Cold Water Bass fishing

[Skinnywater]

My wife and I can catch Bass on a regular basis.However, I've never fished for them in the winter. Last weekend I tried and tried but got skunked bigtime. Yet the local pro's say the fishing for them is good.<br /><br />Here's the lake, conditions and and methods we were using.<br /><br />The lake is a 600 acre reseviour with rocky shores and bottom. The average depth is 30-50' with slight, steep and very steep shores. There has been recent storms and the water level is rising pretty fast. The water clarity is cloudy. And the surface temp was 45-47deg.<br />As little as two months ago and all through the summer we could boat(and release) 50 fish a day.<br />Without brag, we are usually the most successful on the lake. <br />Our bait is our secret and I've never seen anyone else use it here.<br />Pumpkin colored Gitzits crawdad tubes on 6lb. test. We use crawdad scent jelly also.<br />Suggestions for winter Bass?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Cold Water Bass fishing

If the water level is raising, so are the fish. <br />Try a Chartruse 3/8oz spinnerbait with #6 colorado blade and slow-roll steep drops from about 8ft. down to 15-18ft. slow pumps of the rod. Fish south facing areas from mid day on....those fish may come even shallower with more stained water.<br />Have you tried carolina rigged gitzits?? (Clackers) a little noise might turn'em on in cloudy water..

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Cold Water Bass fishing

Have you tried carolina rigged gitzits?? (Clackers) a little noise might turn'em on in cloudy water..

Not here, or for a while. I've tried a few years back packing the tube with that pop rock candy.<br /><br />I did mark fish like you said at steep drop offs at around 18-25'. Couldn't get bit though.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Cold Water Bass fishing

did you try fishing the shallows where the water<br />is a little warmer? I would try one of the places<br />where the drop is gradual. start in about 5' of<br />water and work my way out to about 15'. I seem to<br />have better luck with live bait when temps drop.<br />small minnows maybe?<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Cold Water Bass fishing

I would go with a jig and pig and work it up the side of the steeper dropoffs. Dont be afraid to go as far as 15,20 feet deep and just stop and go drag it up the side of the dropoff. This method has been working on the lake I usually fish. If there is a flat adjacent to the dropoff thats all the better.<br /><br />3/4 ounce brown Johnsons jig with the skirt trimmed down quite a bit. With an uncle josh pork trailer. Not a big fan of fire line, but it helps you feel the strike when you get bit in the deeper water. <br /><br />I envy you I put the boat away for the year. <br /><br />Tightlines Flathead.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Cold Water Bass fishing

Here in Oregon on the costal lakes, once the water temp dips below 50 Ive never been able to catch a bass! These lakes are shallow, 15'-30', no real drop offs and soft bottom! Its like they get lockjaw!! Big, small, slow, fast, Just dont even try anymore!!<br /><br />LubeDude

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Cold Water Bass fishing

Thanks to all. I'm going to try all your suggestions.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Cold Water Bass fishing

Finally had one day during a weekend without rain.<br />The drought in California is sure history.<br />I didn't want to waste it and even with a high pressure today, we (or she) slayed them!<br /><br />The water temp was 45f, dang cold! We caught 8-10, spotted bass in a couple of hours, then the wife scores with 4.1 bronze! <br /><br />Still using gitzits only using dark green colored now and slooooowly dragging on bottom in 20 foot.<br />Man, the bite is barely detectable.<br />The water has a 10 foot visibility now. <br />I'm sure happy that bass fishing can be fun in the winter too!

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Cold Water Bass fishing

Drill my holes over structure and send down a fat, fiesty emerald shiner or a crawfish and wait for a flag.