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Winter 2026
JIGS
Few lures are more versatile than a jig. Any time of year, on any body of water, a rubber-skirted jig can be used to catch bass. You can flip or pitch one around stumps, laydowns, boat docks, or vegetation, placing the bait tight to the cover where bass position themselves. An assortment of 3/8- and 1/2-ounce jigs lets you fish both shallow and deep. Different weights also produce different fall rates, which can be key to getting bites. Jigs can also be cast and dragged along offshore structure such as rock piles, brush piles, and offshore flats.
VIBRATING JIG
Since the early 2000s, the ChatterBait has become a staple for bass anglers. It can be fished
Photo: Erik Gaffron
throughout the season and works well around vegetation, wood, rock, and boat docks. Its strong vibration and action draw attention while still coming through cover without constantly hanging up. Trailer options are nearly endless, but it’s important to choose one that doesn’t overpower or counteract the vibration of the blade. My choice is a 3/8-ounce JackHammer or Tungsten ChatterBait Elite EVO with a Yamamoto Slim Zako trailer
SPINNERBAIT
The spinnerbait has long been a staple for bass fishermen, and it still works exceptionally
well today. Its simple
cast-and-retrieve approach
makes it a great choice for
beginners. Spinnerbaits are effective because you can
adjust your retrieve to match water depth and bass
activity. In spring, slow rolling a single Colorado blade
spinnerbait produces a lot of vibration and attracts bass
even in cold water. As the water warms and bass begin
feeding on baitfish, spinnerbaits with double willow leaf
blades or a tandem willow leaf Colorado setup create
more flash and mimic active forage. My choice would be
a 3/8-ounce Tandem Willowleaf
TOPWATER PLUGS
As the year progresses and water temperatures climb past 60 degrees, bass become more active, and I
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