Top: The A rig or Alabama rig. This originally was a saltwater rig for striped bass called an umbrella rig. Paul Elias popularized it winning a major bass tournament on it. It will draw fish like nothing else, but they will wise up to if there is lots of pressure. They require special equipment and are tough to throw but still very fun. I use Culprit Riptide Mullets on mine. They are tough, which is very important as you need all your baits to be working right or they are not likely to bite it. The Mullets have the perfect action as well for cold water – not too aggressive. I usually use a brighter color on the middle rig. Be sure to check your local regulations depending on the state you live in. Some restrict the number of hooks.
Left middle: Suspending Jerkbaits. These were the previous undisputed winter champions and are still producing huge bass all winter. You really need both deep and shallow models as many times winter bass are actually shallower than most people think. Not all bodies of water, but many. I use Yo-Zuri 110 Pro Series jerkbait most of the time. Occasionally I’ve use one of their smaller 3DR-X models (which I love for summer smallmouth!). Usually 10-14lb Yo-Zur T-7 line is what I go for. Lighter line if you need to go deeper. You can also sink them down with lead tape or lead wire on hook shanks of you need them deeper. I fish them over structure and often just going down the bank covering water.
Left middle: Small Crankbaits. These are incredibly effective when you establish a pattern. Sometimes fish in the winter are all on certain types of banks. This could be big rocks, gravel, clay, sand, ect. Could also be all on points or all in the back 1/3 of creeks. They could be anywhere really. The small crank allows you to cove thr water and identify where they are holding and are often the best bIt to catch them too. The litte Yo-Zuri 3DR-X crankbaits in shad and crawfish colors is a great bait to start with.
Right Middle: Big Spinnerbait. This is the sleeper of the whole bunch. As a kid I learned to slow roll these in deep timber catch an insane number of huge bass. No other bait will come through deep cover and deliver the flash and look of a baitfish school like a spinnerbait and remain relatively snag free. I use a 3/4 oz Glamour Shad from Glamour Shad Store. Slow rolling this in deep brushpiles, standing timber and down old channels and road beds is a big fish getter, but you have to be patient. I use a slower reel (6.3:1) and 14 lb Yo-Zuri T7 line to cut through the water a little easier than heavier line I usually use on spinnerbaits in shallow water.
Right Middle: Jig. Hard to beat a jig, especially if the water is heavily stained. In the stained water it put the bass right on cover and you can just slowly fish each piece of cover. They will surprise you how shallow they can be in stained water. I use a 3/8 Glamour Shad jig for shallow cover with a large pork or plastic trailer. For deeper water if the bass are just being stubborn on all my moving baits I’ll drag and slightly lift and shake a heavier jig on structure or deep brush.
Bottom: Minnows as people seem to be calling them lately with the FF sonar craze. Basically a soft jerkbait on a jighead or scrounger head. These are obviously very effective as they have seemingly taken over professional tournaments. There is a real art to it. Tie a loop knot and try to make the bait rock back and forth right in the bass face or just above. Often the bass will come up fast for it in which case you really want to speed the bait up as if it is trying to get away. This will trigger bites.
Last but not least: The Top Shelf Tackle line through swimbait. This has tremendous drawing power because of it’s size. I often fish this in the backs of deeper creeks and channel swing banks with it. Account for some if my bigger fish all winter, but can also out up number especially when bass are keying in bigger bait like gizzard shad or larger herring.
Hope this gives you a place to start for December fishing! There are other baits that work as well so keep an open mind!