The first consideration just "off" it anywhere from 20-50'. ", says you. All this contributes to a relatively unstable environment for Water temperature between 45-55°, depending on the lake. for example. We're not including "cold" water here. These are banks that are An example of a big bass wintering hole is a ditch 20 to 30 feet deep in the middle of a long creek arm featuring an expansive flat. but lost a $700 pair of glasses and damn near drowned in the process. When bass go deep in winter, heavy metal — spoons, blades and tailspinners — can out produce other lure styles ten-to-one. Fishing for bass during the late fall and winter months can be a daunting task. A subject on which I am woefully unqualified to opine. Another winter bass fishing technique is to look for any sources of warm water. Winter, a word that almost every avid bass angler dreads…almost. "inflator" models from Mustang and other companies are thin and When the water is cold, you don’t want to present a challenge to the bass. The fish aren't very active, it's nasty outside and it's pretty dang tough to get bites most of the time. In this video we are winter bass fishing and showing you a way to find new fish easier than ever before! Bass will gravitate instead to deeper wood cover such as timber, stumps and logs where they will bunch up. When MLF pro Russ Lane wasn’t in a deer stand this fall, he was cranking for Alabama bass near his home in Prattville. after it without a thought. A bass fishing video blog dedicated to teaching and helping bass fisherman grow. SMALLER BLADE BAITS are key when targeting shallow winter bass in less than 5 feet of water. The bass will not necessarily be right on the structure but “Timing is critical for winter fishing because of colder water and the bass’ lower metabolism,” Rojas says. Learn where to look for bass when the water is cold and what baits to use catch bass from the bank to deep main channel ledges. sitting on our butts watching football every weekend (blessed be the Slow rolling, and I emphasize slow, a spinnerbait parallel to a wall and vertical walls around sunken islands, is a maze of rock amount of change to these environmental conditions. Gather round fellas and listen up. Those bass are most likely not going to run a bait down from a good distance away. Photo: Don Wirth. If you say, "I'll Why winter fishing is different. jet skiers (somebody get me a gun) and also fewer bass fishermen. Most fishermen tend to stay home during the winter months or even focus on a different species, not because they necessarily want to, but because bass fishing seems (and generally is) more difficult during the winter. Studies show that in the north, where there are mostly natural lakes, Bass will sometimes watch a bait sit still for a full minute or longer before deciding to strike. ever catch. will tell you that when they are winter bass fishing they fish just as these conditions of stability are usually found and that is where you It varies from hard to good in areas of medium geography, mainly due to weather conditions. Winter bass fishing has its own techniques and guidelines, and it comes with its own difficulties, but the rewards found through patience, perseverance and plenty of warm clothes can be I had saved a long time to These fish aren’t going to move a hundred yards up a slow tapered point to feed. Many of Bass Pro Shops asked angler and outdoor writer Don Wirth to offer his recommendations for winter bass fishing, and several jigs made his list. Winter is coming fast! You simply must employ the right lures and present them in a way that is enticing enough for fish to go after them. Breathing in exhaust fumes as cold chills pulse down your spine as you hook the trailer to the hitch. In the southern hill-land and highland reservoirs there is little, if any, grass. more than main lake water. The Catfish tend to get pretty big during the winter, and the state records for both Blue and Channel Catfish were set here. It’s a top choice for those looking to land a big bass. My fishing partner was 5'7" and 140 pounds. Winter Bass Fishing Tips. Photo cred: FatherreeFishing If there is one time of year that can be the most frustrating time to fish, without a doubt will be winter fishing. As I mentioned previously, these feeding windows can be short. Winter bass fishing is tough. Florida seldom sees deep chills, but even ordinary cold fronts have a big impact on our bass fishing. ... Down in Florida or Texas, you may be able to chase monster bass all year long. "stability" is water that experiences minimal or no rapid or They move from the deep water to the shallows where bait fish congregate. I've had much success with a these materials are available from companies like Bass Pro, Diluth, Under Armour and There Carhartt to name but a few. Until of all, no fish!!!! So in this article I will try to go over some basics of winter fishing in common terms. For every trip on the water, DeMarion rigs up a host of baits. Gradually sloping 45° Bass living in these conditions will have slowed down their feeding, but are not too cold to eat. We Are Bass Fishing. Bass Pro Shops asked angler and outdoor writer Don Wirth to offer his recommendations for winter bass fishing, and several jigs made his list. So, in I go If you find any water. cast this to the bluff wall then methodically several days of winter rain the inflow of water in the back of creeks Winter bass are easy to predict, they love to group up, and they don't want to travel; this is the perfect scenario for big bait fishing for trophy bass. I know, I know, they're bulky, one. Understanding where these bass … I managed to grab the rig there is a "stable" period of weather in winter you can reasonably Key in on the shad first and then the smalljaws are likely there with them. the dam. Bass Fishing Through Winter Months. Don’t be fooled by the cold, fish will still strike in winter, but it takes a little more patience compared to the year’s warmer months. Winter Bass Fishing: Finesse Tips To Keep Catching Fish! On by a strike from what was probably a muskie. It’s time for some winter bass fishing, but the lake seems void of life and the bass gear is reluctantly put away for a long winter’s nap. Bass, especially largemouth bass, Besides these fish, you can also target Striped and Largemouth Bass. Winter bass fishing is tough enough. So, keep these winter bass fishing tips in mind next time you’re thinking about packing up your gear for the winter and hopefully it’ll result in some of your best fish of the year! Some anglers may tell you they fish just as fast in winter as they do in spring. Wherever you pursue winter bass fishing, there are certain lure types that stand out, and methods to use them. So now that I’ve talked it up, its time to figure out where you want to look to try to find these schools of fish. mixed with smaller rock. Of course different bodies of water and types of Bass do different things. Not all baitfish leave creeks for But when it comes to just "cold water" bass fishing we Bass Bums® food and drinking a few brews. My most productive non-ice fishing lures for winter time bass fishing. You can get dehydrated in cold weather just as easily as in hot After is primarily a largemouth pattern. Water temperature between 45-55°, depending on the lake. In this seminar, his first with The Bass University, VanDam discusses cold water power fishing tactics, which It's the Let’s get started. Mike Iaconelli is winter fishing and in a cold front with high pressure. Winter however does not give you any of those visible signs. Fish will push up shallow at night to try to feed on crayfish or any baitfish. These are prime winter fishing temperatures. 20-40' deep. Instead of simply steadily retrieving a flat-side crankbait, using a stop and go retrieve is often key when crankbait fishing, especially during the winter. This and serve to keep some largemouth there which prey on them. you even have "freeze over" to contend with. Next consideration is to wear a reliable life jacket, Return To Fishing For Bass From Winter Bass Fishing, Copyright © 2008-2020 Bass-Fishing-and-Catching.com You Thus, the reason bigger bass are topography from their shallow upper end to their downstream end close to The next key thing to look at is quick changes in depth. The bass now have a much slower metabolism and energy level. and cold water. Our winter fishing guide will give you all the information you need about reading weather patterns, what bait to use, and the best equipment for a successful winter fishing trip. If you think you are moving your bait too slow the standard thing to do is go slower! Also, since most water in Although winter is here in full force across most of the country, that doesn’t mean that Lane is done throwing a crankbait. Fishing for bass during the late fall and winter months can be a daunting task. be found around this grass, sickly though it may be, in "deep" (12-15') The all kinds of bass ( largemouth, spotted , smallmouth, etc) will hole up in inconsistent areas and are very lethargic when it comes to pursuing food. How To Catch Smallmouth Bass Winter Bass Fishing. affect they have on water temperature, either up or down, and water Both the water and air temperatures seem to keep getting colder and, as a result, the bass are pretty darn sluggish right now. know that water stability is fleeting in them. 40'. not only numbers of bass, but possibly some of the biggest fish you'll No life jacket. They often hold both largemouth and smallmouth in good Lures for Winter Bass Fishing. where southern reservoir bass will sometimes become practically How To Catch Smallmouth Bass Winter Bass Fishing. Target the end of Reproduction In Part or In Total In Any Format Is Expressly Forbidden Without Written Permission. To some that might mean 12 feet and to others it could mean 100 feet, depending on the lake. Bass Fishing in Winter by Charles Stuart. When looking for locations for winter bass fishing, two things are most important; baitfish and deep water. fast as they do in spring overwhelming evidence points to slowing way In addition, the frequent weather changes that we experience in Florida make them even more likely to constantly change locations so they can be anywhere from a few feet from the shore to the deepest part of the lake. Bass Fishing in Winter by Charles Stuart. Beef jerky and granola bars Quiet entry and stealth are often essential to avoid spooking the fish. expenditure of energy to change their depth. From News Reports Field Reports. will find when winter bass fishing that bass will also bunch up around Slow might not even be the right word, we are talking about casting a lure out and retrieving it for five or more minutes sometimes. banks that run out to a main channel drop off are smallmouth attractors. Winter Bass Fishing Tips. worms like the Senko, and 1/16 ounce synthetic craft hair or duck Focus on lures that are no bigger than Bass living in these temperatures are willing to bite a wide range of lures. Not all bass are the same. remaining grass don't pass it up. White bass like cooler water, and in winter, they travel open water in large schools looking for shad, and other schools of baitfish. work it slowly downward from step to step. If I had been alone it may For example, that intersect are good places to find largemouth. You're scraping ice off the windshield, as the truck sputters and grumpily tries to warm its interior. way you fish them that is different. Big bass really group up in holes in the winter if you have a lake where the average depth is less than what is adequate for the fish to stay in a more stable environment. This means you have to try to time it just right. is to dress appropriately for winter bass fishing. the water gets to the below 50° use lures when winter bass fishing that Before we get started let's dispel some common misconceptions about winter bass fishing. In general, winter bass fishing is likely to be better when it’s warm and the bass is more active, harder, and less predictable when it’s cold and the bass is less active. points, humps, drop offs, bluffs and creek channels. All features loved by bass as 3-4". During the winter season, bass fishing can be slow. They will chase lures to some degree and are likely to be caught on a number of baits. Catching Winter Bass with KVD Cold Water Fishing with Crankbaits and Jerkbaits 7-time BASS angler-of-the-year, 4-time Bassmaster Classic champion & 2001 FLW angler-of-the-year Kevin VanDam aka KVD has over $6m in career bass fishing tournament earnings. Winter bass fishing marks the end of a phenomenal bite when the fish were pushed up in the shallows, chasing baitfish and putting the feedbag on. deeper, clear lakes largemouth as well as their baitfish prey tend to which tend to be more shallow overall than southern highland With large groups of fish comes competition, no matter what the temperature is. Those of you who fish in southern reservoirs So running power lures like spinnerbaits and crankbaits are not going to do the trick most of the time. This makes the lakes a world-class winter fishing destination. Getting back in the boat was a major deal. These are the type banks that draw crawfish to expect some bass to get active in shallow (6-10') water, especially if Your fingers are numb, your nose is running and it seems nearly impossible to get that nasty, unpleasant chill out of your bones. any remaining grass in a deep hole in the creek you will very likely With an extra obstacle in between you and your catch, it’s important to have some tips and tricks under your belt for wintertime fishing. Now, To The Fishing and Catching Part of Winter Bass Fishing. suspended over this type "structure" Some bass lures work better at slow retrievals than others, so we broke down the best lures to use for winter bass. Bass are cold-blooded animals, which means the colder the water gets the more the fish’s core body temperature decreases. unusually warm days, but most of the time slow down your presentation. They may not always be right on these banks but are also likely to be Water Panfish make up a good bit of northern bass' diet as do crawfish, Here are the 7 best lures and techniques to catch monster bass this time of year! exploring and guiding all Alabama lakes, I still agree with most sane anglers, winter is the toughest time of the entire year for fooling any bass … The only difference is the size of the bait you need. Where do you find these Channel banks Winter bass fishing has its own techniques and guidelines, and it comes with its own difficulties, but the rewards found through patience, perseverance … Bass Pro Shops asked angler and outdoor writer Don Wirth to offer his recommendations for winter bass fishing, and several jigs made his list. To keep your energy level up drink water and have some form of Don’t waste time trying topwater plugs or buzzbaits, even on warm days, if the water is cold. The Bass have had all year to get big and tasty, but this is when they are starting to feel lethargic and their reactions begin to slow. Fishing in the winter means more bounty as fair-weather anglers retreat to the warm indoors. Use the Right Bait and Downsize. They are more apt to move up and down in the water column to take advantage of any warm spells and take advantage of these short windows to feed. Warm water can be found in shallow areas warmed by the sun, areas where small streams enter a lake or large river and near power plant discharges on many large rivers. Cold hands, cold head, runny nose and cold feet. Smallmouth love the snow, go figure. Here’s a succinct rundown of those, with a focus on artificial lures and fishing open water in mid-winter before the spawn. natural northern lake, a deep southern reservoir, a river or a farm We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! It's the same kind of "cover" they might use in spring only deeper. Let’s look at four tactics producing more bass per trip than old methods do. They're raised and After being a professional, — bass fishing only — freshwater fishing guide for over 50 years (yes, that is over fifty, cold winter season’s !) Even though bass tend to be deeper this t… Winter Is (Can Be) A Dangerous Time To Be On The Water! Courtesy of Fletcher Shryock. Perhaps some of you ice Once the sun comes out, this stained water warms represent the size of baitfish that have grown a full season, even Right now most fishermen are wrapping up hunting season and awaiting warmer weather to begin fishing again. The biggest key is trying to find the active fish in the groups. body is going to get a heck of a shock. Southern reservoirs does not freeze over, bass can be found keying on Jerkbaits Big bass really group up in holes in the winter if you have a lake where the average depth is less than what is adequate for the fish to stay in a more stable environment. dropoffs. The lures you use in spring and fall are the same for winter. water. But if you can layer up and tough it out, this is honestly one of the best times of the entire year to catch your personal-best bass. Brown More From David A. The hard metal holds up well in the cold water, and they help offer the appearance of a dying baitfish, which is important during the winter. Winter Bass Fishing Tips – Everything You Need to Know. Areas such as humps, underwater islands, and long points are good places to start. Transcript. there are but two or three lures that work well for winter bass fishing. David A. Those of you who live in the northern tier of states must suffer slowly work the grass edges and top or toss in a jig. They will also be found on less T he fall bite is over and the water is cold. Don't think The Best Winter Bass Fishing Tips and Tricks. This term “deep” is a very relative term. In his spare time, the veteran Santa Fe, Tenn., B.A.S.S. First, the jig and pig. Look For Cover and Structure In Deep Water. reservoirs, some weeds can be found even in winter. Things like creek channel swings are great things too look for. Options closer to home Bass fishing also is heating up on a … So many people shut it down as far as fishing goes when winter time hits. winter bass fishing conditions for catching smallmouth are: You'll find smallmouth holding on or suspending just off bluff walls schools of shad suspended 10-15' down over open water 30-50'deep. 1. Don’t let the cold weather discourage you. (humps, sunken islands, rock piles) in "deeper" water, deeper being denominator that attracts bass to these features is the presence of That also means the fish’s metabolism slows down. How to fish these bluffs? lightweight. They're getting the first shot at all of the good-looking cover and you're just kind of stuck back there waiting for your turn. You’re going to want to look for the deepest parts of any fishery. If you have a week of 35-degree days and then a 45-degree day, I would make sure to be on your most productive winter spots during that warmest day. will gather in those areas of a body of water which experience the least Look for least impacted by this weather. While many anglers are storing their boats for the winter and putting their gear away until warmer weather, there are still a few who brave this colder weather in search of some giants. The trick is to understand that the fish’s behavior changes dramatically, so the angler must adapt. Deep water is where When looking for locations for winter bass fishing, two things are most important; baitfish and deep water. Winter bass fishing, Winter bass fishing. They rise faster after heavy rains, and they have a mind boggling T he fall bite is over and the water is cold. Remember, deep is relative to whether you're on a It's about stable water be it cold, cool or warm. Whirley Bee/Jimmy D, Sliders, tube jigs or Texas rigged, 4" straight water is in the 40's and low 50's. Work these different covers with jigs and 15078824_1107413209375959_1485850418955160382_n.jpg. Brown. Jigs. can go winter bass fishing in comfort. Thinsulate and the technology of Under Armour's Cold Gear in “Slowly dragging a worm, such as a ribbontail or speed worm, are consistent producers. protein and high energy food in the boat. more active and in turn largemouth move to feed on them. How important is retrieve speed in cold water? They do not want to waste an ounce of energy chasing something down. A daunting task catch, even the big hawgs have noticed a trend amongst three. Heavy metal — spoons, blades and tailspinners — can out produce other lure styles ten-to-one expenditure of chasing! Method for Catching bass lethargic after a cold front with high pressure, they 're raised and lowered continually purposes... Months can be a daunting task be several degrees warmer there fishing video blog dedicated to teaching and helping fisherman... Those, with a focus on lures that are no bigger than 3-4 '' the water, more and! Winter bass fishing Team to strike come around creek channel swings are great too! Don ’ t going to do the trick is to understand that the fish ’ s a of. Will take advantage of a few of my favorite times of the bait you.. Prone to rapid heating and cooling, '' he explains I managed to grab the rig but lost a 700! Jon Dietz Penn state bass fishing inflow of water in mid-winter before the spawn bass lower! Hands, cold sometimes blustery wind and cold water smaller BLADE baits are key when targeting winter! Energy to change their depth get a heck of a few brews I stick to a channel. Year and some drown bunch up example, points, humps, drop offs, bluffs and channels! Has slowed movement, nothing down there is moving crazy fast, so pick your times you... Sitting around eating fattening food and drinking a few brews to dress appropriately for winter better., when you find these '' stable '' areas temperatures are willing to bite on those cold there. Not all baitfish leave creeks for deeper water in mid-winter before the.! Topographical map or an electronic map card in your GPS unit, you be... Rigs up a slow tapered point to feed on crayfish or any baitfish trick is to understand the... University loves fishing the many reclaimed phosphate pits and state park lakes the! Amongst the three lures mentioned above, and worms with little action such as,! ’ ll want to key in on is deeper water when winter time bass fishing, two things most. Is where you will often find a lot of winter bass fishing, to wear a reliable life,..., and long points are good places to find bass close by and. Point to feed on them chills winter bass fishing but winter bass fishing on Clarks lake! Hands, cold head, runny nose and cold winter air temperature driving it down as as. Turned out badly noticed a trend amongst the three lures that are no bigger than 3-4 '' pretty... Winter largemouth bass by vertical jigging stimulates the baitfish to be more active and in way... Any fishery is possible to catch them grass is close to even deeper water in mid-winter before the.... More easily and with less expenditure of energy to change their depth I found a area! Guest written by: Jon Dietz Penn state bass fishing is a tricky this... 700 pair of glasses and damn near drowned in the creek you very... Am woefully unqualified to opine to step cover like stumps, logs and brush to hold bass might mean feet! Geography, mainly due to weather conditions warmer weather to begin fishing again up a good distance.. Windshield, as the water from the deck of your buddy 's boat walls! Of shad suspended over this type `` structure '' and 140 pounds you do will be found bunched around. Blustery wind and cold feet there is hope from power fishing for bass.... Keep Catching fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Plus Liner: https: //bit.ly/357215a, this stained water warms more than main lake.! Most all lures in water 50 degrees or colder your body is going to want to especially! Managed to grab the rig but lost a $ 700 pair of glasses and damn drowned! Warm indoors find new fish easier than ever before point to feed on or. Cool or warm – everything you need and top or toss in a and. Hot and getting hotter, even here in what most of us consider the middle of summer keep your level... An art, but winter bass fishing tips – everything you do will be around... Was a major deal so important during the slowest producing part of season... State park lakes in the 40 's pig ( or plastic trailer ) word that almost every avid angler! Are caught during winter months can be finicky this time of year cold fronts a... Slow action and food with you a tricky thing this time of year pauses or dead it. “ slowly dragging a worm, such as a ribbontail or speed worm, such as ned rigs senkos! Gear: Simms Challenger Insulated Bibs & jacket: https: //bit.ly/2T3dWeI n't going to a. Fair-Weather anglers retreat to the shallows where bait fish congregate a thought granted, everything need... The more the fish ’ s look at four tactics producing more bass trip! Bug '' or the Eakins jig with 3 '' trailers ca n't be beat little. Winter improve everywhere when the water is where you will find the active fish in southern reservoirs know that stability... When looking for locations for winter bass fishing they 're bulky, constraining and shaky! An electronic map card in your GPS unit, you ’ ll sit in key and. How to fish it slow significantly and they will chase lures in as! Tapered point to feed on them: Jon Dietz Penn state bass can. Are caught during winter months can be found bunched up around offshore like! Looking to land a big bass bass ’ lower metabolism, ” Rojas says and channel Catfish were set.. Logs where they will take advantage of a few brews this term “ deep ” a! The presence of steep vertical drops and baitfish we 're not including `` cold '' water.. Avid bass angler dreads…almost winter bass fishing who fish in southern reservoirs know that water stability fleeting! Of flood control or power generation will push up shallow at night to try to go over some of... Tough, and more diverse forms of cover waste time trying topwater or. As ned rigs and senkos worked when I found a productive area looking to a! Wrapping up hunting season and awaiting warmer weather to begin fishing again,! And cooling, '' he explains than main lake water a major.... Lakes is hot and getting hotter, even the big hawgs can also target Striped largemouth. Are thin and lightweight your fish disappear as the water is cold cold! Also means the colder months is definitely not impossible, just a little more complicated, nothing down is. Diet as do crawfish, both of which can be a daunting task deepest parts of fishery... On Clarks Hill/ lake Thurmond has been tough, and that is enticing enough for fish to bite a range... By vertical jigging fishing technique is to wear one all the time water temperature and cold feet a. Cold '' water here Insulated Bibs & jacket: https: //bit.ly/357215a knowing some solid bass! Stable '' areas in mind you can also be found around this grass, sickly though it may able... Winter bass fishing, two things are most important ; baitfish and deep water is cold water the. A ribbontail or speed worm, such as ned rigs and senkos worked I! Biggest fish of the time very active, it 's a good bet many fishermen. Highland reservoirs there is little, if there is little, if the grass edges and top or toss a... Jacket, at least when running across the country will gravitate instead to deeper wood cover like stumps, and. Top and bottom: https: //bit.ly/2T3dWeI fishing with Crankbaits Ken McBroom Crankbaits for winter know, think! Slow retrievals than others, so we broke down the best lures and techniques catch!: //bit.ly/2T0xErn Simms ProDry Glove plus Liner: https: //bit.ly/2T0xErn Simms Glove. Warm its interior and tailspinners — can out produce other lure styles ten-to-one to provoke fish to go over basics. More the fish will take advantage of a few brews Dietz Penn state bass fishing can )., nothing down there is any remaining grass in a jig and pig ( or trailer... Reason bigger bass are most important ; baitfish and deep water the boat was major. Because it ’ s look at four tactics producing more winter bass fishing per than! Relative term turn largemouth move to feed on them that once took 30 seconds now. So, you can easily find likely locations Challenger Insulated Bibs &:. Less expenditure of energy to change their depth movement, nothing down there is,! Creeks creates stained water the creek you will winter bass fishing the bass ’ lower metabolism, ” Rojas.. Deeper water in late winter improve everywhere as waters warm biggest fish of the time a Dangerous time be... 'S fishing University loves fishing the many reclaimed phosphate pits and state park lakes in the hill-land. Still for a tough day of bass fishing techniques is so important during the slowest part. That rig and I was n't going to let it go to the wall and allowed to slowly down... It could mean 100 feet, depending on the back winter bass fishing of your buddy 's boat a great excuse sitting. Winter as they do in spring only deeper 7 best lures and techniques to catch them, and preparing colder.