The Vegetation X Factor
The more typical winter fisherman in the cold dead of winter fish a variety of different structure starting with points that falls into deep water. Others hit rip rap along deep banks, or look for old road beds along original lake crossings. Lakes with vegetation however can have an X-factor that last all winter long, depending on how cold the water temperature drops and how long it stays down to a severe cold temperature.
As the grass beds disappear into the winter months there is always areas along deep edges or creek beds that holds grass all year long. As the sunny days start to become back to back in late January and on into February the sun moves the bass up onto the grass beds in the shallow flats. The intersection of these flats and the standing grass become holding places for winter feeding bass. Generally the closer these flats are too deep water the better, but I've seen bass moving and feeding this time of year in three foot of water, in the back end of some long creeks.
Your typical winter fisherman generally fishes slow with lethargic hit the fish in the head type baits and methodically works an area until they get a bite. The X-factor being vegetation gives you an opportunity to take a completely different approach, that being using fast moving baits along the edges of the vegetation. When the sun starts to stack these back to back sunny days the bass are up feeding along the edges of the grass beds and big oz. rattle baits or a buzz baits can be a big difference maker in catching fish. It's also a great time to take that big spinner bait and slow roll it over the top of the grass beds. The X-factor can really change typical winter time slow fishing into what might appear early pre-spawn and you can catch fish all winter long when the vegetation becomes the X-factor.
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
Call: 256 759 2270
Captain Mike Gerry