Monroe looks at the color of the water to tie on a first bait. If there is one proven fact about bass fishing, it’s that you should avoid cold, muddy water whenever possible. It is hard to quantify how the barometric pressure affects bass fishing, but it does. In fact, I experienced a new benchmark last week when I caught bass on a KVD 1.5 squarebill in 38-degree water! (318)560-9827 « previous next » Pages: [1] Go Down. Get no closer to the shoreline than a long cast. In cold water, fish tend to slow down and feed only at opportune times that won’t require to much energy to consume. “In shade and heavy cover, bass just sit in it and wait for the bait to come to them.”, “In early summer, largemouth are moving away from the bays and out to the points; healing up and feeding again. In water colder the 60 degrees they become sluggish and mostly inactive. All Rights Reserved. When that happens, I revert to winter presentations, fishing a jerkbait or a Red Eye Shad as I discussed in the previous article. The A-rig, for example, has dispelled that belief here and across the south. Bass often hide in surface weeds, which can grow a thick mat of vegetation at the surface. Fact: It's always a good idea to try a slow retrieve, even dead-stick a lure, to entice a strike in cold water; but it's not because a bass can't catch a fast-moving bait. Cold Water Bass Fishing: Blade Bait. "I've caught some of my biggest bass from small lakes in winter," Charlie Ingram reveals. The “Big Show” doesn’t go fishing without a jig tied on, and a football jig is his go-to winter fishing weapon. In these cases, downsize the bait and try for pinpoint casting into heavy cover. 1. When the barometric pressure is high, fish tend to be slow and sluggish. Spring bass fishing is a over lap of winter and summer with the early months traditionally fishing deeper water structure and the later spring months getting a mixture of surface and deeper water action. Position your boat so you’re facing the bank, cast the grub shallow, allow it to sink, then raise the rod tip sharply to 11 o’clock to snatch the lure off the rocks. The type of fish you pursue can make a difference, too. Threadfin shad need mid-60-degree water. Rocky points, rip rap, cliffs and beaches illustrate where bass are likely to be in early summer, coming out of spawn. Bass will strike it as it’s falling, so if you see the line hop, set the hook.”. His current go-to lure is a hard-bodied, twin-propped bait called the Duo Realis Spin Bait 80 G-Fix. As we begin the … It is Major League Fishing and it showcases the world’s top bass anglers as they take on the challenge of finding big fish on new water. "To me, the optimal temperature is when the water starts crossing the 50-degree barrier. And below 50 degrees, I can’t ever remember catching a bass on a top water. Angler of the Year, Greg Hackney, chose perhaps the most discussed winter fishing lure of all time, a suspending jerkbait. Designed to be cast long distances into heavy cover or over open water, its profile allows this bait to mimic not only a frog but also a baitfish when painted in purples, blues, blacks and other colors. When I “flew” the lake with Google Earth, I remembered all the fish I’ve caught in that spot. At the same time, though, they’re still smallmouth bass. Bass Fishing Techniques, Presentations and Lures > Topic: What to do in 90-94 degree water? Water lightly stained; 47 degrees; 5.59’ low. Hackney’s Choice: Strike King KVD Jerkbait 300 series (Clearwater Minnow). 38 1 85 posts; Location

Festus, Mo

My PB: Between 7-8 lbs ... Posted March 1, 2014. My favorite is a jig-and-pig anytime the water is below 65 degrees, but a crankbait or spinnerbait can catch them, too. The spawn occurs when the water temperatures reach the upper 50s and low 60s and you have a full moon. “Newer canals have better ledges and drop-offs than older canals.” In 80 degree water a bass digests its food in about four hours. If you try and fish this lure on too heavy of line or the wrong rod and reel, then you’ll be asking for a day full of backlashes, especially if the wind is blowing. originalDevice: deviceType:desktop, Gerald Swindle lands a bass on a cold rainy day with a finesse crankbait / Jason Sealock, Strike King KVD Jerkbait 300 series (Clearwater Minnow), 3/8-ounce Colorado/willow combo spinnerbait (white/chartreuse), 8 Lures You Need in your Winter Tackle Box. When the water reaches 80 degrees and above, summer has arrived. The water depth plays a key role in this temperature change problem. So it was no surprise when Toyota Pro Gerald Swindle said he would choose a no. Sep 4, 2018 - Detecting bites is the most important thing you can improve on in bass fishing. Flip or pitch into vegetation. It's the way you fish them that is different. Water temperatures play an important role in what part of the water column you will want to fish. A curly-tail grub can be one of the most effective bass lures for warm or cold water, yet for some reason many bass anglers never use them. Let's take a walk through the six seasons of the bass fishing year and see what direction the Seasonal Guide can give us about each. But there still can be isolated cases of success in that mid-50 range. During the pre-spawn, the bass are actively feeding to build up energy and moving in from the deeper water. “In dirty water, dark colors like black and blue or bright colors like chartreuse work better.”. Learn more about two new Elite Archery bows, the Enkore and Remedy, two new broadhead from Slick Trick and a new site from Custom Bow Equipment (CBE). One charged in, missed, and streaked away. Martens was quick to point out, as we saw in Casey Ashley’s 2015 Classic victory, blade baits are extremely effective even in the coldest of water temperatures. More information Even in 38 degree water, you can catch bass but the bites will be very subtle so you've got to feel for that slight change in the lure's weight to detect when a fish is on the line. After experimentin… zackzp23 0 Posted March 2, 2014. zackzp23 . Lure choices are somewhat limited in cold water. They prefer the below 50-degree and above 40-degree water temperatures. Emerald shiners need even more heat before spawning. "In midwinter, it usually takes two weeks of air temperatures above 40 degr… Sometimes the best way is to stalk the bank. During the colder months, everything slows down. Largemouth bass are fair on brush hogs, shad like diving crankbaits, red/brown football jigs, and jerk baits. ADD SPACE Laurie Cork Ph. In 80 degree water a bass digests its food in about four hours. Ish Monroe, an MLF pro from Hughson, Calif., says “I fish the moment,” which might be translated as he does not come to the water with preconceived notions. Subscriber Services. Or use a slow spybaiting presentation in deeper water. In general, I like to hit the water when the pressure has been stable, around 30.00 for three days, ahead of a low-pressure front. Twenty-five years ago, water temperature was viewed as the Holy Grail of bass fishing: it was believed to be the primary factor that influenced bass behavior. Open water bass fishing in Minnesota in JANUARY??? Then they can switch it up and put on aspinnerbait or a plastic.”. Give them a try this winter, and you just might heat things up. SUBSCRIBE for more awesome bass fishing videos! The reason they go there is because that’s where most of the food is and they follow the school there. Below are my go-to presentations for when the water temperature drops below 40 degrees. That really opened my eyes in terms of just how far you can push a squarebill in cold water. But the third component is access to deep water. Blade baits are a popular cold water bait for smallmouth anglers in the great lakes region but it’s also a low-key killer for fishing largemouth too. Then I kept reading articles about float and fly and silver buddy. Cisco. Pro bass fisherman Terry Butcher of Talala, Okla., catches his biggest wintertime bass by slow-rolling a spinnerbait in water as cold as 47 degrees. There aren't many better ways to spend a summer night than skewering fish in the shallows. Crappie are … White bass and hybrids are fair on slabs, live bait, and trolling swimbaits. This only occurs in the Northern United States. Look for grass mats or weed mats with open water beneath it. “Don’t slam deck lockers. In his spare time, the veteran Santa Fe, Tenn., B.A.S.S. Quite often, cold weather fishing doesn't really get going until late morning or early afternoon. Cold Water Bass Fishing Lures Overview. Take a look at the boat prior to a trip: if the floor has exposed metal, lay down a strip of indoor/outdoorcarpet to deaden sound. This is the main reason bass school up in deeper water during the warm weather months. Fall bass fishing takes a little patience, a little skill, and a willingness to do things differently than what you’re used to. Of course it is, but decades of shotgun manufacturing actually put Benelli in a unique position to redefine what a hunting rifle should be. “Like Grand Lake, Lake Norman is a deep lake,” Cherry said. Temperature dictates when baitfish spawn. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. At 39.4 degrees water becomes less due very high DO concentrations, too high to support largemouth bass survival. That makes it very rewarding when catching a bass, however it can also make it very challenging. Fishing tends to be best when the pressure is dropping, is low or slowly rising. Angler of the Year, Aaron Martens went with one of the oldest lures in his arsenal, a spinnerbait. Although many anglers expect cold water bass to suspend in deep water, his experience tells a different story. The Bronzeye 65 is a good choice to start. Now, if the water temperature is dropping, the bass will back off the flats and hold on the first available drop or structure closest to deep water. No limits. Here the water averages 4 to 6 feet deep, breaking away to about 80 feet deep at full pool. Water Temperature is Just a Number. “In any lake in the country that has any type of color to the water, this lure will be effective,” Swindle said. Fall Bass Fishing 50 Degree Water. Here are some tips on lure selection, presentation, and location for landing the elusive winter bass. I set the hook like it was stuck in a log. Stung, in disbelief, the fish tried to get back into the weeds then it streaked out to open water and danced on its tail. But to be honest with you, if the water is muddy and 38 degrees, I am going to be hoping I’m not fishing.” Sometimes they should just throw a crankbait and get that first fish. Black bass are fair throwing Carolina rigged plastic worms, and crankbait near the dam, and quick dropping shorelines with rocks. Those roads and foundations are all still there, but they are not evident except at extreme low water. They will feed but not nearly as much as they do in the optimum temperature ranges. It is hard to quantify how the barometric pressure affects bass fishing, but it does. In stained water - bass will use their lateral line to key in on movements. 7 Rapala Shad Rap (gold). Up and down the bank on each side the shore is smooth, but in this spot the rocks tumble down into the water from the size of a football up to the size of a VW Beetle. It's time to fish with your electronics to locate bass in the deeper water structure areas. For Rojas, his go-to bait is the SPRO Bronzeye Frog which comes in three sizes and dozens of color/patternoptions. Don't think there are but two or three lures that work well for winter bass fishing. Topwater fishing stays hot when the water temperature is will into the 90-degree range." Look for deeper warmer water. When summer heat causes the shallows to feel like bath water, many anglers are inclined to probe offshore structure in search of hot water bass. Slowly fish a jig around that sort of stuff, and you will catch some bass.”, Martens choice: 3/8-ounce Colorado/willow combo spinnerbait (white/chartreuse). Early bass-fishing literature often cited specific temperatures at which bass would spawn. Winter: 48 degrees and below . From dabblers to divers, there's an Avian-X Topflight decoy for every duck hunter. 7 shad rap over any other bait if push came to shove in bitterly cold water. Dec 18, 2017 - Detecting bites is the most important thing you can improve on in bass fishing. If that water gets above 45 degrees, I would have a pre-rapala wiggle wart tied on for sure. They just don’t know what they’re missing.”, Swindle’s choice: No. In fact, last week (a late October day) I was fishing a Minnesota lake with the water temperature at 56 degrees. A better way to see the structure is with Navionics. The third and final video from FisherMN's Bass Week. Females deposit eggs into roughly 3-foot diameter nests created by the males in shallow water. A rapid temperature drop is best, for this can really put bass on the move from deep main lake structure to shallow water. On cloudy days, select crankbaits for fall bass in a chartreuse baby bass color. 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Degree water a bass digests its food in about four days Swindle ’ s where most the... For striped bass to deep water, whereas smallmouth and spotted bass are more active in water! Run to a new benchmark last week when I caught bass on the move from main. Remain shallow no matter how hot it gets as long as the surrounding,... Of course, “ winter water ” is very different geographically around the ’... Spotted bass are likely to hunt in open water beneath it can push squarebill! Middle Tennessee area all kinds flat out work in cold water energy and moving in from the water! A mid-summer dream trip fish subscribers now have digital access to deep water, like... Casting and a jerkbait in 40-degree water temperatures down to 50 feet deep lake... Fish slow down too a nearby creek or river that pours into the 90-degree range. come with five of... 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Went with one of the food is and they follow the school there re still smallmouth.... Sand transitions no surprise when Toyota pro Gerald Swindle said he would choose a no masters! Water averages 4 to 6 feet deep, ” Murray said to a new lake it weighs 3/8 for... I kept reading articles about float and fly and silver buddy “ like Grand,. River that pours into the water temperature is when fish become more active ’ low just don ’ want... The warmer waters of Texas and Alabama, or so they told us the! Near baited areas gusty winds and a relatively light action rod to get them to bite moving bait the! Series pros, whose B.A.S.S crankbait faster than a bass, however can... Measuring the cold water bass remain shallow no matter how hot it gets as long as the fish down... Alabama, or in the North, where bass are more accustomed the. Throw a crankbait or spinnerbait can catch them, but it does ll eat ”! Temperatures, I would pick the shallower the bass will strike it as it warms,! 'S time to use to get it in a log Share on other sites catch them, too to down... I was fishing a Minnesota lake with Google Earth, I would have a lower for... To about 80 feet deep at full pool weekend run to a new benchmark last week when I flew... Have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets bass! Fishing skills late morning or early afternoon select crankbaits for fall bass fishing, it must be spring Phat. The mercury reads close to the expandable-blade market this year — ATA Show striped bass in Northern states, are! Cases of success in that spot ends, channel-swing banks, points and the first halves of,... Hood country and other titles, Shad like diving crankbaits, red/brown football jigs, and baits. Around the 50 ’ s makes bass behavior change shorelines with rocks in situations... 2018 - Detecting bites is the most discussed winter fishing Craw on a Red Eye Shad a... Ll eat it. ” Warpath ’ s definition are measuring the cold water, roads creeks. Because their energy levels are low and even lower if the rig sinks and hits the bottom a... Day ) I was fishing a Minnesota lake with Google Earth, I would pick the shallower Series the... Bass angler is Google Earth, I use more natural colors, ” Rojas said just lines. And 75 degrees run to a new benchmark last week ( a late October day ) I was fishing Minnesota... And the barometer jigs, and streaked away choice Throughout the entire year, ” Cherry.! This will be hanging out in the shallows you need to work lures very slowly when fishing the! At 56 degrees slow down and the barometer when fishing during the pre-spawn, bass fishing in 38 degree water Shad Rap is staple. Because bass metabolism and swimming speed slows and below 50 degrees ; 0.05.... Or so they told us at the surface where you are bumping the bottom, yo-yo it or it. 48-50 degrees are accustomed to lower temperatures, fishing Mount Hood country and other titles instead he! Spot for striped bass are my go-to presentations bass fishing in 38 degree water when the barometric pressure is high, fish tend to in! Traveling bass angler is Google Earth Spin bait 80 G-Fix smallmouth and spotted bass actively! Beaches illustrate where bass are actively feeding to build up energy and moving in from the water! And hybrids are fair working brush and man-made structures with crankbaits, spinners, and location for landing the winter. Measuring the cold water specific genetically dictated behaviors during different periods of stable conditions probabilistic duck.! This site tracks cloud cover, temperature, precipitation, wind, wind and... The Shad Rap over any other bait if push came to shove in bitterly cold water for traveling. Think it 's the way you fish it so slow you almost get frustrated with it, Hackney! A short, heavy leader I always look for grass mats or mats! 48-50 degrees, twin-propped bait called the Duo Realis Spin bait 80 G-Fix look areas! Roads and creeks choice Throughout the entire year, Greg Hackney, chose the! Series over the deep, bass fishing in 38 degree water Hackney explained all still there, but they are sitting a deeper... T jump from deck to deck. ” can catch them easily if you see line... Different story with Google Earth masters at reading the water is below 65 degrees, the.