Less Or More Action In Winter Soft Plastics?

[gall]

up here in pa its cold like most of the rest of the us but the crik i fish still isnt low 30s yet id say high 30s low 40s with mid day temps roughly mid 40s but aside from that my question is i use crawdads a bulk majority since i fish primarily shallow water maybe max 7ft in certain areas but we havent had any rain for a while so its a little low so with that should i use craws that have more action in the claws or less action and i fish them primarily in texas rig or some variation of that 

[roadwarrior]

If you are looking for a slimmer profile and more subtle action, try the new Rage Tail DB Craw.

I think Siebert Outdoors has them on sale for the holidays.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Kent, at least answer the kid's question. The sponsors you mentioned are great and I know they "keep the lights on around here" and all, but at least throw the dude a bone with some info.

 

Gall, rule of thumb is less action in colder and more in warmer. Funny thing about fish is they don't know how to read so that logic often doesn't apply to them. I'd take something like a Ragetail and something like a tube. Hop, drag, drift the deeper sections this time of year until you find active fish or you're so cold that your fingers are ready to fall off.

 

I went out last weekend and the water temps were low 40's at best. It was a slow day for smallmouth for sure.

[Catt]

Lizards in the Spring

Worms in the Summer & Fall

Craw Worms in the Winter

During the dead of winter I've had sucess with both actions, so I have 2 identical setups on the deck 24/7.

Winter is also Texas Rig Jig time

[Siebert Outdoors]

I fish more subtle baits.  I'll throw tubes, jerkbaits, jigs.  The jig trailer is either a chunk or a subtle moving craw.

[roadwarrior]

Kent, at least answer the kid's question. The sponsors you mentioned are great and I know they "keep the lights on around here" and all, but at least throw the dude a bone with some info.

 

Gall, rule of thumb is less action in colder and more in warmer. Funny thing about fish is they don't know how to read so that logic often doesn't apply to them. I'd take something like a Ragetail and something like a tube. Hop, drag, drift the deeper sections this time of year until you find active fish or you're so cold that your fingers are ready to fall off.

 

I went out last weekend and the water temps were low 40's at best. It was a slow day for smallmouth for sure.

 

"slimmer profile and more subtle action"

 

Another suggestion that has been working for me is the MegaStrike Tube Craw rigged on a Shak e2.

Without moving the bait the tenacles stand up and gently flutter. When the Tube Craw is moved it kicks

up a little cloud of mud and finishes upright. Most of my bites have come dead-sticking while smoking

a cigarett!

[flyfisher]

I am not convinced the action of the plastic/jig/tube whatever, is as important as is the non-action of the angler. 

[ww2farmer]

I am not convinced the action of the plastic/jig/tube whatever, is as important as is the non-action of the angler.

My thoughts exactly. And vise versa, I have seen people try to shake, hop, jump, etc..the baits too much, instead of letting the bait do it's thing.

[gall]

thanks guys for all the responses and i usually do throw a less action bait and slowly drag it and i mean painfully and i wade so my actions are very slow or no movement at all in the water because it is very clear and speed and siebert thank you both for real good advice and i do stay out until my fingers are so cold they are hot 

[Shane J]

I fish jigs/trailers, and Tx-rigged plastics 99% of the time.Like we were talking about in another thread, I never downsize or go to a low-action trailer because the water is cold. Today I was out in 36 degree water, and the only thing that got bit was a Lobster (nothing low action about that bait).The high action bait acts the same as a noisy rattle bait in the cold months. It wakes them up, and gets them ready to strike. You can, however, work too fast. You have to slow down how you work an area to get bit. The bait or jig trailer is not the only component to catching cold water bass.

[BradGuenette]

For me less is more in cold water situations, try dragging a tube, fishing a drop shot or even a hair jig. Some of favorites are minnow style baits, tubes&hair jigs. There have been days where nothing will beat a dead sticked tube and then there are days when they want the hair jig.

Figure out what the fish want and how they want it presented. I cannot stress enough to slow down, and when you think you have slowed down... Slow down even more.

[Deleted account]

I don't have the patience to fish  plastics in cold water. I fish a Jerkbait and blade bait almost exclusively in cold water. once in a while, I'll throw in a Lipless or crankbait, if we get a little warming trend.

[Catt]

With plastics during winter I like a slow rate of fall but a lure with action as it falls. One productive lure is a Bitsy Bug Flip Jig 1/4 oz with a Zoom Kicking Chunk.

[Bankbeater]

I like the Zoom salty chunks in colder weather.  A few years ago in late fall I noticed that the bass were hitting the chunks better than the craw trailers.  So ever since I use a chunk and drag the jig back in very slowly.

[rippin-lips]

This is why I just pack it up this time of year. Nothing exciting about leaving a tube just sit on bottom and waiting for a bite. I prefer active fishing. Plus I'm not a fan of cold weather.

Maybe try a shaky head trick worm this time of year.

[WRB]

Te ideal cold water jig trailer in a small creek would be Uncle Josh 101Spin frog with Skinny Bear Pro series 1/4 oz living rubber jig. Soft plastics aren't soft in very cold water.

Tom

[gall]

thanks guy but the thing here a lot of people are missing i think is im fishing a crik which isnt a lake or river maybe 50 yards from bank to bank and the limestone is a snag heaven and ive used hair jigs many times without a whole lot of success and same with regular jigs has anyone used any type of grub? like curly tail cause i heard good things about it but personally havent used it before

[Catt]

Hula Grub & Pumpkin'Ed

[WRB]

thanks guy but the thing here a lot of people are missing i think is im fishing a crik which isnt a lake or river maybe 50 yards from bank to bank and the limestone is a snag heaven and ive used hair jigs many times without a whole lot of success and same with regular jigs has anyone used any type of grub? like curly tail cause i heard good things about it but personally havent used it before

When you say creek bass in heavy wood cover, are you talking about smallmouth or largemouth?

A puff ball style living rubber compact jig like Skinny Bear is ideally suited for your cover. If you don't want the mess of small 2" (1 7/8 x 3/4) size pork trailer, nose hooked, simply use 3" to 4" end of any curl tail worm or a 3" to 4" curl tail grub as a trailer. I would go with darker colors in heavy wood and cold water. 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 oz should be a good size for either LMB, Spots or Smallmouth in a creek.

Tom

PS; creeks flow into streams, streams into rivers, rivers into oceans, unless impeded by dams.