Winter Bass Fishing: Everything You Need To Know To Catch Fish Now

Winter bass fishing can be really fun! In today's video Matt goes in depth with 8 different techniques to help you catch more and bigger bass this Winter. Do you prefer a spinning rod or a swimbait rod? A jig or a soft plastic? Are you a beginner bass fisherman or a seasoned angler? There is something in this video for everyone!

Matt took the 8 techniques from the Winter Bass Fishing Buyer's Guide and teaches the details on how to use each one effectively. He begins with A-rigs and cold water crankbaits and explains exactly what you need to do to draw a reaction bite. Next he discusses small swimbaits, soft plastics, and jigs. He wraps up with an in-depth look at slow crawling soft swimbaits for Winter bass. If you want to catch more bass right now, this video is going to help you do it.

The weather might be tough but the fishing doesn't have to be. Get out there this Winter, use these techniques, and catch some of the best fish of the year!Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment the guys discussed in the video. Each bait is linked direct to Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up photos and detailed descriptions of them.

A-rig...

-G Funk A-Rigs: http://bit.ly/2n8cOGO

-Matt Allen Swimbait Heads 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-Keitech 3.8 Swimbaits: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Rage Swimmer 4.75 Swimbaits: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Crankbait...

-Tactical DD Crank 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(Ghost Minnow, Mirrored Minnow, Glass Minnow)

Small Swimbait...

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

(Haze, Hanahaze, Wakasagi)

Underspin...

-Cool Baits Down Under Spin 1/8-3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

-Keitech 2.8" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Tubes...

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

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

-Bite Me Flat Eye Tube Head 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

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

Neko...

-Daiwa Fat Neko Worm: http://bit.ly/2o2O3LG

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

-Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Hook: http://bit.ly/2kfdv37

Jig...

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Football 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

(Supermatt Brown, Go To, Green Pumpkin Craw)

-5" Twin Tail Grub Trailer: http://bit.ly/2qS1YtE

(Green Pumpkin, Tilapia)

Big Swimbait...

-Huddleston Deluxe 8" Swimbait (ROF 5): http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

-Huddleston Deluxe 8" Swimbait (ROF 12): http://bit.ly/2azFTon

(Trout, Ayu, Silver/Blue)

We caught them deep! Swimbait and Spoon Tips For Fall Bass

Big bass love deep water, don’t be afraid to catch them! In late Fall bass congregate offshore, forming schools that are much larger than anything found in the shallows. Most anglers ignore these fish because they’re not used to fishing deeper structure with electronics, or don’t have confidence targeting suspended fish. Come along with Matt and CC to find out just how easy it is to catch quality bass in deep, open water. 

At the start of the day Matt and CC planned to locate feeding fish around offshore schools of baitfish. Upon arriving at the lake they were greeted by heavy winds and cold air temperatures. While this required some adaptation, they stuck to their plan and successfully located schooling bass. This style of fishing is a commitment and often requires time spent on your electronics searching for fish. Matt used his Humminbird Solix units to scan flats and located an old house foundation in the process. While it didn’t produce today, a few waypoints were dropped around the foundation’s perimeter for future trips. This goes to show once again that time spent on your electronics is never wasted time. 

After a few stops the bass were located around baitfish in 35-40 feet of water. Matt and CC made short work of them using a jigging spoon, finesse swimbait, and a tail spin. This 3-part approach allowed them to cover water by fan casting but also provided an option for dropping down in an instant on fish that appeared below the boat. The key to schooling fish is speed. Once the bass are fired up you must get the bait to them as quickly as possible or the school will calm down and the feeding frenzy will end. The combination of spooning for a quick reaction and casting to relocate the school as it moved around the area was a deadly combination. 

Below is a breakdown of the gear and equipment that was used in today’s video. 

The baits… 

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

(Blue Shad, Tennessee Shad)

-ZXone Lures 4” Swammer Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

(309, Bream, Tennessee Shad)

-Keitech 4.3” Fat Swing Impact Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

(Electric Shad, Ghost Rainbow)

-Damiki Axe Blade 1 oz Underspin: http://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

(Holo Real Shad, Black Holo)

-Blade Runner 1 3/4 oz Spoon: http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

(Morning Dawn UV, UV Fried Chicken)

Matt’s Spoon Combo… 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7’2” MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Daiwa Tatula CT 7:1 Reel: http://bit.ly/2zT6tDZ

Line- 20 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

CC’s Swimbait Combo… 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 6’10” MH: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 20 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Spooning Combo… 

Rod- Shimano SLX 7’ MH: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX HG Casting: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- 20 lb Seaguar Red Label: http://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

The TacticalBassin FINESSE Swimbait Head Is Here!!!

Announcing the TACTICALBASSIN FINESSE SWIMBAIT HEAD! This new head is designed to fill a huge void for bass fishermen. When heavy hooks are too much but you’re not looking for a micro hook either, the TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head is exactly what you’re searching for! This new head incorporates a medium wire 4/0 hook that pairs perfectly with 3 1/2 inch to 5 inch swimbaits and paddle tails.

Many companies offer tiny finesse heads and big heavy wire heads but few have heads that fit the middle (which is exactly where most fishermen are). For this project we partnered with Dirty Jigs Tackle and the already proven design of the Matt Allen Swimbait Head (see link below). We used the exact head shape (fantastic profile), same 30 degree line tie (destabilization to get more bites), and proven twin keeper system (single wire keeper paired with a lead collar keeper). By working from this already proven head design we were able to compare hooks and wire sizes with ease. It didn’t take long to find the perfect hook, a medium wire 4/0.

This 4/0 hook will land big fish with ease but won’t overpower smaller baits when a finesse approach is needed. The reduced wire size (as compared to the Matt Allen Swimbait Head) will also allow anglers to fish this head on lighter line and tackle, allowing for more bites in clear water finesse situations. If you loving throwing small swimbaits and paddle tails and need a hook to “do it all”, this is your hook!

If you’re in a big bass environment, especially around heavy cover, the Matt Allen Swimbait Head is your best bet. If you’re throwing micro swimbaits like a 2.8 keitech, a Guppy Head with its small 1/0 hook is a great match, but if you’re fishing anywhere in the middle, its time to try the TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head.

The Heads…

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Recommended Finesse Swimbaits…

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.8 - 4.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-River2Sea D Walker 100: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Megabass Spark Shad 4": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

-X Zone Lures Swammer 3.5" - 4": http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

-Basstrix Paddle Tail 4" - 5": http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR

-Strike King Rage Swimmer 3.75 - 4.75: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Favorite Combo For This Technique…

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch 150 MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

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

5 rods from highest price to most budget-minded that will work great for this technique…

-G Loomis NRX 853C JWR (7’1” MH): http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

-Dobyns Xtasy 7’2” Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

-Shimano Zodias 7’2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

-Shimano SLX 7’2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

-Daiwa Aird X 7’ Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2Z2JfYG

5 Jig Fishing Tricks For Fall Bass Fishing

These 5 tricks will save you time and money! You can catch bigger bass with less gear by making some simple changes to your bass fishing. This Fall we are simplifying jig fishing! Don't worry about having every kind of jig in every color, you don't need it! You can do amazing things with a handful of simple jigs and trailers when you understand how to use them to your advantage.

Matt breaks his Fall jig fishing down into 3 styles of bass jig. He recommends pitching jigs, football jigs, and finesse jigs. Each jig has a unique purpose but when paired with a handful of trailer options and colors, they can be adapted to virtually any situation. Without question, if we could only have one, it would be the pitching jig. Don't let color overwhelm you either, focus on natural tones in several key colors and you're ready to fish all the way in to Winter.

Matt goes on to explain how to select the right jig rod. So many anglers don't understand what makes one rod better than another for jig fishing. The key to a quality jig rod is a balance of back bone (power) and tip flex (shock absorption). You need a rod that can drive the jig hook home but immediately following, you need a rod that can absorb the violent head shakes of a big bass.

Below is a breakdown of the jigs (with color recommendations), trailer options, and equipment that Matt and Tim use to catch jig fish all Fall and Winter.

The Jigs...

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin' Jig 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

(Go To, Green Pumpkin Craw, Hematoma)

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Football 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

(Supermat Brown, Go To)

-Bass Patrol Football 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Hbyf5x

(Green Pumpkin/Brown, Brown/Purple)

-Keitech Football Jig 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

(Dark Green Pumpkin, Brown Purple, Green Pumpkin Blue)

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig 5/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

(Go To, Supermat Brown, Canterbury Craw)

Jig Trailers...

-Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

(Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Red Flake)

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

(Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Black/Red Flake)

-Strike King Rage Chunk: http://bit.ly/2Hd4MFA

(Black Blue Flake, Blue Craw, Hard Candy)

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

(California Craw, Green Pumpkin, Mud Bug)

Matt's Favorite Jig Rod...

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

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

Line- 65 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 20 lb Sunline FC100 System: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Matt's Favorite Finesse Jig Rod...

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

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

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

G Loomis MBR Rods...

-GLX MBR Rods: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

-IMX Pro MBR Rods: http://bit.ly/2lVATTC

-E6X MBR Rods: http://bit.ly/2lzoEMm

Matt's Jig Storage...

-Plano Stowaway 3740 Waterproof: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB

-Plano Stowaway 3700 Deep Waterproof: http://bit.ly/2xjccls