Unleashing the Winter Thrill: Fishing for Big Bass in Freezing Temps by Bruce Callis Jr

Shiver me timbers, its getting cold. We just got our first taste of snow and the thoughts of big bass are dancing in my thoughts. I already have my Christmas List on it’s way to Santa. Not sure what he may get me this year, but I know it will be good. And until he arrives, I’m going fishing, looking for the thrill of the tug.Winter fishing is one of my favorite times, but it isn’t for the faint of heart, or at least those who get cold easy. I’ve got my clothing set out so I can stay out there all day. Now to rig up the rods with my top winter baits and hit the water.The first thing I’m going to do is spray down my line with Reelsnot and the eyes too, so that I can keep the ice from making things too difficult.

FirstWhile there are many choices, for me the top choice is a lipless crankbait. I have caught so many big bass during the winter with it. My choice is the SPRO Aruku Shad 75. I like the ability to throw the 5/8 ounce bait a long ways and let it sink to the bottom and then rip it up and make a slow steady retrieve just keeping it off the bottom. While this is my top choice, I will also count it down to different depths and work it back slowly as well.On bright, sunny days, I prefer to use Chrome Blue, Chrome Shad, or Chrome Black for the flash to help attract the bass. When it is overcast, I will go with Cell Mate, Nasty Shad, or even Pearl Shad. The thing to remember is to make changes if one isn’t working. Change the color, or the action through the retrieve. Repeated cast is the key, and make fan casts to cover as much water as possible.

SecondMy second choice is a SPRO Jerkbait. My first choice here is a McStick 110. It suspends at a depth of 3-5 feet. If I need it to get deeper, I will go to the McStick 110+1 as it dives 9-12 ft. And I like to use 10 pound Red Label Seaguar Fluorocarbon to achieve it’s maximum depth. For bright days I prefer Chrome, SPRO Blue, or Chrome Shad. And on overcast days I change up to Cell Mate, Matte Shad or Dirty Bone. The secret is to make long casts and work it slow. Vary your jerks and pauses until you find what they want at that time. In the 110+1, the Deadly Black Shad or Blue Bandit are my choices.

ThirdI have really started to get into the swimbaits. And here is where I would throw the SPRO Megalojohn 6 inch swimbait. It has a great thumping action and can be slow rolled or a fast retrieve. But I prefer a slow retrieve this time of year. It comes with a single Gamakatsu treble hook that is held in place by soft bait magnet and a 1.75 ounce weight. Again, long casts are important. I will bump up my line to 12 to 15 pound test. It is a slow bait that can really catch those big winter hawgs.

FourthThe Missile Baits jig is my next choice. We all know that jigs are big bass baits and winter is a great time to use them. Either a Ike’s Flip Out Jig or Head Banger Jig are my top choices. Whether you are working them down the drops, around any submerged structure or any laydowns or brush, the secret is to be ready to set the hook on a hawg. Bruiser, Brown Purple Passion or PB&J are my prime choices for the Head Banger while Bruiser or Brewgill are my top Flip Out colors.The trailer can be the do or die here as well. Winter is when everything moves slow, so you don’t want a trailer with a lot of action. A Missile D Bomb or Baby D Bomb can be a great choice. There is action, but it is more subtle. A Mini D Chunk will offer just a little more action. But don’t overlook a Quiver or Magic Worm that offers a different look without too much action in the cold water.

FifthHere is where we get a little more finesse. A Missile Baits 3.5 inch Shockwave or a Spunk Shad 3.5 on an 1/8 to 1/4 ounce round ball head jig. This is I use a spinning rod set up with a 8- 10 pound fluorocarbon leader to a 10 pound test braid mainline. I prefer a 7’3” to 7’6” medium to medium light action rod with a fast action. This allows me to make long casts and to keep the bass pinned as I work it in. Let it sink to the bottom and work it back.I have been listening to others discuss about different baits that can be used for the winter and it has made me think, think about trying a few this year. One is a spybait, like the Spin John 80. And we can’t forget about the crankbaits, which I love to throw. And you can’t forget about a spinnerbait, my brother’s main bait year round.The main thing is that you need to throw what you have confidence in. Be smart while out there. Wear your life jacket! Bring a complete change of clothes, just in case an accident does happen, and be ready to catch some of the biggest bass of your life. And make sure to share them with us at The BassCast!!

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