The 5 Best Winter Bass Lures – A Simple Buyer’s Guide

Fishing for bass in the winter is challenging to many anglers and it can lead to some of the most memorable catches of the year.

While fishing in cold weather might be difficult, it’s not impossible. It’s only a matter of learning more about how the temperature affects bass’ behavior and being prepared with the right kind of lure to get them to bite.

Bass fishing lures are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, so it can be difficult to choose the most suitable one. To help you choose here’s a compilation of some of the best winter bass fishing lures available on the market.

Product Name	Type	Size
BlitzBite Multi-Jointed Lure	Swimbait	3 Ounces
Yo-Zuri 3DB	Jerkbait	1.5 Ounces
Johnson Silver Minnow	Jigging Spoon	3.4 Ounces
Mizugiwa Soft Lures	Soft Plastic	1.5 Ounces
Zoom Magnum II Worms	Soft Plastic	3.2 Ounces

List of the Best Winter Bass Lures in 2021

1. Best Overall – BlitzBite Multi Jointed Swimbait

This multi-jointed lure from BlitzBite is one of the most popular lures for winter bass fishing because of its life-like appearance and impressive sinking abilities. It’s ideal for targeting bass in deep water

It has a segmented design that allows for more action in the water to grab the attention of bass fish.

It’s made from durable plastic material and features dual steel treble hooks. It’s available in various colors and patterns.

Pros Vs Cons

The Pros

• It’s designed with joints to create action
• It’s made from durable plastic material
• It has impressive sinking abilities
• It features dual treble hooks
• It comes in multiple colors and patterns
• It has a life-like appearance

The Cons

• The material of the hooks is not very strong

Bottom line

BlitzBite Multi Jointed Swimbait Lure is the best choice for you if you’re looking for a fishing lure with excellent sinking abilities for targeting bass in deep water areas.

2. Second Runner – Yo-Zuri 3DB Suspending Jerkbait

The Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait is one of the best lures for winter bass fishing.

It’s designed with a realistic profile to mimic a variety of baitfish to attract bass fish and get them to bite. It features two round bend black nickel treble hooks to ensure a solid hookset when a large bass strikes.

This lure is made from durable materials and it’s available in multiple colors and patterns to suit various water conditions.

Pros Vs Cons

The Pros

• It’s made from durable materials
• It can effectively mimic baitfish
• It features two strong treble hooks
• It’s available in multiple colors and patterns

The Cons

• It’s slightly more expensive compared to other lures

Bottom Line

The Yo-Zuri 3DB Suspending Jerkbait is the best choice for you if you’re looking for a life-like lure that will effectively grab the attention of bass by imitating various baitfish.

3. Best On a Budget – Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon

This Silver Minnow Spoon from Johnson is one of the best lures to target bass in winter especially if you’re on a budget.

It’s ideal for fishing for bass in weedy areas because it’s designed with an efficient metal weed guard which allows the lure to easily move through thick weed beds. It can mimic baitfish and create a natural action that will grab the bass’ attention.

It has a single hook that’s tucked behind the spoon itself and plated brass blades that allow you to cast the lure for longer distances. It’s available in multiple colors and sizes to suit different water conditions.

Pros Vs Cons

The Pros

• It has excellent casting abilities
• It’s ideal for fishing in weedy areas
• It features a metal weed guard and plated brass blades
• It creates a natural action that mimics baitfish
• It’s available in multiple colors and sizes

The Cons

• The material of the hook is not very durable

Bottom line

The Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon is the best choice for you if you’re looking for a bass fishing lure that comes at a very affordable price without risking quality or efficiency.

4. Mizugiwa Dawg Soft Plastic Lures

The Mizugiwa Dawg soft plastic lure is a must-have in every bass angler’s tackle box.

It’s made from high-quality materials and it’s designed with a curled tail that creates action to grab the attention of bass

It features a sharp stainless steel single dorsal hook along with a VMC treble hook to increase the chance of getting more bass to bite. It also features a jig head which adds more balance and allows the lure to sink down slowly at a 45-degree angle.

Pros Vs Cons

The Pros

• It features a jig to add more balance
• It swims down at a 45-degree angle with a slow sinking rate
• Its curled tail creates action
• It’s made from high-quality materials

The Cons

• It’s more expensive compared to other lures

Bottom line

The Mizugiwa Soft Plastic Lure is the best option for you if you’re looking for a slow sinking lure with good action and balance

5. Zoom Magnum II Worms

Another high-quality soft plastic lure for winter bass fishing is the Zoom Magnum II Worms

These worms are designed with a tail that moves smoothly to create a natural action that attracts bass fish. They can be rigged in multiple ways so you can target bass at various depths.

They come in a Pack of 20 and they’re available in a wide variety of colors to suit different water conditions.

Pros Vs Cons

The Pros

• It’s designed with a tail that creates a natural action
• It can be rigged in multiple ways
• It’s ideal for fishing at various water depths
• It is available in multiple colors and patterns

The Cons

• The plastic material is not the most durable

Bottom line

Zoom Magnum II Worms are the best choice for you if you’re looking for a bass fishing lure plastic lure that can be rigged in different ways to target bass at different water depths.

All You Need to Know About Winter Bass Fishing

How Does Cold Temperature Affect Bass Behavior?

Bass species can be very sensitive to water temperature. When the water temperature is warmer, they become more active and feed more.

When the temperature gets colder during winter, bass fish tend to become more lethargic and they will eat much less.

They will also seek refuge in deep areas of water where the temperature is warmer which makes it difficult to catch them.

Where to Locate Bass During Winter?

Bass species can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, or creeks. Largemouth bass prefers slower currents, so it’s more commonly found in the south while smallmouth bass prefers faster currents, so it’s found more commonly towards the north.

During the winter they will stay at the bottom of deep wintering holes. You can always target them around rocky areas and near the edges of heavy cover such as logs, stumps, brush piles, and weed beds.

Which Lures Do Bass Prefer in the Winter?

During winter, it’s best to target bass with slow-action lures such as swimbaits, jigging spoons, jerk baits, and soft plastic lures.

keep in mind that bass will be more attracted to lures that are designed to look similar to what they naturally eat. Lures that can mimic the movement of real baitfish can effectively trigger a response in lethargic bass attention to get them to bite.

I have another guide to the best spring bass fishing lures here which you should also take a look at.

Pro Tips for Bass Fishing During Winter

Use Heavy Gear

For winter bass fishing, it’s recommended to go for a medium-heavy powered fishing rod with heavy action that’s 6’7” to 7’8” feet in length.

As for the reel, it’s recommended to go for a baitcasting reel with a 6.1:1 gear ratio.

When it comes to fishing lines, you can use a 12-20-pound fluorocarbon line or an 8-pound braided line.

Implement the 15-Minute Rule

If you don’t get any bites within 15 minutes, try to move to another location until you find the bass fish. It’s better not to waste your time fishing at areas of water that don’t have any bass fish.

Dress for Cold Weather

Since you’ll be spending long periods of time fishing in cold weather, proper winter clothing is essential to increase your comfort and enhance your performance.

It’s recommended to wear a sweat-wicking base layer to reduce moisture, along with an insulating layer made of wool or fleece. You can also add a protective outer layer on top that is wind-proof and water-resistant.

Avoid wearing cotton materials as they tend to absorb more water and consider investing in a hat, thick gloves, wool socks as well as comfortable winter boots.

Be Patient

Bass fishing in the winter will require you to have more patience. That is because the fish will be more lethargic and less likely to bite

You can also check out my full guide to cold weather Bass Fishing here, and my dedicated guide to muddy water bass fishing in winter here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Tell Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Apart?

There are distinctive features that will help tell largemouth bass and smallmouth apart. Largemouths are green with horizontal stripes all over their bodies. Their dorsal fin has a break in it making it look like two separate fins. While smallmouths are brown with vertical stripes all over their bodies. Their dorsal fin doesn’t have any breaks.

What Is the Best Way to Hold a Bass Fish?

The best way to hold a bass fish is vertically. You need to have its mouth facing upwards and its tail pointing downwards. This position will relieve pressure on the fish and protect it from damage. Make sure to keep your thumb placed inside the fish’s mouth while pressing the rest of your fingers against the outside of the fish’s mouth to avoid dropping the fish.