When it comes to winter fishing, it's sometimes hard to pin down exactly what month the season starts and ends. Instead of trying to assign a date, it's far more effective to let water temperature define the season.

Most anglers agree that winter fishing in open water occurs when temperatures fall between 45°F and 33°F. Depending on where you live, this cold-water period typically runs from October through March, but water temperature should always take priority over the calendar.

During this cold-water window, four lure categories consistently produce results: Blade baits, Jigs, Ned rigs, and Swimbaits. Each plays a specific role, and when paired with the right presentation and KastKing gear, all can be extremely effective.

Understanding Cold-Water Conditions for Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are cold-blooded fish, meaning their metabolism slows as water temperatures drop. While they become less aggressive, they still need to feed, often grouping tightly around structure or depth transitions.

Cold-water success depends on precision, patience, and repeatability. The goal is not to cover water quickly, but to maintain the correct depth, retrieve speed, and cadence once a productive pattern is identified.

Why Blade Baits Excel in Cold Water

Blade baits are one of the most reliable tools for cold-water fishing due to their tight vibration, compact profile, and ability to reach deep water quickly.There are many versions of blade bait available today, with countless color patterns to choose from. My favorite blade bait is the Steelshad, it comes in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4-ounce sizes with several color options.  I prefer the 3/8 oz., in Gizzard shad, Kentucky shad, Alewive and Perch. These four colors will produce anywhere a smallmouth bass lives.   

How to Fish a Blade Bait with a Yo-Yo Retrieve

I have found the yo-yo retrieve is very dependable. This technique requires allowing the lure to fall all the way to the bottom on the cast, reeling up the slack line, then with a semi-tight line begin a series of short hops, no more than 18-inches off the bottom.

As you bounce the Steelshad along the bottom, maintain a semi-tight line all the way back to shore or the boat, then repeat the presentation. It's a feel presentation, as you lift the lure off the bottom the rod tip with start to vibrate, as soon as you feel the vibration, stop lifting and follow the lure back to the bottom on a semi- tight line.Most strikes occur when the lure falls or just as you lift the lure off the bottom. It's not a hard violent strike, but rather it feels like dead weight, and as the rod loads you feel the fish on the other end of the line.

Recommended KastKing Rod, Reel, and Line Setup

Rod: Royale Legend Pro Casting Rod 7'0" Moderate Fast

Reel: MegaJaws Baitcasting Reel with a 6.5:1 gear ratio

Line: 12–15 lb KastKing fluorocarbon or mono

To get optimal results, use the yo-yo retrieval method in areas where the water is at least 15 feet deep and the bottom is free of weeds.  It absolutely excels when performed over hard rock rubble or sandy bottom areas.  My clients have enjoyed banner days with the Steelshad using a yo-yo retrieve fishing as deep as 50-foot, all the way until the lake freezes over. 

Proven Jig Techniques for Cold-Season Bass

Jigs remain a cornerstone of cold-water fishing. Two styles stand out during the winter period: hair jigs and football jigs. Each serves a different purpose depending on depth and bottom composition.

Hair Jigs and When to Use Them

Marabou or bucktail hair jigs in black or brown, weighing 1/8–3/8 oz, excel in cold water.

Recommended setup:

Rod: Royale Legend Pro Spinning Rod 6'10" Medium-Light

Reel: Royale Legend Pro Spinning Reel 2000-size

Line: 4–10 lb KastKing fluorocarbon

The marabou jig seems to produce best on a slow horizontal retrieve as deep as 15 ft. when fishing deeper the lift drop technique does better. This simply means you cast out, reel in slack line, keep reeling for three or four turns and stop, hold the rod still, let the lure pendulum down to the bottom, as soon as it touches bottom, repeat the process. Reel in line, hold, let it fall to the bottom and repeat. It's not too difficult, and it will produce strikes.

With the bucktail jig (black, shad or white) it requires more movement and the yo-yo retrieve like the Steelshad gets the nod here. Cast out, let it fall to the bottom, reel in the slack line, pop the rod tip making the jig hop off the bottom no more than 24 inches, let it fall and repeat. 

Football Jigs for Deep Structure Fishing

The football jig performs best when bottom contact is maintained throughout the retrieve. Usually, hard bottom areas on channel swings, points and offshore humps hold decent numbers of smallmouth during the cold-water period.

Recommended KastKing setup:

Rod: Assegai Technique Bass Fishing Rod 7'3"Medium (Gittin' Jiggy)

Reel: Mg-Ti Elite Magnesium Baitcasting Reel 

Line: 12–15 lb KastKing fluorocarbon

Again, there are countless offerings of football jigs, I prefer the Keitech model II football jig, and I keep it very simple using two colors in two weights, green pumpkin or black 3/8 or 1/2 oz. I dress these jigs with a Keitech 2.8 or 3.3 Fat Swing Impact swimbait in either green pumpkin, silver flash, or black.

Dragging a football jig across a hard bottom allows you to quickly cover massive amounts of water as you search for that wintertime group of smallmouth bass. In 25 ft. deep I prefer the 3/8 oz. and for water 30- to 50-ft. deep I use the ½ oz. Key to generating the bite is maintaining bottom contact throughout the retrieve.

The Ned Rig as a Finesse Option in Cold Water

The Ned Rig has become a staple cold water smallmouth bait for anglers in the know. The most common size is the 2.75" TRD rigged on a 3/16 or 1/4 oz Ned Rig Jig. On super calm flat-water days, the NED is an awesome bite getter. 

Proper Ned Rig Gear and Presentation

Rod: Kestrel SFS Spinning Rod Light 7'2"

Reel: Kestrel SFS Spinning Reel 1000-size

Line: 8 lb KastKing fluorocarbon

The retrieve is easy, cast out, let it fall to the bottom and slowly drag it across the bottom with extended pauses between drags. The triggering quality of the lure is the ElaZtech material it's made of. Each time you stop dragging the NED the TRD worm will rotate skyward to simulate something that's feeding off the bottom. Get it around some smallmouth bass and its usually game on.  Best colors seem to be green pumpkin or black.

Using Compact Swimbaits to Trigger Winter Bites

The boot tail swimbait is another lure that produces bites trip after trip. Here again, too any options to list, but my two favorites are the Keitech 2.8 or 3.3 Fat Swing Impact (sliver flash, bluegill flash, AYU) or the Big Bite Baits 2.8 or 3.3 Pro Swimmer (chick magnet, perch dinner, shad). 

Controlling Depth and Retrieve Speed

Rod: Spartacus II Spinning Rod medium-light 6'8"

Reel: Spartacus II Spinning Reel 2000-size

Line: 6–8 lb KastKing fluorocarbon

Jig Head: 1/8–3/8 oz

For this presentation try to keep the swimbait at least two foot above where you see the fish in the water column. If the fish are holding in 20 ft, then cast out, count your bait down to 18 ft, and begin a slow steady retrieve. The lure will want to climb higher in the water column during the retrieve so stopping the retrieve every 5 to 10 turns of the reel handle will help keep the bait in the strike zone longer.

It's a trial-and-error deal, if you generate strikes on a steady retrieve all the way in, then stick with that.  However, if the fish are not hitting and you know you're around fish, then try the stop -N- go retrieve for best results.  

Key Factors for Consistent Cold-Water Success

Cold water demands discipline. Once you catch a fish, resist the urge to speed up. Instead, duplicate the same depth, retrieve speed, and cadence on subsequent casts.

Consistency is the key. Only change lures or techniques once the bite completely stops. Mastering this mindset is what separates average winter days from truly productive ones.

Q1: What are the best lures for winter smallmouth bass fishing?

A:
The best lures for winter smallmouth bass fishing are blade baits, jigs, Ned rigs, and compact swimbaits. These lures excel in cold water because they work effectively at slow retrieve speeds and allow anglers to maintain precise depth control when bass are less active.

Q2: Where do smallmouth bass hold in winter, and how do they behave in cold water?

A:
In winter, smallmouth bass typically group tightly in deeper water near structure such as channel swings, offshore humps, points, and hard-bottom areas. As cold-blooded fish, their metabolism slows in cold water, making them less aggressive but still willing to feed. Winter smallmouth tend to hold close to the bottom and respond best to slow, controlled presentations with consistent depth and cadence.

Q3: How should you retrieve lures for smallmouth bass in cold water?

A:
Lure retrieves in cold water should be slow and deliberate, with frequent pauses. Effective techniques include the yo-yo retrieve, lift-and-drop, slow dragging, and stop-and-go retrieves. Most winter smallmouth strikes occur during the fall or immediately after the lure moves off the bottom.

Recommended Articles for Winter Fishing：

How to: Crappie Fishing during the Winter

How to Fish Bass During the Winter Season?

About the Author

Captain Burnie Haney is owner/operator of New York Fishing Adventures, Army veteran and retired Sergeant Major with a 38-year military career. A tournament bass angler since 1992, he has won five Angler of the Year titles, set the NYTBF five-fish weight record, and qualified for two National Championships. Burnie holds two International Game Fish Association (IGFA) New York State line class records (walleye and smallmouth bass) and the IGFA All Tackle Length World Record for Chain Pickerel. He is a lifetime member of B.A.S.S. and member of the New York State Outdoor Writers' Association. Haney was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame in 2017. Today, Burnie focuses on multi-species seasonal fishing adventures.