Black Dog Bait Co.

Black Dog Bait’s welcomes Amber Russo to the Black Dog Guide Team.

If you’re a swim bait junkie don’t ever put it down. A lot of anglers wouldn’t think to pick up their swim bait in the winter but the truth is if you want to catch that trophy bass the weed Slinger is your ticket. Shad spawn in January so why not pick up your ghost minnow weed Slinger and match the hatch? Yes it’s cold and yes the fish are stubborn yet there always hungry and they will eat when the opportunity is in her face! I think the drop shot is a great technique and I truly give credit to those who can do it all day because there are a few of us that can’t.

We all have different preferences to catch big fish whether it is a certain tide on the delta or a certain technique; it all boils down to confidence. If you’re confident in what you’re doing and what you’re using then don’t stop using it. Just because its winter doesn’t mean you have to bust out the finesse rod and stand on the front of your boat and just wait and wait for your line to move just continue using the bait you have confidence in just use it 10 times slower and no not your top water unless you’re going for striper.

Black Dog has the big fish baits from the shellcracker to the weed slinger that will work in the winter, you might not catch as many as a drop shot would yet the size of your bass will make up for it! Early February is the best time to catch that prize bass! It’s the cycle in between full moons that turns these fish on! If you find a dead end slough in somewhat clear water and some sign of bait you will catch a big fish on your swim bait. You have to through you’re your weed slinger all the way to the bank and then slow slow roll it back to the boat, ripping it and pausing it works to.

So don’t forget, if you’re on the California delta dead end sloughs and the outgoing tide is the best time to catch swim bait fish in the winter and of course the hook line and sinker at Russo’s Marina is the best place to get you started

Good Luck Rippin Lips!