How To Catch Big Bass In Winter: Swimbait Tips For Cold Water Bass Fishing

Swimbaits are easy! They're not complicated, there is no mystery, and you can start catching bass on swimbaits any time you want. Its all about knowing which swimbaits work at different times and how to put them to work for you. Today Matt breaks down the 3 styles of swimbaits that work in cold water and explains what each style is for. 

Do you have a box full of swimbaits but few, if any catches to show for them? Have you lost confidence in the swimbait all together? You're not alone! A lot of bass fishermen have been caught up in the hype without ever being taught the details of how to consistently catch swimbait fish. Today we're focusing on why different styles work and when they should be fished. If you go out with confidence and throw the right baits in the right situations, its a matter of time before you start catching swimbait fish. 

Winter is a tough time of year to get bit on any bait. If you're going to work hard to get bit on anything, you might as well put in the time to get the right bites on big baits. Below are links to our favorite baits, favorite colors, and the gear we use to throw them. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Glide Baits... 

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

Colors: Trout, Kokanee, Shad, Raw

-River2Sea S Waver 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Light Trout, Rainbow Trout, Warden Hitch

Boot Tail Baits... 

-Scottsboro Tackle 6" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH

Colors: Natural Light, Ol Smokey, Mullins Madness

-Little Creeper 8" Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2hmXtg1

Colors: LC Hitch, Rainbow Trout, Ghosted Chartreuse Shad

-Little Creeper Fatty 6" Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2ixaEw2

Colors: LC Hitch, Just Shad, Light Hitch

-Owner Beast Hook: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Sizes: Scottsboro 8/0, 8" trash fish 10/0, 6" trash fish 6/0

WedgeTail Baits... 

-8" Huddleston Deluxe ROF 5 Jig Hook Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

Colors: Holdover Trout, Hitch, Trout

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail Shiner: https://bit.ly/2SDD0Zl

Colors: GreenBack, White, Shad

Favorite Swimbait Combo For Bigger Baits (Currently Backordered)... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 (HG): http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (80 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (35 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

All-Around Swimbait Combo For Large and Medium Baits... 

Rod- Dobyns Champion XP 806 Heavy: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX

Reel- Shimano Curado 300K: https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (65 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806 Heavy: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300A: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line- Power pro Maxcuatro (65 lb Braid): http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

leader- Sunline FC100 Fluorocarbon (30 lb): http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Buyer's Guide: Swimbaits and Glide Baits!

Today’s Buyer’s Guide is all about big swimbaits! There are so many options between Glide Baits, Multi-Joints, Boot Tails, Wedge Tails, Wakes, Crankdowns, and so many more… How do you know where to start?! Swimbaits aren’t cheap so making the right choices the first time is very important. Come along as we take a look at some of our favorites! 

We break our swimbaits into 3 primary categories: Trout/Kokanee,  Baitfish, and Bluegill Imitators. Trout baits are typically open water baits while baitfish and bluegill imitators are cover oriented, shallow water baits. Knowing how to use each style of bait effectively is an entirely different video. Luckily, we shot an in-depth video on this subject last month and have linked it below. 

In this video we’ve broken 9 baits down into these 3 categories and added 2 bonus baits. You’ll find all of the baits we discussed linked below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We’ve also included our favorite colors with each bait, hook recommendations for rigging where applicable, as well as links to some of our favorite swimbait rods and reels. 

In-depth Swimbait Video: https://youtu.be/oIck1onpMNs

Previous Buyer’s Guides… 

-High End Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

Trout/Kokanee/Open Water Baits…  

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

Favorite Colors: Raw, Rainbow, Kokanee

-Huddleston 8” ROF 5: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

Favorite Colors: Trout, Hitch

-Huddleston 8” ROF 12: http://bit.ly/2azFTon

Favorite Colors: Trout, Hitch

Baitfish/Cover Baits… 

-G Ratt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Favorite Colors: Hitch, Gizzard Shad, Bone

-R2S S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Favorite Colors: Bluegill, TW Phantom, Light Trout

-Megabass Magdraft 8”: http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Favorite Colors: MB Shad, MB Gizzard, White Back Shad

-Scottsboro 6” Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH

-Owner 8/0 Beast Hook 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Favorite Colors: Mullins Madness, Natural Light, Ol Smakey

-Savage Gear Shiner Pulse Tail 7”: https://bit.ly/2SDD0Zl

Favorite Colors: Green Back, White, Shad

Bluegill Baits… 

-Savage Gear Pulse Tail RTF Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Favorite Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Bluegill

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Favorite Colors: Ghost Gill, Spawn Gill

Bonus Baits… 

-Madness Balam 245: https://bit.ly/36T1epg

Favorite Colors: Laser Hasu, Clear Hasu

-Fish Arrow Riser Jack: https://bit.ly/30FMOqw

Favorite Colors: Biwasagi, Lemonade, Pro Blue

Rods… 

-G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

-Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

-Megabass Orochi XX Leviathan: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Reels…

-Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

-Shimano Curado 300K: https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

How To Catch Your PB Bass Right Now!

Want to catch bigger bass? This is prime time to do it! Catching a new PB is achievable and we want to help you do it! There are a handful of proven baits that produce consistent success once you understand HOW and WHEN to fish them. Come along as we dive into the mindset behind targeting trophy bass in the Fall and Winter. 

Trophy bass are caught consistently using a two-part method. You'll need to dial in two different patterns to work at different times. You'll want a bait that imitates the bass' favorite forage during "prime time" to fool them into biting, but you'll also need to identify a bait that can trigger a feed response during lower percentage times of day. 

Understanding which baits to throw at what time of day makes all the difference. In previous videos we've discussed exactly where these big bass are located this time of year but the missing piece of the puzzle until today was understanding WHEN to target those fish. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits to "fool" the bass along with our favorite baits to trigger a "feed response". The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you'll see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Trout/Kokanee Eaters... 

Soft Swimbait- Huddleston 8" Trout: http://bit.ly/2azFTon

Glide Bait- S Waver 200 (Light Trout/Rainbow Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Crankbait- Tactical DD 75 (Mirrored Minnow): http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Jig- Dirty Jigs Football Jig 1/2 oz (Go to): http://bit.ly/2d0iJbd

Jig Trailer- Yamamoto 5" Grub (Green Pump purp/cop): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Shallow Shad/Panfish Eaters... 

Crank- Spro Baby Fat John 50 (Matte Shad): http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Jerkbait- Megabass Vision 110 (M Shad): http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Lipless- Lucky Craft LV-500 (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Topwater- Evergreen Shower Blows 125 (American Shad): http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Glide Bait- S Waver 168 (Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Soft Swimbait- Savage Gear Pulse Tail Bluegill: https://bit.ly/2Kd6qct

Deep Shad/Baitfish Eaters... 

Deep Crank- Tactical DD 75 (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Spoon- Blade Runner 1 3/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

Deep Jerkbait- Megabass 110+2 (Ito Tennessee Shad): http://bit.ly/2BLQIBA

Blade Bait- Damiki Vault 1/2 oz (Spot Black): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Alabama Rig- Hog Farmer Flex BFL: https://bit.ly/2WtLCVK

A-Rig Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

A-Rig Baits- Keitech 4.8" Fat (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Budget Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300A: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 35 lb Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

High-End Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Destroyer Onager: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 A HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 35 lb Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Swimbait Fishing For Bass | Full Seminar | Best Baits, Gear, and Tricks

20 years of swimbait knowledge in one video! How to fish swimbaits, which swimbaits work best, when to crawl a softbait, when to twitch a glide bait, and a whole lot more! Matt shows his favorite baits, gives rigging tricks, shows cadences and retrieves, and gives away some of the long kept secrets of getting fish to bite instead of follow!

Matt spent years learning how to throw swimbaits and today he's sharing all of his hard-earned knowledge. All of the baits and equipment discussed in the video are linked below. Every link goes to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Soft Bluegill Baits... 

-Savage Gear Bluegill (Jig Hook): https://bit.ly/2xx1zjH

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill, Black Gill

-Savage Gear Bluegill (Weedless): https://bit.ly/2Kd6qct

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill, Black Gill

Hard Bluegill Baits... 

-River2Sea S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Bluegill

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Color: Ghost Gill, Spawn Gill

-Bull Gill: http://bit.ly/2f1ASHn

Color: Bluegill

-Megabass Vatalion: http://bit.ly/367AOxD

Colors: GG Gill, GG Wild Gill

Fast Multi-Joint Baits... 

-Bull Shad Slow Sink (6" and 7"): http://bit.ly/2eJ8gWM

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad

-Triple Trout (7" and 8"): http://bit.ly/2E8Up5P

Colors: Blue Violet Shad, Bone, Trout

Open Water Glide Baits... 

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

Colors: Trout, Kokanee, Shad

-Savage Gear Magnum Shine Glide: https://bit.ly/36LNEWj

Colors: Light Trout, Hitch, Bone

-River2Sea S-Waver 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Rainbow Trout, Light Trout, Warden Hitch

Cover Glide Baits... 

-G Ratt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: Hitch, Gizzard Shad, Baby Trout

-Savage Gear Shine Glide 185 (7.25"): https://bit.ly/30O32xB

Colors: Hitch, Gizzard, Bone

-Baitsanity Antidote: http://bit.ly/2ztUk9z

Colors: Trout, Summer Shad, Shad

-River2Sea S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Light Trout, Warden Hitch

Boot Tail Soft Baits... 

-Megabass MagDraft (6", 8", 10"): http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: MB Shad, MB Gizzard, White Back Shad

-Little Creeper 8" Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2hmXtg1

Colors: LC Hitch, Just Shad, Ghost Rainbow

Little Creeper 6" Fatty Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2ixaEw2

Colors: Just Shad, LC Hitch, Blueback Herring

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact (6.8 and 7.8): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad, Ghost Rainbow Trout

-Scottsboro Tackle (6" and 7"): http://bit.ly/2Oy7CKH

Colors: Mullins Madness, Natural Light, Ole Smokey

-Osprey 6" Tournament Talon: http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, TW Shad, Gizzard

Wedge Tail Soft Baits... 

-Huddleston 4" Jig Hook Shad: https://bit.ly/2GC9Qrg

Colors: Mean Green, Money, Tequila

-Huddleston 8" Trout: http://bit.ly/2azFTon

Colors: Rainbow Trout, Holdover, Hitch

-Huddleston 68 Special: http://bit.ly/2dj5apG

Colors: Black Gizzard, Rainbow, Green Gizzard

-Savage Gear 4D Pulse Tail Trout: http://bit.ly/399bx97

Colors: Ghost Trout, Hitch, Trout

Savage Gear Pulse Tail Shiner: https://bit.ly/2SDD0Zl

Colors: White, Shad, Green Back

Pre-Order Soft Baits... 

-Savage Gear 8" Pulse Tail (Jig Hook): https://bit.ly/33GROg1

-Savage Gear 6" Pulse Tail (Jig Hook): https://bit.ly/2Ib674q

Hook/Split Ring Recommendations... 

-Owner ST-56 Treble Hooks (3X Strong): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

-Owner HyperWire Split Rings 3X Strong (Size 4,5,6): http://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

-Owner UltraWire Split Rings 4X Strong (Size 5, 6,7): http://bit.ly/3bQgswL

Hook Sizes By Bait... 

Size 2 Trebles: S-Waver 168, Vatalion, MagDraft 6"

Size 1 Trebles: Shine Glide, Sneaky Pete, Antidote, Triple Trout, Bull Gill

Size 1/0 Trebles: Bull Shad, Sneaky Pete (Front), S Waver 200, Magdraft 8"

Size 2/0 Trebles: Shine Glide Magnum, Baitsanity Explorer

Matt's Line/Leader... 

Main Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 Shock Leader 35 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Line- Power Pro Braid 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Budget Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Matt's Favorite All-Around Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

High-End Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Destroyer Onager: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Budget Swimbait Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806H 8' Heavy Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300A: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Related Videos... 

Underwater Swimbait Action: https://youtu.be/iye3hF1tCQo

Underwater Swimbait Strikes: https://youtu.be/OT06aiLojOI

S-Wavers: https://youtu.be/dgriRTYyqMM

Spring GlideBait Fishing: https://youtu.be/0CO7nvP7H4w

Our Baits And Apparel…

TacticalBassin Gear: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz