7 Finesse Baits To Catch Stubborn Winter Bass

The Fall to Winter transition brings cold water and lethargic fish but savvy bass fishermen have no trouble getting bit under these conditions. Some of the biggest bass of the year can be caught in the Winter months along with surprising numbers of quality fish. During the cold water period Tim often turns to finesse fishing to find the consistent bite. He has a handful of proven techniques and he's sharing them with us today.

Winter fishing doesn't have to mean mundane fishing. There are a ton of techniques from jigs to swimbaits, flies to worms, that will consistently produce in cool to cold water. You're not limited to one or two methods, though light tackle is a common thread amongst most of them. Today Tim gathered the gear for 7 of his favorite Winter techniques and he's explaining them for us.

Below you'll find a breakdown of the baits and equipment Tim trusts to get through the Winter months. From late Fall all the way to the start of Spring, you can rely on each of these finesse techniques to produce. Try a few and find the method that produces best on your home lakes.

Finesse Football Jigs and Trailers...

-Dirty Jigs finesse football 3/8-5/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

(Super Matt Brown, Go To, Brown Craw)

-Keitech tungsten Football 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

(Brown Purple, Green Pumpkin Blue)

-Bass Patrol Round Rubber Football 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2Hbyf5x

(Brown/Green Pump, Brown/Orange, Brown/Purple)

-Yamamoto Double Tail 5" Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

(Green Pumpkin, Cinnamon Purple)

Finesse Tubes and Heads...

-Dry Creek 3.5" Tournament Tube: http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

(Crazy Eddie, Green Pumpkin, Old Ugly)

-Bite Me Flat Eye Tube Head 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

-Provider Tackle 90 Degree Tube Head 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2LY9eMj

Neko Rigging Components...

-Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

(956- Watermelon Copper Orange Red, Natural Shad, Electric Shad, Green Pump Purp/Cop)

-Swagger Tungsten Pagoda Nail Weight: http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

-G7 Worm Protect Tubes: http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

-G7 Worm Tube Pliers: http://bit.ly/2PRMNrG

-Owner mosquito light 1/0 Hook: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-Gamakatsu Stinger G finesse Size 1: http://bit.ly/2otYTPg

Ned Rig...

-Roboworm Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

(Desert Craw, TW Black Blue Pumpkin)

-Swagger Tungsten Flanders Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Finesse Swimbaits...

-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

-Keitech Easy Shiner 3": http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

(Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Tennessee Shad)

-Cool Baits Down Under 3/16 oz Underspin: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

-Megabass Okashira head 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

-Megabass Spark Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

(Albino, Purple Haze, Baby Bass)

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 2.4": http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

(Donko, Shirauo, Wakasagi, Haze)

Dropshot Rig...

-Reaction Innovations Flirt Worm 4.95: http://bit.ly/2CMB33J

(Lickity Split, Morning Dawn, Purple Smoke)

-Roboworm Alive Shad: http://bit.ly/2kDNeYw

(Hologram Shad, Morning Dawn, Neon Shad)

-Trokar Dropshot Hook size 1: http://bit.ly/2ahxJOr

-Owner Mosquito Light Size 1: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-Swagger Tungsten Dropshot Weight 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2V2B63h

Flies...

-Spro Phat Fly: http://bit.ly/2mboisG

-Cumberland Pro Lures Float N Fly: http://bit.ly/2o9PE63

-Punisher Lures Float N Fly: http://bit.ly/2qrH9oA

Tim's All-Around Favorite Finesse Combo...

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 902S SJR: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline XPlasma Asegai Braid: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget-Friendly Finesse Combo...

Rod- Shimano SLX 7' Med Light: http://bit.ly/2AdvIC1

Reel- Shimano Nasci 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tube Fishing Tricks For Fall Bass! (Beginner To Advanced)

The Ned Rig has replaced the tube on a lot of fisheries but wise bass fishermen know that the Finesse Tube will always be a staple lure, especially for Fall bass! Tim is giving away his best tricks to catching tube fish including how change fall rate, fall angle, actions, shapes, colors, and more! Get ready to learn everything you need to know about bass fishing with a tube.

So many anglers think of a tube as a 1-dimensional lure that catches lethargic bass. This could not be farther from the truth! It works great for lethargic bass but its also an effective tool when snapped for shallow bass, spiraled for suspended bass, or hopped in deep water. Once you learn the many uses for a finesse tube you'll always want to have one close by.

While ultralight light and small tubes is the "norm", don't be afraid to step out and fish the bigger tubes on heavier gear, even casting rods. When it comes to equipment, a heavy tube is no different than fishing a jig, shaky head, or Texas rig. Below you'll find a break down of the different baits, colors, heads, and equipment that Tim uses to fish his tubes.

The baits...

-Dry Creek Tournament Tube: http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

(Old Ugly, Green Pumpkin Copper, Crazy Eddie)

-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube: http://bit.ly/32e23VR

(Green Pump Blue, Green Pump Copper, Tilapia)

-Z Man TRD Tubez: http://bit.ly/2DbJB8s

(Canada Craw, Green Pumpkin, Mud Bug)

Heads...

-Bite Me Big Dude Goby Head: http://bit.ly/2CV3o7S

-Bite Me Flat Eye Tube Head: http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

-Owner 90 Degree DartHead: http://bit.ly/2nvNGxp

-Provider 90 Degree DartHead: http://bit.ly/2LY9eMj

Tim's All-Around Tube Combo...

Rod- Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'6" ML Feider: http://bit.ly/2QHupT9

Reel- Daiwa Tatula LT 2500: http://bit.ly/2zrq4id

Line- 15 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- 7 lb Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's High-End Finesse Combo...

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 902: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Reel- Shimano Stella FJ 2500: http://bit.ly/2U8Pkzg

Line- 8 lb Sunline X Plasma Asegai Braid: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Leader- 5 lb Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Heavy Tube Rods...

Spinning Rod- G Loomis GLX 892: http://bit.ly/2A6HH3O

Spinning Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Casting Rod - G Loomis GLX 893: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Casting Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

(Line and leader same as Daiwa Combo)

Ultra Shallow Senko Fishing Tips For Fall Bass

We're in Wisconsin fishing ultra shallow water for big bass! The fish have moved up under docks in less than 18 inches of crystal clear water and have shut down. How do we lure these big bass into biting on a post front day? Come along for a fun day of big bass catching in the MidWest as we put the pieces together and catch a ton of fish in tough conditions!

We started the day out deep and couldn't find any willing fish. We planned to catch them on crankbaits and swimbaits but the bass had other ideas. They'd pulled into shallow docks, often sitting in less than a foot of water along the support beams. When we finally put the pieces together the senko was the only bait they would eat. Typically bass under docks eat the senko on the initial fall but not this day!

The key to the bite was letting the senko soak. After the short fall to the bottom we had to let the senko sit motionless for 30-45 seconds before the tell tale "tick" on the line would alert us to a bite. While it was a painstaking way to fish, it paid off in a big way as we caught monster smallmouth after monster smallmouth all afternoon! Don't be afraid to get out there and fish this Fall. Even as Winter approaches there are big fish waiting to be caught!

Due to the bass' location we had to use much heavier leader than normal for spinning tackle. We ran 12 lb braid like we often do for ultralight combos but instead of going to a lighter leader material, we stepped up to 18 lb Fluorocarbon to give us a fighting chance against the bass amongst the cross members and chains below the docks. Below is a breakdown of all the tackle and equipment used in this video.

The Setup...

Bait- Yamamoto 5" Senko (Green Pumpkin Blk Flake): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- Gamakatsu G-Finesse Stinger Weedless Wacky (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2otYTPg

Tool- O Wacky Tool: http://bit.ly/2wtX7M8

O-Ring- http://bit.ly/2MolpRD

Senko Combo...

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852S JWR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Braid- 12 lb Plasma Asegai Sunline: http://bit.ly/2LWwBWE

Leader- 18 lb Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Combo...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Reel- Shimano Nasci 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

The Best Dropshot Trick For Fall Bass!

Are you ready to try something different to catch more bass this Fall? Are you tired of the same old dropshot worm? Its time to discover a new way to fish a finesse swimbait! Dropshotting small swimbaits is a deadly trick for Fall bass that are feeding on baitfish. If you aren't doing it this Fall, you're missing fish that are ready to be caught.

Tim turns to a non-traditional dropshot rig for Fall bass. Not only does he use a swimbait instead of a worm, he also prefers to tie his tungsten dropshot weights to the line instead of using a standard dropshot weight. He explains that smallmouth and spotted bass will often throw traditional dropshot weights off the line during the fight but a tied weight will last much longer. This video is full of small details that make a huge difference so pay close attention to what Tim is teaching.

While the actual method is simple, Tim breaks down 3 key applications for the dropshotted swimbait. He also explains there are two different hooks that work for this technique. The Owner mosquito light is best with higher-end tackle that has been dialed in to absorb the hard runs of big bass. This hook is incredibly sharp but will bend under load if the angler is not experienced with battling big bass. For those with budget tackle that is not as dialed in, or those who simply prefer a heavier wire hook, the Trokar dropshot hook is a phenomenal option. Below is a breakdown of the baits, hooks, weights, and equipment that Tim recommends for this method.

The baits...

-Keitech 3" Easy Shiner Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

(Crystal Shad, Tennessee Shad, Silver Flash Minnow)

-Megabass Hazedong 3" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2CIwgzt

(Tennessee Shad, Shio Kosho, Ghost Shad)

-Damiki Armor Shad Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

(Pearl Gill, RP Blue Pearl, Tennessee Shad)

The Hooks...

-Owner Mosquito Light (lighter wire) Size 1: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-Trokar Dropshot Hook (Heavier Wire) Size 1: http://bit.ly/2ahxJOr

Tim's Favorite Dropshot Spinning Combo...

Rod- G Loomis NRX 822 DSR: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline XPlasma Asegai Braid 8 lb: http://bit.ly/2OR5i2j

Leader- Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon 6 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's Favorite Dropshot Casting Combo...

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852C JWR: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

Reel- Aldebaran MGL: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- 20 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 8 lb Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget-Friendly Combo...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 702 Med Light Spinning: http://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Reel- Daiwa Fuego LT 2500: http://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ

Line- Power Pro Braided Line 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- 8 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9