Hey Guys,

I live in Florida, and fish 3 differnt bass tournament circuts.

I was just wondering how you guys fish in cold weather?

I have 3 tournaments coming up next week, and I've been prefishing like crazy, but was trying to get some extra tips. The water temp. here is in the low 50's.

Justin Clark

Umm...without seeing the rest of what you wanted to post...

Pray for warmer weather?

Wear layers, warm shoes, and occasionally gloves.

I thought you said it was cold...

What lakes are you fishing? 

Fish slow slow and slower.   The rains we got yesterday and today  probably made the water even colder.   I found Snook belly up this afternoon.   Jigs, worms and tubes dragged along the bottom are the best bet I think.   Probably not till Wednesday or Thursday from what the weather channel predicts.

I'm going to concentrate in the feeder canals for bedding bass. 

I did pretty well last weekend when the temps were in low 40's at take off but the water hadn't had time to cool off so that helped.

Most of my fish came on weightless Senkos. In fact, I ran out of them and had to resort to an off brand  >.  That off brand is now in the garbage can.

I had a stellar week excluding the last 2 days, used senkos 1 time, best producer for me was a gold redfish spoon.

Anxiously awaiting the spring bait.

I'm going to concentrate in the feeder canals for bedding bass.

I did pretty well last weekend when the temps were in low 40's at take off but the water hadn't had time to cool off so that helped.

Most of my fish came on weightless Senkos. In fact, I ran out of them and had to resort to an off brand >. That off brand is now in the garbage can.

Ahhh...come on Doug...all those brands have the same action and rate of fall. : :-X

No they don't

Slow, is the only way to go. 

When people buy Senko's and swear by them I say great you have confidence in your lure. I for one haven't noticed a difference in catch rate. Fall rates of particular lures out of the bag are different, yes, but the HOOK you use is an OVERRIDING factor when it comes to fall rate and the Senko's motion as it flutters down.  I have had great success with BPS brand Tournament Stick-Os  using 4/0 or 5/0  Gammy EWG hooks depending on length of lure.  If I use Owner brand hooks they NOSE DIVE instead of flutter.  The bigger cross section of the Owner hooks adds enough weight to ruin action.  Also I like fishing Senko type lures on Braid where applicable.  Lastly, all bets are off when a certain color is the hot lure of the day, this summer my buddy schooled me using a Chart Flake/Lemon looking Senko in dingy water while I used chart dipped white Stick-Os to limited luck.  Go figure! 

go with what every one else is saying but one thing that has worked for me the last week or so it a suspending jerkbait like a #8 xrap or a 4 inch bomber. you work it with quick twitches and then stop it dead. you will go to twich and your rod will load up.

Yeah....how do you like it??!! I watched the news...thirty degrees huh??? Welcome to our world in the Northeast!!!!

NO ADVICE FOR YOU!!!!! 

If you need a jacket, I'll think about sending you one!!!! 

I'm going to concentrate in the feeder canals for bedding bass.

I did pretty well last weekend when the temps were in low 40's at take off but the water hadn't had time to cool off so that helped.

Most of my fish came on weightless Senkos. In fact, I ran out of them and had to resort to an off brand >. That off brand is now in the garbage can.

Ahhh...come on Doug...all those brands have the same action and rate of fall. : :-X

Yea, just like Sam's club cola taste just like coca cola.

Flukes, senkos, Shaky heads.

I'm going to concentrate in the feeder canals for bedding bass.

I did pretty well last weekend when the temps were in low 40's at take off but the water hadn't had time to cool off so that helped.

Most of my fish came on weightless Senkos. In fact, I ran out of them and had to resort to an off brand >. That off brand is now in the garbage can.

Ahhh...come on Doug...all those brands have the same action and rate of fall. : :-X

That's funny, because the guys throwing the knockoff Senkos this summer at Stickmarsh seemed to do much better than the guys throwing the real Senkos. :

I cant believe no one has mentioned flippin, I can assure you I have a flipping stick in my hand and I'm searching for matted hyacinth clumped around cat tails of submerged hydrilla.

I cant believe no one has mentioned flippin, I can assure you I have a flipping stick in my hand and I'm searching for matted hyacinth clumped around cat tails of submerged hydrilla..................... I agree flipping and pitching is way overlooked during the winter time. florida bass are looking to bed by the end of january, shallow canals with sunny days can be awesome. small profile baits like baby brush hogs and 4"-6" worms with 1/4 oz weights

I'm going out today near Orlando and will post what works.  I am expecting a big day.  A cold front is coming tonight with a big low out in the gulf and the minor and major both in the morning.  I feel like a kid going fishing the first time.

Mon., Tues., and Wed. are going to be warm and calm. Should see a hell of a bite.

That's funny, because the guys throwing the knockoff Senkos this summer at Stickmarsh seemed to do much better than the guys throwing the real Senkos. :

I thought Stickmarsh didn't have any bass anymore because the grass was gone ;D

go with what every one else is saying but one thing that has worked for me the last week or so it a suspending jerkbait like a #8 xrap or a 4 inch bomber. you work it with quick twitches and then stop it dead. you will go to twich and your rod will load up.

Do you ever add weight to the slash bait to get it down deeper? like put lead wire around the shank of the hook or are we Florida boys fishing so shallow its unnecessary. I just saw kevin short doing that in this months Bassmaster but Ill def have one tied on in a few days when Im prefishing Istokpoga cause thats the only thing I feel confident I can locate them with when its this cold.

I would say it's not nessary, but a poga I would not even tie it on, you can probily get away with 3 rods right now,  frog, flippin stick and texas rig. i might be there this weekend, im not sure.