The BEST Technique You've NEVER Heard Of!

The Spiral Bait has been working for decades and guys are finally finding out! Maybe you've heard all the hype surrounding the Hover Rig, well you're about to find out that this method (in one form or another) has been winning money in the West for a long time!
With word spreading about the hover rig, the cat is out of the bag on this old Western tournament technique. The key to the spiral bait is the "death spiral." Learning to adjust each bait to get a wide death spiral will allow fish more time to approach the bait before it hits bottom. This technique works and it's finally getting the coverage it deserves.
Below you'll find links to the both the simple rigging method, as well as some of the modern solutions to creating a proper death spiral. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
THE HEADS...
•Gamakatsu 90 Degree Jig Hook: bit.ly/3KA2Too
•Gamakatsu 211 Round Head: bit.ly/3qnWcip
•Core Tackle Hover Rig: bit.ly/3sefRSc
THE WEIGHTS...
Reins Tungsten Nail: bit.ly/3Qvfv3Z
Size: 1/32 oz
THE WORMS...
•Roboworm Sculpin: bit.ly/39hyrzL
Colors: Oxblood Light Red Flake, Hologram Shad
•Yamamoto 4" Senko: bit.ly/2axAmNS
Colors: Natural Shad, Electric Shad, Baby Bass
•MissileBaits 4" Magic Worm: bit.ly/3T7dHgB
Colors: Blueback Secret, Watermelon Violet
OTHER BAIT SHAPES...
•ZMan Jerk Shade: bit.ly/3yRocN0
Colors: Bad Shad, Smelt
•ZMan TRD Bugz: bit.ly/2oiavEE
Colors: Blood Worm, Mud Bug
•Reins Ring Craw: bit.ly/3U0OQvC
Colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Seed
HIGH END COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 901S SJR: bit.ly/2RB0oJP
Reel- Shimano Exsence A 3000: bit.ly/2iMtscV
Line- Sunline Super FC (5 lb): bit.ly/2p7fxju
BUDGET COMBO...
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'4" Med Light: bit.ly/3O8zBye
Reel- Shimano Miravel 2500: bit.ly/3QZnwL5
Line- Sunline Super FC (6 lb): bit.ly/2p7fxju
TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/3U9y4cl
Favorite Net: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
________________________________________________________________
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 #hoverrig #finessefishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the Core Tackle shoutout Tim!

[@rodneychandler82]

Was bound to happen . Happy for you buddy 👍

[@mikegardiner3934]

I was about to say, sales are already going crazy. Good! When Tim and Matt talk about it, it’s gonna go through the roof. Lol and it should! Great product!

[@sautterfishing]

You know you’ve made it when these boys feature it! Happy for you Matt! I’ve been rocking the core tackle hat you gave me.

[@zachg5356]

Heck yeah Matt!! 23 has been a wild awesome year for ya!

[@ihtfishing4726]

I was happy to see Tim mention the core tackle product!

[@HeavenlySnipez]

I've been a big Matt Stefan fan since I found him on KZbin, and when I saw him and Johnny Schultz unveil the new Hover Rig I knew it would absolutely SMASH finicky fish. Caught a lot of fish, and a handful of big ones on it this year. Absolutely MONEY bait. Thanks for the video!!!

[@DavidShirek-co3gi]

When I saw that all I could think is this is just using an tube jig inserted to be inside a soft jerkbait, not certain the technique needs an entire separate name. Not like we give a jig a new technique name for each type of soft plastic you put on it. I personally like the insider jigs from Big Bite Baits as they make them in small sizes for crappie and I tend to like finesse lighter weight presentations. But I will agree, I do typically like Matt Stefans content as he frequently does have solid information.

[@HeavenlySnipez]

David Shirek When the technique is a separate technique, that is why it is given a certain name. Hover Strolling is the technique. Using a Hover Rig is the terminal tackle being used. There's a reason it's named that. It's not just a tube jig with a soft jerkbait. Hover strolling can use just about any soft plastic you can think of. If Matt and Johnny were using an old technique they wouldn't have named it something new. Like Tim even said in the video, he's been using it for 16 years but there was never a technique name for it. Now there is. *The More You Know*

[@mattquinlan4629]

Like a tube, kinda?? Thanks guys! Early today;-)

[@6cwl9]

Man baby bass is my favorite senko and I never thought to color the tail black I've colored tails yellow on other senkos but it never crossed my mind to do black on the baby bass. Great tip I'm trying it out this afternoon thanks for all the great content

[@secretbassrigs]

That'd interesting. The black tail tip is usually the first thing people add when mimicking baby bass.

[@mikegardiner3934]

yep, Core tackle came out with their rig, which is the best. I also see gambler has jumped on bandwagon. I’m sure many others will be making these too.

[@Zdnorth1022]

Try the 6th sense juggle minnow. Killer colors spirals really well.

[@williamgould2470]

The nice thing about core tackle's hook is it eliminates the need for the separate nose weight.

[@masonboyd9611]

You two are by far my favorite KZbinrs and provide so much for the community

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you so much!

[@huknlipzfishing]

​@tacticalbassin I would love if you guys just happen to come on lanier and I just bumped into you guys it'd be interesting to see how you guys break the lake down compared to me

[@secretbassrigs]

At any lake in Southern California, it's hard not to meet an avid LMB angler that's never heard of Tactical Bassin.

[@gavinrobertson7799]

​@@tacticalbassinsculpin on a flashy swimmer is money💯

[@swimbaitonaprairie9359]

love the Core tackle products save lots of nail weights

[@rodneychandler82]

Thanks for the Core tackle add . Matt deserves the recognition for his rig's 👍. Great Vid buddy 👍

[@Bankfishindude]

The core tackle hover rigs have been smashing for me! Thanks for all the juice guys🎣

[@livewire2k4]

are you going to be doing a video on the Core Tackle TUSH hook? The Ultimate Swimbait Hook!

[@willperryman4559]

Whoa Tim, I am thrilled that you have the Core Tackle Hover, and Tush is another option and I love to see people succeed , and 90% of the viewers are using Core Tackle Hover rig hooks……Yeah Matt Stephan and Johnny Shultz😮 Happy Summer and Finesse Fishing to Everyone 🎉🎉🎉

[@nawinchester]

I had already picked up a couple of packs of the Core Tackle Hover Rig, and I have some of the Missile Baits 4" Magic worms. Definitely going to the lake this weekend with this set up to see if I can get some finnicky bass to bite.

[@mikegardiner3934]

sounds like an awesome combo. good luck!! I haven’t tried 4” missile robo worm yet, but the keitec shad Impact works great.

[@dwarren01]

So the death spiral and a true hover stroll are two different things. Same set up however a true “hover stroll” is putting the bait at a specific depth and keeping it their during your slow retrieve.

[@brandonsmith606]

The core tackle hover rig is money

[@noomzy1027]

X-Zone Slammer works well with the core tackle hook

[@sautterfishing]

Tim couldn’t do it! Couldn’t get through the video without making a cast! I love it. Lol. I always say at the beginning when it’s just Tim, will he make a cast or not? He can’t not make a cast! Haha. Awesome vid as always guys! I always enjoy your vids. Very informative. 🤙🏼🎣

[@StealthSurviveYT]

Great video. Watching from the uk and a lot of your techniques are excellent for catching the perch we have over here.

[@NamelessAngler]

Love this technique! light tube heads work great as well. Try it with a tube and you get a death spiral with a slight up and down drift.

[@timg185]

I’ve tied nail weight to jig hooks with fly tying tread . Just got some core tackle jigs to try out.

[@bassmedic]

i can vouch for the core tackle rig. i have to agree the weed guard just gets in the way. i caught 4 fish in like 15 minutes with that hover gig. bent the weed guard on the fist fish i caught

[@garylee1544]

Looks like it would make an Excellent "Follow-Up Bait"!

[@hunterjarnigan7220]

Matt Stephen calls it the hover rig he also came out with his own weight and hook just for it

[@Roboworm99]

It’s funny how old techniques become new again. The actual hover out of Japan is a finesse technique with a jig hook and really light nail weight that they work through the water column just with a rocking motion. This old technique we have done out west with tube heads and darter heads inside worms or tube worms or jig hooks wrapped in lead or solder.

[@muskybites505]

So you have been doing this for 15 years and never mentioned it!?!

[@dennisederer3594]

Matt, an awesome presentation. I was introduced to the Core Tackle products a few months ago. I’m so excited that Tim and you have tried the products. I’m hopeful that even with limited visibility in our AZ lakes that I can achieve some success. Thank you again for this excellent presentation.

[@secretbassrigs]

That is Tim, by the way. Matt is the other guy with the beard sometimes.

[@raymondjohnson6496]

Your reel is it a vanquish 3000 it says Exsence 3000A but like I said it looks like a vanquish 3000

[@shorefishingontario]

It is a Vanquish C3000XG - I have the same reel.

[@kentbrown5369]

You should try the core tackle head in a deps bull flat. It has an amazing spiral fall it. The shape of the bait makes it fall in a real big spiral. With a light head it is like it’s almost not moving. I have been smoking bass on it all summer

[@ronstein7369]

This is the same style of jig head that Bobby Garland invented (no longer available) to use with the Original tube bait that he also invented, The Gitzet. These Core Tackle Hover Rig jig heads are Awesome and do the same thing the Gitzet did ... SPIRAL as it's going down. They work!

[@leepao6302]

i like to use the G7 1/64oz or 1/32oz screw in sinker, works better for me

[@carlgottgetreu5358]

I’ve been having fun using the core tackle this summer on BFS.

[@jdubya3498]

You have this example on GLoomis spinning Rod & mentioned 4-6 lb line; have you tried this on BFS casting like 6'10" ML?

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

Thank you Tim,awesome video 👏👏❤️

[@waldekjarota1259]

convincing and great stuff, Great Thnx from NL EU !!!!

[@bluesinsation]

Good video. I kinda wish you hadn’t . I’ve been using owner darter head jigs and before that kalin’s darter head jigs for years as a secret bait. Grubs, both kalin’s curly tail and mann’s or cordell spade tail back in the day. Also centipedes and old weenie worms, even tiny 5” hook tail worms and sometimes pull the tail off or just cut it like a cut tail worm.

[@anthonygesick]

First heard of this from Ben Milliken, using the 6th Sense juggle minnow calling it the hover juggle

[@gavinrobertson7799]

You guys have helped me get so creative with my fishing. You guys are legends and we look up to yall!!! Thanks from everyone

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you! We appreciate the support!

[@BassUnion]

Hey Tim letting the cat out of the bag on the death spiral!! Been using our Weedless Darter Heads for a hot minute out here to accomplish that same spiral on Lake Oroville 🤫

[@juiceman33]

Tim, I just picked up a gopro hero9 mounted on a yolotek powerstick that plugs into my stern navlight port…Would love to see you do a new video on how to set it up for fishing…

[@bayardlohmiller9785]

I randomly tried a Gene Larew shooter on a slider head a few years ago which has that same death spiral (found them in the dollar bin at Wal-Mart but they didn't have the shooter hooks with the little tab to shoot them like a bow and arrow). I was fishing very clear water and my graph was lit up with big arches, it looked like the picture on the side of the box and I had tried every thing I would normally drop to them, then I dropped down that shooter and caught a nice one on the first drop. I think I caught another one then lost one and they dispersed but it was pretty cool, unfortunately I can't find them anywhere

[@mmancino1982]

I rig my worms and mag flukes in such a way that they spiral down. Consistently gets hammered on the fall. It works

[@donaldmartin4980]

Jig worm …..been using since plastic worms were invented ….nothing new .

[@rcandy4u]

I won a NBW derby at San V on those robo sculpins in January on a 1 ounce bubba rig with 8 pound main line & a 6 pound leader

[@rcandy4u]

Bill Murphy’s eagle claw 181 gave that same crazy fall

[@jacksmith3801]

Morning 🌄

[@toddpossum]

Aloha!

[@MrFishhook]

40 years ago I would take a trick worm rigged with a 2/0 offset hook and about a 1/4 inch piece of a lunker city nail weight stuck in the tip of the worm . It would do what we called a death spiral. We could see it real good because we started it on the crystal clear rainbow river . It’s so funny how these presentations come back and are called something else lol….. It would draw bass from far away !

[@nealatthecrossfishing]

I loved the Rainbow River! I lived in Gainesville, Florida for a few months. We went often!

[@MrFishhook]

@@nealatthecrossfishing Now the only time you can enjoy fishing is when it’s 35 * lol… The river is clogged up with kayakers most of the summer. Nothing against kayakers but it’s hard to enjoy a fishing day with a thousand boats lol…..

[@macking4942]

still waiting on yall to come break down hartwell!!!!!!!!!!

[@a.b.robinsonjr.4301]

What size 90 degree head are you using? Any hook number?

[@joeys7519]

Geez can I just use this for a year without everyone talking about it

[@RCSTILE]

Ike was doing this 20 years ago with a Molix jig..

[@landonvanhorn592]

Re-inventing the wheel… a tube has done this for many decades

[@rcandy4u]

I rig Matt’s core rig on a clear slip water bobber with a 4 inch senko

[@Radsmachine]

Skip to 10:25 to see the rigging. You're welcome.

[@toddpossum]

Thanks!

[@cliffrichter6542]

Ever put a real small swivel a little up the line to prevent line twist

[@Ryanwills7]

What size hook do you use with a 4in Senko

[@Cbasschin]

Great now these will always be out of stock lol

[@MaineStreamFishing]

Thanks…. I had the right action but it looked weird to me… i thought it was gonna “hover” almost like a wacky rig! I had it completely right🤷🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@joeb7508]

Remember the gitzit! Same deal with a tube

[@friendlyfishingguy9556]

I do this with a fat grub curly tail.

[@TexasPondBassMaster]

Hey Tim - Love the channel and the info. I just started a channel as well called TXPondBassMaster. I started bass fishing on May 29th of 2022 and have landed 345 bass as of 8.19.23. My question is, what type of camera do you use to capture your videos? Thanks and Keep Up The Great Work 👍🏼🎣 Tight Lines 🎉🥳 I just found it in the description 👍🏼 GoPro Hero 9 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🎉

[@dwheeler016]

Another one selling the Hover Rig.

[@trextrextrex]

Same thing With a Tube/Gitzit

[@myriammorrison9840]

🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ the spiral rig, the hover rig 🤷🏻‍♀️🫣 been doing it with a tube for 30 years.. Guido Hibdon showed me ( Rose State College) how in the late “80” or early “90” 😂 done it with a bass assassin in the mid “90”s .. just limited here in my muddy waters. I am happy to see new hooks out to help rig the baits..

[@garymueller6488]

Is this like a darter head kind of. Please explain if you can. Thanks for the info Tim. Looks like a great technique. Darter head baits have been the deal in California lakes like Shasta and Oroville for a while. I know cause live in California. Again thanks for the content. 😊

[@jeffreyrodgers5835]

In the 80's we had the gitzit tube and when rigged Texas on 1/0 hook and a 1/8 oz bullet weight it would also do the death spiral on light line. We killed em in open water especially clear lakes with heavy pressure. Butler chain Central Florida

[@Straight_Kash]

Ooohhh another technique I can use on the Megabass P5 Flyssa rod! Now I’m definitely buying it haha!

[@chopsticks525]

Bright black huh?

[@tonyparsley641]

I have that 4 inch mold

[@andybales7318]

😂 i can only imagine how much tackle & lures Tim/Matt have....i have a ton of lures, 29 rod/reel combos & im willing to bet my arsenal is 1/8 of what they have...it's definately a sickness...someone needs to come up with a tackle vaccine

[@michaelmoore2498]

Tried this set up with a 5" senko electric shad (didn't have a 4") and stuck a 3.68 on my 3rd cast.

[@johno7435]

Been doing something similar with a neko-rigged Yamamoto D Shad with a 1/32 oz nail weight. I also learned that technique from you last year 😉

[@cpntexas_x]

Awesome additional view of this technique. I have been taking a 90degree jig hook of my size, heatshrink some weighted wire I use to suspend jerkbaits or weight glide baits and use heat shrink to add juts what and where I want to the hook I want. Any flat bait like a gill bait, 6thsense panorama, berkely gilly the wider/flatter the better. Hook them in the flat orientation and let the wide surface interact with the water pressure on the fall and hold on. Yo ucan even cut a thicker bait like the senko to get a flat side if you like.

[@docbrown9054]

No idea where I learned it cuz I thot it was u guys, but... ppl have been using shrink wrap and a nail weight for ever.

[@loganbronnenberg8102]

Hey TacticalBassin I have a few bait ideas and techniques I think you guys would definitely implement... I was wondering if we could chat sometime.

[@devindedeaux9510]

Awesome video!! I can't wait to use this on my finicky Montana smallmouth!

[@Czarlite]

The Googan Squad Drag N Drop has a flat bottom and low key does really well with this technique ok I'll see myself out

[@hunterbohman7555]

Another great video from the tactical bassin' guys. 👍👍

[@chadsullivan3811]

I forgot about seeing my tube death spiral on Arbuckle when I caught bass as a kid!! I just assumed it was the right presentation lol thanks Tim! Always the best recommendations.

[@nathanblake3608]

So your saying that when you are using the core tackle hover hook and you don’t get it perfectly straight then still rock with it cus that thing is gonna be SPINNING! 😂

[@seanshanahan8844]

Thanks Tim, great video! Home lake is Oroville, we've been doing similar tech with a small tube on light dart head at lime saddle for years, can't wait to try your twist on things!!!!!

[@TheWaymont]

CORE tackle is putting out some great stuff. Hover strolling is great. @mattStefanFishing

[@davidhill6990]

Mr. Reighley is smiling right about now. Keep up the great work Tim and Matt

[@learningtofish7036]

Thank you Tim

[@seizedcarcass8440]

Yeah the core tackle hover rig is by far the best way to fish this. I use everything from a zoom finesse worm to a beaver bait on them. You wouldn’t believe how powerful this technique is!

[@ericsadventuresfishing8832]

i'm excited to try this looks very fishy, don't be afraid to just name something that's how it works sometimes it sticks other times someone else's name sticks. still really looks like it will work whatever the name is.

[@dannywhitney7166]

We did this decades ago with tubes. 1/16 oz tube jighead and you pop the eye out about 2/3 the way down the body and it does exactly the same thing. Works great.

[@davidhidalgo5662]

Sounds like tube fishing. Looks like tube jig heads. You get that death spiral in tubes and it is killer. I never thought to try it in a worm or minnow body. Very interesting. The one thing I do hate is when there is a stick your lure will just spin and spin around it and wrap you up worse then anything you could imagine.

[@MadMaxx89]

just fish a tube lol same motion with the added ability to fish heavier weights on heavier line if you want to upsize.

[@bhfishin]

This is such an amazing technique for small mouth out West. I’ve caught loads of them on this technique

[@davidlanphere5817]

Excellent video, I'm definitely going to give this a try. I was wondering if you could do this technique with the nose hooked fluke

[@Roboworm99]

Love that additional tip with the baby bass Senko. I do it with all my baby bass colored baits. Including the S-Waver

[@mitchcoleman4595]

Two soft plastic s that have worked well have been a Big TRD and the drag and drop by googan baits

[@hunterbohman7555]

Sight fishing is so rewarding to see a fish come inhale a nice finesse bait. So exciting!! Thanks for all the info Tim!

[@plookngo67]

tube jigs do the death spiral with the right heads and weight . standard for ice fishing for lake trout here in colorado . i rig some berkley minniows flat on a jig for the death spiral

[@enriqueburruel35]

It could be using BFS gear or just spinning gear?

[@jasonriede6056]

Gitzit dying shad has really good death spiral also a technique that works out here on the West Coast darter head

[@AnthonyHunt-kf1qt]

Sluggo!

[@kirkb6329]

love this technique ! thanks for sharing , love the Senko version