mikeybalzz

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

on

Fishing for bass on one of the best lakes in the country – Lake Okeechobee. Fish are in a transition mode and we started the day punching mats with braided line and flipping setups – mostly a 1.5oz tungsten weight and a Gambler Lures Crawdaddy. The mat bite was not happening the way we hoped so we started targeting submerged hydrilla on the north end of the lake using a technique Donny figured out a couple weeks earlier. Basically we were dragging soft plastics with lighter tungsten weights through grass and the fish would react when we pulled the bait off the hydrilla – somewhat like a subtle reaction strike. Donny stuck with a 1/2oz tungsten weight and a Gambler Fat Ace where as I caught most of my fish on a Wrecking Ball swinging football head and a soft plastic. We caught a ton of fish, many of which I didn’t include in the video but the key was hitting that grass and working the bait through it. Fishing is starting to improve as we get some cooler weather but the water is high following Hurricane Irma so that will be a challenge in locating groups of fish moving in to spawn as it tends to spread them out a bit. All in all a killer day on Lake Okeechobee hanging out with my good friend and local stick Donny Bass!

Weather:mostly sunny, slight breeze out of the east, air in the low 70’s to mid 80’s

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Here’s the gear we used:

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

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

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

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

Dobyns Champion Rods http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Champion_XP_Full_Grip_Casting_Rods/descpage-DNF.html?from=mkfish

on

Fishing for bass on Lake Okeechobee in South Florida is ramping up to be awesome! Fish are beginning to come in for the renowned winter spawn the lake is so famous for. Last week I found a bunch of schooling fish – mostly male largemouth bass – on an extensive grass flat that acts as an alley way for fish to move in to the shallower spawning flats. That day we caught fish on crankbaits, swim jigs, and chatterbaits so I was hoping to go out and get some video of some great topwater numbers action. Though not the same crazy action of schooling fish, the bass were still set up on the flat and a little lower in the water column using hydrilla and eel grass as cover. Here’s a break down of the strategies and techniques I use to catch fish on Lake Okeechobee when they’re moving in using large submerged grass beds as a staging point.

Weather: partly to mostly cloudy with heavy winds and rain coming in very early in the afternoon.

LIKE SUBSCRIBE AND SUPPORT REAL FISHING!

Want the gear in the vids?

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

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

GoPro Shoulder Mount http://amzn.to/2lkPI0t

Floral Hat http://amzn.to/2oASb5H

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

Gambler Burner Worm http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Burner_Worm_5pk/descpage-GBW.html?from=mkfish

1/2oz Jig head http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Swimbait_Heads_4pk/descpage-GSBH.html?from=mkfish

on

Fished a local Florida fishing tournament and pulled off the win with my buddy weighing in almost 23lbs of bass. We fished a variety of baits – soft plastic worms Texas Rigged, Neko Rigs, crankbaits, and a JTK Hair Jig. Big Bass and Trophy Catch came on a Gambler JTK Hair Jig 5/8oz with 12lbs Sunline Flourocarbon fishing a ledge with shell dropping into deeper water. Conditions were post cold front with bluebird skies and winds becoming very strong by the end of the day (15-20mph out of the north). The bite was good overall regardless of the weather and it was another great local tournament hanging out with friends and fishing one of my favorite lakes in Florida for trophy bass. Ran the GoPro all day and captured pretty much everything. Raw, straight up , tournament fishing at it’s best!

LIKE SUBSCRIBE and support REAL FISHING!

Here’s the gear if you’re interested:

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

JTK Hair Jig http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Hair_Jig/descpage-GHJG.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

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

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

Gambler Culling Scale http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Digital_Culling_Scale/descpage-GDCS.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

Shimano Zodias 7’2″ MH for Neko Rig http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano_Zodias_Casting_Rods/descpage-ZDC.html?from=mkfish

Lapel mic http://amzn.to/2q6VUZB

Re Fuel Gopro Battery – 6hrs of Action http://amzn.to/2q4mYdC

SD Card for all day http://amzn.to/2q4mFPS

Rode Mic http://amzn.to/2rLNGZm

on

Fishing for bass is a challenge, even aggressive peacock bass. We decided to bust out a traditional fishing technique I haven’t used in ages, using live bait. In this case we grabbed some shiners from a local tackle store and went out to sight fish for spawning bass on South Florida canal system that holds a range of species from snook and tarpon all the way to peacock and largemouth bass. It was sort of an adventure since neither me nor my best friend has ever tried live bait rigs for this kind of bass fishing – we were total novices but made it work to hook up with some nice fish and some ball busting in between.

Weather: partly to mostly cloudy, highs in the low 90’s becoming sunny and breezy later in the day (that’s when the bite seemed to improve too)

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

Powell 7’1″ MH Spinning Rod http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Powell_Max_3D_Spinning_Rods/descpage-ND.html?from=mkfish

Owner Wacky Rig Hooks http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Wacky_Hook/descpage-OWNWHH.html?from=mkfish

Berkley Fireline Crystal 10# and 12# http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Fireline_Ultra_8_Superline_Crystal/descpage-BEF.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

 

GoPro Shoulder Mount http://amzn.to/2lkPI0t

Floral Hat http://amzn.to/2oASb5H

Lapel mic http://amzn.to/2q6VUZB

Re Fuel Gopro Battery – 6hrs of Action http://amzn.to/2q4mYdC

SD Card for all day http://amzn.to/2q4mFPS