Bass, as you probably know, are cold-blooded creatures, meaning their body temperature is the same as that of their surroundings. As the water temperature drops, so does their metabolic level. The digestive process is greatly slowed; according to Doug Hannon, ESPN’s Bass Professor, it takes a bass about four hours to digest a meal in 80-degree water, four days in 50-degree water! As the water temperature plummets, the need for frequent feeding diminishes, and bass become less active. But then, if you’ve ever gone strikeless at a bass club tournament on a frigid winter or early spring day, you already knew that!
Bass pros and guides are on the water constantly, and must use creative methods for catching bass when the lake is frigid. Choosing the right lure is a huge part of this equation. If you’ve had trouble scoring strikes when the water temp drops below 50 degrees, study what follows carefully. Some of bass fishing’s top pros and guides are about to heat up your next bass outing.
Suspending Jerkbait
Seasoned bass pros like Larry Nixon swear by these minnow mimics in water as cold as 40 degrees. They work best in clear to moderately stained lakes.
“Suspending jerkbaits, unlike most other bass lures, draw strikes when they’re sitting still,” Nixon told BASS PRO ONLINE. “In fact, that’s when most of your hits will come on this bait — when it’s hanging absolutely motionless in the water column.”
Nixon was the first bass pro to realize the power of suspending jerkbaits for catching early-spring bass. “I used to drill holes in floater/diver minnows like the Rebel Spoonbill, then fill ’em with lead shot to get ’em to suspend, a time-consuming trial-and-error process if ever there was one,” he confessed. “Now most lure companies offer minnow baits weighted at the factory to suspend perfectly. No more drilling and filling — a lure like a Smithwick Suspending Rogue will suspend perfectly right out of the box.”
Suspending jerkbaits match the lethargic mood of cold-water bass, the pro said. “In early spring, bass in clear lakes often suspend off points, flats and other potential spawning areas, waiting for the water to warm before moving shallow. These fish won’t move far to grab a meal, but they’re suckers for a jerkbait fished at their level.” When fishing these baits, remember that less is more, Nixon added. “Most anglers fish ’em way too hard and fast. Cast, reel the lure down to its maximum depth, give one or two quick snaps of the rod tip, then just let it sit motionless — the colder the water, the longer you should pause between jerks.”
Nixon’s bonus tip: “Fish a suspending jerkbait on a long, light-action crankbait rod, one with plenty of give. Many bass will be foul-hooked on this lure, and the hooks may rip out when a stiff-action rod is used. Fairly light line, 10 to 12 pound, will handle a big fish in open water while allowing the lure to get down to its maximum depth.”
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