Fishing and Catching Winter Bass

Many North American bass fishing folk think of winter as the time to kick back, work on the boat a little, scan catalogs and websites for new tackle and gear or maybe the time to learn some new tricks, like tying bass streamers and other bass flies. But there are still bass to be had, even if you need to drill a hole through the ice to get to them!

Most native fish are awake and aware all winter long, which means they have to eat even if they're not as voracious as they are during the summer months. This means if you can find and offer a largemouth something that looks like it'll get it through the winter, you'll have a fishing experience worth talking about!

Where To Find Winter Bass

During the cold months you tend to find bass in shallower water, and by shallow I mean water up to 12ft. deep, and usually adjacent to deep water spots. As in warm season fishing, structure is a key element in locating your quarry so look for those shallow areas close to drop offs. If there is cover, i.e. stumps, brush piles, rock outcroppings, that sort of thing, nearby, that's an even more likely hiding spot for a largemouth or two! Another factor is luminousity; bright day or overcast? The more sunlight, the brighter the day, the deeper the bass will drop into cover and on those dreary overcast days, Mr. Bigmouth tends to drift shallower. In a number of ways, winter bassing is much like the summer version...in bright light conditions visibility increases leaving the fish to seek deeper, safer cover and allowing them greater visual range(though much sensing is via the bass' lateral line) while lower light conditions bring them out. Another similarity is weather changes; often in an oncoming weather front I find the fishing picks up. Indeed, some of the best action occurs during those periods of intermittant snow squalls and you will experience some cherished fishing moments, I promise!

Presenting The Winter Bait To The Bass

Given the slowed, winter metabolism of the bass, the key is to fish slowly. Let me repeat that...sssssloooooooowwwwwllllyyy...

This may be the biggest challenge of winter bassing; dialing yourself back from the warm weather of methods of flogging the water, cast and retrieve, cast and retrieve. Especially at first, if you think you are retrieving slowly, slow it down some more and then even a little more.

I find a great way to execute the slow retrieve(I mean the ssssslllllooooooooowww retrieve) is to hold my rodtip high, with the rod at about "11 o'clock" and very slowly(no, I can't say it too much) creeping the reel handle. With a very gentle wrist action you can impart the smallest amount of action to your bait, then pause, the retrieve, all the while watching your line very closely. Remember, you're trying to entice a slow moving,but hungry, fish into action and they aren't able to chase and usually won't hit hard.

The strike, such as it will be, will likely be very gentle and almost unnoticeable which is why you want to be very focused on that line. It will be lighter than the gentle pickup of a bottom-bumped grub during the summer, with only a slight hesitation of your lure. When the bass bites, put the rod tip down, reel in the slack on the line quickly and as soon as you feel the pressure of the fish to the other end set the hook!

What To Use

If you can, a minimum of 3 rods set up for 3 lure weights/types is best. I'm a big fan of both Loomis and Kistler rods, for both the quality of manufacture and for the "feel" they deliver as you walk your baits and wait for strikes.

A medium action spinning rod between around 6' is excellent for flipping those Texas-rigs(substituting a splitshot for the bullet sinker) and giving that little twitch to a bottom-bumping grub, using a deft touch. I like to run 8# test in a high visibility(think Stren or Trilene) monofilament.

Next is a baitcasting rig with some 12# test, great for slinging the slightly heavier baits, like a jig-and-pig and the like.

Finally I like to have another baitcasting combo, set with 15# test for slow-working the larger-yet spinnerbaits. These, in the single blade, seem really effective in the late winter when metabolisms begin to rise and the lunkers are starting to stir in hunger. Drag one of these, with a big Colorado-style blade, sllllooooowwwwllllyy (I know you've gotten impatient and have sped up that retrieve already) by some stumps & brush near deep water and watch out!

What Lures To Use

· Shorter(around 4") soft plastic baits, Texas-rigged with a single split shot ~this will let the bait drift down a little more...wait for it...slllloooooowwwwllllyy.

· Jig-and-Pigs. Mix and match colors until you find the hot combo for your waters and beware more length than girth, unless you plan on rigging tandem hooks. Those tails may get you more short strikes.

· Spinnerbaits ~Those big, single Colorado blades fished ~what's the word?~ cause an added vibration and give you a little more feel. Color? Brass & silver. Some days one works better than the other. I've found no real pattern so keep both handy.

· Medium/deep-diving plugs ~Once at depth you work these right by pilings and other structureat that speed we love so much...again, as far as color & pattern goes that will depend on your locale but, generally, I've found natural colors when the light is good, and something a little more vibrant when the light or water clarity fades.

Well, there's my general suggestions for winter bassing success. Do you have a special tackle box set up with the best selection of bass lures for winter fishing and a favorite baitcasting rod or 3 ready?

If not, pop into Best-Bass-Lures.com and pick up what you need before you head out for some hot...uhhhh...cool bass adventures!