Winter Swimbait Fishing 101
The winter season can be a very tough time of year for bass fishing. But in recent years, swimbaits have emerged as one of the best ways to catch winter bass all across the country.
But the term “swimbait” can get a bit confusing as there is a lot that goes into the huge swimbait fishing category.
So let me simplify things in this article and break down everything you need to know about winter swimbait fishing specifically.
The Right Swimbait Style for Winter
There are a number of different swimbait styles out there, but there is really only one that works super well during the winter season.
The right swimbait to use in the winter is a soft swimbait, either a boot tail or wedge tail style swimbait.
A hard swimbait like a glide bait or multi-jointed swimbait just have too much action for the winter season.
You want a much more subtle, streamline action in the cold water because everything underwater moves a lot less.
The bass and the baitfish don’t move a lot and they get a lot stiffer because of how cold the water and their bodies are.
So a soft swimbait that really only has tail movement and maybe a slight body rock is perfect in the winter.
Picking the Swimbait Size
During the winter season, I have found that it is best to play the extreme sides of the size spectrum.
Either use very small, finesse sized swimbaits. Or use very big profile swimbaits.
The small swimbaits are small and subtle enough that even sluggish, cold water bass will likely still eat them because it isn’t much effort.
And the big swimbaits give the bass the opportunity to eat once and forget about hunting for days at a time.
One big meal, like a big swimbait, will give the slow metabolism bass enough energy to last them days without needing more food.
So finesse swimbaits are like a super easy snack that is hard to turn down, even for lazy bass.
And the big swimbaits take more effort to eat, but will sustain the bass for a long time, so they are worth the hunt.
I have found that the in between sizes don’t work all that well during the winter. Bass seem to view the standard sized baits as too much effort to hunt with not enough energy upside.
Winter Swimbait Checklist:
- Soft Swimbait
- Either small and finesse or big
- Top hook placement, either fixed or line through (prevents snags as you retrieve swimbait along the bottom)
How to Fish/Retrieve the Swimbait
Whether you are using a big swimbait or a little finesse swimbait, the winter swimbait retrieve is very simple.
All you are going to do is cast out, let the swimbait sink to the bottom, and then very slowly reel it along the bottom so that it is either a couple inches up or actually bumping into the sand, rocks, or grass that are on the bottom.
You want the swimbait down on the bottom of the water because that is where the bass will be holding.
The only time bass will consistently suspend or come way off the bottom in the winter is out in very deep water.
And because of the slow fall rate of these soft swimbaits, you are never going to be fishing them out deep.
So just a slow and steady retrieve right along the bottom puts the swimbait right in front of the bass, making it much easier for them to hunt and eat the bait.
And during the winter, the easier you make the meal, the more likely the bass will be to actually eat it.
Why Swimbaits Work in Winter
Very Natural Profile
During the winter, the bass will become more picky because they don’t have to eat as much.
Additionally, the water will usually be very clear because of the lack of rain as well as algae and other debris.
So bass are picky and can see baits extremely well. This means that your lures have to look as realistic as possible to catch lots of bass.
And a soft swimbait is one of the most realistic and natural looking baits in all of bass fishing
Minimal Action
Like I mentioned earlier, the underwater ecosystem changes a lot in cold water. Nothing moves very much or very erratically.
So you want your baits to act the same, and have very subtle, minimal movements. Soft swimbaits do this perfectly.
They swim in a very streamline manner with really just a subtle kick of the tail. They don’t have tons of vibration or sound. The move and look just like the real thing.
Also Read: Pre-Spawn Swimbait Fishing 101
Reeling this In
While winter bass fishing certainly presents its challenges, it doesn’t have to be a losing game. By simplifying your approach and focusing on soft swimbaits that mimic the natural, lethargic movements of cold-water prey, you can trigger bites from even the most sluggish fish.
Whether you choose a tiny finesse snack or a massive meal to sustain a trophy bass, remember the golden rule: keep it slow and keep it low.
By hugging the bottom and matching the quiet energy of the season, you’ll find that the coldest months can actually provide some of the hottest swimbait action of the year.
