Many anglers assume that river smallmouth become inactive during winter, but this is a misconception. While their metabolism slows in cold water, these fish are still feeding and can be caught with the right approach. During the coldest months, smallmouth bass tend to gather in specific areas that offer consistent conditions and access to food. Anglers who take the time to understand winter bass behavior can have highly productive days on the water. The key is knowing where to look and adjusting your techniques to match their reduced activity level. Smallmouth bass rely on efficiency during winter, conserving energy by staying in areas where food is easily accessible without much effort. These fish often group together in deeper pools or along structures that break the current, making them more predictable for anglers who know where to search. Unlike warmer months when bass are spread out and actively chasing prey, winter fishing is about precision and patience. Understanding how water temperature affects bass behavior can also help anglers choose the best times to fish, such as during warming trends or after rain events. With the right strategy and mindset, winter fishing can reveal some of the best opportunities to target concentrated smallmouth bass.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. Act quickly, these new colors won’t stay in stock for long. We also recently restocked our Ghost, Red Bug, Purple Rain, Brown Bug, Electric Chicken, and Goby Wan colors. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Iits unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility. |

In winter, smallmouth bass seek out areas of the river that provide shelter and a break from strong currents. Look for deeper sections, such as holes or troughs that range from 15 to 20 feet deep, as these offer a calm environment where bass can conserve energy. Steep banks, bluffs, and ledges are prime locations, as they often create slower water at the bottom. Current breaks caused by rocks, logs, wing dams, or bridge pilings are also hotspots, especially if these areas are near deeper pools. Focusing on these types of locations can dramatically increase your chances of finding winter bass. Smallmouth bass gravitate to these specific locations because they offer protection from the harshest current while still allowing access to drifting prey. These areas also tend to have slightly warmer water, which is crucial for cold-blooded fish during winter months. Identifying subtle transitions, such as where a steep bank levels out or where a current break creates an eddy, can make a significant difference in locating bass. Using tools like depth finders or studying river maps can help pinpoint these prime spots before you even start fishing. By targeting these areas, anglers can avoid wasting time on unproductive water and maximize their success.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action-triggering strikes! |

Winter river conditions can vary greatly depending on rainfall and temperature changes. After a heavy rain, for example, the influx of muddy water can push smallmouth bass into shallower areas, even during extremely cold weather. Anglers should monitor water clarity and flow, as these factors heavily influence bass movement. Shallow areas near current breaks can become productive, as bass use these spots to ambush prey that gets washed downriver. Being adaptable and willing to fish both deep and shallow water ensures you’ll stay on top of the fish no matter the conditions. Changes in water temperature, even by just a degree or two, can also trigger bass to become more active and move to different areas. Pay close attention to weather patterns, as sunny days following a cold spell may warm shallow waters enough to draw bass out of deeper holes. Periods of stable weather often lead to more predictable fish behavior, while sudden drops in temperature or rapidly rising water levels can scatter fish temporarily. Adjusting your lure selection and presentation to match water clarity is equally important; in murky water, brighter or more vibration-heavy lures can help bass locate your bait. By staying observant and flexible, you can turn challenging winter conditions into opportunities.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fact, we just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost and 10w30 Syntheic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater. |

Efficiency is critical during winter fishing, as smallmouth bass are often concentrated in isolated areas. A depth finder can help anglers locate productive spots more quickly by identifying depth changes, holes, and underwater structures. Instead of casting aimlessly, use this tool to pinpoint areas where bass are likely to congregate. Once a spot is located, take the time to thoroughly fish it before moving on. This approach not only saves time but also increases the chances of catching bass in the coldest months. A depth finder can also reveal subtle details, such as transition zones where the bottom composition changes from mud to rock, which are often overlooked but can hold bass. By marking these key areas, you can create a strategy for revisiting productive spots throughout the season. A depth finder can help you track baitfish, a crucial factor in identifying where bass are feeding. Pairing the depth finder’s information with visual observations, such as spotting eddies or rippling seams on the surface, allows for a more complete understanding of the fishing environment. With practice, this tool becomes an indispensable part of winter fishing, helping you spend more time catching fish and less time searching for them.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility in a soft plastic bait. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures they remain enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection but year-round you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect in any weather condition year-round! |

Winter bass fishing doesn’t require a large selection of baits, but presentation is crucial. Downsized soft plastics, such as lizards, cray-styled baits, beetles, and worms, are highly effective when rigged to drift naturally in the current. These soft plastics can be presented in various ways on a jig head, Texas-rigged, or even wacky rigged to suit the conditions and reduce snags in rocky areas. Crawfish patterns can work well with slow retrieves, soft plastics often outperform due to their lifelike appearance and ability to mimic the small creatures bass feed on during winter. Mastering these soft plastic presentations ensures you’ll have versatile options for targeting bass in cold water. The effectiveness of these baits lies in their ability to match the natural forage that smallmouth bass target during colder months. Soft plastics like lizards or worms can be worked slowly to imitate prey crawling or drifting along the riverbed. Cray-styled baits and beetles can mimic specific prey species that bass rely on in winter, making them ideal for targeted presentations. Adjusting bait size, weight, and presentation to match water clarity and current speed is key to staying in the strike zone.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added new MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Our popular Wild Cherry Worms have been restocked as well. You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out along with some of our newest colors including the Brown Worm, Electic Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also released new 6-inch Worms including Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR are all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater. |

Current seams and eddies are prime locations for winter smallmouth bass. These areas, where faster-moving water meets slower flows, create feeding zones where bass can ambush prey while conserving energy. Anglers should target the transitions between the main current and calmer eddies, paying attention to where baitfish are likely to gather. Casting into the current and letting baits drift naturally into these seams often produces strikes. Success depends on precision, so take your time and thoroughly cover these loaded spots. Understanding the behavior of smallmouth bass in these areas is key to maximizing your success. Current seams funnel food, making them reliable feeding zones where bass position themselves to capitalize on drifting prey. Eddies, on the other hand, provide a resting spot where bass can stay out of the current while remaining close to the food source. Vary your casting angles and bait presentations to effectively work these spots and determine how the fish are positioned. Using lures that mimic the natural movement of baitfish or crayfish can make your presentation more enticing, increasing your chances of triggering a strike.Our newest FreshBaitz Mandingo Trick Worm is the ultimate game-changer for anglers with a passion! Engineered for the angler who knows SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a penchant for the larger bait. The Mandingo Trick Worm boasts a solid 7-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. Officially available in a vibrant array of 8 colors. Each worm is made from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for total and maximum attraction, the Mandingo Trick Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing the big ones. Proudly made in the USA by real anglers to help elevate your fishing experience and catch more bass year-round! |

In cold water, smallmouth bass are less aggressive and less likely to chase fast-moving baits. A slow, deliberate presentation mimics the natural behavior of prey in winter and entices bass to strike. Drifting soft plastics like lizards, cray-styled baits, beetles, or worms with the current or retrieving crankbaits at a steady, relaxed pace is often more effective than rapid movements. Adding pauses to your retrieve can trigger reaction strikes, especially when bass are following a bait but hesitant to commit. Precision and patience are essential for winter bass fishing success, as small adjustments can make a big difference. It’s also important to stay attuned to subtle bites, as winter bass often strike lightly, making it easy to miss a catch without careful attention. Watching your line for any unusual movements or feeling for slight pressure can help detect these delicate strikes. Adjusting the weight of your lure ensures it stays in the strike zone longer, improving your chances of enticing a bite. Focusing on key structure or depth zones with repeated casts helps thoroughly cover areas where bass are concentrated. Combining a slow presentation with attention to detail will maximize your success.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve recently released new Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. The new Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also now available, featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it sits the bait up-right in a defensive stance! Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig which has an attached weight saving you pressure time when fishing cover. The 4x Jungle Flippin Hook is designed for big fish and the toughest conditions. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action that triggers bites. |