Fishing for Cold Water Bass Using Finesse Crankbaits

Bass fishing in the cold water periods requires different baits and presentations to optimize your chances for a successful day on the water...

One of the best crankbaits to throw when pursuing cold water bass, is the thin-bodied, tight wiggling, shad shaped crankbaits like Rapala's Shad Rap or Berkley's Flicker Shad...

Take a moment and listen to FLW Pro Terry Bolton explain how to select areas to present these thin-bodied crankbaits for more cold water hook-ups...

I know there are several tips from this video I'll be putting to work the next time out on the water...

How about you?

Winter Bass Fishing Game Plan

Bass fishing during the winter can be one of the most challenging experiences anglers face throughout the entire year...

Since bass are cold-blooded creatures, the temperature of the environment directly impacts their metabolism and typically limits feeding activity. Not only does the cold weather effect the bass, it also takes a toll on most bass anglers since the cold temperature requires dressing properly both for comfort as well as to remain alert when on the water!

The four considerations every winter-time bass angler needs to consider to increase success during each trip include:

1. Layering of clothing and other safety factors;
2. Identifying good winter fishing locations;
3. Water temperature and its impact on bass activity;
4. Lures and presentations that work.

The good folks at Fix.com created a fantastic winter bass fishing infographic summarizing each of the four factors as provided below...

  Source: Fix.com Blog 

Definitely some great information and things to keep in mind when planning your next winter bass fishing adventure...

When to Select a Rattling Over Non-Rattling Crankbait

Ever wonder when or if it’s better to pick a rattling crankbait instead of a “silent” version of the same bait?

Good question and it can be confusing to say the least…

Some bass anglers opt for rattling versions when fishing stained or muddy water relying on silent cranks when probing clear water environs. Other simply say it’s a matter of confidence or just changing between them to offer the bass a subtle difference in presentations…

In this video Bass Pro Brandon Palaniuk gives a few of his reasons for switching between rattling and non-rattling crankbaits…

Pretty interesting take isn’t it 👌

Do Artificial Lures Outfish Live Bait?

There is an age-old debate between many anglers regarding the effectiveness of artificial lures when compared to live bait...

Let's face it, most of us started fishing almost exclusively with live bait and over time gravitated to artificial baits for a number of different reasons.

There are definitely times when live bait may be more a better choice especially when faced with cold water conditions or when taking the kids out for a day on the water!  During other outings, artificial baits will rule the day... 

It just so happens, the folks at Fix.com put together an interesting infographic providing a different viewpoint on the the question, when to select live bait vs a lure as shown below...

Source: Fix.com Blog

Though they make some great points via their graphic, it often comes down to a matter of preference or confidence with most anglers as they select live bait or artificials... :)

Winter Bass Like Flat-Sided Crankbaits

There are certain baits that seem to excel at catching chilled winter bass…

One of those is a flat-sided or thin bodied crankbait like the Bomber Flat A or Rapala Shad Rap…

In this video, Alabama bass guide Jimmy Mason tells us why he prefers the Flat A and where he like to fish it…

Guess if you have the right cold weather clothing, it maybe time to get out and throw those flat-sided cranks!

Change Up Your Crankbait Retrieves for More Bass

Many bass anglers use a “chunk n wind” approach to fishing crankbaits relying on the occasional deflection off cover as their main trigger mechanism…

But changing up the speed and action you impart to the crankbait during the retrieve will help you catch more bass as bass pro Aaron Martens (R.I.P.) discusses in the following video…

Tips for Fishing Crankbaits in Cool Water

Many bass anglers struggle when it’s time to fish cool to cold waters and the fish are keyed-in on baitfish such as shad and perch…

Selecting the right type of crankbait and combining with the correct presentations will greatly increase every bass angler’s success during the cool and cold water periods…

In the following video, Bassmaster Elite Pro, Mark Menendez identifies his “go to” crankbait type, the equipment he uses as well as presentations to maximize his success with cool water bass…

Enjoy!

What's your favorite cool water crankbait?

Mine is a thin-bodied bait like the Rapala Shad Rap!

Just saying 💣

Power Stroking Tubes for Smallmouths

When many bass anglers think of fishing a tube for smallmouths, small to medium sized tubes presented in depths of 10 feet or less and a slow, subtle presentation come to mind.

But there are times when smallies, especially big smallies, get fired up when big tubes, rigged with heavy jigs heads are aggressively ripped or stroked on deeper water structure…

Take a moment to watch this short video and see how and when the system works for power fishing smallmouth bass on deep humps, ledges and rock piles…

So if fishing waters where smallies stage on deeper water structure and cover, try power stroking big tubes jigs to connect with some of the biggest bass in your waters!

Yamamoto Senko Fishing Tips

Salted soft stick baits are a “go-to” bait for many anglers, especially when fishing shallow water cover such as docks, over-hanging brush lines or downed trees. These baits can be rigged in a variety of ways to help make them snag-proof; can be fished weightless and make great skipping baits adding to their appeal.

One of the first and most popular soft stick baits on the market is Yamamoto Custom Baits Senko!

Though the bait looks pretty simple to rig and use, a few tweaks will help you get the most out of your Senkos as described in this short video…

I have to admit, soft stickbaits like the Senko are my "go-to” bait throughout most of the season...

Interested in learning more about these great bass catching baits?

Click on the following link and see what’s available on Omnia Fishing!

Senkos @ Omnia Fishing

Using Spinnerbaits to Catch Fall Bass

Dropping air temperature, cooling waters and colorful leaves all indicate big changes are happening in the world around us not to mention our favorite quarry, bass…

These changes also signify a series of transitions bass make as they pursue various types of bait as they make their own transitions. First the bass follows the bait from summertime deeper water haunts into the shallows and back again as the summer to fall to winter seasonal change progresses…

During these seasonal changes, bass are constantly shifting both their locations and the types of cover they relate too. To be both effective and efficient when fall bass are on the move, search baits like spinnerbaits are a tool many successful fall anglers use to connect with their wily prey.

Take a few minutes and listen to the reasons why bass pro Stephen Browning relies on spinnerbaits when searching for fall bass…

Do you have your spinnerbait supply ready for the fall transitions?

Time to “get r done”!

Does Line Visibility Impact Bass Catch Ratio?

Ever wonder how bass and other fish may see the line you are using to cast your bait to them?

Are there times when line visibility impacts your day on the water by limiting the number or quality of bass you catch?

Interesting questions and one that has plagued bass anglers for decades!

Here is a little infographic from the folks at Fix.com that may provide more insight into the line visibility dilemma...

Source: Fix.com

Looks like it's related to both the line color, construction and depth you're fishing!

Fluorocarbon tends to be the least visible while at the other end of the spectrum, braids the most, especially the brightly colored options. One solution ... use your braid of choice with a fluorocarbon leader when the technique allows.

You may even want to consider darkening out the first few feet of braid above the leader when using brightly colored options for increased visibility above the water...

Tight lines and full live-wells all :)

Prepping for Tournament Success

It has been over half a century since organized fishing tournaments (bass, walleye, crappie, etc.) not only secured a foothold in the fishing world but exploded in popularity across the country as well as many parts of the globe...

 
Today's tournament arena spans across many different species, water types, age groups and even different types of vessels giving anyone with a desire to compete, the opportunity to do so...

Though getting access to tournaments is relatively easy, what does ittake to be a successful tournament angler?

The folks at Fix.com have launched yet another great infographic highlighting many of the important aspects pertaining to prepping for tournament success as shown below... :)


Source: Fix.com Blog

Obviously there are many factors involved with being successful including...

• Knowledge of the target species and how they interact with their environment;
• Basic research and map skills to prepare before you ever get to the water;
• Having the right tackle (rods, reels, lures, line, accessories, etc.) to get the job done; &
• A proper mindset and attitude to adapt to changing conditions each day of the event.

Definitely a number of great ideas to prepare for your next tournament event...

Do you have any others you recommend?

Right Way To Catch and Release

Many bass anglers release most of the fish we catch each season in an attempt to conserve this precious resource…

Though this may help save the bass for future generations, are these the right steps to optimize our catch and release effort?

Here is a great infographic from the folks at Fix.com discussing a myriad of actions to consider when trying to practice catch and release…

Source: Article on Catch & Release @ Fix.com

Picking the Right Frog Depends on Cover

With the growing selection of hollow-bellied frog types on the market today, is there a method to determine what type of frog is best around certain types of cover?

According to frog fishing expert Dean Rojas, the answer is YES…

Take a moment and listen to what Dean has to say regarding picking the right style of frog is often dependent on the cover being fished in the following video…

One thing is certain … when Dean Rojas talks frog fishing, it’s definitely time to listen

Small Baits Cure Cold Water Bassing Blues

Lethargic is one term many anglers use to describe bass during the cold water period from late fall through early spring…

One way to combat a bass’ slow-motion metabolism during these times is to downsize the baits used in your presentations…

There are a wide range of small-scale baits on the market including bait rigs like:

• the NED rig
• Charlie Brewer’s Slider Rig
• Most drop-shot presentations like Mister Twister’s Mite
• 2.5″ tubes
• small hair jigs
• 2″ to 3 grubs
• and many more!

Though many bass anglers are familiar with larger sizes of the spider jig, smaller versions can also be great solutions to a slow cold water bite!

The folks at Tactical Bassin produced this video of a micro spider jig and it’s effectiveness in working vertical structures, a key holding area for cold water bass…

Definitely another alternative to consider adding to your cold water bait box 🙂

Crankbait Tweaks To Catch More Bass

If you’re like many bass anglers, chunk n wind is the retrieve most commonly used when fishing crankbaits…

Did you know you can catch more bass by making a few tweaks to your crankbait fishing approach?

Take a moment and see what Spro bass pro Mike McClelland has to say on the subject…

Ready to make a few adjustments?

I know I am 😉

Fishing Deep Spinnerbaits for Fall Bass

Bass often relate to deeper water cover (standing timber, submerged weedbeds, rock piles, brush piles, etc.) at both the beginning and end of the fall period. In both cases, these bass typically feed on available baitfish such as shad, herring down south and shiners, perch and bluegills in northern areas…

When bass are holding around these deeper types of cover, the spinnerbait can be an excellent lure choice to probe through cover due to its snagless design and general appearance like a small group of bait…

Take a moment and listen to Lake Fork guide Stephen Fatherree describe his approach to the proper equipment and the presentations he uses to catch deep water fall bass using spinnerbaits!

Have you added spinnerbaits to your early and late fall bass lure arsenal yet?

Fishing for Early Fall Bass with Chatterbaits

The days are getting shorter…

Air and water temps are getting cooler…

Baitfish are schooling and migrating between available types of cover and the bass have put the feed-bag on prepping for winter…

What a great time to tie on a chatterbait and catch some of the biggest bass of the season!

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Stephen Browning explains why a chatterbait is one of his favorite baits when chasing early fall bass in this short video…

Time to tie one a chatterbait on for your next fall bass fishing trip?

I’ll have one rigged when I go out for sure 😈

KVD On Catching Late Fall Largemouths

What does Elite Bass Pro Kevin VanDam do to catch late fall bass in the north country?

A few points come to mind…

• Focus on small natural lakes with lots of good weed-lines
• Look for irregular weed-line features like inside bends
• Use small baits with slower fall rates and compact profiles mimicking baitfish and crawdads

but just don’t take our word for it, watch the following short video where KVD explains the details!

I am not sure about you but I love fishing in the fall and am sure these tips will come in handy when I do!

Should You Use A Shaky Head in Stained Water?

Check out what Bassmaster Elite Pro, Mike Iaconelli has to say about using a Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper and shaky head combo in dirty water situations...

Pretty good advice don't you think?

Getting the Texas Rig Right

Many new bass anglers struggle with the myriad of different methods for rigging and using soft plastics baits, especially the Texas Rig...

The following image provides an overview of setting up the Texas Rig...

Source: Fix.com Blog

Here are a set of images from an article on Fix.com covering all the ins and outs of using Texas rigged plastic baits...

Source: Fix.com Blog 

 If you want more detailed information, click the link about to access the original article!

Lipless Crankbaits for Fall Bass

Fall bass fishing usually means finding how bass are relating to baitfish.

Since bait is often schooled in the fall, a lipless crank can be a great tool to connect with bass keying on shad, herring or alewives as Terry Bolton describes in this video…

Keeping those rattle-traps, red-eye shads or whatever your personal lipless crank choice is ready for fall action maybe just what the "doctor ordered"...

Agreed?

What Is a Power-Shot Rig?

Every so often I run across an article or video that cause me to pause and reflect on how I learned certain techniques over the years…

The video provided below cause me to think back to an ABA Weekend Series tournament over 15 years ago I was fishing as a non-boater. During the event, I was trying to fish a conventional Texas-rigged 7″ worm that kept getting fouled by the slimy algae covering the bottom. On the other hand, the boater was able to keep fishing and catching, while I was constantly clearing my rig of “bottom snot”.

When I asked how the heck he was avoiding the snot issue, he said he was fishing a power version of a traditional drop shot rig. It didn’t take me long to figure it out and add the drop/power shot rig to my bassin’ tool kit as well!

Take a moment and listen to pro bass angler John Murray’s insight into when and how to fish the power shot rig!

Interesting!

Lures for the Summer – Fall Transition

With summer winding down, both bait and bass start their moves from deep-water holding areas to the shallows for the fall feeding binge…

But what lures should you consider throwing to catch these transitional bass?

There are several options you should consider as discussed in the following video from the folks at Wired2Fish…

Frog, jig, squarebill, buzzbait, soft stickbait?

What's your favorite bait when fishing the summer/fall transition?

What's Different About the Molix Frog?

Now there's an interesting question...

Is there anything really different about the new hollow-bellied frog introduced by Italian tackle manufacturer, Molix?

Well first off, the bait comes with interchangeable rear appendages; a set of highly realistic legs and a skirt-type option....

The bait is also rumored to dart beneath the surface when worked using a hard jerking action...

Given the way the legs appear to move and the diving factor perhaps it is!

Not only that but it appears the bass like it too as shown in the following video :)

Fishing Football Jigs for Summer Bass

Well the song may state that “Summertime and the livin’ is easy” but that’s not necessarily the case for bassin’ during the summer…

Once the post spawn has ended and summer swings into full gear, many bass recede from the shallows and take up residence around deeper water cover and structure…

One of the more effective baits and presentations (dragging & stroking) to reach those deep summer bass…

Working a football jig through or around deep cover as described by Elite Series Pro, Matt Lee in this informative video…

Definitely a few great points to think about 😎

Fishing Tubes for Smallmouth Bass

Bass tubes are great baits for any of the black bass family but smallmouth bass seem to love them best!

Tube baits have been around for several decades since the introduction of the GITZIT tube by Bobby Garland over 40 years ago. One of the main reasons for their effectiveness is a tube’s close resemblance to several types of forage, especially crayfish and bottom dwelling minnows like the goby!

They come in a variety of lengths from an inch up to 5 inches or more for specialized applications with the most common lengths being 2.5″, 3″ and 4″. Tubes can also be rigged in different ways and with varying weights making them the perfect bait for covering the water column in many situations…

Take a moment and watch the following video to see what I mean!

Tips for Selecting the Right Fishing Rod

Confused about all the different types of fishing rods on the market today?

Although there are numerous companies making a wide variety of of fishing rods, understanding the differences in how rods are designed and built is key in making the right choice...

 

Here is a graphic prepared by the folks at Fix.com describing the key design factors you need to know when shopping for your next fishing rod...

Source: Rods @ Fix.com

Want even more info on selecting the right fishing rod?

Click on the link above to access the original article and more in depth information...

Are Swing Head Jigs Just a Fad?

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past year, you have probably heard a new term often whispered by hard-core jig anglers, the swing head jig!

Though swing head jigs are available in a few different head styles, the most common shape is the football head. Football heads seem to be selected in part because of where and how this jig head is fished like banks with scattered rocks or gravel.

Football swing head jigs can be paired with a wide variety of soft plastic baits making them an extremely versatile rig for many different situations. These rigs are often fished using retrieves that keep the bait moving along the bottom often at a fairly fast pace. Some bass pros even compare swing head rigs as an alternative to crankbaits, especially when conditions dictate keeping the bait scurrying along the bottom…

Watch the following video as Floridian Mikey Blazz discusses the different ways he rigs and fished his favorite swing head jig…

Though the jig heads Mikey is talking about fit the bill, they are definitely not cheap!

So back to the original question presented in the title of this post… Are swing head jigs just a fad?

Not in my book…

I just added quite a selection of swing jigs to my box of jig heads and have already made notes on several areas where I’ll put them to use here in the northeast!

Fishing Square-bill Crankbaits Around Docks

In this video, FLW Touring Pro, Terry Bolton does a great job discussing how to fish square-bill crankbaits around docks, especially shallow docks!

Most square-bills are designed to run 2 to 7 feet deep so understanding some of the nuances of fishing them around docks will up your catch rate!

A few things to remember when fishing square-bill crankbaits around docks:

1. Though Terry specifically mentions two crankbaits by name in this video, the same techniques can be used with your favorite bait as well;
2. Waking crankbaits can be great when fish are holding high in the water column; and
3. Square-bills with set line-tie eyes can be tweaked so the bait will run to the right or left to get it under the dock not just along the edge!

Spinnerbaits for the Night Bite

Throughout much of the year, bass, particularly big bass are active and put on the feed bag at night!

Over the years, some of my best times on the water came when the Sun was long gone and moonlight illuminated the water’s surface. In my early years of night fishing, topwater was often the bait at the end of my rod, usually with mixed success since bass won’t always take a surface bait, even at night.

After a few years of mixed results during my night trips, a long-time friend who focused most of his bassin’ trips in the dark keyed my in on using spinnerbaits to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass at night.

Since that time, one or more spinnerbaits have been ready to use to probe the waters for our favorite nocturnal prey 🙂

Take a moment to watch the following short video on fishing spinnerbaits at night…

Do you have your nighttime spinnerbait arsenal ready to go?

I do :D

Baits for Fishing Grass

In other videos, grass fishing guru Greg Hackney has told us why we want to fish for bass in the grass, what baits work best?

Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, chatterbaits, jigs, worms, creature baits, topwaters, frogs???

With so many different baits available, which bait is best for bassin’ in the grass?

Are there specific conditions one bait betters than others?

In this video, Hackney explains his method for selecting baits when grass fishing for our little green friends…

Time to get those grass baits out and connect with those vegan bass...

😅

Spinnerbaits Are Not Dead!

There are some bass anglers convinced that spinnerbaits have gone the way of the Do-Do bird. Some even claim they will never be used to capture a major bass fishing title…

It seems Kevin VanDam may just have a different opinion on that topic since a spinnerbait was one of his major weapons helping him capture MLF’s Summit Cup a few seasons ago in Alpena, Michigan.

What was the spinnerbait KVD used to trigger a record-setting bag of Michigan smallmouths into biting?

The Baby Burner by Strike King Lures!

In the following video, KVD discusses the Baby Burner and why it’s so effective for catching smallmouth bass in clear water environs…

Selecting Ledge Fishing Baits

In part two of the video series on summertime ledge fishing, Strike King Pro Mark Rose describes his thought process when selecting baits for fishing ledges…

Though Rose discusses some of the more common ledge baits, keep other options like big spoons, 10″ T-rigged worms, Carolina rigs and hair jigs in mind as well!

Summertime is ledge fishing time in many parts of the country...

What about yours?

Wacky Worming Deep-Water Structures

When most anglers hear the term wacky worm fishing, they instantly think of fishing shallow flats and cover…

Switch out the typical wacky worm and un-weighted hook with the a combination of the newer sinking worms and wacky jig-heads and a whole new dimension opens up …

Now’s the time watch the folks from Angling Edge TV demo how it’s done with heavy-weight worms in the video below!

I love fishing wacky rigged soft stickbaits...

Doesn't matter to me whether it's deep or shallow!

Notes for Summertime Bass Fishing

We’ve all heard the phrase “dog days of summer” and many bass anglers are quick to use it when struggling to catch bass during summer’s heat…

Remembering few basic principles and concepts can help overcome fishing doldrums during the summer as outlined in the following graphic from the folks at Fix.com…

Source: Summertime Bassin'

Early to bed, early to rise can often work wonders during the summer heat for sure 😎

Big Bass Tips Via KVD

We all have the goal to catch as many lunker bass as we can though most trips seem to be devoid of big fish…

Take a few moments and listen to top bass pro Kevin VanDam explain his approach to increasing the odds for a lunker catch…

Killer Hacks for Hollow-Body Frogs

Here’s a question many new frog anglers ask…

Do you use a frog the way it comes from the package or modify it to increase its “catch-ability”?

Most talented froggin’ freaks modify their frogs to either change the action or increase hook-up effectiveness as Gark Klein describes in this video…

What do you do when purchasing a new frog?

Curious minds want to know!

Use A Loop Knot When Frog Fishing

Bassmaster Emcee Dave Mercer describes why using a loop knot is key when fishing frogs…

Watch for the animated graphic between 16 and 24 seconds showing how to tie the loop knot!

Ribbitt...

Wacky Worming for Smallmouth Bass

One of my favorite baits for smallmouth bass is a wacky rigged soft stick bait like the Comida from Mister Twister…

And yes indeed, a wacky-rigged Comida catches nice smallmouths like the one shown below!

Unlike most soft stick baits, the Comida is weighted using a combination of a little salt with a high-density plastic allowing long casts for spooky clear water smallies. The weight-density relationship also allows the Comida to sink as well as any other soft stick bait on the market while being one of the toughest baits around. This means you can catch several times the number of fish per Comida compared to other soft stick baits…

Mister Twister’s Comida is definitely a money saver :)

Here is a short video with several tips on rigging and fishing soft stick baits for smallies…

Even though they weren’t using the Comida, the approaches they used can be employed with a Comida and other soft stickbaits as well…

Until next time…

Tight lines and many gunwale crossings!

Hot New Lure For Bass Fishing?

If you survey 100 local bass anglers about their favorite lure when heading over for a little time on the water, many will tell you … plastic worms!

Fishing plastic worms for bass has been a key technique for the bass angler since they were first introduced by Creme Lure Company over a half century ago …

Since that time we’ve heard, read about or actually used worm fishing methods like Texas rigging, weightless sinking worm, Carolina rig and heck even wacky rigging plastic worms for bass.

But here’s one worm fishing technique you just might have missed…

I really have to wonder though … would the sour gummy worms work better? 😒

To Peg Or Not To Peg?

Texas rigging soft plastic baits is a “go-to” presentation method for many bass anglers including BASS Elite Series Pro, Shaw Grigsby…

One highly debated question associated with Texas rigging is “to peg or not to peg” the sinker against the head of the bait…

In this video, Grigsby provides his view on this sometimes contentious question and provides the best reason for his personal preference!

Catching more bass :)

Take a few moments and listen to his thoughts regarding the approach he uses most of the time when fishing the Texas rig…

So what's your preference?

Peg or no peg?

Tricking Out Your New Buzzbait

Once the water temps get into the 50s, one of the most exciting baits comes into play... buzzbaits!

Here's a short video on cool tips telling how to trick out your new buzzbait to catch more bass!

After watching that video, I am ready to tie one on and buzz up some bass!

How about you?