Best Winter Lures (For Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, & Flounder)
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
Want to know what the best lures to catch redfish, trout, snook, and flounder in the winter are?
This is an important topic because if you use the same lures and tactics as you do in the spring, summer, or fall, chances are you’re missing out on a ton of fish.
When the water gets cold, fish get lethargic and stay on the bottom, so you need to get your lures down there and present them to the fish in a way that makes them want to strike.
In this video, I’ve got the Salt Strong Fishing Coaches with me sharing their favorite wintertime fishing lures and how to use them.
You’ll learn:
- Which classic lures still work great today
- Which new lures are on fire right now (and which ones aren’t worth the hype)
- What size lures and jig heads work best in the winter
- How to fish docks in the winter to catch inshore slams
- And much more
You can watch the video version of this podcast below (which I recommend since we show some of the lures we like), listen to the audio version by clicking the play button underneath it, or listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify.
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review!
Best Winter Saltwater Lures [VIDEO]
Click here to join the Insider Club
Best Winter Saltwater Lures [PODCAST]
Note: Don’t forget to subscribe to the Salt Strong podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review!
Click here to join the Insider Club
Related Podcasts:
- HOW TO FIND 90% OF ALL FEEDING FISH IN YOUR AREA (90/10 FISHING RULE)
- UNIQUE REDFISH & TROUT RIGS (THAT ARE UNDERRATED BUT WORK GREAT)
Here’s a timestamped table of contents from my conversation with the Salt Strong Fishing Coaches about the best winter fishing lures:
1:04 – Luke’s definition of “winter fishing”
1:24 – Luke’s go-to winter fishing lure
2:28 – Wyatt’s go-to winter fishing lure
4:56 – What size jig heads to use in the winter
6:32 – Tony’s go-to winter fishing lure
- Get the Owner TwistLock Hook here
- Get the Alabama Leprechaun here
- THE SECRET TO RIGGING Z-MAN LURES ON OWNER TWISTLOCK HOOKS
10:22 – How to fish docks in winter
12:35 – Using Gulp shrimp in the winter
15:20 – How to catch big fish with the Power Prawn
(P.S. These lures just came in! You can get them here [Insiders only])
18:18 – What else to consider when choosing jig heads
20:48 – What size shrimp lures to use for big fish
23:26 – Customizing fishing lures by adding rattles (and when NOT to do it)
26:23 – Whether or not segmented tails work well in shrimp lures
28:45 – Why we started the Insider Club (and how it helps people catch fish fast)
Conclusion
Luke and I both used to think that fish just didn’t bite during the winter…
But it’s not true!
Winter is now one of our favorite times to catch fish because when you find them, it’s on like Donkey Kong.
And if you want to give yourself the best chance at getting them to bite, here are our Salt Strong Fishing Coaches’ favorite lures:
- Paddletail (especially the Slam Shady)
- Shrimp lure (like the Gulp shrimp or Power Prawn)
- Jerk shad (if you’re sight fishing clear, shallow water, it’s tough to beat the Alabama Leprechaun)
What’s your favorite winter fishing lure?
Have any questions about the lures mentioned on this podcast?
Let me know down in the comments!
And if you know someone who wants to catch more fish this winter, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!
Related articles:
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Bought a fair amount of Slam Shady had them in my regular containers holding other brands of swim bates etc…and had ALL the Slam Shady melt into a lump of goo shaped like the rectangle container. Some of the Slam Shadys only melted half, others completely. Other brands, ie Zoom or Bitters, BPS type were fine….left me sad and disappointed…..
Oh dang! Sounds like you combined some Z-man with normal soft plastics (it’s a chemical reaction). Check this out: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/storing-soft-plastic-fishing-lures-correctly/
Podcast packed with information. Now I’m going to set up a jig box. I’m glad I didn’t tie on a new set up after fishing today because I have lots of new ideas now!
Great job, guys!
In Florida what kind of water temps are you talking for the fish to actually slow down and become lethargic? Thanks for all the great info.
Thanks guys…this was one of the most helpful videos yet!!! So appreciate the excellent content.
Thank you, Gabe! We appreciate you big time!
If “bigger baits catch bigger fish” why are we downsizing our paddletails to 3″; why not keep using the 4″ and 5″?
Jig question. Is the color important on the jig head? There are plain lead ones, reflective eyes, painted etc. Do I really need to have a assortment of each? I clearly understand the benefit of having a variety of weight sizes. Thanks!
You do not have to have a huge assortment of colors… depth control is the #1 most important factor. I used to use all red before I realized that red turns to black quickly as it falls in the water. I’ve since switched to basic silver for most of my fishing (trout eye jig heads). But the past few months, I haven’t been able to get any so I’ve been going to various colors/brands and the amount of strikes have held constant throughout the various changes… the only thing I kept constant was matching the jig head weight to the depth zone that I’m covering.
Excellent question Thomas!! I wouldn’t say that you would need a bunch of different colors, ive done well with many different color jigs! Check out this video that Tony did on jig colors. https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/best-jig-head-color/
Hey Wyatt. Where are you located exactly in NC? I am in NC also obviously. Do you think we could get together and go fishing sometime? I will bring my 22′ Triton 220 LTS Bay boat if I need to. Message me on my email if you are interested? My email is landongrdn@gmail.com
Thanks man.
Look at (Babyface) Wyatt!! It’s too cold here in NC for a clean shave right now man… 😂
Haha! The buff is definitely getting broken out pretty much every trip at this point!
Enjoyed the ZOOM video. Speaking fo Jigs, nothing was said concerning colors. Do you prefer lead or red or?
Depth control is the #1 most important factor. I used to use all red before I realized that red turns to black quickly as it falls in the water. I’ve since switched to basic silver for most of my fishing (trout eye jig heads). But the past few months, I haven’t been able to get any so I’ve been going to various colors/brands and the amount of strikes have held constant throughout the various changes… the only thing I kept constant was matching the jig head weight to the depth zone that I’m covering.
Thanks for the comment, Bob! Check out this video that Tony did on this subject! https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/best-jig-head-color/
I saw this power prawn you are all talking about made from a Brazilian company wasn’t really impressed with the looks of the lure had a very weird tail no I’ll stick with my chasebaits flick prawn in jelly color that has a rattle and is totally weedless that with the exception of the reseted eyes that don’t protrude like a real shrimp it’s a dead ringer for a live pink or white shrimp the only other shrimp on the market now that is more realistic looking is the live target but it’s not nearly as tough as the chasebaits and also lacks the action as well looks are great but without action it’s kind of pointless and in the winter when the water is cold any action even suttle makes all the difference in the world but I’m talking about me and what works doesn’t always work for others plus I have confidence in the chasebaits so I stick with what gives me that as well😁
Yes, having good action in the water is the most important factor (otherwise a gold spoon would be a terrible lure). The reason why we went with the more sleek design for the power prawn was to maximize its castability and its action in the water… all of the little feet protruding off of shrimp lures like flick prawns can often do more harm than good because they create drag in the air and the water which decreases casting distance and darting ability. But as you said, going with what you’re confident in is most often the best choice… if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it:)