Water temp has now dropped to ~49-50deg in central NC.  Between 50-60deg, we were doing real well right next to cattail/reed beds on a sunny bank.  Still a few fish there, but now we're finding them under patches of floating weed beds.  Don't know what kind of weeds they are, but they have long woody stems and small leaves.  In the wind, you can see some patches moving across the water.  Catching fish both along the big stationary beds and the small slowly moving beds.  I don't know if the big beds along the shore are attached to the bottom, or have just been wind-blown and accumulated there.  They're usually in about 4-8' of water.

We're throwing 6.5" weightless Yamamoto cut tail worms on top of the weeds, twitching them across the top of the weeds to the edge, and letting them fall off.  It seems the bass are either patrolling the edges, or sitting in the edges and waiting for something to drop.  Most are between 2-4lbs.

I'm a bit surprised because most of what I read tells me the fish should be in deeper water.  And in fact, most of the fishermen we see are working deeper water off the points.  Also, I would have guessed the fish were seeking sun, not shade from the weeds.  So I don't understand it, (which is to be expected), but can't deny we are slaying 'em, (for us).  Have both caught our personal best in the last couple weeks.  6lb 11oz for me, 7lb for my partner... and usually 10-15 fish per afternoon.

Can you supply pics of those weeds?

Also, what's the water depth and layout where those fish are?

Lastly, how's the water's visibility? How deep can you see? Very clear, clear, stained, muddy?

 

On 1/14/2016 at 10:36 AM, Paul Roberts said:

Can you supply pics of those weeds?

Also, what's the water depth and layout where those fish are?

Lastly, how's the water's visibility? How deep can you see? Very clear, clear, stained, muddy?

 

I'll try to get a pic of the weeds today.  The leaves look kinda like clover.

Grass is around the islands and along the southeast coast of the point.  Water depth is 2-4', and I can see about 12" down into it.  I guess I'd call it stained.

Went back out yesterday.  Caught 1.  It seems winter has finally caught up w/ the bass, and they've moved out of the grass & weeds... I suppose into deeper water.  So I guess now we try to figure out our winter spots.

Here is a picture of the weeds.  Paul, thanks for your help here.  If I know the name of these weeds, I can search and learn more about them and when/how/where the fish like them.

Those weeds warm up better than open water and the fish hold in there because of it. That's why punch fisherman still do well in summer and winter.

Mid day there should be fish holding in there once the sun has been on it for awhile. 

Punch that whole area at around 2pm if you have the gear for it. You'll be surprised the fish holding in it.