The first month of the year can be a tricky one to catch bass, but it can also be a good one with the right approach and some added preparation. In some climates, bass fishing in January is impossible with frozen lakes, but much of the country still has open water and the chance to catch some big bass that are grouped up and willing to bite. If you’re lucky enough to be able to go fishing right now, these are the best bass lures that you can use to catch bass in January.
Lipless Crankbaits
The lipless crankbait, also often called a “trap,” because of the popularity of the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, is one of the best lures you can use in the winter. There are many different baits to choose from, and while they are all similar in shape, they vary with different rattling sounds and actions depending on the brand and model. No matter which one you choose, they are excellent when the water is cold, and you need something to generate a reaction from a bass.
They can be fished a few different ways, but burning them quickly, especially in and around vegetation, is a great way to catch January bass. Once the treble hooks get hooked on grass, you can rip the rod quickly to free the bait, which is when many of the strikes happen. Some good baits for fishing this way are the original Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap in the ½ and 3/4-ounce models, as well as the Lucky Craft LV 500, a ¾-ounce model.
Another way to fish these baits is with a lift-and-drop retrieve, which will get the bait to vibrate up and then fall back down like a dying baitfish. It’s a great way to catch bass in the winter, and while any lipless crankbait can do this, the Duo Realis USA Vibration 65 and Berkley Jack baits are very thin and produce excellent vibration, almost like a metal blade bait.
Alabama Rigs
The Alabama Rig will work any month of the year, but it is at its best when the water is at its coldest. Much of this is that bass, especially those suspended out in open water, are often focused on chasing balls of shad, and nothing mimics them better than an Alabama Rig with blades and swimbaits that looks just like a group of shad fleeing for their life.
These gaudy lures work well with a standard cast-and-retrieve, and if you use forward-facing sonar, they are among the best to use with the technology, as their size makes them very easy to see on your screen. One thing to consider is to keep the bait above the fish and let them come up and get it, which they will often do in this scenario.
Pick your favorite small swimbait, such as the Keitech Swing Impact FAT in shad patterns, and pair it with a jighead, and you have a great combination. One trick is to use a slightly bigger swimbait and in a different color for the center wire, which will give the fish something to hone in on. Most of your catches will come from this one bait that stands out from the rest.
Blade Baits
These metal baits shine when the water is the coldest of the year, and the vibration they put off is perfect for tempting a bass to bite. They are ideal for fishing right along the bottom with a lift-and-fall retrieve. Each time you lift the rod lightly, the bait will vibrate slightly, and you can then let it free-fall on a slack line. Pay close attention, as many bass will bite as the bait falls.
There are many great blade baits to use, including the Jackall Keeburn, Damiki Vault, Deps Circuit Vibe, and SPRO Carbon Blade. You can also make your own very easily with lead pouring equipment and a mold from Do-It Molds.
Deep Diving Jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are one of the most versatile and effective lures in any month, but they are perfect for cold weather, as you can pause them as long as you need to and get fish to bite. When fishing in January, deeper-diving baits let you get fish from even deeper to react. Many brands offer a +1 and +2 model of their best jerkbaits, such as the Megabass Vision Oneten and Berkley Stunna. These are both great options for fishing deeper water.
Some other good ones to take a look at are the Shimano Zumverno MR and Lucky Craft Lightning Pointer DD, which will dive a few feet deeper than a standard jerkbait and allow you to cover more of the water column. Using a standard jerkbait retrieve, but also mixing in some sweeping of the rod and longer pauses, are a few ways that you can be even more effective with jerkbaits when the water is chilly.
Football Jigs
It’s still football season on the field, and it’s also a great time to be throwing a football head jig on the water. These baits excel when fishing along the bottom, dragging them along in deep water along structure can also be highly productive in the dead of winter. There are some excellent jigs out there, and anything in a ½-ounce size is a good place to start. Pair it with a craw trailer, and you will have a fantastic bait to drag around all winter long.
For a slightly downsized version, there are tungsten football heads, such as the BassTEK Tungsten Football and the Nako NT Tungsten Football Jig. These allow you to use the same weight in a much smaller package, resulting in a more compact profile. They cost more than lead, but they are also much more sensitive, in addition to being smaller.
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t have some great fishing in January. The fish will generally be deeper and less active than they are at other times of the year, but they can still be caught, and these five lures are some of the best things you can use this month.
