Fishing for bass in the wintertime requires an entirely different strategy and a different set of tools. Here are the top 5 products that will help you enjoy winter bass fishing and help you catch more fish.

#5. Abu Garcia Revo Winch Baitcaster

It is a deadly mistake to move your baits quickly in the winter. Now, there are some exceptions to this rule, but generally speaking you need to slow your presentations down quite a bite. And that is where a slow geared baitcaster is crucial to have.

The Abu Garcia Revo Winch has a 5.4:1 gear ratio, meaning its uptake of line per handle revolution is lesser than most reels. This means that when you’re working jigs, crankbaits and other wintertime lures, you are literally forcing yourself to slow down. Using a low-speed gear ratio baitcaster will do wonders for staying at the proper pace.

#4. Under Armour ColdGear Gloves

The hands are the one part of your body no one can seem to keep warm. When you’re fishing, they are getting wet and cold very quickly. I’ve tried a bunch of gloves and it’s always been a trade off between dexterity and warmth. But I’ve found that the Under Armour ColdGear Gloves do the best job for anglers because you can maintain dexterity but have ample protection from the cold. The only drawback is that they are not waterproof.

#3. Bass Pro Shop’s XPS Lazer Blade

The Bass Pro Shop’s XPS Lazer Blade is specifically designed for winter bass fishing applications. This lure can be fished horizontally or vertically, allowing you to slow down and really target drop-offs and ledges with precision.

Simple let it sink to the bottom and give it slight twitches making it pop off the bottom about 1 to 1.5 feet. It is important to let it fall on a semi-slack line as often your bites will come on the fall and you’ll need to have good sensitivity to detect strikes.

#2. Strike King Red Eye Shad Lipless Crankbait

Kevin VanDam has made this lure uber-famous, and rightfully so. This bait is killer in all 4 seasons of the year… especially so in winter. The Red Eye Shad Lipless Crankbait in 1/2 oz. is one of the most effective baits in winter bass fishing because it allows you to cover a lot of water quickly and keep your bait right near the bottom. Unlike a lipped crankbait which you have little control over the consistent running depth, a lipless crankbait will let you sink it to the bottom and swim it back the entire length of retrieve right near the bottom.

#1. Lucky Craft Pointer 78XD Extra Deep Jerkbait

The Lucky Craft Pointer 78XD Jerkbait is my current favorite winter bass fishing lure. This jerkbait is killer because it lets you pause the bait and suspend it right where the bass live for 20-30 seconds at a time. Here’s the key: Cast it out and crank it down to about 5 feet and stop it. Let it sit for 30-40 seconds dead still. Then if you don’t get bit, crank it a little more and let it sit again for 1 minute. If you don’t let it sit that long, you won’t get bit. You have to give the fish time to swim up from the bottom, inspect your lure, and take a bite at it.

If you’re looking for a place to order this stuff, I’m sure Bass Pro Shops has them.

Winter Bass Fishing can be some of the toughest fishing of any time of year. Due to the cold weather, the bass head for their deeper haunts and become very lethargic eating only one or two hours out of the day. It is extremely important to focus your winter bass fishing strategy around solid bass season-migration principles. During the fall of the year, fish move towards the backs of coves and creeks for heavy foraging. When the winter months arrive, the cold weather drives the bass out of the creeks and into the main lake/river to find deeper water. Here are some key tips to consider when fishing in winter:

• Bass will be deeper than in warmer months.
• Fish slower with more subtle movements.
• Winter can bring major low-pressure systems which can cause bass to feed heavily.
• Watch your line intently when fishing plastics as the bite will be soft.

Water temperatures below fifty degrees call for a much different game plan on the water. You should consistently evaluate the body of water you are fishing and determine where the greatest elevation drops are located near key structure. For instance, in the winter you want to find a shallow flat that is located right near a steep ledge that drops off in say twenty or thirty feet. The bass will remain at the bottom of the ledge in the 20-30 feet of water and move up once per day, usually around 2-3pm, to feed on baitfish. If you have a depthfinder, it is good practice to scan the edges of such ledges for any schools of baitfish. When you locate some baitfish, take notice of the depth they are at so you can gauge how deep you need to present your baits.

We cannot stress enough how important having extra sensitivity to strikes in winter is. Winter bass fishing is a true mental and physical challenge and the sad news is you will probably get bites and not even know it. Fish strike baits so soft that it is unlike the majority of strikes you get throughout the warmer seasons of the year. If you feel any resistance whatsoever, by all means set the hook. You do not want a cold water bass to spit your bait out before you can get a handle on the fish. Watch your line and hold your rod lightly with your finger tips for the best sensitivity.