From Personal Experience 14 Years to say the least on Rivers i've Learned i can Open water Fish for Large Mouth Bass And i don't nessecarily have to down size all of my tactics either. In winter Months Bass Won't migrate Miles away from there Spring Fishing holes but more or less the first deep drop off of at least 10-12 feet, Can Hold Fish for the Winter Months. And Typically in Rivers that isn't far from shore leaving shore anglers access to Winter Large Mouth. During winter Months In Chicago i'll fish in 0-10 degree weather and 37-45 degree water Still Managing at least two Large Mouth each time out. Why am i able to do this on such brutal fishing days?
Determination and preperation. I've Prepared and Studied and Have tried everything you'd think of to be able to catch beautiful fish this time of year and it's paid off. Typically I will do the usual down sizing My line, Switching to light wire worm hooks and throwing finesse worms, But i've also noticed Slight drops in the barometric pressure can leave fish in a feeding frenzy i have no Proof that fish react to slight changes in the winter of the barometric pressure but From personal Expeirences i would say that they do. And in doing So I would Use Crank baits of no more then 3" or 3 1/2" in length and Catch bass using aggressive tactics. And This is great news being no body thinks of open water fishing for bass when the temperatures are almost bareable, And these times have been Most productive for me Being it is when i've produced My Biggest Large Mouth Bass.
George Watford
AdeptAngling.com
Chicago illinois