So is there a certain temperature that bass will pretty much say "no way it's too cold for me to eat". I know I've caught them in 40 degree weather buy it has been a bit colder in nc the last couple days. I haven't been out since. Joe.

Think water temperature not air temperature. My friends have gone fishing mid january on power plant lakes where the bank is covered with snow and there is steam coming off of the water. The  air temperature is in the 30s but the water temperature is pretty warm.  I feel like the winter is a slow time in general but that does not mean you cannot catch fish. 

Good point. How much warmer is the deeper water than the top?

I can only speak from a northener's perspective. In the lakes that freeze over up here, we still catch fish.....through the ice.  They still need to eat, but do so in relation to their activity level which is governed by their body temperature.  So, it's never too cold for them to eat, but they are likely not eating at any given time in extremely cold water.  There is rarely warmer water anywhere in the water column at this time. If there were, it would be at or near the top.  Fish movements will be more verticle in cold water conditions as a slight adjustment in their swim bladder is all it takes. This is when a fish may rise up to feed but rarely chase down a meal.  Plan your attack accordingly by verticle jigging, drop shotting, dead sticking, etc. You'll have a much better chance of hooking up.

Jigs and drop shots are ready for tomorrow! So even though it is extremely cold at some times, they still gotta eat, but the bite is less frequent?

We tried today thinking its just to cold. Will try tomorrow around power plant outlets

Ed

I agree with papajoe. I've seen quite a few bass come through the ice this year, both largemouths and smallies. Live bait seems to be producing the most fish. They aren't chasing anything but if you leave a minnow down there they will take it. Went out with some friends today and we were catching smallies through the ice in 30 ft of water with live minnows fished less than a foot off the bottom. 

I'm in NC as well... over on the coast. I went this afternoon and caught 10 Largemouth and a pretty big Bluegill on a 7" Silver Rebel Floating Minnow, in around 5-10 feet of water! All the bass were between 1lb to around 2lbs. They were hit'n topwater!! Had to work it real slow but they were loving it. I'd give it a yank and pause for about 4-5 seconds. They're really sluggish and just barely breaking surface on their strikes. I was VERY surprised they were hitting topwater bait in shallower water, though. By most accounts that's unheard of this time of year around here. A lot of fun. Could be the area I'm in as well. A lot of tidal ponds and whatnot around here. When the water is high they'll swim in there and when the water goes back out a lot end up trapped until the tide comes back in. 

I caught my coldest water LM to date on New Year's Day. Water temp was 38-39 at the surface.

I also know of people catching smallies with the water just above freezing too. Slow it down and make it worth their while to eat your presentation.

I'm in NC as well... over on the coast. I went this afternoon and caught 10 Largemouth and a pretty big Bluegill on a 7" Silver Rebel Floating Minnow, in around 5-10 feet of water! All the bass were between 1lb to around 2lbs. They were hit'n topwater!! Had to work it real slow but they were loving it. I'd give it a yank and pause for about 4-5 seconds. They're really sluggish and just barely breaking surface on their strikes. I was VERY surprised they were hitting topwater bait in shallower water, though. By most accounts that's unheard of this time of year around here. A lot of fun. Could be the area I'm in as well. A lot of tidal ponds and whatnot around here. When the water is high they'll swim in there and when the water goes back out a lot end up trapped until the tide comes back in. 

Hello from Fuquay Varina!  We have a beach house in Kure also.  :-)

HELLO! Oh wow, that's down the coast a ways! Love it down that way too. My old man just bought a place down on Ocracoke Island. GREAT fishing out around there!

I've used my boat to break ice to fish areas and loaded the boat before. You just have to fish slowly and downsizing often seems to help bring more bites. The bass don't have to eat very often because of their slow metabolism, so you bait really has to hit them on the nose and often needs to stay there for awhile before they'll bite it. Don't expect a lot of bites but this time of year is a good time to catch a big one!

What are some techniques when the water is cold? Baits? Etc...

Slow retrieves.

Bass will eat at any water temperature. A couple of days ago I was out on the ice chasing 'gills, and caught 5 small bass from 7-12". They ate the same small (1/100 oz) jig and plastic tail that I was using for the bluegills.