Winter Fishing Tips For Cold Muddy Water (The Toughest Conditions You Can Face)

Winter fishing can be a grind! Add in cold, muddy water, and it will really test your skills! When water temps are below 50 degrees and the water is muddy, its the toughest conditions you can face as an angler. When that's what you're up against, these are the adjustments to make.  

Cold mud is every bass angler's worst nightmare. The fish tend to lock down against cover and their strike zone is incredibly small. However, if the water warms above 50 degrees muddy water fishing can be AMAZING! Today Tim was faced with 44 degree muddy water with heavy current. He started out trying to get a reaction strike but it didn't take long to slow down, pick up a dropshot and a tiny underspin, and target lethargic fish. 

Below you'll find links to all the gear used in today's video. We've included the exact sizes and colors for each presentation. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

ALABAMA RIG...

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

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

Baits– Keitech 3.8 Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Blue Chartreuse, Sight Flash

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

Color: White Silver

FINESSE SWIMBAIT...

Head– Dirty Jigs Guppy: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 3/16 oz with 1/0 hook

Bait– Keitech 3" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Sexy Shad

DROPSHOT...

Bait– Yamamoto 3" Shad Shaped Worm: https://bit.ly/3vafYg7

Color: Monster Shad

Hook– Owner Mosquito Light: http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Size: 2

Weight– Swagger Tungsten Pencil: http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Size: 1/4 oz

SMALL UNDERSPIN...

Head– Cool Baits Down Under Spin: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Size: 1/4 oz

Bait– Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

ALABAMA RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7’6" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

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

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate 20 lb: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

BFS COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (6 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Sunline Super FC (6 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

DROPSHOT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 822S DSR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP

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

Line– Sunline SX1 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader– Sunline Super FC (7 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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

Top 5 Baits For February Bass Fishing!

The transition is about to begin! Power fishing is about to be in full swing! The water is still cold but the the very beginning of the Late Winter to Early Spring transition is here! Fish are about to. start moving, eating different lures, and getting really fun to fish for. Come along as we look at the top baits for February bass fishing! 

Despite the continued cold, the fish seem to know the end is in sight and they move no matter what the weather does. February is an awesome time to fish! You can forget the Winter struggles and start loading the deck of your boat with jerkbaits, crankbaits, A-Rigs, swimbaits, and other fun power fishing techniques! 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video, including our favorite sizes and colors for each. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACKLE STORAGE BOX...

•Buzbe Colony 28 Box: https://bit.ly/3U9y4cl

JERKBAITS...

•Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Colors: Elegy Bone, Tennessee Shad, Skeleton Tenn

•Shimano World Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Fwg9F6

Colors: Clown, Chart Silver, Black Silver

LIPLESS CRANKBAITS...

•Jackall TN–70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: RT Escape Craw, SS Shad, SG Threadfin

•Lucky Craft LV–500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: American Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow

BLADE BAITS...

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

Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Ayu

•Megabass Dyna Response (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu

SHALLOW CRANKBAITS...

•Spro Little John: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Blood Craw, Fire Craw, Chrome Olive

•River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Cold Blooded, Delta Craw, Rooster

•Rapala OG Slim 06: https://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Colors: Red Crawdad, Live River Shad, Citrus Shad

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

Colors: Red Crawdad, Chartreuse Black, Tuxedo Shad

SWIMBAITS...

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

Colors: Warden Hitch, I Know It, Light Trout

•Megabass 6" Magdraft: http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Colors: Albino Pearl Shad, White Back Shad, MSS

ALABAMA RIGS...

•Hog Farmer Tactical Flex Rig (Bladed): https://bit.ly/38xd1es

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

ALABAMA RIG COMPONENTS...

Heads– Matt Allen 1/8 oz Heads: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

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

Sizes: 4.8 (Full), 3.8 (Mini)

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Full Size Dummy– Netbait Little Spanky: http://bit.ly/2d0dpU8

Colors: Albino, Smokin Magic Shad

MINI Dummy– Damiki 3" Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Colors: American Shad, Pure Gill

UNDERSPIN...

Hook–Owner Flashy Swimmer (5/0): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Bait– Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Color: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

SHAKY HEAD...

Bait– Netbait T–Mac Worm: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Color: Bama Bug

Head– Dirty Jigs Canterbury: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Size: 3/16 oz

TEXAS RIG...

Bait– Big Bite 7" B2 Worm: https://bit.ly/2BfL51p

Color: Crime Scene

Hook– Owner All Purpose (3/0): https://bit.ly/2QbbdRW

Weight– Swagger Tungsten Vader (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3c28mks

OUR FAVORITE JERKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line– Sunline Super FC 10 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline FC (12 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

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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

This Trick Makes Bass Fishing Way More Fun

Bait Finesse! Have you tried it yet? Nothing will turn a tough day on the water around faster than a BFS setup and some micro baits. A day full of tiny fish that would normally be a "tough day" is suddenly a blast! Its hard to explain just how fun this method of finesse fishing is until you try it for yourself, but if you're ready to change your fishing for the better, its time to try Bait Finesse!

Bait finesse isn't new. Its been around in Japan for decades and has slowly trickled into the US over the past 10 years. However, the arrival of the Curado BFS reel last year kicked the Bait Finesse movement into high gear. If you primarily catch smaller bass, fish small bodies of water, or your fish are heavily pressured, turning to BFS can completely change your fishing for the better!

While there are very few "BFS Baits" there are a lot of awesome finesse baits that work well for Bait Finesse Fishing. Below you'll find links to our favorite rods and reels for the technique, along with many of our favorite baits by category. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

BFS REELS...

•Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

•Kast King Zephyr: https://bit.ly/3cy03ij

THE RODS BY TECHNIQUE...

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

Micro Topwater/Spy Bait– Megabass P5 Z Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Small Crankbaits– G Loomis IMX Pro 7'2" MH Deep Flex: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Micro Crankbaits– Shimano Curado 6'10" Light Glass: https://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Micro Swimbaits– Dobyns Sierra 7' 0 Power (700): https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Ultra Sensitivity– G Loomis Conquest 782C MBR: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

Micro Finesse– Daiwa Steen AGS 6'8" Light: https://bit.ly/3RhFit1

LINES...

Fluorocarbon– Sunline Super FC (7 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Braid– Power Pro Spectra (8 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Braid– Sufix 131 (6 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

SMALL CRANKBAITS...

•Rapala Ultralight Crank: https://bit.ly/3qSt14V

Colors: Chrome, Shad

•Shimano Macbeth 39 Tiny: https://bit.ly/3xTsnG0

Colors: Clear Green Craw, Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad

•Megabass Z-1 Crank: https://bit.ly/2Y9dkHB

Colors: Kasumi Ito, Wild Craw, Mat Craw 2

SMALL TOPWATER...

•Owner Cultiva Zip N Ziggy: https://bit.ly/3BTMLuh

Colors: Natural Minnow, Shiner, Brown Trout

•Whopper Plopper 60: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Phantom Shad, Monkey Butt, Bone

•Rapala Ultralight Popper: https://bit.ly/3FzvsNP

Colors: Chrome, Clown, Yellow Perch

MICRO FINESSE SOFT PLASTICS...

•Zman Micro Finesse TRD: https://bit.ly/3d8bmBm

Colors: Coppertreuse, Green Pumpkin, The Deal

•Zman Micro Finesse TicklerZ: https://bit.ly/3BIABob

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Hot Snakes

NED HEADS... 

Micro– Z Man Micro Finesse Shroomz (1/15th): https://bit.ly/3QDdlw7

Lead– Z Man OG (1/32 - 1/16th): https://bit.ly/3nyFyZc

MICRO TEXAS RIG SOFT PLASTICS...

•Savage Gear Ned Salamander: https://bit.ly/3rSNi8g

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple Copper, Mojito

•Zman TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Colors: Sprayed Grass, Green Pumpkin, Canada Craw

MICRO TEXAS RIGGING...

Weight– Swagger Tungsten Vader 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Heavy Wire Hook– Owner Rig-N-Hook Size 1/0: http://bit.ly/2BnniXN

Light Wire Hook– Owner J-Light Size 1/0: https://bit.ly/3HDg0SH

MICRO SWIMBAIT...

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

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

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

Color: Real, Albino

Head– Dirty Jigs Guppy (1/8 with 1/0): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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

How To Choose The Right Swimbait! (Underwater Swimbait Footage)

Come underwater and watch how different swimbaits move in the water! Paddle tails, wedge tails, and glide baits, are all fish catchers in cold water, but not on every lake. Here are the details you need to know so you choose the right baits for your fishing. 

We spend the majority of our time in Winter talking about Wedge tail swimbaits. This style of bait is the most effective in the majority of situations... but that's just the surface of the subject. Today we're going in-depth and looking at how glide baits and paddle tails can also benefit you in the cold water months. 

Below you'll find links to the baits discussed in the video. We've listed them in the order they appeared, have included our favorite colors for each, as well as any rigging components you may need to fish them effectively. 

WEDGE TAIL SWIMBAITS...

•Savage Gear 8" RTF Trout (Fast Sink): https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Dirty Silver, Trout

•Huddleston 8" Trout (ROF 12): http://bit.ly/2azFTon

Colors: Rainbow Trout, Golden Shiner, Hitch

•Huddleston 68 Weedless: https://bit.ly/3GnqbuF

Colors: Black Gizzard Shad, Green Gizzard Shad

GLIDE BAITS...

•River2Sea S Waver: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Size: 168 and 200

200 Colors: Lite Trout, Warden Hitch, Trout

168 Colors: Lite Trout, I Know It, Bluegill

•GRatt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: Light Trout, Hitch, Gizzard Shad

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

Colors: TW Steelhead, Shad, Trout

BOTTOM CONTACT PADDLE TAILS...

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

Colors: Just Shad, LC Hitch, Blueback Herring

Hook– Owner Beast 10/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Weight: 3/4 oz

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

Colors: Just Shad, LC Hitch, Chartreuse Shad

Hook– Owner Beast 8/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Weight: 1/2 oz

•Bacca Burrito Swimbait: https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Tactical Shad, Who Dat, Threadfin Shad

MID COLUMN PADDLE TAILS...

•Megabass Magdraft: http://bit.ly/2mc8bfK

Size: 6" and 8"

Colors: Albino Pearl Shad, White Back Shad

•Magdraft Freestyle: http://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi

Colors: Albino Pearl Shad, White Back Shad

Hook– Owner Beast 8/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Weight: 1/2 oz

TREBLE HOOK UPGRADES...

1X Treble: Owner ST-36: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Size: 2,1, 1/0

3X Treble: Owner ST-56: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Size: 2,1,1/0

WEIGHTING...

•SuspenStrips: https://bit.ly/2YDQNUf

•Suspendots: https://bit.ly/3d80ez6

•Tungsten Putty: https://bit.ly/3GYcQe5

•Lead Wire: https://bit.ly/3VQZN21

MATT'S FAVORITE SWIMBAIT COMBO...

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

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

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

Leader– Sunline Saltimate Fluoro 35 lb: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

BUDGET SWIMBAIT ROD FOR SOFTBAITS...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'8" heavy: https://bit.ly/3QbMjvs

Reel– Shimano Curado 300 (HG): https://bit.ly/2HbZ3E4

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate 30 lb Fluoro: https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

BUDGET SWIMBAIT ROD FOR HARDBAITS...

Rod– Savage Gear Squad 8' Heavy: https://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

Reel– 13 Fishing Concept A3: https://bit.ly/3GLddq8

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate 30 lb Mono: https://bit.ly/3WqDIJp

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

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