Best Winter Bass Fishing Lures in 2023
For winter bass fishing, there are a few different kinds of lures you can use. These include Curly tail jigs, Football head jigs, Bucktail jigs, and Jerkbaits. Each one has its own specific action and technique.
Curly tail jigs
If you want to catch bass this winter, you should try fishing with jigs with curly tails. These baits are designed to attract both perch and bass. They are made of plastic, and you can thread the tail of the bait on a jighead.
These baits can be used for both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. They are most effective when used with jigheads of 4 to 5 inches. Longer shank jigheads are also a good idea for these baits. The best part is that you don’t have to buy a fancy rig to use these baits.
To use these baits in winter, anglers should position the boat over a depth of at least 20 to 25 feet. They should then pitch the jig near a ledge bank and slowly work it down the rock shelf. It is important to remember that strikes in the winter are less noticeable than strikes in warmer months. Therefore, anglers should make sure to watch the tip of the rod when pitching the jig.
The bucktail or hair jig is another lure that is excellent for winter fishing. This soft plastic lure has a thin tail that wiggles when the fish are being lured. The body of these baits is predominantly ribbed, although some have smooth bodies. They usually have a single tail, but you may even find two-headed ones.
Football head jigs
Football head jigs are an excellent choice for winter bass fishing. They are great for fishing rocky, irregular bottom areas, where bass hide out during the winter. These jigs are ideal for fishing along rocks and shellbeds. You can even use them along deep ledges. Just make sure you apply sufficient pressure to get a strike! Otherwise, you may find that your football jig will tip over!
When fishing with a football head jig, it is essential to use the correct technique and the right kind of jig trailer. This decision is important because the jig trailer that you use can have a significant impact on the fish’s decision to strike. To learn more about the correct fishing technique, check out these four key factors.
A football head jig is designed to simulate the strike of a bottom-feeding bluegill and is highly effective in deeper water. It has a football-shaped head which gives it an unusual commotion that attracts bass. This makes it one of the most effective lures for bass fishing. You can even use a heavier spinning tackle when fishing with this type of jig.
A football head jig is an excellent choice for winter bass fishing. The most popular type of football head jig is a leadhead jig, which is designed to appeal to lethargic bass. The jig should be presented slowly, and you should aim for low, dirty water when fishing in the winter.
Bucktail jigs
In order to use a bucktail jig successfully for winter bass fishing, it is important to choose a large-weighted lure with action. A live minnow is an excellent choice. Position yourself parallel to the drop-off and retrieve the lure from shallow to deeper water. When the lure hits bottom, anglers should keep the rod tip pointing straight down. Then, reel up the slack line.
Bucktail jigs work well in shallow, rocky areas. They can also be used in areas with white-water surf. If you are fishing the North Shore of Massachusetts, these jigs can be effective. If you are fishing in a white-water environment, you can try using a wooden egg float and heavy monofilament.
This type of lure works best in water below 40 degrees and is best fished by using a bucktail jig tied in black or brown. It also works well when fished under structures. Bucktail jigs can be tipped with a small pork frog to trigger more strikes. Bucktail jigs are also excellent choices for targeting chunk rock banks at 45 degrees. The colder water makes it a prime place for bass to suspend, which makes this jig an excellent choice for targeting them.
While hair jigs have visual appeal above the water, they are not as effective as bucktail jigs. Generally, hair jigs have a very small profile above the water. Hair jigs are often tied with bucktail and come in sizes from 1 inch to 6 inches.
Jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are one of the most effective lures for winter bass fishing. They have the right combination of action, vibration, and flash to attract and keep bass. Many anglers guard their cold-water jerkbait secrets, but others are happy to share their tips. During winter, jerkbait fishing can be just as productive as fishing during the fall and spring. The quantity of fish may not be as large, but the quality of fish is worth the effort.
A suspended jerkbait should be fished slowly but consistently. Avoid slow-rising or sinking jerkbaits, as they won’t give you enough time in the strike zone. You should also choose a color that matches the hatch. For instance, a perch pattern will work best when the fish are in high concentrations, while a shad pattern will be effective when the shad are schooling.
When winter bass are in high concentrations, they will typically be in shallower waters. This means that they will be located on different structures, such as chunk rock banks or secondary points. In this way, they are not exerting much energy to chase the bait. However, they will react to your jerkbait if it mimics this action.
For cold-water jerkbaits, you should use a thin line for maximum impact. The thin line will allow the lure to dive deeper. For example, a 12 pound fluorocarbon line will dive four to six feet, while a thicker line will allow the lure to remain shallow.
Texas or Carolina rigged worms
The Texas or Carolina rigged worm is an excellent lure for winter bass fishing. These rigs have a hook that is set at a 90-degree angle and an eyelet that protects the hook’s tip from vegetation. These rigs are effective for reaching deep bass, but there are a few things to keep in mind to get the most out of them.
One way to make a worm more effective in winter bass fishing is to add salt to it. This will attract bass to the lure. When using salty worms, it’s best to fish them slowly with intermittent pauses. The bass will often hit the lure right after a pause. The Carolina rig’s 18-inch leader will keep your lure right in the bass’ strike zone and prevent the worm from getting too heavy.
The Texas rig is effective during the fall and winter months, when bass move into shallow water to feed on baitfish. During these months, you can use creature baits or finesse worms with this rig. A Texas rigged worm is also very effective when used with a plastic lizard.
Whether you prefer a Texas rigged or Carolina rigged worm for winter bass fishing, both rigs are effective for pre-spawning bass fishing. The Carolina rig works better in areas where fish go deep and are in dense cover. It works best in areas where there is large brush buildup or grass.
Best Winter Bass Fishing Lures in 2023
For winter bass fishing, there are a few different kinds of lures you can use. These include Curly tail jigs, Football head jigs, Bucktail jigs, and Jerkbaits. Each one has its own specific action and technique.
Curly tail jigs
If you want to catch bass this winter, you should try fishing with jigs with curly tails. These baits are designed to attract both perch and bass. They are made of plastic, and you can thread the tail of the bait on a jighead.
These baits can be used for both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. They are most effective when used with jigheads of 4 to 5 inches. Longer shank jigheads are also a good idea for these baits. The best part is that you don’t have to buy a fancy rig to use these baits.
To use these baits in winter, anglers should position the boat over a depth of at least 20 to 25 feet. They should then pitch the jig near a ledge bank and slowly work it down the rock shelf. It is important to remember that strikes in the winter are less noticeable than strikes in warmer months. Therefore, anglers should make sure to watch the tip of the rod when pitching the jig.
The bucktail or hair jig is another lure that is excellent for winter fishing. This soft plastic lure has a thin tail that wiggles when the fish are being lured. The body of these baits is predominantly ribbed, although some have smooth bodies. They usually have a single tail, but you may even find two-headed ones.
Football head jigs
Football head jigs are an excellent choice for winter bass fishing. They are great for fishing rocky, irregular bottom areas, where bass hide out during the winter. These jigs are ideal for fishing along rocks and shellbeds. You can even use them along deep ledges. Just make sure you apply sufficient pressure to get a strike! Otherwise, you may find that your football jig will tip over!
When fishing with a football head jig, it is essential to use the correct technique and the right kind of jig trailer. This decision is important because the jig trailer that you use can have a significant impact on the fish’s decision to strike. To learn more about the correct fishing technique, check out these four key factors.
A football head jig is designed to simulate the strike of a bottom-feeding bluegill and is highly effective in deeper water. It has a football-shaped head which gives it an unusual commotion that attracts bass. This makes it one of the most effective lures for bass fishing. You can even use a heavier spinning tackle when fishing with this type of jig.
A football head jig is an excellent choice for winter bass fishing. The most popular type of football head jig is a leadhead jig, which is designed to appeal to lethargic bass. The jig should be presented slowly, and you should aim for low, dirty water when fishing in the winter.
Bucktail jigs
In order to use a bucktail jig successfully for winter bass fishing, it is important to choose a large-weighted lure with action. A live minnow is an excellent choice. Position yourself parallel to the drop-off and retrieve the lure from shallow to deeper water. When the lure hits bottom, anglers should keep the rod tip pointing straight down. Then, reel up the slack line.
Bucktail jigs work well in shallow, rocky areas. They can also be used in areas with white-water surf. If you are fishing the North Shore of Massachusetts, these jigs can be effective. If you are fishing in a white-water environment, you can try using a wooden egg float and heavy monofilament.
This type of lure works best in water below 40 degrees and is best fished by using a bucktail jig tied in black or brown. It also works well when fished under structures. Bucktail jigs can be tipped with a small pork frog to trigger more strikes. Bucktail jigs are also excellent choices for targeting chunk rock banks at 45 degrees. The colder water makes it a prime place for bass to suspend, which makes this jig an excellent choice for targeting them.
While hair jigs have visual appeal above the water, they are not as effective as bucktail jigs. Generally, hair jigs have a very small profile above the water. Hair jigs are often tied with bucktail and come in sizes from 1 inch to 6 inches.
Jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are one of the most effective lures for winter bass fishing. They have the right combination of action, vibration, and flash to attract and keep bass. Many anglers guard their cold-water jerkbait secrets, but others are happy to share their tips. During winter, jerkbait fishing can be just as productive as fishing during the fall and spring. The quantity of fish may not be as large, but the quality of fish is worth the effort.
A suspended jerkbait should be fished slowly but consistently. Avoid slow-rising or sinking jerkbaits, as they won’t give you enough time in the strike zone. You should also choose a color that matches the hatch. For instance, a perch pattern will work best when the fish are in high concentrations, while a shad pattern will be effective when the shad are schooling.
When winter bass are in high concentrations, they will typically be in shallower waters. This means that they will be located on different structures, such as chunk rock banks or secondary points. In this way, they are not exerting much energy to chase the bait. However, they will react to your jerkbait if it mimics this action.
For cold-water jerkbaits, you should use a thin line for maximum impact. The thin line will allow the lure to dive deeper. For example, a 12 pound fluorocarbon line will dive four to six feet, while a thicker line will allow the lure to remain shallow.
Texas or Carolina rigged worms
The Texas or Carolina rigged worm is an excellent lure for winter bass fishing. These rigs have a hook that is set at a 90-degree angle and an eyelet that protects the hook’s tip from vegetation. These rigs are effective for reaching deep bass, but there are a few things to keep in mind to get the most out of them.
One way to make a worm more effective in winter bass fishing is to add salt to it. This will attract bass to the lure. When using salty worms, it’s best to fish them slowly with intermittent pauses. The bass will often hit the lure right after a pause. The Carolina rig’s 18-inch leader will keep your lure right in the bass’ strike zone and prevent the worm from getting too heavy.
The Texas rig is effective during the fall and winter months, when bass move into shallow water to feed on baitfish. During these months, you can use creature baits or finesse worms with this rig. A Texas rigged worm is also very effective when used with a plastic lizard.
Whether you prefer a Texas rigged or Carolina rigged worm for winter bass fishing, both rigs are effective for pre-spawning bass fishing. The Carolina rig works better in areas where fish go deep and are in dense cover. It works best in areas where there is large brush buildup or grass.
