Fishing for bass during the winter months may not be everyone’s favorite time of year to go, but the fishing can still be excellent. Some may even say it’s easier since bass are often grouped in specific areas, looking to feed and not worried about spawning or other factors that might get them moving too much. If you can find where they are early in the winter, chances are that some of them will still be there all winter long waiting for you.
To simplify your winter fishing, keep these things in mind when it comes to lure selection, lure choices, and the best time of day to go fishing.
Location, location, location
In bass fishing, one thing is more important than the lure you use, and that’s where you are fishing. It’s something that holds year-round but becomes even more critical during the winter months, when bass are often grouped in small areas. That means some areas will be full of fish in wintering areas, while wastelands will lie between.
The areas fish use to hold during the winter will vary by location and lake type, but generally, deeper water is where they go. There are exceptions, but bass will tend to move towards main-lake options, such as near a river channel, around deeper bridges and bluff walls, and offshore structure such as islands, humps, shoals, and deep points. These areas offer them a break from the effects of cold water temperatures and also tend to hold the baitfish they are looking for, such as shad or other forage species.
With that being said, don’t overlook the shallows as bass will still gravitate to shallow areas when they are looking for a meal. This could be any remaining shallow grass, flats, or other structure that they can use to scour for food. If you fish shallow and cover water quickly, you will have a good chance of running into fish that are only there to feed and will be more likely to bite.
Winter Lure Selection Made Easy
While most would assume it’s best to slow down and drag baits along the bottom when fishing in the dead of winter, it’s not always the case. Fast-moving baits can still be very effective even in frigid conditions, and their quick movements can help trigger bites from fish that are not even looking to feed. That’s why lures like jerkbaits, diving crankbaits, and lipless crankbaits are among the best lures you can use this season.
Flat-sided crankbaits such as the Rapala Shad Rap, Rapala DT6, and ima Shaker are well known for their ability to catch fish in cold water and deserve a spot in your tackle box this time of year. For jerkbaits, deeper diving versions like the Megabass Vision Oneten +1 and +2 will allow you to reach slightly deeper water. For lipless crankbaits, the original Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap as well as the Berkley Jack are excellent choices for catching bass this winter.
Even though reaction baits shine in the winter months, finesse tactics can be very effective as well. A Ned Rig, drop-shot, and Neko Rig are three techniques that shine during the winter months, and it’s hard to beat a jig, whether it’s a finesse jig, football head, or standard flipping jig. A jig offers the fish a great meal option that perfectly imitates a crawfish moving along the bottom, especially when paired with a crawfish soft plastic trailer. Jigs are among the best winter lures of all time.
Other excellent baits to try this winter include metal baits such as blade baits, tail spinners, and spoons. This trio of baits is impressive when the water temperatures are cold this time of year. A blade bait like a Deps Circuit Vibe or Damiki Vault, as well as tailspinners like the Jackall Deracoup or Lunkerhunt Big Eye Spin, can be fished right along the bottom.
Using a lift-and-drop retrieve, you can get these baits to vibrate as you lift them and then flutter slowly back down on a slack line, which is where many bites occur. Jigging spoons are also excellent and can be fished directly under the boat in deep water and fished around any bass or baitfish you see on your electronics.
Timing the Bite
One thing about winter, compared to other seasons, is that bass tend to feed in distinct windows. It’s not an exact science; it never is in bass fishing, but it happens more times than not when the bass feed at certain times of the day, and the rest of it can be a grind.
Often, bass will feed first thing in the morning when the sun has just started to rise. These lowlight conditions are almost always good for bass fishing, as they give bass an advantage over their prey when they can hunt without being seen as easily.
If it’s too cold for you and you don’t want to get out at first light, there is usually another great bite in the afternoon as things start to warm up. This is especially true if you are fishing shallow grass, as even a few degrees of warmer water can trigger the fish to feed, and the afternoon bite until the sun begins to set can be the best action of the day. There are exceptions to the rule, but fishing quality can be the best both early and late in the day.
While many anglers put fishing aside until “fishing season” begins for many in the spring, fishing during the winter months can still be easy if you have open water and are willing to brave some cold weather to catch some bass. With the right approach, fishing in the right areas, and some extra warm clothes, you can make this winter one to remember on the water.
