Winter lure size?

[SeanW]

How you approach winter fishing is different depending on the region. The OP is in Georgia. I am in Northern Missouri. Winter fishing for me involves fishing in lakes with coves frozen over and water temperatures as low as 33 - 35 degrees. The warmer water at the bottom of the water column is about 39 degrees. In the dead of Winter the vast majority of the time I have to locate the fish and drop the bait in close proximity to the fish or I won't get a bite. There are days that are unseasonably warm where I may be able to do something different but generally this is the way it is. Lure size can vary. Sometimes large baits work but many times smaller baits are better. In the southern tier of states the water temperatures will be warmer and this should open up the playbook a little more, so to speak.

    This is true to a point. However a bass is still a bass no matter where you live.. Here in California our water may get down to the mid 40's. Depending on the species(spots, LM, SM) has more to do with catching then anything other. Spots are much more aggressive and you can catch them a variety of ways. LM on the other hand are a different story, but they can still be caught. The colder water slows the metabolism, but they still need to eat, and an easy meal is usually what they will take in the winter.

   Dead sticking bigger baits can be deadly at this time. There are always fish around or in grass. Dieing and decaying vegetation creates warmth and often a food source. Its a great place to fish a big jig and trailer combo.

Then again Ive caught plenty on steep rocky banks on a one ton jig fished fast in a lift drop manner.

  That said I find that I usually have several rods rigged with smaller finesse stuff, and 2 rods with bigger offerings. My biggest winter fish have all come on swimbaits. Then again Ive caught fish over 8lbs on a 4.5in drop shot worm as well.

[SeanW]

How you approach winter fishing is different depending on the region. The OP is in Georgia. I am in Northern Missouri. Winter fishing for me involves fishing in lakes with coves frozen over and water temperatures as low as 33 - 35 degrees. The warmer water at the bottom of the water column is about 39 degrees. In the dead of Winter the vast majority of the time I have to locate the fish and drop the bait in close proximity to the fish or I won't get a bite. There are days that are unseasonably warm where I may be able to do something different but generally this is the way it is. Lure size can vary. Sometimes large baits work but many times smaller baits are better. In the southern tier of states the water temperatures will be warmer and this should open up the playbook a little more, so to speak.

    This is true to a point. However a bass is still a bass no matter where you live.. Here in California our water may get down to the mid 40's. Depending on the species(spots, LM, SM) has more to do with catching then anything other. Spots are much more aggressive and you can catch them a variety of ways. LM on the other hand are a different story, but they can still be caught. The colder water slows the metabolism, but they still need to eat, and an easy meal is usually what they will take in the winter.

   Dead sticking bigger baits can be deadly at this time. There are always fish around or in grass. Dieing and decaying vegetation creates warmth and often a food source. Its a great place to fish a big jig and trailer combo.

Then again Ive caught plenty on steep rocky banks on a one ton jig fished fast in a lift drop manner.

  That said I find that I usually have several rods rigged with smaller finesse stuff, and 2 rods with bigger offerings. My biggest winter fish have all come on swimbaits. Then again Ive caught fish over 8lbs on a 4.5in drop shot worm as well.

[Catt]

Lure size in winter varies just like any other time of the year; it can change hour to hour.

Personally I prefer bigger lure sizes year round

[Catt]

Lure size in winter varies just like any other time of the year; it can change hour to hour.

Personally I prefer bigger lure sizes year round

[Catt]

Lure size in winter varies just like any other time of the year; it can change hour to hour.

Personally I prefer bigger lure sizes year round

[farmpond1]

Well, since winter here means mostly ice fishing, and since I've never caught a bass on any bait larger than a small swedish pimple, I have to go with small.

[farmpond1]

Well, since winter here means mostly ice fishing, and since I've never caught a bass on any bait larger than a small swedish pimple, I have to go with small.

[farmpond1]

Well, since winter here means mostly ice fishing, and since I've never caught a bass on any bait larger than a small swedish pimple, I have to go with small.

[Raul]

Well, it depends greatly where you are from, northeners not only have to deal with very cold water but also even with ice and have to drill a hole in order just to drop a lure. For me it 's pretty simple, I fish with the lures I always fish, I may change speed or presentation buts as far as the lure size you never know for shure until you try, heck there are days during the warm months when I have to fish with itsy bitsy teeny tiny sized baits when they are supposed to be active and supposedly you do ( or should ) fish with bigger baits.

[Raul]

Well, it depends greatly where you are from, northeners not only have to deal with very cold water but also even with ice and have to drill a hole in order just to drop a lure. For me it 's pretty simple, I fish with the lures I always fish, I may change speed or presentation buts as far as the lure size you never know for shure until you try, heck there are days during the warm months when I have to fish with itsy bitsy teeny tiny sized baits when they are supposed to be active and supposedly you do ( or should ) fish with bigger baits.

[Raul]

Well, it depends greatly where you are from, northeners not only have to deal with very cold water but also even with ice and have to drill a hole in order just to drop a lure. For me it 's pretty simple, I fish with the lures I always fish, I may change speed or presentation buts as far as the lure size you never know for shure until you try, heck there are days during the warm months when I have to fish with itsy bitsy teeny tiny sized baits when they are supposed to be active and supposedly you do ( or should ) fish with bigger baits.

[NateFollmer]

I go big and slow. Not only big, but I like baits with a lot of arms and stuff hanging off that will move without much movement of the lure. Gotta let the bait soak to be successful though.

[NateFollmer]

I go big and slow. Not only big, but I like baits with a lot of arms and stuff hanging off that will move without much movement of the lure. Gotta let the bait soak to be successful though.

[NateFollmer]

I go big and slow. Not only big, but I like baits with a lot of arms and stuff hanging off that will move without much movement of the lure. Gotta let the bait soak to be successful though.

[senile1]

How you approach winter fishing is different depending on the region. The OP is in Georgia. I am in Northern Missouri. Winter fishing for me involves fishing in lakes with coves frozen over and water temperatures as low as 33 - 35 degrees. The warmer water at the bottom of the water column is about 39 degrees. In the dead of Winter the vast majority of the time I have to locate the fish and drop the bait in close proximity to the fish or I won't get a bite. There are days that are unseasonably warm where I may be able to do something different but generally this is the way it is. Lure size can vary. Sometimes large baits work but many times smaller baits are better. In the southern tier of states the water temperatures will be warmer and this should open up the playbook a little more, so to speak.

This is true to a point. However a bass is still a bass no matter where you live.. Here in California our water may get down to the mid 40's. Depending on the species(spots, LM, SM) has more to do with catching then anything other. Spots are much more aggressive and you can catch them a variety of ways. LM on the other hand are a different story, but they can still be caught. The colder water slows the metabolism, but they still need to eat, and an easy meal is usually what they will take in the winter.

Dead sticking bigger baits can be deadly at this time. There are always fish around or in grass. Dieing and decaying vegetation creates warmth and often a food source. Its a great place to fish a big jig and trailer combo.

Then again Ive caught plenty on steep rocky banks on a one ton jig fished fast in a lift drop manner.

That said I find that I usually have several rods rigged with smaller finesse stuff, and 2 rods with bigger offerings. My biggest winter fish have all come on swimbaits. Then again Ive caught fish over 8lbs on a 4.5in drop shot worm as well.

A bass is a bass no matter where you are and nothing I stated disagrees with that. Different regions have different temperatures. The same bass in 34 degree water is going to respond much more slower than if it were living in 45 degree water. Water temperature is controlled by region.

[senile1]

How you approach winter fishing is different depending on the region. The OP is in Georgia. I am in Northern Missouri. Winter fishing for me involves fishing in lakes with coves frozen over and water temperatures as low as 33 - 35 degrees. The warmer water at the bottom of the water column is about 39 degrees. In the dead of Winter the vast majority of the time I have to locate the fish and drop the bait in close proximity to the fish or I won't get a bite. There are days that are unseasonably warm where I may be able to do something different but generally this is the way it is. Lure size can vary. Sometimes large baits work but many times smaller baits are better. In the southern tier of states the water temperatures will be warmer and this should open up the playbook a little more, so to speak.

This is true to a point. However a bass is still a bass no matter where you live.. Here in California our water may get down to the mid 40's. Depending on the species(spots, LM, SM) has more to do with catching then anything other. Spots are much more aggressive and you can catch them a variety of ways. LM on the other hand are a different story, but they can still be caught. The colder water slows the metabolism, but they still need to eat, and an easy meal is usually what they will take in the winter.

Dead sticking bigger baits can be deadly at this time. There are always fish around or in grass. Dieing and decaying vegetation creates warmth and often a food source. Its a great place to fish a big jig and trailer combo.

Then again Ive caught plenty on steep rocky banks on a one ton jig fished fast in a lift drop manner.

That said I find that I usually have several rods rigged with smaller finesse stuff, and 2 rods with bigger offerings. My biggest winter fish have all come on swimbaits. Then again Ive caught fish over 8lbs on a 4.5in drop shot worm as well.

A bass is a bass no matter where you are and nothing I stated disagrees with that. Different regions have different temperatures. The same bass in 34 degree water is going to respond much more slower than if it were living in 45 degree water. Water temperature is controlled by region.

[senile1]

How you approach winter fishing is different depending on the region. The OP is in Georgia. I am in Northern Missouri. Winter fishing for me involves fishing in lakes with coves frozen over and water temperatures as low as 33 - 35 degrees. The warmer water at the bottom of the water column is about 39 degrees. In the dead of Winter the vast majority of the time I have to locate the fish and drop the bait in close proximity to the fish or I won't get a bite. There are days that are unseasonably warm where I may be able to do something different but generally this is the way it is. Lure size can vary. Sometimes large baits work but many times smaller baits are better. In the southern tier of states the water temperatures will be warmer and this should open up the playbook a little more, so to speak.

This is true to a point. However a bass is still a bass no matter where you live.. Here in California our water may get down to the mid 40's. Depending on the species(spots, LM, SM) has more to do with catching then anything other. Spots are much more aggressive and you can catch them a variety of ways. LM on the other hand are a different story, but they can still be caught. The colder water slows the metabolism, but they still need to eat, and an easy meal is usually what they will take in the winter.

Dead sticking bigger baits can be deadly at this time. There are always fish around or in grass. Dieing and decaying vegetation creates warmth and often a food source. Its a great place to fish a big jig and trailer combo.

Then again Ive caught plenty on steep rocky banks on a one ton jig fished fast in a lift drop manner.

That said I find that I usually have several rods rigged with smaller finesse stuff, and 2 rods with bigger offerings. My biggest winter fish have all come on swimbaits. Then again Ive caught fish over 8lbs on a 4.5in drop shot worm as well.

A bass is a bass no matter where you are and nothing I stated disagrees with that. Different regions have different temperatures. The same bass in 34 degree water is going to respond much more slower than if it were living in 45 degree water. Water temperature is controlled by region.

[Bankbeater]

I tend to throw the same baits as I do in the warm weather, but I work them a lot slower.

[Bankbeater]

I tend to throw the same baits as I do in the warm weather, but I work them a lot slower.

[Bankbeater]

I tend to throw the same baits as I do in the warm weather, but I work them a lot slower.

[Jigfishn10]

I tend to throw the same baits as I do in the warm weather, but I work them a lot slower.

X2! I never bought into the "go smaller" theory. I'll mix it up between large and small until the fish tell me what they want. I do subscribe to the "go slower" theory.

[Jigfishn10]

I tend to throw the same baits as I do in the warm weather, but I work them a lot slower.

X2! I never bought into the "go smaller" theory. I'll mix it up between large and small until the fish tell me what they want. I do subscribe to the "go slower" theory.

[Jigfishn10]

I tend to throw the same baits as I do in the warm weather, but I work them a lot slower.

X2! I never bought into the "go smaller" theory. I'll mix it up between large and small until the fish tell me what they want. I do subscribe to the "go slower" theory.

[Big Fish Rice]

I tend to throw the same baits as I do in the warm weather, but I work them a lot slower.

That's the key right there. Big or small, just remember that their metabolism dictates liveliness, so the slower the better during cold temperatures.

[Big Fish Rice]

I tend to throw the same baits as I do in the warm weather, but I work them a lot slower.

That's the key right there. Big or small, just remember that their metabolism dictates liveliness, so the slower the better during cold temperatures.