Best Winter Bass Fishing Techniques

Last Updated: 01/29/21 

Many anglers won’t go bass fishing during the winter because of the harsh cold weather and close to freezing temperatures.

However, for my dad, this was the best time to meet ‘serious anglers,’ as he called them, and enjoy the experience of serene bass fishing.

With various fishing conditions to consider, you need the right bait and the best winter bass fishing techniques to catch more bass because it is not impossible.  

When is The Best Time To Catch Bass In The Winter?

You don’t have to stay out on the lake all day to catch a bass. Considering bass productive times and fishing techniques are crucial to bass fishing, whether during winter or summer.

The best bass fishing times like in the early morning, late afternoon, and nights you can fish enough bass to take home even during winter.

Afternoon

You can fish for bass in the afternoon and a few hours before sunset. At this time, the low light has returned, creating a conducive feeding environment for the bass. However, fish behavior changes during the winter.

The bass are more concerned with the warmest water and less about staying hidden.

For shallow water anglers, you can catch a good quantity of bass between noon and 4 pm. If you are still experiencing low fish activity, you can try fishing in deeper water to get that trophy fish. 

Night Time

Fishing at night increases your chances of catching Bass because of the fewer winter anglers in the lake. Bass can function even during low light, so finding a spot with lots of moonlight can help.

To succeed, you can try using noisy lures to attract them when fishing at night. 

Good Places To Catch Bass During The Wintertime

You need to understand how bass behaves during the winter to know where to locate them. Water clarity matters because bass like to hide during the winter in the deep water.

When fishing in clear water, the best bait to use is crawfish or crankbaits in natural colors. 

The most important consideration to make when looking for ideal bass fishing locations is baitfish and deep water. The most common areas you are likely to find bass are areas with deep and shallow water nearby.

These can include underwater islands and humps. You can find Bass humped together along bluffs and rocks to protect them against the nasty weather. Some bass will move out of the main lake when the water gets cold, while others will move into deep water lakes.

If you are fishing in shallow lakes, you can likely find winter bass in the ditches.

Best Type of Bait To Use For Bass In Winter

Bass don’t change their diet during the winter; they end up consuming a lower quantity. There are different choices for bass baits and fish food to make it easier to catch more bass during the winter.

Having the right type of bass fishing techniques and baitfish makes sure you don’t go home empty-handed. Here are the best baitfish for winter bass fishing.

Jigs

One of the most popular options for winter bass fishing is jigs. The subtle action of hair jigs appeals to cold water bass around rocks and bluffs. Although they can be heavy to carry around, they come in handy during winter. 

The jig will be easily visible if you cast it in the right bass fishing locations. Bass will expect slow movement because of the cold water, so you will get more bites if you stick in those locations. 

Grubs

You will find most anglers using grubs when it comes to bass fishing. It is a very helpful lure during winter for catching Bass in areas with overhead coverage and weeds.

After finding the place you want to cast in, you can throw the bait and let it fall to the bottom of the water, and slowly reel it back up and down again. This bait is an excellent choice to lure-in the Bass you find in that area.

Lipless Crankbaits

The Lipless crankbait is the ideal choice for bass fishing in natural lakes or reservoirs. They are active and generate enough action in the water to trigger strikes from coldwater bass.

With this fish on the hooks, you can make long cats over grass lines and flats until you find your bass.

If you get your set upright, with a lipless crankbait, you can ensure the hooks do not rip free of the Bass after they bite. The right winter bait will have you walking away with plenty of basses.

5 Tips To Catch More Bass During The Winter

You don’t need to put away your bass fishing rod just because winter is here. With a few tweaks to your winter fishing strategies and techniques, you will be able to reel in the bass in no time.

You can try out some of these bass fishing techniques to catch more Bass during the winter.

1. Go Small For Bigger Catches

Bass behave differently during winter due to reduced activity and the appetite for a lower diet. You will want to use smaller sizes of baitfish to catch sizable winter bass.

If you’re going to catch larger bass, you can use larger fish bait, but it is suitable to use smaller sized baits.

Small baits are less of a threat to bass and seem like a simple meal to them. Slowing down your movements also go hand in hand with using smaller sized bait.

Due to their reduced metabolism, they will be less likely to chase fast-moving topwater bait.

2. Bundle Up & Fish Longer

During the cold season, you need to ensure you are warm and protected from the harsh weather. The water will be freezing, and you don’t want to get sick.

Wearing a fleece between your layers of clothes can help with breathability while keeping your arm while fishing.

To add to your warmth, you can wear fingerless gloves that allow for easy mobility and hand warmers. This way, you will be able to stay fishing all into the afternoon and at night.

3. X Marks The Spot

Finding the right locations for water bass fishing is the most crucial technique to catch bass.  During winter, Bass will be looking for cover underwood, rocks, and docks. Bass swim in deep and shallower water locations like rock banks, weedy areas, and underwater sand islands. 

Adding a few feet to your usual bass fishing location can add your chances of catching large bass. Get outside your comfort zone and try different places if the usual ones aren’t working out.

Bass has excellent senses, so you need to be smarter and find them in areas where they feel safe. 

4. Ideal Temps

Winter fishing temperatures are vital because this determines the bass’s movement from shallow to deep water. Temperature changes trigger bass eating habits depending on the region and climate.

Under 40 degrees, bass will generally be inactive and need a quick meal. As an angler, you will find it more challenging to fish for bass because they are eating less often and are slowing down. 

When the temperature hits between 40-50 degrees, using slow movements and focusing more on deeper water, you will be able to go home with bass in your boat.

Various techniques will work during seasonal changes from fall to winter and late winter to spring when degrees are between 50-60 degrees.

5. Tech For The Win

You can’t escape technology even when winter bass fishing. Devices like GPS are useful when locating suitable bass fishing locations. When it’s cold, having a GPS can save you time instead of staying in one spot for hours.

With these devices, you can identify fish on your screen and then drop your bait with precision. Other devices will also help you pick up the right water depths and temperatures for fishing bass. With a couple of tries, you will directly place the bait right in front of the Bass.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are starting in bass fishing or want to catch larger Bass the next time you go bass fishing in winter, these winter fishing techniques will help.

Winter anglers can better determine bass’ winter movement patterns to locate them in the body of water better.

Some winter bass fishing strategies you can implement include finding the optimum fishing locations, reducing bait sizes, and wearing more protection while fishing. The temperatures can be dangerously low during winter, so carrying the right gear is essential.

For experienced anglers, bass fishing in winter is not impossible.

Related Questions

Is bass fishing good in the winter?

Yes, it is. Prime winter fishing occurs during winter, and you can fish for larger Bass while enjoying the peace of winter bass fishing.

What temperature stops bass biting?

Bass won’t stop biting even during the winter because they need to eat. At temperatures under 40 degrees, they could be inactive and feed less compared to warmer climates.