Activated abilities during Combat phase?

This is for the trading card game Magic the Gathering. I have a question about the usage of instants and activated abilities during combat. Say, for example I have Tangle Angler equipped with Infiltration Lens and I declare it as my attacker. My opponent, who doesn't want me to draw two cards by blocking with his creature, chooses not to declare any blockers and pass priority to me. Is this the part in which I could play instants like Giant Growth onto my Tangle Angler to deal massive damage to my opponent? During this increment of time, could I use Tangle Angler's activated ability to force my opponent to block with his creature(s) so I could draw cards?