Advanced Jerkbait Tricks For Cold Water Bass Fishing

As cold nights set in and temperatures around the country drop, bass begin acting in peculiar ways. Yes, some of them continue to ambush baitfish in the shallows when they can find it, but many are shifting toward Winter haunts. As these fish gather near outside structures their feeding habits begin to change and the way you target them should as well.

If you live in the Southern half of the country your fish are still feeding aggressively in warmer water than our Northern brethren are currently experiencing. Your fish are most likely actively corralling baitfish in the backs of creeks and coves, feeding voraciously several times each day. During these times an aggressive jerkbait with maximum flash and movement is the key to consistent success. You need to distract these fish from the 1000’s of real prey so they will target the single, injured minnow that you are presenting.

For those in the Northern half of the country, Winter is fast approaching. Many are already seeing freezing temperatures and water temperatures are beginning to plummet. This cold snap marks one of your best opportunities of the year for a giant bass! While many anglers shy away from the cold, you are the stand out who carries on and will be rewarded. When you’re targeting bass in cold water (below 50 degrees) flash becomes less important, the bait’s ability to suspending in place will be the triggering mechanism to make your fish bite.

Below you’ll find links to both styles of jerkbait, the gear we use to throw them, and the terminal tackle we use to modify and perfect this presentation. All links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

If you Could Only Have One Jerkbait…
Bait- Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb
Colors: HT-Ito Tennessee Shad or GP Pro Blue

Aggressive Jerkbaits…
Shallow- Jackall Rerange 110: http://bit.ly/2ge0qED
Colors: Blue Pearl Shad, Silver Shad, Hollow Minnow
Shallow- Lucky Craft Flash Pointer SP: http://bit.ly/2aHz588
Colors: Bone Pro Blue, American Shad, Aurora Black
Midrange- Jackall Rerange MR: https://bit.ly/2CbWr6X
Colors: Hollow Minnow, Silver Shad, Ghost Wakasagi, Blue Pearl Shad

Suspending Cold Water jerkbaits…
Small- Megabass Vision 110 Jr: http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf
Colors: Ito Tennessee Shad, Mat Shad, GG Deadly Black Shad
Standard- Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb
Colors: GP Pro Blue 2, Mat Tenn Shad, Killer Kawaguchi
Deep- Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX
Colors: GP Pro Blue, Mat Shad, GP Skeleton TN
Extra Deep- Megabass Vision 110+2: http://bit.ly/2BLQIBA
Colors: Mat Shad, Ito Tennessee Shad, GP Pro Blue

Hook and Split Ring Upgrades…
Split Ring Replacement- Owner Hyperwire Black (Size 2): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
110 Replacement Hook- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano Treble (Size 5): http://bit.ly/2dWWAut
110 Junior Replacement Hook- Gamakatsu 1X Black (Size 8): https://bit.ly/3oSXVXp

Matt’s Favorite Jerkbait Combo…
Rod- Shimano Expride 6’10” medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8
Line- Sunline Assassin 10 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Alternative Reel: Shimano Curado 70 MGL K: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

Mid-Range Jerkbait Combo…
Rod- Shimano Curado 6’10” Medium: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft
Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL K: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa
Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Jerkbait Combo…
Rod- St. Croix Bass X 6’8″ medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs
Reel- Shimano SLX MGL 70: https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ
Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Other Great Jerkbait Rods…
-Megabass Orochi XX 6’11” Jerkbait Special: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH
-Megabass Destroyer Oneten Special: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY
-G Loomis IMX Pro 812 JBR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi
-St Croix Legend Elite 6’10” Medium: http://bit.ly/2z2qdHc
-Shimano SLX 6’10” Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Related Jerkbait Videos…
Fall Jerkbait Fishing! Everything You Need To Know! (2020): https://youtu.be/mLkjULrvQFA
Winter Jerkbait Fishing- Tricks To Get More Bites (2019): https://youtu.be/_eOGx2ZXkzY

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel…
TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!

#bassfishing #Jerkbait #Winterfishing

Blade Bait Tricks You Need To Try This Fall and Winter!

Most anglers have no idea how to fish a blade bait effectively. They might know that its traditionally considered a cold water lure but they have no idea it can be fished shallow around grass, worked aggressively, and even substituted for a lipless crankbait. Blades have so many uses in Fall and Winter, you really need to experience it for yourself.

Traditionally the blade bait is hopped slowly along the bottom in cold water. It gives a slight vibration on the hop then “dies” and flutters back to bottom. Its remarkably effective for trophy smallmouth in frigid water but for the average angler, its applications stop there. That original cold water use is still effective and should be a part of your Winter arsenal but today is about expanding how you fish the blade bait. We use 2 retrieves throughout the Fall to get consistent bites.

When the bottom is free of debris we fish the blade on the bottom. We use the exact same hopping motion as we use for the LV-500 to trigger a feed response. While that application is very traditional, you might be surprised to find out we often do it in 2-10 feet of water. The blade is not just a deep water bait, its incredibly effective in the shallows as well! The 2nd retrieve is a burning retrieve.

We cast and wind the blade much like a traditional lipless crankbait, ripping it free when it comes in contact with grass or other debris. When fish have been pressured by tournaments or negative weather conditions, the switch to the silent vibration of a blade bait is deadly. Blade bait season is just beginning, you need to get out and give it a try!

Below you’ll find links to our favorite blade baits along with the rods, reels, and gear we use to fish these baits effectively. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Traditional Blades…
-Silver Buddy: http://bit.ly/2AcTelj
Preferred Colors: Silver Plated, Stainless Steel
-Blade Runner Blade Bait: http://bit.ly/2XMNoQj
Preferred Colors: Natural Shad, Chartreuse White

Custom-Style Blades…
-Megabass Vibration X: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL
Preferred Colors: Ito Hiuo, Jukocho Shad, Craw, Gill OB
-Damiki Vault: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2
Preferred Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad, Red Craw, Flash Gill
-Jackall Keeburn: http://bit.ly/2or8sy0
Preferred Colors: Clear Shad, Dera Shad, Red Tiger, Silver

Hook and Hardware Upgrades…
-Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 2): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
-Owner STX-38 Treble (Size 8): http://bit.ly/2oNIeCD

Tim’s Favorite Blade Bait…
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK
Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL K XG: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 12 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Matt’s Favorite Blade Bait Combo…
Rod- Shimano Expride 6’10” Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Aldebaran 50 MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8
Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Blade Bait Combo…
Rod- St. Croix Bass X 7’1″ Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs
Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Line- Power Pro 30 lb Braided: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel…
TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
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Equipment We Recommend…

Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: http://bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: http://bit.ly/2CMF1NP

Favorite Storage Box: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: http://bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: http://bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
________________________________________________________________

If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!

#bassfishing #Winter #blade