It has been insanely cold for a while, a few stretches of below zero.  But we are on the 4th day of a winter warming trend and one of my favorite lakes should be thawed out tomorrow.  Was gonna throw around a drop shot.  SUPER clear water.  I'll probably be in the 15-20 feet of water right before the drop off to like 35ish.  Lot of smallies and northern in there.  What type of and color soft plastic would you throw on?  Haven't done much fishing in these types of conditions.  Thanks!

Suggest you give the bass a break for awhile.

Drop shot clear cold water try Roboworm 4 1/2” straight tail midnight and Jackall Flic shake 4.8 in Cola. Wacky rig both.

Tom

PS, dark colors work good in cold clear water in lieu of more traditional transparent colors used in warmer water.

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Suggest you give the bass a break for awhile.

Drop shot clear cold water try Roboworm 4 1/2” straight tail midnight and Jackall Flic shake 4.8 in Cola. Wacky rig both.

Tom

PS, dark colors work good in cold clear water in lieu of more traditional transparent colors used in warmer water.

Give bass fishing a break? But then what am I supposed to do? Lol

2 hours ago, MikesCrappyFishing said:

Give bass fishing a break? But then what am I supposed to do? Lol

Checkout A-Jay's workout videos for a few ideas.😆

I throw green pumpkin all winter long. Out here I think it mimics sculpin in the winter. I would throw a color that mimics whatever is your predominant bait species. 

You expect an Illinois lake that has frozen over to be thawed after 4 days in the 40s at the beginning of February? Take a break man.

In Indiana we will hit 65 degrees today but it won't be enough to thaw the ponds and lakes near me. If they were, I think the fish will be pretty lethargic but I would get to practice some casting. 

 

For drop shot in clear water, I like a small 3in minnow, nosed hooked, and fished slowly,. But in cold water, 🥶  good luck. 

On 1/31/2025 at 6:41 PM, WRB said:

Jackall Flic shake 4.8 in Cola.

 

Tom

 

 

You are giving away the secret color! Glad I stocked up on them before they are sold out.

 

I would try a blade bait like a silver buddy? Drop shot has never worked for me in cold water for some reason.

 

Allen

Really small baits work better for me.  

I really like Roboworms 3" alive shad 

Try a fly, or tie one up.  The hair will slowly move. A marabou will be deadly. Basically a hair jig just hovering in front of their faces.  Hair jigs are cold water killers 

On 2/3/2025 at 2:50 AM, Glaucus said:

You expect an Illinois lake that has frozen over to be thawed after 4 days in the 40s at the beginning of February? Take a break man.

 

It was.  Well, half of it anyway.  Not interested in taking a break.  This is my literal therapy.  Work 12-18 hour shifts as a 911 dispatcher, I need out of the house and alone time on my days off.  It does wonders for me! 

I second the 4in roboworm, aaron’s magic or watermelon. A trap is also a great northern (as in area of the country) ice out lure.

2.0 nose hooked

 

I live in northern Illinois and even the ponds aren't anywhere near thawing, but if you've a lake by you that is, go for it.

For a dropshot in cold clear water, I'd opt for something small that has a built in scent.  I'm partial to nose hooking a 2in. tube in smoke/black flake, or a black Reaper. I really don't think there's just one or two baits that could work, but those are the ones I start with just after ice-out.

The downside to using a drop shot right after ice-out is you don't know the depth the fish are holding. A double Fluke rig can be fished at any depth as well as a nose hooked Senko.