Joey Cifuentes breaks down how to catch winter and prespawn bass using a crankbait in cold, shallow water conditions. When water temperatures are low, many anglers overlook crankbaits and shallow water, but Cifuentes explains why they remain one of the most effective baits for triggering reaction bites.
FEATURED PRODUCT
- CRANKBAIT – Berkley Dime Crankbait, color – Special Red Craw: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- LIPLESS CRANKBAIT – Berkley Warpig Lipless Crankbait: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Fenwick Elite Cranking Casting Rods, 7’1” Medium – Moderate Fast: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Abu Garcia Zenon X Casting Reel, 8.3:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE – Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon, 10-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
WHY CRANKBAITS WORK IN WINTER BASS FISHING
Many anglers assume that most bass move deep in winter where shaking a minnow dominates, but some of the biggest fish stay shallow, feeding on crawfish and baitfish along rocky banks. In cold water, bass become more lethargic, so using a crankbait with a slower retrieve and natural hunting action is key.
Cifuentes prefers targeting wind-blown pockets and rocky shorelines where bass are actively feeding. He pays attention to the angle of the bank, adjusting his approach based on whether the fish are holding on steep drop-offs, gradual slopes, or shallow flats.
HOW TO FISH A CRANKBAIT IN COLD WATER
Instead of a constant retrieve, Cifuentes varies his retrieval speed, pausing whenever he feels the crankbait bump against rocks or structure. This sudden pause often triggers bass to strike, especially when using forward-facing sonar to watch fish follow the bait. He also experiments with different crankbait depths, determining whether bass are holding on main lake points or further back in protected pockets.
BEST SETUP FOR SHALLOW CRANKING
Cifuentes loves throwing the Berkley Dime 6 Crankbait in a crawfish pattern, which mimics the primary forage bass feed on in winter. He uses 10-pound fluorocarbon to ensure the bait reaches its target depth while maintaining sensitivity. His setup includes a 7’1″ medium-action cranking rod paired with a fast 8.3:1 gear ratio reel for retrieve speed flexibility.
FINDING THE RIGHT WINTER BASS PATTERN
By eliminating unproductive water and focusing on areas where bass are actively feeding, Cifuentes develops a reliable pattern. He emphasizes wind direction, which pushes baitfish into certain pockets, making them prime feeding areas. After multiple bites in a specific location, he continues working similar spots across the lake to stay on active fish.
BOAT SETUP
- BOAT – Phoenix 921 Elite Bass Boat: Check out at Phoenix
- OUTBOARD – Mercury Pro XS 250 hp: Check out at Mercury
- TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST, 112lb, 36V, 52″: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FISH FINDER 1 (console map) – Humminbird APEX 13 MEGA SI+ Fishfinder/Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- MAPPING – Humminbird LakeMaster Premium VX Digital Map Chart Card (Great Plains): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Humminbird
- FISH FINDER 2 (bow) – Garmin GPSMAP Touch-Screen Fish Finder/Chartplotter Combo, 12-inch: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FORWARD-FACING SONAR (FFS) – Garmin LVS34 LiveScope Plus Live Scanning Sonar Transducer: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FISH FINDER 3 (console/bow) – Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Fish Finder/Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
