Fish slowly. That is one tip that will serve you well when you use cold water bass fishing baits. Whether dragging a jig across the bottom, swimming a grub just over the bottom or working a suspending jerkbait over channel edges, retrieve your lures in cold water slowly. Bass seldom chase lures in cold water. Even with the best cold water fishing baits, you must put your lure right in front of them and make it easy to catch.
Slow With Jigs
Cold weather is one of the best times of the year to catch big bass. That advice comes from pro fisherman Denny Brauer, who says start your winter fishing by throwing jigs in deep water along channel banks, points and bluffs. Jigs are a slow-moving lure, and that matches the metabolism of bass in cold water. A 3/8-oz. jig is a good choice. For a slower presentation, pick a 1/4-oz. jig. The lighter jig falls more slowly in the water column. A large, wide trailer also slows the drop. Keep the jig on the bottom along drops and edges or in heavy cover, and work it slowly.
Suspending Jerkbaits
Bass are lethargic in cold water. They don't want to chase after food. A suspending jerkbait appeals to them because, fished correctly, it doesn't move. Bass fishing pro Larry Nixon says jerkbaits work best in clear to moderately clear water down to 40 degrees. Some lure companies make jerkbaits that are weighted to suspend in the water, or you can add commercially made stick-on weights to a floating jerkbait. Use 10- to 12-lb. line and a long rod with a limber tip. Make long casts, crank the bait down into the water with a couple of quick turns of the reel handle, then let the lure sit motionless for up to a minute. Give it a twitch or two and then let it sit again. Repeat the retrieve until your lure passes out of your target fishing zone.
Plastic Grubs
Grubs are easy-to-fish plastic lures that are often overlooked. Tennessee bass fishing expert Jack Christian says grubs are a great choice for cold water. He recommends a 6-foot, heavy-action spinning rod with 8-lb. test line. Fish a grub on a weighted hook of about 1/4-oz. near chunk rock banks or drops, let it drop to the bottom, then give a slight lift to your rod tip and swim the lure slowly along the bottom. Hopping the lure along 45-degree banks is another productive technique. Cast, let the lure sink to the bottom, then snap it up and let it fall again. Most hits will come on the fall. Winter hits may be very light. Set the hook any time you feel the slightest pressure on your rod.
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