Fishing Metal Baits For Cold Water Bass (Spoons, Blade Baits, Tail Spins)

"Heavy Metal Bass Fishing" is even more fun than it sounds! Winter is prime time to fish a variety of metal baits. Blade Baits and tail spins were born out of necessity in the heart of Winter. Jigging spoons and flutter spoons have amazing fish catching abilities any time baitfish are around. If you're not putting these metal baits to work for you, you're leaving fish behind in the cold water months!

A lot of anglers misunderstand Metal baits. They look at these hunks of metal hanging on the pegs at their local tackle shop and can't believe bass would eat them. It's not until you see the action in the water that they'll begin to make sense. After the first few bites, you're shocked by the realization that fish can't resist these lures! Cold water bass fishing with metal baits can be incredible! Now, not all baits are created equal and we definitely have a few favorites.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear we discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, colors, and hook upgrades for each. We've also included our favorite rod and reel combos for fishing these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

BLADE BAITS...

•Megabass Dyna Response (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Jukucho Shad, Ito Hiau

•Damiki Vault (1/4 – 1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Cyber Purple

•Silver Buddy (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2AcTelj

Colors: Silver Plated

HOOK UPGRADES FOR VAULT...

Split Rings– Owner Hyperwire: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Sizes: 2 and 3 (3 on tail and head, 2 on belly)

Hooks– Owner STX 38: http://bit.ly/2oNIeCD

Size: 6

FLUTTER SPOON...

•Nichols Lake Fork Flutter Spoon: https://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Colors: Shattered Glass Silver, Purple Threadfin

JIGGING SPOONS...

•Nichols Blade Runner Duh Spoon: https://bit.ly/4cSEVki

Size: 3/4 – 1 3/4 oz

Colors: Morning Dawn UV, Sierra UV, Shattered Glass Silver

•War Eagle Jigging Spoon (7/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2H9dJV1

Colors: Nickel, Purple Shad

TAIL SPINS...

•Jackall Deracoup (1/2 – 3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Colors: Silver, Clear Shad, Dera Shad

•Damiki Axe Blade (3/4 – 1 oz): https://bit.ly/2w2uB9t

Colors: Black Holo, Holo Real Shad

BLADE/TAIL SPIN COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line– Sunline FC Fluorocarbon (12 lb): http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

HIGH END SPOON COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 7'1" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Abu Garcia Zata Tact–Z: https://bit.ly/3B8E7Ks

Line– Seaguar InvizX (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

BUDGET BLADE/TAIL SPIN COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX XT A (HG): https://bit.ly/3YgnWE8

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

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

Winter Crankbait Fishing (Shallow And Deep) | Full Seminar

Come along for a deep dive into Winter crankbait fishing! Matt begins with a demonstration on retrieves, then switches gears to color selection, bait style by depth, and a deep dive into specific bait designs by application. Anglers in the know, catch a ton of giant bass on crankbaits, you can be one of them!

Winter crankbait fishing is incredibly effective! Speed cranking for Winter bass is far more effective than everyone realizes, even in the coldest water temperature. Once you understand how to create the right action at different depths, this will become one of your key confidence baits. The words "Burn, Burn, Burn, Pause" will forever be in your head as you set the hook on another giant bass!

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits by category, as well as our favorite colors for each of those baits. We've also included our favorite rod and reel combos for each application and price point. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICAL MERCH AND APPAREL...

•Merch and Apparel: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

THE TACTICAL CRANK...

•River2Sea Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/37dclbX

Natural Colors: Clearwater Minnow, True Shad, Ghost Minnow

Reflective Colors: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow, Summer Minnow

Bold Colors: Northern Special, Chartreuse Blue, Metallic Shad

Tactical DD Hook Upgrade– Owner ST35: https://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

Size: 2

DEEP CRANKS... (Deepest To Shallowest)

•Duo Realis G87 20A: https://bit.ly/2Jh4ktg

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Green Smelt, Morning Dawn

•Megabass Deep Six: https://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Colors: Mat Shad, Ito Wakasagi, MB Gizzard

•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: https://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Mirrored Minnow, Ghost Minnow, True Shad

•Megabass Deep X 300: https://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: Mat Shad, MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu

•Spro Rock Crawler: https://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Colors: Phantom Green, Phantom Watermelon

SUBTLE CRANKS...

•Rapala Shad Rap 5: https://bit.ly/3OMINZB

Colors: Live River Shad, Red Crawdad, Olive Green Craw

•Rapala Shad Rap 7: https://bit.ly/3D5pWGJ

Colors: Live River Shad, Red Crawdad, Blaze

•Megabass IXI Shad: https://bit.ly/4ivhBMQ

Colors: Kasumi Ito, Imae Classic, Ghost Shad

FLAT SIDED CRANKS...

•Rapala OG Slim 6: https://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Colors: Red Crawdad, Live River Shad

•Rapala OG Slim Tiny 4: https://bit.ly/3A76zGi

Colors: Red Crawdad, Live River Shad

•Spro Little John 50: https://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Blood Craw, Fire Craw, Spooky Shad

MAIN CRANKBAIT 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

SHALLOW CRANK COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante Flat Side Special: https://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

Reel– Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70: https://bit.ly/3ZcBbCZ

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

BUDGET FRIENDLY COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Black Bass 7'4" Medium Hvy Mod: https://bit.ly/41ntbDB

Reel– Seviin GF Series (7:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line– Seaguar Red Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

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

Jungle Monsters! Catching 350+ lb Arapaima + World Record Peacock Bass!

"The Maze Of The Air Breather" A Cinematic Journey Through the jungle in pursuit of the mighty Arapaima!

We've assembled a crew of serious anglers to pursue the largest fish in South America on artificial lures! That's right, we required that everyone fish artificial lures, no bait allowed! Swimbaits, crankbaits, glide baits, topwater, all in pursuit of these giant freshwater monsters! Peacock Bass, Wolf Fish, Vampire Fish, Arowana, Piranha, and countless other species were caught along the way, and of course, we captured the mighty Arapaima!

"Maze Of The Air Breather" is a cinematic journey into the Essequibo River basin. Come along with our 7-man crew as we enter the jungles of Guyana in search of world class Arapaima! Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Amazon Rainforest, and experience one of the last pristine ecosystems on the planet! Huge thank you to Steve Yatomi of Adventure Travel Alliance, King William Adventures, and the Amerindian community of Apoteri Village for allowing our crew into this special land!

Below you'll find links to the baits and gear that we used to successfully capture these incredible fish! We've also included a link to the local outfitter we used to make this dream a reality! All the bait and gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

OUTFITTER INFORMATION...

Adventure Travel Alliance (Steve Yatomi): https://bit.ly/3DEmx20

King William Adventures: https://bit.ly/4fCHDuN

THE RODS THAT SURVIVED...

•F5 Departure: Discontinued but customs available direct

Models: 806 and 807

•Megabass Valkyrie World Expedition: https://bit.ly/3J1gchq

Models: 7'11" XH, 8' XXH

•St. Croix Legend Trek: Discontinued

Model: 7'6" Heavy

THE REELS...

•Shimano Tranx (300 and 400): https://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

•Shimano Curado 200: https://bit.ly/2acRpsK

FISHING LINE

Main Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid (80 – 100 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Tunageat Fluorocarbon (60 – 100 lb): https://bit.ly/47MCfkR

Wire Leader– (150 – 200 lb): Hand Made

HOOK AND SPLIT RING UPGRADES...

•Owner Ultra Wire Split Rings (Sizes 3 – 9): https://bit.ly/3bQgswL

•Owner ST-66 4X Trebles (Size 4 – 2/0): https://bit.ly/2JHo3z3

•Owner ST-56 3X Trebles (Size 4 – 1): https://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

ARAPAIMA LURES...

•Jackall Gantarel Swimbait: https://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: HL Bluegill, RT Bluegill

•River2Sea S Waver 200: https://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Light Trout, Pac Man

•Megabass Grenade: Discontinued

Colors: All

•Lucky Craft 100 Mag MR: https://bit.ly/2yaomxB

Colors: Magna Peacock, Magma Heat Up Gill

OTHER LURES...

•Megabass Vatalion: https://bit.ly/367AOxD

Colors: GG Gill, Ito Cichlid

•River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Colors: SC Minnow, Copper Carp

•River2Sea Whopper Plopper 110: https://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Powder, Bone

•Duo Realis Fang Bait SR120: https://bit.ly/4fApHRC

Colors: Albino, Fang Gill

•Rat-L-Trap (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/2gm8CjC

Colors: Oyster, Chrome Blue Back

•Strike King Red Eye Shad (3/4 oz): https://bit.ly/2fqX1RT

Colors: Chrome Blue Back, Chrome Black Back

•Megabass Ito Shiner: https://bit.ly/33j5mf0

Colors: GLX Galaxy Shiner, GG Perch

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR???

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

Top 5 Baits For January Bass Fishing!

Catching bass in January is very different than the rest of the year! Do you want to be consistent? These are the top 5 baits (actually 6) that we rely on to consistently catch bass during the coldest part of the year! Come along as we explore our confidence baits to help you catch more fish in January!

In most of the country January is the coldest month of the year. Fish are lethargic and often laying right on bottom. Finesse is the natural approach for these fish but the right reaction baits can trigger a feed response as well, even in a lethargic bass. We rely on a mix of reaction, finesse, and metal baits to consistently catch fish all through Winter.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear we use in January. We've linked the exact colors, sizes, and rigging components to help you find the exact items you're looking for. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

NED RIG...

•ZMan Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Color: Meat Dog

•Xzone Ned Zone: https://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Color: Violet Secret

FOOTBALL JIG...

Jig– Dirty Jigs 5/8 oz Finesse Football: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

Color: Supermatt Brown

Trailer– Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Grub: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Color: Cinn Blk Purp, Green Pump Purple Copper

CRANKBAIT...

•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: https://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Glass Minnow, Ghost Minnow, True shad

•Megabass Deep X 300: https://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: Sexy Ayu, Matte Shad

MINI ALABAMA RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Tactical Mini Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3uwY6Md

Heads– Matt Allen Swimbait Heads (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Baits– Xzone 4" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

Dummy Baits– Xzone 3.5" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Color: Electric Shad

MICRO ALABAMA RIG...

Rig– Hog Farmer Tactical MICRO Flex (Bladed): https://bit.ly/3RY1wUK

Heads– ZMan Trout Eye Finesse Head (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3C7H1iL

Baits– Damiki 3" Armor Shad: https://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

ALABAMA RIG STORAGE...

•Tackle Warehouse Umbrella Rig Bag: https://bit.ly/3Z1xAbH

•Tackle Warehouse Umbrella Rig Tubes: https://bit.ly/40VDQoO

STROLLING...

•Hog Farmer 3" Spunk Shad: https://bit.ly/2UFkCD7

Color: Ghost Minnow, Electric Shad

•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

•ZMan Graph Shadz: https://bit.ly/3Spu6xP

Colors: Tennessee Shad, Electric Shad, Smelt

SPOONS AND BLADE BAITS...

•Nichols Duh Spoon: https://bit.ly/4cSEVki

Colors: Shattered Glass Silver, Morning Dawn, Sierra

•Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad

BUDGET ALABAMA RIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'5" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel– Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line– Power Pro Braid (50 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader– Sufix Advance Green Mono (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

AFFORDABLE SPEED CRANKING COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Mojo Glass Trigon 7'4" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT (HS): https://bit.ly/35hugfH

Line– Sunline FC (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

AFFORDABLE FINESSE JIG COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Intenza 6'10" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3QjR9Kw

Reel– Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line– Seaguar InvizX (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2oVsG2Y

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: http://store.tacticalbassin.com

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz