Skip to content
FREE USPS SHIPPING ON ORDERS $40+ (US-48)
FREE USPS SHIPPING ON ORDERS $40+ (US-48)

Country

Unlock Winter Bites with the Mack’s Lure Sonic BaitFish

Unlock Winter Bites with the Mack’s Lure Sonic BaitFish

When winter settles in, and fish move deeper, success often comes down to presentation, patience, and the right lure. One bait that consistently shines in cold, open-water and ice-fishing situations is the Mack’s Lure Sonic BaitFish. Designed to vibrate, flash, and fall like a wounded baitfish, it taps into a predator’s instincts when fish are at their most cautious. Let’s break down why this lure works so well and how to fish it for maximum results.

The Most Effective Winter Technique: Slow Drift-Jigging

If you’re jigging in open water during winter, slow drift-jigging is hard to beat. Why it works: Your boat drifts naturally with the current, creating a realistic presentation The Sonic BaitFish flashes and vibrates as it falls, calling fish in from a distance To a predator, that falling action looks exactly like an injured baitfish an easy, energy-efficient meal. That fluttering drop is often when strikes happen.

Many anglers consider it one of the deadliest actions in sportfishing, especially in cold water when fish won’t chase fast-moving lures.

Find the Fish Before You Fish

One rule that never changes: find the fish first. Predator fish are structure-oriented year-round, including winter. Focus on structural break lines, which act like underwater stairways fish use to travel up and down for feeding and shelter.

Prime areas include:

  • Submerged riverbeds
  • Old roadbeds
  • Boat channels
  • Rock piles
  • Reefs and ledges

These vertical structures attract predator fish in freshwater, saltwater, and even through the ice. Put your Sonic BaitFish along these edges, and you’re fishing where fish naturally want to be.

Deadly Through the Ice: Kokanee Can’t Resist It

The Sonic BaitFish isn’t just an open-water weapon it’s also exceptional for ice fishing, especially for Kokanee. Available sizes include: 1/16 oz 1/10 oz 1/6 oz. A great starting point for Kokanee is the 1/10 oz size.

Many anglers run a small Glo Hook trailer from one of the three attachment points, adding just enough attraction to seal the deal. The combination of vibration, flash, and subtle movement is often more than Kokanee can handle.

What Makes the Sonic BaitFish Different?

The Mack’s Lure Sonic BaitFish is more than a standard blade bait. Its unique design gives it a distinct edge in tough conditions. 

Key Features and Benefits

  • Versatile Action: Cast it, troll it, jig it vertically or horizontally, or retrieve it so it swims like a baitfish
  • Vibration Flash: Sends out strong vibration and light-reflecting flash to draw strikes from a distance
  • Multiple Attachment Points: Customize the lure’s action by changing where you attach your line or hooks
  • Baitfish Imitation: Mimics small, wounded prey exactly what predator fish are looking for
  • Wide Range of Species: Effective for trout, bass, walleye, Kokanee, salmon, and panfish.

How to Fish the Sonic BaitFish

Vertical Jigging

  • Use the middle attachment point
  • Lift the rod and let the lure flutter back down Ideal for walleye and other bottom-oriented fish, especially when bouncing near structure.

Casting Retrieving

  • Cast and retrieve with small twitches
  • Use the horizontal attachment point for a wider, darting action
  • Cuts through weeds and triggers reaction strikes.

Trolling

  • Troll heavier versions for deeper fish
  • The vibration helps fish locate the lure even in low-visibility water. 

Color Size Tips

  • Match local baitfish and water clarity
  • Popular colors include silver, chartreuse, gold, and orange
  • Choose lighter sizes for shallow water and ice fishing, heavier sizes for deeper trolling.

Sonic Baitfish™ - MacksLure.com

A Winter Essential

In cold water, fish want an easy meal and the Mack’s Lure Sonic BaitFish delivers exactly that. With its flash, vibration, and wounded-baitfish action, it excels when other lures fall short. 

Whether you’re slow drift-jigging in open water, working structure, or targeting Kokanee through the ice, this lure proves why it’s a wintertime favorite. If you’re looking for one lure that can adapt to changing conditions and multiple species, the Sonic BaitFish deserves a permanent spot in your tackle box.

Next article Behind the Glass: Preparing the Mack’s Lure Walleye Tank

Related Articles

  • Master the Art of Catching Kokanee

    By Bobby Loomis The thrill of kokanee fishing has exploded over the past two decades, and it continues to grow in popularity with no signs of slowing down. Kokanee salmon, a landlocked variant of sockeye salmon, were experimentally introduced into...

    Read now
  • Kokanee Fishing 101: Learn the Basics

    Kokanee Fishing 101: Learn the Basics

    The author, Danny Coyne,is a Mack's Lure Pro Staffer located in British Columbia. Over the past 10 years a huge “Kokanee Craze” has been ignited within the angling community throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia regions. Kokanee are second...

    Read now
  • Brooks: Winter Kokanee Fishing on Lake Chelan

    Winter Kokanee Fishing Tips: Lake Chelan

    Lake Chelan is one of the country's premier kokanee fisheries and while most lakes do not offer wintertime kokanee fishing, Chelan provides a fantastic opportunity to catch limits of these highly sought after landlocked salmon.
    Read now