these baits I've done the same thing that's how I learned the fish a jig fish a plastic worm all the different techniques cranking top water just a great way to get the confidence and learn these techniques to where your semi-efficient I guess I should say in just about everything build the confidence great video great keep it up

[@BobbyOfEarth]

With the benefit of hindsight, trying to force feed fish the baits that you want them to eat during prefrontal conditions ..is why preconceived game plans are so difficult to execute and painful to watch. The morning chop was a nice setup for post spawn 'biguns'' with rip baits and crankbaits. Either way, it's always nice to spend time on the water with friends..

[@Mourlias7]

Great video Greg! It sucks that weather turned out like that for ya. PLEASE do the same video again now in the post spawn if you feeling like it! I think it would be a blast 😄

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

For sure! Plan on doing some big wakers (gills, rats, etc) this summer on the Delta and maybe even around evening/night time, should be interesting

[@Mourlias7]

@@GregBlanchardFishing awesome! Can’t wait bud! Keep up the good work!

[@15dleyva]

Nice parabolic rod would help you out... Gotta remember you are fishing a treble hook bait so you need that bend to keep them pinned

[@mattolivo]

That whipper snapper attracted a lot of bass attention in my opinion. I feel like you got a decent amount of bites and followers on that bait today, would of def raised my confidence in that bait for sure.

[@kerrypitt9789]

It provided some good "Takes," for pictures etc.

[@JBworkz]

Love this video! been unsuccessful at Berry on big baits but I'd recommend a dobyns 795 for the snapper! love it for mine!

[@JBworkz]

also I'm local in Walnut Creek and Moraga, willing to let you borrow one of my swimbait rods I have plenty and don't get to fish as often. Would let you get a feel for one before breaking the bank.

[@JBworkz]

@greg blanchard

[@anthonyvespia6662]

Greg that was great, to do a little self challenge. You're a great mentor, and one of the best anglers out there. I alway's want you to pick up a big bait, especially in your tournament's. Stay safe bro. 🙏 😎 🎣

[@jcann9632]

Well dang, that is the thing about mother mother nature. When she says NO it means NO!! Thunder and lighting is a definite HELL NO!! I think she was just doing you a favor and not let you damage your wrist throwing those big baits all day.👍🤣 Still NO SKUNK!! 🤘🎣🍻🍻 Delta was nice to me on Saturday but skunked my buddy. That is the way it goes sometimes. Looking forward to the next one.👍🍻🎣🎣

[@perryrushing5089]

Great video Greg. Just a thought but I think that whipper snapper needs just a little chartreuse on the end of its tail. Maybe?

[@byronbrush9030]

You arent just building your confidence...youre building mine too. I want one of those whipper snappers now. 😂 ps. Throw it on mono with a rod that has a little more tip. Prolly land a few more

[@AVHobbies2011]

Glad you made it back and safe!

[@fishnrc294]

As always thanks for the adventure.

[@kadinrules44]

Truly a joy to wake up and see a GB notification 😌👍🏽

[@apparaoapparao]

Irod genesis jr swim or similar for those treble hooked wake baits. Good parabolic action so you don’t rip the hooks away from the fish.

[@paytonbatt8243]

Awesome video, I would love to see more big bait dedicated videos!

[@PythonDad]

Weather forecasting in the US is basically fortune telling. If any meteorologists want to prove me wrong, step up. More seriously, we have super old tech for coming up with the models used to predict the weather. It is thankfully being upgraded as we speak, so hopefully in a few years, they'll be more reliable.

[@seantuck542]

I didn't see in the description what the shoes and wadding gear was. My boots keep getting holes and what you have seems to work better. What are they?

[@valenor916]

Was on the Delta this same day, caught the same number of fish, and did the same thing once those clouds moved in.

[@feelgoodfishingwithhenko251]

Im always exited to see your videos. I leave everything and dtart watching...

[@dukeduke3599]

So I guess I’m hardcore for kayak fishing in 20+ winds and white caps…nothing ever happened to me except getting wet lol

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

lol, you're like my buddy Mike, no F's given hahaha

[@dukeduke3599]

@@GregBlanchardFishing I he no idea it was dangerous since I see people at the Bay Area kayaking all the time in crazy water haha

[@paynekaufmann403]

Love to see you having success in cali, I went to the delta in March and got screwed over by the heat wave and the fact I couldn’t get a kayak.

[@stevenvalenti3722]

You did the right thing Greg. it's better safe than sorry. You'll live to fish another day.🙂🍺

[@mikefurness1598]

Any day on the water is a good day fish or no fish!! Looks like today is an in-and-out Burger day!!

[@IISR9II]

Look at the Falcon Lowrider 7'9". Moderate action. I use it to throw my wake baits, glide baits. It gives you the lob action that you are looking for and it keeps those fish pinned.

[@fishingwithjett5373]

Yes Greg for sure safer is better. Another really good video regardless of the fish catches. I purchased my first ever hard swim bait the other day. Gonna try it out really soon. Hopefully I can bare throwing it all day only

[@dalestevens7734]

love your videos and your a better fisherman than most of us. That said have you ever considered that when your casting a bait and the fish are striking when it first hits the water switching to a walking or popping bait to keep it in the strike zone longer? After trying it post back later to let us know how it went,

[@kayakfiend4436]

I hope you learn as much from your footage as I do brother 🤘

[@kendalsoares7852]

As always another awesome video Greg. Also the will power to only go fishing with big baits got to give it to man because that isn't easy to do knowing that you could have caught them good with finesse. And by the way that was a good decision to get off the water when you did because I don't know what I would watch anymore if you were not posting videos anymore.

[@mikebruehl7341]

I’m pretty good at getting hung up on stuff in the water below… so watching other videos where you punch in Lilly pads and thick muck get me motivated to try other techniques. These big baits though, so expensive for one compared to other baits yet you get hit. I need to just brave it and toss em’ out there! I’ll have to research the gear to throw them. Also nervous about flipping in choppy water with my electronics so yeah…better safe than sorry for me in crummy weather. Thanks for the vid!

[@BassNinja]

do you always use braid with your topwater baits

[@sg-mx4ii]

That first hit looked like one of those smaller ones with a big attitude!

[@edbarton6489]

Great videos. Enjoy your posts. I noticed you don’t use buzz baits very much or at least don’t show them. Might try a slow presentation just fast enough to keep them on the top. Especially around the weed line. Gives them more time in the strike zone. Just a thought. I used them in the delta a lot.

[@dher1663]

You should try big bait in the delta.that would be be nice.

[@patrickt1087]

That is the way to learn a new bait or technique. Literally, how I learned topwater walking bait, jig, and jerkbait. Just committed throwing it all day no matter what. Eventually, started catching fish with them all.

[@dne3142]

Respect man stay safe! Im taking the yak out tomorrow get some tournament practice in!

[@rogerloydmccoy]

Try the Dobyns Mike Bucca Bull Shad Series Rod for you toxic bait. Super value for money and a really good rod for big baits.

[@tannerstephens8109]

Big baits only lets go!

[@johnshaft5613]

I'm sort of like you...in that I view the huge baits mostly as a novelty and personally don't really have much confidence in them. As I see it, the only point in them is to reduce bites from smaller fish to focus on larger ones, but they don't really do that. Bass not much bigger than the lure will still hit them. The difference is night fishing....I like to use them at night....not just for bass either. They are great for night trolling for huge brown trout.

[@austinbrown6944]

Think of the wake bait as a crank bait, you basically need a little bit of give in the tip of the rod

[@FailRonHubbard]

Hey man, love the videos! Do you have any tips for keeping a fish on a ketch board to get a picture. Placed 4th in my tourney today, which was also the first I got to measure fish. One went perfect. The other jumped out of my hands and off the ketch board. Would've put me in 3rd, and would've got the payout for big fish. Gonna sting for a while.

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

Thanks Joey. Nice finish first off. My tips would be to have your net on the left side of the board on the kayak wall vertically so that it if it flops (fish 99% of the time flop to the left) the net will block it. Also, have the phone ready when you initially place the fish on the board and get some quick photos. These are "insurance" photos and if the fish some how gets out of the boat (and even with mouth open) you still have some pictures you can legally submit. Lastly, the fish will tell you the mood it's in when you lip it. If it's flopping and moving a lot it's a hot fish and will probably be a problem on the board. I'll wet the board, maybe even keep the fish in the net a bit longer before I put it down for measurement and definitely don't squeeze said fish on the board since it'll probably flop even more.

[@FailRonHubbard]

@@GregBlanchardFishing Thank you so much. It's certainly a learning experience for me. Just got into kayak fishing this year really. I've always fished lakes and rivers. I really appreciate the tips!.

[@jamesh7469]

Flipping stick is totally fine for that whippersnapper, but you need to run mono or copoly line with some stretch instead of braid. If you want to use braid you need to use more of a crankbait rod

[@Totallytorched]

Do more of these big baits only videos!

[@puvlea83]

Your weather patterns ALWAYS seem to follow mine. Ontario, Canada Was 90⁰ all week, front came in, now its 60⁰

[@ironmonkey4o8]

Greg feeling that Big Bait Energy. hehe

[@colbymyers6278]

You should do this again. Just bring the deps, hudd and a-rig only next time. Sometimes you have to fully commit

[@bassface12348]

So I've been curious Greg i noticed you switched from mostly shimano curados to revo stx reels. Wondering your thoughts on that. Love the content my favorite kayak fishing youtuber!!

[@chernandez7306]

Greg, have you seen videos of Butch Brown? He is a big bait only fisherman.

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

for sure. lots of knowledge on the 250 and Hudd. Not sure I've heard much from him on big wakers tho

[@김민호-w7f]

Hello~ bro I enjoyed the video today~ What PFD product are you using?

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

Thank you. NRS Chinook

[@poststalone1496]

need something with a slower tip but a solid backbone in the back half

[@SlothySeconds]

Check out a magdraft sometime greg! they're biig soft swimbaits and get Biiig ol'bites. but also get some smaller fish so it doesn't feel like it never works.

[@AOSD12345]

Right time on Sunday.

[@devinhoyt8038]

Kinda early if ya ask me sun ain't even up yet 😂

[@mitchelrhodes5074]

Man that's so hard to do. Not taking confidence baits and trying something new. But sometimes that's what you got to do.

[@brettbatchelder2795]

Greg, I've noticed you have switched two a right side reel for the retrieve on your top water baits, maybe you have touched on it already. Much like you I use left hand reels but got to thinking after seeing some of your videos that it is much more natural on certain types of retrieves, top water, jerk baits to use a right side out of the kayak. Thanks again for the killer content.

[@ninjarider84]

I've had some of my best bass fishing in the rain, living in western Washington...if you don't fish in the rain you won't fish much lol but thunder...im getting my butt off the water lol

[@KiddNCoop]

Whipper snapper I love throwing getting it wiggling swimming just below the surface or painfully slowly on top clack clack clack clack clack and gets hammered

[@kalecastaneda]

Throw some mono maybe on that whippersnapper setup

[@therustyhook1642]

Wind blows 😅

[@Zach-tx1ej]

Try slowing down the retrieve with the SpongeBob square bill just enough to make a little wake great vid as always tho

[@garymueller6488]

Good to see you get out of your comfort zone. Liked the video. I gotta do the same thing

[@Greighps]

Somewhat off topic, but I can’t find any information and I think you maybe a wealth of knowledge on this topic. I’ve done some local kayak tournaments and sort of have an idea of what to expect, but I’m curious, is there any requirements on registering for the bass masters kayak tournament? Can anyone register? Or do you have to have a history in other tournaments and such?

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

BASS has their kayak tournament schedule on their site and is open to anyone so long as you have a BASS membership. As far as the annual BASS kayak championship - that you'll need to qualify for. Every other tournament tho is fair game

[@Greighps]

@@GregBlanchardFishing awesome, thank you for the information!

[@Usuario-23]

Good morning ☕️

[@dogvsraptor1980]

Check out the KGB swimbaits heavy moderate rod: rated 1-4 ounces and performs like a big crankbait stick.

[@purehonda23]

Slow your presentation down a bit buddy every time they hit is when you paused it and let it sit. Also when its cold they want that very realistic look and slow action to "trick" them. Definitely cant just burn it along like when its 80 or so out. Otherwise great video bud love the content🤘

[@jimwarden9617]

You need a follow-up bait…ie…nose-hooked fluke.

[@devinhoyt8038]

Whipper snapper 😂

[@paynekaufmann403]

Did this myself tonight throwing the magdraft and whopper plopper and ended up catching 5 fish, almost all 2+lbs

[@mannyalicea5581]

Hey Greg I love the big bait changes you made I have a question which big bait are you most confident in

[@GregBlanchardFishing]

Thanks Manny. I would say now the whipper snapper. I think that will catch fish even better on the Delta and with the right rod I bet it will be killer this summer

[@sg-mx4ii]

You after monsters?!?!?!? I wish I could have had one big bait yesterday as a huge female bass took my little frog down then went for a run and snapped off!

[@BrandonBOutdoors]

Whippersnapper you should throw on a dobyns 795 or 806. For a production rod that’s easy to grab. I would highly recommend a F5 customs ghost code 710 or 800. Get ahold of Brad Vanderpool he will set you up

[@ILLUMINATHAN79]

Since your in Cali you should fish the Delta.

[@mattolivo]

Wrong rod but the length is good, you want a heavy rod or ex heavy but with a soft moderate tip, that fast tip is snatching the bait out there mouth. Hopefully you catch one though still got 9 minutes of video left

[@MwoHaNu]

Can you tell me the product name of the shoes?

[@bradys.4935]

NRS boots