Catching fish can be tricky this time of year! Some anglers are catching big fish every trip out while others are catching nothing at all. The difference is a combination of the baits they’re using and their ability to trigger a feed response.
If you’re throwing the same old baits, you’re probably going to struggle during this transition. Its time to get out of your comfort zone! Focus your attention on aggressive baits like speed cranking, jerkbaits, A-rigs, and blade baits to get consistent bites. If you insist on slow fishing, focus on key baits like jigs and ned rigs to get bit. This time of year can be amazing, you just have to branch out to experience it.
Below you’ll find links to the exact baits we’re using, including our favorite colors and sizes. We’ve also included the key rods and reels we use to throw them. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*FOOTBALL JIGS…*
Bait– Dirty Jigs Finesse Football (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2d2apsm
Color: Supermatt Brown, The Go To
Trailer– Yamamoto 5″ Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p
Color: Cinn blk purp, Green Pump Purp copper
Bait– Keitech Tungsten Football (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1
Color: Green Pumpkin Black, Green Pumpkin Blue
Trailer– Zman Crawz: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P
Color: Green Pumpkin
*NED BAITS…*
•Zman Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR
Color: Green Pumpkin
•Roboworm 3″ Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy
Color: Margarita Mutilator
•Swagger Tungsten Flanders Head: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M
Size: 1/10th oz
*BLADE BAITS…*
•Damiki Vault: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2
Size: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz
Color: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Ayu
•Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL
Size: 1/2 oz
Color: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu
*CRANKBAITS…*
•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX
Color: Clearwater Minnow, True Shad
•Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt
Color: Sexy Ayu, MB Gizzard
*ALABAMA RIG…*
Rig– Hogfarmer Tactical Flex Bladed: https://bit.ly/38xd1es
Heads– Matt Allen Swimbait (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Baits– Damiki 4″ Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT
Dummy Baits– Netbait Little Spanky: http://bit.ly/2d0dpU8
*JERKBAIT…*
•Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX
Colors: GP Skeleton Tenn, Mat Shad, Elegy Bone
*UNDERSPINS…*
Bait–Keitech 2.8″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Color: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl
Head– Cool Baits Down Under (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA
Bait– Storm 3″ Largo Shad: https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB
Color: Sexy Shad, Albino Shad
Head– Gamakatsu Underspin Mini (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3PbOduU
*SWIMBAITS…*
•Savage Gear 8″ RTF Trout: https://bit.ly/33GROg1
Colors: Dirty Silver, Trout
•River2Sea S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Colors: I Know It, Light Trout
*ALABAMA RIG COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano Zodias 7’5″ Heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP
Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader– Sunline Saltimate 20 lb FC: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2
*BLADE BAIT COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano Expride 7’2″ ML: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE
Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line– Sunline Super FC 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
*BUDGET SPEED CRANKING COMBO…*
Rod– St. Croix Mojo Glass 7’4″ MH: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5
Reel– Shimano SLX 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Line– Sunline FC 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
*WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??*
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Apparel and 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
Net– Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera– GoPro Hero 9: http://bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…*
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: https://bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: https://bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3kngvEG
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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!
#bassfishing #Winterfishing #fishing
Bass Eat the same Foods year round and will always Eat what they Eat but they Eat A LOT slower in the Winter and chase less, There Foods don’t really change but they just get Lethargic in Cold Weather. The same Soft Plastic Worm works all year long but my Booyah Pad Crasher doesn’t lol but yes Bass still want that Frog all Year.
9:15 this man is wearing sandles in the dead of winter LMAO.
How about a video for winter fishing…I'll be fishing Topaz lake soon
Your knowledge amazes me. The way you talk about baits, rods and reels and speed and cranking ext. OMG incredible. Another helpful video here
Awesome information Matt. Thanks for all you do!
My guy Eric best net man ever!
what if its still hot af in texas lmao can we throw top water?
Thanks brother!
Can you update your TW link to show the hardware upgrades for the Damiki Vault please. Or reply with specs. Thanks
Just to add to the purple that color works all year and can br unmatched in the summer
MISSISSIPPI here. The weather has been so inconsistent. 30’s all throughout the day then the next day it’s 30’s in the morning then high 50’s low 60’s during the day then back to cold all day again. I live on a reservoir but I’m a bank angler. I’m struggling to get any bites no matter what I’m throwing. Any suggestions for bank fishing the Ross Barnett Reservoir and or ponds in those weather conditions? Thanks in advance.
Wanna catch more fish???
Start fishing every day, anywhere, anytime……percentage of catching fish increases.
Winter time, is drop shotting X
Great videos, love the content.
So i live in taxifornia & limited to 3 hooked jig heads on my a-rig set-up
do u use the same weight heads for all 3 or lighter/heavier in the center?
Also, i ordered the 5 bladed flex kit & it came with 3 split rings. Are the split rings preferred over the clips for the jig heads? ease of change &/or strength?
Love the content, thanks.
At my local Aqueduct canal in California when I located a groups of bass toss my bait in the water start reeling straight up to their face these bass just ignore my bait. But then I went to another spot located another groups, these bass bit my bait like crazy with the same bait. I using a 3 inches size shad crankbait by the way. I don't understand their behavior one area they will not pick suddenly another area straight up picky eater.
Was wondering if you can use a speed crank technique in ponds and if you should use something like a square bill or you need a special sort of crank?
For the football jigs you guys should try and get your hands on Beast Coast tungsten football jigs. They have 3 different models and they are straight killers.
I have a question about the jerkbait. What does it mean when the bass bites on the pause? Most of the bass in my areas are biting on the pause instead of the twitch. So it's not really a reaction bite. What is your opinion?
Awesome video Matt! Can't wait to get on the water and try these techniques out! Enjoy y'alls videos!
"I keep it really simple, I do" your tackle collection says otherwise, Sir
Man I needed this. Been skunked my last two outings. I needed some direction and this was it. Time to catch me a cold water Bass Tactical Style. Thank you so much.
More great info. Any advice for Westcoast fishing? Or should work out here too?
What was the big swimbait
Thanks for all the great tips
Cold weather gear and flip flops! Awesome
I enjoy these videos. He's a public speaker for sure.
Hey Guys, I know you do a lot of videos focused on Lakes, Reservoirs etc. Can you do a video on Fall/Winter transition for us pond, small lake anglers? In essense, shore anglers. There is a lot of us……Thanks guys – keep up the great content.
What conditions would you do the speed cranking? Sunny days,cloudy days. Clean water dirty water
What do you recommend for a stained less than a foot visibility,shallow lake. Average depth 1-3ft. 5-6 at its deepest. Creek fed.
Gotta love them Ned style baits . They just plain catch fish no matter the season
When speed cranking are you trying to deflect the bait off cover, or in open water?
Found a whole school of bigs in Maine in the very back of a cove still. If you see this and live more south, your chance is still there for a lunker!
Normally I don’t like fishing on winter but with your tips I have to try thanks