Winter is when things slow down for many bass anglers, but the bite can still be good if you have open water and are willing to be a little cold. The bite differs during the coldest months of the year, but a change in approach and additional preparation can make it a great time to go bass fishing. Winter bass fishing is easy if you follow these five steps.
Dress for the Occasion
Perhaps as important as bringing the right fishing tackle and gear is what you wear when venturing out for some winter bass fishing. Staying warm and dry is critical if you expect to be on top of your game and paying attention when you get the next bite.
Modern clothing has come a long way from the days of cotton thermal underwear and thick PVC rain jackets. Now, you can stay very warm by layering with quality clothing. Start with a good base layer that is lightweight and comfortable on your skin, then go with your pants or insulated fleece bottoms. Finish it with a thick sweatshirt, add your rain bibs and jacket, and you’ll feel comfortable all day.
Three other critical areas to keep warm are your feet, hands, and head. A good knit hat, fingerless gloves, wool socks, and quality boots will be all you need to stay comfortable, even in frigid conditions.
Go Slow
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The bass bite can be red hot, even in cold temperatures. As cold-blooded creatures, cold water temperatures quickly affect bass and other fish species. Keep this in mind as you fish for them, and there will be some days when you have to work your lures at a snail’s pace to get bites. That’s not always the case, as there will be some feeding windows when the fish are aggressive and active, but overall, slower-moving lures are surefire ways to catch wintertime bass.
These include a host of baits that imitate crawfish, like football jigs and Ned Rigs, and other baits that you can slowly move along the bottom, like Carolina rigs with soft plastics. Besides fishing the lures slower, also work areas more thoroughly and make a few extra casts to likely targets where bass could be hiding to boost your chances of catching fish.
Time the Bite
Fishing is an activity that often provides the best fishing first thing in the morning. Launching the boat in the dark and waiting for the sun to come up to drive to your fishing spot is common most times of the year. During the winter, there can still be a very good morning bite, but you can also sleep in a little and catch fish.
Most days, the afternoons will be warmer, so getting a little extra sleep, eating a good breakfast, and then heading to the lake mid-morning is just fine. You can then stay out and enjoy a little warmer weather, and sometimes, the best bite is the afternoon window until it gets dark.
Find the Baitfish
During the winter months, finding schools of baitfish is one of the best ways to find bass. This is a time of year when balls of shad and other small baitfish group up in open water and stay together to stay safe, and the bass are often not far away. Look for signs like diving birds, but also use your electronics to your advantage to find these schools of baitfish and get around the bass.
When bass heavily feed on shad, you can still fish faster moving baits like any other time of year. Baits like jerkbaits, small swimbaits, and Alabama Rigs are all top choices for fishing for deep bass feeding on shad. Another top choice is a minnow-style bait on a jighead, as they perfectly imitate a shad and can be fished at any section of the water column, depending on where the bass are at a given time. The action can be hot when you get around these active zones, even in the dead of winter.
Play it Safe
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Take extra time when driving to and from the lake if snow or ice is present. One final thing that is more important than fishing is staying safe. Cold weather brings new challenges, and additional safety is needed on the water and on your way to the lake. Falling in the lake is never good, but it can be deadly with cold water temperatures and the threat of hypothermia. Always be cautious, and don't go fishing alone, if possible. Also, wear a life vest because it can save your life.
The same is true of driving to and from the lake, as winter roads can be dangerous with ice, and being safe is crucial. This is another reason why going a little later in the day can be smart, as the early morning black ice and other dangers are not nearly as bad once the sun is up. Take it slow when pulling a boat to and from the lake, and be more careful overall, as the bass will still be there when you arrive.
Also, take extra time when launching your boat, as this can be one of the most dangerous areas. As anglers launch their boats and drive out, the water on the ramp can be treacherous if the temperatures are around freezing. Spend a little more time, go slow, and be more careful when getting in and out of the boat, as this can be a time when you can easily slip if there is any ice.
You don’t need to put away your fishing gear and wait until spring; bass can still be caught throughout the winter. With some additional preparation and a different outlook, bass fishing can be easy no matter how cold it gets.
