Creek fishing winter

[xxmurrxx]

There is a creek near my place, ice just melted around here.

Question is do bass stay shallow in creeks during winter? It's probably 5ft

deep max.

Also if there is a good possibility of bass being there what presentation would you recommend?

Thanks

[John J.]

Bass normally go deeper in the winter, but if there's only shallow water they will be EXTREMELY lethargic (meaning they won't bite or move much). Right now I think the best bet would be to wait until spring/summer before fishing your creek. But you can fish slowly using jigs, worms or other small lures.

My pond is 6' at max, but fish survive. For me personally I stay at home, but I have caught bass off of a 1/4 ounce or 1/8 ounce jig. The key for winter is small lures and slow presentations!

Good luck!  8-)

[Crestliner2008]

Try fishing with an UL set-up (4 lb. test max.), a slip bobber and a handful of 1/32 oz. marabou crappie jigs in gray or black/white. Cast up stream and let your bobber drift down. No need to impart any kind of action. The marabou has enough of it's own, especially in a current. Adjust the bobber length to jig accoring to the depth; but you want it to suspend just above the bottom ideally. This will tell what, if any fish are there and whether or not they can be taken.

[Sam]

Is the creek flowing or stationary?

As John J. said, smaller baits presented very s-l-o-w.

Like throw your jig and let it sit for 45 to 60 seconds.  Yes, just let it sit there.  

Then, move it about 6 inches by moving the rod tip abour an inch.  And let it sit again.

You can then decide how to move the bait back to you, either fast or slow and how long to let it sit.

And how does the water get into the creek?  Far away from where you are located or close by?  And where does the creek empty out?  Far away or close to you?

With cold water the bass are in a hibernation state but they do move and eat. Not as fast or as much as in warmer water, but they do have to survive during the winter months.

So be patient and try your luck with a jig or a Carolina rigged plastic or a pointer.

Experiment.