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

These 2 Baits Catch Big Bass In January! (Day On The Water With Matt)

Jump in the boat with Matt for an awesome day on the water! Matt is exploring new water today and it doesn’t take long to start getting bit! He starts out strolling and throwing a jerkbait, then pivots and finds an amazing swimbait bite!

A lot of anglers mistakenly think that Winter bass fishing is tough. Today was cold, but the fishing was incredible! Watch how Matt uses different baits to fire fish up and keep them biting. Make sure you stick around to the end because Matt breaks down the retrieve differences between traditional glide baits and the emerging category of soft glide baits.

Below you’ll find links to all the baits and gear Matt used throughout the day. We’ve included his exact colors, hook upgrades, as well as 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 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

STROLLING BAITS…

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

Colors: Ghost Minnow and Green Shad

Sizes: 4” and 5”

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

Size: 3/16 oz

JERKBAIT…

•Megabass Vision 110: https://bit.ly/3tw8Cpz

Color: GG Illusion Tennessee Shad

Hook Upgrade– Redline Finesse Treble: https://bit.ly/3lZsDkT

Size: 5

GLIDE BAITS…

•Berkley 8” Chop Block Glide: https://bit.ly/44MelaG

Color: Shad

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

Color: Matte Shad

STROLLING COMBO…

Rod– Shimano Poison Adrena 6'10" Med+ Extra Fast: https://bit.ly/4c0fQmq

Reel– Shimano Sustain 2500: https://bit.ly/47SJ3R6

Line– Sunline Almight Braid (16 lb): https://bit.ly/4flJrsg

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (10 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

JERKBAIT COMBO…

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

Model: Oneten Stick Evolution

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

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

CHOP BLOCK COMBO…

Rod– Fenwick Elite 7'8" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3MyC6tb

Reel– Abu Garcia Beast 200 (7.5:1): https://bit.ly/3VJM3Zp

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

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

TRICK SHAD COMBO…

Rod– Fenwick World Class 7'5" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Daiwa Tatula SV TW 150: https://bit.ly/3yiO3zJ

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

Leader – Seaguar Gold Label (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

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!