Strategy changes for bass fishing in cold weather

The best seasons for catching largemouths are spring and fall, but these fish can be caught all year in the Peach State. It is even possible to catch bass right now, despite the bitterly cold conditions we are enduring.

Successful anglers adapt their tactics to match what the bass are doing during these severe winter conditions. Because the bass are cold blooded, their metabolism slows down. They also move to deeper water that is not as cold.

Although the largemouths continue to feed during the colder months, they are much more lethargic. You have to put bait or lures right in front of the bass, because the fish won’t expend energy chasing prey in cold weather.

To catch these winter bass requires fishing in deeper areas of lakes and reservoirs, often at depths of 20 to 30 feet. Also, when using artificial lures, the retrieve has to be slow. You want your lure to look like a very easy meal to the bass. Artificial plastic worms are ideal for such fishing, because they can be bounced or dragged slowly along the bottom.

On large reservoirs around Atlanta, such as Allatoona, Jackson and Lanier, look for the largemouths in the upper ends of the impoundments in the same areas where the fish are found in the fall. But instead of casting near the shore, move out into the middle of the coves and fish deeper water. The best coves to target have stumps, sunken logs, rock piles or other debris on the bottom.

In smaller ponds and lakes the same rules apply. Find the deepest water and retrieve your lures as slow as possible.

Jimmy Jacobs is the editor of Georgia Sportsman magazine. He can be contacted at jimmy.jacobs@imoutdoors.com.