HUGE Fish Flipping Winter Mats on Lake Kissimmee

on December 29, 2017December 28, 2017

When you’re fishing for bass flipping mats and punching heavy cover the results are usually epic! Not many bites during this fishing trip on Lake Kissimmee but we caught a trophy fish in heavy cover using one of my favorite fishing techniques. Punching mats is a great way to fish for bass this time of year throughout Florida with fish moving in to spawn throughout the winter and getting stuck due to cold fronts or even using heavy cover such as hydrilla and hyacinth as stopping points before heading to the bed. My standard setup is a 1.5oz tungsten weight, a straight shank hook, and a compact creature bait. Terminal tackle is 65lbs braided line, a high speed decent quality reel, and fishing rod usually longer than 7’6″. Below are all the specifics on the fishing gear and cameras used in the video.

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeybalzzfishing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikeybalzz
Website: https://mikeybalzzfishing.com/

Reel Shimano Curado http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Reels_Casting/catpage-RLCSHIMANO.html?from=mkfish

Reins Tungsten http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Reins_TG_Tungsten_Slip_Sinker_Heavy_Weight/descpage-RTGSS.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Crawdaddy http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Crawdaddy_4_10pk/descpage-GBCD.html?from=mkfish

Dobyns Champion Extreme MH 795 http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Champion_Extreme_HP_Full_Handle_Casting_Rods/descpage-DCX.html?from=mkfish

Hack Attack Flipping Hook http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Hack_Attack_Heavy_Cover_Flipping_Hooks_4pk/descpage-SKHAFH.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Culling Scale http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Digital_Culling_Scale/descpage-GDCS.html?from=mkfish

Power Pro Slick 65lbs Braid http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Power_Pro_Super_8_Slick_Braided_Line_Timber_Brown/descpage-PSBT.html?from=mkfish

6th Sense Peg X Stoppers http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/6th_Sense_Peg_X_Stoppers_9pk/descpage-6SPEG.html?from=mkfish

My Costas http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Costa_Del_Mar_Blackfin_Sunglasses/descpage-CDMBF.html?from=mkfish

All the camera stuff, the drone, everything you need to shoot vids! https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikeybalzzfishing?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp

Oops!! Caught a PB Bass in INSANE Winter Weather

on December 21, 2017December 20, 2017

Winter fishing for bass in the most epic cold front of the year means insane fish activity and even catching a personal best bass over 10lbs on a crank bait. I’m not saying it’s fun fishing on days like this but pre-frontal conditions, strong winds, usually rain, and overcast skies have been the ideal times to target trophy fish this year. The west wind, a normal signal of a front passing through in Florida, sets up perfect on some offshore structure I’ve found and that current supplied by the strong winds lines the fish bass up in an eating mood! For the most part the most successful fishing techniques all related to power fishing – and mainly grinding a crankbait on the bottom in 15-24ft of water. We did catch a few fish dragging a Wrecking Ball and Carolina Rig but fish seemed to want the bait moving fast and digging into the bottom.

Weather: winds WSW 15-25mph (we took water over the bow of the boat many times), overcast with occasional heavy rains – note temps were in the low 60’s-70’s, the next day saw lows in the upper 30’s – i.e. it was a massive cold front!

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Inststagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeybalzz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeybalzzfishing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikeybalzz
Website: https://mikeybalzzfishing.com/

Want to know what fishing lures, terminal tackle, and fishing/camera equipment are being used in the vids? Check it out all below:

Strike King 10xd http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_10XD_Crankbait/descpage-SK10XD.html?from=mkfish

Mustad Triple Grips (Change your hooks!!!!!) http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_KVD_1x_Strong_2x_Short_Triple_Grip_Treble_Hook/descpage-MKVDEST.html?from=mkfish

Sunline FC Sniper http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Sunline_Super_FC_Sniper_Fluorocarbon/descpage-SLFCS.html?from=mkfish

You need this graph – Lowrance HDS 12 Carbon:http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lowrance_HDS-12_Carbon_Fishfinder_Chartplotters/descpage-CAR2X.html?from=mkfish

My Costas http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Costa_Del_Mar_Blackfin_Sunglasses/descpage-CDMBF.html?from=mkfish

All the camera stuff, the drone, everything you need to shoot vids! https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikeybalzzfishing?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp

HUGE Winter Mega Bag ~30lbs+ Fishing for Bass

on December 14, 2017December 13, 2017

Went fishing for bass in Central Florida on a beautiful winter day and had an epic session on the water catching GIANT fish with my buddy Joey Berg of Dream Big Guided Tours. Ended up just over 30lbs with 5 fish caught on Alabama Rigs, Crankbaits, Drop Shotting, Neko Rigs – the whole gamut of fishing baits and soft plastic fishing lures. We also took some time to break down some fishing tips and techniques in the video to highlight some ways to catch more fish and be more efficient when you’re out on the lake.

You can check out Joey at
https://www.facebook.com/DreamBigGuidedTours/
https://www.instagram.com/that_angler_joey/

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE AND LIKE AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS! Support #REALFISHING!

Want to check out the fishing baits, gear, and terminal tackle in the vid? It’s all right here:

You need this graph – Lowrance HDS 12 Carbon:http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lowrance_HDS-12_Carbon_Fishfinder_Chartplotters/descpage-CAR2X.html?from=mkfish

My Costas http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Costa_Del_Mar_Blackfin_Sunglasses/descpage-CDMBF.html?from=mkfish

Sunline FC Sniper http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Sunline_Super_FC_Sniper_Fluorocarbon/descpage-SLFCS.html?from=mkfish

Mustad Triple Grips (Change your hooks!!!!!) http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_KVD_1x_Strong_2x_Short_Triple_Grip_Treble_Hook/descpage-MKVDEST.html?from=mkfish

Reel Shimano Curado http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Reels_Casting/catpage-RLCSHIMANO.html?from=mkfish

Strike King 6xd http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Pro_Model_6XD_Crankbaits/descpage-SK6XD.html?from=mkfish

Strike King 10xd http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_10XD_Crankbait/descpage-SK10XD.html?from=mkfish

Damiki Neko Rig Weight http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Damiki_Neko_Sinker/descpage-DNS.html?from=mkfish

Fat Ace http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Fat_Ace_5pk/descpage-GFA.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Big EZ Swimbait (for A-rig) http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Big_EZ_/descpage-BIGEZ.html?from=mkfish

Picasso HD Flashback Umbrella Rig http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Picasso_HD_Flashback_Umbrella_Rig/descpage-PSWHDFB.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Culling Scale http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Digital_Culling_Scale/descpage-GDCS.html?from=mkfish

My Amazon store and all the camera stuff you need! https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikeybalzzfishing?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp

Lake Okeechobee Hayfield Bass Tips and Techniques Swamp Fishing!

on December 7, 2017December 7, 2017

Lake Okeechobee heavy cover bass fishing at it’s finest. They call them the hay fields and this is how fishing for bass in the historic Everglades gets done. Targeting large expanses of vegetation with baits like swim jigs and the Gambler 7″ Fat Ace, we break done fishing tips and techniques for catching largemouth bass moving in to spawn on Florida’s crown jewel – Lake OKeechobee.

This vid was shot just before the Gambler Lures Free Tournament out of Roland Martin Marina.

Weather was fairly stable with highs in the upper 70’s and lows in the upper 60’s. Partly cloudy skies and a slight northeastern breeze. Low light was key as well as fish were more active and willing to chase baits casted at holes, pockets, and lily pad junctures.

LIKE SUBSCRIBE and support REAL FISHING!

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikeybalzz/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mikeybalzz/

Want the gear in the vids?

Reel Shimano Curado http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Reels_Casting/catpage-RLCSHIMANO.html?from=mkfish

You need this graph – Lowrance HDS 12 Carbon:http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lowrance_HDS-12_Carbon_Fishfinder_Chartplotters/descpage-CAR2X.html?from=mkfish

My Costas http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Costa_Del_Mar_Blackfin_Sunglasses/descpage-CDMBF.html?from=mkfish

Power Pro Braid http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Power_Pro_Super_8_Slick_Braided_Line_Timber_Brown/descpage-PSBT.html?from=mkfish

HC Swim Jig http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Heavy_Cover_Southern_Swim_Jig/descpage-GHCSJ.html?from=mkfish

EZ Swimmer Swimbait http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_EZ_Swimmer_7pk/descpage-GTEZ.html?from=mkfish

7″ Fat Ace http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Fat_Ace_5pk/descpage-GFA.html?from=mkfish

My Amazon store and all the camera stuff you need! https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikeybalzzfishing?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp

Best DEEP Crankbait Knowledge: Fishing for Bass

on November 30, 2017November 30, 2017

Fishing for bass with crankbaits broken down to the detail. I’ve seen a lot of questions in the comments section about crankbait setups for fishing, what baits to use, what type of fishing line, what to target to catch more giant fish…..and the list goes on. This is an in depth review of everything you need to know (from my perspective) about fishing ultra deep crankbaits and catching bass on plugs.

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Gear mentioned in the vid and some other cool stuff!
You need this graph – Lowrance HDS 12 Carbon:http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lowrance_HDS-12_Carbon_Fishfinder_Chartplotters/descpage-CAR2X.html?from=mkfish

Sunline FC Sniper http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Sunline_Super_FC_Sniper_Fluorocarbon/descpage-SLFCS.html?from=mkfish

Mustad Triple Grips (Change your hooks!!!!!) http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_KVD_1x_Strong_2x_Short_Triple_Grip_Treble_Hook/descpage-MKVDEST.html?from=mkfish

Camera – GoPro Hero 5 Black http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/GoPro_HERO5_Black_Camera/descpage-GPB5.html?from=mkfish

Reel Shimano Curado http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Reels_Casting/catpage-RLCSHIMANO.html?from=mkfish

Strike King 6xd http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Pro_Model_6XD_Crankbaits/descpage-SK6XD.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Culling Scale http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Digital_Culling_Scale/descpage-GDCS.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Fat Ace Stick Bait http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Fat_Ace_5pk/descpage-GFA.html?from=mkfish

My Costas http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Costa_Del_Mar_Blackfin_Sunglasses/descpage-CDMBF.html?from=mkfish

My Amazon store and all the camera stuff you need! https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikeybalzzfishing?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp

Clutch Derby Win ~ 8lbs Stud, Mental Game

on November 16, 2017November 16, 2017

Fishing a tournament – mental game, pull out an epic trophy bass late in the day weighing over 8lbs; who doesn’t love fishing a bass tournament! No doubt it turned out pretty clutch. We caught a ton of fish using a wide range of techniques – drop shotting, longlining, Texas Rigged worm, spinnerbait,. Alabama Rig and a Neko Rig. Overall the bass were schooled up and fishing for them required using your graph to identify how the groups had shifted throughout the day. My worry was guys fishing spawning and pre-spawn fish in the grass – there had seemed to be a lot of big fish caught earlier in the week focusing on more traditional bass fishing techniques – topwater, flipping, sight fishing. However we focused on fishing for bass that were offshore staging to come in to spawn and it paid off with this crazy win!

Weather: morning lows in the lower 60’s, highs reaching the mid to upper 70’s; slight breeze in the P.M. and pretty much clear blue skies all day long.

MAKE SURE TO LIKE SUBSCRIBE AND TELL YOUR BUDS! SUPPORT #REALFISHING

Wondering about the fishing lures, baits, tackle, cameras etc? Find them here:

You need this graph – Lowrance HDS 12 Carbon:http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lowrance_HDS-12_Carbon_Fishfinder_Chartplotters/descpage-CAR2X.html?from=mkfish

Sunline FC Sniper http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Sunline_Super_FC_Sniper_Fluorocarbon/descpage-SLFCS.html?from=mkfish

Mustad Triple Grips (Change your hooks!!!!!) http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_KVD_1x_Strong_2x_Short_Triple_Grip_Treble_Hook/descpage-MKVDEST.html?from=mkfish

Camera – GoPro Hero 5 Black http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/GoPro_HERO5_Black_Camera/descpage-GPB5.html?from=mkfish

Reel Shimano Curado http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Reels_Casting/catpage-RLCSHIMANO.html?from=mkfish

Strike King 6xd http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Pro_Model_6XD_Crankbaits/descpage-SK6XD.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Culling Scale http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Digital_Culling_Scale/descpage-GDCS.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Fat Ace Stick Bait http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Fat_Ace_5pk/descpage-GFA.html?from=mkfish

My Costas http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Costa_Del_Mar_Blackfin_Sunglasses/descpage-CDMBF.html?from=mkfish

My Amazon store and all the camera stuff you need! https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikeybalzzfishing?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp

HUGE 11+lbs Bass Caught on Crazy Light Fishing Line

on November 8, 2017November 7, 2017

One of the craziest bass I’ve ever caught while fishing in Florida and the 2nd biggest ever! An EPIC fishing video: fishing for bass with light fishing line and catching a trophy using a technique called long lining.

Fish are setting up to eat prior to spawning this time of year and that means big schools of hungry fish. Today it seemed like more and more of them showed up every hour and we managed 2 solid catches a 6lbs 9oz and an 11lbs 6oz along with others that didn’t quite make the cut.

Weather – cooling temps in the evenings, highs in the upper 70’s to low 80’s. Partly cloudy with a very slight northeast breeze.

Want the gear in the vids?

Strike King 6xd http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Pro_Model_6XD_Crankbaits/descpage-SK6XD.html?from=mkfish

Mustad Triple Grips (Change your hooks!!!!!) http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_KVD_1x_Strong_2x_Short_Triple_Grip_Treble_Hook/descpage-MKVDEST.html?from=mkfish

Sunline FC Sniper http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Sunline_Super_FC_Sniper_Fluorocarbon/descpage-SLFCS.html?from=mkfish

You need this graph – Lowrance HDS 12 Carbon:http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lowrance_HDS-12_Carbon_Fishfinder_Chartplotters/descpage-CAR2X.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Culling Scale http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Digital_Culling_Scale/descpage-GDCS.html?from=mkfish

Reel Shimano Curado http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Reels_Casting/catpage-RLCSHIMANO.html?from=mkfish

Damiki Neko Rig Weight My Amazon store and all the camera stuff you need! https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikeybalzzfishing?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp

Gambler Fat Ace Stick Bait http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Fat_Ace_5pk/descpage-GFA.html?from=mkfish

Camera – GoPro Hero 5 Black http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/GoPro_HERO5_Black_Camera/descpage-GPB5.html?from=mkfish

My Amazon store and all the camera stuff you need! https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikeybalzzfishing?ref=ac_inf_hm_vp

Punching for Bass EPIC Techniques and Tricks

on November 3, 2017November 3, 2017

Punching Lake Okeechobee for bass is always epic and one of the most techniques when fishing for trophy largemouth bass. With Florida spring coming it’s time to brush up on our punching skills and lay out some of the inside details from fishing rods and reels, baits, terminal tackle, and fishing tips for where – when – and how to target bass in heavy vegetation.

On Lake Okeechobee the best time of year to use this fishing technique is from October to April – basically what most people call winter is an elongated spring pre-spawn period for fish. This means waves of bass staging and spawning throughout these months and punching is a great way to target them. in the vid we highlight how to fish for bass in emergent vegetation like cattails, bully whips, and lily pads, as well as mats like hydrilla, penny wort, and hyacinth. If you want to learn how to punch for bass it’s all right here.

SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS – support REAL FISHING!

What’s the gear in the video? You can find it all below

Reel Shimano Curado http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Reels_Casting/catpage-RLCSHIMANO.html?from=mkfish

Camera – GoPro Hero 5 Black http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/GoPro_HERO5_Black_Camera/descpage-GPB5.html?from=mkfish

Reins Tungsten http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Reins_TG_Tungsten_Slip_Sinker_Heavy_Weight/descpage-RTGSS.html?from=mkfish

Dobyns Champion Extreme MH 795 http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Champion_Extreme_HP_Full_Handle_Casting_Rods/descpage-DCX.html?from=mkfish

Power Pro Slick 65lbs Braid http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Power_Pro_Super_8_Slick_Braided_Line_Timber_Brown/descpage-PSBT.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Megadaddy http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_MegaDaddy_5pk/descpage-GMEGDAD.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Crawdaddy http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Crawdaddy_4_10pk/descpage-GBCD.html?from=mkfish

Hack Attack Flipping Hook http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Hack_Attack_Heavy_Cover_Flipping_Hooks_4pk/descpage-SKHAFH.html?from=mkfish

Gambler BB Cricket http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_BB_Cricket_3_12pk/descpage-GBC.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Burner Craw http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Burner_Craw/descpage-GBNC.html?from=mkfish

Gambler Why Not
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Why_Not_7pk/descpage-GWN.html?from=mkfish

6th Sense Bobber Stoppers http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/6th_Sense_Peg_X_Stoppers_9pk/descpage-6SPEG.html?from=mkfish

Double Weedguard Jig http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Double_Weedguard_Jig/descpage-GDWJ.html?from=mkfish

Let’s Go Punching for Bass

on November 2, 2017October 23, 2017

Punching for Florida strain bass out on Lake Kissimee. One of my favorite ways to fish for bass and it’s becoming the time of year where that seasonal pattern can be key to finding staging and pre spawn fish moving in. I spent the day out on the Kissimee Chain and focused on Lake Kissimee targeting hydrill and chop grass mats in lily pads with a 1.5 oz Reins Tungsten weight and baits like a Gambler Why Not and Crawdaddy. The water is high and it’s the early part of the season, thus the reason fish are spread out and and we’re seeing so many male bass in the mats. It’s probably one of the most fun ways to fish down here in Florida and the bite should only get better as the temperature cool and fish move in to spawn.

Weather: just a few clouds, highs in the mid 80’s, no wind until the end of the day when a storm rolled up. Water temps still in the low 80’s with high water levels due to heavy rain.