Where Do Bass Go In Winter? ( And Best Baits To Catch Them )

Bass are making their final move of the year, are you ready? The shallow fish are vanishing and surface activity is coming to an end. Where has everything gone? The lake seems so dead but guys are still catching giant bass! Don't get left behind, here's what you need to know about Winter bass.
The Winter transition brings completely different bass behavior. Fish will move toward deep water areas where they have ample food sources. You'll find them on the ends of deep points, on the edges of steep slopes near narrow "pinch points", and in featureless lakes, sitting out in the "hollows". The fish use these areas because they can move up and down the water column quickly with changing weather and there is typically an abundance of baitfish in these key locations as well.
There are a variety of ways to catch these fish. You can catch them with traditional methods like jigs, small swimbaits, or a dropshot. But you can also go against the grain and catch them with big baits, or a variety of reaction baits. Below you'll find links to the exact baits that we rely on this time of year. to catch our fish. We've included our favorite colors and sizes for each, as well as some budget gear that will help you throw these baits effectively.
FINESSE FOOTBALL JIG...
Bait- Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Finesse Football: bit.ly/2d2apsm
Color: Supermatt Brown, The Go To
Trailer- Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub: bit.ly/2db9w1p
Color: Cinn Black Purp, Green Pumpkin Blk
NED RIG...
•ZMan Finesse TRD: bit.ly/2hs4RtR
Color: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Goby
•ZMan Ned Football: bit.ly/3Ej3Kpm
Size: 1/8
JERKBAIT...
•Megabass Vision 110 Jr +1: bit.ly/2LnK389
Natural: Mat Shad, GP Pro Blue, Elegy Bone
SPEED CRANKBAIT...
•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: bit.ly/37dclbX
Color: Clearwater Minnow, True Shad, Northern Special
ALABAMA RIG...
Bladed- Hogfarmer Tactical Flex Bladed: bit.ly/38xd1es
Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait (1/8 oz): bit.ly/29RrTYN
Baits- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Dummy Baits- Netbait Little Spanky: bit.ly/2d0dpU8
BIG SWIMBAITS...
•Savage Gear 8" RTF Trout (Fast Sink): bit.ly/33GROg1
Color: Dirty Silver, Trout
•Huddleston 8" Trout (ROF 12): bit.ly/2azFTon
Color: Rainbow Trout, Hitch
BLADE BAITS...
•Damiki Vault: bit.ly/2rnO7e2
Size: 1/2 oz
Color: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Ayu
•Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response: bit.ly/2R7FlvL
Size: 1/2 oz
Color: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu
AFFORDABLE SPEED CRANKING COMBO...
Rod- St. Croix Mojo Glass 7'4" Medium Heavy: bit.ly/2YIxLy5
Reel- Shimano SLX XT (HG): bit.ly/2BRTYL8
Line-Sunline Super FC (12 lb): bit.ly/2p7fxju
BUDGET SWIMBAIT COMBO...
Rod- Shimano SLX A 7'8" Heavy: bit.ly/3QbMjvs
Reel- Shimano Cardiff A 300: bit.ly/2cvhtMO
Line- Power Pro Braid (65 lb): bit.ly/2aFg46b
Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (30 lb): bit.ly/2ae97J9
BUDGET NED RIG COMBO...
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: bit.ly/3O8zBye
Reel- Shimano Miravel 3000: bit.ly/3QZnwL5
Leader- Sunline Super FC (7 lb): bit.ly/2p7fxju
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
________________________________________________________________
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!
#December #bassfishing #Winterfishing

[@DoctorSess]

They just stocked rainbows in my local little lake… so naturally I’m throwing giant trout swimbaits 😎

[@dontnonowuno9953]

Dixon?

[@DoctorSess]

@@dontnonowuno9953 close enough

[@canam2436]

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. I love this guy’s enthusiasm, makes me want to go out and fish right now!

[@saeteune1918]

Love how he covered Pond fishing , just goes to show how great this guy is .

[@holdengamble]

been smashing the them on the mini flex and speed cranking shallow. I love the fall-winter transition. Hope y’all catch em this week boys.

[@MichaelRomero]

Great video! I really like that you included ponds because especially this time of year it's hard to get out to the bigger reservoirs. So all that's local is smaller ponds and is where I tend to do most of my fishing this time of year.👍🏼

[@solaydbak]

I unfortunately only am able to fish ponds. So I especially appreciate the pond fishing tips. I think some channels get away from what most of us do. And that's pond hopping. It's the easiest way to get younger people into fishing too.

[@akilidebrady3785]

Happy Monday! It is sure getting Winter cold, but still gonna find those bass! Thanks Tactical Bassin!

[@bassnakshi]

Nice to see the little man doubling up with pops for a big 'un

[@davidhidalgo5662]

I cannot say this enough. Thank you for all you do. Bless you and your families over this holiday season.

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

Thank you Tim,Great job buddy ❤👏👏👏

[@juliolua2104]

Top notch 👍🎣💪💥

[@timtighe9718]

You guys are the best. Bar none.

[@Fishboy68]

Thanks Tim what are your thoughts on a low land res.without any humps? Fish the deeper water near rhe main lake? Creek channels in the creeks?Thank you for sharing.

[@idontstunt2613]

I love the way Clear laker looks on the vision 110

[@andybales7318]

I ordered the "secret grape & western clown colors yesterday...look really good

[@davidblake5199]

Tim Be safe on Lake Lanier. Crazy boaters and a lot of “history “ my friend. We need to meet up and go catch a 10 pounder just a little south of there lol your friend Dave Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@corybazzar1242]

I would love some tips on my favorite lake if you could give any for winter. Lake Kapowsin in Washington State. It's an old flooded forest, so there is hard cover (and snags) EVERWHERE. Any help would be so much appreciated. I basically give up bass fishing from mid October to spring time. I fish from a small boat with no electronics. Great video as always! I'll keep on trying

We know where the bass go in winter. It's the same vortex the 1 missing sock goes 😕

[@eeveelutionlover4344]

Can I make a request on a video on whats the bests spinning rode to get/affordable also thank you for making the spinning reel video I'm wanting to get a new reel for next year

[@nunyabusiness102]

I know you guys fish Chick, parking lots are still packed!!😜

[@p3teytran]

Motivating me to get out!

[@brianrobinson9979]

I just heard this morning that Tennessee (TWRA) is starting their rainbow trout stocking at 40 locations across Tennessee soon

[@marcelluswells5237]

Good video but what about us guys in Florida where we still have grass around?

[@richardbossman9875]

If on a small body of water you have to choose between the deepest water and water that has a harder bottom which would start first as a shore angler ( and thus no electronics)?

[@dariusking2927]

Tim what’s the best gloves you have found for fishing in the winter that you can actually, fish with 👍

[@trentfindley7212]

I've been on a fire jig bite

[@dylanlaughman8126]

@tacticalbassin what's the best bang for your buck 300$ ish spinning combo for throwing the finesse swimbaits on guppies heads and 1/0 flashy swimmers. Year round slow crawling during winter to fishing around sparse cover during summer using braid to leader

[@mike-vc9ps]

What about the Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) or finger lakes like Cayuga?

[@_FisherFolk_]

Niceee your at lake Lanier,,,how’d ya do?

[@bobbyt762]

I love jig fishing in cold weather. I crawl it very slooooooow

[@bigfah2506]

Love this stuff! Recommendations for big baits in river systems for big smallmouth?

[@SmokinBaits]

Let’s Gooo

[@tylermuldrew7824]

I've been fishing a very small highland reservoir from the bank and I was wondering what you would suggest? I do not have a boat or anything like that right now and I have no way of using electronics from the bank other than topo maps on my phone (it is not precise more or less just ball park depths) so I am struggling to find the channel swings like you were suggesting. Also, this lake is almost entirely covered with grass on the bottom (I do not know what type of grass). I would appreciate some tips. Thanks, and keep up the great work!

[@andybales7318]

Suspending jerkbait, slow rolling a double willow spinnerbait, and a megabass sleeper, sleeper craw, and/or sleeper gill...those would be my 3 in those type of scenarios...try it!

[@tayloralexis1504]

Bank fishing in the ne with waters in the 30s.. rough

[@jimwarden9617]

You guys have talked about “feeding response “ and “reaction bite.” Is there a third response? Mikey mentioned the “kill response,” when a fish wants to move or eliminate an irritating target.

[@justyngilliam4051]

I know you guys are focused on bass, but do you ever go out and target other fish when it gets colder like walleye or stripers

[@CommonSenseFishing209]

What do you think about lakes like McClure and Don Pedro where the bass routinely go 50 to 80 ft deep? Or do you just focus on 50 and shallower? There are winter days I've caught 30 plus fish out of 60 to 80 ft. Any thoughts on extreme deep bass?

[@tacticalbassin]

They're just like any other bass... catch them 😀 A long time ago, we got on an 8" hudd bite in 65' and it was fun!!

[@buschleaguebassin]

Guys, please come up north to Ontario/Minnesota and take a crack at breaking down Lake of the Woods. For years I’ve wanted to hear your take on the beast that is my home lake.

[@TiredAmerican247]

There’s better lakes.

[@buschleaguebassin]

@@TiredAmerican247 haha ok….

[@fishing630addictionjcmg4]

Is fishing time whit tactical bassin lest go

[@jordanduffy3514]

All my natural lakes in Washington feel like they’re 1000ft deep lol guess I’ll just start harpooning them in a sub.

[@luckybassturd7260]

Calculate-us- eliminate-us . Find out where they are not & you will know where they are! ! Not many bass will go down 20+feet . O2 levels are to low. if calculated properly, more than half your lake has been eliminated. ✌️🤟🤙

[@TiredAmerican247]

What? Not many bass will go down 20+ feet? You need to rethink that one guy.

[@luckybassturd7260]

@@TiredAmerican247 ‘not many”, it doesn’t mean- it never happens!? If you know there is good o2 levels, you got good tools, so you really can Calculatus eliminateus ,easier than most! Next thing to calculate is ph! If water is not in good ph range bass will not stay there long. Ever been on that spot that bass should be but you never seen one? That Could be a ph issue. ✌️🤟🤙

[@CritterTheBassGetter]

Thank you for including ponds!! I fish ponds 95% of the time, i have a 1 acre pond there's now 6 river otters frequenting my pond, what do i do, i know i cant kill them it just makes me sad theyve already eaten all the bass out of 3 adjacent ponds 😢

[@TiredAmerican247]

Trap them and relocate

[@davidmiller9363]

Not to give away all of your secrets but I vaguely recall a video about the All American Trash Fish for this time of year. Can you refresh our memories?

[@DrewWintjen]

What type of lake would apply to strip pits? Around here in Kansas we have a bunch of strip pits that have about a foot or two of bank then drop to 40-50ft. Most of the pit is 40 ft and the bottom doesn't have very many features. It always becomes a tough task finding where the fish are when they aren't bitting.

[@somethin_cool493]

How big are the pits? Lots of deep sand and rock quarries are only inhabitable to a certain depth. I fish one that's a 90 acre lake that's 40 feet deep but only has a maximum fishable depth of 10 feet. There's not enough surface area to oxygenate the deep water so anything past 10 feet deep is black water that's full of sediments.

[@DrewWintjen]

@@somethin_cool493 Interesting I never thought about that. A lot of them vary in size. The larger ones are no bigger than 50 acres. They tend to be softer bottoms with a decent amount of grass in the first few feet of water from the bank before it drops off. When graphing them we have seen what looks like bait balls sitting in 45ft of water. But we almost never see any bass or larger fish around them.

[@somethin_cool493]

@@DrewWintjen I would personally try to catch the bait. You could try a slip bobber and a very small worm hook with some crawler set at the depth of your suspected bait ball. Throw it down there and see if you can catch anything, That way you'll at least know if there's any life at that depth.

[@kristinakares4384]

What was he using to get the topo graph ?

[@vuexiong6087]

Bass fishing turned you into a Popping 🤖 Master

[@jamesbarron1202]

I thought you were about to break into the Walk Like an Egyptian dance

[@ericpettyfishing]

I live the savage gear trout. I have every color lol

[@andybales7318]

So do I 😂

[@user-yj1qw5vw5n]

Have you ever tried nightcrawers , all year

[@DoctorSess]

Oh yeah or a live Shad or bluegill usually brings out the big ones. I usually don’t use bait for bass though. I like the challenge of artificial only.

[@chefrubio5225]

Hey, this is Dale Hollow Lake?! This map looks awfully familiar.

[@Paul-vn7ig]

Lake Lanier northeast of Atlanta

[@PaoWeezy91]

Where do my wallet go after holidays? 😂😂

[@tjlastname5192]

Does anyone know if you will be able to get the tackle warehouse Christmas deals if you’re using a gift card? I try to wait on sales, and I thought about buying discounted gift cards and using them for the sales and save more money.

[@bryantgwb007]

So several videos now y'all talk about spoons. I have the Nichols 4.5 I think. Every time I use it the hook gets stuck on the body. I can drop it 1 time, pull it in and it's fouled. What am I doing wrong?

[@luckybassturd7260]

🤔 maybe let it fall with less slack? Change hook size? Idk just my first initial thought? ✌️🤟🤙

[@poststalone1496]

The only time I use mono for bass is when using a spoon. That should keep some slack out of the line as it wants to float. If it's still fouling try a different hook

[@treehunter1]

Winter? I’m still waiting for south florida fall transition

[@douglasspickler4925]

I forget. Are you fishing Chickamauga or Guntersville? Anyhow, what is the temperature for the area in the winter?

[@jordonpratt2604]

They fish chic, in our area the middle of winter the water gets high 30s low 40s at the lowest

[@douglasspickler4925]

@@jordonpratt2604 thanks.

[@bobbyt762]

That 110 is deadly in the winter

[@matthewrickard1596]

Was just thinking about this after getting skunked 2 days in a row😢

[@jaredmccartney2035]

Those color shading images are impressive they come from the factory like that on a helix 12 ?

[@davidblake5199]

Check out Oakwood Bait and Tackle and Hammond’s😎🐟💦

[@44Magpie]

What happened to the tackle reviews? We are all waiting for the rod reviews!

[@tobiaslaman]

no more buyers guides guys?

[@drock5404]

They go to the water. Like, duh..

[@user-yj1qw5vw5n]

Gotta be rich to fish now

[@DoctorSess]

Maybe to fish competitively but you can still catch plenty of fish with an ugly Stik and a plastic worm. Big ones too.

[@timdarnell7819]

Not true at all.

[@canam2436]

Yeah you don’t have to be rich, not at all. I know because I don’t have much money and I fish every weekend with a cheap Walmart combo with flukes and plastic worms. (You don’t need 300$ baitcasters)

[@DoctorSess]

@@canam2436 the Zoom super fluke is one of the most versatile baits, period. I’ve caught more fish on that, the brush hog, and the senko over all of the fancy lures I’ve got combined.

[@canam2436]

@@DoctorSess it is one of the best lures out there.