What Do You Throw When..?

[wisconsin heat]

Its abnormally cold out? It's pretty cold this morning and im wondering if i should make a lure change.

[LgMouthGambler]

Go into heavy grass cover with a jig. Also, deep grass.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

Fish slower.

[detroit1]

Depends on what you started with. A little bit of cold air won't effect the water temp. much, so i would start with whatever you would use if the air temps have been constant. You're fishing northern lm not florida lm. If it doesn't work, then try something else....

[steelslinger86]

Not being sure how much effect it actually had on water temp., and not knowing what lure you were using to start, I would just say try to fish areas that will warm first in the sunlight. My preference being rip-rap or rock of any kind, or if you know of an area with muddy water. Fish may be holding on the rip-rap because of the temp. difference, and if there wasn't any effect on the water temp., you are still fishing a reliable form of cover.

[ww2farmer]

I don't change much of what I do based on air temps, unless it made the water temp drop alot, and fast. I am more concerned about light penetration, it was 65 here yesterday after being 90 for two days, but they were on fire, because it was overcast, and the barometric pressure was falling, today will also be 65-70, but clear skies, high barometric pressure, I expect a tough bite. I will go low and slow, into heavy cover, I might even downsize my offerings as well. If the wind is putting a chop on the water, I 'll toss around some reaction baits, but they will usually be downsized as well. I find top water to be the worst option on a bright, sunny, post front day, even if they are burried up in the mats, the don't seem to want to blast a frog, so you got to go in after them. There are things that negate the post front slow bite....If you still have bedding fish, they can be had provided the front didn't push them off. If the bass bite sucks, I also find bluegills and rockbass still biting LOL

[out_doors_guy]

More important than the temp drop is the high pressure associated with it. I doubt the water temp dropped much, if at all, but the barometric pressure did with the cold front that moved through then back up. The fish wont move much, locatonally, but they will become less active and bury themselves deeper into the cover. Slow down and fish deeper into what ever cover you have been fishing. Any excuse to use a jig is a plus to me, and after a heavey cold front a jig is going to be the best choice. Fish it S L O W and tight to the cover and you should do OK. Another option would be to switch from fishing lakes to fishing rivers. River fish are MUCH less affected by cold fronts.

In your case, if you aren't fishing it already, give the Eau Claire river a shot.

[A-Rob]

More important than the temp drop is the high pressure associated with it. I doubt the water temp dropped much, if at all, but the barometric pressure did with the cold front that moved through. The fish wont move much, locatonally, but they will become less active and bury themselves deeper into the cover. Slow down and fish deeper into what ever cover you have been fishing. Any excuse to use a jig is a plus to me, and after a heavey cold front a jig is going to be the best choice. Fish it S L O W and tight to the cover and you should do OK. Another option would be to switch from fishing lakes to fishing rivers. River fish are MUCH less affected by cold fronts.

In your case, if you aren't fishing it already, give the Eau Claire river a shot.

x2

[Bluebasser86]

I'd start fast and see if they'll respond to that. If not then slow down and fish tight to cover.

[WRB]

Smallmouth bass are not usually going to be cover oreinted bass, they prefer deeper rocky areas.

Fishing from shore also limits where you can fish and what you can present effectively.

I would start near the dam, first major point on the west side if possible, if not the opposite or both of the dam corners and the dam face. Since you are casting away from shore, I would approach the point or dam so I can cast from the bank towards the submerge deeper sloping bank and work the lure as parallel as possible, then fan cast the area. My first lure choice would be a 4" to 6" Little Cripper Trash Fish swimbait is Ayu color for your area. If there isn't any weed cover, you could also try a hard jerk bait like a Rapala Husky Jerk in perch color. If some weed cover is in the deeper water area a buzz bait worked along the break line could produce in the morning.

A Smally beaver T-rigged with 1/8 bullet weight, 3/0 hook and a split or slip shot rigged 5" Roboworm in oxblood/red flake would be my go to rigs the rest of the morning, if the first choices didn't work.

Tom