Don't get left behind! Bass fishing is changing faster than ever before! Over the past couple years, these 3 rigs have exploded onto the stage and are taking over bass fishing. If you're a tournament angler, you need to know how to do them. If you're a fun fisherman, it's still a really good idea to figure these "new" techniques out, and add them to your arsenal.
Every few years a fresh technique comes along and you can catch a ton of bass while it's new. Right now there are three, and you don't want to miss any of them! Free rigging will get you bit year round when fish are difficult to catch and lethargic. Mid strolling, also known as "jig and minnow", "strolling", "moping", "damiki rigging", and many other names... is revolutionizing fishing for the time being. And hover rigging is the fun fisherman's secret weapon. If you're willing to slow down with this technique, it will catch fish when literally nothing else will!
Below we've broken down our favorite components for each rig, as well as a couple rod and reel combos we use to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
FREE RIG COMPONENTS...
Light Wire Hook- Hayabusa Round Bend: bit.ly/3Zbo8Ty
Sizes: 2/0 for small profiles, 4/0 for large
Wide Gap Hook- Gamakatsu Offset EWG: bit.ly/2d07gvp
Sizes: 3/0 - 4/0
Light Weight- Zappu Pinfree Shot Tungsten: bit.ly/48750Kw
Size: 1/8 - 3/16 oz
TOP 3 FREE RIG BAITS...
•XZone Adrenaline Craw Jr (3.5"): bit.ly/3ebTO5h
Colors: Green Pumpkin Blk Flake, Tilapia
•OSP DoLive Beaver: bit.ly/3ECnepu
Colors: Green Pumpkin Pepper, Watermelon Pepper
•GeeCrack Bellows Gill: bit.ly/3PUJgbL
Colors: Electric Shad, Green Pumpkin Blue Flake
DAMIKI RIG...
•Damiki Rig Jighead: bit.ly/2tg1ajm
Size: 1/8 - 3/8
•Damiki Armor Shad: bit.ly/2VQ7g6o
Size: 2.5 - 3"
FAVORITE MID STROLLING HEADS...
•Owner Range Roller: bit.ly/42cqaUR
Sizes: 3/16 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/32 oz
•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: bit.ly/2nyUJRS
Sizes: 1/8 oz, 1/0 Hook, 1/4 oz, 3/0 Hook
FAVORITE MID STROLLING BAITS...
•Hog Farmer 3.5" - 4.5" Spunk Shad: bit.ly/2UFkCD7
Colors: Electric Shad, Ghost Minnow, Sexy Shad
•Yamamoto Scope Shad: bit.ly/3MVUjBH
Colors: Natural Shad, Sexy Shad
•Duo Realis 3" Finder Shad: bit.ly/47EAYws
Colors: Smoke Silver Purple, Ice Fish
HOVER RIG JIG HOOKS...
•Gambler Hover Hook: bit.ly/3QTmjHd
Size: 1/16 - 1/8
•Core Tackle Weedless Hover Rig: bit.ly/3sefRSc
Size: 1/32 - 3/32
HOVER RIG COMPONENTS...
•Ryugi Hover Shot Hook: bit.ly/3QRk4UJ
Size: 3, 2
•Ryugi Weedless Hover Shot Hook: bit.ly/3MUFaR8
Size: 2, 1
•Reins Tungsten Nail: bit.ly/3Qvfv3Z
Size: 3/32 - 1/96
FAVORITE HOVER RIG BAITS...
•Yamamoto 4" Senko: bit.ly/2axAmNS
Colors: Natural Shad, Baby Bass
•Roboworm 4" Sculpin: bit.ly/39hyrzL
Colors: Hologram Shad, Oxblood Light Red
•Missile Baits 4" Magic Worm: bit.ly/3T7dHgB
Colors: Blueback Secret, Ed's Orange
FAVORITE FREE RIG COMBO...
Rod- Shimano Expride B 7'2" Medium Light: bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Line- Sufix 131 Braid (30 lb): bit.ly/314VoyF
Leader- Daiwa Hidden FC (12 lb): bit.ly/3ILKXH0
FAVORITE MID STROLLING COMBO...
Rod- Shimano Expride B 6'8" Medium: bit.ly/2osaj3q
Reel- Shimano Sustain FJ 3000: bit.ly/3BQLlNP
Line- Sufix 131 Braid (10 lb): bit.ly/314VoyF
Leader- Sunline Super FC (7 lb): bit.ly/2p7fxju
FAVORITE HOVER RIG COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 901 SJR: bit.ly/2RB0oJP
Reel- Shimano Stella FK 2500: bit.ly/38LaK2u
Line- Sunline Super FC (5 lb): bit.ly/2p7fxju
BUDGET ALL AROUND COMBO...
Rod- Shimano SLX 7' Medium Light: bit.ly/2AdvIC1
Reel- Shimano Nasci FC 2500: bit.ly/2g278cC
Line- Seaguar InvizX (8 lb): bit.ly/2oVsG2Y
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! It's all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite Rod Cover: bit.ly/3UewJEx
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
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 #freerig #hoverrig
I was free rigging in 1995 out of necessity because I only had bell sinkers and no actual bullet weights. There were some older guys in the lake who were laughing at me and I caught a Solid bass right in front of them. I’ve been using the free rig for decades now and it’s nice to see it getting some attention . If those guys from the lake are still alive they probably think I was from the future or something lol
The story of the wacky rig is allegedly similar, only the person who discovyit simply didn’t know how to rig the worm but came back to the bait shop after having caught the snot out of fish on it.
So many bell sinker sacrificed their brass line tie so I could use them as bullet weights back in the day...lol.
Don't let other people's actions interfere with your productivity! Fish on!🇺🇲✌️ Okc
Tim - What type of wireless mic do you have ?? There was ZERO wind noise. I just recently got a GP Hero 12 and I’m struggling with wind noise. You should do another Go Pro settings video. I watched the one from way back when !!! Thanks and Tight Lines !!!
@@richardbossman9875- I can remember when the wacky worm was a “Tap’s Tips” by H.G Tappy in field & stream magazine in the 70’s. My friend Mike liked the idea and would say, “Try a wacky worm!” Then another friend started mimicking him (in a high voice) “Try a wacky worm!” every chance he got. He still says it to this day. (I swear he’s like a damn parrot) When it came around again in the 00’s I told him you owe Mike an apology.
No apologies needed. Thank you for hanging in and delivering another informative presentation.
My favorite Free Rig bait is a small profile hollow tube with a Bait Fuel soaked foam earplug shoved up in the cavity and texas rigged on a wide gap hook.
Bass fishing isn’t changing but the “sport” sure is. Money ruins a lot of things.
For me, it's about enjoying my time on the water
One of the best comments I’ve seen on YT (as far as bass fishing goes)…. It’s the root for every single toxic issue destroying this sport. The problem is that it’s taking every else down with it. Weekend warriors, or people who fish as a professional hobby are ALL hurt by the sh!t being pulled in this sport, that largely has nothing to do with fishing at this point. But, you’re spot on. And, like what another person said, thankfully, I just love being on the water, and (hopefully) not being anywhere near another human being…although, that’s becoming more and more difficult as well.
You used to have to work out a pattern. Now, it’s just playing video games. Dangle a bait in front of the icon on the electronics and if he doesn’t like it, dangle another. Watch him come eat it. But you need a 75,000 boat with 10,000 dollars worth of electronics. A 5,000 dollar trolling motor that does all the work for you. Don’t forget about the 600 dollar rod paired up with the 600 reel. And the 50 dollar spool of floro because mono don’t cut it any longer. And to top it off, your boat must be stocked like a “tackle warehouse”. Than you too can be a bass whisperer. It’s not brain surgery folks but you’d better have a bank account.
@@OriginalTailhunter Amen... Half the fun was figuring out which lure to use at what time of the year, and under what circumstances. One thing is for sure... *in 5-10yrs, this technology will get more refined, and cheaper. And, you can't catch fish that aren't in a lake, I don't' give a damn HOW expensive your boat is, and what electronics you have on it.* And, the worst part is that a lot of veterans, who know better, are exploiting it. I used to be a HUGE Roland Martin fan.....and he's up to his neck in this crap (along with his kid, who claims to be a conservationist, and a born again Christian).
@@OriginalTailhunterhahaha yeah cuz the boat catches fish.. 🤡
Would love to see an underwater video of Texas rig vs free rig action
there are some, from what i've seen, there is a small difference, but it's not that crazy.
🍺Core tackle hover rig and the Basstrix flash trix 🤠.
I love the vid Tim. I got a good chuckle to start off this Friday. Keep it up guys! 🎣
Been fishing gulp minnows on a jig head for over a decade. Didn’t think it would become a “thing” after slapping a technique name to it.
Tim this was highly entertaining. Proud of you for sticking to the script. 👊🏽
Perfect video in the midst of a little fresh air. Thanks for sharing
I can’t wait to try this, thanks for the information, your knowledge on these bass are unmatched I hope to be as good as yall💯
I was cracking up during this video. Thw guy at the 27 minute mark droving behind tim was probably look at all these free baits. Haha
It really reminds me of my roots to fishing like when I first learned as an 8 year old to use live minnows and bobbers from a bait store, then switched to no bobber (sometimes using a split shot), then switched to lures like in-line spinners, Rapala balsa minnows, and jointed Rapalas. Then learned about jig n pigs, spinner baits, buzz baits and other lures. I'm 62 years old, so I have seen a lot of different lure trends. It really seems like the latest techniques are really live minnow imitations they have just gotten better then they ever were! It feels like the full circle thing back to the fake minnow lol. I love it still, will never stop learning. Giant surface and subsurface lures like glide baits are sure a fun way to catch them, but BFS has been great lately too. I love learning from your videos, thanks for that..FishOn...jimi
I have been using a Kalin 5" grub on a free rig. Works great. Thanks for sharing your great information and tips. Greatly appreciated.
LOL this video was awesome. This is how I feel every time I get to go out in spring time. Wind blowing me and my gear everywhere.
Wow, It is surprising that Korea's free rig is also known in the usa! 😄 Of course, in Korea, every pro or amateur angler can catch a bass by using this rig all four seasons. In especially, Many Korean anglers, including me like Zoom's double ringer. Anyway, I want to say thank you for your know-how. 👍
Legend has it, Tim is still walking around the boat ramp picking up baits and tackle 😂
Crazy wind, great info as always!
Thanks for the run down. I think I finally understand the difference of mid stroll and hover rigs. As for the wind....understand. I live in N. Texas. Unfortunately in April the wind here is like that basically daily. I hate it. But also here, the 'local hammers' don't stay home. The ramp is busy and the lot is full even if it's white cap city.
Tim, you have done such a great job getting through the wind gusts, but,then your editing has me laughing,while appreciating your efforts to get the job done for the video 😜😎👏👏👏👏👏 I have been working on the free rig and different types of strolling, mainly with the Core Tackle products. I started making my own ball head jigs in the early80’s along with curly tail grubs,throughout the water column👍😜🍀🎣🍀 Great Video, and I am so happy you guys moved to Chic💯
Howdy Friend, as a fisherman I recognize the fisherman's attitude. Patience persistence resilience and humility. People say when there is love, you'll DO ANYTHING for it!! I remind myself this while I'm in 70 mph wind on three feet of ice and it's a dry moment. If I had to work in those conditions I would NOT have a kind word all day to say. Thank you for the brain food and stay bent.
I love the spunk shad for many different things, the best chatterbait trailer ever created, I got them after I watched the underwater video you guys made of it on a chatterbait!
Thanks Tim!
hey Tim, kudos for toughing it out in that wind!! I think you’re right…most windiest vid you’ve done. 😂 Awesome content as always.
Gotta love that spring wind.
Great Job threw that wind. Holy crap. You cowboyed up and got it done..
TacticalBassin, This video is fantastic! I liked it a lot!
Tournament bass fishing might be changing. The pond and the lake down the street from me is the same as its always been.
we ave to get some credit for the quality mic we doesnt even notice a single wind sound ! great video man keep it up
10:12 man that was some wind 11:16 there it gos again 12:45 🤣I’m crying 13:08 I can’t stop this is great thanks for doing this 19:21 wind is killer 26:58 probably blew away I’d say so. Great video 🌬️ 💪🏻🕶️
I’ve never seen Tim work so hard to make a video 🤣😂 but still a professional 👊❤️
Even if the video is borderline unwatchable, the description is incredibly helpful
Great job Tim with the info as always and at least Oklahoma isn't the only state where it blows 100mph!
Good one. And funny. You hung in there.
The best part of the free rig is that it is the best for fishing in rock. The bait that I have had the most success with is a 6” Zoom lizard in Junebug, black w/red flake, or other dark color.
Been doing this for musky fishing late Summer - late fall for many many years, just upsized format. Applied it when I 1st heard about it used in Japan. Lots of trial and error to get the weight/bait right. Incredible technique our fish just do not see on big Ontario water.
I’m not trying to discredit anything but the free rig also acts a lot like what we did back in the day which essentially was an ultralight Carolina rig on a spitting pole because in Ohio we have tons of grass and it’s deadly with a multitude of plastics🇺🇸👍
I still like your neko rigged Yamamoto d shad or fluke technique which also effectively does the death spiral and catches bass quite well with the exposed hook 😉
Up here in Michigan we are having the earliest bass prespawn I've ever experienced, at least in my area. Every fish I've caught is already super chubby. Been some great fishing right off the bat here.
With a free rig, using a floating soft jerkbait can have some amazing action. The bait will want to float up, and if you just lightly bounce your rod tip it makes it look like a baitfish pecking the bottom and then slowly float up
Storm Subwart, Creme Wormrig, old baits that still slam. Plus no bait catches fish where there aren't fish.
I never hear anyone talking about rigging a Zoom floating worm cork screw anymore, deadly on Spring Bass. also rig it Texas without the weight for that super glided.
You can stroll a shakey head and worm too works really well
Can you do this underrated rig…it’s called the drop dead ned rig. Tried using it last year and it combines the elements of a drop shot and ned rig in one build. I’d be interested to see it underwater too.
lol you had your hands full today with the wind. Way to be persistent!.. 😂
Trying to figure out what zman bait you were going to talk about that blew away twice 😂
If you filmed this Wednesday afternoon that wind was pretty rough on Chickamauga.
I live in western Washington state and we don’t have shad for bait. I know all your recommendations for colored plastics always have shad colors. What would you recommend in our lakes that are clear and mostly perch and crawfish
Hi Tim, is your G Loomis NRX+ 901 one of the best high end rods from a previous video and what else can you use that rod for?
Tim - What kind of wireless mic do you use ?? I just got a Hero 12 and I’m struggling with wind noise, but your video had ZERO wind noise. You should do another How to set up your Go Pro and accessories for fishing video. Watched one from many years ago of you. Thanks and Tight Lines !!
Tim couldn’t catch a break in this one but hey, we all have dealt with trying to rig up and the wind have other plans 😂
Have you guys ever used falcon rods seen them at academy for 80 bucks and they look pretty solid
We should link up and go fish Cherokee lake here in east TN!
Any thoughts on the Ark Gravity bfs reel? Can’t find many reviews on them.
I caught a 8 last year on a Free Rig and spinning gear, but the other techniques haven't done much. Dirty water here tho.
To get that death spiral What size nail weight would you use for the 4inch senko?
What mic are you using? Really handled that wind 😂
Peeps been "strolling" with the Zoom Fluke baits for hybrids, wipers, and stripers in open water for decades here in Tennessee and the surrounding areas. Good to see other variations of rigging and baits coming to the forefront now.
Thanks Tim. What is the yellow bait holder you have on your rod during the free rig portion of the video?
Looks like Cali Clips
Hey I appreciate your videos. At least this won't cost me another $100. to try out! Haha 😂
How long are you making the fluoro leader for the free rig?
Im sure I'm not the only one that would love an underwater video of the free-rig in action. Just saying
The main thing is to throw techniques you like to throw. Sometimes it's not always how many fishing you can catch, it's about enjoying being on the water. Personally for me, shaking the rod non stop is not fun
amen
Which wireless mic do you guys use?
I'd imagine the unpegged texas rig, with like a 3/16 weight would give a slower deadfall and cadence if the free is too fast for them at the time.
Is the free rig good for night time??
So, I’m new to the free rig. Does anyone use a 10” worm on deep structure with the free rig?
What clips do you use on your rods for hook holders and drop shot weights?
I use velcro
Honest question - does this channel have a conflicting interest with 6th Sense fishing? I never see 6th Sense products recommended. They currently have one of the best mid-strolling baits out there with the Juggle Minnow.
I'm glad live scope did come while I'm on the bank throwing a buzzbait they can stay out there and look at their video game all day
Thanks!
30 yrs years ago we were free rigging catfish or anything else that would bite on the river.
If I were making that video, I would’ve just given up. Stupid wind 😂
Has anyone tried these techniques in a central Florida pond?
Let’s goooo
The only thing changing in bass fishing is the technology. Second I'd say some lakes are getting tougher because they're more pressure than others. other than that bass fishing is the same if you're old school, can still go out there and whack them without ffs
Glad you guys still show "old school" fishing techniques. I know these new baits taking the sport by storm, is only because of FFS. And i hate what its doing to professional fishing. You guys are tackle junkies, i dont see yall just throwing all that away, and scoping with 3 baits. Theres more to fishing than catching.
Want to hear the secret to catch bass? Throw Senkos....
I just threw a lure we used 15 years ago & absolutely crushed them. Forgotten technique versus something that been revised or used for other species.
This strolling technique has been around for decades but now it has a new catchy name which actually sounds ridiculous.
Beautiful Ram Tim
1st🎉
Pure entertainment. Honestly didn’t really hear a word you said bc 1) just woke up 2) I thought i was still sleeping watching “The Benny Hill Show”. lol. 💡💡💡 You guys should pump up those numbers and take over YT fishing demo by chasing around some scantily clad women around the boat at end of each episode at 2x film speed w/carnival music! That’s a winner idea boys!
Hate to point out the elephant 8n the room but it's the ffsonar that's changing the way we fish,not the bait,or techniques, because without it,those like me and many others cannot as effectively use said techniques.
Only thing changing is the price of admission
... Same S#*#! Different era ... cute new names ....
Its amazing how much influence the bass industry does to certain items/techniques/technology. Ya remember when the whopper-plopper came out and bass guys thot it was da coolest thang? I was like, yo I was rockin that musky fishin for years...only a larger version of it. Lure companies made a smaller version for bass and it was THE NEXT BIG THANG back then. Then there was the ultrex and its 'spot lock' feature. I was rockin a terrova with spot lock back in '15/'16 before the ultrex came out. I got weird looks at 'bass guys' for having a terrova on a bass boat. THEN the ultrex came out with this 'revolutionary' spot lock feature and that again, took da bass world by storm. Shortly after that, garmin force and lowrance ghost had their version. How bass industry can have such influence on some, 'already knowns' is just....😅
Bass fishing isn’t changing haha, the fishing industry is changing and they are inventing new ways to catch anglers but not fish.
For the most part you don’t have to buy anything to use these techniques… just rigging things differently so im a lil confused
@@MaineStreamFishing The title of the video was " bass fishing is changing" then we proceed to watch a video where brands of baits are scattered all over the boat Baits were shown, and technique’s were shown but not without shoutouts to brands and baits that were " good choices for said technique. Hope that helps your confusion bud.
My 5’ Shakespeare rod with pistol grip, six tray Plano tackle box and Manns jelly worms are all I need.
You can still catch plenty of fish without learning that technique. I'm not saying I'm not going to learn it but I'll never give up the frog or big baits!
High end gear...too light, Wal-Mart gear would've stay put lol
Don't have FFS, don't want FFS.
Mid Strolling and Damiki rigging are not the same thing.
Love you guys videos but I noticed when Chris came out with his swim baits you guys never spoke about it and to be truthful it’s better than the mag draft it starts quicker you can fish it faster it skips better. Now you do the FFS baits and don’t mention the bait that has fired everybody back which is Jacob wheeler and Dc with the free loader I’m starting to get that hater vibe from you guys man
Cause the free loader is a copy of the spunk shad. They never highlight copies from bigger companies. Reason they rarely talk about anything Berkley.
All baits are a copy of another
This video blows......😂
It’s called ffs
I'll pass
FFS is not helping bass fishing...
Y'all always say you can stroll without ffs but how? If you don't know how far out or down the fish are then your just wasting time. In order to use these strolling techniques, you have to know where the fish are.
I tried it once, might as well have put a blindfold on and just cast anywhere.
It's called cast and count down
Strolling has been around longer than FFS. Pull out enough line to get your bait at the end of your rod, drop the bait in the water and count down how long it takes to get a tight line. If it is 3 seconds for 7' then it will be roughly 6 seconds for 14-15' of depth. It takes more work but I have been doing that for 40 years.
Fish bait balls. Under, through them, above them. Beside docks, under docks. Off points, on flats. Basically the same places you fish other lures. It just out fishes other lures. ffs just Puts you in the strike zone 💯 and shows how the fish are reacting to the bait. Ya know cheating, spot lighting lol
I had success without ffs using the strolling technique. Count it down about halfway or two thirds the way down then fish it on points and over structure. The most success i had was fishing it in and around bait. You need sonar to fin the bait but not ffs.
F that… you have to use ffs or livescope for this. I hope it gets banned so we can see some real fishing again.
You don't have to use FFS or livescope for any of these lol.
Sonar is lame.