Do You Have The Winter Fishing blues? Try these tricks to start catching fish again! Winter fishing can be tricky when the weather doesn’t cooperate, but we have some hacks we use to stand out to the fish and get bit, even on the tough days. Give one of these 5 tricks a try the next time you’re at the lake, and need to get a bite.
Most anglers that struggle with Winter fishing don’t realize how different it is than the rest of the year. They tend to throw the same baits in the same places, even though they’re not catching fish. This year you need to mix it up and try some new techniques! From strange color combinations to unique bait actions, these tricks will get bit, even in the coldest water of Winter!
Below you’ll find links to the baits discussed in the video. We’ve even included our favorite colors, sizes, and some great budget rod and reel combos that will help you throw these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*MODIFIED NED RIG…*
Bait– ZMan Finesse TRD: https://bit.ly/2hs4RtR
Color: Mood Ring, Meat Dog
Head– ZMan Ned Lockz EWG: https://bit.ly/3OWdp9W
Color: Chartreuse
Size: 1/10 oz
*STANDARD NED RIG…*
Bait– Xzone Ned Zone: https://bit.ly/2mRiYhF
Color: Violet Secret
Head– BKK Silent Chaser Draggin Ned: https://bit.ly/3ZvTJ2g
Size: 1/10 oz, 1/0 Hook
*TUBES FOR WINTER FISHING…*
•Netbait STH Baitfuel Tubes: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU
Sizes: 2.5″, 4″
Color: Green Pumpkin, Dark Melon Purple
Head for 2.5″ Tube– Great Lakes Fitness: https://bit.ly/41C1W6g
Size: 3/16 oz
Head for 4″ Tube: Xzone 60 Degree: https://bit.ly/3hV3cPE
Size: 3/8 oz
*BLADED ALABAMA RIGS…*
Largest– Tactical Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/38xd1es
Medium– Tactical Mini Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md
Smallest– Tactical Micro Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK
*ALABAMA RIG SUBTLE SWIMBAITS…*
•G Ratt 4″ Thin Swim Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3TJVbxv
Colors: Pro Blue, Trout Smolt
•Keitech 4″ Easy Shiner: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H
Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Crystal Shad
•Damiki 3″ Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT
Colors: American Shad, Pure Gill
*CHARTREUSE JIG TRICK…*
Bait– Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Finesse Football: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm
Color: Supermatt Brown, The Go To
Trailer– Yamamoto 5″ Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p
Color: Green Pumpkin Black Purple Copper
Senko– 5″ Yamamoto Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS
Colors: Firetiger, Chartreuse Black Flake, Watermelon Lemon
*DAMIKI RIG…*
•Damiki Rig Jig Head: https://bit.ly/2tg1ajm
Size: 1/8 – 3/8
•Damiki Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o
Size: 2.5 – 3″
Colors: Pro Blue, American Shad, RP Blue Pearl
*BUDGET NED/DAMIKI COMBO…*
Rod– St. Croix Bass X: https://bit.ly/3xi0ren
Models: 6’10” Medium Light Extra Fast
Reel– Shimano Miravel: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5
Size: 2500HG
Line– Sufix 832 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader– Sunline FC (8 lb): https://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
*BUDGET JIG COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano Intenza: https://bit.ly/3QjR9Kw
Models: 6’10” Medium heavy
Reel– Shimano Caius B: https://bit.ly/2O3Dvuw
Speed: 7.2:1
Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader– Sufix Advance (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix
*BUDGET TUBE COMBO…*
Rod– Daiwa Tatula XT: https://bit.ly/3n6Ojvx
Model: 7’3″ Medium Extra Fast
Reel– Daiwa Fuego LT: https://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ
Size: 2500D–XH
Line– Sufix 832 Braid (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader– Sunline FC (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
*BUDGET ALABAMA RIG COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano SLX A 7’5″ Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO
Reel– Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Line– Power Pro Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader– Sufix Advance Green Mono (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix
*TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)*
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
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*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY… *
Trolling Motor– Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics– Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors– Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Camera– GoPro Hero 12: https://bit.ly/3MwQToy
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#Winterfishing #bassfishing #fishinghack
Can you place a tube on the ned head so it sets out of the mud bottom
New favorite cold water bait is the 3.3 inch mulletron. That wedge tail on that little guy on a dirty jigs guppy head underspin is so subtle and I can fish it ultra slow on those, or I can put it on tiny little ewg swing head and fish it ultra ultra slow like you would do with a hud. It’s something you should check out I pound smallies on them in gold rush and white. Everything about the bait is incredible. Come spring I will be burning it subsurface through weeds for north Idaho largies.
Matt, purple and black grape have been my best plastics colors since the 60's. Also, love your tip about adding a bit of chartreuse to jigs. You and I'm are so far ahead of the field it isn't funny. And, I remember when you did these at home and were pretty camera shy. How far TB has come in a fairly short time . Thank you guys for what you do.
Thanks for another informative video. Have you guys ever done a sunglass review? Sunglass review with a colorblind person on the boat on the same day?!! Most color blind ppl do see colors, its just some colors blend into 1 dominant color. Thanks again for all that you guys do.
Excellent presentation as always. Going to repack my day box.
Your jig trick looks like a good idea bc I don’t own any normal sized chartreuse jigs for bottom contact, why isn’t there some for small mouth at least and could convert for bfs
I’ve been playing with the duo realis versa shad fat 5.0 is perfect rn just to slowly work the bank
The owner ball head ewg works really good threw rocks from the bank, doesn’t have a bait keeper but don’t 90% of us superglue anyways? 😅
Thanks for the tips and the shout out to us bank guys.
When I use the ned ewg hook and tex-pose those elaztec plastics, I miss/loose a lot of fish because the plastic won’t rip through the hook
🔥🔥Matt those tricks is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME,thank you❤
I’m struggling. Lol my local pond has an 1” of ice
Wish it wasn't iced over where I fish… thanks
Been watching you guys for years man.. thanks for all the info.. you guys put me on so many fish! Tight lines and fish on!
Im trying to chose what Expride spinning rod to buy to use your 1/8 underspin and plain 1/8 jig head with 2.8 Keitech fat swing impact trailer. Light or medium light. I have been using a St. Croix ML extra fast and want to make the switch to Expride. Thank you for all you do.
So help me out guys, these guys are confusing to me. They say slow down in the winter and downsize and use drop shots and ned rigs slow, but then the next video I watch of theirs they say speed crank and use swimbaits and get the predator instinct going. Seems contradicting to me. Do I slow down, downsize, and use finesse, or am I speed cranking and using swimbaits/swim jigs?
In NorCal btw
Just a heads up some of the links for the baits are not working
Appreciate you and Tim. Absolutely the best on the tube. Wanted to use this forum to see if anyone else was as upset as I am with the new tacklewarehouse websites layout? It just sucks for lack of a better word..
The bank Anglers take it up the Wazoo in the winter😂
Do you guys ever go with any of the weedless tube heads? I just can’t throw them on an exposed hook out here.
I know A-Rigs are amazing I colder water, but is there such thing as water that is too cold? Can you through it in water under 35 degrees?
How long do you make your leaders on braid to flourocarbon and braid to mono?
I feel like I’m going to to catch old Bertha! Black and blue jig all the way!
Thanks you for the bank angler help. Bank winter fishing is tough but rewarding. Great video like always
Very good. I like the addition of the chartreuse Senko. Thanks for sharing your great tips.
Good stuff Matt. February is close…
I always find a bright colored ned rig is a good deal, but I don't think I'll get through 10 inches of ice right bout now.
Are you guys gonna be at the Knoxville fishing expo this weekend?
Hmm, now I'm wondering if a Bubble Gum core on the jig might be good in the spring?🤔
“Game changer” is such an overused term. However, the EWG weedless ned was such a change for me. I refused/hated the ned because of the constant snag/break off pre EWG. – That chartreuse core trailer trick is great! I wonder if that would work well with red, to add a little pop to natural baits for the early spring.