Winter Bass Fishing: When Others Quit, the Big Girls Bite

While most anglers are winterizing their boats and dreaming of spring, I’m rigging up for some of the best bass fishing of the year.

Why I Love Winter Bass Fishing

There’s something special about having an entire lake to yourself on a cold December morning. The crowds are gone, the water is gin-clear, and the bass? They’re fat, aggressive, and concentrated in predictable areas. Sure, the bite windows are shorter and the action isn’t as fast as summer, but when you connect with a winter bass, it’s often the best fish of the day—sometimes the best fish of the year.

Winter fishing isn’t for everyone. It takes patience, persistence, and a willingness to fish slow. Really slow. But if you can handle the cold and adjust your approach, you’ll be rewarded with quality over quantity.

Where to Find Winter Bass

Cold water pushes bass into a handful of key areas:

Deep rock transitions are my go-to spots. Bass will stage on chunk rock banks and bluff ends adjacent to deep water, typically in the 15-30 foot range. They want quick access to deeper water but will move shallow to feed when conditions are right.

Creek channels that wind through the backs of coves hold fish all winter. Focus on the deeper bends and any hard structure like stumps or laydowns along the channel edges.

Main lake points with gradual tapers are winter magnets. Look for points that extend from the bank and taper down to 25-40 feet. Bass will suspend along these transitions and move up and down based on weather and baitfish activity.

Marinas and docks provide both structure and slightly warmer water. Don’t overlook covered slips and boat ramps—they can be goldmines on brutally cold days.

My Winter Arsenal

I keep it simple in winter. Here’s what’s always tied on:

Jigs (3/8 to 3/4 oz) - This is my #1 winter bait. A brown or green pumpkin jig with a chunk trailer worked painfully slow along rock and timber produces the biggest bites. I’m talking 30-45 second pauses between hops. Your patience will be tested, but this is what separates the winter warriors from the fair-weather fishermen.

Blade baits - When bass are suspended or lethargic, a blade bait can trigger reaction strikes. Yo-yo it vertically over deep structure or along channel drops. The vibration cuts through cold water and gets their attention.

Jerkbaits - On warmer winter days (45°F+), a suspending jerkbait is deadly. Long pauses—we’re talking 10-20 seconds—let the bait sit right in the strike zone. Most bites come on the pause.

Drop shot - For finicky fish or when you’re fishing ultra-clear water, a drop shot with a small finesse worm can save the day. Work it on steep banks and bluff walls where bass are pressed tight to cover.

Reading Winter Weather

Winter fishing is all about timing. Here’s when I make sure I’m on the water:

Stable weather patterns produce the most consistent bites. Give me three days of stable temps and partly cloudy skies over a wild temperature swing any day.

Pre-frontal conditions can turn on the bite. The day or two before a major cold front, bass will often feed aggressively. Take advantage of these windows.

Sunny afternoons are prime time. Water temps can rise 2-5 degrees in shallow pockets, and bass will move up to feed. Focus on dark-bottom coves and northern banks that get maximum sun exposure.

Avoid post-frontal periods unless you’re desperate. Right after a cold front blows through, fishing can be brutally slow. Wait 2-3 days for conditions to stabilize.

The Mental Game

Let’s be real—winter fishing can test your resolve. You might go hours without a bite. Your hands will be cold, your line will freeze in the guides, and you’ll question why you’re not home watching football.

But then it happens. Your jig gets crushed on the bottom, and you’re hooked into a 5-pounder that hasn’t seen a lure in months. That fish makes every cold finger and slow day worth it.

Winter separates the serious anglers from the casual ones. While everyone else is waiting for spring, you’re putting in time and gaining knowledge that will pay dividends when tournament season kicks off.

My Winter Game Plan for Table Rock

Since Table Rock is my home water, here’s how I approach it in winter:

I start on main lake chunk rock points in 20-30 feet, dragging a jig. If that’s slow, I’ll move to creek channels in the mid-lake area, focusing on any hard cover along the drops. On warm sunny days, I’ll run way up the James River or Kings River arms and fish shallow pockets that warm up fast.

The key is mobility. Don’t get married to one spot. Winter bass are concentrated, so when you find them, you’ll know it. But if you’re not getting bit after 20-30 minutes, move.

Final Thoughts

Winter bass fishing isn’t about limits—it’s about quality. It’s about having the lake to yourself and connecting with fish that weigh more than they will in the spring. It’s about slowing down, focusing on details, and outthinking the bass instead of outfishing them with speed.

So while everyone else is putting their gear away, I’m just getting started. The big girls are waiting.

Tight lines and stay warm out there.

@ksbigbass