Using the Z-man Micro Finesse System for Cold Water Smallmouths

The Zman Micro-Sized Finesse System Baits are a great way to catch smallmouth bass in cold water. These baits are small and slow-moving, which makes them irresistible to bass that are looking for an easy meal.

To use Zman Micro-Sized Finesse Baits, you'll need a balanced light-power rod and reel, 4-18 pound test fluorocarbon line, and a small micro finesse jighead. The jighead should be no more than 1/10 ounce, and the bait should be no larger than 2.5 inches.

When fishing with Zman Micro-Sized Finesse Baits, it's important to keep your presentation slow and subtle. Cast the bait out and let it sink to the bottom. Then, slowly retrieve it with a twitchy motion. The key is to make the bait look like a small, injured baitfish. Dead stick and stop and go presentations are great alternatives when steady retrieves do not produce.

Smallmouth bass are often found in cold water around rocks, boulders, and gravel situated on deep water (>15-ft) drop-offs and structures. These areas provide cover and ambush points for bass. When fishing these areas, focus on casting your bait around cover at the preferred depth and varying retrieve action to find what triggers smallmouths during that outing.

If you're still not getting any bites, try changing up your retrieve. You can also try using a different color bait. Sometimes, a change in color is all it takes to trigger a bite.

Take a few moments and watch the following video as the folks from "On The Water" magazine provide an overview of how effective the Z-man Micro System is for cold water smallmouths in a pond near Cape Cod...

Fishing for Winter River Smallmouths

Fishing for smallmouth bass in rivers during the winter can be a rewarding experience, though it does require a bit of knowledge and strategy. Smallmouth bass, like most fish, become less active in colder water temperatures so they tend to move to deeper, slower-moving pools and troughs in rivers. With the right mindset, techniques and equipment, however, you can still have some great days catching smallmouth bass in rivers throughout the winter.

When it comes to selecting your fishing spot, focus on areas with structure such as deep pools, eddies, and troughs especially with cover like boulders, rock piles, submerged vegetation or wood present. These types of areas provide smallmouth bass with current breaks along with ambush points and protection they need during the cold water period. Also, look for areas where the current slows down or changes direction, such as behind rocks, near wing dams, laydowns or near the mouths of tributaries. These areas will often hold smallmouth bass that are feeding on bait such as minnows and crayfish.

A highly effective lure for catching winter smallmouths in rivers during is finesse-sized jig and pig (trailer) since it mimics both minnows and crayfish. 

Winter Smallmouths Like Small Profile Baits

Though there are times when large profile baits work great during the winter, smaller baits are often the key to winter bassin' success...

Here’s another video tip to help get those sluggish winter smallmouths into the boat by using small profile baits…

Small tubes, reapers, or paddle-tailed grubs anyone?