From the fabled smallmouth lakes of Tennessee to the spotted bass reservoirs of California, savvy anglers know the virtues of employing diminutive baits to catch winter time bass. As water temperatures reach seasonal lows, bass metabolism slows down. With diminished activity levels bass become less aggressive in their pursuit of prey. When this happens, one of the most effective ways to target cold water fish is to utilize a small jig head adorned with a finesse plastic bait fish imitator, gossamer weight line and a light action spinning rod.
Where to Begin
Locating areas that winter bass frequent can be a challenging. I rely heavily on my electronics to find concentrations of bait fish. Think vertical. I like to target bluff walls and steep banks near creek or river channels where bass have quick access to deep water. Once I have determined the key depth range the bait is using, I will search for structure that lies within that range. If I don’t find evidence of bait on a spot, I will continue searching until I do. It is rare that I will stay and fish an area that is devoid of bait.
Winter bass are notorious for being active for only short periods of time. If you fish a promising spot and do not get bit, don’t hesitate to return at a later time during the day. The same holds true when fish stop biting on a given spot, come back again. Timing can be everything. Read more…. @ the Inside line here: LINK
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