Pro Tips on Cold Weather Bass Fishing

When I was growing up and getting my introduction to the outdoors, there were two
seasons of the year – hunting season, and fishing season. From early spring until October when cool weather hit, we fished. Once squirrel season opened, we hunted until spring came and it was time to fish again.

We never mixed the two, probably because we mistakenly thought that fish
migrated like ducks and geese once the weather became cold. How wrong we were. Some of the year’s best bites take place at the same time you run the risk of encountering another bite….”frost bite”.

Recently, I ran across some excellent advice and tips from a couple of pro bass
fishermen to help you catch more bass when the weather is cold and nasty. Some
professional anglers actually like it when the weather and water turn cold and the bass turn off. Like the top tier of professionals in any competition, they are practitioners of the philosophy expressed by the old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” But that’s not the only thing that separates winners from losers.

Winners know that in decent weather anybody could get lucky and win. But in
nasty weather, especially the bitter, cold kind, most competitors lose focus and, losing
focus, they lose tournaments. This process of self-elimination narrows the field of
competitors and tilts the odds toward the diehards.

“When someone tells you the bass won’t bite because the water’s too cold, just
ignore them,” said Woo Daves, Spring Grove, Va., winner of the 2000 BASS Masters
Classic.

A bundled-up Daves won that Classic by facing down a very cold, rough and
windy Lake Michigan during a three-day northeaster. Daves and other cream-of-the-crop anglers, can testify to this from their trophies, cash, prizes and experience that bass do bite in cold water. They all agree; you just need to apply a little finesse.

Daves volunteers these cold water bass tips: “On rivers, fish backwaters and reverse
currents where the water is warmer and the bass don’t have to fight the current. In deeper water, run to long flat points or channel bends. Cruise around and watch your depth finder for signs of baitfish.”

“Find the bait; find the bass,” said Daves, who has two favorite presentations. One is a ¾-ounce spoon, jigged vertically. The other is a dropshot rig, a ½-ounce weight on the bottom and a dropper hook about 12 to 18 inches up the line. Daves dresses it with a short, plastic worm and fishes it slowly.

Mark Raveling, pro angler of Spring Park, MN, preaches slow fishing, slow to the
point of no rod movement at all. Dead sticking, it’s called. His favorite pattern is a steep drop-off close to a feeding area. He’ll fish a plastic worm with a jig head or, he’ll switch to either a Rapala jerk bait or to a Shad Rap or a Storm Wiggle Wart.

“These baits crank down to a certain depth and remain at that depth until the
angler winds them back to the rod. Here’s the drill: Crank it down. Wait. Wait some more. If you get a fish, stay put. There are more fish where that one came from and they’re suspended at the same depth,” said Raveling.

The advice of these and other bass fishing professionals can be summed up in two
basic concepts for fishing cold weather bass. Downsize your lure, and slow down your
retrieve. Give these techniques a try this winter for what could bring you some HOT cold weather bassin’.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Crappie fishing has been good with some slabs caught fishing shiners
or jigs out in front of the spillway. Bass are starting to move up but fresh water caused by heavy rains have made them have to wait until things settle down. No report on bream or catfish. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249- 2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Before all the rain, anglers were catching some really big crappie on jigs and shiners in open water. Bass are beginning to get in pre-spawn mode and some big ones were being caught soft plastics and creature baits. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is rising. A few catfish are being caught. Crappie are
scattered and slow. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE –Crappie have moved to the deepest water in the channels and
have been fair to good on shiners and jigs. Bass are still deep and soft plastics are picking up some nice fish. Catfishing is good off the banks on cold worms. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been best with some slabs caught fishing
shiners or jigs just out from the dam in 32-25 foot water. Bass are beginning to start
moving up but heavy rains have slowed things down. No report on bream, catfish or
stripers. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie are improved on both the north and south ends of
the lake on shiners or jigs. No report on bass. Catfish continue to bite. For information,
contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is rising and will continue to rise as the Mississippi river
will be bringing down lots of new water which will likely shut things down for awhile.
For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.