Can’t decide where to go

[Mr. Aquarium]

To many options to fish. It’s winter snow on the ground. Some ponds are still wide open.  The weather here fluctuates so much. 60 few days ago, 20s today then back to 50s. 
 So this weekend 3 days of warmer weather. Saturday pouring rain near 60, Sunday sunny windy 50!  But we just had snow and it’s freezing today. 
 

So here’s what I’m thinking. There’s ponds I’ve never fished before, no idea what could happen. I know there’s bass but that’s it. So I like the draw of the unknown. Can’t find anything on the internet about it like depth, structure. 

I have another pond, I’ve never fished it in the cold, but many times in the spring and summer. HUGE BASS.  But I have no idea how the winter bite is here. But I know the structure.  It’s an old flooded apple orchard with a creek channel that runs the whole pond littered with stumps! 
 

or just fish ponds I’ve caught fish in the cold? 
 

most of those ponds are smaller like less than 50 acres 

[Oregon Native]

Sounds awesome.....go go go.....even if your launching you've got all day I assume.  Catching and exploring....two good things.

[GreenPig]

I'd always go with the HUGE BASS pond. I like a chance at bigger fish as opposed to numbers of dinks. Goodluck. 

[soflabasser]

Go somewhere new where you can catch a new species of fish or go somewhere where you have a good chance of catching a new PB bass.

[Bird]

Sounds like your itching to get on the water.....go. 

I hate wind but don't mind light rain or cold as big fish can be had in winter, just not many.

You bank fishing or launching  ?

[Mr. Aquarium]

57 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

Go somewhere new where you can catch a new species of fish or go somewhere where you have a good chance of catching a new PB bass.

The place I’ve been to many times with stumps had PBs in it. My buddy got an 8.12 Massachusetts fish from here last spring. I’ve had my heart broken MANY times here. It’s a pain to get to. But the rewards are HUGE

8 minutes ago, Bird said:

Sounds like your itching to get on the water.....go. 

I hate wind but don't mind light rain or cold as big fish can be had in winter, just not many.

You bank fishing or launching  ?

Trying to get in as many days I can this winter.  I never know when the ice will set in, if it will even set in. Some winters ice from December to March. Others no ice at all. 
 

I got out for some saltwater fishing last weekend. My arms hurt.  We smoked them. 20 miles out 30 degrees, 5 foot waves 200 feet of water. Reeling in 2 20lb fish at the same time is a work out! 

[soflabasser]

3 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

The place I’ve been to many times with stumps had PBs in it. My buddy got an 8.12 Massachusetts fish from here last spring. I’ve had my heart broken MANY times here. It’s a pain to get to. But the rewards are HUGE

That sounds like the place you should be fishing if you want a new PB bass. Use time proven big bass techniques, fish during high percentage times, have patience, and you will have a very good chance at catching a new PB. Make sure your line is in good condition and replace it when needed. Use sharp, strong hooks. Bring a landing net to net the bass since big bass are experts at shaking the hook off when you are about to lip them.

[Mr. Aquarium]

4 hours ago, soflabasser said:

That sounds like the place you should be fishing if you want a new PB bass. Use time proven big bass techniques, fish during high percentage times, have patience, and you will have a very good chance at catching a new PB. Make sure your line is in good condition and replace it when needed. Use sharp, strong hooks. Bring a landing net to net the bass since big bass are experts at shaking the hook off when you are about to lip them.

I’m going to hit a few ponds this weekend. Problem is I really suck at fishing shallow ponds in the winter.  Still trying to figure it out.  The place with giants is shallow. But I know if I get bit it very well could be a PB

[WRB]

Bass are cold blooded fish that prefer warm water. During the cold period the bass seek out the warmest water avialble to them and is usually near the bottom in deep water.

The other option they have is to move shallow in the late afternoon if the sun has warmed the surface water and that depends on how cold the air temps are.

What folks forget is the reason deeper water can be warmer then surface water. The reason is the ground stays a constant 50 to 60 degrees about 3 feet or more below the surface and this heats the deep water faster then the sun if the air temps are extremely cold. Any spring water is also the ground temps at 50 to 60 degrees.

Deep small lakes should have more catchable bass then shallow small lakes becuase of more deep water.

Tom

[Mr. Aquarium]

32 minutes ago, WRB said:

Bass are cold blooded fish that prefer warm water. During the cold period the bass seek out the warmest water avialble to them and is usually near the bottom in deep water.

The other option they have is to move shallow in the late afternoon if the sun has warmed the surface water and that depends on how cold the air temps are.

What folks forget is the reason deeper water can be warmer then surface water. The reason is the ground stays a constant 50 to 60 degrees about 3 feet or more below the surface and this heats the deep water faster then the sun if the air temps are extremely cold. Any spring water is also the ground temps at 50 to 60 degrees.

Deep small lakes should have more catchable bass then shallow small lakes becuase of more deep water.

Tom

Makes total sense. I have a 20 acre pond 25 feet deep I do well in the cold. Nothing big tho.   The place that has the big fish is 15 feet deep in the creek channel. This also has an inlet with the rain it could bring warmer water in. 

[Sam]

Mr. Aquarium, I have posted this in the past but want to share it with you so you can understand why the bass are not going bonkers.  I learned this at a seminar many years ago from a pro by the name of Ken Cook. Here is an article on Ken. He was a great guy and I was very honored to have had the opportunity to hear him speak.

 

https://www.bassmaster.com/news/ken-cook-dead-68    

 

Ken was a fisheries biologist and he gave us information on the life of the bass and he made it very clear to "know your enemy" in order to win the battles.

 

Ken made these observations on the "Speed of Metabolism" for largemouth bass based on water temperature.

 

Water Temperature and time to digest a Minnow

40*   8 Days

60*   2 and a Half Days

70*   24 Hours

80*   18 hours

80* +  18 Hours

 

73* to 75* is the optimal temperature for bass to feed for the most efficient metabolism.

 

This is why water temperature is so critical in our fishing plans.

 

Once the water temperature hits 60* it ready to rock and roll.

 

So you are doing nothing wrong. The bass in the ponds may have just eaten and they are in no hurry to feed again.

Just remember, the bass is a predator and they will eat anything that presents itself as they look for an easy meal.

 

This is why we fish slow in cold water.

 

So forget the air temperature. Focus on the water temperature. Get a swimming pool thermometer and tie a string to it so you can throw it into the water to see the actual temperature so you will have better knowledge of what is going on with  your little green friends.

 

Be careful out there and let us know how you do.

 

Merry Christmas!