Elite

Luke Palmer’s wintertime tacklebox

Heat up wintertime action with these proven baits.

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Photography by
Craig Lamb
Winter is a tough time to go fishing. It’s cold. The bass don’t favor patterns. The fish are suspended, lethargic and uneager to bite baits. Bassmaster Elite pro Luke Palmer has the tricks of the trade you need to dial in the bite during the winter chill. 
“Confidence baits are important, because you can rely on proven fish catchers to keep you focused during cold conditions,” said the Oklahoma pro. 
Changing lures is a must when bass activity is at minimum. That’s why Palmer’s winter tacklebox is filled with lures capable of covering the entire water column. Rattle baits for fishing over submerged vegetation, jerkbaits for rocks during warmer days, swimbaits for scoping ad spinnerbaits for dirty water fill the void. 
War Eagle Gold Finesse Colorado/Turtleback Spinnerbait
The tandem blade configuration provides just the right thump in a compact package for attracting lethargic bass in cold, stained water and when fished around laydowns or docks. 
YUM Scottsboro Swimbait
The subtle swimming action of the legendary hand-poured model is replicated in an injection-molded style. Palmer favors the swimbait for the versatility required to dial into the mood of sluggish bass. He fishes it on an Alabama rig or jighead for targeting individual bass with forward-facing sonar. 
YUM FF Sonar Minnow 
As the name implies, the YUM (Forward Facing) Sonar Minnow is specifically designed to be easily seen on sonar screens, allowing anglers to present a natural, quivering or dead-sticked presentation to suspended bass. Available in 3-, 4- and 5-inch versions to match the size of baitfish. Pair it with FF Sonar Jigheads for best results. 
Heddon Sonar Flash
You get adjustable action in the same bait with three line-tie holes. “It’s an old-school bait that is long forgotten but still produces,” Palmer said. “This blade bait gives the bass a different look which is key in wintertime when the bass are most lethargic.” Palmer favors the bait for jigging vertically over suspended bass. 
BOOYAH Hard Knocker
The lipless crankbait is a top go-to for late winter and early spring when bass movement begins to gain momentum. The Hard Knocker’s aerodynamic shape enables long casts to cover water, while internal rattles attract bass from afar. Palmer fishes the Hard Knocker over gravel bars, clay points and submerged vegetation. He’ll also yo-yo the bait vertically over depth breaklines. 
BOOYAH Flash Point Jerkbait
The Flash Point is a slender minnow-bodied lure offering a fast, darting action. It suspends at a 45-degree angle and includes a tungsten weight-transfer system for longer casts. What makes it stand out is the custom, sonically welded blade on its head that enhances sonar returns while adding a unique, high-visibility flash when the bait is jerked on the retrieve. “It’s ideal for cold-water conditions with the vibration and flash that bass need to bite the bait,” Palmer said. 

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