Winter Jig Fishing! ( How We Actually Do It )

[@chuchuvasquez]

Best teachers I have ever come across,, these guys have helped me boost my bass fishing catches, as a budget fisherman I’ve taken all the buyers guides and knowledge they have spoke, and wrote it down, I pass it along to my fishing buddies so we can go out and have a blast in the water/banks Thank you both so freaking much 🔥🔥🔥

[@tacticalbassin]

You're so welcome! We're happy to help!

[@fundamentawellness9562]

Am I the only one who loves watching Matt and Tim fish because they use braid to leader and it sounds so much better than flouro? 😂

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha!!

[@jetcat132]

I’ve been on that train for 10 years now!

[@fundamentawellness9562]

@@jetcat132 oh I’ve been fishing the same for years too. I honestly can’t stand the sound of fluoro in a baitcaster lol it’s like nail on a chalkboard

[@jetcat132]

@@fundamentawellness9562 You got it brother. This past year I actually switched to Maxima Ultragreen mono for leaders because I was having issues with fluoro breaking on hook-sets. (Another reason to not like it) My river is off color, so visibility isn’t an issue either. I wouldn’t use it as main line, but it’s awesome leader material, and I didn’t break off a single fish all year on a hook set.

[@fundamentawellness9562]

@@jetcat132 yeah I think with braid it leader the little extra stretch in mono is helpful if you can get away with it.

[@victorvelazquez4175]

I could watch videos like this every morning with my coffee. We appreciate all the lessons and I’m definitely throwing my jig back on thanks to this video.

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! We appreciate you Victor!

[@c.shoefish]

Great morning, just got back from a nice 2 mile hike down the beach with my dog, now sitting and having recliner coffee with TB. Great video Matt.

[@jorrdanlease3106]

What i love abput you guys at tactical bassin is you giys dont do or get into drama like on the other youtube channels like umm you know randy & ben little quarrels

[@Bdhgzz115buty]

Awesome smallmouth on the jig. Doesn’t get much better than that!

[@hunterwyllie8024]

Went out in northern Michigan today to a real clear water lake. 39 degree water temp, couldn’t get bit on anything. Still fun to try out my new toys though

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

What an awesome Smallmouth day Matt 🏆😃👍

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks Ken! This was a fun one!!

[@chipnorris2504]

Come to Bull Shoals lake in North, Arkansas and just try going out there whenever you want and catching a fish every cast in January

[@TtimeOHL]

Love the videos, taken my fish game to a whole new level. Question, you mention dragging the bottom with the jig doing the subtle little pop pops. What depth? If the point is 100yards from shore but 20-25ft are you fishing that depth for bass? Thanks guys!

[@rickyd865VOL]

That final smallie was such a nice patterned fish. Great video. Thanks Matt

[@tacticalbassin]

For sure! Thank you for coming along!

[@jrockftc]

That one hand slow crank is like second nature 👏💪

[@johnhodson3200]

You and Tim are just so knowledgeable, it's insane. Why don't you guys join some team tournaments and make some extra cash? You guys would clean up. I for one would like to see some tournament videos

[@greghiday]

Great day Matt. Enjoy seeing you out fishing and teaching! Beautiful smallies!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Greg!

[@keithpinkerton2933]

Awesome is the only way i know to describe it. You guys obviously use electronics but keep teaching everyone how you can catch fish without staring at a screen. Cant ignore new tech but so glad you merge the two and can catch fish by fishing

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks Keith! We wouldn't be good at what we do if we didn't learn every new twist in the sport, but we recognize it's not for everyone and we want to cater to all 👍🏼

[@jebfishing]

What a great video! I've watched all your jig videos from the past this year and watching you fish this one really helped cement some stuff! Thanks for all the work much appreciated!

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! I'm so glad this tied it together for you!

[@chives109np]

Thanks for all the videos, it's amazing how you guys know the rods, reels, baits and techniques for catching bass. Guess experience speaks for itself! Maybe someday I'll land a 2 - 3 # smally, it must be exciting! Anyway, make more videos, please!!!

[@brandonembry8297]

I love watching the just fishing videos!! Thanks for the content.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks for the feedback! We love doing them!

[@irorky]

This content is GOLD, Matt!

[@salpinto4474]

First of all the jig rules this time of year. I love watching you catch them Matt. Secondly, can you do a video of the one handed drag and reel for us. At least we'll be able to keep one hand warm, lmbo!

[@dennisederer3594]

Thank you another exceptional on the water discussion for jig fishing, a weak part of my fishing skill set. Tactical Bassin is one of a few sites that produces on the water training versus most sites that merely preach. Granted, some sites represent areas of the country that are iced over. I appreciate that Matt came out in bone chilling temperatures and smoked the smallies. Thank you again Matt.

[@shaneevans3935]

Thanks for taking the time to make these videos during the winter. Sure enjoy them, come up and do a video on KY lake.

[@danpicciano]

Is there a chance to include some video of what you are looking at on your electronics? I am not sure what I am always looking at. Thank you and great videos!!!

[@jimkingsland1645]

You guys are just over the top amazing how you catch fish! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you for coming along!

[@toddpossum]

Thanks!

[@BaseballBassfishin-dn9jb]

I’ve been watching your videos for around 5 years and they keep getting better! Thanks for all the great content

[@madhunter_87]

I wanna learn how to fish one handed in the cold with a baitcaster lol. Awesome Smallies!! 👊😎

[@KirkAllenOutdoorAdventures]

When it's freezing, you figure out all kinds of ways to keep your hands warm

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! You can do it!!

[@msowell21]

On a flight home haven't fished in a week I'm ready to get out there. Watching you guys fish is a close second though

[@caseyhuntfishing]

I love fishing a jig,it's my go to year around at some point in my arsenal!!!

[@tacticalbassin]

It's such a fun way to catch them!

[@MultiXMeGa]

A different lake and also a lake where you haven't fished in a long time. Yet you're managing to catch fish, BIG fish. The jig bite is special. No fast forwarding here🫡.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks for the support!!

[@brandonwood4249]

I enjoy the vids and definitely don't fast forward between bites. Matt, I like your advice, don't be afraid to be long winded at times. Details help those that pay attention. I love smallmouth fishing in Kentucky on one of my favorite Creeks in the bluegrass. I'm a top water junkie in the warmer months, a long with soft plastics around cover A jerkbait guy in the winter. I definitely want to up my jig game. I hope you've had an awesome Christmas. Happy Holidays!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you for the continued support! We had a great Christmas and hope you did too!

[@Grant_Reynolds]

Been waiting to see another winter fishing video 🤙 thanks bud!

[@tacticalbassin]

We're on a roll now! That was a bunch of Buyer's Guides... we needed to get fishing!

[@Grant_Reynolds]

@@tacticalbassin Those were definitely appreciated also. I was just starting to get the itch 😆

[@johndrx165]

Love me some Winter Smallies! Very cool.

[@tacticalbassin]

Us too!!

[@brucemillard8123]

Such a cool bite.

[@rickconner4895]

Thank you for fishing with teaching

[@tacticalbassin]

Happy to do it👍🏼

[@bassinbilliards6279]

Last time I was out the morning was slow and by the afternoon it was on 🔥.

[@tacticalbassin]

Go figure. There's always those odd days but I wouldn't bet on that schedule

[@johnnylynch8961]

Matt I was just looking into fishing guides to catch my PB. I live in southern illinois and I wanted to know if you still have your guide service since ya moved out east? Appreciate you guys so much! Happy New Year Fellas.

[@jimwarden9617]

Loved it Matt…thanks.

[@christianmullins435]

Hey guys, It would be cool to see a video about higher end wood baits, I just made the dive into balsa and picked up a few Black Label cranks and I'd love to hear y'all's opinions and learn more about wood baits in general, thanks! You guys rock!

[@tacticalbassin]

Oh man... thats a whole different rabbit hole... but we might just have to go there.

[@christianmullins435]

@@tacticalbassin sounds great! I look forward to it!

[@philipfalco7304]

That was an awesome video Matt. Thank's for sharing.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you!!

[@jerrygutierrez9156]

That last smallie was the prettiest one of them all looked like a tiger

[@tylerfish6206]

You are my hero

[@arielsaavedra5223]

I know I’m really behind on it but yesterday I finally spent the money and ordered one your guys mini flex A rigs. Hopefully it catches me some fish, thanks guys

[@tacticalbassin]

Oh awesome! You're going to have fun with that!

[@fldabdad9644]

Down in central Florida fishing from the bank and docks I struggle with a jig bad. It seems like anything with an exposed hook just isn’t work the frustration. Could you make a vid for new bass anglers down here where it’s all mush and no rock?

[@KirkAllenOutdoorAdventures]

He Crushed it!! DONG!!!! Love it!

[@jasonperry5456]

Looks like Dale Hollow to me

[@lucashedgespeth266]

Definitely Dale hollow

[@johndaniels2922]

Are you on dale hollow

[@moisesramos476]

What was the water temperature 🌡and at what depth were you catching them?

[@JA-xx2wf]

Awesome vid, what was the water temp?

[@brandonmerideth5450]

I’m curious about when you might go to living rubber jig? I was thinking maybe if you’re just soaking it and the rubber is moving slightly it might work good in the cold water?

[@helotaxi]

I'm glad you addressed the question I had of "Why the EMTF over the Braillist?" Makes perfect sense and I probably would have figured it out once I realized it was a finesse jig with a lighter hook.

[@helotaxi]

I noticed that it certainly was not the Braillist when you loaded up on the fish and the rod almost doubled over. Made me go look at the gear list in the description.

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! You've got a keen eye!

[@TheStackboy5]

@tacticalbassin hey guys I noticed you haven’t done a winter apparel video in a while I see Matt has a new jacket and Tim’s looks like it keeps him warm think we can get a tactical bassin winter/early spring rain jacket?

[@DaleWyman]

I notice the reel handle spinning on your retrieve. Are you just using your thumb for tension until you get a hit?

[@tacticalbassin]

Very little tension at all, it's a perk of braided line, it still lays down smooth. The jig itself is providing the only tension.

[@alexanderpetrenko8802]

Have you guys tried the Nrx 904, wondering if it’s just a longer 844 or does it fish like a completely different rod ?

[@kevinloper6551]

Great Video Matt! 😎

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you!!

[@spencercline1957]

Wish you would say witch lake your on

[@johnnyg9223]

Matt on a day like this one do you wear insulated bibs or do you find regular bibs work just as good?

[@rags7299]

Tim and Matt I really appreciate what you both do. Will you please share what lake you were on? I live in Tennessee and fish most all of the Highland reservoirs except Norris.

[@nickkoski7111]

I agree. I stay on Douglas most the time and hate Norris lol. It’s too clear. Being they live down on chic I’m guessing he is on the bar but it looks very “mountainous”.. could be Cherokee. And they don’t have a good topo of Cherokee so maybe that’s why he didn’t show any map detail? Just a thought lol

[@ThomasLaughlin-j9z]

Looks like Cherokee Lake or South Holston!

[@saulrodriguez1250]

How come when I use braid to leader on crank baits I can never get to the bottom

[@eddiemendoza6259]

Great stuff , thanks ! Water temp ??

[@Danyang1]

Sheesh those were some tanks!

[@tacticalbassin]

For sure! That's fun fishing!

[@shaunroberts9361]

Nice. Dude you are amazing...

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks Shaun!

[@ctoddskelton2685]

That’s my problem with cranking most of the water I’m In is 25+ feet I have been using the rock crawler lately in shallower spots and do well Been on a bridge piling for 2 weeks now

[@davidblake5199]

Merry Christmas and happy new year to you!! Dirty 30 top five 12/24/023 boat part lake in Georgia Life is good 😎🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻

[@tacticalbassin]

Thats awesome!! Way to go!!

[@tacticalbassin]

We're still a little slow on the bread crumbs though, no clue what lake 😂

[@davidblake5199]

@@tacticalbassin you came to South Georgia to get some boat parts… Two years ago

[@timtighe9718]

Another excellent video, as usual. I got an email reply from you about a week ago to contact you on a type of platform I'm not familiar with so I couldn't reply but please keep up the great videos. I really enjoy them.

[@tacticalbassin]

That sounds like a scam, definitely don't respond to that. We don't make odd contacts. You can always ask us here 👍🏼

[@Hawg-Snatcher]

Would you still use a football jig on a soft bottom? Most lakes around me do no have rock.

[@tacticalbassin]

100% yes. It will puff up that soft bottom and can draw a lot of strikes

[@isaiahmills7218]

What lake were you was fishing at Matt?

[@dylanteater9561]

Lake Cumberland?

[@justyngilliam4051]

Im sure you dont do it for a reason, but i would love if you said what body of water you’re fishing when you travel to different lakes

[@robertholt6606]

Another fun and informative video love me some smallmouth. I would like some input on something I am struggling with I mostly fish with mono on my bait casting reel but yall and pretty much every one says use braid or flo but I have used floro before and had a lot of line brakes when setting the hook so I moved off of it and I love braid on my spinning rod but think its the reason why so many casting rods brake because of the power on the hook set and no stretch. Am I really missing out on better hookups by using mono??

[@tacticalbassin]

You're 100% missing out. It's night and day, you've got to make the switch to take your angling to the next level.

[@robertholt6606]

@tacticalbassin great thanks for the reply now I know it depends on the situation and what you are using but is it best to go with straight braid or floro or braid to leader and what pound test for general use? And I appreciate yall answering my dumb questions 🤪

[@e4t662]

I wish I could catch bass year round when I move, but don't want to go too far south. Any suggestions

[@shannonsullivan2638]

Like to see ya fish'en jigs in the cold weather

[@jordankirsch426]

Great catches! What was the water temp?

[@tacticalbassin]

It varied around the lake. Mostly high 40s but some low 50s. It was actually much warmer than I expected in several areas, given the frigid conditions the last few weeks.

[@brandonsmith606]

Great video as usual thank you

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks Brandon!

[@patrickwhitby4171]

Wondering why you didn't try any blade baits? I had the most epic day of the year yesterday. 43 degree water, over 20 bass 4 lb average on the vault 🎣

[@tacticalbassin]

We've been on a really good Vault bite lately as well. They were eating the jig so good I didn't even bother 👍🏼

[@joeg1709]

Do you always use a leader when dragging a jig? Feel more confident in the hookset that way? That's a great day catching hammer smallies. That lake (if it's the one I think it is) has been getting better lately.

[@bigfah2506]

They do, it’s one thing they consistently is run leaders. They are using a 12lb flouro leader. There are a handful of techniques they go straight flouro with or straight braid.

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes, that jig is always on leader 👍🏼

[@BrownfamTV]

What lake you on?

[@josephvillalobos09]

What was the water temp?

[@ryanjohn9871]

Would you speed crank if the bass were sitting on a ledge at 32 feet?

[@tacticalbassin]

Yous need to switch to the deepest diving Duo Realis to try and call them up, but yes, that can be very effective.

[@BrownTrout1238]

Is there an opportunity for different baits, given the warm weather (50° in MI) we’ve been having?

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes 👍🏼

[@roncunningham4025]

Whats the water temp

[@johnnyllop8754]

how do you wear sandals when it's so cold??

[@tacticalbassin]

We all have odd talents... I was born with remarkable circulation in my feet 😂

[@garyheath9531]

Where the heck is that ?? Norris lake??

[@mattfields2033]

Looks like Lake Cumberland

[@jenlvjim]

Could you talk about the difference in fishing for largemouth vs smallmouth in the different times of the year. I live where there are just largemouth and I see a lot of people making videos on winter fishing and it seems like they are always fishing for smallmouth

[@tacticalbassin]

There's very little difference, other than smallmouth can remain more active in the cold. You probably see guys targeting them out of convenience. I expected this day to be a 50/50 split but for whatever reason the smallmouth were fired up.

[@jenlvjim]

@@tacticalbassin thx

[@johncoopes1056]

Water temp?

[@joshmize9705]

Is that Dale Hollow ??

[@ppfoten211]

How is he reeling in his slack with just one hand on the rod?

[@tacticalbassin]

By reaching around the reel and flicking the star drag with my middle finger 👍🏼

[@chrismalas8747]

Looks like dale hollow

[@vansaukam799]

SALUTE!!!

[@alford79]

What we all need to take from this is that Matt's mind can also drift when the bite is slow. Who would of thought?

[@tacticalbassin]

😂😂😂 It happens to everyone!

[@michaelleady9089]

Ground and pound bumping, nothing like it

[@GMarshfishing]

How the hell are you reeling with one hand??

[@brettg4386]

Flicking the drag gear/handle with his middle finger

[@helotaxi]

Reeling slack line with a flick of the fingers reaching under the reel seat to hit the reel handle. Big hands and small reels make it easier. Matt's doing it because it's cold and he can keep his other hand in his pocket. I do it a lot on the kayak because I'm adjusting the rudder with my right hand with the rod in my left. Just one of those skills you pick up out of necessity or convenience.

[@GMarshfishing]

@@helotaxi yeah I figured it had to be something like that. I just have never seen it done or thought about it. Gonna have to try it out!

[@richardkeller6940]

Donkeys!

[@Nicky_Boy]

Hey! I’m not fast forwarding between bites! If you do that you miss opportunities to learn something new

[@noahledbetter3969]

Lol.i never fast forward

[@MrMynameisozzy]

Uh……., that’s not a Champion 210?

[@gewglesux]

Throw a Football Jig... catch a Football got it!

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! 100%!

[@nathanbrinker1149]

only 7 or 8 fish