These areas essentially give bass the best of both worlds—access to a shallow feeding area and the security of deeper water in which they can suspend. They're still on the breaks between flats and channels; they're still holding on weedlines; and, they still can be found hiding under stumps in shallow feeding areas. Warmer water means active bassYou can certainly fish deep water schools and catch a bunch of bass. 7. Adept bass anglers need to always keep in mind, (like during any season), you always have to consider the conditions you will be facing as well. In his spare time, the veteran Santa Fe, Tenn., B.A.S.S. However, keep in mind that February has highly variable weather patterns, which will cause the bass to fluctuate their depths. Along with water temperature, spring largemouth location is driven by spawning behavior, so fishin… If you see a piece of cover, whether it’s a laydown, dock or stump that fits the pattern and looks like it should hold a bass—don’t give up on it.Take a risk: Bass can get into some really thick, shallow cover this time of year, but you need to get your bait in there with them. “That fish may not be looking for a meal, but if you make it mad enough, it’ll eventually get tired of the monkey business and crush your bait.”Repeated casts are also important because shallow wintertime bass, especially here in the south, tend to get tucked very far into cover to absorb the heat it conducts. To get the most out of your next fishing trip, make a concerted effort to look for bottom compositions that will conduct and hold heat.“Gravel and clay bottoms conduct heat very well in the winter,” Batts said. This is when most anglers are coming out of their winter hibernation, getting out on the water for the first time. These baits work for catching largemouth, but are especially well known for being deadly smallmouth bass lures.The best technique to use with a blade bait is to let it sink to the bottom and let it rest for a bit. If you can find laydowns or nearby docks, it’s an added bonus that will only sweeten the deal.”Throughout my recent guide trips, I’ve noticed the same thing. Fish movement is a process. Early mornings are always precious, as you get to watch the sunrise and also cash in on some great bass fishing. When the winter months arrive and engulf your favorite fishery with frigid air, don’t overlook the effectiveness of shallow bass fishing.For years we’ve been told to seek deep, wintertime hangouts in order to catch coldwater bass but going against the grain can result in some unforgettable fishing days. The previous areas looked great to the naked eye and fit my pattern perfectly, but the heat that the hard bottom was emitting was concentrating the bass into very small and specific areas. Stay put, think about the bottom and slow down. Target these areas with the baits we’ve covered and your season should be off to a hot start. Should we be fishing at all? After ice-out in late winter or early spring, bass begin moving from deeper areas where they spent the winter toward rapidly warming shallow waters. Across the south, there are probably more lake records broken from January through March than any other time of the year. You’ll probably only get a few bites on it, but they’ll definitely count.”4. You'll catch 'em. They didn't. The only thing better than a road trip to a legendary big-bass lake to enjoy the lake's finest offerings would be a much larger road trip with stops at a bunch of great bass lakes. They all work well along the bottom and continue to have good action at slower speeds. In the summertime, when temperatures rise considerably in Tennessee, bass will retreat to deeper water in the late morning. It was something so simple that I couldn’t believe I missed it.The sun is the determining factor.“Shallow water warms up very quickly on a sunny day, especially when it’s stained” Batts said. So if you get out there much earlier, you’re more likely to find fish in the shallower water. (If you don't have a slow-speed reel, force yourself to slowly turn the handle on the retrieve.). For years we’ve been told to seek deep, wintertime hangouts in order to catch coldwater bass but going against the grain can result in some unforgettable fishing days.I’ve been doing a lot of bass fishing lately with my buddy and FLW Tour pro Clayton Batts and to put it plainly—we’ve been whacking ‘em. “If you’ve been consistently catching them on a specific piece of cover in the sun, turn around and throw a jig or a heavy Texas rig to adjacent deep water. These bass-fishing pros from all points of the compass know how, where and when to catch big bass during the winter months in their sections of the country. When bait fishing … Cooler temperatures get the bass active and wanting to spawn. Rarely will they totally pack up and relocate in the colder months. Fishing into darkness usually increases the chance of a bass. More Fishing. They all work well along the bottom and continue to have good action at slower speeds. Also, stained water warms up faster than clear water. With very little exertion, they’re able to have everything they need to survive in a single, compact area.3. If you are wondering when the best time to catch a big bass are these upcoming months are prime time. For bass fishermen, early spring is the most wonderful time of the year. site: sports | ptype: stories | pageType: stories | "I've caught some of my biggest bass from small lakes in winter," Charlie Ingram reveals. It doesn't happen all at once or just because we humans think it's turned cold. Focus on shallow water close to deep waterWinter bass don’t like to move if they don’t have to—I wouldn’t either if I were in that frigid water. If you want to catch big bass in shallow water, try to apply these tips during your next fishing trip. The bass are shocked. Get best fishing times with lunar fishing calendars, Daily Limit: Robertson blooms after gloom, Small crankbaits can heat up cold water fishing, Nominations open for 2021 Bassmaster High School All-Americans. 1. You can't lose running out of the Florida Keys, especially from Key West, Islamorada or Key Largo. Wind can significantly lower the water temperature in an area, so if it's super-cold and you're looking for  a shallow bite, calmer areas can actually be more productive.“When the water gets cold, bass don’t eat very much,” Batts said. This pattern will continue until the water temperature reaches … Early winter fishing isn't all that tough. For example, in the Missouri Ozark region lakes, considered by many to be the birthplace of modern jerkbait fishing, early winter jerkbait fishing begins in December when the water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40’s. Bassmaster.com asked Gerald Swindle those questions. Gravel and clay banks are hotspotsAs we’ve discussed, shallow winter bass fishing is all about warm water. Important things to remember about bass fishing at Toledo Bend in January stuck out in my mind during Thanksgiving week. What should we bass anglers do? Lugworm is the key bait. By mid-January, water temperatures in that area can approach 38-42 degrees, which signals the dead of winter in the Ozarks. Make sure you keep your boat positioned on, or near, these creeks. Bass move up onto the flats and start to eat when the shallow waters start to warm during mid-day. This technique provides a lot of my kicker fish in winter tournaments, but you have to be patient. “Although the shallow bass you’re targeting are most likely looking to eat, you have to remember—they probably won’t be chomping at the bit. You can probably work your way down a stretch of bank and crank up some fish, but it’s important to be a little more hardheaded than that. Is that a transition area? You may not catch a bunch of bass, but the ones you catch will probably be picture-worthy. The bass will hole up in inconsistent areas and are very lethargic when it comes to pursuing food. It allows me to do two things—eliminate dead water and force reaction strikes from otherwise inactive bass.Batts agrees with this theory, primarily focusing on hard reaction baits such as shallow-running crankbaits and bladed swim jigs.“My first choice when fishing in the winter is a 3 to 5-foot SPRO John Crews Little John Crankbait,” Batts said. Hunting. There’s a good chance it didn’t even notice your bait on the first cast, so you need to give it a fair chance at detecting and locating your offering.Whether you lack the equipment to bass fish in deep water or you simply don’t enjoy it, don’t let the cold, nasty weather discourage you. Denny Brauer of Camdenton, Missouri, the 1987 B.A.S.S. Assuming there is unfrozen water in your neck of the woods; Late winter bass fishing can produce some of the most memorable catches of the year – particularly for trophies. Our Spring season usually starts right after Christmas on the first full moon in January. Where should we be fishing? 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