Cold Front Fishing

[Largies4Life]

I have had some of my best fishing occur on cold front days during the summer. Specifically, a couple years back when I was up in Northern MN and it was 70-80's all week and then a big cold front came through. It was our last day out on the water and I'll never forget it. Everything was biting that day. Got my PB smallmouth and my second biggest Largemouth to this day. Even caught a 27" Northern on a wacky-rigged senko! It was a magical day. My question to you all is, there is a big cold front coming this weekend and was curious to see if you all would expect something similar to happen? The only thing was, that cold front happened in August, and this one is in May. Will the bass most likely be much less aggressive since it is so early in the season? Only one way to find out and that's wait until Saturday, but wanted to get everyone's input on this. Thank you!

[Paul Roberts]

Reduced lighting is a big plus, almost anytime. Dropping temps early season can reduce activity. But, it takes a heck of a front to knock water temps down much. It may not be quite like in August, when good dark fronts can really get things going. But, reduced lighting can be awful good anytime. Fish man, fish!

[Largies4Life]

27 minutes ago, Paul Roberts said:

Reduced lighting is a big plus, almost anytime. Dropping temps early season can reduce activity. But, it takes a heck of a front to knock water temps down much. It may not be quite like in August, when good dark fronts can really get things going. But, reduced lighting can be awful good anytime. Fish man, fish!

Oh the weather isn't going to stop me! I was just hoping to get my hopes up to be prepared for a big couple days this weekend. Either way, I'll find em some way some how!!

[TnRiver46]

Only one way to find out ....... 

 

ive never experienced a cold front in the summer 

[papajoe222]

I've found that fish are most active as a front approaches. Once the bluebird skies appear and often for a couple of days after, the bite becomes tough. Calm days and bluebird skies really gets the fish holding tight to cover, or seeking some deep sanctuary.

[Largies4Life]

9 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

I've found that fish are most active as a front approaches. Once the bluebird skies appear and often for a couple of days after, the bite becomes tough. Calm days and bluebird skies really gets the fish holding tight to cover, or seeking some deep sanctuary.

I'll be fishing during the front, so I won't have to worry about those bluebird skies. I'll be up in the Rhinelander area where it's dropping from mid 60's and sunny down to the mid 40's and rain this weekend. I completely agree with you about the bluebird skies, it can make fishing very difficult during those days. As a fellow Wisconsinite, I'm sure you've experienced these conditions MANY of times before!

[scaleface]

I've had great days and bad days .I cant figure  those bass out .  

[Largies4Life]

39 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I've had great days and bad days .I cant figure  those bass out .  

I have a feeling that you're not the only one....  

[Largies4Life]

Here's my update after the weekend. The weathermen were right, it was 40 degrees and rain pretty much all weekend long and quite windy. Saturday morning I got out and stuck a few on a finesse jig, then switched over to a 6th Sense Quake 70 and absolutely took it to the fish. Caught around 20 bass with the biggest around 15". Nothing huge, but I was catching fish so I couldn't complain. The story gets a bit interesting as my morning was coming to a close...Had a small Northern cut my line on my last Quake 70 in a perch color, so I dug around in my tackle box and found a Red Eye Shad in a perch color. Made about 5 casts until I got stuck on a log, or so I thought...I was jerking my rod trying to get it unstuck until I noticed my line starting to move against the wind...I reel down and set the hook and all of a sudden my line just starts screaming out of my reel and the fish made a straight shot out deep, and up it comes out of the water....a giant Musky. I have caught my fair share of Muskies in my lifetime and I can confidently say it was at least 45" no doubt. Jumped completely out of the water and shook his head multiple times and spit the Red Eye Shad back at me. Unfortunate I couldn't land it, but that experience is something I will never forget. Sunday, we couldn't get a bite to save our lives. Same weather, 40 and rain and wind all day. I think Sunday they were way more lethargic since it was the second day of that crappy weather. My belief is that the first day of those cold fronts can be extremely good fishing as long as you can figure out what they want.