Cold Fronts In Fall

[dch03]

I am new to the site and fairly new at understanding how bass "operate". I am stationed in chesapeake va and have had some great success on the local lakes...I am planning to join a club and start fishing tournaments! A cold front passed through last night and it got me thinking...how can i be really succesful when conditioins arent in my favor. Any tips and opinions on how to tackle bass during cold fronts and cold weather in general would be greatly appreciated!

- Daniel

[Sam]

_{Daniel, welcome to the Forum. Great having another Virginia fishing guy with us.}

_{Please be sure to go to the introduction section and formally introduce yourself.}

_{Also, please add your location as it will help us answer your questions if we know where you are fishing.}

_{As to cold fronts, bass will feed as they approach and pass through the area.}

_{After they pass and you have blue bird skies the bass will have lockjaw for one or two days.}

_{This does not mean you can't catch any bass but it will be a greater challenge.}

_{Once you join one of the Tidewater bass clubs you can watch how the guys fish after cold fronts and you can question them on their tactics.}

_{All the best and thank you for your service to our country making it possible for us to bass fish in a peaceful atmosphere.}

[Darren.]

Hi Daniel, I second the welcome from Sam to another VA fisherman.

That cold front that came through last night was a doozie, for sure.

Agree that you'll find post-frontal fishing ... sometimes less than fruitful, though not necessarily a skunk outing.

If you do a search in the forums, and in the site article archives, you should find a lot of help for frontal, and cold-weather fishing. Not just here, but on the web as well. While I am not part of any clubs, I have no doubt you can find some great info from the folks willing to share their knowledge.

In simple chatting it up with other anglers on the water (those willing to share), I've learned tips and tricks to help in difficult situations. Other stuff came by trial and error.

Hope it helps, and God bless.

[BassAssassin726]

I read somewhere on here that cold fronts in the fall can actually be helpful. Thos first few cold fronts drop water temps to where bass are very active and aggressive. Its funny cause here in Philly we had two cold fronts pass through. One Friday one Saturday and temps dropped to the 40's and this morning(Sunday) I had one of my best days this year. Caught 2-4 pounders all day on spinnerbaits. So in the fall they can sometimes help.

[Bluebasser86]

It doesn't seem to me that cold fronts are as much of a kiss of death as they are in the spring. It can be tough the day following the passing of the cold front but they're usually followed by bluebird skies and calm conditions, which usually equals tough fishing regardless. If you can be on the water just prior to and during the cold front in the fall it seems to usually produce some great fishing for me.

[Jigfishn10]

Fronts can be tough, no doubt about it. Bass aren't actively feeding, and the strike zone shrinks. Some areas to look at: If they were near a bush they would be in the middle of it, if the were on a main lake point they may have moved back and suspended in deeper water, if they were on a flat they may have moved to a creek channel or the nearest drop and if they were on the edge of a main lake channel they may drop right in it. So maybe check some of those areas and if your lures aren't working maybe downsizing your offering may help.

[AndyTN]

I don't think that a cold front slowdown is always the case. I have had a substantial increase is shallow running spinner bait catches since we've had a front move in. The temps. have been running in the 50's during the day with rain and over cast skies and the fish are hitting. A welcome change from the heat of the summer months.

[dch03]

Wow! Didn't expect so many replys...I really appreciate everyone's advice. I can already tell I'm going to be on here a lot! Thanks guys!

[Topwaterspook]

Daniel, welcome aboard.............lots of info and good folks here. I'll just pass on my fishing today. Did a couple hours of pond fishing, 2 acre pond maybe 9-10 feet at the deepest part, lots of dying weeds. Cloudy, little wind at all, cold (topped out at 46 degrees). First I tried a small spinnerbait with a white trailer, Nothin' happening with that. Tried a seizmic toad in watermelon with green & black flecks. Cast it out, worked it extermely slowly, letting it sink between twitches. That seemed to be the key. Caught 4 bass, largest just under 2 lbs. & an exceptionally large black crappie. Maybe trying some plastics would work for you.....Good luck.