Soft Plastics: When it comes to down-sizing and finesse, tube baits are a natural choice. Where cover is sparse, rig a 3 1/2- or 4-inch tube on a ballhead jig, inserting the head into the tube with just the line-tie and the hook exposed. Not sure if it's a bite or a weed? Barely lift your rod and the hook starts to set.

In thicker vegetation or around woodcover, Texas-rigging a tube is the way to go. When the bite gets particularly tough, add sound to your tube. One option is to insert a metal or glass rattle chamber into the head of the tube and shake it periodically. Alternatively, insert a capsule of Berkley's new Bubble-Up or Crackle, a product that's freeze-dried carbon dioxide packed into a water soluble gel capsule, into the tube and let it soak. Soon the material starts popping and crackling like a bowl of Rice Crispies, and a bass moseys over for a look, then a tentative taste, and boom, you've got him.

When you find a key location, don't neglect to deadstick a bait on the spot. A dose of your favorite flavor formula will help too.

Other productive soft plastics include small weightless stickbaits such as the 4-inch Senko or Yum Dinger, Lunker City Finesse Fish, or grubs and small craws rigged on darter or mushroom-head jigs. On gravel bottoms, a 1/4-ounce football head backed by a 3-inch hula grub is hard to beat. That head gives maximum action to the little bait, with minimal forward motion.

You'll achieve maximum feel of these light baits with a high-modulus graphite rod that's light, and with an extra-fast tip for bite detection and quick hook-setting. If you've been really good this year, maybe Santa will bring you a St. Croix Legend Elite EC68MXF, a 6-foot 8-inch extra-fast wand. When combined with a top-end reel, you can easily cast jigs down to 1/8 ounce. I've found 10- or 12-pound fluorocarbon the ideal line for this kind of fishing. Select a brand that's supple because the cold air and water will increase any line's proclivity to curl.

When fishing these extreme conditions, always plan for comfort and safety. Dress with far more layers than you think you need, and put them all on at the beginning of the day. You can always remove layers if you get too warm. But after you get a real chill, adding more clothes often won't reverse your hypothermia, at least not for a while. And you'll be best prepared to feel light bites if you're comfortable.

When fishing cold water, wear a lifejacket at all times, particularly if you're fishing alone. Clad in boots and heavy clothes, you likely won't be able to climb back into the boat should you fall in, and all but the shortest swims are impossible. Drive slowly and watch your footing, particularly if ice is forming.