| Winter bass fishing can be more predictable than other seasons. Cold water slows bass metabolism and reduces unnecessary movement, which causes fish to group more tightly. Instead of roaming large areas, bass often settle into specific zones that provide comfort and food. This clustering makes patterns easier to repeat once the fish are located. Anglers who focus on efficiency rather than doing constant experimentation often find more success. The key is knowing that winter bass are conserving energy, not disappearing. Once you identify where they’re holding, you can catch multiple fish from the same area. These winter groups often remain stable for long periods unless major weather changes occur. This allows anglers to return to the same locations day after day with confidence. Small adjustments in depth or positioning can make a big difference within these zones. Paying close attention to small environmental cues helps refine your approach even further. Winter success is less about covering water and more about maximizing time in the right place. When approached strategically, winter fishing can be one of the most consistent times of the year.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. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater, along with being made in the USA by real fishermen. We recently restocked the Midnight HellaMite and HellaMite Fun Pack, which is loaded with 18 HellaMite baits in all six proven colors, plus it comes with three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also restocked our Green Pumpkin and Smoke Purple HellaMite. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Its 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 a catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility. |
| Finding the right location is often more important than selecting the right lure. During winter, bass rarely spread out evenly across a body of water. They position themselves in small, high-percentage areas while large stretches remain empty. Spending time in the wrong area almost guarantees slow fishing regardless of presentation. Productive winter spots typically provide depth, protection, and access to food. Structure, contours, and bottom composition all influence where bass settle. When anglers prioritize location first, everything else becomes easier. Identifying these areas often requires slowing down and carefully analyzing the water. Electronics, visual clues, and seasonal knowledge all play a role in narrowing down productive zones. Even small pieces of structure can hold multiple fish in winter. Bass often relate to specific depth ranges rather than exact spots. Once that depth is identified, similar areas around the lake become reliable targets. This approach turns winter fishing into a repeatable process instead of guesswork.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, and the 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 slight 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 that triggers strikes! |
| Deeper water is the primary winter refuge for bass. As water temperatures drop, bass gravitate toward areas with more stable conditions. Deeper zones offer consistent temperatures and reduced exposure to rapid weather changes. These areas also tend to concentrate baitfish and other forage. Bass often position themselves along depth changes rather than sitting in the deepest water available. Small features like ledges, points, and channel edges become especially important. Targeting these areas increases the odds of finding grouped fish. Bass frequently suspend or hold just off the bottom in these deeper zones, depending on conditions. Small changes in depth can significantly impact where fish are positioned on a given day. Wind, current, and light levels can also influence how bass relate to deeper structure. The anglers who pay attention to these variables can dial in more precise locations. Deep water does not mean inactive fish, but rather fish that are selective. Understanding this really helps anglers approach deep winter areas with confidence and purpose.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic 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. |
| Shallow water still plays a role in winter feeding behavior. Even though bass live deeper in winter, they frequently move shallow to feed. These shallow trips are usually short and intentional rather than random. Remaining vegetation, flats, or hard-bottom areas can attract bass looking for an easy meal. When bass move shallow, they are often more willing to bite. Soft plastics such as craw-styled baits, worms, or insect larvae can be effective during these feeding windows. Covering water efficiently helps intercept fish during these brief movements. These shallow opportunities often coincide with warming trends or stable weather conditions. The sun exposure can slightly raise water temperatures in shallow areas, making them more appealing. Bass may also use shallow zones as staging areas before returning to deeper water. Timing becomes critical since these feeding windows can be short-lived. Anglers who stay mobile increase their chances of capitalizing on these movements. Recognizing when bass transition can turn a slow day into a good one.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! |
| Smaller movements often outperform the more aggressive presentations in cold water. Winter bass are less likely to chase fast-moving targets for long distances. Presentations that stay close to the fish and move naturally tend to be more effective. Soft plastics shine because they can be fished slowly without losing realism. Beetles, craw-styled baits, lizards, and worms imitate forage bass that are accustomed to seeing near the bottom. Small movements and controlled pacing can trigger strikes from neutral fish. Patience and precision often matter more than speed. Allowing the bait to pause can be just as important as the movement itself. Many winter strikes occur when the bait is sitting still or barely moving. Subtle twitches or slight lifts can suggest an easy meal. Keeping the bait in the strike zone longer increases the chances of a reaction. This approach aligns with the bass’s need to conserve energy. Mastering subtle movement is often the difference between a tough day and a successful one.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 restocked our Brown Worms. We also added Midnight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Or you could 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 Electric 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 Restocked 6-inch Worms, including Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue, Fire TGR, Wild Berries, Bone, 10w30 Synthetic, Zombie Blood, and Chocolate MNT! — 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. |
| Bottom-oriented presentations consistently produce winter bass. In cold water, bass spend a significant amount of time close to the bottom. Worms, crawfish, and other bottom-dwelling forage remain available even when baitfish slow down. Soft plastics that mimic these creatures align well with winter feeding behavior. Allowing baits to maintain bottom contact keeps them in the strike zone longer. Smaller lifts, pauses, and slow drags help imitate natural movement. This approach appeals to bass focused on conserving energy. Hard-bottom areas often enhance the effectiveness of bottom presentations. Transitions between mud, sand, gravel, and rock can concentrate feeding bass. Feeling the bottom through your presentation helps identify these key zones. Winter bites can be light, requiring close attention to line movement and feel. A controlled, methodical retrieve reduces missed opportunities. Staying disciplined with bottom contact increases an anlgers consistency throughout the season.Introducing the Newest 8-Inch MagDingo Worms! These are the ultimate game-changer in bass fishing! Engineered for anglers who know SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a fixation for the larger bait. The MagDingo Worm boasts a solid 8-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. The 10-count packs are now available in a variety of 6 crucial colors, including the 10w30 Synthetic, Black & Blue, Zombie Blood, Green Pumpkin, Wild Cherry, and Watermelon Red. Each worm is made in the USA from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for maximum attraction, the 8-inch MagDingo 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 trophy-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass. |
| Winter bass feed during defined windows rather than all day. Unlike warmer months, winter feeding activity often occurs in short bursts. Low-light periods in the morning can trigger feeding due to reduced visibility for prey. Afternoon warming, even by a few degrees, can also activate bass. Shallow areas tend to warm first, making them prime targets during these windows. Outside of feeding periods, bass may remain inactive and difficult to trigger. Timing your fishing around these windows greatly improves success. Understanding when bass are most likely to feed is just as important as knowing where they live. Weather stability often plays a major role in extending these feeding periods. Sudden cold fronts can shorten windows, while consistent conditions may lengthen them. Wind and cloud cover can also influence how long bass stay active. Paying attention to daily conditions helps predict when bites are most likely to occur. Winter success often comes from fishing fewer hours at the right times. Feeding windows lead to better efficiency and results. We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve 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. Owner Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. 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. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. 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! The WEEDLESS Block Head Jig features high-quality construction that helps increase your hook-up ratios and keep your bait clean from snagging rocks or vegetation. 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 precious 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. We also just released Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure. |