Jigs. Skirted jigs like the V & M Baits Pacemaker Flatline Football Jig are excellent when it gets cold because of their versatility. You can cast a lightweight hair jig and let it subtly fall through the water column, or you can crawl a football jig across deeper points and ledges – both dynamite winter bass killers.
What bait do you use in cold weather?
Some good examples of winter bass bait include a rapala shad rap, a hair jig, and soft plastic baitfish. If you use a hair jig, remember that you don’t need a trailer. A bit of deer hair will work just fine.
What colors are best for bass in the winter?
Black/blue is the best color for this lure in off colored water. Considering off colored water is about the only color you’ll find this time of year with all the rain. Black and brown are excellent choices as well. Most anglers tie on this bait during a cold front when the bass have buried themselves in cover.
What do bass like when its cold?
1) Jerkbaits
The jerkbait is a staple of cold water fishing for smallmouth and largemouth anglers alike. Baitfish will suspend in the water column during cold weather which makes a jerkbait a perfect choice for mimicking the forage bass are keying in on.
Where do bass go in cold water?
Often times the bass in Winter will pull off shore and lay in the lowest, deepest spot they can find off shore. If you’re on a small body of water this probably means the middle of the deepest coves. If you’re on a big body of water this could be the middle of a bay or even the center of the lake, miles offshore.
What do bass eat in winter?
In the winter bass eat baitfish like shad and minnows. It’s the same diet they have all year, they just eat less of it.
Do bass bite topwater when its cold?
Most topwater fishing for bass occurs in the summer, but it can also be very productive in spring and fall. Topwater lures are less productive when the water is cold and bass are less aggressive.
Do fish go deeper when it cold?
Change Where You Fish
As it gets colder, though, fish tend to migrate in schools to deeper water. As the depth increases, temperature stabilizes and it’s easier for them to do their version of light hibernation. Steep drop-offs and underwater channels are the most popular spots for winter fishermen to hit.
What temperature stops bass biting?
How Cold is Too Cold for Bass Fishing? Bass feeding activity will slow down at water temperatures below 50°, especially during warmer seasons like summer. The dramatic drop in water temperature will shock them. Bass may still feed but fishing will be slow.
Do bass go shallow in winter?
Shallow water warms up faster in sunny conditions, which is the reason I love to fish shallow in cold weather.” As the sun becomes higher throughout the day, bass will gravitate toward the warmest water available and slowly move onto shallow flats and cover in order to feed.
How deep do bass go in winter?
“You can catch largemouth bass from 5 feet down to 35 feet deep in the winter,” Rojas says. “I look for wood and leftover sparse patches of grass. With lack of vegetation and the cold water temps, largemouth tend to be grouped up in small areas. Any cover near deep water can be good.
What lures to use in February?
Here are 5 confidence baits for late winter bass fishing, and where to fish them:
- Hard Jerkbaits. Shop Jerkbaits. There’s a reason the hard bodied jerkbait is number one on this list.
- Umbrella Rigs. Shop Swimbaits.
- Lipless Crankbaits. SHOP CRANKBAITS.
- Jigging Spoons. SHOP BLADE BAITS & SPOONS.
- Hair Jigs. SHOP JIGS.
What temperature should I start throwing topwater?
“Basically, though, you want to focus your topwater efforts in water that’s 50 degrees or warmer.” As spring approaches, anglers are automatically drawn to topwater offerings; however, as fall transitions to winter, the question of when to put the surface plugs away can be tricky.
What time of year do bass start hitting topwater?
Topwater fishing is one of the best ways to catch bass during late fall, early spring, and late spring when they are in their spawning areas. Topwater baits will often entice a reaction strike from the bass during this time, creating some of the most memorable fishing moments.
When should you throw a Buzzbait?
Most people fish buzzbaits for bass in the spring, the summer and the early fall. However, I like to fish a buzzbait in the fall and the winter, especially in the Deep South where I live. The water temperature there generally doesn’t get so cold that bass won’t stop taking a topwater lure even in late January.
Do fish bite better when it’s cold?
When the weather turns frigid, both fish and their live food sources move more slowly than they do when it’s warm. Because of this, live bait is far better to use in the winter than lures.
Is 40 degrees too cold for fishing?
40 to 50 Degrees
These are prime winter fishing temperatures. Bass living in these conditions will have slowed down their feeding, but are not too cold to eat. They will chase lures to some degree and are likely to be caught on a number of baits.
What weather is the best for fishing?
The best fishing weather is usually dusk or dawn, as the sun rays filtering through the water aren’t too hot. By midday, particularly on sunny days, fish are more likely to have dived a little deeper to cooler water3.
Do bass remember being caught?
Species such as northern pike and bluegill are known as poor learners and often will strike again only minutes after being caught and released. Other fish, such as largemouth bass, channel catfish, stripers and carp, have better memories. “The channel catfish has a very strong memory,” Hill said.
What month is best for bass fishing?
April is the best month to fish for bass. Depending on your region, bass may just be starting to come out from their winter depths or already well into spawn.
What depth do bass swim at?
While productive depths during the early summer are dependent on the lake, I like 6 to 12 feet of water. During the height of summer, bass may move as deep as 15 or 20 feet, especially in clear water. Fishing crankbaits along weed edges is a proven summertime tactic for big largemouths.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.