[VIDEO] This Winter Pattern Produces Bites

Winter fishing can still be aggressive when conditions line up. In this video, Spencer Shuffield shows how he targets bass during cold weather by focusing on grass edges with a lipless crankbait. The lake features clear water and heavy hydrilla growth. Water temperatures sit in the low 50s, which keeps fish positioned on the outside edge of the grass. Wind plays a major role. It pushes bait into those edges and creates ideal conditions for a moving bait.

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• ROD – Ark Invoker Pro Series Casting Rod 7’4″ Medium Heavy: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
• LINE – Yo-Zuri T7 Premium Fluorocarbon Line (14 lb.): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA

Targeting Grass Edges in Cold Conditions

During winter, bass relate tightly to defined structure. Grass edges create predictable travel routes and ambush points. Shuffield focuses on narrow strips of grass sitting in about 10 feet of water. He positions his boat to parallel the grass edge. His casts land near the center of the grass band and work outward. The goal is to keep the bait close to the edge without burying it in the vegetation. Forward-facing sonar helps him track the grass line, not individual fish. That allows him to stay lined up with the edge and keep every cast productive. The strike zone stays small, so accuracy matters.

Lipless Crankbait Retrieve and Colors

Shuffield adjusts color based on water temperature. In colder water, red often plays. On this day, the water is warmer than expected. He switches to a shad pattern to match the forage. The retrieve stays simple but active. He feathers the bait with the rod tip and changes speed often. When the lure hits grass, he speeds it up. Once it clears, he slows it back down. He also kills the bait to change sound and vibration. There is no set cadence. The grass tells him how to fish the bait.

Gear Setup for Winter Grass Fishing

A medium-heavy rod with a forgiving tip helps keep treble-hooked fish pinned. Shuffield pairs it with fluorocarbon that allows the bait to vibrate freely without overpowering it. This pattern works anywhere bass relate to grass edges. Windy banks, points, and channel swings all produce bites. When winter bass commit to a lipless crankbait, they commit hard.

Boat Setup

• FISH FINDER – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 126sv Fish Finder/Chartplotter with Navionics+: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• FORWARD-FACING SONAR (FFS) – Garmin LVS34 LiveScope Plus Live Scanning Sonar Transducer: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• TROLLING MOTOR – Garmin Force Trolling Motor: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
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