The months of November and December for most folks in the Upper Midwest “football season & deer or duck hunting” means not many people are thinking about bass fishing this time of year. Wintertime bass fishing is actually one of the easiest times of the year to fish because the fish are very predictable as far where they will be; the key is how to get them to bite.
Wintertime bass fishing means deeper water fishing and that also means slow and small presentations. If you think you are going to go out and throw ¾ oz spinnerbaits and move them real fast as you do in the summer you’re not going to get a lot of bites. In the winter, I prefer a small 1/8 oz JD Lures junior jig with a small pork trailer. The pork will help slow the fall down and bass seem to hold on to it longer than plastic trailers.
A 4 ¼ “JD Stick on a Carolina rig or a drop shot rig (if the fish are suspended over structure) is another option. If there’s some cleaner water then I use baits like the IMA Lures Foxy Fry jerkbait on fluorocarbon line. The key to this bait is keeping it down in the strike zone and let it suspend. A Tabu Tackle “Tiny Tim” swimbait is another great option because during the winter the bass are not feeding very often, and the baitfish they are feeding on are very small. The Tiny Tim is a perfect setup to use on a drop shot rig with light line and a light sinker. The key to all of these baits is that they are all downsized versions in these classes of lures. You are not going to get a lot of bites this time of year but with the smaller lures, you will get a higher percentage of hookups, rather than you using larger lures.
Wintertime bass fishing can be some of the most rewarding catches. If you use the lack of pressure, easily predictable locations of the bass, and a small finesse presentation, you will be catching fish while others are at home watching TV. The biggest question that I get about winter bass fishing is where to fish. An area with quick access to deep water is the best place to start. Places like bluff walls, main lake humps, drop-offs, and the deepest end of main lake points, etc., are what you want to look out for in the winter months. If you live on a river system these patterns will work there as well, but the main thing about river fishing at this time of year is the current. Winter bass don’t like a lot of current because it makes them use a lot of energy, so look for back bays, chute & canals that have the same deeper water features but lack of main river current.
Everyone thinks “a bass is a bass no matter where you go“; Lake Fisherman will say that bass relate to the same cover and that bass move the same way on any body of water. Well, myself, and a lot of river rats know that’s not true!!
They are high performance professional grade lures that can give you an edge in any tournament.
Overall Rating 9.42 (Based on the overall ratings of each Reviewer)
Manufacturer: Keitech
Product: Lures/Baits
Keitech was established in 1996 by Kei Hayashi, one of the most successful tournament fishermen in Japan. Keitech offers Tournament Quality Fishing lures based on a “Wealth of Fishing knowledge & advanced production technology”. Their no-lead tungsten design limits the environmental impact while providing a technical advantage. Keitech lures feature biodegradable soft plastics, high density tungsten compounds, high end performance rubber compounds, and ultra fine silicone rubber. They offer high quality tungsten jig heads, jigs, soft plastics and special compound rubber skirts.
"The Blakemore Rock’N Runner takes chatterbait fishing to a whole new level."
Overall Rating: 9.3
Manufacturer: Blackmore Lures
Blakemore took the original Road Runner and spiced it up with a harder rockin' action that drives fish wild. This Rock'n Runner spinnerbait delivers a slow presentation, flash and vibration for the ultimate attraction to appeal to even the most finicky of fish. Cast it near structures, retrieve it slowly and hang on. The design begins with a wobble blade/spinner blade combination. Holographic eyes give it a realistic appearance. A Sampo swivel delivers smooth performance. It's all set on a Bleeding Bait Hook™ that triggers feeding fish for more than just a look. Tie line on at the snap.
"Accessories that make fishing more fun and productive”
Overall Rating 8.42
Creator: Buck 'n Reel Enterprises
Cost: $14.95
The 2HANDEE1 Fisherman's Utility Tool is the only multi-tool on the market to incorporate all of the necessary tools that a fisherman could want in one little package. It has an integrated grooved hook sharpening STONE, NOT A FILE, to keep your hooks "sticky sharp", a clipper that will cut braid and premium lines. How about crankbait tuning notches to quickly adjust off-lined lures and a tool to remove hardened paint form your favorite jigs. All this plus it has a non slip rubber grip with a rear access eyelet for a lanyard. The 2HANDEE fishing tool is a great addition to any fisherman's tackle box.
The Troll Perfect is just that, Perfect!!
Overall Rating 9.57
Manufacturer: Prefect Outdoor Products
Cost: $24.95
Get control of your electric trolling motor!
Whether fishing in wind, waves, current, or just whenever you need the high speed settings, Troll Perfect will allow you to stop fighting the kick back, and side to side torque steer of your trolling motor. You can concentrate on fishing (will also eliminate that "sloppy foot pedal" issue).
The banning of all lead in fishing tackle because it is ingested by wildlife resulting in lead exposure has become a very controversial topic. This topic is taking on a life of its own. Some people believe that environment lobbyists have extremely blown it out of proportion, while others feel that the government has not taken it seriously enough.
Man made swamps, every county has a few. Rivers and streams that have been dammed in one spot or another; creating a pool of water for industry, drinking or even recreation. These areas area usually shallow with a deeper spot by the dam, when I say deeper, I mean only around 5 to 6 feet.
