| Well my friends, sadly we are ending another | | | | jerk bait for plug. This is extremely important |
| year of Bass Fishing here in the Northwest. | | | | during cold water temps. Often times, anglers |
| However, you can still land yourself a lunker this | | | | make the mistake of using an extremely flashy, |
| fall with these tips below: | | | | wobbly lure at this time, and won't get bit. |
| 1) Fish Slow, Fish Deep: As the water temps | | | | These fish want that lure slow....The flat head is |
| drop, it is important to chase the bass into the | | | | perfect for this. |
| deeper waters, and along boulders which will help | | | | 3) Retrieves: Make sure you work the retrieve |
| to retain heat. Often, you will see schools of | | | | as slow as possible. I like to jerk, then wait 8-10 |
| bass laying up against the boulders, trying to stay | | | | seconds, and then jerk again. The bass really |
| warm. Also, as the ice begins to hit the lake, the | | | | need to see the presentation for a while before |
| bass will head towards more oxygen...hence, the | | | | they get the energy up to hit it. Manually count |
| deeper waters. As always, with cooler water, | | | | the seconds in your head to ensure you are going |
| means slower presentations. Metabolism really | | | | slow enough. If you think you are going slow |
| slows down this time of year, so it is important | | | | enough...You are going too fast! |
| to leave the bait in front of their nose as long as | | | | 4) Your Lake: Make sure you fish a lake that |
| possible. Often times, you will get strikes only on | | | | maintains its vegetation as late into the year as |
| reactions, so keep it slow and simple. | | | | possible. Vegetation means oxygen, and oxygen |
| 2) Flat head Jerk Baits: If you can find a flat | | | | means more fish. Look for boulders and rocks |
| head jerk bait at your local tackle shop, grab it. | | | | on the lake floor. These areas will retain more |
| These baits suspend in the water, and have a | | | | heat, and retain more fish. |
| much tighter wiggle to them then the average | | | | |