Cold Water Bass

[Troy85]

So, the winter in SE Louisiana has been unusually cold and is bringing water temps lower than I have personally ever experienced.  2 weeks ago after our last freeze surface water temps were 40 when I was salt water fishing. 

For the next 2 days, the temps where I go bass fishing the air temps will be in the mid 20s and highs in the 30's, finally by this weekend the air temps will get into the mid 60s.  I plan on going fishing Saturday, which brings me to my question.  What should I expect from bass?  I'm expecting surface water temps to probably be around 40ish.  Any tips/lure recommendings to helpget some bass in the boat would be greatly appreciated.

[Hawkeye21]

With the drastic swing it temps I'm not sure how good the fishing will be.  If the water temps are still low then you need to slow down your presentation on pretty much everything you do.  Jerk baits are usually very successful when temps are low.  

[Sam]

Large wobble crankbaits.

 

Carolina Rig.

 

Check out the Fishing Articles link above for winter bass fishing.

 

If I was in southeast Louisiana I would stay inside, have some seafood gumbo, get ready for Mardi Gras, check out the crawfish, hit some of the local restaurants, get some roast beef poboys "loaded" at Rocky and Carla's (Ladies Welcome) and Serio's and wash it down with a Barq's (Its Good).

 

Just some suggestions to consider.

 

Let us know if you catch anything and what you had for lunch and are planning for dinner.

 

 

[Troy85]

LOL Sam.  By Saturday when I plan to fish, the temps will be in the 60's, so it won't be to bad.

[senile1]

These comments are based on the assumption from your post that you have had stable cold weather for the last couple of weeks.  If you are going to have a few days of higher temperatures I would expect more bass activity by the second to third day of those temps even though that activity may not be significant enough to notice much difference.  A few days of stable warmer temperatures can make a big difference.

 

For water temperatures in the low 40s to the 30s, and for Northern Largemouth I typically use the following with the first three being used 90 percent of the time:

• Jig and subtle trailer in holding areas near the deepest water
• Jerkbait when they are not hunkered on the bottom around the same areas, as well as shallower areas near deep water
• Spoons
• Flat-sided crankbaits when they are active in shallower water (less than 10 feet)

 

Others may use different, or additional baits like bladebaits, A-rigs, swimbaits, etc. but I just listed what I have the most confidence in.

[Oregon Native]

For me deeper fish are more stable fish this time of year....but not sure of your depths down there.  I also tend to fish a bit slower...there's always some active fish it seems but the bulk of em for me are deep and slow and tight to cover.

(just sayin)

[FishDewd]

I'm not far from Louisiana... I too was going to try to go fishing this weekend, I am thinking sunday since that will give the waters a day or two to warm up steadily. Not that I'm a master bass fisherman, but I was going to rig one pole with soft baits like senkos and creatures... weightless or rigged I'm not sure yet. I think a zoom shad may be the ticket if I can emulate it dying. Figure I'll start weightless and go from there. Another pole I will set up with cranks, spoons, or my chatterbait. Alternate between the two doing slow finessing and see what happens. Plus I will have my smaller rod set up with a float and let it drift along looking for hungry catfish while I work the others.

[Angry John]

Swing.head with craw, jerk bait, 68 hud blade bait.  Best of luck I may be doing the same and bring a crappie rod as the are a little more active in the cold

[Troy85]

Thanks for the tips.  I'll start off rigged with a small Jig, jerkbait, T-rig and crank bait and go from there.  I don't  have any spoons, do those work well tight lined or are they better for jigging in deep water?