Bass, like all fish (as well as reptiles and amphibians), are cold-blooded
creatures. Their body temperature is the same as that of their environment. In
80 degree water, they're highly active. They prowl points, weedlines and channel
drop-offs for food. But as winter approaches and the environment cools, they
grow less active. By the time the water hits 50 degrees, bass probably won't be
moving around much. Their appetite declines along with their activity level.
Rather than gulp down a fat bluegill or big gizzard shad, they're more likely to nip
a small crawfish or minnow should it wander too close to their lair. There are
several fishing lessons to be learned. First, winter bass are sluggish. They're
couch potatoes, as a rule unresponsive to a fast-moving presentation. Second,
a rifle presentation, not a shotgun approach, will take more winter fish.
Wide-ranging lures like lipless crankbaits, which sweep active bass from a broad
area, usually won't cut it in winter. Put the lure right in the bass' face, and you'll
get more bites. Lastly, smaller, more compact lures usually produce better in
winter because they more closely match the smaller forage that is readily
available, and correspond to the decreased appetite of the fish.
creatures. Their body temperature is the same as that of their environment. In
80 degree water, they're highly active. They prowl points, weedlines and channel
drop-offs for food. But as winter approaches and the environment cools, they
grow less active. By the time the water hits 50 degrees, bass probably won't be
moving around much. Their appetite declines along with their activity level.
Rather than gulp down a fat bluegill or big gizzard shad, they're more likely to nip
a small crawfish or minnow should it wander too close to their lair. There are
several fishing lessons to be learned. First, winter bass are sluggish. They're
couch potatoes, as a rule unresponsive to a fast-moving presentation. Second,
a rifle presentation, not a shotgun approach, will take more winter fish.
Wide-ranging lures like lipless crankbaits, which sweep active bass from a broad
area, usually won't cut it in winter. Put the lure right in the bass' face, and you'll
get more bites. Lastly, smaller, more compact lures usually produce better in
winter because they more closely match the smaller forage that is readily
available, and correspond to the decreased appetite of the fish.
• Jigheads and Blades on Stairstepping Ledges - In clear highland lakes, banks with
45-degree slopes often have a series of short stairstepping ledges. Bass, especially
smallmouth, hold on these ledges, usually at the 15 to 30 foot zone. In this zone, hair
jigs with pork or plastic trailers, grubs and thin metal blade baits are deadly. Drop the
lures slowly on a tight line from one ledge to the next.
• Spoons in the Hollows - "Hollows" are deep tributaries with two opposing steep
banks. In winter, they can hold massive schools of baitfish — and bass. Use your
graph to locate clouds of baitfish and suspending bass, determine their depth and
jig a spoon repeatedly just above that depth. It isn't unusual to find bass suspending
below 30 feet when they're on this pattern.
• Spring Holes - Underground springs, which in midwinter are much warmer than lake
water, can draw droves of baitfish and bass. Use your boat's temperature gauge to
locate spring holes (you'll usually find them in the tributaries) and fish close to them
with moderately fast-moving lures like spinnerbaits.
• Back-ends of Tributaries - The Sunbelt region often has considerable rainfall
during the winter months. When this turns the lake muddy, bass fishing suffers.
However, clearer water will eventually enter the lake via the tributaries. When
that happens, it can trigger tremendous feeding. Within two or three days following a
hard rain, head for the back-ends of creek arms and look for clear water flowing in.
Then move out to where the clear runoff meets murkier water and cast a spinnerbait,
jig or small crankbait — a great winter tournament tactic. Bass often stack up at the
edge of clear and muddy water.
• Rock Rubble on Bluffs - Winter bass love the tasty crustaceans that abound in the
rock rubble at the base of channel bluffs. In stained water, try flipping a jig
with a soft-plastic crawfish or lizard trailer around these rocks in the shallow
water at the foot of the bluff. Brown, black, dark blue and dark green are normally the
best colors; if the water is murky, use a chartreuse or hot orange trailer. In clear
water, use light line and target deeper rubble with jighead grubs, blade baits or tail-
spinners.
• Open Water Off Deep Points - Winter bass often suspend off deep points,
especially those at tributary entrances. Use two approaches to catch them. Vertical-
jigging metal spoons or blade baits works best on calm days, but it can be hard to
maintain your boat's position with your trolling motor once the wind picks up. When it
starts to blow, try slow-trolling deep-running crankbaits that reach at least 15 to 25
feet, on 8- to 10-pound mono. For more attraction when trolling, add a small red or
white pork eel to the trailing hook of the crankbait.
• Main-Lake Points on Mild, Windy Days - On unseasonably mild winter days when a
strong south wind blows, expect bass to move out of deep water to shallow main-lake
points. Quarter-ounce crankbaits with long bills that root along the bottom are best;
try shad, crawfish and fire-tiger color patterns. If the wind stops, abandon this pattern
and fish deeper and more slowly with jighead lures and blade baits.
• High Water in Tailraces - Winter rains lead to high, fast water below dams. It's
not safe under these conditions to fish directly below a dam, but you can enjoy
tremendous fishing downstream, where current isn't quite as strong. Bass hold
tight to riprap, boulders, stumps, submerged trees and other current breaks on the
bank. Fish will slam jigs with pork trailers right against the shoreline. Light line helps
reduce drag and keeps the current from pulling your lure off the mark.
Winter Bass
Fishing:
Fishing:
Top Winter
Patterns:
Patterns: