Know How To Tell If You're Using the Right Lure?

A telltale sign is when you catch more than one fish at a time on the same lure. In most instances, a double, or sometimes triple hookup, depending on how many hooks the lure has, signals that you've stumbled onto a huge wolfpack of schooling bass, and they're literally fighting over your lure.

These groups usually are bigger in the wintertime, and while they may be harder to find, there are occasions when they'll be so aggressive your bait won't even have a chance to reach the bottom.

Winter haunts vary by region and lake type; however, here are a few common things to look for: (1) Current breaks. Summer bass use current, but winter bass avoid it. (2) Corners. Creek-channel swings and bends that gather baitfish are key areas. (3) Proximity to deep water. From winter through early spring, bass want nearby access to deep water as insurance against cold fronts. They basically just move up and down in the water column, while remaining close to their feeding areas.

Warming trends can trigger major periods of feeding aggression, especially in southern waters, where fish respond sharply to cold weather. Ahead of weather systems, the fish really feed up. You can see a difference, even when the temperature is in the upper 40s or low 50s.

Overnight temperatures are especially important this time of year. Extended periods of warm or at least stable weather during the daytime, with no severe temperature dips at night, are the ideal conditions. On the other hand, if you have cold nights and warmer mornings, the better bite usually will be in the afternoon. Warmer nights generally result in a better early bite.

Reaction baits are a good choice for wintertime bass. When fishing shallow, experts often recommend swim jigs and lipless crankbaits. Subtle, fluttering retrieves imitate sluggish and, therefore, vulnerable baitfsih. Erratic moves are more important than speed.

When fishing mid-depths, medium-diving crankbaits are recommended. Even though you're reeling slow, that crankbait is hitting and ricocheting off all kinds of stuff, making it look like a cold, crazy shad, and that is what triggers strikes.

When fishing deep water, spoons get the nod. Jerk, flutter, jerk, flutter--this simple cadence does a number on bass hoping for cold-stunned shad.

Another good option for triggering wintertime bites is a shallow-diving jerkbait. For some delightful underwater footage of the feeding frenzy one of these baits created, click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKA3jGsY9oQ.