It's cold out there, but there is still a chance to go fishing if you are willing to be a little cold. While the fishing opportunities can be limited (or nonexistent) in some climates during the winter months, fishing when it's cold outside can still be very good with the right approach.
Since wintertime water is cold and many fish are deeper and more lethargic, bait selection during the winter months changes with the seasons, but these five lures are great for winter bass fishing.
Umbrella/Alabama Rig
This rig has been out for over a decade now, and although it's not quite as popular as it was when it first hit the scene in the early 2010s, it's still a very effective tool for imitating a school of baitfish. They are heavy, clunky, and flashy, but they look just like a group of shad coming through the water, and they are still one of the most effective baits for winter fishing.
There are many good options to choose from, including some with and some without blades for added attraction, and versions that allow you to fish with fewer than five hooks if required by state law. Instead of five jigheads, many of these versions have screw locks in place to add dummy baits without hooks to keep you legal. Some of the more popular models are the Yum Yumbrella models and those made by Hog Farmer Baits.
Add your favorite soft swimbait and start casting this around during the winter in places where baitfish congregate, and you can have tons of fun this winter, including having the chance to catch more than one bass on a single cast!
Hair Jigs
Hair jigs are among the oldest ways to catch fish, not just bass. Using hair, such as bucktail, has always been a great way to fool a fish because it creates a natural-looking jig that mimics a baitfish. This is even more important in the winter, and the flowing action from hair makes it a winter bass lure that you need to try.
Bite-sized baits like the SPRO Phat Fly are a perfect finesse offering that works in harsh conditions, such as extreme cold. Another great choice, which comes in heavier options, is the Dale Hollow Tackle Original Punisher Hair Jig. This jig is made from a synthetic material but still has a nice, flowing action in the water.
Deep-Diving Jerkbaits
The jerkbait is one of the most popular baits in all seasons, but it is one of the best ways to catch fish during the coldest parts of the year. Most jerkbaits with a standard bill will dive somewhere around 5 feet deep, but there are options that will get even further down. This allows you to reach more fish positioned further from the surface.
Many brands offer deeper-diving versions of their popular jerkbaits, such as the Berkley Stunna and Megabass Vision Oneten, which both come in +1 and +2 versions that can reach depths of more than 10 feet. Another solid choice is the Shimano Zumverno 115SP MR, which will dive at least 7 feet deep.
Tailspinners
These metal spinners are simple but very effective when the water temperature dips. Using a lift-and-drop retrieve, you can get the bait to vibrate as it rises, then let it fall on a slack line to imitate a dying baitfish. They are perfect for imitating forage and work well when the water is cold, and bass are sitting close to the bottom.
Many different baits work great for this way of fishing, such as the Jackall Deracoup or LunkerHunt Big Eye tail spinner, which both have a swivel that connects the blade and gives the bait even more action. They come in several sizes, but a 3/8 or ½-ounce is a good place to start, and there are countless colors to choose from to match the water color and forage in your home fishery.
The Jighead Minnow
While not a new way to fish, the jighead with a minnow-style bait on the back has become increasingly popular in the past few years. While it's become more widely used as a tool to use with forward-facing sonar, you don't have to have any electronics at all to fish with them. They work so well in the winter because they can be fished at any depth and are great for targeting suspended bass that often roam and follow schools of shad during the colder months.
There is no wrong way to fish them, but simply shaking as you reel them through the water gives them a great action that looks just like a real shad. Any fluke-style bait will work, but some modern designs offer the bait more action, rolling from side to side to get more fish to bite.
Some of these include the Deps Sakamata Shad, CAST Fishing Co. Echo, Crush City Freeloader, and RAID Japan Super Fish Roller. Jigheads have also become more refined to achieve this action, with heads like the Owner Range Roller, Gamakatsu Horizon Head, and Cipher Fishing Tungsten Mid Stroll Ball Head all giving the bait a little more action than a standard round ball jighead.
Don't put away your fishing gear just yet if you still have open water. Fishing this time of year can still be very good with the right approach and lure selection. The five lures listed above are sure to help you put more fish in the boat this winter.
