Winter Fishing for Bull Bluegill

We're chasing giant bluegill today! We usually focus on bass fishing but at the end of the day, we just love catching fish! During the Winter months, giant Bull Bluegill gather with the other predators and gorge on baitfish. These extraordinary fish are often overlooked but are amazing fighters and a worthy adversary on a cold Winter day. If you're tired of struggling this Winter, take a day off and  let us show you how to chase these amazing fish.

Bass fisherman often fall into the trap of only fishing for bass. While we don't recommend fishing for every tiny little fish that swims, branching out a little can be very healthy. These mental breaks help us to refocus before Spring arrives. Bluegill are a perfect candidate because they're plentiful all over the country and with relatively little effort you can learn to find the GIANTS. It doesn't matter what species it is, when you're catching some of the biggest, its going to be a good time. 

Fishing for oversized bluegill requires no specialized equipment. As a bass fisherman, your lightest dropshot or ned rig rods should be just fine. Carry a few downsized baits (we linked our favorites below) and be prepared for a suprisingly powerful fight. As soon as conditions allow, get back to bass fishing but don't hesitate to take a break and enjoy the plentiful fishing that is around you this Winter. 

The baits... 

-Kastmaster 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2PtUwi3

-Damiki Vault 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

-Spro Phat Fly 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2mboisG

-Keitech 2.8" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Matt's Combo... 

Rod-  Zodias 6'8" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 1000: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline Sniper 4 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Combo... 

Rod- Daiwa Aird-X 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2P7Z3Vu

Reel- Shimano Sedona FI: http://bit.ly/2wgh50Z

Line- Maxima Ultragreen 5 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Where Do Bass Go In Winter? (And How To Catch Them)

Are you struggling to catch fish this Winter? Did your bass disappear? Winter bass fishing doesn't have to be tough! Matt explains where the bass are hiding in ponds, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in this in-depth video. If you're tired of struggling for a bite let Matt show you where to look!

Its time to stop struggling and start catching! Knowing where to look is half the battle. Once you apply these tips and find the fish, the fun is ready to start. Taking it a step further, Matt offers his favorite baits for each style of fishery. Whether you're throwing a ned rig on the deep end of a pond, fishing a football jig through deep rock on a highland reservoir, or cranking on a natural lake, your Winter fishing is about to be a lot more fun! 

Below you'll find a breakdown of the equipment Matt was using in the video (depth finder and mapping software) along with the baits he recommended for each style of fishery. Its time to break out of the Winter rut and catch some fish!

Mapping Software- Lakemaster Plus Digital Charts: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Depth Finder- Humminbird Solix 12: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

Pond Baits

Ned...

Ned Worm- Z Man Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

(Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Goby, Meat Dog)

Ned Head- Swagger Tungsten Flanders Head 1/6 oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Jerkbait...

Shallow- Lucky Craft Flash Pointer 100: http://bit.ly/2aHz588

(Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad)

Mid-Range- Jackall Rerange 110: http://bit.ly/2ge0qED

(Ghost Wakasagi, Blue Pearl Shad, Holo Minnow)

Deep- Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

(Sexy French Pearl, Gill, Deadly Black Shad)

River Baits

Jig... 

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin Jig 5/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

(Brown Craw, Hematoma, Go To)

-Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub Trailer: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

(Green Pump Purp Copper, Black and Blue, Cinnamon Purple) 

Jerkbait... 

Shallow- Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

(GP Pro Blue, Ito Clear Laker, M TNG)

Deep- Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

(Sexy French Pearl, French Pearl OB, Deadly Black Shad)

Reservoir Baits

Blade Bait... 

-Damiki Vault 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

(Holo Ayu, Spot Black, Black Holo)

-Silver Buddy 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2AcTelj

(Stainless Steel, Gold)

Jig...

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Football 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

(Brown Craw, Canterbury Craw, Go To, Supermat Brown)

-Big Bite Baits 5" Double Tail Trailer: http://bit.ly/2qS1YtE

(Tilapia, Green Pumpkin)

-Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub Trailer: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

(Green Pump Purp Copper, Cinnamon Purple)

Natural Lake Baits

Cold Water Crankbait...

-River2Sea TacticalBassin DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(Baits must be backordered due to demand)

Alternative- Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

(Megabass Sexy Shad, Kisyu Ayu,  M Threadfin Shad, Ito Wakasagi)

Jig...

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Football 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

(Brown Craw, Canterbury Craw, Go To, Supermat Brown)

-Big Bite Baits 5" Double Tail Trailer: http://bit.ly/2qS1YtE

(Tilapia, Green Pumpkin)

Spoon... 

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

(Morning Dawn, Electric Chicken, UV Black Shad)

Winter Bass Fishing: Everything You Need To Know To Catch Fish Now

Winter bass fishing can be really fun! In today's video Matt goes in depth with 8 different techniques to help you catch more and bigger bass this Winter. Do you prefer a spinning rod or a swimbait rod? A jig or a soft plastic? Are you a beginner bass fisherman or a seasoned angler? There is something in this video for everyone!

Matt took the 8 techniques from the Winter Bass Fishing Buyer's Guide and teaches the details on how to use each one effectively. He begins with A-rigs and cold water crankbaits and explains exactly what you need to do to draw a reaction bite. Next he discusses small swimbaits, soft plastics, and jigs. He wraps up with an in-depth look at slow crawling soft swimbaits for Winter bass. If you want to catch more bass right now, this video is going to help you do it.

The weather might be tough but the fishing doesn't have to be. Get out there this Winter, use these techniques, and catch some of the best fish of the year!Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment the guys discussed in the video. Each bait is linked direct to Tackle Warehouse where you can see close up photos and detailed descriptions of them.

A-rig...

-G Funk A-Rigs: http://bit.ly/2n8cOGO

-Matt Allen Swimbait Heads 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-Keitech 3.8 Swimbaits: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Rage Swimmer 4.75 Swimbaits: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Crankbait...

-Tactical DD Crank 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(Ghost Minnow, Mirrored Minnow, Glass Minnow)

Small Swimbait...

-Megabass Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

(Haze, Hanahaze, Wakasagi)

Underspin...

-Cool Baits Down Under Spin 1/8-3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

-Keitech 2.8" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Tubes...

-Dry Creek Tournament Tube: http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube: http://bit.ly/32e23VR

-Bite Me Flat Eye Tube Head 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

-Provider Tackle 90 Degree Tube Head 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2LY9eMj

Neko...

-Daiwa Fat Neko Worm: http://bit.ly/2o2O3LG

-Swagger Tungsten Nail Weight: http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

-Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Hook: http://bit.ly/2kfdv37

Jig...

-Dirty Jigs Finesse Football 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

(Supermatt Brown, Go To, Green Pumpkin Craw)

-5" Twin Tail Grub Trailer: http://bit.ly/2qS1YtE

(Green Pumpkin, Tilapia)

Big Swimbait...

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

-Huddleston Deluxe 8" Swimbait (ROF 12): http://bit.ly/2azFTon

(Trout, Ayu, Silver/Blue)

Winter Swimbait Fishing Is Easy! (I'll Prove It)

Its not hard! Anyone can catch the biggest bass of their life on a swimbait! Anglers fall into the trap that swimbaits are a magic bait that require some secret knowledge to produce and its just not true. If you head to the lake with quality baits and put in time, the bites will come. Winter bass are easy to predict, they love to group up, and they don't want to travel; this is the perfect scenario for big bait fishing for trophy bass.

Understanding where these bass are positioned is the key. We recently did a video explaining exactly where these fish are heading (see it here: http://bit.ly/2XOY2WR) then followed it up with a swimbait buyer's guide to show you the best baits for the job (See it here: http://bit.ly/35DIGqI) With that information all that is left to do is go fishing. The biggest mistake you can make during the Winter months is to fish quickly with a big swimbait. Slow down, then slow down some more, and just creep that swimbait along the bottom.

The bites typically feel like a distinct "tick". They will not be overly aggressive but they will clearly be a bite. When you feel the tick, set the hook hard and fast. Once the fish is hooked grind them to the boat as quickly as possible, never slowing down or letting up. Its really that easy! You can do this! We're rooting for you this Winter and when it pays off, come back and let us know about the big bass you caught.

Matt's Exact Setup...

Bait-Huddleston 8" Trout ROF 12 (Hold Over): http://bit.ly/2azFTon

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

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

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

Leader- 35 lb Sunline FC-100: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Other Great Winter Soft Swimbaits...

-Huddleston 8" Trout ROF 5 Top Hook: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

-Huddleston 68 Special 6" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2dj5apG

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

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

Budget Swimbait Combo...

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

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

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

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