Buyer's Guide: Winter Bass Fishing Baits That Always Work

From giant swimbaits to ultra-finesse, this video is covering everything you need for Winter Bass Fishing. We respect anglers that brave the elements and fish through the Winter so we're giving up all our best tricks to consistently catch fish through the Winter months. Don't fall into the slow fishing trap in Winter; you can catch fish fast, slow, and everywhere in between if you know when to make the adjustments.

Today's video is all about keeping it simple. These are our best confidence baits for the cold water months. The only baits missing are the dropshot and Ned Rig but we'll be covering those in their own video in the coming days. In addition to the baits, Tim gives some awesome tips on the Tube and A-rig and Matt shares some knowledge on the big swimbait and crankbait.

"Winterizing the boat" should be a thing of the past if your lakes don't freeze solid. Get out on the water, apply these tips, and catch some of the best bass 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

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)

Cold Water Crankbait Tricks For Big Bass In Winter

Stop missing the best bite of the year for big bass! Forget the spawn, set the jig aside, let's talk about how to catch giant bass with crankbaits in cold water! Triggering a feed response in bass can be done at virtually any temperature when you have the right tools. Once you understand which baits emit the right frequencies and how quickly to fish them, catching a big bass is as easy as casting and retrieving, with a few hard pops, snaps and rips thrown in for good measure.

Matt and Tim recently released their Tactical DD Crankbait to specifically target big Winter bass. This bait is incredibly easy to fish, comes in cold water specific color patterns, and has produced giant catches all over the country. Smallmouth, Spotted Bass, and giant Largemouth have all fallen prey to its high speed vibration..

While the guys built this bait specifically for cold water versatility, they also recognize that a variety of other baits are great for Winter bass. TacticalBassin has and always will be about quality, honest information. With that in mind, Matt and Tim would never turn their back on the other proven cold water producers.

In today's video Matt shows a variety of proven cold water crankbaits, how to fish them, then goes in depth with retrieves and equipment. If you're tired of finesse fishing in Winter, this video is for you! Below you'll find a breakdown of the baits and equipment along with explanations of when each bait shines.

Tactical Crankbait Release Video: http://bit.ly/2XC3Zq4

Baits…

River2Sea Tactical DD Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

-This bait shines in a variety of water temperatures. While designed for cold water it also excels in warm water around baitfish. The primary benefit of this bait is its ability to be fished effectively throughout the water column. It deflects extremely well, allowing it to be fished shallow. It also dives quickly and reaches far deeper depths (18+ feet) than other baits of its size.

Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

-Most anglers use this bait for Smallmouth. While it is an amazing bait for smallies (note the 6 lber Matt caught on it in this video) the bait actually excels in all cooler water situations for every species of bass. The bait has an extremely tight action and fishes extremely well in depths up to 14 feet.

Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

-The larger brother to the Deep X 300, the Deep Six reaches deeper and is equipped with larger hooks. It is a great option as the water cools in Fall and again as it begins to warm in Spring. With its larger size comes a slightly wider wobble, making it a versatile bait year round.

Spro RK Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

The Rock Crawler is truly a craw-imitator. This bait has a wider wobble than the other cold water baits but is irrelevant because you're fishing it properly when it spends all its time on the bottom. This bait is designed to grind, hop, and dodge its way through rocky bottoms, triggering bites as it deflects off cover.

6th Sense Curve 55: http://bit.ly/37hZ1TD

-The Curve, like the Rock Crawler, is designed to spend its time on bottom. This bite will hunt, pop, and deflect its way through hard cover. Pause it as it breaks away from cover to get that vicious reaction strike you've been searching for.

Favorite Colors by Bait...

Tactical: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow, Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow

Deep X 300: Stealth Craw, Sexy Ayu, Megabass Sexy Shad

Deep Six: MB Gizzard, Shadow Craw, Ito Wakasagi

RkCrawler: Missouri Craw, Phantom Brown, Red Crawfish

Curve 55: Craw Bomb, Ghost Missouri Craw, Red Claw

Braid Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

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

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

Fluorocarbon Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

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

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

Low Budget Combo...

Rod- St Croix Bass X 7'2" MH Moderate: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

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

Where Do Bass Go During The Fall To Winter Transition? (And How To Catch Them)

Is the fishing getting tough on your lake? Are you struggling to find fish that will bite? As the water cools the Fall to Winter transition begins. Bass will seemingly vanish from areas that were productive all Fall and figuring out where they've gone can seem overwhelming. Don't worry, we know where they're going! And even better, we know how to catch them!

This transitional period signals the change from bass feeding heavily before Winter to a focus on Winter survival. Most bass will become lethargic, focusing on minimal movement. This lethargy requires them to find a location that has quick access to food, quick access to deep water, and enough cover to feel "comfortable" through the cold months. Now that you understand the components of a great Winter location, its time to look at a map of your lake.

Focus your time in 3 locations; Bluffs, Points, and Funnels. Bluffs, which are essentially very steep walls with instant deep water access will typically be found on the outside bend of a creek or river channel. Steep points that meet the criteria are typically the largest outside points on the main body of the lake. Funnels refers to anywhere the lake narrows down and "pinches", creating an area that current, fish, and other food will need to pass through.

Once you've found the areas, its time to focus on catching the fish. There are two methods to catching Winter bass. The first is to fool them into biting with realistic presentations that move slowly. A slow moving offering gives the bass time to examine the potential meal and choose to eat it. The second approach is to trigger a feed response with short bursts of movement. This approach is incredibly effective, even in the coldest of water, but must be combined with stationary periods to allow the fish to reach the lure. Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment we have confidence in during the Fall to Winter Transition.

The Baits In Order Of Appearance...

-Damiki Vault Blade Bait 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

(Real Shad, Holo Ayu, Black Holo)

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

(Morning Dawn, Electric Chicken, Shad)

-Lucky Craft Staysee 90 Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2dBzMmz

(Ghost Minnow, Crystal Pro Blue, Baitfish Silver)

-Megabass Vision 110+1 Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

(GP Pro Blue, HT-Ito Tennessee Shad, M Shad)

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

(Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad)

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

(Silver/Black, Silver Shad, Ol' Faithful)

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

(Blue Shad, Gizzard Shad, Naked Shad)

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

(Super Matt Brown, Go To)

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

(Green Pumpkin/Black Flake)

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

(Green Pump/Purple, Smoke Purple Flake)

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

(Rainbow Trout, Hold Over, Hitch, Ayu)

-8" All American Trash Fish Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2hmXtg1

(Just Shad, LC Hitch, Rainbow Trout)

Favorite Jerkbait Combo (Great for Blades, and Small Swimbaits too)...

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Budget Jerkbait Combo...

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

Line- 12 lb Seaguar Red Label: http://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

How To Locate Winter Bass + Fishing FAIL!

Winter fishing... where do you even start?!? These simple steps will help you locate fish and quickly find productive water. There is nothing worse than fishing and fishing without knowing if you're even around fish. We've got your covered! 

Bass will position in different locations and depths based on water temperature and weather. Most bass spend the Winter in deep water to insulate themselves from the cold surface temperatures. There are two circumstances that will draw fish out of the depths. Those circumstances rising water and warm afternoon sun. 

In this video we'll explain how the fish move, why they move, and what baits you can use to efficiently locate and catch Winter bass. 

The Baits that caught fish in this video...
7/16 Finesse Jig (Green Pumpkin Craw): http://bit.ly/2eJinXo
Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub (Green Pump/Blk Flake): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Owner Shakey UltraHead (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2iofJdg
Roboworm 6" Fat (Watermelon Magic): http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

Finesse Football Jig 5/8 oz (Go To): http://bit.ly/2d2apsm
Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub (Grn Pump prpl): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

R2S Bling Spinnerbait 1/2 oz (I know it): http://bit.ly/2diSwqq
Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.8 (Pro Blue): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Jack Hammer Chatterbait (Green Shad): http://bit.ly/2popvj6
Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3 (French Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Huddleston Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2nztmdj

Rod/Reel Combos that work great for these presentations...

Finesse Jig/Spinnerbait/Shakey Head Setup...
Rod- G Loomis GLX 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Line- 20 lb Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget friendly Option for Jig/Spinnerbait/Shakeyhead...
Rod- Shimano Curado 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft
Reel- Shimano Casitas 150: http://bit.ly/2geKxsp
Braid- 30 lb MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Big Swimbait Combo...
Dobyns Champion 807: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Calcutta 400B: http://bit.ly/2b6NX0d
Line- 80 lb Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- 30 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
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