Fishing Forum

What are good baits to use during the cold water days. I have been using a crank bait and Carolina Rig.

Fausto Turro
[signature]

Welcome to BigFishTackle and thanks for sharing with us.

Here on the West Coast, we use the darker color worms and Storm Craws.

Because of the cooler water temps, the blue, purple and motor oil seem to do good even in clear water.

Just remember to Sloooooooooooooow the presentation down after the top water bite is over.[cool]

Don't forget to visit our Bass board too and share some pics as well. Pics are limited to 450 pixels wide.[]
[signature]

Don't forget the dreaded Drop Shot. If you can find them and stay on top of them there is no deadlier technique. 90 different ways to do it, 2,490,000 if you google it...[]
[signature]

Make sure the swimming lures you are using "suspend." You don't want a floating or sinking lure. You want the lure to slow down dramatically or stop where it's at when you stop reeling. Keeping the lure of choice in the much smaller strike zone is key to catching any winter species.
[signature]

I usually use a white tube jig.
[signature]

Can't go wrong with the white tube jig. It's a standard in my fishing box and one of my favorite lures because you can use it anytime of year. I've caught pike, walleye, bass, trout, gills, and even caught a small sucker with one once. Good all purpose lure.

No matter what the lure just remember to take it slow for winter time fishing.
[signature]

Wait 'til you find out about the "Magic Lure", sort of a culmination of the white tube jig. Keep an eye out on the Float Tubing board...[]
[signature]

Are you fishing for small mouth or large???

How cold is the water???

If smallies are what you are after then use what you do when fishing deep water and the same lures....

I fish for smallies in the winter here in Utah in 38 deg. water in 35' to 90' of water using what I do in summer
when they go deep....
[signature]

For the really finicky cold water Bass, you can use the good ole dropshot rig.

Remember that the Bass will be a little less active and don't want to chase too much so the stand still dropshot would be ideal.

What area are you fishing?? What Lakes or streams??[cool]
[signature]

I like using a 3/16 ounce black and blue jig with a strike king craw trailer. Most of the time the bass will hit it on the fall or after you move it. Just crawl it across the bottom.

If that doesnt work I like to use a rapala D10 crankbait. You have to fish it slow. I find water that is shallower than 10 feet so the crankbait diggs into the bottom. It works great if you find a drop off.

Good luck
[signature]