This Bait Changed Winter Bass Fishing Forever! (It Will Change Your Fishing Too)

Winter fishing used to be cold and boring...not anymore! Check this out! A few years ago, Winter bass fishing changed forever! Anglers today talk about this technique like they've always done it, but the truth is just a few years ago, almost no one had any idea that bass would react to high–speed retrieves in cold water. Matt is about to demonstrate this amazing technique on the water!

Today Matt is taking us out for a day of fishing. He splits his time between a football jig, a finesse jig, and a crankbait. This turns out to be one of those magical speed cranking days that everyone should get to experience! Jump in the boat, let's go!

Below you'll find links to all the baits and gear used throughout the video. We've included sizes, colors, as well as the rod and reel combos Matt 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 CRANKBAIT...

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Craw and Custom Colors


PITCHIN JIG...

•Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Compact Pitchin Jig: https://bit.ly/2hAIyCV

Color: Canterbury Craw

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake


FOOTBALL JIG...

•Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Finesse Football Jig: https://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Color: The Go To

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

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake


HOMEMADE JIG...

•Dirty Jigs Finesse Cut Replacement Skirt: https://bit.ly/4i3SYpo

Colors: The Go To

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

Size: 3/8 oz

•Reins G Tail Twin: https://bit.ly/3ZWP3o6

Color: Green Pumpkin


JIG MAKING VIDEO...

How To Make Your Own Finesse Jigs: https://youtu.be/VyIwpZLmJ4w


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


G LOOMIS CRANKBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 M (XG): https://bit.ly/4odTDs7

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


PITCHING JIG COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Destroyer P5 7'2" X Bites: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Reel– Shimano Metanium DC A 70: https://bit.ly/49al91d

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

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


FINESSE JIG COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 7'2" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/36fIHCg

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

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (12 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G


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

TOP 5 BAITS FOR DECEMBER BASS FISHING!

December is the Season of BIG BASS!! If you want to catch a giant bass, it's time to go fishing! You'll often catch less fish in December, but the bites you get are bigger. Keep in mind, there is always a shot at the fish of a lifetime! Here are the baits we rely on to get bit during the cold month of December.

There are two very different approaches to bass fishing in December. Many anglers turn to finesse presentations and slow retrieves to catch lethargic bass. This can be very effective but it's also mundane when you're struggling through cold temperatures. This Winter, try focusing on baits that get reaction strikes, despite the cold, and you'll be surprised by the results. No matter what you choose, December gives you a great opportunity to catch a giant bass!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits, in the exact colors and sizes that we trust to catch these fish. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included several some key budget friendly rod and reel combos to fish these presentations effectively.


MINI FLEX RIG...

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

Rig– Hog Farmer Tactical MINI Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3isTio0

Heads– Dirty Jigs Matt Allen (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits– Keitech 3.3" and 3.8" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Threadfin Shad, Electric Shad


MICRO FLEX RIG...

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

Rig– Hog Farmer Tactical MICRO Flex (Non Bladed): https://bit.ly/3Rui7Oc

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

Recommended Size: 1/8 oz

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

Colors: American Shad, Pure Gill


SPEED CRANK...

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

Colors: DD Minnow, Ghost Minnow, Green Pumpkin Shad


•Spro Rock Crawler: https://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Colors: Phantom Brown, Phantom Green


JERKBAIT...

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

Colors: Mat Shad, Ito Clear Laker, Tennessee Shad


•Megabass Visino 110+1: https://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

Colors: Mat Shad, Tennessee Shad, Kasumi Ito


BIG SWIMBAIT...

•Huddleston Deluxe 8" Trout (ROF 12): https://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

Colors: Trout, Holdover Trout, Shasta Trout


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

Colors: Trout, Dirty Silver


FINESSE SWIMBAIT...

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

Colors: Ayu, Real


•Crush City 3" Mayor: https://bit.ly/43Uhyli

Colors: Electric Shad, Shad


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

Size: 1/4 oz


FOOTBALL JIG...

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

Size: 1/2 - 5/8 oz

Color: SuperMatt Brown, The Go To, Alabama Craw


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

Color: Green Pumpkin, Green Pump Purple Copper


MICRO 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


MICRO JIG TRAILERS...

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

Colors: Grass Craw, Green Pumpkin Blue


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

Colors: Grass Craw, Green Pumpkin Black


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


BLADE BAITS...

•Damiki Vault (1/4 – 1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Cyber Purple


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

Colors: Jukucho Shad, Ito Hiau


STROLLING BAITS...

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

Colors: Electric Shad, Ghost Minnow


•Crush City Mooch Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Yn4NR6

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Green Shad, Shad


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

Size: 3/16 oz


BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

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

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 X: https://bit.ly/4ffgUVe

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


MID PRICED STROLLING COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Kaden 6'10" Light (6101): https://bit.ly/3Kdkg19

Reel– Shimano Miravel 2500: https://bit.ly/3QZnwL5

Line– Sunline Super FC (8 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju


TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND MERCH)

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

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

Tube Fishing Tricks + Deep Water Tips With Jesse Kroetch! (Tactical Family)

Come along as we head to the Pacific Northwest to fish with Jesse Kroetch! Jesse is dialed in to a deep Winter bite in the NorthWest reservoirs and today he's showing us how it's done. Check out the incredible scenery from the region, listen to how to locates and targets bass in deep water, and watch as he catches a bunch of bass and pike!

For those of you that missed Jesse's introduction back in Fall, he has joined the "Tactical Family" to bring regional content from the Pacific Northwest. These videos are in addition to our regularly scheduled content and give a unique insight into both his region, as well as many deeper fisheries around the country. He has a unique fishing style, implementing familiar baits in unique ways, to catch wary bass. We're taking notes from those tips so you probably should be too!

Below you'll find links to other videos from the Tactical Family, links to all the baits he used today, as well as the rod and reel combos he used to catch his fish. We've also included links to Jesse's guide service and social accounts. All the gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


OTHER TACTICAL FAMILY VIDEOS...

•Jesse – Fall Bass Fishing In The PNW: https://youtu.be/ZYhnqXeWTN0

•Adam – Winter Fishing Southern California: https://youtu.be/sy2aVavAUB0


JESSE'S GUIDE SERVICE AND SOCIAL ACCOUNTS...

Website– CastCadia Outfitters: https://bit.ly/4hI948X

Instagram– https://bit.ly/3AwwaOZ

Facebook– https://bit.ly/3NWBoGO


HEAVY TUBE...

•Poor Boy's Fat Head Tube: https://bit.ly/3WT1UWv

Color: Mango Magic, Road Kill Blues, Watermelon Rose

•Poor Boys Fat Tube Head: https://bit.ly/3CIKZir

Size: 3/4 oz


HULA GRUB...

•Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Hula Grub: https://bit.ly/2d7SpgG

Color: Green Pumpkin Black Flake

•Gamakatsu 3/0 Football: https://bit.ly/2CTXHHt

Size: 1/2 oz


CRAW TUBE...

•Great Lakes Finesse Juvy Craw Tube: https://bit.ly/4aCo9UC

Color: GP Purple Copper

•Great Lakes Finesse Mini Pro Tube Jig: https://bit.ly/41C1W6g

Size: 1/2 oz


TAIL SPIN...

•Jackall Deracoup (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Colors: Clear Shad, Blueback Chartreuse, HL Lime Gold


STROLLING BAIT...

•Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow: https://bit.ly/3Yn4NR6

Color: Electric Shad, Albino Shiner

•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head: https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Size: 3/16 oz


COLD WEATHER GEAR...

•Aftco Fortress Rain Jacket: https://bit.ly/42LrGQ8

•Aftco Fortress Rain Bibs: https://bit.ly/4aPp45O

•Aftco Reaper Hooded Sweatshirt: https://bit.ly/3EbJxFP

•Aftco Gloves: https://bit.ly/3C73i0q


NEEDLE FOR FIZZING FISH...

•Fishlife Fizz Needles: https://bit.ly/2kKwKB1


TUBE COMBO...

Rod– G LOOMIS GLX 7'3" HEAVY FAST: https://bit.ly/4jR2cHm

Reel– Shimano Chronarch MGL 150 (HG): https://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line– Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3pF7HBK


JUVY CRAW COMBO...

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

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

Line– Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon (14 lb): https://bit.ly/3pF7HBK


DERACOUP COMBO...

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

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

Line– Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3pF7HBK


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 Overlooked Places Hold Cold Winter Bass! Don't Miss Them!!

The average angler doesn't even know to check spots like this, but they're full of fish! Bass don't hide where you think when it gets COLD! Most anglers are searching key main lake structures, but these subtle spots are key to success on any lake! Let's head out on the water, check a few spots, and catch some fish!

When Winter sets in, its more important than ever to understand fish behavior. Bass are setting up on key main lake structures, but they're also using subtle contours all over the lake and no one is checking them. Watch as Matt fishes small transitions, edges, wood, and offshore drops to catch a bunch of fish.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt fished throughout the day. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.


LURE RETRIEVER...

•Frabill 15' Lure Retriever: https://bit.ly/2TLTJc6


FLEX RIG...

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

Heads– Dirty Jigs Matt Allen Head (3/16 oz): https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits– Keitech 5" Easy Shiner: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Tennessee Shad

Dummy Baits– Keitech 4" Easy Shiner: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Silver Flash Minnow


MINI FLEX RIG...

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

Heads– Dirty Jigs Matt Allen Head (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Bait– Keitech 4.5" Easy Shiner: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Electric Shad

Dummy Baits– Keitech 4" Easy Shiner: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Color: Electric Shad


STROLLING MINNOW BAIT...

Jighead– Dirty Jigs Tungsten HD Guppy: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 oz

Bait– Hog Farmer 5" Stroll Shad: https://bit.ly/3ALs7OI

Color: Electric Shad


BLADE BAIT...

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

Color: Holo MossBack

•BKK Hook Upgrade– Spear EWG: https://bit.ly/3PiUjM7

Size: 8


JERKBAIT...

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

Color: Kasumi Ito


FULL SIZE RIG COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Bantam MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate Shock Leader (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2O4UElB


MID SIZE RIG COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Elite 7'4" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

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

Line– Seaguar InvizX (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y


BLADE BAIT COMBO...

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

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line– Sufix 832 Sunrise Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3vbtuDw

Leader– Sufix Advance (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix


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