Since bass fish are cold-blooded, their bodies? temperature is the same as that of the water's. The water's temperature, hence, control the activities and swimming patterns of the bass. The colder the temperature of the water, the slower heartbeat the fish has, the less food and oxygen they require and less activities they do.

In 70-degree water, a two or three-pound bass might eat and digest a one-inch forage in six hours and afterwards might get hungry again. In 50-degree water, it might however take 48 longs hours to digest that same food. If the water is less than 45 degrees, it is most probable that the fish will not eat the food in the first place. Digesting food it this kind of temperature will take it weeks to digest the food.

For most anglers wanting to go bass fishing on a winter day, it might turn out to be a nice day with everyone else enjoying each other's company while fishing, but usually they do not get the desired results when it comes to bass catching. Winter season is admittedly not a very prolific time of the year when it comes to bass fishing.

Warmer days during winter season might see some improvement in bass fishing but it would really be difficult to catch many bass before mid month of February. Stripers as well as hybrid bass is going to be your best hope, and you do have more chance with crappie than bass in the wintry, cold water. You might want to travel to Lake Sinclair and other waters around the coal-fired power plants and go fish on the much warmer water coming from the plants. Definitely, the warm water discharge improves your bass catch.

Nonetheless, if you insist on bass fishing this time of the year, remember always that they are cold-blooded. Winter slows them down so you should match them by slowing down yourself. Use the smallest of bait that you have. If you have bait that will stay preferably forever in front of the fish and doing only insignificant movements, this is much better. Preferred bait would be a jigging spoon that would work up and down in a slow fashion might earn a bite from an inactive bass. A doodling worm in the same spot might also prove effective.

When all is done to try for a productive bass fishing in winter, yet nothing unfortunately worked, do not fret. Even if you do not catch a single bass fish, I am sure your being on the lake this cold winter and just trying your best is definitely better than anything else for an avid bass fisherman like you.