Cold Water Crankbait Tricks For Big Bass In Winter

[@chrisgee848]

Well this really confirms my cold water cranking experience in the winter/early spring. It all makes sense now! I've caught my PB twice in the coldest water temp months on a pre rap wiggle wart.

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! Congrats Chris!

[@controlavirus9839]

I really like how professional you guys always are. I would like to see you two fish on a tour. Bass opens or elites or flw. I think y’all would do great

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you! We both used to fish a lot of tournaments. Maybe someday but for now we are more interested in teaching and helping other anglers. - Tim

[@bassdojo]

They need to make a Team professional series! Paired teammates would be way more entertaining. Like watching the college series. These guys would crush it!

[@cameronboake]

Crankbaits in cold water can really narrow down and create efficiencies if you know what you are targeting. Love it for late fall up here in Northern Ontario. Yet another quality video gentleman.

[@kirkhasty]

Thanks for all you guys do for us and for giving us free information. It tends to surprise me when people make comments that they expect you guys to answer everyone's questions. The reason Matt and Tim do so well on the water is they are busy on the water! If you truly want to learn everything you can from these guys Matt is a guide and go pay for a day out on the water with him. I am planning to do that soon and when we all are getting free information you have to understand they have lives and families and fishing to do. They are not sitting there and answering every KZbin comment people ask. Besides many of them are answered if you subscribe to their channel they talk about their gear and stuff all the time so we all know what they use and their preferences. This is how you hone your craft which for them is fishing if they spent a bunch of time answering KZbin questions all day, they would not have time to continually share things with us and keep honing their own personal skills.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you for understanding Kirk! We try and read every comment. The amount of comments and questions we get across all of our social media platforms and email is mind blowing. We appreciate all of our viewers and answer a lot of their questions. There just isn't enough time in a day to produce 3 videos a week and answer everybody's questions too, but we try our best.

[@telemarkmann6870]

Matt, Clear Lake must be one of the most fertile lakes in the country. Every time you and Tim stop to do a wrap up near shore bait fish are jumping like crazy in the background. I can go fishing multiple times and not see that degree of activity especially in the fall months.

[@tacticalbassin]

It is a lot of the time. It definitely goes in cycles. Sometimes in the summer we get a bad algae bloom, but we have a lot of shad, silversides, baby bluegill and crappie.

[@codyphillips977]

Don’t forget.. they aren’t stopped in any old random spot. They are in the JUICE !

[@beverlyphilbeck663]

Hey Matt, tried this today in NC. We have had temps down in the teens but I came way the only one who caught fish! Thanks for the advice, keep posting those videos!

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome!!!

[@jamescorsiglia8997]

Tim and Matt, congratulations on your great success selling out the first run of cranks, the first week on market! I look forward to giving this technique a try. Living in an hour south of Wisconsin there is plenty of cold water here already.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you so much James!

[@erniesanders3724]

As usual another great video from the best bass fishermen on the internet. Thanks for the tips Matt and Tim. Awesome.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Ernie!

[@jasonnichols1099]

tacticalbassin I used your tips yesterday at my local lake as we had a warm day and caught 54 total. 12 were over 14 inches. Best advice I've found and very accurate...thanks for the vids!!

[@tacticalbassin]

That's awesome! Congratulations!

[@michaelfischerbassmaster]

Dear Matt, Happy holidays to Tim and you and your families! This is my favorite KZbin channel. While the crankbaits you recommend seem awesome I'd note in the Great Lakes region my cold water crankbaits have 3 attributes: 1. Suspend when paused 2. Tight wiggles 3. Thin (flatside) bodies All the crankbaits you suggest seem to buck some or all of these critical attributes. I am willing to compare and contrast based on your recommendation. Why do these crankbaits you recommend outperform thin bodied suspending crankbaits in cold water?

[@r.barefoot8386]

This was an eye-opener for me. I’ve had some great days fishing crankbaits in cold, nasty weather here in TX, but I’ve never really understood how or why and usually struggle with repeating that success. Hopefully I’ll be able to get more consistency out of winter cranking now. Thanks guys!

[@BrettHalverson]

Thank you for the education, I would have never known about or how to use 3/4 of the lures that caught fish for me this year without your videos. All of my family says I'm addicted to fishing now and they're right but it's way more fun to go out and actually catch fish and I do that by learning from you guys and practice. Thank you again and I hope the new products continue to sell out. May you and your families continue to be blessed.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you so much Brett! We're just happy to help.

[@MrDraketoby]

Best fishing information/duo currently out there. Matt and Tim y’all are killing it!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks Bud!

[@_Mr.Giraffe]

You filmed this video differently than your normal. I like this a lot. Reminds me a little of how you filmed the jerk bait video not too long ago. I’m too excited to get my hands on the new bait. Thank you guys so much for giving us a new way to keep winter fishing interesting!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Paul! Let us know what you think when it arrives.

[@_Mr.Giraffe]

TacticalBassin absolutely will do!

[@ChRiStRiDa7]

I love the tactical dd! I caught my first largemouth for this bait today, and I have been catching trophy size trout on them as well!

[@SeriousAnglerBassFishing]

Talk about perfect timing. Will be ordering these cranks.

[@karlotoorosian5211]

I just got my order in, wow what a awesome looking bait. I never throw a crankbait let alone in the winter. I live in So Cal and all our lakes here are crystal clear and deep. I'm going out to El Capitan Lake on Friday will be fishing these baits hard all day and will give you guys an update.

[@tacticalbassin]

Good luck! We're rooting for you!!

[@taddbednar9957]

When you're so good at fishing, "Whoops, there's a fish".

[@wesleyburke4551]

By far best channel on yt for educational fishing videos

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Wesley!

[@escalade8759]

Thanks Matt and Happy New Year! Our water is extremely cold in St. Louis. I was out on the lake yesterday in freezing wind and water and got no bite. This info should help a lot. Temps should reach 55 today.

[@redneckanonymous7980]

I had a crank that I bought from Bass Pro a few years ago that had the wide head like the DD 75, tight wiggle and it was absolutely my go to. I had so much confidence in it. It seemed almost magical lol. When I saw the DD 75, I just had to have some. I ordered 4 of the DD 75s, but gonna have to wait on backorder.

[@howweroll7]

still fall in Ca. November 19th 2019 I was at lake berryessa yesterday fishing in a tank top and shorts..... 72* and got skunked

[@eels1212]

You have to find the shad! Berryessa is fire right now!

[@mrmalone28]

That’s what you get! Bragging about your stupid weather! Do you know Greg?

[@ronk6553]

For numbers yes. The size has been lower lately. Storm rolling in tomorrow should be fire.

[@damionphillips3177]

I miss that weather! I used to live in Napa, now I live in plumas county n I'm bank fishing in a foot of snow trying to catch a bass lol.

[@gpharned]

4 coming in today!! Fishing Table Rock this weekend. I'm excited.

[@kevinma6103]

I needed this. I live in massachusetts so it freezing and the fish just never bite when its cold

[@gerryhazelton9569]

Facts tough when it’s cold 🥶 I live in Rhode Island same thing gotta try these tricks .

[@timmaynard1394]

Matt, what are your thoughts on flat side crankbaits for winter such as dt flat rapalas, bagleys, and other balsa types? I'd love to see you do a video dedicated to this! Maybe even a video dedicated to shadraps? I'm a huge fan btw, this is my number one channel!

[@ClayWilliamson]

The bomber deep flat a is a really effective cold water crank too.. it mostly catches bigs too!

[@hammer9856]

watching the shad jump and the bass boil on them right behind him during the video... LOL ...Also love it that he caught one as he is talking... "Let me get this one out of the way..."

[@tacticalbassin]

Definitely helps prove the point. Thanks for watching!

[@AjLynn45thParallelFishing]

The 6th Sense Curve & that Rock Crawler have been loading the boat in cold water for me on Brown Bass for a while. Looking forward to trying your bait ~ Nicely Done

[@itszach6808]

I am headed to Fork after thanksgiving. Sure hoping to pull a couple big ones out with a crank bait

[@adamegan8960]

Once again another extremely informative, well detailed video from Matt Allen and TacticalBassin

[@waynelagarde7956]

Cant wait to stick some Giants on your new crank bait. Great video as always.

[@timtillfishing5906]

You guys always put out the best content keep it up appreciate all you guys do at taticalbassin much respect to you all

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you!

[@ricardoalvear8765]

I wish i was a robot down load all this knowledge to my brain when i go to store and just know what i want to get. then head to Fishing apparel and get me some sandals , like Matt .

[@mikemcd8408]

Very excited about cold water cranking - I have some of your cranks arriving this afternoon. Two questions about this video: 1- how cold was the water when you were shooting? 2- When you fish these braid-to-leader, how long of a mono leader are you using?

[@tacticalbassin]

Mike great questions! I cant remember the water temp or if I even looked while filming but the leader length depends on depth and water clarity. Typically 8-12ft but sometimes more in clearer water.

[@mikemcd8408]

@@tacticalbassin Thanks for the reply - I was just re-watching a 2016 video on leader lengths to try to remember. Thanks for all the time ya'll put in making videos and answering the questions you can - I have no doubt that I've become a better and more thoughtful angler since I started watching your videos.

[@jonahhale4665]

So which jackall crank were you guys talking about?

[@GeorgiaBassmaster]

Thanks for the video, usually all I fish is a jig but I will have to try out a crankbait. I’ll have to buy one of y’all cranks too!

[@GeorgiaBassmaster]

Stoney Lonsome usually all I fish is a jig in the winter but I fish them all year as well!

[@getn_bit4363]

You will be waiting until March unfortunately

[@256bassfishing]

Hey Matt. I have a question for you. Have you ever tried the Azuma Square Boss? I bought one recently because I heard it actually suspends/slow sinks. So far it has been performing really well and wanted your take on it. Thanks.

[@ronaldstewart3400]

Great video guys as always, my dad ordered us a couple of ur cranks should be here next week... Just curious when u just plan on going out to crank this time of year or say early spring where do u guys head first on a lake? Secondary points,main lake points etc...thanks and hope ur guys families have a great holiday

[@CaliRootstoTennesseeBoots]

You guys have a fantastic shallow lake that is Clear Lake you do so many of your videos from. I am from central CA and wondered if you've used your techniques on our local likes such as Kaweah, Pine Flat, Lake Success, Bass Lake, or Millerton Lake and if so how successful were you? I will have to try this winter crank technique.

[@rickystone6619]

Thanks for the information. I have done a similar technic in the cold water months here in Arkansas. We slow role old school Shad Raps.

[@tacticalbassin]

Nice!! Very similar.

[@bassjunkie4881]

I have a hard time with Crankbaits anytime of year here in these little south Jersey ponds I hope that I can get a few on these thanks man

[@tonebassin2571]

I feel you I'm in south jersey as well the cranking ain't working for me either. Let's see if this helps just ordered a couple

[@mynameisnotcory]

Tone Bassin dont skimp on those 1-2ft diving squarebills or even wakebaits on smaller line to get down deeper...wakebaits on 8lb test used to be my winter go to in indiana neighborhood ponds!

[@rustyshacklfur4705]

I'm in Salem co. and I been smashing em especially when that winds been blowing. The jerkbaits been doin heavy work, just have to see what they want. There's a suspending rattletrap that has been a good searchbait, not to hard to find it.

[@ShortMega321]

Would love to see a video discussing when you guys use straight braid, braid to leader, or straight flouro, and why.

[@ahastar1141]

I think the did a vid o this summer or spring specifically on leaders and why he uses different ones

[@yomangi]

You mention Jackall. What was the name of that lure?

[@UltimateNinja1984]

I have been fishing this 12 acre stocked farm pond with medium diving cranks. By the dam of the pond is 8 to 11ft. I use ole Bomber model As and Poes 1100. Been doing good.

[@butchfarmer9131]

I have been using these baits now for over a year .I find learning how to use them was harder than I thought it would be .I have found walking them on bottom works best in my lakes when they hit something hard just stop and thats when the bite will come .These guys no their business for sure.

[@JuanGomez-jk7ph]

Just ordered my dd75 dd minnow can't wait it's cold here in Ohio so can't wait to see how the bait does in our beautiful cold great lakes

[@lespaulguitarist92]

but the wiggle wart has a wide wobble action.. why does it do well in cold water??

[@theinquisitiveoutdoorsman4474]

Is the Jackall you're referring to the Muscle Deep series? Or another one?

[@davidhidalgo5662]

Priceless. First cast and Whoops, there's a fish. There was a bunch of cranks for cold water then there was one "Tactical DD"

[@joshuabean846]

What about a Shad Rap? Y'alls lure looks awesome!

[@platinumhandymansolutions]

Could you do a video explaining every technique you use braid for and braid with leader and no braid. That would be helpful. Thank you guys for videos.

[@timmaynard1394]

This is an awesome wintertime pattern and I also like the traditional winter cranking method of slow rolling a flat side on a 5 to 1 reel. The thing I have trouble with though is figuring out when to use which. Speed cranking the dd75 for a feed response or crawling a deep bomber flat a for a reaction response? I not sure. I'd be interested to hear anyone else's opinion on this

[@daviddawson5136]

What jackall bait were you referencing?

[@jornberg04able]

This is one of my favorite videos. And I've seen everyone, about to order a few tactical dds keep it up guys!!

[@hilldwler420]

My personal bests have been caught on a double willow strike king copper hammered blades chartreuse skirt and a SYS1 rattle trap.

[@greenpighunter6930]

Thanks.Cold Weather Speed Cranking. I needed another rabbit hole to wander down.😁

[@tacticalbassin]

😂

[@davidroy7966]

What’s the discontinued jackall bait?

[@briancrosby1093]

What baits would you use in a tidle river with heavy wood and deep big curves

[@trentonfowler5987]

Number 7 shad rap black back has been my dad's go to cold water crank since I was a kid

[@tacticalbassin]

That is a good one too!

[@edmonddantes132]

Before I fished for bass, during winter time we would troll rapalas for trout around this island, when we went too shallow the rapala would hit the bottom and we would catch bass, they were kind of a nuisance at the time! Lol

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

Great video! Question can you get that same stop action if you use monofilament like you would with braid?

[@cameronbeasley9093]

You guys are on another level compared to everyone else!

[@robertbain2435]

Just got my Tactical DD Crankbaits from TW. Got one tied on. Hope I get a chance to get it wet on Sunday.

[@Kris-ih6yd]

Usually you guys preach about hook upgrades, do you recommend changing the hooks on your new bait?

[@darrinsloppieejoefranklin6511]

Have you guys thought about coming out with your own technique specific rods? That would help a lot of people, especially us co anglers.

[@BankBassTV]

Oh man...i ordered your mirror minnow. I see it's on back order but i ordered it anyway. Sorry I'm late. I really wanted to try out the cold water cranking during February and March here in Georgia on lake thurmond using your signature bait.

[@culliganman578]

What’s your defention of cold water cranking tho? Like cold water in Cali or cold water in NW Montana? Water temps at 35 degrees? So many questions. No detailed enough because we fisherman up north have different forage different species of bass ext. because you can not barley catch a crank bait bass here when the water temps are that low, and trust me I have tried for a decade.

[@richardbossman9875]

Didn't see it asked but is the buoyancy/ rate of rise after the pause a factor? Is there any benefit to having a suspending bait when using this technique?

[@4ReelFishing]

Having been to Lake Cumberland in KY, what color would you recommend for Fall/Early Winter as well as a color for late March/early April? Thanks!!! Big Congratulations on your success!!! We deserved...

[@Edward-ci8yl]

Where in the country are you , your in Texas it is warmer then PA. The water here get colder here,will it work in 40 degree water?

[@F22_Brian]

Can you guys look into the Powell infernos, I think they are better then both the dobyns fury and the slx

[@qbird2397]

Great video Matt. Definitely going to be stocking up on that new bait. Was the Jackall crankbait you talked about the MC60MR? Love that bait.

[@benmocnik6050]

Could this technique be used up north just after the ice melts off the water?

[@alexandroortega7636]

Congrats your videos are awesome, they help me catch fish on the surf! Believe it or not. Can you guys design a lure to be casted from the beach ?

[@6thSenseJunkie]

Finally got one of my Tactical DD in Metallic Shad. Water is at 55 degrees. Hopefully I’ll get into some prespawn monsters. Anxiously awaiting my other 2 baits. Blood craw and Minnow.

[@roninmax8189]

I catch a lot of my biggest bass of the year burning and pausing lipless Crankbaits from Nov.-March, would you guys consider this to be the same thing?

[@tacticalbassin]

Similar yes same concept but the crank deflects and pauses better.

[@drumandball]

That curve55 is nasty. Gonna have to let that one hold me over until I get your new R2S crank once it’s back in stock in a few months

[@bassinassassin9077]

Absolutely nobody makes better tip videos & that is just facts 🔥🔥🔥 #BassinAssassin

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you!

[@tonebassin2571]

Mines comes in tomorrow can't wait. Thanks for video

[@rcspur1975]

What’s the name of the jackall crank?

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

I can't wait to get some of these on my tackle box,thank you Matt and Tim 👊👊👍

[@yokken]

Matt/Tim, any thoughts on whether this would work during cold pre-prespawn? In northern Minnesota we could have 40-45F water on season opener and I feel like these cranks might work well during that time, before fish have started bulking up for the spawn. (I'm also going to attempt using these cranks on lake trout who love cold, deep water!) Thanks for the awesome video as usual guys, keep up the amazing work!

[@tacticalbassin]

It will absolutely work in that situation. Those fish will lose their minds for it! We've actually done extremely well on smallies year round with them... its not just cold water but that's definitely where it shines.

[@rustyshacklfur4705]

I'm in South NJ and almost all our water is very shallow. Would it be possible to replicate that technique at 4ft with a DD75? I've been catching em on crush flats fairly well and have had them almost run into my boot when I burn a bait back in 44F water so I know the reaction is there if the frequency is right.

[@michaelmoore2498]

Hey Matt, what kind of tackle box are you keeping these baits in? I see the narrow slots in the box on your deck.

[@jehill87]

I was wondering the same thing

[@davidbaker9271]

Yeah I got me some new baits coming hopefully by Saturday thanks for all the info you guys are the best

[@SupairDup]

seems like this is much more like northern clear water guys crank for smallmouth or spots (or even walleye): keeping the bait above the fish and less dependent on grinding bottom like deep cranking ledges and brushpiles for southern largemouth.

[@lstaples007]

What's up fellas, the mad scientists at it again... Keep it coming boys👍... I would like to get a few of your DD R2S cranks, I'm in Loveland, CO area we don't have alot of shad so for colors what would you recommend? Thx!

[@tacticalbassin]

The craws or the gill will be great choices for you. 👍 Thank you for the support!

[@salvatoredemasi956]

This really helps. All your videos do and I just want to say thanks for that

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you!

[@yz9013]

I can not wait for the 2019 buyer guide! My money is ready.

[@tacticalbassin]

Get Ready!

[@Reelentlessbassfishing]

What do I need line wise to fish your bait in 5-6 ft of water. We fish all smaller ponds and lakes for tournaments. The technique may not be applicable just figured I'd ask. Loved the vids and have learned a ton watching...

[@tacticalbassin]

Probably easier to use a squarebill in your situation.

[@raneyoutdoors9676]

How would y’all cranbaits do on a 7’2 MHG Zodias or the 7’6????

[@Born2Fish1219]

Wondering the same thing

[@tacticalbassin]

They 7'2" would be great, the 7'6" is a lot more rod than you need. Not that it couldn't be done, but its more than necessary.

[@Born2Fish1219]

@@tacticalbassin I dont have the budget (that I can get my wife to agree to) to buy another cranking rod so would braid be my better option to counter the bend of the glass 7'6?

[@getn_bit4363]

Is it possible to get the bait higher in the water with the braid/mono leader ?

[@joegross5902]

When you run braid how does it effect the depth? And if you run mono will it run deeper or shallower. If you have 12lb. Flouro compared to 12lb. Mono. Or do you not suggest mono in the colder months. Thanks and God Bless

[@tacticalbassin]

Braid will run slightly shallower than fluorocarbon. We just don't use mono in Winter, its not reactive enough as the mono absorbs all the stop and go movements.

[@joegross5902]

@@tacticalbassin thank you. Congratulations and great job designing your new crank. Attention to detail, knowledge, and the want to only produce the best bait possible, plus working with a great company like R2S. That could only result in a great crank-bait.

[@fisherofmen9897]

I live in East TN and im curious about how "cold" water and ambient temp. it gets in your neck of the woods?

[@godzilla882]

Can you fish cold water crackbaits with gear ratio 7.0.1, 7.3.1 or 8.1.1?

[@justinmanter1597]

How do you guys feel about the hardware that R2S is putting on these? Should I stick with it a while or should I put hyperwires and EWG trebles on?

[@andrewvolcom11]

So with the DD and DeepX do you wanna keep in on bottom contact while speed cracking or does it matter with this technique

[@Jeremy5000i]

Great video as always!💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@MjHavasu43]

Thank you Matt and Tim for the great videos. would you recommend a SLX rod for this cold water cranking and which one they all seem to be fast to extra fast action.

[@tacticalbassin]

I really wouldn't use an SLX for this, they're all too fast. The Bass X comes in some solid options 👍

[@MjHavasu43]

@@tacticalbassin Thank you I'm going to try the Bass X.

[@allencameron8791]

Great tips matt,appreciate You and tim,tactical is such an important part of the week,knowledge is king

[@vaughnprecision]

Just placed my order.! Sure hope I can start catching some winter bass..!