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Cold-water fishing is difficult, because fish do not actively feed in water temperatures below 45-50°F. When the water reaches these temperatures, the bass school together, barely moving. Bass in southern lakes move into deeper water near submerged trees and rock piles, posing a challenge to anglers.
In lakes in the deep south, cast along the shoreline and flat weedbeds with spinnerbaits or plastic worms. Large bass feed actively in the sun-warmed shallows.
Do not overlook the fishing offered by small northern ponds. Most small ponds are fewer than ten feet deep, but contain large bass that resist fighting in the cold water. When fishing small farm ponds in the winter, use a plastic worm with a small splitshot above the hook. The slight weight allows the angler to feel bottom, while reducing the chance of a snag.
When winter fishing in open lakes, focus on submerged timber near the shoreline and a deep drop-off. Use vertical jigging with spoons. Simply drop the lure among the submerged timber brush, and jig the lure up and down. The lure resembles a dying shad, killed from the cold.
Bass feed on dying shad, so expect a hit on the downward motion of the lure. Set the hook quickly when the lure hesitates its downward sinking. Anglers can also use spinnerbaits jigged vertically, or may cast the lure and retrieve it with a slight vertical pulling action. Fish the lure very slowly, and where one bass is caught, there is a high likelihood that other bass are schooled at the same depth.
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