John's Journal...
Entry
72, Day 1
Where to Fish for Bass in the Winter
EDITOR'S
NOTE: Ken Cook quit his job as a fisheries biologist in 1983 to become
a professional bass angler. Since then the Meers, Oklahoma, resident has
participated in a multitude of tournaments, including more than 200 BASS
events. Currently, he fishes about 18 tournaments a year and stays on
the water fishing for bass about 200 days a year.
Question: What are some tips you can give anglers
about catching bass during the wintertime?
Answer: First of all, keep in mind that bass are cold-blooded,
and in the winter they become extremely sluggish. They'll live in the
deepest waters. Therefore, in the winter, you have to fish differently
than you do any other time of the year. You must slow down your fishing
because the bass aren't very aggressive. Fish slowly and vertically. Use
smaller baits because the bass won't react well to fast-moving or large
lures.
Question:
Where are some places to look for bass in the cold months of the year?
Answer: Search for bass along a steep bluff bank, and fish vertically
by a creek channel. Find vertical structure with a wide variety of baits.
In the winter, bass tend to bunch-up, so, if you find one bass you'll
probably locate lots of them. You often can catch a large number of bass
in a relatively small area.
Question:
Can you explain what you mean by fishing vertically?
Answer: Fishing vertically means fishing straight above the fish,
almost like you do when you're ice fishing. You'll have a very controlled
lure that you drop to bass, oftentimes on a small structure like a rock
or a stump. You'll be fishing about 20 to 50 feet deep. Casting to bass
in the winter is very ineffective. Instead, you want to get that lure
in a bass's face. You have to go to the bass. The bass won't chase you.
Tomorrow: The Importance of Electronics and Cook's
Favorite Wintertime Bass-Fishing Places
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