Best Baits For Suspending Bass 20-40Ft In Cold Water?

[mram10us]

Can't get a LMB to bite for anything, but I think I am finding schools of my DF.  What is the best bait to fish suspending bass from 20-40ft with 45'+ bottom?

I tried lightly weighted double flukes, but they wouldn't cast very far.  If I weighted them more, they would descend to fast.

Tried cranks, but my bombers only go to 14'.

Tried spinnerbaits, but they were either to light, or I added a bullet sinker to the front for longer casts and descend a little faster, but no luck.

Thanks again guys.

[FishinCop646]

Try marking your line at the wanted depth (I use a bobber stop) and suspend a drop shot.

[mram10us]

Tried that with my drop shot, but no luck.  I wacky rigged a zoom worm and fluke(separately).

[wakeeater]

try slow rolling 1 oz spinnerbaits, or throw heavy swim baits.

[SMB101]

Jigging spoons?

[mram10us]

Didn't take my spoons   Next time.  I only have 6 very light spinnerbaits.  Need to get some heavier ones.  Don't have any swimbaits.  Just getting started, so I guess I need to get some.

[J Francho]

Hopkins Shorty, drop shot plastics, deeper jerk baits, or a jacked deep diver.

[WRB]

1/2 oz silver/ blue Kastmaster fished vertical, dropped straight down through the fish you meter. Every predator fish in the lake will hit a small structure spoon, so you will know what you have down there.

Tom

[mram10us]

Thanks J.

Tom, sounds good.  I have mainly larger spoons used for lahontan cutthroats in Pyramid Lake NV.  I need to get some 1/2 oz.  I will be able to try again in a couple weeks for a tourney.  I'll keep you posted.

[WRB]

Thanks J.

Tom, sounds good.  I have mainly larger spoons used for lahontan cutthroats in Pyramid Lake NV.  I need to get some 1/2 oz.  I will be able to try again in a couple weeks for a tourney.  I'll keep you posted.

A latter fisherman!

[mram10us]

What's a "latter fisherman"?

[WRB]

What's a "latter fisherman"?

At Pyrmid lake the cutthroat anglers often put tall step letters in the lake to use as platforms to catch the trout, just thought you were one of those anglers.

Tom

[mram10us]

Oh!   Ladders.  Haven't tried one yet.  Mostly fly fishermen, but some spooners do it too.  We just go where there is 20' or less of shallow witha  steep drop past that.

[Fish'N Impossible]

Blade baits would be my move, like a 1/2oz Damiki Vault. Tie it off in the back hole to limit the flutter (makes it a real tight wobble), and jig it around. Could even slow roll the bait through the schools you think your seeing. Of course there is drop shotting but i would go against the norm and use a "big" profile plastic. The key to cold water is they want to eat the most with the least effort, so give them a big slow meal. example is drop a Venom 5" flipping tube, or a Damiki Hydra. thats just my input, I'm still staring at 9" of Ice...lol

[WRB]

Oh!   Ladders.  Haven't tried one yet.  Mostly fly fishermen, but some spooners do it too.  We just go where there is 20' or less of shallow witha  steep drop past that.

Ladder....what's going on with my spelling!

[tbone1993]

A-rig

[mram10us]

FNI,

Thanks.  I read to use smaller than normal baits in cold.  Is that true?  If not, I will use some 10" worms!!! 

 

As for A-rigs, we can't use them in tourney, so I am avoiding them.  I might try them just to see if those big fish under the boat are LMB, since nothing else is working.

[Deleted account]

At Pyrmid lake the cutthroat anglers often put tall step letters in the lake to use as platforms to catch the trout, just thought you were one of those anglers.

Tom

 

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[WRB]

L

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No, that's a extension letter, not a step letter....dummy. oh, I am the dummy who can't spell ladder!

Tom

[J Francho]

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LOL

[Deleted account]

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[Catt]

Rink-A-Dink!

Google it!

[Fish'N Impossible]

FNI,

Thanks.  I read to use smaller than normal baits in cold.  Is that true?  If not, I will use some 10" worms!!! 

 

As for A-rigs, we can't use them in tourney, so I am avoiding them.  I might try them just to see if those big fish under the boat are LMB, since nothing else is working.

 

I would think of bulk not length. it is typical to go to smaller baits, as fisherman tend to consider this situaltion as tough, or the fish are lockjawed which says goto smaller finesse style baits. But the fish are not lockjawed hey are just latergic and conserving energy which is diffrent from pressured or under the effects of a front (lock jawed). So me personally would do the 5" flipp"n tube fairly small but a lot of bulk.

[Bankbeater]

I would drop a jig and chunk right in the center of them and let it fall through the school.  If you got no bites, I would stop the bait when I thought it was at the same level and bounce it a little.

[McAlpine]

Ok, as long as you promise not to tell anyone.

 

Rapala ice fishing jig.  Black back, silver belly.

 

Your welcome.