When you make your next winter trip to the great outdoors for bass fishing, remember it won’t be easy, but it is entirely possible.
To many, the thought of leaving your dry, warm home to go try to catch bass on a fly sounds like utter madness. Don’t be mistaken; it is challenging; cold weather and numb fingers can be challenging. Difficult teeth are far greater than any miscomforts.
Fly fishing in winter for bass is highly productive and worth getting off the couch for. The bass, particularly winter smallmouth, act and eat differently, but once you figure out your piece of water, you will be in for a treat. Here are a few key things to consider and understand before heading out.
Location of the winter smallmouth, water temperatures to work with, and which column to focus on. This will all influence your catch rate. The section below looks at how to successfully target bass in the winter!
Where to look when fly fishing for winter bass
Both big smallmouth bass and largemouth bass still feed in winter. The cold weather and cold water play a massive role in their behavior and feeding habits. Both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are cold-blooded species, so colder water temperatures slow down their metabolism. Coldwater equals slower, less active bass as opposed to warmer waters that cause the bass’s metabolism to rise and become more active.
That said, winter largemouth and smallmouth bass still need to eat but will exert the least energy required to feed. Focus more on the deeper underwater structures than you would on shallow water areas. The bass will be holding in there somewhere, so on your next boating adventure, be sure to work the lake’s deeper areas.
The bass won’t be chasing schools of baitfish in the shallows, so forget about those scenarios and focus on the next fishing spot.
Deeper water
Keep an eye out for deep bailouts with decent structure in them. The smallmouth bass will be held in the lower water column, where the water can provide some warmth. Any overhanging banks or trees that offer security and a constant food source are good bets. Deepwater, over 10 feet deep, would be a good starting point to fish. Any deep pool or ledge is where you need to spend most of your time fly fishing for bass.
Structure
Bass fishing is all about working structure, yes it can be a little more challenging with bass fly rods when your fly gets stuck working the structure, but it does yield the best results. Find the structure, and you will find the bass!
Sunken logs or debris are the best types of structures to work, especially for winter bass fishing. They are deep, warmer, and provide security, and the bass has a tremendous predatory advantage over any small or large aquatic animal that passes. If you are battling to find this type of structure or it’s too far to reach with a fly fishing rod, then the second-best kind of structure is to look for rocky ledges.
Look for a rocky cluster and then fish the deep water off either side of it. Again, the bass will hold in the deeper water and move in to feed if the opportunity allows it. A full sinking bass fly line is best suited for this type of fly fishing. You need to get down fast and retrieve the fly through the column. The last option to target bass in the winter would be to fish the deeper weed beds.
This may require long casts and a more subtle approach of wet wading to get into position, but this type of structure can be produced. Work from the water onto the weed beds, fast sporadic strips, and movements usually provoke vicious takes.
How important is the water temperature?
Water temperature is as critical in bass fishing as it is in trout fishing. The cold water affects the bass even more so than it does trout. Trout would still feed and be active in cold waters, whereas bass would become very passive in this particular water. As we all know, bass loves the warmer months and water, but the winter months waters are still productive should you wish to break the cabin fever cycle and get out there.
Look for waters that aren’t colder than 40°F; this is on the colder side but is still fishable. If you find the 50°F plus water, you will be in for fun.
Time of day can play a significant role in when to fish for bass in winter. The sunset session is often the most productive as the water has had the whole day to warm up, allowing the fish to be more active.
Gear needed when fly fishing for winter bass.
The best cold-weather fly fishing gear needed to fly fish for bass isn’t much different from the gear needed to fly fish for them in summer. The same weight fly rods and reels, 5wt -7wt setups, can be used, changing from a WF floating line to a WF fly fishing sinking line. A DI 3 or DI5 will be fine. The reason for this is that you will be predominantly focusing on the deep water.
It’s also better to start with smaller flies instead of the big ones you use in the summer months because the bass wants to use the least energy to feed so that smaller prey would be an easy meal. Other anglers may start fishing with larger, lighter flies, but a smaller, weighted fly will imitate a small baitfish best.
Don’t spend several hours in one spot, either. If you haven’t had any interest in a chosen location, then move; the more water you cover, the better until you find the fish. Covering water on the lake or still water reservoir is the only way to up your chances.
How to catch bass in winter
As a fly fisherman, you use the surroundings and environment to influence your decisions on flies and tactics. Catching bass in the winter is tricky, but it can become a regular thing with a bit of extra knowledge. Always look for an underwater structure first, then make sure you choose the right fly to pull through once you have located this type of possible holding area. Check out our post here on best bass flies for more patterns to choose from.
Small baitfish patterns are the first choice, as most baitfish die out over the winter and the bass jump at the opportunity to feed on the remaining fish. So choose a fly with a quick sink rate and one that will imitate the local baitfish; shad imitations work well. Shad and crawfish imitations are great flies to start with red, orange, and white colors.
If you tie your own winter patterns, then combination colors are perfect. Take a look at affiliated sites and other recommended articles on which bass flies should be fished.
A slowed metabolism means more sluggish responses, so the best way to start your retrieve is with short, fast strips with long pauses. Followed by a few slow retrieves and pauses, pay attention to the drop between each pause as this is when bass love to take, and many eats can be missed.
The slower approach yields better results but demands more patience and awareness. However, once you get the feeling for the eats and the general motions of the slower approach, you will start to land some fatties.
FAQs
What’s the best bait for bass fishing in winter?
The best bait for bass fishing in winter depends on your fishing location, but some popular baits include jigs, jerk baits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics.
What colors are best for winter bass fishing?
Regarding colors, darker colors like black, brown, and purple tend to be the most popular for winter bass fishing. Bright colors such as chartreuse and white can also be effective.
Are bass less active in the winter?
Yes, bass tends to be less active in winter due to cold temperatures. However, they can still be caught with the right techniques and bait.
Do bass go deep or shallow in winter?
Bass typically go deep in the winter as they seek deeper, warmer water. However, if the temperature is right, they can also be found in shallow water.
Does bass bite more when it’s cold?
Bass can bite more when it’s cold, as long as there is some activity in the water (such as baitfish). In general, they tend to bite slower in colder temperatures.
Conclusion
So there you have it. It will be a lot of fun once you have mastered a few changes from your usual approach to bass fishing. The main differences would be to skip the shallower areas and focus on the slow, deep, structured waters. A slow, sinking line and slow retrieve is the best way to get the fly down to the bass.
The slow retrieval is critical as the fish don’t want to spend that much energy feeding. Use a smaller fly to start with and work your way up in fly size until you have found what works. You will be in for a great session once you have zeroed in on the best retrieve and flies.
Tight Lines!
