Best baits to use winter fishing in Massachusetts

[Cam DeMarco]

I've been fishing ponds in mass the air temp had been between 50 and 60 the water temp is of course much colder. I've never fished the winter or fall could you give me some bait tips

[BaitMonkey1984]

Good luck, the fish have lock jaw this time of year. I have tried everything in the tackle box and still not getting results. I fish small ponds/lakes near the MA/NH border so we are fishing similar conditions. I would recommend using deep water, slow presentations. A jig dragged (not hopped), a slow rolled fish head spin with a fluke trailer, and a drop shotted worm come to mind. Pretty standard winter techniques right there.

I also am of the thought that some of these big girls are more willing to travel for a bigger presentation then s a smaller, finesse presentation. So, if the above baits and techniques prove unsuccessful, I would add bulk to your presentation. Still maintain a slow, deep presentation but give the fish something worthwhile to chase down. Big Texas rigged worms, big swimsuits with a tight wobble just ticking the bottom of the lake. Due to the warm weather the trap bite may still be wort trying as well. 

[Brent Christian]

1 hour ago, BaitMonkey1984 said:

Good luck, the fish have lock jaw this time of year. I have tried everything in the tackle box and still not getting results. I fish small ponds/lakes near the MA/NH border so we are fishing similar conditions. I would recommend using deep water, slow presentations. A jig dragged (not hopped), a slow rolled fish head spin with a fluke trailer, and a drop shotted worm come to mind. Pretty standard winter techniques right there.

I also am of the thought that some of these big girls are more willing to travel for a bigger presentation then s a smaller, finesse presentation. So, if the above baits and techniques prove unsuccessful, I would add bulk to your presentation. Still maintain a slow, deep presentation but give the fish something worthwhile to chase down. Big Texas rigged worms, big swimsuits with a tight wobble just ticking the bottom of the lake. Due to the warm weather the trap bite may still be wort trying as well. 

couldnt have said it better myself

[Jigfishn10]

Right around mid-October I start fishing multi-species and hope a bass hits. I fish spoons, inline spinners, lipless cranks (yes they work on trout too, LOL) and today a 3" minnow twitch bait. I'd rather bend a rod and catch something than practice casting...

[Mainebass1984]

Blade baits work great in winter. Hair jigs are another good bet.

[Fishing Rhino]

I've found that a really slow wacky worm will catch fish, and nice fish as well.  The problem for me is that the bass, even up to five or six pounds amount to snagging a waterlogged boot, and dragging it to the boat.

I also found that if I did not get a hit on the first three or four feet of the retrieve, the rest of the retrieve was pretty much useless.

It seemed to me that the bait had to land on or near the fish's nose to get its attention, then, a very, very slow twitching retrieve would get hit, in the first three or four feet of the retrieve.  After that, it was pretty much a waste of time.

I just could not get excited over catching fish that had no fight, and when they tried to jump they had all they could do to get their nose out of the water.  When you add in that should I swamp the canoe, I could be in serious trouble, I'm better off getting my chores done around the house, and leave the better weather days for fishing from April - October.