Underspin Jigheads: Effective Year-round Bass Catching Tools

Underspin jigheads are fishing lures that have become increasingly popular in recent years. These jigheads feature a small spinner blade that spins as the lure is retrieved, creating added flash and subtle vibration. When rigged with a minnow imitating soft plastic trailer, underspins can often entice finicky fish to bite.

If you are looking for a reliable underspin jighead to use for your next fishing trip, here are some of the most popular brands to consider:

Strike King - Strike King is a popular brand among fishermen for their high-quality fishing lures, and their Tour Grade Underspin jigheads, featuring a premium hook and a ball-bearing swivel, are no exception. Their underspin jigheads come in a variety of sizes and colors to suit different fishing conditions and target species.

Gambler - Gambler's Meano Underspin jigheads are a popular choice among bass anglers. They feature a double head design that allows for a variety of rigging options, and a custom Gamakatsu hook that provides excellent hook-setting power.

Owner - Owner is a premium fishing tackle brand that is trusted by many professional anglers. Their Flashy Swimmer Underspin Jigheads are a popular choice among anglers due to their realistic design and durable construction. They feature a ball-bearing swivel that allows for a more natural blade rotation and they are available in a range of sizes and colors.

Cold Water Paddletail Swimbait Tips

During the cold water period, remembering a few basic tips such as 

• Find cover and structure on moderate to steeply dipping banks with ready access to deep water;
• Hard cover such as wood and rocks not only provide ambush points but also absorb heat often making water a little warmer;
• Work your bait slowly and keep it close to cover...

will not only help find bass but put them in the boat.

Since cold water bass are often feeding on baitfish at this time of year, a small paddletail swimbait can be the perfect lure to trigger cold water bass into striking.

Take a moment and watch as MLF bass pro Jacob Wall gives his thoughts on rigging and fishing paddletail swimbaits for cold water bass...

How To Fish Jigging Minnows

When most bass anglers see jigging minnows like Rapala's Jigging Rap, the thought of ice-covered lakes and ice jigging rods pops into their minds.

Truth be told however, baits like the Jigging Rap are deadly open water baits as well especially when bass are relating to vertical cover, they're suspended or lethargic due to extreme water temperatures.

Take a moment and watch as Joe Ponessa of the Omnia Fishing pro staff describes his tips for getting more bites when fishing the Jigging Rap in open water situations...

Are All Blade Baits the Same?

What do you get when you take a this sheet of metal cut into the shape of a baitfish, add hooks, color and tabs of lead for weight? 

The simplest cold water baits on the market, a blade bait!

One of the first blade baits introduced to the market is the Heddon Sonar (circa 1959) followed a couple of decades later by the Silver Buddy; both still in production and highly popular today. Since that time many tackle manufacturers have introduced their own version of the blade back by tweaking the components and design to add their own twist to the bait.

Even though the various baits have different shapes, hooks, tie-eye and weight placement on the thin metal body, do they all act or vibrate the same way in the water?

Absolutely not as the folks from Omnia fishing explain in this short video on their favorite blade baits for cold water bassin'

Check out the variety of blade baits available from Omnia fishing by clicking on the following link to start your blade bait collection:

Blade Baits @ Omnia Fishing

Tips for Fishing Bluff Banks

None of us like the thought of winterizing the boat or hanging up the rods, so a few hearty souls will jump at the chance for a little winter bass fishing.  One drawback, however, fishing for bass in the winter can often be a hit or miss affair, especially for the weekend bass angler.

So in my case, I am always open to a few winter specific bass fishing tips (for those brrrry trips). One of the best winter bass fishing tips I came across long ago is how fishing bluffs this time of year can provide a number of distinct advantages to help catch bass.

As winter approaches, many bass retreat from the shallower bays and creek and head out to the main lake areas where conditions are often more stable (a definite environmental condition bass seek during winter).  They also display a tendency to stage in areas where there is ready access to deep water (stable conditions) and their movements to shallower depths tends to be more vertical than horizontal.

What structural feature present in many lakes and reservoirs that fits the bill almost perfectly? …

Where to Buy Ice Fishing Gear

If you’re looking for ice fishing gear, there are several options for buying it. The top two options are brick and mortar sporting goods stores and online retailers. There are pros and cons to each, but you’ll find that purchasing online will get you the most variety and the best deals.

When you go to a brick and mortar store you’ll be able to see products first hand. However, you’ll be limited to what the store has in stock. If you make a special order for an item to be shipped to the store you’ll generally have a lengthy wait and you’ll need to make a return trip to pick up your merchandise.

Brick and mortar retailers also have higher priced items. This is simply because they have more overhead. They have to pay for a building, utilities, and staff. This cost is all built in to the products that you buy from them.

The benefit of going to a brick and mortar store is that you can actually see and handle merchandise first hand before you buy it. Some people prefer to know exactly what they’re getting ahead of time.

When you choose an online retailer, you’ll find that there are many benefits. First, you’ll find a huge variety of items can be purchased online. If you’re looking for an ice fishing shelter, rods, line, hooks, and bait you’ll find hundreds of options when you begin to search online. You won’t be limited by what you can physically find in your area.

Shopping online will also give you multiple stores where you can have a greater selection. If you wanted to price compare at brick and mortar stores you’d find yourself driving around all day. Online shopping requires just a few clicks.

Online retailers often offer deep discounts on products because their overhead is so low. In addition, items will be shipped directly to your door. That means less work on your end to get your items – no trips back and forth to the store.

When you shop online for ice fishing gear, you’ll also find that you can see what others thought of the product. Looking at reviews- both good and bad – can help you to decide what product is best for you and avoid pitfalls that others have faced.

Whether you’re new to ice fishing or a seasoned pro, you’ll find that online purchasing of ice fishing gear can stretch your dollar further and be very convenient.

Check out a great online vendor for ice fishing gear by clicking on the following link:

Ice Fishing Gear @ Omnia Fishing

Catch More Bass Using Suspending Jerkbaits

Many bass fishermen have been throwing minnow baits for instance Rogues and XPS Minnows since their first days of bass fishing. Though initially designed as either a floating or sinking bass bait, many savvy angler almost instantly figured out a little adjustment to these jerkbaits produces a bait that can be more effectively fished at intervening depths.

Once tweaked, the enhanced jerkbaits would then either ascend much more slowly or sometimes suspend at depth (if they were fortunate enough to get the weight balance in-tune).

Even though the alteration gave an answer to the intervening depth suspension issue, it was less than a perfect solution. The modification process was conducted by trial and error. Often times the jerkbait was destroyed during adjustment. Usually a costly undertaking in time and money!

Are Suspending Minnow Baits That Special?