Flipping & Pitching the Brush Hog for Winter Bass 🎣
Targeting Cold-Water Bass with a Subtle, Easy Meal
When & Where to Flip/Pitch
In cold water (below 55 deg Farenheit), bass are sluggish and relate tightly to deep cover near shallow feeding areas.
| Technique | Distance | Target Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Flipping | Short Range (10-20ft) | Heavy Cover in southern waters (matted vegetation, thick grass that traps solar heat). |
| Pitching | Medium Range (20-40ft) | Steep Banks (rock, clay), Laydowns (fallen timber), Dock Pilings, Brush Piles, and Deep Water Access points. |
Bass need deep water nearby for sanctuary. Focus on vertical structure.
Rigging & Setup
Your gear needs to handle heavy cover and provide maximum sensitivity for light winter bites.
| Component | Recommendation | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Bait | SLING BAITS Sling Hog (or similar creature bait) | Good profile with subtle action in cold water. Imitates a crawdad |
| Rig | Texas Rig (Weedless) | Essential for penetrating and retrieving through thick cover. |
| Weight | Heavy Tungsten (in the CA Delta, 3/4-1oz is recommended) | To punch through cover (flipping) or to maintain bottom contact on steep breaks (pitching). Peg the weight with a toothpick or stopper. |
| Hook | 2/0 to 4/0 Heavy Duty Flipping Hook | Strong hook-set for cold, bony mouths and pulling fish from cover. |
| Rod | 7' to 7'6" Heavy or Medium-Heavy Action Casting Rod | Power for hook-sets and leverage. |
| Line | 17lb to 25lb Fluorocarbon (Clear Water) or 50lb+ Braid (Heavy Cover or Stained Water) | Fluorocarbon for invisibility and feel; Braid for maximum power and cutting through mats. |
Best Winter Colors
In clear winter water, opt for natural, subdued colors. In stained/muddy water, use dark, high-contrast colors.
| Water Clarity | Color Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Natural/Subtle | Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin Craw |
| Stained/Muddy | Dark/High-Contrast | Black & Blue, June Bug, Black/Red Flake |
Presentation: The SLOW Drag
The most critical factor in winter fishing is a slow, subtle presentation.
- Quiet Entry: Pitch/Flip the bait softly into the target area to avoid spooking the lethargic bass.
- Controlled Fall: Allow the bait to fall naturally on a semi-slack line. Many cold bites occur on the initial fall.
-
Bottom Work: Once on the bottom, move the bait very slowly.
- Drag: Pull the bait a few inches with the rod tip.
- Pause: Let it rest for 5-10 seconds.
- Subtle Shake: Gently twitch the rod tip (3-4 inches) while the bait is resting.
- Feel for the "MUSH": Unlike a strong tick, a winter bite often feels like a subtle "mushy" weight, a slight line-jump, or simply the line moving sideways.
- Hard Hook-Set: When in doubt, set the hook! Swing hard to drive the hook home.
Pro Tip: In cold water, 70-80% of bites happen when the bait is resting on the bottom, compared to the fall in warmer months. Work prime cover thoroughly!