My name is Alan Yelton. I live in central Missouri, close to the Gasconade river.  I'm 19 years young and definitely consider myself an amateur bass fisherman. Growing up fishing with my grandpa I feel that i have learned a lot of the basics. I've recently reached out to sites like bassmaster.com and random fishing articles on the web to critique my skills. This is my first time being apart of a forum that i can actually ask questions and hopefully get some answers. The first thing i can hopefully get some advice with is Feb. bass fishing. I've fished a few days in January and had little to no luck. Talking with a few of the old timers in my town i was told to use jigs and fish them slow, along with suspending jerk baits. I also have read online, and everything points and being patient and SLOW SLOW SLOW! I've tried these things and have went several full days of fishing with not even a bite. If anyone has any other tricks or advice i am very open to try anything. I dont want to let the cold weather win! Thanks in advance. -LittlePineyAngler

Well I can say your doing it right, try lip less crank baits,  and also spinner baits preferably Colorado blade. Hope this helps man.

Definitely never considered a spinner bait just because i figured i would be fishing it too fast. But i will try it next time im out. Thanks man!!!

Fishing slow with jigs and suspending jerkbaits is a solid way to start. For me here in Maryland dealing with water temperatures in the high 30's to low 40's those two presentations are staples to winter success. You have to keep plugging away with it but I will assure you, once you get that first bass things will start to fall into place. The hardest one to catch is that first bass in cold water.

I throw a lot of smaller jigs in the winter. 1/4 and 3/8th ounce jigs with netbait tiny paca craws.

Good luck and keep after them!

 

You fishing the Gasconade  , ponds , a lake or what ?

I would say I mostly fish ponds. Recently I've tried spending more time on the river. The gasconade river is where i tried using the jigs and suspending jerk baits. 

Do not think a bass will not run down a spinnerbait in cold water cause they will, they just will not go as far to do it like they do in warm water.

A Rat-L-Trap is extremely deadly in cold water!

who makes the Rat-L trap?? 

These are lip-less crankbaits made by Bill Lewis who basically invented the lipless crank. Any tackle store and even WalMart will have them.

Another thing i like to do is also downsize my lines to as low as 6lb and i use floro as well unless its topwater. Normaly in warmer months im using 10+ lb test and a mix of floro, mono, and braid. 

I fish the salt river in missouri . When its low and clear its a little like the Gasconade . The smallmouths will stay in deeper holes close to ripples . I have caught them on various jigs and spinners . Ive had good luck with those tiny Strike King mini spins fished slowly along the bottom .  I will only fish on sunny afternoons there this time of year .

Any type of structure i should focus on in the river setting? Brush piles? Rocks? 

1 hour ago, LittlePineyAngler said:

Any type of structure i should focus on in the river setting? Brush piles? Rocks? 

In the cold water I seek out deep , calm water ideally near fast shallow water . Trees and rocks will add to the fish holding potential .

Thanks for all the tips "Scaleface". I may be directly asking tips in the future lol. Also will give you a little feedback on how your tips worked for me. thanks again

For more regional info, you might want to check out ozarkanglers.com forums