December is cold but the bass are BIG! If you’re ready to catch a giant bass, get outside and go fishing! You may not catch a ton of fish but the bites you get tend to be bigger and you’ll have a shot at the fish of a lifetime! Here are the baits we rely on to get bit during the cold month of December!
You have a few different options in December. You can slow down and finesse, hoping to just get bit. You can use aggressive baits to trigger a feed response, despite the cold water (our favorite way to catch them). Or you can pick up a giant swimbait and commit to slowly crawling bottom around likely structures in search of a monster bass! No matter what you choose, you can catch a really big bass all month long.
Below you’ll find links to the exact baits, in the exact colors and sizes that we trust to catch these fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*ALABAMA RIG…*
Bladed– Hogfarmer Tactical Flex Bladed: https://bit.ly/38xd1es
Non Bladed– HogFarmer Tactical Flex: https://bit.ly/3vhpSez
Heads– Matt Allen Swimbait (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Baits– Keitech 4.8″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Dummy Baits– Netbait Little Spanky: http://bit.ly/2d0dpU8
*SPEED CRANKBAITS…*
•Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt
Color: Sexy Ayu, MB Gizzard
•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX
Color: Clearwater Minnow, True Shad
•Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t
Color: Phantom Green, Phantom Watermelon
*BIG SWIMBAITS…*
•Savage Gear 8″ RTF Trout (Fast Sink): https://bit.ly/33GROg1
Color: Dirty Silver, Trout
•Huddleston 8″ Trout (ROF 12): http://bit.ly/2azFTon
Color: Rainbow Trout, Hitch
*SMALL SWIMBAITS…*
Bait– Keitech 2.8″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl
Head– Dirty Jigs Guppy: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS
Size: 1/8 oz, 1/0 Hook
*FINESSE FOOTBALL JIG…*
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: Cinn Black Purp, Green Pumpkin Blk
Bait– Yamamoto Hula Grub: http://bit.ly/2d7SpgG
Color: Green Pumpkin Purple and Copper
Hook– Gamakatsu Football (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2CTXHHt
*NED RIG BAITS…*
•ZMan Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR
Color: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Goby
•Yamamoto 3″ Ned Senko Floater: https://bit.ly/3BIjwL2
Color: Electric Shad, Green Pumpkin Watermelon
*NED RIG HEADS…*
•ZMan Ned Lockz HD: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK
Size: 1/10
•ZMan Ned Football: https://bit.ly/3Ej3Kpm
Size: 1/8
*BUDGET SPEED CRANKING COMBO…*
Rod– St. Croix Mojo Glass 7’4″ Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5
Reel– Shimano SLX XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8
Line–Sunline Super FC (12 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
*BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano SLX A 7’8″ Heavy: http://bit.ly/3QbMjvs
Reel– Shimano Cardiff A 300: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO
Line– Power Pro Braid (65 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader– Maxima Ultragreen (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2ae97J9
*BUDGET NED RIG COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano Intenza 7′ medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn
Reel– Shimano Miravel 3000: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5
Leader– Sunline Super FC (7 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
*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!
#December #bassfishing #Winterfishing
10:25 its going DOWN in the background!! lol
I’m surprised you didn’t mention anything about muddy water and how it’s warmer then if the water is clear sometimes by up to 3 degrees witch may not seam like a huge difference but it it’s and that in cold water bass can’t see as well so bright colors help too ❤
Blade baits slap caught 5 on it this year custom blade bait for 4 dollars looks like a bluegill
Tim, as you're aware, we've had a pretty mild early winter here in East Tennessee. Water temps in our area are still "Octoberish" in the mid to high 50's. Colder weather is coming back and these tips will be more aplicable in the coming weeks. But what is the best way to approach winter fishing with such warm water temperatures? I feel like the fish are in a strange place with the lunar phases and shorter periods of daylight, but the water temps have got to be throwing them off and affecting the bite. I'm not sure they've fully made any kind of transition since the first really cold nights we had over a month ago.
Thanks Tim, agree with all your picks. Great job.
The fast reaction bites is exactly why clipless crankbaits work so well in the cold.
Hey Tim, love the videos. been subscribed for years I need some advice please. How do I apply the December bass fishing info in this video. without a boat and from the shore in the CA delta
Maybe you should talk more. California fishing seems different.
How do you flip a worm?
Dog and cat playing in the back ground lol you guys are amazing at bass fishing the detail you guys provide is a big help cause I suck lol hope one day I can go out and be consistant
Even if I don’t catch I love being on the lake when it’s cold and empty, just so peaceful
Great video Tim! 😁👍
Have to do some bank fishing till I get me a boat.
On to crankbait rods now guys. When it comes to deep cranking Azuma’s, DT-20’s, 10XD’s, for my first crankbait specific rod, would you go with the 13 Fishing Omen 3 Crank rod or the Lew’s 10XD crank rod?
Thanks so much I will try it out
Where are you what country are you in in Australia
WHERE do we use these baits on our lakes though? I hate winter 😫
Had a umbrella rig for awhile, never throw it. Decided to today cause of this video yesterday. Got 11 catches and my PB smallmouth today 4 and a half pounds! Thanks Tim!!!
The blue hoodie🔥🔥🔥
No one is throwing a fuckin massive hud in December bruh maybe in California but everywhere else nobody knows what you're thinking
I’ve caught so many more fish than I used to year round by applying you guys techniques, gear, and lures! Thanks Matt and Tim!!
How do you feel about Rapala's Dt series, specifically the DT-8 for colder water bass fishing? I have some of yours that I love, but am looking for something that is a bit shallower and cheaper when I am throwing it into local ponds that are snag prone.
I love this time of the year!
There’s less pressure and it’s mostly reaction time and shallow fishing for me!
I’m getting strikes on my Megabass Sleeper Gill and
Swimjigs with Keitech trailers. Bass are aggressive and when you are catching them you don’t feel the cold.
Been some warm and cold temps where I’m at in northeast. …. so days with thin ice on cold days and then warm days some open holes to fish. …. tiny og, spinnerbait, and a drop shop easy shiner have all been producing. Got a new reel that I was getting dialed into the tiny og, I was casting it out and burning it back to make some adjustments. Ended up catching one and missing two. I was surprised because I wasn’t even trying to catch fish and they were hitting a fast cranked tiny. Went back the next day with a spinnerbait and tiny. Caught 3 moving them way faster than I thought would catch them.
Time to make the donuts,in the rain. Let’s get headed that way. Love it’s so empty on the water. Let’s go catch a PB. Luv my Fat Fin Friends
Tim. This was a great post! I’m just getting into winter fishing and the info you gave will help me make a plan for my next trip. Do those trout pattern swim baits work on Chic ? Kinda want to try them up on Lake of the Ozarks. Thanks for all you do.
You guys should do a googan rod/ bait review
Dog and cat drama in the background.
What’s the reason for going with the 3000 size reel over the 2500 for a ned rig other than the obvious line capacity? Love the content that you guys offer. Best on YouTube IMO.
gOOD sTUF AS aLWAYS mR. sIR !! ???? what depth # line & rod length are you using on that 8'' trout look.n swimmy thingy ???? while back I purchased a 7'' Savage one looks just like it cuz it looked really cool ,, but never have used it …. was planning on using my 7' 3'' H Fst w/ 17# Tactical PLine ??? making my own Jigs Now and using Ymoto twin tails .. but never thrown BIg Swim baits Or Big Glides ( Ripon Ca, Motherload Lakes )
Can you guys recommend a crankbait that I can speed crank in a small lake were the average depth is 5 to 6 feet. Thank you for all you do.
My savage gear pulse tails should be here today. Got a small share lunker lake right by my house. I know where I'm gonna be until may of next year.
Catdog interaction at 10:28 made me laugh
I've just realized that tacklewarehouse just a first for advertising¡!!
Awesome video Tim!!!!!
Tim another great video. You have to come down to Florida where the bass fishing is reversed 😉 our water is just cooling enough for the fish to start feeding and getting ready for the spawn which primarily happens during the full moon phases in the months of December to March. Our day time temperatures are now in the upper 70s to low 80s. Water temperatures are now finally in the 70s. Headwaters Lake has now jumped over Clear Lake, Lake Fork and Guntersville to be in the top 5 bass fishing lakes in the country. On any given weekend you will see cars with up to 25 different State license plates parked next to the boat ramp. This is the season to get double digit bass and a lot of fish 😉. Will be trying some of your tips including the A rig this weekend 😉
I currently don't have a boat and unfortunately all i can do is fish from the lake/river or creek bank.I'm struggling 😅 Anyone have some tips?
Fortunately, I already have all these type of baits! Now I don't have to go give blood every other day to pay for another online order of lures 😄
So out of curiosity which of these work best in murky or even muddy cold water?
I need some ideas or michigan
Thank you, Tim. It's looking cold up there; I think you guys are due for a Florida trip after Christmas. Go ahead, you've earned it.
Awesome video Tim appreciate it