Bass Fishing In Cold Water

I like bass fishing in cold water. Here in middle Georgia lakes never freeze more than some skim ice, and that is unusual. Usually the coldest water I fish is around 45 degrees, and most winters it will range from there to about 52. These tactics have worked for me in that range of water temps over the years.

• Fish slowly. Bass slow down as the water cools. They are less likely to hit a fast moving bait, so slow your presentation down and give them time to eat your bait.
• Fish steeper banks. In-Fisherman Magazine recommends fishing banks that have at least a 30 percent drop and 45 is better. Bass like to move vertically in a short distance during the winter so bluff banks are good.
• • Chose a bait you can keep in one place on the bottom. A jig and pig is a classic bait for cold water. Crawl it slowly along and make it stop and twitch when you bump cover. A jigging spoon moved up and down in one place works well. Slow moving crankbaits and spinnerbaits slow rolled, or crawled, on the bottom are also good.
• • Fish Deeper. Bass tend to hold deep in the winter, so look for the ends of long points, steep bluff banks and creek channels. They hold there until there are several warm days, then they move up into more shallow water.
• • Be patient. Don't expect a lot of bites, but the ones you get may be big bass. Take your time and wait on that one big bite.
• • Dress for the weather. You can't catch bass if you are miserable or if you can't stay out there. Get warm clothes and layer so you can adjust. Be sure you have something with you that will turn rain and stop the wind, too.

I caught my biggest bass ever, a 9 pound, 7 ounce beauty, the second weekend in February a few years ago. She hit a slow moving crankbait on a steep rocky point. It was the only bite I got that day. I caught my first 8 pound bass in a January tournament on a slowly moved crankbait. I caught my second 8 pounder on a big spinnerbait crawled across the bottom, in a January tournament. Both of them were also the only bites I got those days.

Give winter bass fishing a try.