January Bass Fishing: Lure Tactics for Tough Conditions
January is a challenging month for bass fishing, with cold weather and sluggish fish testing even seasoned anglers. We never shy away from fishing when conditions allow, as water temperatures, around 11°C, remain warm enough for bass to feed, albeit slowly. This blog shares our lure strategies and tips for January bass fishing, optimised for anglers searching for bass, January fishing lures, or night fishing tips. From slow retrieves to full moon tactics, we’ll help you land bass in the toughest conditions.
January’s Bass Fishing Landscape
January’s colder, cloudier waters and reduced baitfish activity make bass less active, requiring slower lure presentations. However, big bass do certainly lurk, especially near bait on the open coast if they are present, where diving birds signal feeding zones. Estuaries remain the most productive, with bass foraging along the bottom for crabs or small fish. The full moon phase, known as the “Wolf Moon,” boosts fish activity, making daytime and night fishing prime times to target bass. While catches are fewer, landing a bass in January feels like a major victory. If fishing feels daunting, use this month to scout new marks or read up on bass fishing tactics.
Estuary Fishing: Slow and Steady Win the Race
In estuaries, bass tend to hug the bottom, head-down, searching for slow-moving prey. Cloudy water dominates, so white or bright lures (e.g., pink) are most effective, with black, brown, or green lures shining under the Wolf Moon’s light. Weedless soft plastics and creature baits, dragged slowly along the seabed, mimic crabs or small fish, enticing sluggish bass. Cast up-tide especially along the water's edge, let the lure sink, and retrieve at a slow pace (1 rod turn every 2-5 seconds), keeping the rod tip at 45 degrees for bite detection. Fish 2-3 hours before or after low tide, especially on outgoing tides, to align with bass movement.
Top Estuary Lures
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Weedless Soft Plastics: (white),(black). Rig with weighted hooks for bottom dragging.
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Creature Baits: (brown/green) for mimicking crabs.
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Tip: Use white in cloudy water; switch to black or brown under moonlight for contrast.
Open Coastline: Chasing Mackerel
On the open coast, target beaches or rocks where birds indicate bait, a magnet for big bass. Fish during fair weather to avoid wind and swell, focusing on 2-3 hours before/after high & low tide. Cloudy water favours white or bright soft plastics, bumped slowly along the seabed. Under the Wolf Moon, try black or green lures for visibility. Shallow-diving lures can work in clearer water but require slow retrieves with long pauses. Night fishing is safer in calm conditions and productive for larger bass.
Top Coastline Lures
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Weighted Soft Plastics: (chartreuse) for murky water.
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Shallow-Diving Lures: (black) for clear water under moonlight.
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Tip: Bump lures along the bottom slowly, pausing to mimic injured prey.
Tips for January Success
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Leverage the Wolf Moon: Fish daytime or night fishing sessions during the full moon for increased bass activity, using black or brown lures for contrast.
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Slow Retrieves: Drag soft plastics or creature baits, along the bottom at 1 turn every 2-3 seconds to match sluggish bass behaviour.
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Tidal Timing: Target 2-3 hours before/after low & high tide, especially outgoing tides in estuaries, to catch bass foraging with the current.
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Stay Mobile: Move every 20 minutes if no bites, exploring new marks in estuaries or coastal hotspots.
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Stealth Approach: Cast from shore first, wade quietly, and avoid spooking bass in shallow water.
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Lure Choices: Use white or bright lures in cloudy water; black, brown, or green under moonlight. Focus on weedless soft plastics or creature baits.
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Safety First: Avoid rough seas, wear a life jacket, and fish in fair weather. Estuaries are safer than exposed coasts.
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Log Catches: Record tide, lure, and location in the Tight Lines App to track winter patterns.
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Gear Prep: Tie strong knots, set drag to 25-30% of line strength, and check line for wear to handle big bass.
Why January is Worth the Effort
Despite its challenges, bass fishing in January rewards persistence with hard-earned catches. Slow-dragged soft plastics in estuaries and coastal waters, paired with Moon sessions, unlock big bass. Scout new marks, stay safe, and fish smart to make every January catch feel like a triumph.
December 2025 has been great for the 8-14lb bass out in the boat, and as you can see from the photos below, our Seadra Boat Jigs have been catching lovely fish already in December.
Tight lines!
Lures to try in January:
Estuary:
Creature Baits
Open Water:
Weighted Paddletails
Boat:
Seadra 3D Live Scale Baitfish Bass Lure
Seadra Strike Eye Slow Bass Jig Boat Lure:
Seadra Slow Aqua-Drop Bass Lure Boat Jig(Slowey Joey)
BASS RULES: There is some positive news regarding bass regulations. You will have to catch & release in Feb & Mar 2026 but as far as we are concerned, this is positive news, shifting from an 8-month season to a 10-month season for 2025/26. Also next year when the season opens on the 1st April you can now take 3 bass home per person if they are 42cm and over.
1. This book is worth a read if you are twiddling your thumbs in January. James seldom ventures further than 20 miles from his Cornish home. He fishes from the rocks and beaches in a handful of places and that is enough for him.
