Catching cold weather bass
By Herb Allen


You awaken to a massive cold front originating in the Arctic Circle moving through Florida with gale force winds and white caps for as far as the eye can see churning up your favorite lake. What should you do? 

The logical answer is to roll over and go back to sleep. But, let's assume that's not an option and, for whatever reason, you're obligated to bundle up and give it the old college try.

Bass tournament contestants, for example, often lack a choice and must compete in less than "blue bird" conditions. Nobody is really surprised when few competitors manage to weigh-in a paltry stringer. Just getting on the board is sometimes a triumph of sorts.

Fortunately, this extreme scenario is rare for Floridians, even during the coldest months of January through early-March.

Frequently, however, multiple cold fronts are common in our state, and the passage of even mild fronts seemingly put bass off their feed.

However, all is not lost if you're willing to adapt to conditions.

For years the general wisdom was to fish the deepest parts of a lake or river and, sometimes, this pays off. But, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Biologist Marty Mann doesn't totally agree with this tactic.

"During cold fronts bass will hold tighter to cover or structure at various depths," he said.
"Generally," he adds, "anglers should slow their presentations."

Bass pro Terry Seagraves of Kissimmee has several tricks up his sleeve during the passage of cold fronts.

One technique he uses is to fish a Rat-L-Trap off the bottom which, he says, often draws reaction strikes.

Live shiners are certainly the number one bait offering in cold weather. But, for those who insist on using artificials, slowly fished spinnerbaits and plastic worms on or near the bottom is often a ticket to success.

In deeper, clear and weed-free lakes, such blade baits as the Little George or a jigging spoon fished vertically from a boat can be successful.

Various structures that likely will hold cold-water bass include submerged brush piles, standing timber, drop-offs, underwater hills and points. If you can't find fish in one place, move onto the next and, chances are, you'll eventually stumble upon an area where bass are holding.
Since it's known that suspended bass are found lurking beneath schools of baitfish in open water, knowledgeable fishermen seek out baitfish schools using electronic depth finders and slowly work their lures just above the school so as not to spook the bait or bass.

Many Sunshine Staters simply don't go out during January and February because they've been skunked so often.

Perhaps, they'll change their minds by applying some of the techniques used by Mann, Seagraves and other pros who have managed to solve this cold front dilemma.