Come along for a day of Winter bass fishing with Matt! The weather is cold, the fishing is tough, but Matt is determined to catch some bass! Listen to the details as he adapts to the conditions. What how he focuses on confidence baits and pieces together a pattern for a mixed bag of fish.
Winter isn’t always easy! Sure, you’ve got a chance at a giant, but sometimes it’s downright tough! Don’t panic! Focus on your confidence baits, fish them slowly and effectively, and you can catch fish despite the conditions. Your next bite could be the fish of a lifetime, so stay focused, even when the bites are few and far between!
Below you’ll find links to the exact baits and gear Matt used throughout the day. We’ve included his hook upgrades, bait colors, as well as the rods and reels he used to fish the baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*FULL SIZE RIG…*
•Hog Farmer Tactical Flex Rig (Bladed): https://bit.ly/38xd1es
•Matt Allen Swimbait Heads (3/16 oz): https://bit.ly/29RrTYN
•Keitech 5″ Easy Shiner Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H
Color: Tennessee Shad
•Keitech 4″ Easy Shiner Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H
Color: Crystal Shad
*MID SIZE RIG…*
•Hog Farmer Tactical Mini Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md
•Matt Allen Swimbait Heads (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/29RrTYN
•Keitech 4.5″ Easy Shiner Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H
Color: Electric Shad
•Keitech 4″ Easy Shiner Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/2bxJK6H
Color: Electric Shad
*BLADE BAIT…*
•Damiki Vault Blade (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2rnO7e2
Color: Holo Mossback
•BKK Hook Upgrade– Spear EWG: https://bit.ly/3PiUjM7
Size: 8
*CRANKBAIT…*
•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: https://bit.ly/37dclbX
Color: Ghost Minnow
*FULL SIZE RIG COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano Expride 7’7″ Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel– Shimano Bantam MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2H44yjG
Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader– Sunline Saltimate Shock Leader (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2O4UElB
*MID SIZE RIG COMBO…*
Rod– St. Croix Legend Elite 7’4″ Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/2z2qdHc
Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB
Line– Seaguar InvizX (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y
*BLADE BAIT COMBO…*
Rod– Shimano Expride 7’2″ Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Line– Sufix 832 Sunrise Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3vbtuDw
Leader– Sufix Advance (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix
*SPEED CRANK COMBO…*
Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK
Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP
Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC
*TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)*
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…
•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z
•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
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*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY… *
Boat– Skeeter FXR 21: https://bit.ly/43GvGQh
Motor– Yamaha VMAX SHO 250 HP: https://bit.ly/3xolFv0
Trolling Motor– Minn Kota Ultrex Quest: https://bit.ly/41RErpY
Electronics– Humminbird Apex 13: https://bit.ly/3pdaK1q
Batteries– Dakota Lithium 135 AH: https://bit.ly/4b9HooR
Anchors– Minn Kota Raptors: https://bit.ly/3iMUrEJ
Camera– GoPro Hero 12: https://bit.ly/3MwQToy
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…*
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: https://bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite Rod Cover: https://bit.ly/3UewJEx
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: https://bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Hard Storage Box: https://bit.ly/2t3uHMR
Favorite Soft Tackle Storage: https://bit.ly/3TnKHl7
Favorite Net: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
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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!
#Winterfishing #bassfishing #fishingtips
You guys need to do some ice fishing.
Winter bass in the south should be the title of all these videos your bsing ppl
Matt what kind and size of hooks do you put on 110 plus 1 jr. Replacement hooks
Thanks for the video Matt. You guys stay warm! Know I’m looking for my rod with the biggest line guides!
out
Thanks for the video Matt. You guys stay warm! Know I’m looking for my rod with the biggest line guides!
out
What makes TacticalBassin so special is that Tim and you are out every day teaching us how to improve our fishing skills.
You’re not intimidated by an off day.
TacticalBassin is authentic!
Olukai is a GREAT shoe brand I’ve worn that brand for like 6 years straight. Great deck shoes/ fishing shoes
have you guys 6th flush on A-rigs ,jigs, bladed jig trailers. if not yiu guys should do so underwater video of soft plastics 2024 & 2025
I’ll be honest, this video was one of my favorites in a while. I was convinced that I just forgot how to catch bass. It’s literally been keeping me up at night lol. Just tough sometime, plain and simple.
Curious if you guys could do a hot hole (hot water discharge) video sometime? I know not all lakes have them but they certainly are popular spots in the colder months. Interested in how you guys would fish them and the surrounding areas that are much warmer as a result. Great video. Thanks guys!
Must be cold if Matt’s wearing closed-toed shoes.
I think I’ve really only caught 6 bass since the new year and I’ve taken like 4 trips so far. Tough winter in Central Valley California.
No flip flops? You know it must be really cold.
Awesome catfish bro
I am from Bay Area and Berryessa was my home lake but live in South Carolina now and Wylie is my home lake. This dude just recently caught an 80 pound catfish, now that’s a trophy cat.
These are the kind of frozen rough days I love but I didn’t love them until I learned to fish them here.
What a great multi species day. I would take this rough day any day.
Thanks for freezing your asses off for us lol.
Thanks!
That's not cold lol try -20. Hello from the north
The most widely known secret to winter fishing is to buy more stuff. If you're not spending more time shopping than fishing you're missing out on the best part.
Was this January 18th? Bc if so, it was prob one of the worst fishing days I’ve had in a long time on chick lol
Silver lining is, there was a tourney today! You can go see what the 2 boats that migt have smacked em did!..
I had it for the feeling that's what it was going to be on your business video another damn catfish
what leader length you guys uses seem like over 7ft?
Iv caught more drum on bass lures in winter. Then any other time of year. Has to be a reason for that
Matt that is the biggest catfish I have ever seen wow
nice job. Thanks bud for taking us along 
Love it that you didn’t just put that video on the shelf! I’ve had some similar days myself recently but I keep looking for that one bite!
Do y'all ever see what the weigh-ins are during tournaments when you fish the same area to see the comparison? If you had a really good day or a slow day to see the difference in between the tournament guys versus just going out and having fun? Sometimes I find out and I realize I could have placed in the tournament the same day. I just went out to have fun but if I entered the tournament I probably would have done bad
I'm jealous watching you and Tim constantly catch fish on an A-rig. I've been throwing an A-rig for over a year and still haven't caught something. I typically fish Folsom Lake, Lake Oroville, Clear Lake in NorCal. I've tried a variation of heads and baits to no avail. Guess I'll just keep trying.
That catfish's belly was epic!
Keeping it real and telling the truth it's one of the big struggles and fishing even friends straight lie to my face makes it really tough I'm 45 and I want to be able to fish well to teach my son something and people won't even help with that that's why I like tactical bass because they truly are helping
What would you recommend for throwing small 5-6" swimbaits. Is the champion xp 765flip a great option for it. Enough tip to let them eat it but fast enough to pop it clean of grass
What about a Spybait?
I fish a lot on Ky. Lake and I appreciate your honesty.
Fished last night in coastal south Florida and not one damn bite. It was cold as heck and raining all day. 40 degrees and rain, miserable. Now I know lots of yall would love to have 40 degree temps but that's cooolddd down here. Lol
Huge cat fish
What are the conditions that will make you choose an A-Rig with spinners and one that will not?
Im fishing Texarkana and its cold
Matt how do you deal with icy ramps in winter.bassmd
This is what I'm talking about. On the water
My friend and I went through the same thing this weekend. Launched behind a tournament.
ughh one of those days…that winter struggle is real!
Thanks for taking us along as always and keeping it real. Like you said, it’s always worth it because this time of year you have a very good chance to get a trophy. God bless!
Great stuff Matt
Love these videos where you get on a multi-species bite on the Tennessee River! My home fishery, the Ohio River, is the exact same way. It seems like any time I figure out a smallmouth pattern, it's always followed by a day of catching everything EXCEPT smallmouth — sauger, drum, catfish, whitebass, etc.
As frustrating as that can be, it sure keeps things interesting. Nothing tests my finesse gear like a 10-12 lb drum.
Great job Matt. Really enjoyed this video. The struggle bus is real and it happens to the best of us. Glad to see you showing the realities of wintertime fishing. One day you’re on ‘em and the next you’re not. This video actually helps build one’s confidence, seeing how others struggle, but never quit. Getting out on a cold day is a success of its own. Thanks for being an awesome person with great character. Keep up the great work! -Semper Fi
Thanks for putting out the tuff day..5 degrees just off cape cod