Winter bass fishing is in full swing! If you want to catch these fish in January, you need to adapt. These are the top 5 baits we rely on to consistently catch bass during the coldest part of the year. To the surprise of many, its not all about finesse! Come along as we share our confidence baits to help you catch more fish.
In most of the country January is the coldest month of the year. Fish are lethargic and often laying right on bottom. Finesse is the natural approach for these fish but the right reaction baits can trigger a feed response as well, even in a lethargic bass. Specifically, the Alabama Rig and speed cranking can both fire these fish up in ways that nothing else can. Whether you choose finesse or reaction, this video is full of our favorite options.
Below you’ll find links to the exact baits and gear we use in January. We’ve linked the exact colors, sizes, and rigging components, to help you find the exact items you’re looking for. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
BLADED ALABAMA RIG…
Rig- Hog Farmer Tactical Flex Bladed: https://bit.ly/38xd1es
Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Dummy Baits- Lil Spanky: http://bit.ly/2d0dpU8
Colors: Albino
Swimbaits- Keitech 4.8″ Fat: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl
NON-BLADED ALABAMA RIG…
Rig- Hog Farmer Tactical Flex (Non-Bladed): https://bit.ly/3vhpSez
Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Dummy Baits- Keitech 2.8″ Fat Swing: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl
Swimbaits- Keitech 3.8 – 4.3 Fat Swing: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad
CRANKBAIT…
-River2Sea Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX
Colors: DD Minnow, Ghost Minnow
BLADE BAITS…
-Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2
Colors: Black Holo, Cyber Purple, Real Shad
-Megabass Dyna Response (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL
Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jekucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu
BLADE BAIT HOOK UPGRADES…
Hooks- Owner STX 45 (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2FNnZwR
Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Ring Size: 2 on line tie, 3 on tail and belly
MICRO SWIMBAIT…
Bait- Keitech 2.8″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad
MICRO SWIMBAIT HEADS…
Swimbait Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS
Underspin- Cool Baits Down Under (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA
Spinner- Megabass Okashira Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA
DROPSHOT…
Bait- Netbait STH 3″ Finesse Crush: https://bit.ly/3s5BcIn
Colors: Bang, Green Pumpkin, LON Goby Pearl
Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 2): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3
Weight- Swagger Tungsten 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx
NED RIG…
Bait- Roboworm 3″ Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy
Colors: TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Aaron’s Green Pumpkin
Hook- Swagger Tungsten Flanders (1/10th): http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M
“BANG FOR THE BUCK” FINESSE COMBO…
Rod- Shimano Zodias 6’9″ Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2jOUXAO
Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7
Line- Power Pro Braid 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Sunline Super FC 6 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
BUDGET A-RIG COMBO…
Rod- Shimano SLX 7’5″ Heavy: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc
Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8
Line- Sunline Super FC 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
BUDGET FINESSE COMBO…
Rod- Shimano SLX 7′ Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2AdvIC1
Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC
Line- 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 Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3kngvEG
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2MpUBEr
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: http://bit.ly/2NQ2jbH
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
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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!
#January #Bass #Fishing
When are you going to have a meet and greet? That would be absolutely awesome to bring all your subscribers to one place.
love the vids, do the monthly baits reccommended go for bank fisherman as well or do yall have different ideas for them? in arkansas trying to figure these fish out.
Love the tips & content. For next month, after you explain the baits, could you actually cast show us how to catch a fish on them !
Tactical bassin always talks the truth. Because i have 30feet in diameter pond its fairly small so i can tell when bass are chasing baits on the surface or not. But right now theyre busting baits for surface so use what time talks about small imitating minnows baits.
I don't know why but I seen alot of videos from this guys but they always talking about techniques and gear but I rarely see them actually catching fish.
What combo are you using in this video for that a-rig?
Tim I really appreciate you and Matt's content. Can you tell me what Dobyns Champion Rod you are using for the A Rig? Also what reel? Again thank you!
I just can’t put down my pitchin jigs even come winter time fish just eat em period just have to find out how they want it presented summer
I hop my jigs more spring I do a hop drag retrieve pause winter I just drag it through the structure very slowly and wait for the rod to load up
In shallower water the shad rap is great for speed cranking atleast for me it has been
Got to put two new TB hog farmers together for my first A rig experience. Thanks
Great vid
Sure wish these guys would make some informative videos for our muddy shit lakes here in Ga.
That background fog looks beautiful happy new year my friend
Excellent. Thanks Tim
Bit of a newbie here been trying to give the drop shot a go . Any hook set tips for drop shot finally had my first bite and whiffed on the hook set like a goober
I can't stand an arig. You should have to have a commercial license to throw it 😄 I really like the content guys thanks
Where I live youre gonna need an auger
I’m returning to this video because I just caught my PB for the second time this week lol I snuck out my house at 850pm cuz it’s 59 degrees and we are under WINTER ADVISORY for tomorrow evening lol so I knew fish would be biting
Bammmm 6lber on a GT Searchbait storm swimmer skipped the only dock on the pond and booom fight on
We appreciate you guy's!!! 👊👊
Good information right thur!
Thanks a lot and Happy New Year guys!!!!. A question from Spain where we only have largemouth bass. Blade baits are used and shine in winter largemouth fishing?
Hi Tim- great video, thank you very much for the great tips to try in the winter.
I do have a quick question to ask you however. What was that random sound that buzzed around you around the 11:50 time in your video? You started looking around and so did I so I had to play it back a couple times for me to listen again for the noise- it was very strange for sure.
I hope you and Matt have a great 2022. You two are truly the best out there who seem to consistently give their viewers great value in all your great tips. Keep up the great work!👍🏻🙂
That’s all fine where it’s actually cold. Here in SC it hasn’t dropped below 40 and it’s been 65 on average
Me and a buddy just caught 63 in 3 hours with our biggest being a 5.7 on swim jigs. God I love the south
What about the bank fishing people?
Tim thanks for all the great tips that you and Matt provide all of us. These days I mostly fish from the bank and public fishing docks. Well this morning I tied on a underspin and fished it where I had been catching alot of bass on a giant 1oz rattletrap. I caught 7 that included a 4 pounder, usually I would just throw the trap for a hour and move on to the next spot, so you made my start on the new year just great. Thanks again
How about the Chatterbait?
First of all Happy New Year to you and your family. Awesome info and thanks for sharing. Tight lines and God bless!
I'm so used to using worms had lots of success with them but nice picks
I was out on my kayak yesterday and noticed a pattern, I was using the same technique for crankbaits but with a square bill around shallow timber cover, 5 ft or less 2 to 3 feet of good visibility just a little better than normal. I watched 5 bass come up quick but strike short. Any advice for that pattern.
Thanks for the tips, Happy New Year!
Whopper Plopper was killing it for me in December lol because it was 65-85 degrees everyday but now reality has struck and it’s looking like a cold January is in store for us.
My top 5 are Swimbaits, Rooster Tail, Squarebill, Drop Shot, Chatterbait.
Happy New Year to the TacticalBassin' family! "… burn, burn, burn … pause …. "
What about winter fishing in a small river? The deepest area is maybe 8ft, 'Id say the average depth is 4ft. It's muddy right now the current is pretty quick close to the rapids. I have tried a few different techniques without a single bite. Any tips? Maybe I'm not fishing the right spots?🤔
Why not fish a dropshot with Ned rig , two chances
Thanks Tim. Great video and tips. Happy New Year to you guys.
Another great vid guys! Get well soon Tim
Drop shot or ned rig… why not both?
Hey Tim 👋🏻
1/0 or 3/0 hook on that 1/8oz guppy head?
Thanks for the awesome content 👊🏼👊🏼
Keep the videos coming. Only thing I look forward to on YouTube
I just lost a tactical dd today on my third cast. 😈. It’s a tragic loss. One of my favorite lures all time.
Have a great New Year full of good fishing
Thanks Tim! Happy New Year to you both and your families! Looking forward to the next year.
I am SO looking forward to the A-Rig out here in SOCAL. I cleared it with the rangers at one my my favorite spots via phone.!! So pumped!!!