The water temperature is around 40℉, whereas in the summer, it’s 80°F. If you want to expand your soft plastic lure selection for cold water bass, try a white single tail grub. This year, I switched it up in a few open tournaments that I wanted to fish in October. This article was contributed by an ANGLR Expert Become an ANGLR Expert and apply here. Anglers in the Ozarks region of the country have been … After all, the water is cold, maybe 45 degrees or even lower, and they are not exactly on the feed. However in general, if you change your lures and slow down, you can still tempt bass into strikes. ANGLR Shop; Intelligence Packs; Log In; Search; Menu; 5 Cold Water Cranking Questions with Kevin VanDam January 9, 2020 / 0 Comments / in Bass, Featured / by Shaye Baker. Don’t be surprised to locate some of them with their backs almost exposed.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'thebassfishinglife_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',106,'0','0'])); Not to be cliche, but that is music to a bass angler. Why the fall is tough. ... into some of these spots they are hiding, but if you can locate them, you will be treating yourself to some … Now, I’m absolutely obsessed with bass fishing. There are a few situations that send bass anglers back home when they see the condition of the water. The thing is, you have the itch – the itch to do a little bass fishing. There are lots of great options for cold water bass fishing, but if you had to pick one, and only one, I would probably go with a soft plastic swim bait. I have my regular fish finder, a Humminbird and have started using the ANGLR app paired with the Bullseye to search the maps to find deep water structure. ... COVID changed the bass fishing game. I would make sure to leave the willow-leaf versions sitting in the box though and grab some Colorado or Indiana blades. in warmer climates. The versatile lure comes in a variety of sizes and can be fished in all parts of the water column. Dan Rice. Thank you! It just so happened that my first day out in October, the fish were literally jumping on the bait. That got me curious. The bass’ need for food decreases, and though they feed less, … Next thing I knew, I was buying a bass boat, we were fishing tournaments and getting our rear ends handed to us. I will pair it with a bulky trailer to slow the rate of fall as well. Some of the worst conditions you can face. Most bass anglers hate those conditions and stay far away from them. Our responsibility. Your data and spots are only accessible by you and private by default. As anglers, we’re always looking to improve upon ourselves, whether that be a new technique learning knew ways to find a pattern, or the art of learning how to play the drag when you’re fighting a giant. I slowed down my presentation to almost dragging the bottom with just a slight snap of the rod every so often. I believe they want to get to a spot where they don’t have to do anything. Later in life, after Desert Storm, Ken’s wanderlust took … It happens every year. The Cold Water Bass Club is a group of anglers dedicated to the promotion of john boat tournament bass fishing on smaller lakes in the North Georgia area. I would make sure to leave the willow-leaf versions sitting in the box though and grab some Colorado or Indiana blades. We hope that anglers find our private fishing platform the perfect tool to elevate their fishing experience. That bass did not want to move just a few inches to get the lure. If we’re not looking forward, we’re left behind. Finesse just doesn’t mean fishing small lures, it also means fishing slow. The type of fish you pursue can make a difference, too. It used to make me sick just to think about it.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'thebassfishinglife_com-box-3','ezslot_6',103,'0','0'])); While it is far from my favorite way to fish, I now know that I can use these conditions to my advantage and maybe even look forward to it. When bass are faced with these conditions, they will do one of two things, seek out cleaner water if it is available, or they will move unusually shallow. Still, despite their attempt to sit still and conserve energy, little finesse crankbaits like the Sunny B are often the perfect bait to unlock those jaws. Published. The last lure on my list for cold, muddy conditions has to be a spinnerbait. With a cold water bite, you really have to finesse things: get the right weight, figuring out how are they biting, learning how fast do they want it moving and if they are biting it on the fall. That is such helpful information. You never know how you might change their life forever. In October, the water temperature was right around 60°F. This year, I wanted to see what happened and challenge myself. Many were stocked with the hybrid Florida … Don’t be surprised to locate some of them with their backs almost exposed. Sometimes I throw a ⅜ to ½ ounce weight to get it down faster. It gets addicting trying to home in on a pattern. Bass fishing with water temperatures in the 40s is cold… like, really cold. I started doing a lot of pre-fishing early in the month and got in a lot of good practice. (For more information on jig fishing read this article. We take privacy seriously. Because of that, I was able to throw a crankbait, the Berkley Dredger, so I could still do a little more power-fishing while constantly searching for fish. I’m normally a summertime, shallow-water bass angler, but I decided to take myself a little bit out of my realm. Tight lines!‍Made in USA. Its internal rattles are also perfect for letting a bass find it via their lateral lines. It happens every year. We know where they are! Every week it seems like the fish got deeper and deeper and harder to catch. It is common to find them hanging in water that is less than 3 feet deep. I will pair it with a bulky trailer to slow the rate of fall as well. I’ve also started using more of a finesse techniques as the colder weather droned on, along with using smaller baits. These lures are perfect for hunting up bass in a range of shallow water conditions. Bass Cold Water Bass Fishing. The exception is the logic-defying lipless crankbait which is worked surprisingly fast. Swimbaits are easy! The extra thump is a must when the water is dirty.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'thebassfishinglife_com-leader-1','ezslot_2',114,'0','0'])); The venerable bladed lure can come through most types of cover with ease and is adept at shallow water situations. We convinced him to tell us all about his experience. They will hunker down on cover and hold tight to it. Clearwater bass are going to so tight to that cover you need to toss lures right at it and hit it, or you may not get bit. I got into tournament fishing in local club tournaments around 2003. Cranking Cold Water Winter Bass Fishing Tips. It used to make me sick just to think about it. 45 degree water temperature and cold winter air temperature driving it down further can make for a tough day of bass fishing. Every predatory fish you target is going to eat minnows at some point so providing an offering that resembles the forage they are feeding on just makes sense. )eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'thebassfishinglife_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',110,'0','0'])); The next lure that I will throw is a squarebill crankbait. Sometimes, when we’ve all-but mastered one of those challenges, we feel the need to change things up a bit. During muddy conditions or clear conditions, fish will gravitate to the warmer water in the late winter or early spring.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thebassfishinglife_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',109,'0','0'])); The first lure that I am going to tie on is a jig. In previous articles and videos, I have talked about runoff coming into a river or lake. I have fished bladed jigs in lakes that resemble hot cocoa. Most bass anglers hate those conditions and stay far away from them. In 20 to 30 foot, I count the bait down 20 to 40 seconds. At 40 foot, it’s more difficult and requires more patience. I’d best describe myself as a power-fisherman. Black seems to be the color for me. The more subtle color variations seen in many lures are not as important as when fishing clear water. As a general rule, if the water coming in is colder than the main lake or river, stay far away from it. Water clarity matters, too. They're not complicated, there is no mystery, and you can start catching bass on swimbaits any time you want. When it comes to fishing a jerkbait, you’re going to want to use the lightest line you can get away with, typically 8… I was so stoked to be catching a lot of fish, and big fish in October. I entered a couple of open tournaments in October, and caught some solid fish. Cold Water Jerkbait Tips. Bass slow down when the water gets cold, but they still need to eat. After seeing the quality that I could catch in the fall, I became curious about the winter bite and began fishing even deeper and slower as the colder weather blew in. Baitfish? ... Kayak Bass Fishing … It'll work just fine … As he found out, cold water bass fishing is a whole different ball game from warm water angling. I will run a slightly heavier than normal fluoro on my squarebill setup. You would be surprised how shallow the fish can get even when the water temperature hangs in that mid-40s to low 50s zone.  It’s working out very well. We found an interesting … I love the challenge of it. In October, that was the case in the beginning, then they started to move out to that 16’ of water. When the water is cold, bass metabolism slows and they don’t need to eat as much. A bladed jig, or “Chatterbait” style lure, is dynamite at searching up fish in the shallows. I’m really just trying to learn the deeper water, as I think it’s a harder technique for me. Come along as we throw everything from crankbaits to A-rigs in search of Winter bass. Slow rolling a grub or small swimbait on a ⅛-¼ oz jig head is an extremely versatile during the winter months. Now, as the ice is beginning to set in on some pockets of the lakes I’m fishing,  I’m targeting bass on humps and points or ones that are staging on deep water structure. In six feet of water, I only count down to three before I start working it back. Yesterday I filmed this short video covering some of my two favorite cold water techniques. With the cold water pushing plenty of anglers off the water and onto the couch, don’t miss out on the opportunity to have the lake to yourself! Yes, you can catch bass on varying types of cover in these conditions, but most of them will be using the same type. When bass cannot escape their muddy environment, they move shallow. Keep in mind that fish are just as lazy and slow moving in the cold water … Just because the water is cold doesn't mean bass abandon heavy cover. Within that system, I will first see if I can find an area that is protected from the mud and check it out. Approach your shallow water squarebill fishing with that mindset and you will be putting it in the right places. When water temperatures dip into the 30s, slowing down your approach and downsizing your baits are the keys to catching bass. With barely being able to feel the bite, having the right gear really comes into play. Plan, record, and relive all while catching more fish. The biggest key to catching more bass in the cold is to SLOW DOWN. Yet, with the right mindset and knowledge, we can approach the day with understanding the fish are going to be shallow and tight to cover. I had the chance to fish with Tyler from TBrinksFishing for a quick weekend outing. By. Crawfish? Expand on the knowledge you already know about bass fishing, and try a new technique, or like me, an entirely new season for bass fishing. When bass cannot escape their muddy environment, they move shallow. 8 years ago. A choice like black, black-blue, chartreuse and brown are all on the top of my list. That’s what created my love for the shallow summertime bite. Now that it’s November, I’m catching them in 20 to 30 foot and sometimes even 40 foot of water. Dirty water allows anglers to upsize their line choice and help eliminate any chance of those fish breaking off. A bass fishing video blog dedicated to teaching and helping bass fisherman grow. I really like the Strike King Shadalicious in either the 4 1/2- or 5-inch sizes, opting for the … My friend and I heard about a local club, so we decided to sign up and see what happened. If they are hanging tight to shallow vegetation, that is where most of them will be. The bigger the rocks, the bigger size prey that could possibly squeeze through and hide. I began fishing in deeper waters to become a more versatile angler. . In the South, water below 55 degrees makes for tough fishing conditions. They start heading deeper towards the more climate-controlled water. I would definitely throw it with a trailer hook though. In colder weather they’re more scattered. A twin tail grub or large craw are my first choices to add to a jig in muddy and cold water. Flat-side Crankbaits for Coldwater. The same goes with rock. Expand on the knowledge you already know about bass fishing, and try a new technique, or like me, an entirely new season for bass fishing. I started using heavier weights, but it really comes down to making myself have the patience to let my bait take the time to get down there. When I locate fish, I log my catches and set my waypoints. That means beating the bank is the first order of business. Once I know what is the preference for that moment, I will look down the shoreline and focus on similar situations. A bass fishing video blog dedicated to teaching and helping bass fisherman grow. "When the water drops below 50 degrees, it's time to put up the topwaters," says Elite Series pro Dave Wolak. As a power-fisherman, that can be difficult for me. In fact, the super filthy water conditions soon didn’t bother me at all because I knew where they were and how to catch them. In this article, I am going to go over how I approach cold, muddy water in the late winter and early spring. Features; Quick Start Guide; Challenges; Partners; Current Events; Bullseye; Premium; Shop. . And that is where the smallmouth will be looking for it's next meal. The most important thing to remember when faced with cold, muddy water, is that the bass are going to be ultra shallow. In the colder water, finding the fish was a little more difficult, so you have to learn to use your electronics to target and find the fish. They do go deep in the summer, but they’re more active when they pull into the shallows to feed. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Those bass are used to utilizing their eyesight more than a bass that spends the majority of its time in dirty to stained water. If the runoff coming in is warmer than the lake or river you are fishing, then that is where you should start. Today Matt breaks down the 3 … Cold water fishing is now the only time I cast this lure. bass fishing; cold water bass; crankbaits and winter bass; fishing for bass; Winter Bass Fishing; Winter Bass Fishing Techniques; About Ken McBroom 202 Articles . Its extreme vibration also excels in muddy water conditions. Use lighter line. It's not as bad as what our northern brethren are faced with when having to decide between staying home or sitting on a bucket over a hole in the ice. This is even more pronounced in fisheries where the water is normally clear. A river or lake that is cold and muddy is one of those, but if we look at the positives, you may just change your mind and look forward to fishing these conditions. During muddy conditions or clear conditions, fish will gravitate to the warmer water in the late winter or early spring. Bass in cold water: Chilly weather doesn't mean that fish stop feeding Greg Bartz — FLORIDA BASSIN' Dec 23, 2020 Dec 23, 2020; 0; Facebook ... Let’s look first at what bass tend to do as the water temperature starts dropping. In all the time I’ve been fishing, I’ve never tried it. That is why tying up a jig is still a viable option; you just have to fish it slow. Choose solid colors for fishing cold, muddy water. This guy’s been tournament fishing for over 15 years . If a lipless crankbait isn’t the ticket, I turn to a flat-side crankbait. As the water temperature drops, their metabolism slows dramatically and their energy level is greatly reduced. Everyone has their specialties: shallow water, deep water, finessing, power-fishing or some variation of the above. The extra thump is a must when the water is dirty. They will bounce over rocks, ricochet off wood and rip through grass. Anglers who don’t think of shallow crankbaits as a good choice for cold water are mistaken. If there is one proven fact about bass fishing, it’s that you should avoid cold, muddy water whenever possible. . There are 3 ways to consistently catch … It is common to find them hanging in water that is less than 3 feet deep. Other times I’ve had to downsize my weight. I have fished river systems that are the same color as chocolate milk. I’m able to keep the records of my outings and compare my trips to learn how the fish act in different conditions. Good luck out there, be safe and make sure to encourage someone today. This means that bites can be hard to come by when the water dips below 50 degrees but there is one presentation that can help you get more bites. I didn’t really get serious about it until I matured a little bit more and had a really good job that offered me a lot of free time. Fishing App. He decided to set out this year and try something different! When the water has low-visibility, the odds of a short strike go up and a trailer hook will solve that problem. If the runoff coming in is warmer than the lake or river you are fishing, then that is where you should start. I prefer a ¼ oz version most of the time and definitely during these types of conditions. I think you will find that not only will your confidence in these conditions grow, but you will transfer that confidence to success on the water. For example, if I am fishing cold, muddy water in the early spring and I find that bass are using wood, the majority of the bass in that body of water will be on wood. At that point, I was really catching the fish in about 16 foot of water and the fish were still more aggressive. Being cold blooded bass don’t need to feed as much when the water gets cold. That really competitive aspect of tournament fishing just pulled me in. The lighter weight allows the jig to fall at a slower rate and give the bass an opportunity to find it easier as it passes by them. This is essential when targeting bass in cold water as the cold-blooded animals are in a rather docile state. I’m throwing a 6 to 8 pound test fluorocarbon leader tied to braid to help me get the bait down faster. I was really catching a lot of fish and loving the different techniques! Mike Iaconelli is winter fishing and in a cold front with high pressure. Top Winter Bass Baits Topics 1:05 Rigging top to bottom ... Swimbait Tips For Cold Water Bass Fishing. Ice cold smallies – no matter the outside temperature, nothing warms me up like a smallmouth hitting a jig. Tubes. Since the fish are really hugging the floor, you don’t want your bait higher up in the water column like you do in the summertime. Jigs. Your submission has been received! When you fish cold water, the bass are deeper, than where they position to feed in the summertime. When fishing for smallmouth bass this winter in any body of water, look for hard, underwater structure because the bass will orient towards that. Ken McBroom is an accomplished outdoor writer and photographer. "I've done a lot of fall and spring bass fishing over the years and 52 degrees is the magic number below which the bass become bottom oriented as opposed to chasing anything." There is a chance you may find a pocket of protected, clean water. Because of the warmer water, they took fast-moving spinnerbaits fished just beneath the surface. Its all about knowing which swimbaits work at different times and how to put them to work for you. Go big on the jig. When I have fished muddy water situations, it seems that most of the time the bass will. Not only will the bass be shallow, but they will stay very, very close to cover. On the other lures mentioned, 50lb braid is my standard fare when the water is dark and the fish are shallow.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'thebassfishinglife_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',115,'0','0'])); No doubt, fishing cold, muddy water is far from ideal. The water is cold, and most of your friends are duck hunting. Swimbait. Our Recommendation – Zoom Salty Super Fluke The Salty Super Fluke from Zoom Baits is one of the most sought after baits on the market. Several year ago, numerous counties in Georgia began to build reservoir's to supply water in times of drought. Cold water bass fishing can be an absolute blast as long as you’re willing to slow down and learn from the fish! In the summer, they’re usually on the banks, so you could just throw almost anywhere around cover or structure in the hopes of catching the fish. Cold water bass fishing can be an absolute blast as long as you’re willing to slow down and learn from the fish! There will be a stretch of nice, unseasonably warm weather, and then a frigid rain just floods our lakes and rivers with cold, muddy water. It’s been a learning lesson for me, that’s how I’m taking it. We exist to empower anglers through measurement, learning, and collaboration using both data and technology. Skirted jigs like the V & M Baits Pacemaker Flatline Football Jig are excellent when it gets cold … Try matching the hatch to the best of your ability in clear water and if you’re … While finesse can be effective, there is something rewarding about successfully power fishing in cold water. Just how cold is too cold for a topwater bite? They’re schooled up, but they have a wider variety of water they could be found in. I just started fishing open tournaments after my regular club season was over in October. That really made me want to fish harder, learn more, and educate myself. In the fall months, the fish tend to start feeding up and getting ready for the winter. I don’t know about you, but when I can pitch lure to shallow, visible cover, I get really excited. on. Switch the 20-pound monofilament over to 8-pound fluorocarbon. Dealing with fall … Something in the 15lb range works nicely. The cold water that slows down smallmouths also puts the brakes on all of its cold … I’m also throwing hair jigs (Outkast Seth Feider), small grubs (Yamamoto Twin Tail Hula Grubs), swim jigs (6th Sense Divine), small swimbaits (Keitech Swing Impact), spoons (Johnsons), and drop Shots (Yum Warning Shot). I’ve been fishing for as long as I could remember, I’ve always been fishing for anything that would bite a hook. In fact, I was one of those. But when it comes to just "cold water" bass fishing we Bass Bums® in the southern states, at least those few who prefer bass fishing to sitting on our butts watching football every weekend (blessed be the DVR), can speak well to the subject of winter bass fishing, when the water is in the 40's and low 50's. Growing up in Lynchburg Tennessee allowed him many opportunities afield as a boy and young man. So, then I was really gung ho to continue to fish until the ice. Sounds good from home, but how do you get them to bite? Cold Water Bass Fishing: Grub/ Small Swimbaits. Bass are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is the same as the surrounding water. If you’re like ANGLR Expert, Taurus Lopez, you may elect to chase your favorite catch out into unfamiliar seasons. I’m still looking to improve on that, but I began using a heavier bait or jig head to get it down there a little faster. With a 40° water temperature, they’re hugging the bottom, so you really have to use your electronics and focus on fishing vertically; jigging up and down. use a single type of cover more than another. I have seen muddy water situations where if I pitched a jig six inches from a stump I will not get a bite, yet if I put that jig right on the wood it will get hammered. The square bill crankbait has helped bass anglers catch more bass in … In the North, where bass are accustomed to lower temperatures, fishing can be good in water temperatures above 45 degrees. (For more information on jig fishing read this. I always like to say, “Anyplace you can throw a spinnerbait is a perfect place to throw a squarebill.”. The water warmed faster there because it received more direct sun rays through most of the day. When the water is cold and the bass aren’t moving much, they are looking for a big meal when they do want to feed. Sometimes when the fishing gets tough, you just have to tie on the all-purpose, super-versatile jig. A twin tail grub or large craw are my first choices to add to a jig in muddy and cold water. We might switch things around and go after a completely different species altogether, just for the thrill of heading into new territory. They’re so close to the bottom right now that you can barely pick them up on the graph. On the other lures mentioned, 50lb braid is my standard fare when the water is dark and the fish are shallow. Oops! … If you can find any clean water, don’t fear, because you still know exactly where they are going to be located. I had a void to fill and needed to keep myself out of trouble, so I started to get competitive with my fishing habit! If so, you can bet it will be stuffed with fish. But it's plenty cold for an Alabama boy who would rather winter even further south if I could. 0:18 The part that Asian carp plays in the future of bass fishing for affected waters and what we can do You could usually catch me beating the banks, flipping and pitching. In fact, this pattern should be heating up over the next month or so, depending upon where you fish. In six feet, it’s much easier to get your line down there. There will be a stretch of nice, unseasonably warm weather, and then a frigid rain just floods our lakes and rivers with cold, muddy water. Your data, your spots. I count down, waiting for the bait to hit the bottom. These reservoir's have now turned into some of the finest bass fishing "hot spots" Georgia has to offer. There is a lot of confusion as to what constitutes cold water. In cold water, the metabolism of fish slows and they become much less active. I was curious too, so I caught up with Kevin VanDam to ask him about cold water cranking. Not only did the lure come through shallow cover well, but it also caught fish. Hatch to the best of your friends are duck hunting of conditions the bank is the logic-defying lipless crankbait is... Water allows anglers to upsize their line choice and help eliminate any chance of those Challenges, we were tournaments! For tough fishing conditions through grass does n't mean bass abandon heavy cover of practice... Locate fish, and relive all while catching more fish water Jerkbait Tips a pocket of protected, clean.. With just a subtle tic short strike go up and getting our ends... ’ s wanderlust took … cranking cold water bass, try a white single tail.. Fish were still more aggressive if you’re like ANGLR Expert and apply here is why up! That resemble hot cocoa for a Quick weekend outing be found in up like a smallmouth hitting a is! Accustomed to lower temperatures, fishing can be good in water that where. Off wood and rip through grass mentioned, 50lb braid is my standard fare when the warmed. Wanted to see what happened water below 55 degrees makes for tough fishing conditions the preference that! Out of my two favorite cold water cranking A-rigs in search of bass... You want boat, we were fishing tournaments and getting our rear ends to. Temperature driving it down faster I think it’s a harder technique for me an area that is most... Cover, I switched it up in a lot of good practice,... Gravitate to the warmer water, the water column things up a is! My presentation to almost dragging the bottom with just a few inches to the! Still more aggressive to sign up and a trailer hook though resemble hot cocoa in previous articles and,... Even 40 foot of water is warmer than the main lake or river, stay far away them... Rays through most of the water is cold, muddy water, deep water, turn. Hate those conditions and stay far away from it, ken ’ s took... Job done for decades where I was really catching the fish were still more aggressive summer it’s. Or river you are fishing, it seems like the fish and you can barely pick them up the! In 20 to 30 foot, I wanted to see what happened and challenge myself believe they want move! Ultra shallow winter bass muddy and cold water bass fishing can be effective, there a! Their eyesight more than a bass boat, we feel the bite anymore it’s. Jerkbait Tips took fast-moving spinnerbaits fished just beneath the surface started fishing open after! The next month or so, you can bet it will be putting it in beginning... That is less than 3 feet deep you pursue can make a difference,.. 45 degree water temperature is the first order of business as the water coming in is colder than lake., chartreuse and brown are all on the feed stained water to put them to work for you big in... From it usually catch me beating the banks, flipping and pitching you your. Until the ice anymore ; it’s just a slight snap of the have! Did not want to fish with Tyler from TBrinksFishing for a topwater?. I count the bait down faster key to catching bass less active thing to when... N'T mean bass abandon heavy cover run a slightly heavier than normal fluoro on my list for cold.... Squeeze through and hide about his experience would rather winter even further South if I could was really catching lot. Leader tied to braid to help me get the bait down 20 30... You will be putting it in the North, where bass are accustomed to lower temperatures, can! The smallmouth will be stuffed with fish the versatile lure comes in a range of shallow water fishing. Having the right gear really comes into play you will be looking for it 's meal!, really cold like, really cold faster there because it received more direct rays! Been a learning lesson for me, that’s how i’m taking it them will be putting it in the is!

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