Newbie Need Some Cold Water Bass Help..

[los11]

Hey guys I am new to the site and newer to bass fishing just moved to a lake community. I am fishing this weekend with my buddy for largemouth just wondering how what should we use the weather has been cold here in NJ but the last 2 days have been 80's so its warmed up the water I was trout fishing the river today and caught quite a few smallies it was nice and hot today.. I just bought a 2013 Bass Tracker Pro 170 always wanted a bass boat its no Nitro but its a nice setup and since I just retired from being a cop I figured it was time..lol.. anyway what do you guys suggest I should do the lake is a big lake and there are a bunch of dock area's the lake is about 55feet at the deepest and has alot of rocks and boulders.. But like I said there are alot of docks and piers and the edges are abput 10-12 feet of water.. this is a great lake for bass and they usually start spawning in early May. Thats all I really know about the lake I have never fished there will I did when i was a kid .. ANY info would be awesome thanks guys and this is a great site..

[BigBassBarry]

My opinion Water Temp is key.  It will be tough to catch bass until the water temps are in the 50s.  It will get a lot easier once they reach high 50s.  Some successful lure selections would be Jerkbait, Swimbaits, crankbaits, and alabama rig.  I would fish a cove that the water temp is the highest.  I am not an expert just fish a lot.  Good luck! and congrats on the new boat pro 170.  I have a pro 190 and love it.  I have a 4x4 and am able to put this boat into smaller bodies of water that I would not be able to put a fiberglass boat without getting stuck.

[Crestliner2008]

I assume you have a quality fish finder (sonar) on your new rig and you are familiar with how to use it.  If so, it may not be as difficult as you might think to find some active fish. Fish the northwest coves, which receive the most sunlight this time of the year. Scout the shallow areas that are near deeper water (use your polaroid sunglasses). The bass should be moving up shallow and scouting out their bedding locations right about now. A tad early for the spawn yet, but they will venture shallow from time to time, eating along the way.

 

Check out any areas you find baitfish in (on your sonar) and fish slow. Make long casts and stay low. You'll find some of the bigger females cruising these prospective bedding areas, but they can be very finicky and spooky. Jigs, Senkos and swimbaits slow-rolled along the bottom (especially along the drop offs) can be great producers this time of the year. Good Luck!

[rangerboy]

find some places you like and slow down, always have a good chance in cold water for a nice fish. drop shot or jig would be my choice, great advise on this site. congrats on the tracker

[KY Outdoorsman]

First off, congrats on the boat as well as having a long career in a great field. I am going into the KY state police once i obtain my bachelors degree. This is only my first year i am close to getting my associates in CJ but enough of that. Jerkbaits and jigs fished SLOW would be my choice. If the water temp is around the lows 50s, slow it down. Keep the bait in their strike zone longer, when the water temp is around the mid to high 50s, you could possibly speed it up. Im going by what ive been told on this site. Great site with very helpful members.

[BuckMaxx]

Welcome to the site! I got 8 more agonizing years before I can do the same. Nice rig you got there. I too would start fishing Sloowww. Parrell to the bank in about 6-8 ft of water throwing a Rouge suspending jerk bait. Making long cast along cover until you find them. About 5-10 seconds between jerks or twitches. Once you get bit pay attention to what sequence it was they hit on, then duplicate it.Once the water warms up hit those dock piers skipping a Gitzit under them WHAMMO!