Top Lures for Winter Bass Fishing

Winter is often considered the off-season for bass fishing, but with the right approach and lures, you can still catch fish even when the bass feel like chunks of ice. 

Bass metabolism slows down in cold water, so they tend to be less active, feed less and move to deeper water. This means that you need to use lures and presentations to entice them into biting.

Here are some of the top lures for catching bass during the winter:

1. Hair Jigs: Hair jigs are a versatile and effective lure for winter bass fishing. They may or may not be tipped with a soft plastic trailer, particularly scented minnow imitations. The hair jig's slow fall and subtle movement are often irresistible to cold-water bass.

2. Blade Baits: Blade baits are a type of metal lure that resembles a thin, flat fish with two treble hooks on the bottom. They are typically made of steel, brass, or other metals and come in a variety of sizes and colors. When jigged or retrieved through the water, the blade creates a unique vibration that mimics the movements of injured baitfish attracting the attention of cold water bass.

3. Underspin Jigs: Underspins are a type of fishing lure that consists of a jig head and minnow-style trailer with a small blade attached underneath. The blade spins as the lure is retrieved, creating a flash that attracts fish. Underspins are especially effective for catching bass in cold water, since they can be fished slowly and still produce a lot of strike-triggering action.

4. Suspending Jerkbaits: Suspending jerkbaits are a good choice for winter bass fishing. They are minnow-shaped baits that can be fished at a slow speed with frequent pauses, which is what you need to trigger reactions in cold water.

5. Ned Rigs: Ned rigs are a popular finesse technique for catching bass, and they work well in the winter as well. They consist of a small jig head and a small soft plastic bait, such as a Z-Man TRD or Finesse Hula Stick. The Ned rig fished slowly and with a subtle shake can be deadly for enticing winter bass into striking.

Bass pro Brandon Cobb spends much of the winter period chasing largemouth and spotted bass on reservoirs across the southern U.S. Take a few minutes and watch as he highlights his favorite baits when trying to trick sluggish, winter bass tnto eating his bait...

Fishing Effectively in Standing Timber

Standing timber offers excellent habitat for bass, providing shade, cover, and ambush points for these popular gamefish. Fishing in and around standing timber can be challenging however, if you don't know the tips and tricks to locate where bass are hiding. 

Follow these tips to fish standing timber effectively and catch more bass:

Locating the Sweet Spots:

Before casting your line, take the time to identify key areas within the standing timber. Look for submerged points, pockets, creek channels or any irregularities that could serve as ambush points for bass. Use your eyes and electronics to locate underwater structures and potential hiding spots, as bass are known to lurk in the shadows to ambush unsuspecting prey.

Choose the Right Baits:

Given the intricate structure of standing timber, it's crucial to select baits that can navigate through the branches without constant snagging. Weedless soft plastics, such as creature baits, senkos, or crawfish imitations, are excellent choices. Additionally, jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits can be effective in enticing bass hiding within the timber.

Work the Perimeter:

Start by targeting the outer edges of the standing timber, casting parallel to the structure. Bass often patrol these areas, using them as travel routes and ambush points. Retrieve your bait slowly and deliberately, allowing it to mimic local forage and be prepared for a sudden strike as the lure deflects off the wood as it passes by.

Probe the Depths:

Experiment with different depths within the standing timber. When possible, use your depth finder to locate the fish and adjust your presentation accordingly. Bass may suspend at different depths depending on the water temperature and time of day, so varying your bait's depth can increase your chances of triggering more strikes from bass lurking in the depths.

Precision Casting:

Develop your casting accuracy to navigate through the tight spaces of the timber. Practice pitching and flipping techniques to place your bait precisely where it needs to be. A pinpoint cast into a small opening or next to a submerged branch can trigger a reaction strike from opportunistic bass.

Bump the Stump:

More often than not, bass in standing timber are in a neutral to negative mood and not actively feeding. When bass are not actively feeding, work your bait methodically, "bumpig the stump" as much as possible to help trigger more reaction strikes from passive fish.

Safety First:

Always prioritize safety when fishing in standing timber. Watch out for underwater obstructions, and navigate cautiously to avoid accidents. Wear polarized sunglasses to help you see submerged structures and potential hazards more clearly.

Bridgford Foods pro Matt Stefan has spent numerous hours breaking down acres of standing timber on water bodies across the U.S. Take a few minutes and watch as Matt describes the process he uses for identifying the best areas to target when fishing large flats chock full of standing timber...

Mastering the tricks of bass fishing in standing timber can be incredibly rewarding. By honing your skills, choosing the right baits, and understanding the habits of bass in this unique environment, you'll increase your chances of landing more and bigger fish each time you fish in timber stands.

The Berkley Fishing Color Board

Pretty cool video showing how the color of different plastic works change with depth in an ultra-clear lake (Lake Mohave, AZ) via an experiment done by pro angler Gary Klein. 

The video is shared from his Facebook page...

Definitely gives you something to think about...

Can You Change Hooks on Hollow Belly Frogs?

Can you change out the hooks in your favorite hollow belly frog?

Absolutely and here are a few reasons why you might want to change the hooks on your favorite frog:

• To improve hookup ratio. Hollow belly frogs are often used in heavy cover, where bass can easily short strike the bait. By changing to a sharper or more gapped hook, you can increase your chances of setting the hook and landing the fish. 
• To change the size or style of the hook. The stock hooks on hollow belly frogs are often sized for medium-sized bass. If you're targeting larger bass, you may want to upsize the hook to a heavier gauge or a larger size. You may also want to change to a different quality of hook.
• To replace a damaged hook. If the stock hook on your hollow belly frog is dull, bent or rusty, it's important to replace it before using the bait again. A damaged hook can reduce your hookup ratio and make it more difficult to land fish.

Want to learn more?

Take a few minutes and watch as the guys from InFisherman discuss the reasons for changing out frog hooks and show you how easy it can be...

Need to grab some hooks to modify or rehab yout frogs? 

Check out the wide variety of hooks and bait rehab gear available at Lure Parts Online by clicking on the following image!

Fishing for Bass from Shore in Winter

When the water temperatures drop in winter, bass become less active and more lethargic. This makes bass a little harder to catch from shore at this time of year. 

Targeting the right cover and structure however, can help you find and catch more bass during the colder months as long as there is open water available in your area. 

Here are some of the best types of cover and structure to focus on when winter bank fishing for bass:

Wood Near the Bank - Submerged trees, stumps, branches, and laydowns provide excellent winter habitat for bass. The wood absorbs heat from the sunlight during the day, which attracts baitfish. This naturally draws in bass looking for an easy meal. Focus on fishing around wood cover in warmer, sunny areas of the lake.

Docks - Docks provide shade and protection for bass in winter. Look for docks in deeper water, as bass will move a little deeper when the water gets colder. Pitch jigs, creature baits, and grubs around and under the docks. The pilings and posts also serve as ambush points for bass.

Rocky Banks - Rocky banks and riprap absorb heat and provide hiding spots for bass. Target any rocks, boulders, and rubble along banks with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and rattling lipless crankbaits that imitate crawfish. The bass will tuck in tight to structure to stay warm.

Points - Points and tapering ledges are bass magnets year-round. In winter, focus on inside turns or points that are wind-blown. The wave action churns up the warmer water and micro-organisms from below, attracting baitfish and bass. Fish the points thoroughly with crankbaits, blade baits, drop shots and jigs.

Weed Edges - Even in winter, some weeds will remain. Look for edges of weeds or plants left over from warmer months. Bass will gravitate to the remaining vegetation for cover. Working jigs, lipless crankbaits and soft plastics along the weed lines can pay off. Slow rolling spinnerbaits around weed patches can also trigger strikes.

Take a few minutes and watch as the guys from Tactical Bassin' provide some great "on the water" insight in identifying winter bank fishing locations...

Targeting productive winter bass cover and structure from shore simply requires patience. Move slowly, make repeated casts, and cover water until you locate where the bass are hunkering down during the colder months. 

Though there will be days when the skunk wins out, you can find and catch bass even when fishing from shore in winter. Beats just sitting around on the sofa or playing with your tackle collection in my book!