Fishing tip of the week

Fishing Tip of the Week

Wednesday, 12 April 2023 11:22

Cold water baits
Cold water can be your friend or your enemy as bait selection can be key to having success during the cold spells. Baits I have been using for many years, and God willing for many more, have had success, but things change, and sometimes you must adjust. The thing most of my winter baits have in common is, they have caught fist for me for a long time, they are all presented slowly, and they are confidence baits for me.

I always ask customers what their confidence bait is. Most anglers just believe there is some special bait they always catch fish with, and to me, the first bait I grab in the cold of the winter has to be confidence bait. There are many reasons I ask, but the biggest is when you’re positive about what you’re doing, you accomplish better results; so, confidence you can catch a fish on a particular bait is key.

These baits for me, start with a Tight-Line football jig. Jigs are well known for their slow presentation, and in the cold of winter, working a football jig just gets good results and solid fish. An important factor is being able to place and keep a jig in the strike zone – an important part of winter fishing. Bass are very location-sensitive in the cold weather, and being able to place that jig in the strike zone and keep it there can be the difference-maker.

Next is a jerk bait. I know many people believe a jerk bait is like the SPRO-McStick used in active fishing time, but to me there is no better winter bait than a jerk bait. You just have to adjust and slow your presentation down to meet the slower wintertime bite. Pausing is a key ingredient of fishing jerk baits in the winter; letting that bait sit and rock for several seconds at a time can be the difference.

Lastly is the SPRO Aruka Shad rattle bait. It’s consistent and seems to attract the bass well in the cold water. These are all killer baits in the cold water for me – ones I prove yearly that work.

-Captain Mike Gerry