Can I Fish For Bass In Winter
Bass don’t bite in the winter like they do in the spring or summertime. The average size of the fish tends to be better in the winter. They’ve had all year to get big, and now you can enjoy a larger fish. Finally, remember that bass need access to deeper water.
Is it good to fish for bass in winter?
Winter bass fishing can be one of the best times of the year to catch your biggest fish of the season. This time of year, fish are grouping up in deeper water to prepare to hide out for winter, but even in this cold-water fish still have to feed.
Will bass bite when it’s cold?
Bass are going to always bite less often in cool water but it also can be the time of year the big ones seem to be caught! In cooler water, Bass are much slower and tend to feed less. While you’re less likely to run into an aggressive bass in cold water, that does not mean you can’t catch the big ones!.
What is the best bait for bass in the winter?
Five Awesome Winter Bass Baits #1 – Jerkbait. The suspending jerkbait is no secret to coldwater bass anglers. Jerkbaits as topwaters. #2 – Blade bait. #3 – Lipless crankbait. #4 – Wacky worm. #5 – Jig. Beat the cold to boat the bass.
Where do bass fish go in the winter?
Not all bass move out to the main lake during the winter. Some bass will set up their winter homes along long sloping points dropping off into deep water (30 feet or deeper) or a point that splits two coves where two creek channels swing into each side of the point.
How cold is too cold for bass?
Bass can tolerate high and low temperatures pretty well. Cook said he only pays attention to his boat’s thermometer when it’s very hot — above 85 degrees — or very cold — which to him is anything below 50. But if it’s between 55 degrees and 85 degrees, temperature really doesn’t affect bass behavior all that much.
Will bass bite topwater in winter?
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the topwater bite isn’t hot. Topwater baits are also effective in colder water because during the late fall bass spend the majority of their time gorging themselves on shad that are located in the upper half of the water column.
Is it worth fishing in the winter?
But fishing in cold weather can be as great as it is in the summer, especially since the weather keeps most anglers cozied up next to their woodburning stoves. Winter is a particularly great time to fish because freshwater species group up, meaning more fish on your lure.
What do bass feed on in the winter?
In the winter, bass turn to much of the same food sources they do at other times of the year; they just eat less of it. Crawfish might go away for the winter, meaning the crawfish baits may work. However, shad or baitfish imitation baits are a safer bet.
How do you catch bass in December?
Lure Selection Some of the top winter baits are jigs. Football-head jigs and hair jigs work well when the water is cold. Moving them slowly along the bottom is your best chance at getting a lethargic bass to bite. Since football jigs imitate crawfish, choose colors that closely mimic the crawfish in that body of water.
What baits to fish in winter?
But, if you are lucky enough to live in a place where your lakes don’t freeze over, here’s 7 lures that will help you with some awesome winter fishing.Winter fishing is prime season for blade baits. Jig. Shop Fishing Jigs. Drop Shot. Shop Drop Shot Weights. Grub. Shop Grubs. Spybait.
Do bass stay shallow in winter?
Fish don’t hibernate, and in fact, even in very deep lakes the bass are often shallow, even in the dead of winter.
What depth do bass go in winter?
Deep Water Winter Bass Hotspots A depth change of 2 feet or 20 feet could be a good wintertime bass hideout depending on the geographic location of the fishery. The water is too cold at the average depth of the flat (about 10 feet deep), so the bass seek out the deepest water they can find for a comfort zone.
How do you catch bass in early winter?
The best lures for this kind of fishing are tight-wiggling wooden crankbaits, small spinnerbaits and finesse or trick worms in natural colors. They all work well along the bottom and continue to have good action at slower speeds. That’s the combination that’ll work best. Early winter fishing isn’t all that tough.
At what temperature do bass start biting?
As the water cools in the fall, bass move shallower to feed and pack on weight for the lean winter. Once the water drops to 55 degrees, the bite can turn on.
At what temperature do fish stop biting?
For example, lake trout, a cold-water species, can tolerate (survive) temperatures up to 70 to 73 °F but has a core preferred temperature range of 46-59 °F. Smallmouth bass, a warm-water species, can tolerate temperatures up to 86 °F and prefer temperatures above 68 °F.
Why do fish go to deeper water in the winter?
As it gets colder, though, fish tend to migrate in schools to deeper water. As the depth increases, temperature stabilizes and it’s easier for them to do their version of light hibernation. As an added bonus, fish of most species typically hold in tighter groups when the water’s cold.
What bass lures to use in February?
Jigs and creature baits are great options for the big bass of February. Slow-moving baits are best as bass are sluggish in the cold water.
What is the best color lure to use in muddy water?
So what is the best color of lure to use in muddy water? When fishing in muddy water you want to use colors that have a bold profile in dark water. The best muddy water colors are black & blue, white, chartreuse, red and junebug.
What water temp is best for topwater bass?
After the water hits around 60 or 65 degrees and higher, it’s the best time to throw topwater baits. In my opinion, it’s even better when it’s post spawn time. Usually water temperature is higher at this time, in the 70-75 degree range.