Winter Fishing Help Needed - How Would You Handle This Area? (PICS)

[Troutfisher]

Alright, so I know that this area holds bass, because I caught some earlier this year.  My question is, how would you fish an area like this in the cold?  Average depth is 5-8 feet, and there is a lot of cover below the dam.  The air temperature for this time of year has been cold (big surprise, winter and all   ) and the water temperature has been as well.  Is it just a waste of time fishing an area like this for bass, or does it have winter time potential?

Thanks for your help in advance,

Aaron

"Troutfisher"

[Waterwolves]

I have heard that a lot of peoples opinion of the hardest water to fish is cold muddy water and that is what you have there. Not saying you can't catch bass there but there might be better places to try.

[Jimzee]

If that is the stream I think it is Troutfisher, you need to be throwing muskie plugs.  That will get your heart rate going when a 40"+ grabs your bait.

[Troutfisher]

Err, don't think it is Jimzee.  It's the outflow of old Lake Washington in Hurricane.  Are you thinking of the Elk?

[Catt]

Oldham's Lures Trailer Hitch Jig, 3/8 oz Black/Blue, Gene Larew Salty Hawg Craws in 6 with the tail cut off and Texas Rigged Gene Larew Salty Hawg Craw Black Neon.

I would get away from the flowing water and flip-n-pitch all available cover  

[Triton9]

cold, muddy water is tough, especially this time of year. if i were you i would try somewhere else, somewhere with some BIG bass potential, or just somewhere else that doesnt have cold, muddy water.but, if you absolutely HAD or REALLY, really wanted to fish this area i would throw fairly large(but not too large, since this is a creek) suspending jerkbaits in fairly bright colors. or maybe SLOWWWWW rolling a big colorado bladed spinnerbait. ;)you could also try a jig with a large profile fished very slow, and makee sure that jig hass rattles.

[Guest avid]

When I see water like that it takes me right back to the Catskill mountains in NY.

I used to do very well on the smallmouth with ball jigs with curly tail trailers,  big in line spinners, and prop topwaters like the heddon torpedo.

Have fun dude.  It's way too hot down here.  

[dale]

I would fish the back flow areas close to the dam. I have had luck doing that here in PA. toss your bait into the flow and allow it to return into the side back flow area.

Dale

[Tin]

As Catt said flip that cover with a jig or slow roll a big heavy white or chartruese spinnerbait with a big colorado blade around the cover.

[Troutfisher]

Thanks for the help guys.  I appreciate it.

Avid, I despise you and your year round hot weather  >

;D

[5bass]

I'd fish the whole thing from the dam down with a chartreuse colored LC Pointer 100. If that didnt work, I'd start over with a chartreuse spinnerbait with a huge Colorado blade. Then if that didnt work, I'd try a crankbait, probably firetiger DT6.

[maxke01]

That almost looks like my fishing spot that is open year round only the water is almost crystal clear. Ive had no success at all so far this year although i did catch a 19 inch pickerel on live bait about 2 weeks ago

[Crestliner2008]

You're definitely up against a challenge with water like that! To start off with, you have to know where the fish are. I mean, REALLY know. That's your biggest hurtle this time of the year in most areas. Some of the suggestions made here, as far as presentations go, will do just fine. Since the water is shallow, the ball head jig with a 3" or 4" curly tail will find fish as quickly as any presentation. Then you can focus closer and pick the area apart with a jig & pig or drop shot (with a very short lead, hook to sinker). A slow rolled spinnerbait would be a good searching tool as well.

[bassman417]

Muddy water is my style. I cant fish clear water. I mainly fish the mighty Miss. and my experience says the complete opposite of what everyones said. What I would do is throw a carolina rig about 12 to 16 in. leader, 3/8 oz or so bullet weight, and a dark colored 5'' Senko style worm. Junebug, or melon pepper or just plain old black. Start at the dam and just work the whole thing. I make casts from bank to opposite bank in the slough I fish and it works fine. Its about a 25 yd cast or so and should take no less than 5 mins to DRAG the bait along the bottom. Im heading out Sunday to fish exactly as I just recommended. Watch your line, most of the bites I get the fish just pick it up and move very little. Pretty much if you think your going slow enough, slow down more. And if you think a fish may have picked up your bait or you might have hit a rock, set the hook. Im no pro but I like to think I know what Im talkin about. Good luck.

[Troutfisher]

Thanks for the help!

[Dan:]

I would try the slow rolled spinnerbait as suggested and then go to a small jig moved very slowly and then a shakey head twitched very slowly if all else fails.

[Topwater_Popper]

Big colorado-blade spinnerbaits.  I fish a cold, shallow, muddy pond during the winter, and spinnerbaits are the most productive.