| Catching smallmouth bass in ice-cold winter | | | | feet deep. Fish will move in a few at a time and |
| patterns is a tough chore as these guys seem to | | | | start cruising the shallow flats in search of an |
| go comatose during the winter season. However, | | | | easy meal. Look for sand and rocks. Crayfish will |
| as spring approaches, smallmouth will begin to | | | | begin spawning during this time of the year and |
| sense the changing sun angle and warming water | | | | we all know that crayfish are like candy to a |
| temperatures. They start to resurrect | | | | smallmouth. Tube jigs or any crayfish imitating |
| themselves from their winter slumber and start | | | | lures dragged on the bottom will work during this |
| shifting their bodies and moving. Smallmouth bass | | | | time. |
| fishing in early spring is all about how, when, and | | | | When the water temperature gets into the mid |
| where to locate the fish. | | | | 50's smallmouth bass start to become very |
| At the end of winter, smallies may still be | | | | aggressive. Most all of the fish will be in shallow |
| reluctant to move shallow. As the water | | | | water at this time and will be actively pursuing |
| temperature nears the mid 40's most smallies will | | | | forage and looking for spawning area's. Focus |
| remain in deep water, but will begin moving | | | | your efforts on water that is 3 to 6 feet deep. |
| towards shallow water without making much of a | | | | This is the time when smallmouth bass fishing can |
| depth change. They will follow off shore drop-off | | | | be phenomenal. Minnow imitating jerkbaits, |
| contours and move to where the deep water is | | | | crankbaits, and jigs, as well as crayfish imitating |
| closest to the shore. Look for inside turns along | | | | jigs will all work well during this time. |
| the break that are close to shore during this time | | | | Early spring is a great time to get out and do |
| and focus your efforts there. Smallmouth bass | | | | some smallmouth bass fishing. However, it is not |
| holding in these area's can be coaxed into biting, | | | | always easy to catch up with them in this season. |
| however, the water is still cold and deep so stick | | | | Observation, patience and experimentation are |
| to slow, subtle baits and dangle them in front of | | | | required to learn how, when, and where to locate |
| the fish. | | | | and catch smallies in early spring. Once you figure |
| As the water temperature approaches the high | | | | this out, you could be in for a bronzeback |
| 40's to low 50's, the fish will sporadically begin to | | | | bonanza. |
| move into shallower water between 6 and 10 | | | | |