I took my first trip to the Columbia this year on Sunday, January 11th. The wind was forecast to be out of the east but no too bad. It was nice in the afternoon but the morning was pretty rough. The good news is that it was dry all day long and I was dressed for the weather. Something that feels pretty cool is being plenty bundled up when there is a cold wind blowing and you can just laugh in its face!

When I got to the water I was happy to see the water color Probably at least 2' of visibility - much better than my last trip. I was a little worried about the hard rain we had earlier in the week but apparently that was not too much of an issue. I guess the previous huge rain amounts we had a couple of weeks back flushed any loose materials away.

Winter fishing, at least for me, is a real test of my patience. I typically don't like to fish super slow but that is what winter bassin' is all about. You have to get in that relaxed mindset that allows you to stare at that rod tip and micro-adjust your speed to match the current for hours on end. I did a good job on Sunday of entering that zen state of being one with my rod tip.

I started out dragging a Ned rig. That is often my best winter time bait on the Columbia. I think that the bass often do not even want to eat something that is 6" off the bottom when the current is running hard as it was on Sunday (I would drift about 2.5mph downstream when I let myself go).

I make a short cast upstream so that by the time the bait hits the bottom it is pretty much under the kayak and then I control my drift speed to keep my bait dragging on the bottom as slowly as I can. If I go too slow the current lifts my bait up, if I go too fast I lift the bait up. It is a constant dance all day long.

I was in the zone feeling every river rock that my Ned (1/4oz) head was scraping over. It occasionally gets stuck a bit and then I need to pop it free. It was just one of those events when I felt that little pop and I set the hook into my first bass of 2026! In the cold water they don't fight with the reckless abandon that they do in warmer water but this guy still gave a good account of himself. After a few short runs I was able to put my net under a decent 17.5" 2lb 11oz bass. That's a pretty awesome first bass for me!!



I stayed in the general area where I caught that first fish. It is a big flat that is anywhere from 30' to 45'. About 20 minutes later I feel another thump. It is not a monster but it was still a 14.25" 1lb 7oz bass. Not bad for my second bass.



I decided to repeat that drift again (by starting from the same point on my maps) and on the next I went passed where I caught that first fish when I felt the slightest tic that did not feel like a rock.

When I set the hook this fish definitely had some weight to it. You know its a good when you first think you are snagged because the hook set does not move the fish at all! This fish put up a really good fight, ripping plenty of drag and using the current to its advantage. I just drifted along and kept the pressure on. Eventually the constant pressure wore that fish down I was able to slip the net under a beast of a smallmouth (at least a beast for me). It was a 20.5" 4lb 7oz smallmouth!!





I tried that drift a few more times without any more action so I shifted my drift over a bit. The area I was fishing was a huge slowly tapering flat that goes from 30' down to about 45' . It is probably hundred yards wide and a 1/4 mile long so there is a lot to search. I spent the next 30 minutes without a sniff and decided to try a few other presentations. However the Carolina rig, wobbled and drop shot all drew blanks. I decided to try one more drift with the Ned when I once again felt that thunk.

It was not a bad fish, 15.25" and 2lb 3oz, but it felt like a dink after the 4lb 7oz.



I went back to trying some drifts but the next 45 minutes did not produce anything. At that point I decided to head upstream about 1.5 miles to a spot that was productive in December. That was a brutal slog in to the wind and current. For much of the trip I was only making progress of about .7 mph. I should have given up but I was so sure that spot was going to be fire.

It was not fire but at least the wind died down towards the end of that pedal. It took me about an hour and 20 minutes to get there and I could not get a sniff. I fished that spot in a variety of ways for an hour without any luck whatsoever.

That's how the rest of the day went as well. I moved from spot to spot that I was sure must be holding fish only to find nothing.

So after an hour and half period where I caught 4 nice bass I did not have another sniff the rest of the day. I probably should have just stayed on the initial spot and kept moving around it. I might have been able to scratch out a few more but I was so sure I could find another bunch. I did try the magic spot at the end of the day for about 15 minutes but did not get any bites.

So it was day that was short on quantity but long on quality. I had a period of good action and I got in a LOT of exercise (my legs are hurting today). Overall though I consider the day a fine success. My first bass of 2026 and a beast in the mix.

Here is a video of the day.

https://youtu.be/-vih2pHsZWA

Nice way to kick off the new year!!! Congrats!!!

A great way to start the year!

When you catch fish for 1.5 hours and then nothing for 6 hours you fel like a moron. When you catch nothing for 6 hours and then catch fish for 1.5 hours you feel like a genius. I was, unfortunately, in the first grouping

Nice fish! What a great way to start the year. Hopefully it's a sign of good things to come for the rest of the year.

Only negative of the day is that my gopro died part way through the day. The bass were polite though and only bit while my camera was working

You don't always have to fish slow! Try throwing a Ratltrap or similar bait. You might be surprised. A jerkbait will also produce in cold water using various retrieves. 😎

Nice job, but the old saying “don’t leave fish to find fish” is amplified in winter.

Nice work and effort!

3 hours ago, Motoboss said:

Nice job, but the old saying “don’t leave fish to find fish” is amplified in winter.

Nice work and effort!

That is so true. I definitely made a mistake that I usually don't make. Hope I will remember this next time out.

7 hours ago, Don51 said:

You don't always have to fish slow! Try throwing a Ratltrap or similar bait. You might be surprised. A jerkbait will also produce in cold water using various retrieves. 😎

I am scraping fish off the bottom in 30' to 45' of water. I guess there are probably other groups of fish that are shallower where a faster retrieve could produce but I just have not been able to ever locate them in the winter. I do throw a rattletrap and jerkbait in March when there are lots of fish up shallow.

On 1/12/2026 at 2:47 PM, pdxfisher said:

I was able to slip the net under a beast of a smallmouth (at least a beast for me). It was a 20.5" 4lb 7oz smallmouth!!

That would be a beast for me too! Under the Swampy Fair Handicapping System, add a pound for small boat fishing and four ounces for January fishing at your latitude, giving you a fair weight of 5lb 11oz!

On 1/13/2026 at 7:57 AM, Motoboss said:

Nice job, but the old saying “don’t leave fish to find fish” is amplified in winter.

My first bass of 2025 were caught at one end of my pond. I then paddled clear to the other end and caught nothing. Only when I returned to where I caught my first bass did I recommence catching bass. It wasn't winter, but the water was c-c-cold.

Thanks @Swamp Girl ! I was happy to get my first 4lber already! Last year I did not catch a 4+ in January do I am already ahead of last year!

On 1/14/2026 at 11:05 AM, Swamp Girl said:

Under the Swampy Fair Handicapping System,

I LOVE that system! I use it year round! 😁

Great way to start the New Year.

Seemed like a awesome time!

Beautiful.

Cold water bass seem to display better color.

That lake is beautiful. Just don't fall in. 😬

8 hours ago, Flukeflicker said:

That lake is beautiful. Just don't fall in. 😬

Not a lake, that's the Columbia River. I am always dressed for immersion. Hope for the best and plan for the worst is a requirement for kayak fishing any time but especially in the winter!

WTG!!! That is some nice fish. Love it when a plan comes together!!!