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

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

Four Key Baits For Summer Bass Fishing! (Day On The Water)

Come along for a fun day of fishing with Matt! Matt's plan is to target offshore fish, and it doesn't take long for him to find the pattern! Hop in the passenger seat and come along as he catches fish on swimbaits, crankbaits, and other fun Summer baits!

We constantly emphasize building "patterns", rather than finding "spots", because fishing patterns leads to days like this where you get bit cast after cast by quality fish! Summer fishing may be hot, but when the bass are hungry and you're setting the hook with baits like the Burrito, the underspin, and the crankbait, everything else fades away!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt used throughout the day. We've included the exact colors, as well as the rod and reel combos he used to fish them effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions.

THE BURRITO...

•5" Bacca Burrito: https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Color: Tactical Shad

THE UNDERSPIN...

•Dirty Jigs Tactical Underspin: https://bit.ly/4bKgVQf

Size: 1/2 oz, 3/0 Hook

•Xzone 4.75" Swammer Swimbait: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

THE CRANKBAIT...

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

Color: Summer Minnow

THE TOPWATER...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Color: Spotlight Shad

THE MINNOW...

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

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Green Shad

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

Size: 1/4 oz, 2/0 Hook

BURRITO COMBO...

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

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

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

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

UNDERSPIN COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'4" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

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

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

Leader– Seaguar Blue Label (15 lb): https://bit.ly/48EP2Hz

CRANKBAIT COMBO...

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

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

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

MINNOW COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride B 6'10" MH XFast: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel– Shimano Sustain FJ 3000: https://bit.ly/3BQLlNP

Line– Sunline Almight (13 lb): https://bit.ly/3xb44ql

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (10 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

Crankbait Tricks For Winter and Early Spring Bass Fishing!

You've been going to slow! High Speed Burner Reels in Winter? Really? Oh that's just the beginning... Come along for a day on the water with Matt and Tim as they burn crankbaits and draw reaction strikes from bass in 46 degree water. The guys hold nothing back as they teach how to trigger a feeding frenzy with the Tactical DD Crankbait. 

Winter was always considered a slow fishing period. Many anglers Winterize their boats and give up completely. Unbeknownst to the masses some of the best fishing of the entire year exists in the dead of Winter. By experimenting with a new style of fishing we've been able to consistently trigger reaction bites from the coldest of bass under the harshest of conditions. They key is a combination of speed, sound, and action. 

In November of 2019 we released the Tactical DD Crankbait with River2Sea. This crank is designed for these exact cold water conditions. It sold out immediately and has been nearly impossible to find ever since. Today the crankbaits are back in stock so we headed out on the water to teach you exactly how to use them. Don't settle for one bass here or one bass there, its time to trigger a feeding frenzy in cold water!

Below is a breakdown of the baits, colors, equipment, and upgrades we use to maximize our time on the water with the crankbait. 

Our Crankbait... 

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Today's Colors: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow

Other Great Cold Water Crankbaits... 

-Spro RK Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

-Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

-6th Sense Curve 55: http://bit.ly/37hZ1TD

Favorite Colors by Bait... 

Tactical: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow, Glass Minnow, Ghost Minnow

Deep X 300: Stealth Craw, Sexy Ayu, Megabass Sexy Shad

Deep Six: MB Gizzard, Shadow Craw, Ito Wakasagi

RkCrawler: Missouri Craw, Phantom Brown, Red Crawfish

Curve 55: Craw Bomb, Ghost Missouri Craw, Red Claw

Hook And Component Upgrades...

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hooks- Owner ST-56 Size 4: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

(These hooks are smaller than "stock" but work extremely well)

Braid Rod/Reel Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Fluorocarbon Rod/Reel Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget-Friendly Rod/Reel Combo... 

Rod- St Croix Bass X 7'2" MH Moderate: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

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

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G