3 Winter Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Fishing! (And How To Avoid Them)

Don't be caught making these mistakes! Winter bass fishing is really simple, but if you're making these mistakes you're ruining your chances of catching big bass. Subtle details like time of day, lure speed, and size, are often overlooked. These details can make or break your day, so it's time to pay attention! Avoid these mistakes to catch more bass this Winter.

We all make mistakes that hurt our fishing. Some were aware of, some catch us off guard. If you can avoid these three, you're going to have a lot more fun this Winter! Focus on fishing during low light periods, especially early morning. Next, forget about your "go to" baits from other times of year and focus on key Winter actions and profiles. And finally, pay attention to your surroundings so you know when the fish have vacated an area.

Below you'll find links to the baits Tim discussed in the video. We've also included some of Tim's favorite rod and reel combos to help you fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


HULA GRUB...

•Yamamoto 2.5" Hula Grub: https://bit.ly/497jz1m

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple and Copper


•VMC Finesse Football: https://bit.ly/3CZ1cQK

Size: 3/8 oz


FOOTBALL JIG...

•Keitech Tungsten Football Jig: https://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Colors: Green Pumpkin ,Green Pumpkin Blue


•Xzone Stealth Finesse Creature: https://bit.ly/3M0BXOU

Colors: Green Pumpkin Black Flake


SWIMBAITS...

•Hawg Hunter Magnum Trout: https://bit.ly/3WuwJ0P

Colors: TW Gizzard Shad


•Huddleston Deluxe 8" Trout: https://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

Colors: Albino, Brown Hitch, Silver Blue Back


•Baitsanity 11.5" Chimera Shad: https://bit.ly/3U1em4P

Colors: Ghost Gizzard Shad, Hatchery Trout


FINESSE SWIMBAITS...

•Megabass 3" Spark Shad: https://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Colors: Real, Albino


•Keitech 3.5" Easy Shiner: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl


•Dirty Jigs HD Guppy: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 oz


MICRO RIG...

Rig– Tactical Micro Rig (Non-Bladed): https://bit.ly/3Rui7Oc

Hooks– Zman Trout Eye Finesse (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3C7H1iL

Baits– Damiki 3" Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Colors: PB Silver, Pure Gill


CRANKBAIT...

•R2S Tactical DD 75: https://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: True Shad, Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow


MICRO RIG/JIG COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 7'1" Medium XFast: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Abu Garcia Zata Tact Z: https://bit.ly/3B8E7Ks

Line– Sunline Super FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


BIG SOFT SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Outlier 8'0" XH: https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Reel– Shimano Conquest MD 300: https://bit.ly/3ZBEK5p

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (80 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (35 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G


BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 8' H: https://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel– Cardiff 300 A: https://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi


BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Cashion Element Z2 7'3" MH Mod Fast: https://bit.ly/3xZbLAy

Reel– Seviin GF (7.3:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line– Sunline FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

3 Winter Patterns That Get Bass To Bite, Even On The Tough Days!

Jump in the boat for a great day of Winter bass fishing! Matt hasn't been on the lake for a while, but he wastes no time dialing in a big fish pattern. Watch how he immediately shifts gears and quickly figures out two additional patterns to keep catching fish. This method of Winter fishing is very effective, and he explains all the details while catching fish.

Winter fishing can be really fun! Focus on baits that get bigger fish to bite and you'll unlock a completely new fishing experience. The air temperatures are cold but you won't feel it when you're constantly moving and big fish are on the line! From the glide bait, to the A–Rig, to the jigging spoon, this was a fun day of cold weather fishing!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors, hook upgrades, as well as the Roda nd reel combos he used to fish the baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


THE GLIDE...

•Bucca Brand 6" Trick Shad: https://bit.ly/4hFD5Go

Color: Matte Shad

•Owner ST–56 Treble: https://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Size: 2

•Owner Hyperwire Split Ring: https://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Size: 4


THE RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

Hooks– Dirty Jigs Matt Allen Swimbait Head: https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Size: 1/8 oz

Baits– Keitech Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Size: 3.8" and 4.3" Electric Shad

Dummy Baits– MissileBaits Shockwave: https://bit.ly/3Y72VKC

Color: Fishalicious


THE SPOON...

•Nichols Duh Spoon 2.0 (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/4iGlkrd

Color: Tactical Shad


THE BLADE BAIT...

•Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Color: Black Holo


GLIDE COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Outlier 7'4" MH: https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Zodias 7'5" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


SPOON COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 7'1" Medium XFast: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Abu Garcia Zata Tact Z: https://bit.ly/3B8E7Ks

Line– Sunline Super FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


BLADE COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Tournament 7'2" Med Mod Fast: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

Model: Finesse Carbon Cranker

Reel– Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70: https://bit.ly/3ZcBbCZ

Line– Seaguar InvizX (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Winter Jig Fishing Made Easy! (Everything You Need To Catch Bass)

Winter jig fishing is easy! Don't let the Winter weather keep you from catching fish. If you've been struggling to catch bass with jigs, that's about to change! A few basic jig colors and a trailer or two, are all you need to start catching fish! The weather might be cold but the jig fishing is heating up!

Jig fishing is easier now than any other time of year. We focus all our attention on a few very simple baits and it pays off big, no matter where we go. From full size football jigs, to downsized presentations, Matt covers everything you need to be successful all Winter.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits, sizes, and colors we use. We've also included our favorite trailers, as well as the rods and reels we use to fish these baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


FULL SIZE JIGS...

•Dirty Jigs Finesse Football: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Size: 1/2 - 5/8 oz

Color: SuperMatt Brown, The Go To, Alabama Craw


•Dirty Jigs Compact Pitchin Jig: https://bit.ly/2hAIyCV

Size: 1/2 oz

Color: SuperMatt Brown, The Go To, Alabama Craw


FULL SIZE JIG TRAILERS...

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

Color: Green Pumpkin, Green Pump Purple Copper


•Damiki 4" Air Craw: https://bit.ly/3AvRsZJ

Color: Dark Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Black


FINESSE FOOTBALL JIGS...

•Keitech Tungsten Jig: http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Size: 3/8 – 1/2 oz

Colors: Brown/Purple, Green Pumpkin Black


•Beast Coast OW Jig: https://bit.ly/4gFj0yq

Size: 3/8 – 1/2 oz

Colors: MB Pumpkin, Stealth PBJ, Dirtbag


FINESSE JIG TRAILERS...

•ZMan TRD CrawZ: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Canada Craw


•Xzone Stealth Finesse Creature: https://bit.ly/3M0BXOU

Colors: Grass Craw, Green Pumpkin Blue


HULA GRUB...

•Yamamoto 2.5" Double Tail Hula Grub: https://bit.ly/497jz1m

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Purple Copper


•Great Lakes Finesse Stealth Football: https://bit.ly/4eQjXTb

Size: 1/4 oz


MATT'S FOOTBALL JIG COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 844C MBR: https://bit.ly/2SuZG15

Model: 7' Heavy

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (15 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G


MICRO JIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Zodias 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi


BUDGET JIG COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 7'3" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Model: 734

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 Pro: https://bit.ly/4pGZ4Az

Line– Sunline FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

TIM'S NEW PERSONAL BEST SMALLMOUTH BASS! IT'S A GIANT!!!

Tim is about to break his personal best! Let's go!! The conditions are absolutely brutal today with cold temperatures and heavy wind. It doesn't take long for Tim to realize he needs to use every advantage possible. He turns to finesse techniques, uses his Humminbird electronics to locate fish, and slowly dissects likely locations on the lake. What could have been a tough day, changed in an instant!

Tim's message at the end of the video sums it up perfectly, "Keep Grinding It Out. You're just one cast away." This is the time of year when you can catch the biggest bass of your life. It's worth the effort, it's worth battling the elements, you never know when your turn is going to come. Again, today was one of those days where you would normally blank and go home without a fish. It took every ounce of modern electronics and modern techniques to turn these brutal conditions into a truly special day. The fish were grumpy, but Tim was able to make it happen!

Below you'll find links to all the gear Tim used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors and sizes for the baits, Tim's rod and reel combos, as well as the specifics of the electronics he used to locate fish on isolated structure. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


STROLL SHAD...

•Hog Farmer 4" Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Color: Green Shad


•Dirty Jigs Tungsten Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 oz


DROPSHOT...

•Megabass Haze ST: https://bit.ly/4l1S2Tq

Color: Ayu


•Owner Jungle Dropshot: https://bit.ly/4nRKl49

Size: 4


•Xzone Tungsten Dropshot: https://bit.ly/3HgdcMM

Size: 1/4 oz


SPUNK SHAD...

•Hog Farmer 3.5" Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Ghost Minnow


•Dirty Jigs Tungsten Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 oz


ALABAMA RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Micro Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

Baits– Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Heads– Dirty Jigs Tungsten Guppy (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/4nfOJtT


ELECTRONICS...

•Humminbird Mega Live 2: https://bit.ly/40FHMJR

•Humminbird Apex 16 Fish Finder: https://bit.ly/3QBaOli


STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/47Cdeee

Reel– Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line– Power Pro Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi


DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 822S DSR: https://bit.ly/3XrALtj

Model: 6'10" Medium+

Reel– Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (6 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz