If you’ve been following with us the last few weeks, you know that a jig-and-pig and a suspending jerkbait can produce in cold water. What about the classic standby – the grub?

Whether you are fishing shallow, deep, clear or murky water, a grub can catch bass in a variety of conditions.

Grub
“A grub is the deadliest bass lure you’re not fishing,” says legendary Tennessee bass angler Jack Christian. “It’ll catch bass both shallow and deep, in clear to murky water, yet for some reason most bass anglers never use it. For cold water, it’s a great choice — compact to match the suppressed appetite of bass and highly realistic in appearance, like a small shad. I’ve caught largemouths over 9 pounds and smallmouths over 7 pounds on grubs.”

Next time you are out on chilly waters, try these tips:

· Try a 4- or 5-inch twist-tailed grub rigged on a 1/4-ounce jighead. This setup works best on a heavy-action 6-foot spinning rod with 8-pound mono, fished near sloping chunk-rock banks.

· Bass often gravitate to banks with a 45-degree slop in winter because they can make a significant depth change without swimming a long distance and exerting critical energy.

· Position your boat so you’re facing the 45-degree bluff, cast the grub shallow, allow it to sink, then raise the rod tip sharply to 11 o’clock to snatch the lure off the bottom. Repeat this until the grub is directly under you. Bass will strike the grub as it’s falling. If you see the line hop, set the hook.

· Color is always important – use chartreuse as a general guide. On clear lakes, try smoke glitter on sunny days, smoke pepper (with black flakes) on cloudy days. In stained water, try pumpkin pepper.