I was out on the lake by my house today and the water was muddy, and I was catching bass out of a foot of water around fallen branches, stumps, sticks, etc. I was getting bit not deep, but right up against the bank around this cover. I was using a black marabou hair jig with a purple pork chunk on the back of the jig. I'd hop the jig along the bottom and the line would swim off or I'd feel a tick, this happened 3 or 4 times- I only landed 1 of them which turned out to be a chunk 3/4 to 1 pound largemouth that was hooked right through the top of the mouth. Any suggestions how long this pattern will hold up? It was 43 degrees today and I fished from 1-2. The one bass I did catch had a bright red tooth patch on the roof of its mouth, any suggestions what these bass could be up this shallow and tight to the bank, be doing?

My guess it was sunny correct? If so the shallow water warms quicker around stumps and rock etc. If the conditions are the same again tomorrow I'd go back and they should be shallow again. Whether the same bait works you'll never know until you try it again!

I have noticed that lakes that are relatively shallow the fish tend to go shallow more often in the winter. My guess is the water temps do not vary that much throughout the lake so when it warms up they can feel it and it makes them want to eat.

My guess it was sunny correct? If so the shallow water warms quicker around stumps and rock etc. If the conditions are the same again tomorrow I'd go back and they should be shallow again. Whether the same bait works you'll never know until you try it again!

Lost my only hair jig- just ordered more

Throw a weightless soft plastic or use a very small weight with it.

Bass will come shallow to feed on warm, sunny days even during the winter time. Dragging a jig, slow cranking a single colorado bladed spinnerbait or rattle trap, or slowly fishing a jerkbait in the same areas should get bit. I really like rocky shorelines with a fast drop near the shore that have the sun shining on them during the middle of the afternoon in winter time. The warm weather will call crawdads and baitfish out of the rocks to feed and in turn attract the bass to them.

Had this pattern about a week ago. What I noticed most about it was how "lite" the bite was. I was texas riggging a zoom dead ringer and almost didn't feel any strike. Mostly just a really lite nudge then the line would start swimming off.

Caught a few deep but the action was in 3-4' and on the "sunny" side of the cover.

only fish i caught Saturday evening was probably 6ft from the bank, got two hits and one hookup on the ragetail thumper worm

In winter I try to get out in the afternoon after the sun has had a chance to warm things up for awhile.