3 full days, freezing temps, new lake, think I can find a pattern?

[PressuredFishing]

I have fished this lake a few times, primarily for panfish and trout. I have been studying the topography around the lake and trying to figure out the best spots and plans for bass fish. It is going to be in december in the dead of winter and my plans where to fish the deeper parts of the lake near the dam and around it, just based on theory. what would you guys do?  I have heard rumors of bass sitting in shallow riprap 5-10 feet of water year round, is this true? should I try long riprap banks that are shallow in the dead of winter? or just stick to the deeper water? its going to be hard to buy a bite here but, with 3 full days, a balacalva, and gloves, I think I may be able to squeak out a small pattern. what do you guys think?

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Around here the fish generally don't fully transition to a winter pattern until late Dec and even then you can catch them.  They usually hold in or around structure closest to the shallow water where they move in to feed.  Bridges, rocks, pilings/docks are a great place to start. 

If I need to cover water to find active fish I'll throw a little Easy Shiner on a light head or a hair jig.  If I pick up a few fish in a certain area, I'll put some time into it and try to pick it apart with a few different baits. 

If I can find an area that holds fish that just wont bite, I go to a float and fly.  It just seems to produce fish when nothing else gets bit.    

[ATA]

6 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

I have fished this lake a few times, primarily for panfish and trout. I have been studying the topography around the lake and trying to figure out the best spots and plans for bass fish. It is going to be in december in the dead of winter and my plans where to fish the deeper parts of the lake near the d**n and around it, just based on theory. what would you guys do?  I have heard rumors of bass sitting in shallow riprap 5-10 feet of water year round, is this true? should I try long riprap banks that are shallow in the dead of winter? or just stick to the deeper water? its going to be hard to buy a bite here but, with 3 full days, a balacalva, and gloves, I think I may be able to squeak out a small pattern. what do you guys think?

which lake you are going to? Big Bear?

[Big Hands]

18 minutes ago, ATA said:

which lake you are going to? Big Bear?

I was thinking that could possibly be the case and it could be, but there's not a lot of rip rap in BB that I know of (some, but not much) and though the dam has deep water, I don't know of any rip rap near there and the dam isn't that type. The other one I considered more than others would be Isabella. There are not a lot of other lakes in the area that would be somewhere you would stay for three days. But rather than speculate, I am going to see if he chooses to be more specific so those that are actually familiar with that actual body of water can chime in. 

===============================

I will tell you to be prepared for things you wouldn't expect along with things you do expect. I see you're from the same locality as I am, and I have fished many, if not most of the lakes here in SoCal at various times of the year. I caught my PB on a crankbait the week before Christmas. There's rules, and there's rule breakers. If I am going somewhere to fish for three days, I want to have at least a few things with me that might not be the first thing I think of when bass fishing in December.

[ATA]

I know most of the spots there, Let me know when you going and ill bring you right on spot I share always  , But it is not cold really. and anytime I am there I always pray for little wind to get rid of mosquitos.

If you are bank fisherman ill join you(or you can join me), but if you are boat owner I cant really give you any spots.

BTW Bigbear water level is very low right now.

[Hammer 4]

Just a fwiw, I use to fish Lake Piru when the docks had a good 1/2 inch of ice on them, and caught my fair share of bass, so yeah, it was Cold.

[Boomstick]

11 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Around here the fish generally don't fully transition to a winter pattern until late Dec and even then you can catch them.

My experiences a little bit north is similar. The fish seem to still be in fall mode as late as late November. Spots along the shore spots that generally produce well in the fall and spring are usually still quite active.

16 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

I have heard rumors of bass sitting in shallow riprap 5-10 feet of water year round, is this true?

I wouldn't bet against it. Maybe in the midst of winter, many of them will move out of the area.

 

On a similar note, there's a culvert near one of my fishing spots that tends to hold some big bass in it. You would think the best time to fish along it is the summer, but because that half of the water is all shallow, it's probably some of the hottest water in the lake. Spring has produced well, and September to the end of November seems to be the best months to target it.  Likewise, during the same months I do well fishing on a point on another lake that has a pretty decent drop off alongside it that makes a solid ambush point.

[WRB]

Without knowing the lake or lake elevation very difficult to help you. 

Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead In  December could iced over or ice around the shoreline. Too many lakes to guess and each very different in the winter. Having fished nearly every bass  lake in California do have some experience.

December every SoCal lake has turned over and settled water temps down. This means bass tend to go where the prey is.

PM if you don’t want to post the lake name.

Tom 

 

[T-Billy]

TRD Bug on rock/rip rap has become my #1 cold water producer. 6# XT and either a 1/8 or 1/16 football head. I find 'em shallow often until the water hits 38 degrees. If it's calm and sunny they might be REAL shallow. Time to go hunting below 38 for me. Never had a good day below that, but I've had a few awesome days at 38. Something about that number in my area, at least for me.

If they won't eat the bug off the bottom, I'll look for suspended fish in the same areas with a jerkbait or small swimbait. Seems like, if they're not holding tight to the bottom, they only want to feed upward.

[PressuredFishing]

19 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Around here the fish generally don't fully transition to a winter pattern until late Dec and even then you can catch them.  They usually hold in or around structure closest to the shallow water where they move in to feed.  Bridges, rocks, pilings/docks are a great place to start. 

If I need to cover water to find active fish I'll throw a little Easy Shiner on a light head or a hair jig.  If I pick up a few fish in a certain area, I'll put some time into it and try to pick it apart with a few different baits. 

If I can find an area that holds fish that just wont bite, I go to a float and fly.  It just seems to produce fish when nothing else gets bit.    

Interesting, I will have to give shallow hard structure a try because there is alot of shallow riprap banks! I think hopping a dropshot around it or even trying a float and fly could be very effective, thankyou for the ideas! I will try small swimbaits as well

17 hours ago, Big Hands said:

I was thinking that could possibly be the case and it could be, but there's not a lot of rip rap in BB that I know of (some, but not much) and though the dam has deep water, I don't know of any rip rap near there and the dam isn't that type. The other one I considered more than others would be Isabella. There are not a lot of other lakes in the area that would be somewhere you would stay for three days. But rather than speculate, I am going to see if he chooses to be more specific so those that are actually familiar with that actual body of water can chime in. 

===============================

I will tell you to be prepared for things you wouldn't expect along with things you do expect. I see you're from the same locality as I am, and I have fished many, if not most of the lakes here in SoCal at various times of the year. I caught my PB on a crankbait the week before Christmas. There's rules, and there's rule breakers. If I am going somewhere to fish for three days, I want to have at least a few things with me that might not be the first thing I think of when bass fishing in December.

It is very similar to big bear, just more rip-rapy banks.

[PressuredFishing]

16 hours ago, ATA said:

I know most of the spots there, Let me know when you going and ill bring you right on spot I share always  , But it is not cold really. and anytime I am there I always pray for little wind to get rid of mosquitos.

If you are bank fisherman ill join you(or you can join me), but if you are boat owner I cant really give you any spots.

BTW Bigbear water level is very low right now.

man that sounds really fun to have a partner, Its in december and I will have to see if plans go ary. Bigbear is every low at the moment I have noticed, such a bummer but its one of those things because of our drought

7 hours ago, Boomstick said:

My experiences a little bit north is similar. The fish seem to still be in fall mode as late as late November. Spots along the shore spots that generally produce well in the fall and spring are usually still quite active.

I wouldn't bet against it. Maybe in the midst of winter, many of them will move out of the area.

 

On a similar note, there's a culvert near one of my fishing spots that tends to hold some big bass in it. You would think the best time to fish along it is the summer, but because that half of the water is all shallow, it's probably some of the hottest water in the lake. Spring has produced well, and September to the end of November seems to be the best months to target it.  Likewise, during the same months I do well fishing on a point on another lake that has a pretty decent drop off alongside it that makes a solid ambush point.

Very Very interesting, Thats very similar to my situation, thanks for your time!

41 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

TRD Bug on rock/rip rap has become my #1 cold water producer. 6# XT and either a 1/8 or 1/16 football head. I find 'em shallow often until the water hits 38 degrees. If it's calm and sunny they might be REAL shallow. Time to go hunting below 38 for me. Never had a good day below that, but I've had a few awesome days at 38. Something about that number in my area, at least for me.

If they won't eat the bug off the bottom, I'll look for suspended fish in the same areas with a jerkbait or small swimbait. Seems like, if they're not holding tight to the bottom, they only want to feed upward.

VERY interesting, I will have to not turn a blind eye to the riprap. I will try these techniques, its just one of those wierd lakes that goes against the rules.

[ATA]

6 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

man that sounds really fun to have a partner, Its in december and I will have to see if plans go ary. Bigbear is every low at the moment I have noticed, such a bummer but its one of those things because of our drought

yup, Thats sad, Anyways I am always fishing so in future if you up for fishing just let me know.

[T-Billy]

21 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

VERY interesting, I will have to not turn a blind eye to the riprap. I will try these techniques, its just one of those wierd lakes that goes against the rules.

I should add, the 6# is REALLY important with the bug. Going up to 8# gets me way less bites. I think it kills the action of that little bait. It's just a tiny little beaver, so it's all about the glide on the fall, and it's so soft and bouyant, those little flappers stand up and wave when its at rest. Another big plus is it's so light and soft, they will hold it a long time. I rarely feel a bite, they're just there when I go to move it again.

[PressuredFishing]

1 hour ago, T-Billy said:

I should add, the 6# is REALLY important with the bug. Going up to 8# gets me way less bites. I think it kills the action of that little bait. It's just a tiny little beaver, so it's all about the glide on the fall, and it's so soft and bouyant, those little flappers stand up and wave when its at rest. Another big plus is it's so light and soft, they will hold it a long time. I rarely feel a bite, they're just there when I go to move it again.

Very interesting, I will try this, thankyou for extra details!

[Boomstick]

5 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

VERY interesting, I will have to not turn a blind eye to the riprap. I will try these techniques, its just one of those wierd lakes that goes against the rules.

I should have als mentioned, try a jerkbait along the rip rap. That can often be quite effective.

[Mr. Aquarium]

Fish will stack up on certain spots in winter.  Try to find spring holes and living weeds. Springs will be the warmest water. Ground water is naturally about 50 degrees. While it doesn’t have oxygen it will warm up the surrounding water.  If you’re getting green weeds you’re in the right areas.  Fish blades,  jigs, ned rigs. I really love blades and hair jigs for winter deep water fishing.