Where Bass Go In The Heart Of Winter! (And How To Catch Them)

This is how to catch bass on those COLD Winter days! Giant bass are caught every Winter, so don't be the guy sitting at home. These are the places you need to fish, and the baits you can trust, whether you fish a pond, lake, or reservoir. The boat ramps are empty, the lakes are peaceful, and big bass are willing to bite!

We're in the heart of Winter and bass have settled into their seasonal pattern. Their locations are set, their feeding patterns are set, and only the most extreme weather can disturb the balance. What that means for you, is that once you find fish you can catch them day after day. Winter can be amazing! Sure it's cold, but the chill in the air vanishes when you set the first hook!

Below you'll find links to all the baits and gear Tim discussed in the video. We've included our favorite colors, sizes, and equipment for each technique. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see photos and descriptions of the items.

TACTICALBASSIN MERCH & LURE DESIGNS

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

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

RELATED VIDEO...

•Matt's Video About Winter Fishing: https://youtu.be/Ro_PvM6elSo

BLADED ALABAMA RIGS...

Largest– Tactical Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/38xd1es

Medium– Tactical Mini Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

Smallest– Tactical Micro Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

5 Hook– Tactical Mini 5 Hook Rig: https://bit.ly/429NWTK

WINTER A–RIG SWIMBAITS...

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

Size: 4", 4.5", 5"

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Crystal Shad

•Damiki 3" Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Colors: American Shad, Pure Gill

A–RIG SWIMBAIT HEADS...

Full Size Heads– Dirty Jigs Matt Allen: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Size: 1/8 - 3/16 oz

Micro Heads– ZMan Trout Eye Finesse: https://bit.ly/3C7H1iL

Size: 1/8 oz

SPEED CRANKING...

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

Colors: Clearwater Minnow, True Shad, DD Minnow

•Megabass Deep X 300: https://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: Mat Shad, MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu

SPOONS AND BLADES...

•Nichols DUH 2.0 Spoon: https://bit.ly/4iGlkrd

Color: Tactical Shad, Shattered Glass Silver

Sizes: 3/4 oz – 1 3/4 oz

•War Eagle Jiggin' Spoon: https://bit.ly/2H9dJV1

Size: 7/8 oz

•Damiki Vault: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Size: 1/2 oz

Color: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Ayu

JERKBAIT...

•Megabass Vision 110+1 Jr: https://bit.ly/2LnK389   

Colors: Matte Shad, Kasumi Ito

FINESSE JIG...

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

Size: 1/2 oz

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blue

•Xzone Stealth Finesse Craw: https://bit.ly/4ckYPmX

Color: Green Pumpkin Blue

BUDGET ALABAMA RIG COMBO...

Rod– Daiwa Tatula XT 7'4" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3wqRhwq

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT (HS): https://bit.ly/35hugfH

Line- Sufix 832 Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

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

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Black Bass 7'4" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/41ntbDB

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

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

BUDGET JERKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

BUDGET FINESSE JIG COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Eagle 7'1" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/4b25LGh

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

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

If you plan to do any shopping, using these affiliate 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!

Winter Crankbait Fishing! Everything You Need To Know From Shallow To Deep!

Let's dive into the world of Winter crankbait fishing for bass! Matt breaks Winter crankbaits into three unique categories that require different retrieves and timing. Today He's covering all 3 categories. He covers specific baits, crankbait color selection, crankbait tuning, and a detailed breakdown of crankbait rods.

Don't let this Winter slip by. Anglers in the know, catch a ton of giant bass on crankbaits, you can be one of them! Speed cranking for Winter bass is far more effective than everyone realizes, even in the coldest water temperature. Once you understand how to create the right action at different depths, this will become one of your key confidence baits. The words "Burn, Burn, Burn, Pause" will forever be in your head as you set the hook on another giant bass!

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits by category, as well as our favorite colors for each of those baits. We've also included our favorite rod and reel combos for each application and price point. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICAL MERCH AND APPAREL...

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

•Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

SHALLOW CRANKS...

•Berkley Frittside 5: https://bit.ly/4hcwfXJ

Colors: HD Brown Craw, HD Green Craw

•Berkley Frittside 5: https://bit.ly/4qruBGl

Colors: Brown Craw, Special Red Craw, Honey Shad

•Rapala OG Slim 6: https://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Colors: Red Crawdad, Live River Shad

•Rapala OG Rocco: https://bit.ly/3PHvNCI

Colors: Classic Craw, Rootbeer Craw, Red Craw

SUBTLE CRANKS...

•Rapala Shad Rap 5: https://bit.ly/3OMINZB

Colors: Live River Shad, Red Crawdad, Olive Green Craw

•Rapala Shad Rap 7: https://bit.ly/3D5pWGJ

Colors: Live River Shad, Red Crawdad, Blaze

•Megabass IXI Shad: https://bit.ly/4ivhBMQ

Colors: Wild Craw, Imae Classic, Ghost Shad

DEED DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•Duo Realis G87 20A: https://bit.ly/2Jh4ktg

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Green Smelt, Morning Dawn

•Megabass Deep Six: https://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Colors: Mat Shad, Ito Wakasagi, MB Gizzard

•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: https://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Ghost Minnow, True Shad, Green Pumpkin Craw

•Megabass Deep X 300: https://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: Mat Shad, MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu

•Megabass Super Z Z–3: https://bit.ly/3HDg7wc

Colors: Green Craw, IT Craw, Phantom Green Craw

HOOK UPGRADE...

•Owner ST–35 Treble: https://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

Favorite Size: 2

BIG CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Elite 7'9" Med Hvy Mod: https://bit.ly/4jbZGvj

Reel– Abu Garcia Revo Premier LP: https://bit.ly/4e8LPCc

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

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

TACTICAL CRANK COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

MID CRANK COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Tournament: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

Model: 7'2" Medium Mod Fast (Finesse Carbon Cranker)

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

MEGABASS CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Destroyer Evoluzion: https://bit.ly/4oXDY0A

Model: Super Griffon Competizione

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

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

BUDGET ALL AROUND CRANK COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Black Bass 7'4" Medium Hvy Mod: https://bit.ly/41ntbDB

Reel– Seviin GF Series (7:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

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

Neko Rig Tricks For Stubborn Winter Bass + Power Fishing Confidence Baits

Jump in the boat with Tim for a fun day on the water! Tim is targeting bass with a variety of swimbaits and power fishing techniques but quickly realizes the fish are shut down, and he's going to need finesse presentations to be successful. Tim immediately pivots to a neko rig, and starts catching big Winter time bass!

Knowing when to switch between power techniques and finesse techniques can save your day on the water. If Tim hadn't adapted, his day could have ended much differently. Instead, he embraced the change, grabbed his confidence bait, and not only caught fish, but caught several big kicker fish! These are the subtle details that make the difference in Winter time bass fishing. Pay attention to the clues, adapt, and overcome.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Tim fished throughout the day. We've also included the rod and 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.

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND MERCH)

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

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

SWIMBAITS...

•Megabass 5" Magdraft: https://bit.ly/4gNg7LN

Color: Stealth Rainbow

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

Color: Threadfintastic

PADDLETAIL...

•Dirty Jigs 3/8 oz Guppy HD: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

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

Color: Electric Shad

KARASHI...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Color: See Through Shad

NEKO RIG...

•Yamamoto 5" Senko: https://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Color: Electric Shad, Natural Shad

•Xzone Tungsten Pagoda Nail: https://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

Size: 3/32 oz

•Owner Weedless Sniper Finesse Hook: https://bit.ly/2zXirRH

Size: 1/0

•VMC Crossover Ring: https://bit.ly/3w0NYdz

Size: 7mm

NEKO RIG COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Destroyer 6'11" Landsat: https://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

Reel– Shimano Exsence 3000: https://bit.ly/4oBLYnM

Line– Sunline SX1 Braid (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (8 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

MAGDRAFT COMBO...

Rod– Daiwa Steez AGS 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3RhFit1

Model: Utility Player

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

Leader– Sunline Super FC (14 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

KEITECH COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel– Daiwa PX BF 70 BFS: https://bit.ly/3y0fWw0

Line– Seaguar PEX8 Braid (21 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

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

BUDGET NEKO RIG COMBO...

Rod– Daiwa Tatula XT 7' Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3n6Ojvx

Reel– Daiwa Fuego LT 2000D: https://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ

Line– Seaguar Red Label (8 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

Targeting Bass In The Desert SouthWest With Adam Hinkle! (Tactical Family)

Jump in the boat with Tactical Family member and good friend, Adam Hinkle! Today he's in Yuma, Arizona on the Lower Colorado River, chasing bass in the desert. From micro baits, to crankbaits and jerkbaits, even the big glide bait, Adam does what it takes to put fish the boat!

We all face tough conditions and there is a lot that can be learned watching someone grind through less than ideal conditions. Few anglers would think to fish a 3" Sakamata Shad weightless, then turn around and throw a glide at the same fish. Adam is a well rounded angler that is very familiar with tough fishing conditions, growing up on the pressured lakes of Southern California.

Below you'll find links to all the baits and gear Adam used to catch his fish. We've included specific colors, rigging components, as well as the closest available rods to the custom models Adam builds for himself. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

SOFT JERKBAIT...

•Deps 3" Sakamata Shad: https://bit.ly/3QMt9yd

Color: Electric Shad

•Owner Haymaker: https://bit.ly/3Muie8j

Size: 2/0

CRANKBAIT...

•Rapala DT–8 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/40JmoBQ

Color: Rusty

JERKBAIT...

•Lucky Craft Slender Pointer 97MR: https://bit.ly/4a5FV68

Colors: NC Shell, Ghost Minnow

GLIDE BAIT...

•Gancraft Jointed Claw 178: https://bit.ly/2d5l48K

Favorite Colors: Waka Ayu, Clearlake Hitch

SAKAMATA ROD...

Rod– Megabass 7'4" Enforcer: https://bit.ly/2XkVoej

Reel– Daiwa Tatula MQ LT 2500: https://bit.ly/3IWhxbv

Line– Cortland Master Braid (5 lb): https://bit.ly/3Mt1iVf

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

CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: https://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

Reel– Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2n8DghB

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

JERKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special: https://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Reel– Shimano SLX DC (XG): https://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line– Seaguar InvizX (10 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

GLIDE BAIT COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante 7'5" EMTF: https://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Model: Extreme Mission Type F

Reel– Shimano Curado 200M (XG): https://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line– Seaguar Red Label (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

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