December brings on an annual Bass Angler Transitional Pattern very familiar to those nestled in the chilly solid waters of the Northeast. Yes, it’s that time of year when anglers travel the migratory route leading to areas more conducive to their wintering habitats.

You guessed it……. Radiant heat from a cozy wood stove, a comfortable recliner with an end table within arms reach stockpiled with your favorite snacks, all necessary items to help guide you in the right direction as you cruise through the bass tackle magazines in search of items that you must have on your Holiday Wish List.

When it comes to bass angling change is the key that unlocks the door to more successful days on the water! Fortunately for you The Bass Bureau has acquired some suggestions that will help you set the hook on several outstanding high quality products!

Master Jig Designer and tournament angler Andy Vallombroso of Madison, CT, made a drastic impact this year within the fishing industry by the introduction of his ‘Rattl’n Hair Jig’.

"I not going to say you trade in your Flippin Stick, however when Finesse techniques come into play you might want to try pitching one of my Rattl’n Hair Jigs!"

According to Vallombroso one of his Pro Staff members, as well as several Professional FLW Tour Anglers, have been utilizing Rattl’n Hair Jigs all year long with great success.

"You can throw the notion of tying on Hair Jigs only when the water’s cold, out the window! I personally witnessed my Pro Staffer land several 5lb plus largemouth bass on a ¼ oz black/avocado Rattl’n Hair Jig, by skipping his hair jig under a dock in the heat of summer!" All of Vallombroso’s jigs are hand tied to perfection, for a complete assortment of his quality line of jigs log unto  www.AndysCustomBassLures.com .

Every bass angler needs a review of basic bass fundamentals from time to time, no matter what his/her ability levels may be! While, understanding the underwater aquatic world of our quarry may not be on your list of priorities……….It should!

Michael Murphy holds a degree in Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, having established himself as an outstanding lure designer. "Imitating the proper movements of forage within their varying habitats is imperative to success," advises Murphy.

Turning to finesse lure presentations in all of his tactics, Murphy disclosed some of the hottest IMA and Optimum Lures from Japan! Log unto  www.MichaelMurphyFishing.com  for Michael’s recommendation on proper presentation and balanced tackle

"I designed the IMA Flit minnow jerkbait with flat sides, which in turn mimic the sounds created by baitfish, such as shad." In addition by utilizing small ‘BB’s’ in a specially designed chamber, Murphy’s Flit not only casts further, it also emits high pitched sounds, which in turn emulate the perfect forage movement signals to trigger strikes under post frontal conditions, as well as for colder water. The new IMA Rattling Roumba, wake bait is also one of Murphy’s favorite baits.

"The addition of a rattling chamber has allowed bass to hone in on the Roumba from further distances. When they hit the Roumba, they literally crush it on every strike! ( www.imalures.com )

As for the Optimum Baits line of products, Matt Plaino is highly excided with his Japanese line of deps Basirisky Top Water baits.

"The Basirisky ‘Hard Belly’ Soft Crawler is revolutionary in its design," claims Plaino. Adding, "Hook up ratio was fantastic before, now it’s off the charts! With its renewal body design, double air vents, and hook placement, the Soft Crawler Hard Belly Basirisky responds faster, while it also has a sharper crawling action in both open water or thick cover!" ( www.optimumbaits.com )

Speaking of ‘Hook-Up Ratio’, Basstar Baits Company’s patented treble hook ‘SpinTech’ design is the world’s first rotating treble hook. Basstar’s Joe Uribe Sr. is a not only a seasoned angler, but a well-versed inventor and lure designer.

"SpinTech Hooks rotates 360 degrees eliminating pressure on the hooks from fish, thus reducing the chances of your fish ripping free," describes Joe Sr. With SpinTech’s unique construction style allowing the line tie to drop directly down the center of the treble hook, they maintain perfect balance on any lure, enhancing maximum performance.

Basstar’s line of Lunker Winning top water baits, now include the most innovative crankbait design ever. "Our Dredger Crankbaits have both an internal and an external weight system, allowing them to fall perfectly straight down from their point of entry. This in turn gives anglers the flexibility to fish our Dredger Crankbait at any depth," insists Joe Uribe Sr. who has recorded catching fish at 50 feet. For additional information or actually watch the Dredger in action, along with all of the Basstar Baits, log unto  www.BasstarBaits.com .

Bassmaster Elite Angler Mark Burgess ( www.MarkBurgessFishing.com ) will be hitting the 2010 B.A.S.S. Elite Trail with his wrapped Skeeter boat along with a large assortment of bass catching Reaction Strike hard body Revolution Shads Swimbaits.

"Mark’s input for our color selection of the Revolution Shad has been invaluable!" says Kris Reipel of Reaction Strike. "We wanted the Revolution Shad to be completely unique, ultra realistic and minutely detailed to the actual forage they represent," suggests Burgess.

"In fact we have incorporated bass attracting oversized 3D eyes as well." Available in two sizes, two body shapes and four life like action swimming styles; Wake, Slow, Fast and Suspending, this segmented swimbait, falls perfectly horizontal as do the baitfish they resemble. As for color choices…there are 25!

Reaction Strikes line of Revolution Series hard baits covers every portion of the water column. "We strive to work closely with our Pro Staff, as their feedback has aided our R&D phrase tremendously. Take for example our new Revolution Crankbait, which is now available in eight models," says Reipel.

"Our Pro Staffers wanted a 3 inch crankbait that could possible reach 12’. Their desires were met with our XSP-80, 3.2 inch diving crankbait with capabilities of reaching between 4-12’ depending on line size, casting distance and rod retrieve angles." Log unto  www.ReactionStrike.com  for a complete listing of their products with videos highlighting their swimbaits. God Bless and Best Bass’n