Water Temp, Shut 'em Down??

[Buckeye Bassin]

Hey everyone,

OK, last weekend went out, did good, got my PB plus another. Believe me a 5lbr and a 3lbr is a good day up here. Water temp was about 56 degrees. Went out again this weekend, yesterday morning and this morning. Water temp is down to 51.5 degrees. Nothing at all to speak of. Yesterday got one dink and a Northern Pike, the Pike loves the cold water so that don't count. (Plus, she bit through my line bringing her in boat and took my favorite crankbait! Arrrggghhh!!!) And this morning, nothing. Tried 5 different presentations at several different locations on lake. Crank, jig, spinner, t-rig Rage Craw, etc. Weather was partly cloudy, calm and cold, (34 degrees). Could that 5 degree difference, be what's shutting them down? Plus, at what temp are they pretty much shut down for the winter up here in the North. Thanks a lot!!

Jeff

[ww2farmer]

Bass don't "shut down" for the winter. They need to eat to live. There metabolism slows, they eat less often, and don't burn alot of energy when they do. Alot of bass are caught through the ice here. Having some bad days this time of the year is normal. God knows I have had my fair share.

[Jigfishn10]

I'm experiencing the same thing. On one particular water body (24 ac) the water turned over. I found "warmer" water in the western and southern ends and have resorted to an inline spinner retrieved fairly quick w/quick pauses. It's about the only technique and lure that's been working for me. The slow methodical presentations have not worked for me at all.

[endless]

I've been experiencing problems with the cold fronts we been getting here. Seems like everytime I go out a few just the day before we had a front.

[Bluebasser86]

5 degrees in a week is a pretty dramatic drop and may make them a little more tight lipped. However, they have to eat to live so stay with it. At that water temp I'd try something like a lipless crank, flat crank, single colorado bladed spinnerbait, hard jerkbait, jig, or a shakeyhead.