"The thing to remember is that coldwater bass aren't feeding as often, and you have to finesse them into striking," Hill explains. Depth is relative, of course. Jigs tipped with pork frog trailers work, too, especially along those sharp-breaking inside turns adjacent to points or flats. Both species tend to be more aggressive in cold water than their largemouth cousins. Since late winter weather can deliver its goods in a variety of packages (sunny and warm, windy and snowy, sunny and bitter cold, etc. . "Both features put you right on top of key structure, and the sonar will tell you if the fish are there," he explains. Here are five winter bass fishing techniques that you can use to catch more bass this winter. "Ninety percent of the bass I catch in tidal water during the winter have mud on their bellies, so that tells me it's low and moving slow," he describes. When winter peaks, both species congregate on deep, hard-bottom structure. Conversely, a 48-degree surface temperature may appear in the peak of a Northern fall pattern, yet it indicates winter on many Southern waters. So slow down, enjoy fewer people on the lake and try some of these time-tested wintertime techniques. "I look for the largest trees, not only because they always seem to hold the largest bass, but also because they're normally located along the edges of old creeks. Neil Howard, with 21 pounds, 13 ounces, holds an 8-ounce lead over Aaron Martens. "On lakes bass may move only 100 yards to winter, but on a tidal river they may travel several miles," he explains. If you want to bring them up, you've got to go where they are. Looking for a surefire bet for winter time bassin’? Share Followers 2. Wintertime bass fishing can be some of the most rewarding if you can find fish reacting to subtle presentations in cold water. South Florida Winter Bass Patterns. However, early spring weather is unpredictable, and as the water temperature in the shallows fluctuates from day to day, bass will move back and forth between shallow and deep water. Poirier shocks McGregor with TKO in 2nd round, LeBron, AD 'still have trouble' with Kobe's death, Steph now 2nd all time in 3s, gets visit from Miller, 'Winning time': Kyrie's heroics help Nets halt skid, Sources: Lions actively seek to trade Stafford, Source: Chiefs RB Edwards-Helaire likely to play, Guide to Buccaneers-Packers, Bills-Chiefs: Picks, bold predictions and more. Winter Bass Fishing. For that reason, Ike looks for areas away from the main current, such as protected coves and harbors. With a shotgun vs. a rifle approach, McClintock advised. 2X Bassmaster Classic champion tournament bass fishing champion Jordan Lee returns to The Bass University in Gadsden, AL in the winter to talk about finesse swimbait fishing. "I work all around a big tree, popping the spoon up at different speeds until I find what the bass want. There are specific times when Elite Series pros turn to fast-action worming — here’s how they decide between the two most popular tail options. And when working an area, cover every inch. This generalized winter pattern applies to natural lakes and all reservoirs, but in rivers, it's important to fish areas with no current. When fall wanes toward winter, bass in man-made impoundments pull away from the shallow areas in the backs of creeks and bays and follow the baitfish to main lake structure. If they're suspended above the structure, he'll cast the smoke-colored grub toward the area, count it down and begin swimming it back to the boat. They move from the front to the back of major creeks. Stephen Browning says the beauty of river fishing during cold weather months is that you don't have to fish deep. If it is a trophy bass you’re targeting during the winter, it is important to learn weather patterns. And though we are now in December and it’s probably time to put away that hopper box until next summer, don’t think that there aren’t plenty of fishing opportunities throughout the state. The first line of business in fishing riprap is defining a depth zone bass are using, and for this O'Shea uses his crankbait. Even during winter, when bass fishing can be at its slowest, Texas anglers who target the right waters can enjoy excellent, and uncrowded, fishing for largemouth and spotted bass. Seasonal largemouth bass patterns and behavior are dictated by water temperatures, spawning desires, and the need to find food. The bass won’t do much in stained water until spring. UFC 257: Where does Conor McGregor go from here? Guitar, bass and drum tabs & chords with free online tab player. Find a dock near deep water and flip a jig-and-pig or curlytail worm to the pilings and brush around it; you should get bit. Options closer to home. Browning says that he always starts with a Berkley Power Jig tipped with a Power Craw and fishes the slack water around the jetties. Depths can range from 15 to 40 feet, and water clarity often dictates how deep the weeds will grow. These fish are shallow-water oriented and spend much of their time in, or near, secondary creek channels. Target clear water during winter months. "This generally involves fishing fairly shallow around visible cover, and it's something most anglers can relate to. Bass move into shallower water for a longer time on lowland reservoirs in the fall transition. By paying close attention to water temperature and the number of daylight hours, you can make better predictions on the movements bass are likely to make -- giving you a greater chance of fall fishing success. Something I like to do is talk to other anglers on the water. Bass will gather in those turns and can be tempted by a slow falling jig. No abusive ads "Put your graph in the zoom feature and monitor it closely.". Fishing docks is a good winter pattern at both reservoirs. Bass fishing in the winter may not get your blood pumping like it does in the spring, but it definitely shouldn't be overlooked. Winter bass fishing on the Susquehanna River in the months of January and February is usually impossible. In winter, bass seek structure that provides food, security and a stable environment. Both of these are keys to finding bass in winter, and if you find both in one area, you have a prime fishing spot. They'll follow creek channels and points to winter areas just as they do on other bodies of water, he adds, but in tidal rivers, the structure isn't as traditional as you find in lakes. Skip to main content Giveaways Newsletter ... As water temperatures approach the upper 80's, the metabolism of the bass will slow. With either lure, he strives for a near-vertical presentation. Western anglers utilize their sonars to locate the fish hovering on the bottom and drop baits in front of their faces. "It may be a lone boat dock, fallen tree — some distinct feature that provides them with a place to stop during the migration to winter areas. If you're looking for tips for fall fishing that will help you catch more largemouth bass, some of the best advice is to learn how to identify seasonal fishing patterns. A succession of slightly warmer days, especially if the weather has been unusually cold, may cause bass to move up from deeper water, so wherever he's fishing, he concentrates on vertical rather than sloping structure. During fall and early winter, bass and baitfish use creek channels as highways. Spots will school in the backs of sloughs and creeks whenever baitfish are present. It's that simple. "The fish aren't always on the bottom this time of year, and you'll be able to detect that by watching your electronics," he notes. Deep water is where the bass are in winter. An understanding of seasonal patterns is critical to bass fishing success any time of year, but it is especially important during winter months. The spotted bass for which this 15,500-acre impoundment is best known seem to have shrunk to barely legal size, and the largemouths apparently have taken an early holiday vacation. The bass are probably suspended on your favorite bass lake right … Mostly because cold temperatures have typically frozen over the river. UFC 257: Who's next for Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler? "That's when I throw the (black/blue or brown/green) Rascal tipped with a Zoom Junior Chunk and drag it over the bottom.". 1 factor affecting winter bass fishing is the weather," says Hoernke, whose résumé includes a fifth place finish at the Missouri BASSMASTER Invitational last season. And don't overlook man-made channels that cut off the main lake providing access for residential areas. The New Jersey pro adds that the best wintering areas also offer deep, vertical breaks that give the bass flexibility in moving deeper or shallower as needed. Largemouth like backwater areas with some depth to them, like close to a marina. And while bass tend to act similarly regardless of the water you fish, those seasonal patterns may vary in different bodies of water. By looking at a topographical map or an electronic map card in your GPS unit, you can easily find likely locations. ), here are some tips on how to catch bass during five different weather conditions in February. Drop-shotting in deep water takes a more sensitive touch than in shallow water, so O'Shea tries to make his presentations as nearly vertical as possible; he doesn't try to "walk" the sinker around structure or cover. For these conditions, Hoernke prefers a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce copper/brown jig, a 1/2-ounce tandem willowleaf spinnerbait or a shallow running, wide-wobbling crankbait. Ike believes baits like jigs and plastics that hug the bottom are best choices for fishing those slackwater areas during winter. Hill recommends anglers keep their lure presentations simple. "That's why jigs fished slowly on the bottom are the very best choice this time of year.". Many winter bass fishing rules change for bass living in a tidal river because their entire life cycle revolves around fluctuating water levels. This technique will catch largemouth, but it's outstanding for spotted bass and smallmouth. The depths O'Shea feels comfortable fishing contrast sharply with the winter techniques used by B.A.S.S. If the creek arm is large and deep, they may remain there but use deeper structure, such as deep river ledges, bluff banks or ditches that snake along the lake bottom. "I'll find a roadbed on a lake map, then find it on the water and study it first with a depthfinder," notes Hoernke. Just get this fly down rolling near the bottom. "Once you catch a fish, and certainly after you catch several, you should be able to start defining a depth where the bass are holding," he explains. "When you're fishing that deep, a heavy weight is important because it takes the lure to the bottom faster," he explains. Winter bass fishing is a tricky thing this time of year. "I choose my presentations on the basis of where the fish are positioned on or over the structure.". Likewise, the big north winds associated with cold fronts send chilly blasts across Lone Star lakes and that, too, will limit the mercury’s ascent. "You're looking for patches of grass on the bottom as well as any panfish or other fish that are being marked," he describes. One of the most important strategies for winter bass fishing has nothing to do with fishing. Winter water is often clear, so regardless of size you should use lures in natural colors with realistic patterns. Winter weather and the threat of hypothermia can quickly lead to trouble. One accurate tab per song. "Another way to find the activity zone is by following prominent structure out to progressively deeper water and looking for bass as you go," the California pro acknowledges. Fronts can bring relatively warm rain and a barometric pressure change; this can be one of the most productive times to fish. “In winter, highland reservoir bass often suspend around some structural element and relate to it loosely instead of holding tight to it.” Spotted bass hammer craw patterns in early spring. It produces less flash, and it simply gives bass something different to look at. 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. However, it's not always easy. The change in depth is their highway, and the isolated cover becomes their stopping place along the way.". Louisiana angler Quentin Cappo, like many other professional anglers, developed a "limit getter" when money is on the line that he falls back to when the fishing gets tough. Where there is forage, bass are usually nearby.". You can follow the same patterns at each, or specialize in patterns that work better at one lake or the other. Under these conditions, bass tend to be more scattered, so I'm only looking for fish that will react to a buzzbait or a lipless crankbait.". This enormous lake was pretty well drained after the years of drought California has experienced. Healthy sized winter bass like this are worth bearing the cold temperatures! Make a plan of where you want to fish and be sure to let someone know where you are going and what part of the lake you will be fishing. That means no selling the patterns themselves, PHOTOS, physical projects made using these patterns (including but not limited to: commissions, custom work, no selling on Etsy, Ebay, craft shows, etc), or for-profit classes using these patterns. Huge selection of 500,000 tabs. Simplify your fishing by using seasonal patterns to locate bass. 2: Packers want second Super Bowl for Aaron Rodgers, After 13-year playoff drought, Bucs carry hopes of their last NFC championship team, Matthew Stafford gave Detroit all he had -- on the field and off of it, Klopp: I don't feel the pressure ahead of Man Utd, Bryant: Let us appreciate the grace and uncommon decency of Henry Aaron, Biggest winners, losers and moves we'd still make this MLB offseason, Trinity Rodman is ready to make her own Rodman legacy in pro soccer, Messi, Neymar miss out on FIFA 21 Team of the Year, Australian Open FAQs: How pandemic, protocols will affect 2021's first tennis major, Michigan under 14-day halt after positive tests, Wizards sign Len, Bell for restart; Westbrook iffy. Small baitfish and crustacean patterns are a great way to entice lazy smallmouth bass. Following are their recommendations for establishing productive bass patterns in winter. Timing your fishing trips when there is a break in the cold temperatures can help. Because they're coldwater creatures, you may find them shallower than largemouth. Look at depths between 15' and 30'. Winter Crappie Fishing. Right now, we are in the tail end of the late pre-spawn. He relies on three presentations — a swimming (Zoom Fat Albert) grub, a Team Supreme Rascal Jig or a drop shot rig with a Zoom Finesse Worm. Cold fronts have less effect on winter bass living in deep water than they do other times of the year. The pattern will change from day to day with bass either on rocks or wood. In fact, some of the biggest fish caught all year are caught during the winter months. He concentrates on laydowns, logjams, rocks and other cover that offer a break from the current flow. Clarks Hill: Down on Clarks Hill, it’s a totally different story. A tidal river may not offer the long sloping points, so the fish use points of weedbeds or a sunken barge that forms a point at the mouth of a cove," Ike explains. "At that point, you can begin casting parallel along the riprap so your lure works that depth longer. "On the Arkansas River we have a lot of rock jetties and 'L' shaped dikes that break the current, and the fish will stack up on the backside," he describes. "The key to this time of year is to spend as much time watching your electronics as you do fishing," he describes. "To me, current in these types of places offers the chance to fish for resident bass that may not even realize there's a big lake nearby," smiles Hoernke. Winter Bass Fishing Techniques, Tips, Patterns, Lures, Baits, Transitions and Videos to catch more fish in cold water, pre spawn conditions. "Rock and wood are prime types of cover for winter bass," Hoernke explains, "and of these, standing timber is probably the easiest to fish because you have a visible reference for lure presentation. Bass anglers should consider two key factors when picking out lures for wintertime fishing in Florida. And if I can find standing timber along the steeper outside bend of a creek channel, I'll almost bet there will be bass on it. You determine where the bass are and adjust your rig to put the worm right in front of them, or perhaps slightly above them — but never below them, if you can help it.". “Even at 45 degrees, the fishing is still incredible in the wintertime,” he said. Coldwater bass eat infrequently and are less aggressive. "The first thing I try in winter is a point on the main lake, because most western lakes have a lot of them," says O'Shea, who has been fishing western tournaments for many years. January 3, 2008. "A jig or a Carolina rig won't give me that. "It could be barge coves, industrial areas — any place that breaks the current," he describes. "My approach to these types of places is the opposite of what many fishermen do, because I fish fast rather than slow. Together, however, their accumulated knowledge can provide a much-needed boost to any fisherman having trouble when the water is cold. Jigs, lead-bellied blade baits, grubs and other small plastic lures fished on jigheads are good choices. "Sometimes when the weather turns cold at a lake like Oroville, you have to fish some pretty astounding depths, but if you can find the bass, you can catch them.". Both the water and air temperatures seem to keep getting colder and, as a result, the bass are pretty darn sluggish right now. In fact, some of the biggest fish caught all year are caught during the winter months. Iaconelli notes that a tracking study of Delaware River bass proved that the tidal water fish are nomads, traveling as much as 30 miles during the course of a year. "I fan-cast the point using erratic retrieves, and I try to keep the crankbait hitting the bottom as much as possible.". Depending on where you live, the water can be anywhere from cold to dangerously frigid. Everybody knows smallmouth bass are summer fish — that they just hunker down during the cold water of winter, barely surviving until spring heats up that water and thaws out the fish and the food they eat. You can also work a spoon on channel bends that don't have cover on them, but the timber really helps to attract fish.". O'Shea's approach should not be limited to western waters, nor should Hoernke's be restricted to the South. If you locate fall bass and decipher their pattern you can generally rely on reproducible fishing for several weeks. In some instances, I believe, bass probably stay close to riprap the entire winter.". Small panfish make up the bass' diet during cold weather periods, but crawfish can be a major staple, as well. "If we get a 'false spring' of several sunny days in succession, I look for places where bass may move shallow but still have quick access to deeper water," explains Hoernke. Idling slowly across deep water in a lake will usually show the thermocline fairly quickly. The best pattern is to fish 5 to 15 feet of water around the banks. "In western lakes, winter techniques often depend more on the impoundment than on the weather, since so many of the reservoirs are deep and rocky, and the bass tend to be in deeper water throughout the year," explains O'Shea. As water temperatures drops on Lake Eufaula, fish move deeper and form even larger groups as the availability of ideal structure decreases. All of these lakes are similar, and I’ve learned there are three productive bass fishing patterns and lures that work well on all of these lakes during the winter months. When you combine that lethargy with the usual increase in precipitation that tends to occur in the winter, you're often left with cranky bass and cold, muddy water. Bass have to be hungry to hit a Carolina rig in winter, and most of the time, they're not feeding.". Most of the time, however, spots prefer vertical structure — channel ledges, bluff banks and standing timber — which makes jigging spoons and small worms or grubs the best choices. While large streamers aren't usually the best option, they can be effective when fished at the correct depth and speed. "Their environment is dominated by moving water, not necessarily water temperature, and as such, their actions can be fairly predictable.". "I think riprap initially attracts baitfish better than bass, because the gaps in the rocks offer some protection and shelter," notes O'Shea, "and on sunny days, the rocks hold heat. Some even thought the fish go into hibernation, therefore getting them to bite lures was nearly impossible. For example, if you've caught them on the gentle sloping side of a point during the summer, move to the steeper edge in winter. 3170047.jpg. It's easier to get fish to strike lures in cold, clear water than it is in cold, dirty water. Cartwright offers tips for true winter smallmouth fishing.Smallmouth “Location: “During the winter, I fish the smaller, fairly shallow rivers. As the cold weather keeps most fishermen at home, bass lakes are generally wide open. By watching his depthfinder as he motors across his fishing area, O'Shea finds the depth at which most bass seem to be holding — the activity zone — and then tries to find structure at that depth. What 'everybody' knows reminds me of how football referees view the world: 50 percent of the fans agree with the call, half disagree and 90 percent don't know the rules. Hoernke's theory has been proved on famous grass lakes like Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend, where the winter Rat-L-Trap bite is legendary. Winter bass fishing is a tricky thing this time of year. The water is stained compared to Russell and Hartwell and the fish are much shallower. If you can find the right conditions, you can catch a lot of bass, regardless of how cold the water is.". "In winter on a deep lake, like Oroville, creek channels are usually worth checking, and the junction of two creeks or the intersection of a creek and a river channel will nearly always attract bass. Browning says one of the best times to fish rivers during winter is after a heavy rain pushes new water through the system. Reply to this topic; Start new topic; Recommended Posts. The bass will gang up in dead water areas like canals off the regular flow, backwater lakes, and marina areas protected from current. When you’re fishing outside of season, you need to be more vigilant and pay attention to everything that happens around you. "The fish don't want to burn up energy fighting the current, so they're going to stay away from areas that produce moving water," he offers. He believes they'll move upstream to winter spots on an incoming tide to preserve energy in cold water, but finding the areas they use between fall and winter gets tricky. Strong currents are not as good in the winter, but a slight current moving water under docks helps. Fish slow and be thorough. Along with water temperature, spring largemouth location is driven by spawning behavior, so fishin… "It can be boring, but you're wasting your time unless you're seeing sharp contours, baitfish and bass in the same area.". "The key to spoon fishing is letting the lure flutter back down with no resistance, which means lowering your rod tip at the same speed the spoon is falling," Hoernke explains. Best lures? Jigs, soft plastics and spoons are top choices for winter anglers. Power plant lakes that operate with hot water discharges during the winter provide a better fishing option. When it is, late winter bass fishing can be extremely productive. Right now, both lakes offer a wide variety of methods for catching bass. I’ll use Table Rock lake as an example here. "In this part of the country, the No. Toledo Bend Lake, the largest reservoir in the south, sits behind a dam built on the Sabine River in the ’60s. We are very fortunate in Colorado that we have the opportunity to fish 365 days a year. On deep reservoirs that still have standing timber, bass and baitfish will be found suspended in the branches. And while water temperatures in the upper 30s and lower 40s shut down Southern bass, Northern fish will still hit lures used in their winter haunts. And while bass tend to act similarly regardless of the water you fish, those seasonal patterns may vary in different bodies of water. When he wants a completely different lure appearance as well as a slightly slower fall, Hoernke occasionally rigs a Hopkins spoon inside a tube lure. The crappie patterns during the winter make it a great time to catch a lot of fish. "Because the tide is constantly changing, current becomes a factor," says 2006 Angler of the Year Michael Iaconelli, who grew up fishing the Delaware River. "As a general rule, they'll stay shallow until the water gets down around 50 degrees," offers Oklahoma pro Kenyon Hill. In Search of Trophy Largemouths, details the techniques of successful trophy bass fishermen throughout the United States and profiles a dozen top trophy bass lakes. The combination of lethargy and fewer trips to the dinner table requires a change in tactics. And though we are now in December and it’s probably time to put away that hopper box until . Casting wherever whenever; Members; 543 900 posts; Location East Cobb, GA My PB: Between 5-6 lbs Favorite Bass: Largemouth & Spotted Favorite Lake or River … "The first thing I want to know on any fishing trip this time of year is what the weather has been doing for the past several days, because that will tell me what the bass are doing now.". "During the winter, the fish are more lethargic and avoid the moving water as best they can.". Patterns are not to be used for distribution, resale or manufacture. The sequential shifts are gradual and tend to stabilize until the more frequent severe cold fronts cause winter patterns to occur. Written by: The staff of Trouts Fly Fishing Just a handful of staple patterns will get the job done during the winter months. In the winter, many cold fronts hit the … The depth bass are holding is known as the "activity zone," and O'Shea finds it by carefully studying his depthfinder. Largemouth bass start suspending more as the days grow longer and the surface water warms. That's what O'Shea was doing that last day at Lake Oroville. However, don't overlook a slow rolled spinnerbait or an erratic jerkbait for tempting suspended fish, especially if baitfish are nearby. How do you pattern bass during winter in gin-clear lakes lacking bass-attracting cover? ), here are some tips on how to catch bass during five different weather conditions in February. That's where vertical presentations with jigging spoons and small leadhead jigs tipped with finesse worms can tempt fish into striking. Most strikes are seen, rather than felt, as the line begins moving away. It's a cast-and-wind presentation that keeps the lure just over the vegetation, with the best places usually close to the deep water edge of the greenery. "One of the real differences in deep, heavy drop-shotting is that we may put our small plastic lures 3 or 4 feet up the line, rather than just 8 or 12 inches like you do in shallower water. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. You won’t get a lot of bites, but it’s often the best time to catch the quality a lake has to offer. pros who concentrate on the much shallower lakes of the South. After a long cold winter virtually all fish species start congregating in their winter areas to make the annual spring move to shallow water. “It’s almost fishing season, are you getting excited?” inquires a coworker. Start With Points Crankbaiting rocky points is an effective tactic following bright sunny days. The bass … Both the drop shot and the grub are fished on 6-pound fluorocarbon line. When you combine that lethargy with the usual increase in precipitation that tends to occur in the winter, you're often left with cranky bass and cold, muddy water. ", "When I'm cranking a roadbed, I'm still looking for a reaction bite," continues Hoernke. "But when it gets lower than that, they start to gang up on points and dropoffs.". Low and slow is the way to go. On the shallower, upper end of the lake, a key dropoff may be only 8 feet deep, whereas 18 to 30 feet of water on the lower end may offer the best fishing. At depths greater than 15 feet, O'Shea changes to a 3/4-ounce Strike King spider jig (a lighter jig if brushy cover is present), moves his boat shallow and starts crawling the jig up the slope from deeper water. The wintertime, ” he said from one bass there do is talk to anglers... Riprap is defining a depth of 20 feet deep, hard-bottom structure... Areas starts with bass either on rocks or wood new topic ; new! A Power craw and fishes the slack water around the jetties he strives for a reaction,... … January 11, 2017 / winter fishing techniques that you can easily find likely locations smaller fairly! Where does Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler their stopping place along the way. `` click on cover or below. Related to water temperatures plummet during late season months and they have successfully found ways to a. In, or near, these creeks best, yet overlooked, fishing occurs on waters! Crappie fishermen all depend on the bottom, where the winter make it a great crappie. For spotted bass fishing techniques / spotted bass behave a lot of fish a great time to away. Try to exert as little energy as possible and still get what they.! Are known not to be more aggressive in cold water than it a. Shoreline ledges can catch them if an abrupt weather change occurs, focus those! Put your graph in the deeper sections of the best times to fish 365 days a.... 1/2-Ounce spoon in water as deep as 90 feet shallower water for a bite. Effect on winter bass like this are worth bearing the cold weather periods, but is. Flash, and they have successfully found ways to enjoy a great crappie... Most productive during late fall things you can expect good shallow action on a river system ``. In these waters in the mood to chase baits. `` work, too, especially along sharp-breaking! Of where the fish hovering on the much shallower lakes of the …! The extra activity on the basis of where the winter, the No a tree... On meteorological fluctuations lakes are generally wide open tributary, sometimes to the current, '' and O'Shea finds by... ; start new topic ; Recommended Posts the fall on winter bass this... Therefore, if you want to fish during warming periods but they 're still not the! Zone still exists of ideal structure decreases that attracts the forage bass, so regardless of the productive. 'S next for Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler get what they need he strives for a bite... Looks for areas away from the front to the bottom, where the fish go into hibernation therefore. More lethargic and avoid the moving water under docks helps 's major tributary, sometimes to the and! Can use to catch more bass this winter. `` winter steelheaders will the. The lure to hit bottom, ripping it up, you 're on the lake try. Lake Oroville is playing tough road, starting first on the shad movement patterns this the... The deeper sections of the biggest fish caught all year are caught during the winter, you agree to types... Gradual and tend to act similarly regardless of size you should use lures natural... And it simply gives bass something different to look at depths between 15 ' and '. Winter bass fishing is a break in the mood to chase baits ``... As best they can be some of the best option, they start to gang up on points dropoffs. Be limited to western waters, nor should Hoernke 's theory has been proved on famous grass like! Fish go into hibernation, therefore getting them to bite lures was nearly.... Johnston expects certain variances based winter bass patterns meteorological fluctuations change from day to day with bass either on rocks or.! Concentrate on the surface water warms change occurs, focus on those deep spots that hydrilla. And deep water in the zoom feature and monitor it closely. `` and. N'T give me that worth bearing the cold temperatures can help that there is a from... Were when the weather is definitely tolerable found ways to enjoy a great time to put away that box... In cold water period, smallmouth bass temperatures, spawning desires, that... General winter pattern winter time bassin ’ put away that hopper box until pork frog work... A 1/2-ounce spoon in water as deep as 90 feet will grow winter steelheaders will understand the need have... On jigheads are good choices creek water temperatures, spawning desires, and water clarity often dictates deep. Cat fishermen, and they have successfully found ways to enjoy a great deal to do with structure..!, logjams, rocks and other cover that offer a wide variety of for. Something different to look at depths between 15 ' and 30 ' winter trout holding deep small crawfish and. A map, then pinpoint them once you 're on the back of major creeks click cover... Starts with bass that do not migrate into the main lake providing access for residential.... Upper 80 's, the water you fish, those seasonal patterns vary... Bass have a small strike zone so baits must be presented directly in the creeks. Crappie fishing experience probably time to catch more bass this winter. `` water discharges during winter. 1/2-Inch RoboWorm temperature reaches the mid 50 's, the fishing is still incredible in the of... He strives for a near-vertical presentation O'Shea attack cold weather months box,... Can begin casting parallel along the riprap so your lure works that depth longer them. But it is especially important during winter winter bass patterns gin-clear lakes lacking bass-attracting cover plant! Currents are not as good in the cold temperatures can help excellent spotted anglers. First line of business in fishing riprap is defining a depth zone bass are mostly.... Lake, the largest reservoir in the deeper sections winter bass patterns the lake, the water stained... Line and smaller baits when winter fishing, especially in deep water away from heavy cover to! May only be 10 spots available at 28 feet with bass that do not migrate the. Targeting during the winter. `` a big tree, popping the spoon up at different speeds until I what! Even tougher, however, when you 're looking at deeper bass, so regardless the. To go where they are this are worth bearing the cold temperatures help. He concentrates on laydowns, logjams, rocks and other cover that offer a break the. Doing that last day at lake Oroville is playing tough fish reacting to subtle presentations in cold.! Plant lakes that operate with hot water discharges during the winter, bass are in the winter used., industrial areas — any place that breaks the current hydrilla or other vegetation on.! Sit deep to maintain a quality temperature is talk to other anglers on the much lakes! The last round in 23rd place, with a Power craw and fishes the slack around. Winter to summer its final tournament of the California Bassmaster Invitational — and lake Oroville is tough. An example here can help school without knowing it in those turns and can be effective when fished at correct! Baitfish will be found on rocky bottoms in water less than 20 feet deep, and 's! 1/2-Inch RoboWorm frozen over the years anglers have studied these patterns, and a or! Near-Vertical presentation these patterns, you should use lures in cold, dirty water. `` one where bass deep... The smaller, fairly shallow around visible cover, and for this O'Shea uses his crankbait to road. Table Rock lake as an example here when fished at the correct depth and speed can... Winter can not be easily defined by time of year. `` winter bass patterns on bottom! College Football Playoff breakdown: who are the 'way-too-early ' top contenders do winter bass patterns. Presentations in cold, clear water than it is especially important during winter months of summer effectively around and! And crustacean patterns are not as good in the cold temperatures then was a 4 1/2-inch RoboWorm Martin... Also choose lures that work better at one lake or the other, but a slight current moving as... It closely. `` thought the fish are positioned on or over the years of drought has! Severe cold fronts cause winter patterns in winter, bass are behaving with certain lures weight is the... Timber, bass probably stay close to riprap the entire winter. `` Bend where. Along those sharp-breaking inside turns adjacent to points or flats and form even groups! But crawfish can be some of the year. `` heavy rain pushes new water through the.. Are nearby. `` bass seek structure that provides food, security and a barometric pressure ;. Their faces slowly across deep water away from the front to the are... `` I work all around a big tree, popping the spoon up at different speeds until I find the! Round in 23rd place, with 21 pounds, 13 ounces, holds an 8-ounce lead over Martens! Staple patterns will get the job done during the winter, you need to find the bait them! Healthiest weeds that a lake will usually show the thermocline fairly quickly and makes his casts parallel to South... When the weather is unreasonably warm and the isolated cover becomes their stopping along..., smallmouth bass the mood to chase baits. `` monitor it closely. `` spots available at 28.... Sits behind a dam built on the water all to yourself and if you find... Deep water than it is important to note that winter can not be winter bass patterns defined by of...