Blade Bait Tricks For Cold Winter Bass

Today we're on Clearlake throwing Blade Baits for Winter Bass. The blade is deadly in cold water and the bass on Clearlake don't know what hit them! If you're looking to catch more fish this Winter, take note as Matt teaches about the different baits, colors, and equipment to be effective with this awesome technique!
The blade bait finds its roots in cold water smallmouth bass fishing but its effectiveness reaches far beyond its original purpose. Big largemouth can't resist a blade, even in warmer water temps. If your bass have gone deep for Winter but you don't want to reach for finesse tackle, the blade is your best option to elicit a feed response.
With all of the new blades on the market in recent years its hard to know where to start. Which baits work the best? Why are there so many different colors? And what do you do with those stock double hooks? Matt is catching a ton of fish on the blade today but he still stops to answer all these questions and more along the way. Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment he used in the video.
Today's baits...
-Megabass Dyna Response (Jerking Gill): bit.ly/2R7FlvL
-Jackall Keeburn (Silver): bit.ly/2or8sy0
-Damiki Vault (Black Holo): bit.ly/2rnO7e2
Other Great Blade Baits...
-Silver Buddy: bit.ly/2AcTelj
-Blade Runner: bit.ly/2XMNoQj
-Binsky Vibrating Blade: bit.ly/2mR2Vwe
Matt's Favorite Blade Bait Combo (jerkbait combo)...
Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Aldebaran 50 MGL HG: bit.ly/2uQ4oH8
Line- Sunline Assassin 10 lb Fluorocarbon: bit.ly/2h4LNjm
Matt's Braided Line Combo...
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 812 JBR: bit.ly/2QurcHi
Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: bit.ly/2n8DghB
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 10 lb Mono: bit.ly/2ae97J9
Hook Upgrades...
Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 2: bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Split Ring Pliers- Texas Tackle: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Hook- Owner ST-36 Size 6: bit.ly/2cWpeyw
Hook- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano Treble Size 5 and 6: bit.ly/2dWWAut
NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel...
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: bit.ly/2TwBWs7
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: bit.ly/2FVD9Rs
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: bit.ly/2TvFMBD
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: bit.ly/38cVi9G
_________________________________________________________________
What we wear...
Sun Mask: bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: bit.ly/38cVi9G
Light Fishing Pants: bit.ly/2foDx10
Reaper Hoodie (Hoodie with Warm Face Cover built in): bit.ly/2TwBWs7
Horizon Sweater (Water resistant, great for layering): bit.ly/2gTC1oB
_________________________________________________________________
Equipment We Recommend...
Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: bit.ly/2CMF1NP
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
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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!

[@mflettre6711]

I imagine that I were out fishing with Matt, he’d say “whoa whoa no boots on my boat-here try these flip flops.”🤣👍🏼

[@PROutdoors94]

At this point I think Matt is wearing his flip flops deep into winter just to mess with us lol

[@danieltaylor9459]

seriously. There’s no way his feet are comfortably warm Lolol

[@mikegardiner3934]

RassiOutdoors lol I’m sure Matt will tell ya, if he keeps his upper body warm, the cold feet don’t even bother him. 🙂

[@hammer9856]

@@mikegardiner3934 Have you noticed that when your catching fish you suddenly don't really notice the temps?

[@robertbain2435]

Wind chills in the single digits here in Northern VA today. I hate the cold. Spring can’t get here soon enough.

[@erniesanders3724]

Put some socks and shoes on Matt. 😂 Below freezing in Western Kentucky. As usual another great video from the best bass fishermen on the internet. God Bless guys.

[@acoutdoors8441]

If it wasn’t for your video I wouldn’t have caught a bunch of fish the other day ! Great video with super good tips ! Thank you

[@bigdadace8588]

You guys are like the Southern version of the Linder brothers. Always insightful and got great tips. 2 thumbs up...

[@hansejam1]

how do you not totally love that guy... warm close and flip flops....love that guy

[@chrisperez7821]

“We got snow on the mountains it is cold “ lol man those toes gotta be cold 😂 love the videos

[@mflettre6711]

Supposed to be working on my laptop, now TacticalBassin has me ordering stuff from tackle warehouse. Thanks for the great content guys!!!

[@1888CHAD8881]

I seen that Megabass Dyna Response at Tackle Warehouse. Man it looks great.

[@TAStormChasing]

Thongs in any weather! Thanks for sharing video & info.

[@jimmyboss8302]

Great video! Another tip we use here......bend ir kink the tail of the blade bait behind the rear hook(just the very end of the tail)to the left or right. This will change the vibration and get some of those finicky fish to bite.

[@pdbandit1]

A lot of tricks to get a slightly different sound or vibration, taking a hook off and sliding a couple of split rings on the shaft and putting it back on.

[@CalibassinTV]

Thanks for the tips! Today I got a 2 lb crappie on a silver buddy!!🎣

[@shaunroberts9361]

Thank you Matt for taking the time out of your busy day for these vlogs. I sure hope one day to fish with you just One Full Day...

[@Freemasonry]

Great video as always! I have a hard time catching stripers. I’d love to see one on targeting stripers. Thanks for all you guys do! I appreciate you.

[@Twangtown7]

"I am not gonna stay out long because I am freezing". *5 hours later...* "FISH ON!!!!" I know the feeling.

[@SiignDF]

Took a lot of time this fall and winter to learn the blade bait up here in Michigan and boy is it fun! Not only does it slay bass but I have landed a handful of giant 30"+ walleye as well.

[@Unspoke]

What color do you throw? WI walleye likes the perch colour

[@SiignDF]

@Unspoke I love the silver holo and the straight gold. I can imagine the perch would do well around here also!

[@whiskeygordon2452]

The only thing that scares Matt Allen: Closed toe shoes 😆

[@kathymatheny6336]

Never fails. I place an order on tackle warehouse, including blade baits,and the next TB video shows me what else I shoulda ordered lol Tks for the videos!

[@BACKYARDFISHING_VA]

I've used blades a few times.. no luck.. but will definitely keep trying!! Good tips

[@GeorgiaBassmaster]

Haven’t used any blade baits this winter but I’ve been slaying on lipless crankbaits and they are pretty similar!

[@dylandixon4058]

Georgia Bassmasters how are u working them?? I have a whole arrangement of colors and still cant catch anytging slow rolling my liplesses

[@GeorgiaBassmaster]

@@dylandixon4058 I'm using a red crawfish lipless. What depth water are you fishing? I found most of mine around 4-6' deep.

[@jamilgill3987]

I picked up a couple of blade baits this Saturday. Great video and excellent timing. Thank you.

[@stevencaldwell838]

I spent four days fishing in Tennessee last January, three different lakes and caught every single bass on Damiki blade bait and Damiki tailspins… If it wasn’t for Tactical Bassin I would have most likely caught much less fish or even got skunked! Blade baits are amazing and extremely fun to fish!

[@tacticalbassin]

That's awesome!

[@WaterandIceOutdoors]

I was trying to get these working for me in MN late fall. Didn't get much results with them but I keep thinking they have to work up here. Thanks for doing another video on them!

[@theresag9901]

Just found your videos. As a newbie I'm way impressed with the content. Keep up the good work, you got me hooked. Pun intended

[@mikeseal7075]

Glad to see you have your winter flip flops on Matt lol good video brother

[@kevinmassenburg3253]

I fished the buddy blade bait this season from the shore fishing the Detroit river Walleyes. this bait is deadly for the early morning feed and it produced limits when the bite is on.

[@hoyasfan459]

It's cold, but you still have your flip flops on.

[@trextrextrex]

Keep your core warm and you'll be fine

[@FishermanBarry]

Keep in mind it is "California cold" not "Minnesota cold" - big difference.

[@abgr5747]

Cold for wimps

[@littletreejacobs679]

Them his lucky fishing shoes

[@mxbass1036]

I have caught two fish in 2020 and both were on the damiki vault, thanks to you guys.

[@richardhamilton3163]

You were really MILKING it out there today! Glad the truck that crashed yesterday only spilled milk into clear lake, we keep getting lucky with the recent crashes that it is not some methyl ethyl bad junk! Seems like that highway 20 area is not good for trucks.Great video!

[@yajtramer6913]

They work well for rainbow trout I love using them

[@robertdtimmerman6507]

Just bought my first blade baits last week. This video was perfect timing. My only question was what rod to use and you gave me a great suggestion. I noticed you had flip flops on while fishing. Some thick socks and boots might keep you warmer. I got cold just watching you fish in the winter with flip flops on..... burrrrr!

[@UltimateNinja1984]

7 to 7 3 MH rod

[@nigelridge2581]

just caught my PB largemouth in freezing cold conditions on the 1/2oz damiki. Thanks Matt!!

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

The vault is the best!! We smoked them on it a couple weeks ago! kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3XHfnp-gbSAfM0si=ZF4KNLJ59gWuAOli

[@bassintime6879]

Ok 40 and below I have multiple layers of socks, toboggan, hand warmers in my gloves and shoes, two jackets and bibs. You're insane Matt!

[@weshallfishing7122]

Cranking some tanks down here in Florida! Fishing completely different from y’all right now, throwing worms on 1/32nd ounce weights Texas rigged and caught a 7.6 doing that in the spring in the St. John’s river

[@canonybarra1897]

I love the blade bait one of my favorites but I seem to like mine on a longer rod I use a 7’6” medium lite casting with 10-12lb flouro the rod has a pretty fast tip but once I get a fish on it bows up into a complete U

[@johngfishing8814]

Thanks Matt, great detailed video. Id really like to try the blade, but I pond fish in 5 to 8 feet max with lots of rocks and snags so id be losing many a day

[@ricksalling6198]

Morning guys. Love you channel! I have bought many of the baits and equipment you recommend. I recently moved to Huntsville, AL and bought a boat. I fish Guntersville most of the time. This is called a "grass lake". Different from any of my experience. Do you have videos or thoughts/ideas on best baits and techniques for Grass Lakes? Hope so, I need to be educated!!!

[@ericsprado4631]

Great technique video. I would really liked for you to show us a few of the lures...

[@livewire2k4]

45deg low and 58 deg high , so cold lmfao. I wish our winter was even close to that warm.

[@rickyreid1756]

I have caught bass on blades in the middle of summer on a power plant thermal lake with the temps around 90 degrees. I would pull them out of 70 foot water. To me blades and jigging spoons are the best baits there is for my type of fishing.

[@bradleyscott4048]

Hi Matt Allen is was nice meeting you at the expo last Saturday

[@smallmouthfreaks7609]

Good stuff brother 👍. Up here in the Northeast all the cool kids throw blades into the coldest water temps. Can't beat em 👊👊

[@gustavomaciel8340]

I've been listening to. ORANGE HEAD FOR 46 MONTHS. DAMN IDOIT!!

[@knappproductions8073]

Love yalls videos can’t wait to see your trip to South America!

[@aaronfortner6582]

I could never see success with blade baits. Even knowing I was donating a lot of money to people who did. I watched your last blade bait video on the vault and made the investment! Success on the first trip!!! Miracle bait??? NO! You gave me the confidence I needed to fish it!

[@fishnfilms9193]

It was so cool to see you guys at ISE in Sacramento

[@m2m-minutestomidnightbassi925]

My ice fishing buddies do exceptionally well with blades through the ice

[@justinmanter]

Headed to Maine in 3 weeks... gonna try my blade baits through the ice...

[@rivercalhoun7525]

Nice video. I loved it

[@jonorech]

Reminds me of winter walleye fishing with Heddon Sonars.

[@coachMiguelfishing]

Nice going out there tomorrow!!!

[@UltimateNinja1984]

The Heddon Sonar is a underrated BB that i wished you guys had mentioned.

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

Awesome video Matt 👍👍

[@nealatthecrossfishing]

Went out this morning. Air temperatures 26 degrees, water temperatures 53-54 degrees and caught fish with a Spro Rk Crawler. Crazy lol!

[@bennysupreme1]

Great content as always! Never fails that you guys have a couple folks accidentally hitting the thumbs down.

[@fishermanmitch1]

My go to early ice off baits, bar none. Catch a few walleye too.

[@brandonmapel2408]

What are your thoughts on the death stalker blade bait?

[@jwc111684]

Do you get hung up alot?? Are these good for bank anglers?

[@richardbossman9875]

Love early Monday videos

[@ethanstiles7890]

Matt’s feet must be allergic to shoes😂😂

[@JamesSproles-t9h]

Good job brother

[@mikefurness1598]

Hey Matt I use those blade baits once in a great while I got three of them that I really like that I got when I was fishing Lake Erie last year. On another note I noticed that you were wearing flip-flops and complaining that you were cold! Just making a suggestion guy ... sure you can figure it out! LOL! By the way good video!

[@micheledaugherty275]

Matt, Q= On the original Silver Buddy blade bait do you cut or remove the hooks , and add split rings with upgraded hooks to replace the way the Silver Buddy comes stock?

[@johnhooks8144]

You should look into the ledge Hogg series of blade baits they are sick

[@JoseMartinez-dq4km]

That can an awesome bite

[@rolandopino7116]

Loved the video and will try that technique down here at Perris and Diamond Valley. I’m going to fish the WON bass open at Clearlake in April as a non boater. What techniques and baits do you recommend so I can minimize what I take ?

[@dkinfishing]

Only Matt would be out there with bibs on and sandals 😂

[@tonydulac4344]

Plays big time here in Maine. As soon as the ice is gone and you can launch a boat, they'll hit a blade. Everyone does it here

[@Twangtown7]

Do you think the constant whirling of the trolling motor blades while on spot-lock affect the fish? Especially in shallower water?

[@RogerFordSuperRog]

Another great video! Do blade baits work well in the early spring? Roger, The Smiling BassHole

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

40 to 50 degree water it’s my go to bait! We smoked them a couple weeks ago! kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3XHfnp-gbSAfM0si=ZF4KNLJ59gWuAOli

[@keithschultz83]

A comment and a question: when you shoot your video into the light we can't see colors or detail since everything is in shadow. Maybe just shoot in the opposite direction with the light to your back will help. My question is: how do you decide which of the three holes to put your line clip in?

[@davidtansy4814]

Does this work bank fishing?

[@kyleadams1215]

I have every color in the damiki vault but just realized the chartreuse shad color glows in the dark

[@duanetheimer7215]

Your January is my late March in Pa.

[@northeastbassfishing1501]

Maybe you wouldn’t be freezing Matt if you wore socks and shoes! Haha! Good stuff, do you have a lot of trouble when blade baiting with the line catching the hooks? Thanks again, Mark

[@roelanddejong8770]

The old cell phone routine😂😂😂

[@springfield1911guy]

What lure retriever do you prefer?

[@shtty17]

springfield1911guy link’s in the bio

[@springfield1911guy]

Missed that. He said he was fishing 20+ feet. That one only goes 15’.

[@shanememmott3671]

I was thinking the same thing. Which one do you use in deeper water?

[@springfield1911guy]

Found a older video they posted. Looks like the pocket knocker for finesse or the hound dog for bigger stuff.

[@Mjones8383]

I'm not complaining about the content because it's awesome as always but is there going to be a magnum spotted bass video anytime soon cuz y'all haven't had one of those in a while

[@MySpinner]

Matt or tim will ya punch with a curado dc or a metanium dc?

[@deanlyons4]

What’ are your thoughts on Spybaits like the Berkley Spy? I have the regular and slow sink.

[@JohnNKa1027]

Matt, have you tried blade baits that emit a light in water? I have a bunch of blade baits that I used up in the state of 10000 lakes ice fishing. Same bait just uses a blinking light

[@Suk830.0]

On the Damiki Vaults, what split ring would you recommend to swap out hooks. The factory split rings are garbage and I've tried using size 2 Spro split rings rings and it just doesn't work well. Need a good quality size 1.

[@tacticalbassin]

Owner hyperwire #2 is what we use.

[@johnmango6056]

matt: its so cold! also matt: flip flops it is

[@larrymoore9247]

Do you need swivel when rigging blade baits?

[@larryyack710]

Do you guys still use the float and fly and why dont you do a video on it?

[@ethanfartis9764]

How does that 812 compare to the Expride as a straight up Jerkbait rod?

[@davidthomas4476]

I noticed that the fish have a orange color on them and so do some of the fish I’m checking do you know why? Thanks for the awesome information👍🏻

[@seanwood4032]

Fish have been sitting bellys in the mud.

[@pywifishingandoutdoors]

When targeting for these deep cold bass, at what depth do you avoid so that their eyes and air bladder don't pop out?

[@mtayloroutdoors]

I think you were talking about blade baits, but all I heard was 30 degrees and all I saw was the flip flops lol

[@11SeriesBass]

Does it work if the water is dirty?

[@jessegross1269]

Great video man , I love using blade baits year round ! But I always change my hooks on alot of my lures but have a hard time doing so , what are the best split ring pliers to use and what color are the handles, so many to choose from . Can you please let me know which 1 is the best and the color of the handles ?? Thanks man I appreciate any info ..

[@kathymatheny6336]

They have them linked on the video description, under Hook Upgrades

[@chapmanenterprises3428]

Would love to see y'all and Lakeforkguy or Lunkertv fish together!

[@jerryripley7881]

How do stand to fish in cold weather in flip flops ?

[@codynorton9691]

What gear ratio do you use for that blade bait

[@markspringer3628]

What weight do you recommend?

[@afiqroslan6125]

Nice 👍👍

[@jamescraig3797]

Bro do you even have blood flow to your feet? Thats impressive!

[@robertcooley6572]

Can you please put the brand of your sandals in the wear section...will TW start carrying them? lol

[@mryoung3040]

But good stuff on the video love it

[@odestog8903]

Shoot, I shovel snow here in Colorado in my flip flops! Flip flops 24/7 👍🏻