(Editor's note: This article originally appeared in the 2014 December/January issue of FLW Bass Fishing magazine. To read more compelling articles from FLW Bass Fishing magazine each month, become an FLW subscriber member.)
Wintertime has its challenges, what with the chilly conditions and sometimes tough-to-catch bass. Yet, it's a time when anglers can enjoy their local lakes with little competition and target some of the biggest bass of the year. With regard to catching those winter bruisers, a few FLW fans had questions about the best approaches, as well as the weather's impact on the aquatic world. A crew of FLW Tour pros was happy to answer their questions.
Sayonara Shad
Why are there major shad kills in the winter?
Ramie Colson Jr., Cadiz, Ky. –
Shad die for a lot of reasons. Most commonly, though, it’s a result of the water temperature dropping too far. I love a big shad kill in the winter because it usually means the fishing the following summer will be incredible because there will be more competition for available food.
If you’re out fishing in the winter around dying shad, it can be tough to generate strikes, but suspending jerkbaits, blade baits and jigging spoons can still put fish in the boat if you’re willing to work for them.
Make ’Em Bite
What is the best way to trigger strikes from fish that show up on my electronics and I’m convinced are bass, but I can’t get to bite?
Dan Morehead, Paducah, Ky. –
There are a couple of things I’ll try when I’ve located a school of bass that don’t seem to want to bite. The first is to throw something big and erratic at them, say an oversized crankbait, swimbait or jigging spoon. Sometimes a large, erratic profile almost surprises the bass and triggers a reaction strike.
The other thing I do is mark the spot and come back later. In the winter especially, bass have small feeding windows. I might bounce between spots that I know hold bass so that I can be there when they start feeding.
Dead-Grass Bass
When fishing areas with dying grass, what is the most effective presentation?
Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C. –
Lots of anglers think brown dying grass doesn’t hold bass. That’s just not true, especially when there isn’t a ton of vegetation in the lake. I’ve had some unbelievable days in winter fishing around brown nasty-looking vegetation.
The presentation made for this type of fishing is a lipless crankbait. You can cover water with it, it comes through cleanly and it does a great job of locating fish. If the dying grass is really thick, I’ll flip, pitch or punch through it to get strikes. This is especially deadly around dead hyacinth mats in the winter.
Jerkbaits in the Mud
I’ve been having good luck with a jerkbait recently, but the water in my lake muddied up and now I can’t get bit. Is there any way I can keep the bite going?
Jason Lambert, Pickwick Dam, Tenn. –
In that scenario, I’d switch to a tight-wobbling crankbait in a red color. Match the running depth of the crankbait to the depth where you were catching the jerkbait fish and you should be all set. Just remember to slow down, depending on the water temperature. The colder it is, the slower you should retrieve the crankbait.
The jerkbait is a more visual attractor for bass, and visibility gets impaired when the water dirties up. A crankbait puts out more vibration, so bass can get a good bead on it. As far as the red goes, I’m sure there’s a reason for it, but simply put, red is just a dynamite color in cold water.