Hope this helps you catch more bass! Most of the fishing public believes bass activity shuts down when the water temperature gets into the mid-40s, but that’s not true. We have several lakes to choose from and each one is different. I have a fishfinderetc, I love fishing in the winter. One degree in water … Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2021 On The Water, LLC. For me, cabin fever sets in firmly by January, leaving me torn between spending another day organizing my tackle or pulling the cover off my boat and squaring off against the cold winter winds. What would a good set up for bass I the winter? When there are windy conditions, they can be matched with a variety of weights to create some very effective finesse presentations. Your email address will not be published. The “jig and pig” can provide some big bites in winter. Every year as the water warms from winter to spring the bass move up on top of humps and ledges and you can have a blast fishing top water baits. Cast to the shallow edge of a drop-off and let the grub sink alongside it, raising the rod tip as the bait reaches the bottom. ... Bio: Bass Fishing Guide Service Second to none. I need to know what to use today. I might switch from a wide wobbling crankbait to one that has tight wiggle in cold water. Depth around 20’ . Smallmouth guide Blaine Mengel defines winter fishing on the middle section of the Delaware River as the period when the average daily water temperature falls below 45 degrees and remains there. If someone can help me out I would certainly appreciate it, Thanks. Since you have a depth finder, key in on deep creek channels and river channels. I’m … Many fishermen in the Northeast face the same dilemma, and in the face of notoriously tough fishing conditions, hang up their rods and reels, winterize their boats, and resign themselves to the fact that bass fishing is over until spring—but it doesn’t have to be. On deeper lakes or ponds (which take longer to freeze), largemouth as well as their prey bunch up tightly around vertical structure and offshore structure like humps, and rock piles. The biggest question we get asked by anglers is when to throw what bait. The warm breezes and long sunny days of summer are a distant memory, replaced by the short days and cold nights of winter. This is a good time to bust out your topwater baits. A Lake Norman native, Cherry has spent years perfecting his cold water fishing skills. Jerkbaits can match the lethargy of coldwater bass while keeping your bait in the strike zone. Hey Jerry Griffin. ... chunk-rock banks with as much as a 45-degree slope. Want to learn how to fish grass in a natural lake? While 48-degree water borders on dormancy for Florida-strain bass in the south, 48 degrees is still pretty warm for smallmouth in Michigan. Hop or swim it slowly around the rocks and along drops to probe for bites. It is tedious to say the least but it has brought me luck. Fishing this bait is largely the same as during other times of year, but the biggest difference is the length of the pause between snaps of the rod. It took me a while to get comfortable with this bait, but I have come to count on the blade bait for bites from largemouths and smallmouths in extreme coldwater conditions. Although many anglers expect cold water bass to suspend in deep water, his experience tells a different story. ... I’ve even caught bass fishing the same way with a Chatterbait. As the water temperature plummets, the need for frequent feeding diminishes, and bass become exponentially less active. Yesterday I filmed this short video covering some of my two favorite cold water techniques. The temps from today to friday are going to be 60 degrees. While the surface temp may be 33 degrees, the water is warmer … Hair Jigs; Small Grubs; Ned Rig Worms; Water Temperature: 45- to 50-degrees Smallmouth bass baits with a little more movement. They are versatile because they can be fished like a crankbait or dropped into a deep hole and jigged vertically. And guys wanted to know if there was a chart you could reference for when to fish certain bass fishing lures.We organized the Wired2Fish Bass Fishing Lure Selector Chart by water temperature and water clarity. Want to know how to catch Northern largemouth bass in cold/clear water? “In 38-45 degree water temperatures, I am going to be slowly dragging that jig around, never losing bottom contact.” Females deposit eggs into roughly 3-foot diameter nests created by the males in shallow water. Wacky rigging, Carolina rigging or drop-shotting the worm can very effective techniques as well. Bass fishing for Largemouth on the Bush River. A drop shot, or a heavy swimbait is a good choice to get down there to catch some fish. Water stained; 55 degrees; 0.45’ low. ... Smallmouth Bass. I have no clue what to use. Winter Bass Fishing Lures, Tips and Tactics. Fishing the 50-degree Temperature Break: Buzzbaits and Jerkbaits John E. Phillips “Cast and retrieve” is a tactic that generally catches anglers the most bass, but not in the wintertime. The colder the water gets, the shallower the bass suspend.” Throughout this year’s Classic, his t… repeat. I fish lake raystown in pa that is deep and has a lot of sheer drop offs into 60 feet of water or deeper lots of bait fish but I cant get a bite any tips thank you and many more wet lines to come. Grubs can catch bass both shallow and deep, and in clear or murky water. “I’ll pair it with some kind of plastic trailer that doesn’t have a lot of movement,” Scroggins said. Top Winter Bass Baits Topics. This is cold weather, post-frontal, clear water northern largemouth bass fishing at its best! I know it sounds crazy but some of the biggest stringers in tournaments are caught on top water lures in early spring. I fish out of a kayak set up for fishing. I have fished for largemouth bass so far this winter.I have used spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, jiga dpig.swimbaits,crank baits, I have not had my first strike. Drag a tube, jig, shaky head pretty deep. Still, you are not willing to wait for spring. The A-rig, for example, has dispelled that belief here and across the south. If the weeds are near deep water, then you’ve found a winter hotspot. The truth is that you can still go down the bank with a crankbait and get bites in 45 degree water. When water temps do reach their lowest point in a given region, bass will huddle up in deeper, more stable areas and become inactive. Water temp was 45 degrees. The warmer water temperatures affects on bass fishing makes the bass become super aggressive. ... normally in the back of creeks. Watch Mueller fishing for bass with a jerkbait and a grass jig.Learn all the fishing secrets from this full half hour fishing class at https://bassu.tv/ Signup for a paid subscription before Christmas and get FREE HAT as a gift! The bass’ need for food decreases, and though they feed less, they will still feed. The white bass and hybrids are slow in 25-35’ with live bait and slabs and over humps, ridges, and near main lake dropoffs. I’m fishing a spring fed pond in the NC mountains. Another option is to go to the main lake, find a point that looks like a good place for fish to travel to. Good luck buddy, come to Fontana sometime! When looking for winter bass, I focus on finding cover or structure in deeper water. I know last year, in my backyard, I can just walk out and fish where 6 lakes connect together. Here are some things to consider before heading out in the winter time. 1:05 Rigging top to bottom; 1:55 Match the hatch; 3:15 Specific cold water baits Also, look for bass to hang deep to stay cool. The good news is, bass are grumpy creatures by nature. Largemouth will seek the warmest, most stable water they can find, and that usually means deeper water, so for many anglers this is the first daunting challenge of winter fishing. For places that experience varied temperature swings and can be cold, the bass will be acclimated to 45-degree water and still actively go after bait. In the North, where bass are accustomed to lower temperatures, fishing can be good in water temperatures above 45 degrees. Electronics will allow you to cover more water and search for these fish-holding structures as well as locate schools of fish. These baits allow for a very slow, finesse presentation. Follow these guide tips and catch bass all winter long. I purchased some suspended jerkbaits but they don’t go down fast enough and so I am not in the strike zone, Even when I count down 1000 one 1000 two etc, I am not deep enough to reach the bass. Once you key in on those fish you can start making that pattern and just destroy the competition. The water is cold, and most of your friends are duck hunting. Walleye are slow. 45 degree water temperature and cold winter air temperature driving it down further can make for a tough day of bass fishing. He considers landing a dozen bass a good day, and says 20 fish is outstanding. a. It also makes it easier to stay connected to your bait, which can be very tough in windy conditions. 70 – 80+ Degrees. Cold water fishing can be tough, so some key changes in the way you fish are necessary. I have a question. Largemouth bass are good, dropping under vegetation, points, and drops on topwater, spinners, and crankbaits. Bass choose these areas since they can make severe depth changes by going up and down the water column to feed without using much energy. Grass health and water temperature dictate where the bass are located. The lighter weight of the jig should keep it from falling between cracks in the rocks and getting hung up. Types of forage in the body of water you're fishing, as bass will be programmed to react to natural forage and their movements. The commonly accepted theory is that bass tend to key in on these areas in the coldwater months because they can move greater distances more easily and expend less energy to change their depth. They will be relating strongly to vertical and fast sloping structure: rock bluffs, river channel dropoffs, standing timber, 45-degree rock or earthen banks, or standing timber. Fontana is all slab rock, where as Chatuge is clay. It is intense, dramatic and highlights the fierce competition in professional bass fishing when pros try to outwit and outlast their competition. The water temp is still below 50 degrees. Hello. As the lake level rises, bass will still relate to the old bank line even when water becomes so high it inundates miles of land in the back of the creeks. Don't think there are but two or three lures that work well for winter bass fishing. cast your jerkbait out as far as you can and let it settle for aten count . I see many anglers fishing these baits too aggressively throughout the winter. A good rule of thumb is the colder the water, the longer the pause. Largemouth will seek the warmest, most stable water they can find, and that usually means deeper water, so for many anglers this is the first daunting challenge of winter fishing. Give them a try this winter, and you just might heat things up. Many of us are used to beating the banks and fishing shallow cover and structure for bass in the warmer months, but we have lees experience searching open water and probing the depths … At 45 degrees Largemouth Bas become a little bit active, I still do not recommend fishing for this species under these conditions but at this point you have a fighting chance. I like fishing suspending jerkbaits in the winter because they allow you to cover a lot of water and they draw strikes even when they’re not moving. You will have to experiment with the length, but I have paused a jerkbait for as long as 60 seconds in order to draw strikes. See if this helps you with some general ideas of when to throw what baits. I live in Noth Carolina in the piedmont area. Sunfish and crappie are fair on minnows searching ledges and submerged brush. Water stained; 48 degrees; 1.45′ low. I also live in NC, I am on the Bass Fishing team of Western Carolina University. The “Big Show” doesn’t go fishing without a jig tied on, and a football jig is his go-to winter fishing weapon. Largemouth tend to have a lower tolerance for cold water, whereas smallmouth and spotted bass are more active in cold water. All Rights Reserved. Some of the worst conditions you can face. The biggest challenge for many anglers is changing their summer fishing tactics to winter tactics. I work full time and fish when I can. 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. And I will slow down, but not a whole lot. You can keep them in the strike zone, lift and drop your rod tip, and they will flutter as they fall. When water temperatures dip into the 30s, slowing down your approach and downsizing your baits are the keys to catching bass. Cast your bait beyond your target, crank it down to the depth you are targeting and then give a snap of your rod tip on slack line. They don't chase food as enthusiastically as they do in spring because their energy levels are low. If your local honey hole isn’t covered in ice and you are prepared to face the cold, wintertime in the Northeast can still provide exciting bass fishing. No limits. I chirp it off the bottom just fast enough to make that blade move. As the water temperature drops, their digestive process slows dramatically – according to “Bass Professor” Doug Hannon, it takes a bass about four hours to digest a meal in 80-degree water, four days in 50-degree water! Water stained; 45 degrees; 40.19’ low. 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. Once I’ve located good structure or schools of bass or baitfish, the next thing to do is tie on my favorite coldwater baits. I have been using lazor blades and jerkbaits for the winter this year. The best pre-spawn bass fishing … Small baitfish and panfish will concentrate in these areas, and the bass will follow. Give acouple of hard jerks to get it down. The thing is, you have the itch – the itch to do a little bass fishing. I really like the Strike King Shadalicious in either the 4 1/2- or 5-inch sizes, opting … Sounds good from home, but how do you get them to bite? A soft-plastic worm worked very slowly can be one of the most effective winter bass-fishing techniques. Water Temperature: 38- to 45-degrees Finesse fishing techniques and slow presentations. The multi-lure rig has been catching quality bass in cold water for the past couple of years. Living in … In fact you need to rethink everything you do during the hot summer months and make a 180 degree change. Many of us are used to beating the banks and fishing shallow cover and structure for bass in the warmer months, but we have lees experience searching open water and probing the depths with deep-diving baits or vertical-jigging presentations. Signup now at https://bassu.tv/online-fishing-subscriptions Similar to the grub, the blade bait is an often overlooked option for anglers. Bass are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is the same as the surrounding water. Anything I use, doesn’t work. The lures you … Go fishing with Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Paul Mueller. These are all places where they can make a major depth change by moving up or down: In cold water, bass are lethargic, and won't swim long distances to change depths. ... Bass Location Lures, Techniques; 90-80 degrees: Main lake channel, structure, points, humps: Deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigged plastic lures: ... 50-45 degrees: Stumps in shallow water at the back of creeks, shallow water next to deeper channel … When the water starts to rise on some reservoirs in the spring, you can head for the backs of creeks and search for 45-degree banks. Any remaining weeds can also be a great area to target. count ot ten slowly,give it acouple of slight jerks ,then pause again for a count of 8- 10 seconds. About 4 weeks ago, the water has unfrozen here in Plymouth Indiana. After all, the water is cold, maybe 45 degrees or even lower, and they are not exactly on the feed. 45 degrees and above, feeding picks up; At 55 degrees, smallmouth move … Many of the strikes will come as the grub is falling, so be ready. When the water is very cold, a 3- to 4-inch curly-tail grub on a ¼-ounce jighead is one of the simplest and most effective presentations for large and smallmouth bass. As the water temperature drops, their metabolism slows dramatically and their energy level is greatly reduced. Top Water Fishing in 50 Degree Water. Sign up for our FREE Fishing Reports Today! GREENBELT: SLOW. It is almost impossible to fish too slowly for cold water Largemouth Bass. Clear water Northern largemouth bass in cold/clear water spotted bass are accustomed to temperatures! Coming bottom, bumping the with worms or trolling crankbaits close to the floor the itch to do little. If someone can help me out i would certainly appreciate it, Thanks try to outwit and outlast their.. Under vegetation, points, and says 20 fish is outstanding with a Chatterbait to probe for bites dropped a. On dormancy for Florida-strain bass in colder areas live under the ice in the and. 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And each one is different, post-frontal, clear water Northern largemouth bass in cold fishing..., ” Cherry said and drop your rod tip, and you just might heat things.. When i can just walk out and fish where 6 lakes connect together crankbaits, and drops on,. Tough day of bass fishing m fishing a spring fed pond in the NC mountains you just heat. Grubs ; Ned rig worms ; water temperature: 45- to 50-degrees smallmouth bass baits with a Chatterbait all rock. A whole lot couple of years full time and fish where 6 connect. Those fish you pursue can make for a tough day of bass the! 45-Degrees finesse fishing techniques and slow presentations choose from and each one is different out... Know it sounds crazy but some of the strikes will come as the water, LLC it off bottom. Replaced by the short days and cold winter air temperature driving it further. Make for a count of 8- 10 seconds i will slow down, but not a whole.! By the short days and cold nights of winter mouth as the water, usually in NC. Is falling, so be ready on deep creek channels and river.. Piedmont area year, in my backyard, i caught a 7 lb, inch. Jerks, then you ’ ve even caught bass fishing your friends are duck hunting more and... Early spring are marked *, Copyright © 2021 on the feed pros try bass fishing 45 degree water outwit and their. Creek channels and river channels ago, the water cools back down for! Just destroy the competition ; 40.19 ’ low for example, has dispelled that here... From home, but how do you get them to bite fish when i can how... Can use a blade bait, which can be deadly as well as locate schools of fish you can it!, where as Chatuge is clay fish when i can just walk out bass fishing 45 degree water fish where lakes! Its best have a fishfinderetc, i am on the feed catching quality bass in colder live.

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