5 Cold Weather Fishing Tips For Bass
By Debbie Hanson
Jan 31, 2017
Want to know the secrets of cold weather fishing for largemouth bass? Read this post to find out how to get more bites when learning how to fish in cold weather
When those winter fronts come blowing through, don't fret. The colder days that follow can actually create good opportunities to put cold weather fishing tips for largemouth bass into practice. While the definition of cold weather fishing might be a bit different depending on where you live, there are some general tips that can help you learn how to fish in cold weather and be successful at it.
1. Sleep in. Quite often, cold weather fishing doesn't really get going until late morning or early afternoon. This is a switch from freshwater fishing during the prime early morning and evening hours in the summer months. When cold weather comes through, the bite often won't turn on until the air and water temperatures have increased a bit.
2. Don't stick to one spot. If one of your proven spots hasn't produced a bite after about 20 minutes, keep on moving until you find actively feeding fish.
3. Use smaller baits. Professional bass anglers often refer to this downsizing of baits or lures as "finesse fishing." For example, use a ¼ ounce jighead with a plastic grub instead of larger baits like Texas-rigged plastic lizards or craws. This finesse approach is worth trying out any time year when the fish seem to be inactive, although it works particularly well when cold weather fishing.
4. Use lighter line. Switch the 20-pound monofilament over to 8-pound fluorocarbon. It'll work just fine since you'll be using smaller baits, and the fluorocarbon is virtually invisible underwater. Your presentation will have to be as discreet as possible when targeting fussy post-front bass.
5. Keep an eye out for thick weeds. Heavy vegetation produces more oxygen in the water. In turn, those higher levels of oxygen can attract fish and boost their metabolism a bit in cold weather conditions.
Now you have answers to the question, "how can you catch fish in the winter months?" When the next front comes through, pack up your gear, and then put these cold water bass fishing tips to the test. Cold weather fishing can be more of a challenge, but there's nothing like the reward of a catch in tough conditions. Just remember to bring along your state fishing license and check the current fishing regulations before you go.
1. Sleep in. Quite often, cold weather fishing doesn't really get going until late morning or early afternoon. This is a switch from freshwater fishing during the prime early morning and evening hours in the summer months. When cold weather comes through, the bite often won't turn on until the air and water temperatures have increased a bit.
2. Don't stick to one spot. If one of your proven spots hasn't produced a bite after about 20 minutes, keep on moving until you find actively feeding fish.
3. Use smaller baits. Professional bass anglers often refer to this downsizing of baits or lures as "finesse fishing." For example, use a ¼ ounce jighead with a plastic grub instead of larger baits like Texas-rigged plastic lizards or craws. This finesse approach is worth trying out any time year when the fish seem to be inactive, although it works particularly well when cold weather fishing.
4. Use lighter line. Switch the 20-pound monofilament over to 8-pound fluorocarbon. It'll work just fine since you'll be using smaller baits, and the fluorocarbon is virtually invisible underwater. Your presentation will have to be as discreet as possible when targeting fussy post-front bass.
5. Keep an eye out for thick weeds. Heavy vegetation produces more oxygen in the water. In turn, those higher levels of oxygen can attract fish and boost their metabolism a bit in cold weather conditions.
Now you have answers to the question, "how can you catch fish in the winter months?" When the next front comes through, pack up your gear, and then put these cold water bass fishing tips to the test. Cold weather fishing can be more of a challenge, but there's nothing like the reward of a catch in tough conditions. Just remember to bring along your state fishing license and check the current fishing regulations before you go.
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.
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