Guide to Winter Bass Fishing: Featuring Key Techniques and Bait Recommendations
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Deep Fishing
- 3. Reaction Fishing
- 4. Shallow Fishing
- 5. Conclusion
1. Introduction
1.1 Characteristics of Winter Bass
Bass that were on a feeding frenzy heading into winter as they prepare to overwinter, finally experience dropping water temperatures. Once water temps dip below 50°F (10°C), they enter full winter mode. Cold water reduces bass activity and makes their movements sluggish, causing them to settle as deep as possible where the water temperature is more stable. As a result, fewer bass venture out to feed during the frigid winter.
However, that doesn't mean they stop feeding entirely. There are still opportunities to catch bass by targeting their limited feeding windows, and fishing methods that trigger reaction-strikes can also be effective. Let's consider the best ways to approach bass in the dead of winter.
1.2 Bass Hangouts
Cold-averse bass often hold in areas with stable water temps or places where the water warms up easily.
Spots with stable temperatures include deep zones, areas with riprap or rocks, and weedy sections. Locations where warmer water flows in, such as warm discharge outlets, are examples of areas where the water heats up readily. Focus on casting into sun-exposed or wind-protected areas.
Moreover, healthier bass may move up to the shallows where sunlight can raise the water temperature to seize feeding opportunities. Targeting the shallows for big bass is possible in the chilly mornings or during the warmest part of the day.
Considering the above, we will explore three topics: deep fishing, fishing for reaction-strikes, and shallow fishing.
2. Deep Fishing
Deep fishing is a must for winter. As bass settle into the depths to find the most stable water temperatures, baits that can effectively reach the deep are essential.
2.1 Lateral Fishing in the Deep
When bass locations in the deep are still uncertain, trace them horizontally. The key is an action that's not too aggressive for lethargic bass to strike while maintaining a speed they can keep up with.
- Deep Hard Baits
Begin by casting crankbaits that excel in lateral movement in the deep. The IK-800R2 from IMAKATSU reaches 16 ft (5 m) on a regular cast and 26 ft (8 m) when trolling, making it ideal for targeting the depths in reservoirs and such.
If the crankbait action seems too aggressive and the sluggish bass aren't striking, try switching to the IXI SHAD TX from MEGABASS. This 2.25" (57 mm) small shad profiled crankbait dives to nearly 13 ft (4 m), perfect for bass to eat. It's a bait that can be retrieved slowly and still draw bites in tough conditions.
- Deep Soft Baits
Soft baits that exhibit a more delicate action during lateral tracing can be effective against bass that won't respond to hard plugs. The Dark Sleeper 1oz from MEGABASS can imitate the movement of a baitfish slowly crawling along the bottom by lowering the retrieval speed. It resists snagging even around rocky structures, making it perfect for swimming along the bottom.
-Bottom Walking the Dog with High-Density Soft-Plastic
Another technique is sinking a high-density soft-plastic weightless, then employing a two-jerk and fall cadence. Let the soft-plastic and line sink completely to the bottom, reeling until the line goes slack. Once the line slackens, give two short twitches, then pause for 5 seconds. Moving along the bottom while kicking up dust makes bass aware of the soft-plastic's presence. However, detecting bites can be tricky since the line is slack. Watch for the line to stop moving or dart off after twitching, signaling a bite.
Our store offers the Fula Shrimp from IMAKATSU, a high-density soft-plastic ideal for bottom walking, featuring lifelike flared skirts on both ends.
2.2 Precise Deep Fishing
The previous section covered laterally searching the deep, so now let's consider precisely targeting non-moving bass hugging the bottom once their locations are known. Casting toward scattered submerged stumps or rocks is the way to go.
- Sickly Baitfish Imitation with a Jighead Wacky Rig
The jighead wacky rig using Keitech's Live Impact is a winter go-to that can mimic a sickly baitfish sticking to the bottom. The soft-plastic's buoyancy keeps the jighead hook upright, and minimizing horizontal movement while gently rolling it appears as a struggling baitfish that even inactive bass find easy to eat.
- Precise Fishing with a Drop Shot Rig
Let's try the deep fishing staple drop shot rig, dropping it straight down along standing timber or rock shelves. The weight falls vertically, so it's less likely to stray from the targeted spot. After the weight touches down, the soft-plastic drops as if weightless. This shift in dropping action triggers the bass's predatory instinct, and the slow weightless fall provides a window of opportunity for them to bite.
For the soft-plastic, the Easy Shaker from KEITECH, a pin tail with a ribbed body, is recommended. Even when dropped on a drop shot, it stays horizontal and moves supple throughout without lateral movement. The lifelike action looks just like a struggling baitfish.
3. Reaction Fishing
Up to this point, we've focused on triggering the bass's feeding instincts by presenting a vulnerable baitfish that even sluggish bass would go for. However, when they still won't bite, provoking reaction strikes becomes necessary.
3.1 Reaction Strikes with a Drop Shot Rig
The previously mentioned drop shot rig can serve double duty for reaction fishing, making it a secret weapon in tough winter conditions.
Once the weight touches bottom, continuously hop it to trigger a reaction from the bass. When fishing rocky areas, aim to skip it into holes in the rocks. It can resemble a crayfish overwintering in the rocks, enticing bass feeding on them. The Jimmy Henge from JACKALL, a reaction-dedicated soft-plastic featuring 5 appendages, is well-suited. The appendages compress on the hop and flare open the instant it transitions to the fall. This acts as a brake, abruptly halting the movement, so even erratic action stays close enough to the bass to induce a strike.
To elicit a slower, gentler reaction, lift the rod once or twice to hop the weight off the bottom after the soft-plastic touches down, then remain still for 3-5 seconds rather than working it continuously to allow the weightless soft-plastic to flutter down, creating a window for a bite. The key is quick rod work but soft action to fool even stubborn bass.
The tried-and-true Wobbling 2.5 from JACKALL is the recommended soft-plastic. The ribbed body catches water and quivers, while the thick tail also creates vibration. These dual wave motions draw out the bass's reaction.
3.2 Lipless Crankbaits & Blade Baits
Lipless crankbaits and blade baits with a lift-and-drop presentation are essential for winter reaction fishing.
- Lipless Crankbaits
Give the TN Trigon from JACKALL a try. The chin weight allows it to drop quickly into the deep despite its compact size. Its straight drop excels for precise casts to target areas like riprap zones and is optimal for fishing with FFS (Livescope). The basic action is lift-and-drop. After the fall, be sure to include a distinct pause. Instead of numerous aggressive lifts, meticulously lift it once each time. The goal is to make the bass react and strike the moment it starts moving.
- Blade Baits
Blade baits exhibit even sharper action than lipless crankbaits. With a faster fall speed, they enable tighter lift and drop repetitions to maintain proximity to the bass during the presentation. Characteristics vary by manufacturer, so use them according to the conditions.
Start by searching the field with the Knockin' Jaw from JACKALL when bass locations are still uncertain. The Knockin' Jaw's standout feature is its pronounced chin, which can knock the bottom for lateral searching. Once an area is narrowed down, switch to vertical probing with lift and drop. This versatile bait serves two roles in one.
If bass positioning is somewhat established, employ the Circuit Vib from DEPS. It's particularly effective on non-moving bass hugging the bottom. Designed with a circuit board back and a steel plate belly, it has a low center of gravity. This results in a quick rise on the lift while staying close to the bottom. As soon as it enters the bass's view, it vanishes and reappears immediately, creating a lift and drop that bewilders the bass. It works well on low-activity bass reluctant to leave the bottom.
To target big bass, the Dyna Response from MEGABASS is potent. Unusual for a blade bait, it features a treble hook that can grab and hold a big fish's hard mouth. The tinsel tail suppresses the hook from flying up, preventing snags, and adds flash to attract big bites.
4. Shallow Fishing
4.1 Targeting Big Bass with Big Baits
Shallow fishing where the water temperature rises easily from the midday sun allows targeting relatively active big bass even in winter. Because the baitfish that become food for big bass are often larger, use baits that match that size.
Swim the bait at a relaxed pace near bass hideouts like laydowns, deadwood, or submerged logs, letting the bass keep up. Then dart toward the cover just as it seems the bass might catch up. The bass will be tricked into thinking it cornered the bait near cover, triggering its feeding switch. Erratic bait movements can also cause reaction strikes.
The MEGABASS i-Slide187R, a hard-bodied jointed bait, features wide joint cuts that create a large, sweeping glide movement, allowing it to draw bass from a wide area. This glide movement is particularly effective for targeting big bass in winter, as it mimics a relaxed baitfish moving steadily and repeatedly without raising alarm, making it an enticing target. Try retrieving it slowly, with occasional pauses, to enhance its lifelike motion.
When targeting shallow cover where bass seem to be holding or when hard plugs are overpowering and a subtle approach is needed, use the Dead Slowler. As the name implies, it's designed for super slow retrieves, allowing thorough appeals to the bass around cover.
4.2 Finesse Fishing with Hover-strolling
If big baits fail to elicit a response from the bass, by all means give hover-strolling a shot. It involves suspending a small, highly buoyant, baitfish-shaped soft-plastic in the mid-depths. By minimizing movement and presenting a feeble appearance, it's effective for bass that struggle to feed in frigid conditions.
Since movement is restricted, it's not the most efficient fishing method, so the key is casting after determining bass locations. Rather than shallow flats, the chances of bass being present are higher in shallows adjacent to their wintering depths.
The recommended soft-plastic is the Elise 1.5 from JACKALL. While bite-sized for bass, it offers great maneuverability that's beginner-friendly for hover-strolling. The fibrous fins on the body flanks and the flared tail generate subtle movements even when the action is paused, enabling delicate appeals to the bass.
5. Conclusion
Although winter bass fishing can seem challenging due to their low activity, the number of anglers also decreases and bass locations become more predictable. By strategically searching, bites are attainable. Big bass can also be targeted, so mastering winter fishing can be quite exciting.
In this article, we covered the following three themes:
- (1) Catching bass hunkered down in the deep
- - For lateral searches: deep crankbaits, deep shad-baits(small profiled crankbait), bottom walking
- - For targeting specific spots: jighead wacky rigs, drop shot rigs
- (2) Catching bass with reaction baits
- - Hopping drop shot rigs
- - Lift and drop with lipless crankbaits or blade baits
- (3) Targeting big bass in the shallows
- - Glide movement with big baits
- - Present a near-death baitfish illusion with hover-strolling
Adapt the techniques to your respective fields to conquer the demanding winter bass.