In Fall and early Winter bait size tends to be smaller thus your smaller swim baits , worms , etc. are more of your go to size baits. As Winter progresses towards the Pre-Spawn ,  lure size increases probably for two reasons : 1) Smaller size prey have been eaten or died off and 2) Pre-Spawn signals bass to put the feed bag on thus they are more aggressive , hungry and are more willing to eat larger lures as they seek to gain weight for the Spawn  . *Is this why lure size tends to increase towards the Pre-Spawn vs. early Winter or are their other factors involved ? Thanks in advance to share your experience on lure size selection over the colder months heading into Pre-Spawn .

Winter bait size selection is the same process as summertime bait size selection for me, let the fish decide. I've caught them on 8" glides in December and Ned rigs in January/February. I prefer to stick to the larger side of the spectrum if possible. Bigger fish seem to be lazy in the winter, so they either want a big bait, or something moving very slow. A big bait moving very slow tends to be my best combination for big, wintertime bass. Of course, big is a relative term. A 300 KVD jerkbait is bigger than a lot of other jerkbaits. The magnum finesse and magnum trick worms I fish on my shakyheads are bigger than the standard worms other people are fishing on their shakyheads. Even when I fish a Ned rig, I prefer to use a Big TRD or Trout Trick in the winter to get a bigger profile and slower fall. 

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Winter bait size selection is the same process as summertime bait size selection for me, let the fish decide.

 

Pretty much ?

 

Bass have spent the summer eating adult Shad, Sunfish (bream, bluegill, ect), & mature crawfish. 

 

A bass's metabolism slows down during winter, this doesn't mean they stop eating. It simply means it takes longer to digest their last meal.

 

Once that meal is digested they become active feeders again. Difference now is the bass isn't willing to chase it's food source.

 

Maximum intake...minimum output 

 

My PB (12.5#) was caught in the dead of winter on a 1/2 oz Rat-L-Trap, she didn't chase, but when it was in her face she inhaled.

 

The larger lure represents a meal, the smaller lures represents dessert.

I really depends on the specific body of water,  it's location and the fish found in it. I find early to mid winter where I fish, small is the ticket, late winter to spring, bigger gets the nod, but there are exceptions. Hint:  in cold water, pike and pickerel are active, even bite sized ones...

 

10 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Winter bait size selection is the same process as summertime bait size selection for me, let the fish decide. I've caught them on 8" glides in December and Ned rigs in January/February. I prefer to stick to the larger side of the spectrum if possible. Bigger fish seem to be lazy in the winter, so they either want a big bait, or something moving very slow. A big bait moving very slow tends to be my best combination for big, wintertime bass. Of course, big is a relative term. A 300 KVD jerkbait is bigger than a lot of other jerkbaits. The magnum finesse and magnum trick worms I fish on my shakyheads are bigger than the standard worms other people are fishing on their shakyheads. Even when I fish a Ned rig, I prefer to use a Big TRD or Trout Trick in the winter to get a bigger profile and slower fall. 

*Great explanation as to the theory behind moving up to larger baits in Winter time .