What are the best tips and tricks to catching big fish from the bank in cooler water temps? Specifically tackle, gear, and times. 

Suspending jerk bait is my number one choice. I prefer a medium action rod. Spinning or baitcaster will get the job done.  6,8,10lb line.  

Any time is a good time.  I've caught my best one this winter the day after Christmas it was 30 degrees here and windy at about 2 o'clock

Small water.

Habitat is most critical during winter and reaching it can be impossible on many, esp larger, waters.

Oh! I see you're in FL. Same deal although if you are far enough south you may be in prespawn, even spawn about now.

Okay cool. Thanks guys!

Not sure where Plant City is, but I just got back from Orlando, and I caught 50+ bass a day there on 3 lures:

1/4 oz brush jig w/ Paca Chunk trailer 

Berkley Havoc Grass Pig Jr w/ weighted hook

Yum Dinger

caught this one friday

Just a gorgeous fish.

You're in Florida...

 

"Winter" Bank Fishing

The ground hog said winter is over lol

 

On February 25, 2016 at 11:32 AM, everythingthatswims said:

You're in Florida...

 

"Winter" Bank Fishing

Yeah for real! 50 feels like 30 to a Floridian ?

I'm a couple counties south of you but winter is prime time here. Summer heat kills the fishing.  We are mostly in post spawn right now.  They are hungry but difficult in temperment and location right now, many are suspending not far from bedding areas. I'm finding them a little deeper than normal and find I have to put a worm or similar bait right on their nose right now.  The tilapia are bedding heavy and the bass are "too tired" to deal with their defensive territorial ways right now so maybe avoid the shallowest areas.  The other day in the next county we found the bass slightly more active and willing to chase a fluke or react to a topwater. A lot of this will change with every body of water as they are not all in the same stages of spawning.