Sun Or Shade?

[TERRY AFB-15]

WITH COLD WEATHER COMING I WOULD LIKE THOUGHTS ON WETHER FISHING THE SUNNY SIDE OF A LAKE IS BETTER THAN THE SHADED SIDE? I AM NOT SURE IF THE BASS LIKE THE WARMTH OF THE SUN OR LIKE HIDING IN THE SHADE BETTER.

[gallowaypt]

Shade in the summer, especially on bright, sunny days, and sun during the winter.

[flyfisher]

It really depends on the time of year and what stage the bass are in as far as winter goes.

 

I am firm believer that there will always be fish shallow year round but finding them may not be that easy.  In these cases i do look for the sunny areas.  My largest bass of the year last year was caught on Jan 1st with water temps in the high 30's in about 4 feet of water.

 

It seems like areas that are deeper but close to warming areas produce for me.  Just stay away from areas with dying or dead grass as the oxygen levels are lower and the bass won't be there even if it is sunny.

 

I will also add that the sun makes a 40 degree day a much more pleasant day than 40 and cloudy  

[Catt]

My PB of 12.8 was caught on a cold, rainy, windy day!

[WRB]

During the cold water period or winter I prefer warm sunny days in the afternoon, on bright side of wind blown structure. Anything that warms the cold water helps the bite.

Pre spawn through fall, then cloudy days with light rain or wind is good, getting too old to fight cold rain in the winter months.

Tom

[TERRY AFB-15]

This is the first time I have had a boat to fish the winter got lots of things to figure out. the winters are not that bad here in georgia but I still hate the cold! The sunny side feels better to me and maby the bass too. I can't belive any body fishes in water that's 30 degres temps. but if you love fiahing you got to do what you got to do. I intend to fish all winter clothing is one of the things I have to figure out. I think the fish are like me and want to feel the sun!!!

[WRB]

Big mistake associating a cold blooded animal with you being a warm blooded animal. Your bloody temp is always 98.6D at 97 D your are nearly dead of hypothermia. Bass body temps are whatever the water temp is they are in, comfort zone between 45 to 85 for southern bass. In very cold water, below 50, bass preferring warmer water will tend to move into that area, if food is available.

Your sonar unit is a critical tool when fishing deep structure lakes to locate both baitfish and bass. My recommendation is learn how to use the sonar unit with your boat to become a more consistant bass angler.

Warm clothing is essential on the water during cold weather, dress for the elements and stay safe.

Tom

[Catt]

I wish bass read BFR cause then maybe they would be more predictable.

Bass do not pack up & move to warmer water!

On many occasions I've caught bass in the dead of winter, at daylight, in the shade, & as soon as the sun cleared the tree tops the bite died.

I've learned I need to fish both

[SirSnookalot]

My best winter bass fishing has been in shallow water 5' or less in the sun with rocks or structure around. Winter bass fishing for me is limited as I usually switch over to steelhead around mid October.

Ron

Our winter is not very cold here, not that I haven't fished in cold weather when I lived in Michigan.  When it gets cool here I have a rock pile that will always produce bass, I do believe they seek the heat from the rocks.  Fishing near an area with warmer water flowing seems to produce well too.  In winter the snook bite comes to a standstill, water too cold, in the ICW there is a power plant, snook heaven in the winter.

Catching a great fish when the weather is against you quite often is more luck than anything else.  I caught my best peacock ever during the freeze several years ago where I saw countless numbers of floaters.  Caught one of my best jacks off the beach in flat water with no bait around, fish just happen to be there.  Caught a permit on a bucktail in the ICW and they don't live there and feed on crabs.   These were all luck catches, being in the right place at the right time, skill played no part.

[Sam]

West and northern banks as they warm up first.

 

You want the warmest water you can find.

 

Look for rocks and other structure that can become warm in the sun.

[Oregon Native]

Fishing clear lakes here in winter in east Tenn I have done awesome on shady banks. Love to fish in sun but do better on big smallies up shallower in shade.

Tight lines

[Bankbeater]

I prefer sun, I let the bass tell me what they want.