Winter Fishing Tips: Ultra Finesse Baits When Its COLD!!

Is Winter wearing you down? Are you catching nothing but a cold when you go to the lake? A lot of anglers share your struggle and a few even give up and wait for "fishing season" to come back around in Spring. Don't be those guys! Winter bass fishing can be incredibly rewarding if you know where the fish are and which baits they're willing to bite in the cold water. 

Non-fisherman think we're crazy when they find out we're headed to the lake in Winter! They talk about how cold its going to be, how boring, how miserable... but they don't understand. They have no idea how peaceful it is to be on a giant lake, all alone. There are no wakeboard boats, no jet skis, and if you know where to look, there are a ton of fish to be caught! 

Matt recently did a video about using swimbaits to catch BIG fish this time of year. Today we're talking about how to get consistent bites. We're not worried about the biggest bass, we're focused on getting out on the water and having fun catching fish! We have a handful of baits that produce consistently when the weather and the water turn cold.

Below are links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite colors, trailers, and heads where applicable. We've also included some of our favorite rods and reels for throwing these different presentations. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Jigs...

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

Colors: Brown/Purple, Green Pumpkin/Black

Trailer- Z Man TRD Bugz: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Colors: Canada Craw, Bama Bug, Green Pumpkin

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Football (3/8-1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Colors: Okeechobee 420, Go To, SuperMatt Brown

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

Colors: Green pump purple copper, Cinnamon black purple

Damiki Rig... 

Head- Damiki Jig Head (1/8 oz 1/0 hook): http://bit.ly/2tg1ajm

Bait- Damiki Armor Shad Jerk Bait: http://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o 

Finesse Swimbait...

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head (1/8 oz 1/0 hook): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Bait- Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

Flies/Hair Jigs...

Hair Jig- Spro Phat Fly 1/8oz: http://bit.ly/2mboisG

Colors: Grey Ghost, Blue Shad

Fly- Outcast Tackle Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Colors: Black, Shad

Drop Shot Worms...

-Berkley Maxscent Flat worm: https://bit.ly/3lAAorL

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

-Roboworm Sculpin: http://bit.ly/2XMbwoQ

Dropshot Components... 

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 3/16 oz Pencil: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

High-End Finesse Combo... 

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

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

Line- Sunline SX-1 Braid 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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

Budget Finesse Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

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

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

Budget Finesse Jig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'1" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Buyer's Guide: Best Dropshot Baits and Gear!

Today's Buyer's Guide is all about dropshotting! The dropshot is a reliable way to catch bass throughout the year. Paired with the right baits, it can produce big bass as well. We've selected a handful of baits for this video that work exceptionally well at different times of year and in different conditions. Come along as we dial in the dropshot. 

This rig can excel when the water is cold. When nothing else is working the dropshot can keep getting bit. The key is knowing which baits will give you the action you're looking for, and how to work them. A lot of anglers over-work the dropshot, meaning they shake it way too much. In the cold months in particular, the dropshot is all about a soft touch and subtle presentation. As the water warms in Spring, you can mix up the presentation with more movement and different baits to continue seeing success. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits in the order they were discussed in the video. We've also included color recommendations, favorite hooks and weights for properly rigging the baits, and some of our favorite rods and reels for fishing this technique. All of the links go directly to TackleWarehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

The Worms...

-Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm: http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

Colors: MM3, Peoples Worm, Prism Shad

-Big Bite Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple, Green Pump, org, blk, pro blue flake

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

Colors: Spanish Fly, Morning Dawn

-Strike King Dream Shot: http://bit.ly/2aAoUoR

Colors: Triple Magic, Prism Shad, Desert Craw

-Damiki Armor Shad 3": http://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Colors: Rp Blue Pearl, Pure Gill, American Shad

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

Colors: TW Pro Blue, Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad

-Reaction Innovations Shiver Shot: http://bit.ly/2JCpY7S

Colors: SunGill, Bad Shad Green

-Strike King Half Shell: http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

Colors: Morning Dawn, Green Pumpkin Purple

Favorite Dropshot Hooks...

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

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

Weedless- Owner Cover Shot (Size 1 or 1/0): http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

Favorite Weights... 

Tungsten- Swagger Pencil (Black): http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Lead- QuickDrops Drop Shot: http://bit.ly/2BjFCp3

Tim's Favorite Combo... 

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

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

Line- Sunline SX-1 Braid 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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

Matt's Favorite Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX WhipSnake: http://bit.ly/2XkVoej

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Power Pro 10 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Budget-Friendly Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

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

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Craws and Creatures: https://bit.ly/3lU4vLe

-Ned Rigs: https://bit.ly/3fo75GV

-Deep Diving Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/3kXuH6h

-Big Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

Buyer's Guide: Ned Rig Baits And Tips For Year Round Success!

The Ned Rig has become the most popular finesse presentation in bass fishing! There is something about that little worm standing up on the bottom that just gets bit when nothing else will. With its surge in popularity, every major brand in the industry has jumped on board, offering a variety of "Ned" style baits. With all these new baits, its getting harder to know which baits you can count on to actually catch fish. 

In today's Buyer's Guide we've narrowed it down to 7 baits and two heads to meet virtually any circumstance. If you want to narrow it down even further, you could pair it all the way down to two consistent baits then choose one "unique" bait to mix it up from time to time. This technique is very simple, don't let the hundreds of baits coming to market fool you into overcomplicating it. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits, in order of appearance. We've also included our top colors for each bait, our favorite heads, and the rods and reels we use to throw them. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Traditional Ned Baits... 

-Z Man Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Green Pumpkin

-Roboworm 3" Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Colors: MMIII, Desert Craw

Ned Baits with Action... 

-Z Man TRD TicklerZ: http://bit.ly/2mGyDAC

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Drews Craw

-Missile Baits Ned Bomb: http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

Colors: Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core, Watermelon Red Core

-XZone Ned Zone: http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Colors: Summer Craw, Green Pumpkin Purple

Creature/Craw Baits... 

-Z Man TRD CrawZ: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Colors: Green Pumpkin orange, Canda Craw

-Z Man TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Colors: Sprayed Grass, Canada Craw

Ned Heads... 

Tungsten- Swagger Flanders 1/10th oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Lead- Owner Block Head 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2qL0A8n

Matt's Ned Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 1000: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- Power Pro Braid 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Tim's Ned Combo... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro 10 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

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

Budget Ned Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Deep Diving Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/3kXuH6h

-Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

Winter Bass Fishing: Finesse Tips To Keep Catching Fish!

Winter is coming fast! If your fish disappear as the water gets cold, there is hope! Over the years we’ve found a handful of key baits that get bit day after day, year after year, even when conditions are tough. If the Winter blues are setting in, turn to these proven choices to keep catching fish. 

Many anglers quit fishing in the Winter. They turn to the woods or the couch to pass the days until Spring returns. Don’t be that guy! The lakes are incredibly peaceful in Winter and there are BIG bass to be caught! Some days you can still catch them on reaction baits but when the going gets tough, turning to finesse is a sure way to keep getting bit. Tim has a handful of baits including worms, jigs, and flies, that work everywhere he goes. 

Below you’ll find a breakdown of all the baits he discussed in the video. We’ve included the rigging, the exact colors he relies on to keep getting bit, and some of the rods and reels he uses to stay successful. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.  

Dropshot Baits… 

-Big Bite Smallie Smasher 3.5” (Green Pumpkin Purple Flake): http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

-Strike King Half Shell (Morning Dawn): http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

-Damiki Armor Shad Fluke (American Shad): http://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Dropshot Rigging… 

Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (size 2): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pencil (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Jigs… 

Jig-Keitech Tungsten Football (Brown/Purple): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Trailer- Z Man TRD BugZ (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Football 5/8 oz (Green Pumpkin Craw): http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Trailer- Yamamoto 5” Double Tail (Green Pump purp copper): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Fly… 

-Spro Phat Fly 1/8 (Grey Ghost): http://bit.ly/2mboisG

Neko Rig… 

Bait- Yamamoto 5” Senko (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Weight- Tungsten Pagoda Nail (1/16): http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

Hook- Owner Weedless Sniper Finesse Neko (1/0): https://bit.ly/2zXirRH

Ring- G7 Protect Tube (7MM): http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

Ned RIg… 

Bait- Roboworm 3” Ned Worm (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Bait- Z Man Finesse TRD (Green Pumpkin Goby): http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Tungsten Head- Swagger Flanders (1/10th): http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Lead Head- Owner Block Head (1/16th): http://bit.ly/2qL0A8n

Swimbait… 

Head- Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Bait- Keitech 3.3 or 3.8 Fat Swing Impact (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

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

Bait- Keitech 2.8” Fat Swing Impact (TW Ghost Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Head- Cool Baits Down Under 1/8 oz (Black Silver): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Dropshot/Ned Rig Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline SX-1 12 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

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

Finesse Jig/Swimbait Casting Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 843C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb Leader: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Finesse Spinning Combo... 

Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7'1" Medium: http://bit.ly/2r69Sj6

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

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

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G