Topwater Fishing For Bass In Winter

It's rarely discussed. Few even mention it, probably for fear of being labeled a liar. Non-believers must actually be shown and many still have trouble giving in. I'm writing about it and already the majority of you (that have got this far) still have your doubts...

Catching bass on topwater lures has been written by famed authors for many years. Every Spring, Summer and Fall it is described with an ever increasing adage. But how many times have you read or seen anything on topwater fishing during the dead of Winter ? Very little I'm sure. You see, there was a time I was a non-believer. Sure, I had heard a little talk about this unusual Wintertime tactic for Big bass action on top. I had even got all geared up, headed for the lake and commenced to thrashing the water in all directions with any lure that would leave a trail of bubbles in it's path.

Three hours later, I was sitting in some warm cove as the sun warmed my aching bones, sipping on a warm cup of coffee and "worming" the secluded bank. All the while, looking down at the array of lures laying at my feet and wondering, " what I was doing wrong?" Soon I found out it was all just a matter of timing. Being in the right place, at the right time, throwing the right lure, has left many an angler heading home from the lake with a big smile rather than bearing a big frown. Recognizing these conditions is the key to success. Actually, its as simple as the old saying. What, when, where?

WHAT?
What Lure? I believe this to be a matter of personal preference. Although I have seen days when certain lures and imparting certain actions, have caught far more bigger bass and achieved more strikes overall than other similar lures. Many variables may govern your lure choice. The conditions, such as rain, wind, sun, cloud cover, shade, rising or falling air and water temperatures, water clarity, current and especially previous weather, all dictate a different approach and weigh heavily on your decision in choosing the correct lure.

In addition, you have got to keep in mind, these are off-the-wall tactics and all previous rules and regulations don't apply. Therefore let me say right now, "Throw out the Bassin' Book"! As during the rest of the year when trying to figure out the many species of the ever-elusive bass, experimenting is the key. There is nothing like on the water experience to answer your own questions. Here's a rundown of my personal preference of lures. When applied in certain situations and during favorable conditions, they will catch BIG bass during the Winter months.

THE ZARA SPOOK - This lure will catch BIG Bass year-round in very clear to stained water. It is my personal favorite, so I throw it a lot more than the average angler would. It has always been considered a BIG bass lure, and compared to the average, much smaller offerings most anglers have grown accustomed to, it is BIG in size as well. Earlier model zara spooks, both wooden and molded plastic models were 4.50 inches long and .75 of an inch wide and could be cast quite some distance. Many old timers fished the turn of the century with these new lures with phenomenal success. However some anglers had trouble "walking" these zara spooks and interest soon dwindled. Casting and retrieving other topwater lures of that era was much easier, less tiring and required a lot less effort on the anglers part. These were two hook models with no rattles.

Now, well over 70 years later there is Pradco's, "Zara Super Spook, Jimmy Houston Signature Series models", now featuring three hooks and internal rattles. This lure is much more durable (with a much thicker body) than earlier models and in addition these super spooks features a very realistic-looking paint job. The super spook is much bigger than the original Zara Spook at five inches in length and one eighth of an inch wider. It also casts further and walks a whole lot easier than the earlier model zara spooks. With its holographic eyes and very realistic paint job, age-old Bass are fooled into blasting a very realistic looking, easy-to-catch, seemingly injured meal.

There is no certain time to throw a zara spook. However, favorable conditions will enhance more strikes. I have caught numbers of BIG bass in low, 50 degree water temperatures. On one occasion (Feb, 1999) I had two bass in one morning (spooking), weighing over five pounds each, in 46 degree water. But this was a rare phenomenon and a rising water temperature situation. Usually, in water temperatures from the mid-to-upper 50's is the best time to plan an outing.

This takes place during, or following, a warming trend with clearing water conditions. An approaching, rainy, cold-front after several of these mild days and warm nights, accompanied with a rising barometer and followed by clouds and high winds, are perfect conditions for 2-3 days of wintertime spooking on top. A slight chop on the water, plenty of baitfish, cover and the security of deeper water nearby completes this recipe for some BIG bass action throughout Winter. All species, means smallmouth, spotted bass, largemouth bass and some huge stripers, will all nail these zara spooks during Winter.

BUZZBAITS - Like the zara spook, this is a BIG bass lure, but will cover a lot more water faster and it's a lot more weedless. Trailer hooks are a must on these lures known for attracting missed strikes, boils, and aggravated bass that will even explode on the lure knocking it in the air. Louder models have a blade that either knocks the head of the lure or has a small flag that clacks against the main blade.

These can be used in stained or clear water with repeated casts to a known BIG bass lair. The noise can only scare the bass away or aggravate it into displaying some very vicious strikes, especially after you have seined the area from all angles. With stained water you are at a distinct advantage with a slow, steady retrieve with these buzzbaits, usually fished near the thickest portion of the most attractive BIG bass cover available. Both loud and quieter model buzzbaits may be needed on any outing this Winter.

These BIG bass of Winter can be anywhere the prevailing conditions take them. Choosing cover now becomes a matter of ambush rather than choice like other times of the year. Even dead weeds will hold bass during winter, using them for cover or ambush spots. Although low in oxygen, these are homes to numbers of Summer and Fall bass, that refuse to abandon these weeds during Winter. Thick, laid-over clumps of weeds serve the same purpose as when these bass are hiding next to a stump ready for ambush. The combination of the two calls for repeated casts from many angles with the buzzbait. Even bumping the lure into wood or rock cover with repeated casts, may be needed to provoke strikes from these often skittish and tight-holding bass.

During an all day, steady rain with no thunder and lightning, action can occur from dawn to dusk. Calm conditions call for a very slow retrieve, utilizing long casts and sometimes fishing with quieter model buzzbaits. One of these quieter model buzzbaits, a blade-in-blade model, made by Rippler lures out of Charlotte North Carolina, has a small blade, within another bigger blade, that counter rotates. It also has holes drilled in both of these blades and when retrieved across the waters surface, it leaves a trail of bubbles in its wake. The swishing sound it makes, simulates a school of fleeing shad. Call 1-800-top lure or visit Rippler's website: www.rippler.com for more info on their complete line of quality lures. As mentioned before, sharp hooks, heavy line and stout tackle are a must for success while fishing both of these topwater lures in Winter.

JERKBAITS AND FLOATING WORMS - Erratic retrieves should be practiced when fishing jerkbaits during Winter. Suspending, hard-bodied model jerkbaits, such as PRADCO'S suspending minnow, and slow rising lures, are best for lethargic bass that must be coaxed into striking. This goes for soft plastic jerkbaits to. Adding a small nail, rattles or an oversized hook can be all the extra weight needed to get semi-submerged results with these slow, enticing lures.

Even rattlers inserted in different parts of the lure can add weight and cause a more dipping action on retrieve. Line in the 12-15 lb. test category is required to correctly work these semi submerged soft plastic shad imitations, and to impart the most action. This goes for floating worms or lizards to. "Action" with these delicate lures can be lost and the lure will sink much slower when fishing with heavier line. Some sacrifices must be made when fishing for trophy Wintertime bass.

When fishing these lures, always cast far past these bass usually holding around wood and rock cover and slow the retrieve when in the strike zone. Even stopping in or on cover will entice strikes from skittish age-old monsters. These lures are also good when sunny, high pressure conditions trail a cold front and bass must be drawn-out from cover. Keep one rigged for missed strikes on the spook and buzzbait. They are great follow up lures. Even allow them to sink out of sight and watch for line movement when cast back to the missed strike.

POP-R'S, BABY TORPEDOES, PROP-BAITS AND CHUGGERS - These topwaters all fall in the same category. Fished with short flicks of the rod tip, all with a similar popping retrieve, they often call bass up from deep water or from great distances. Cold water calls for slow retrieves and these lures can be fished as slow as you and the bass can stand it. When bigger and more gaudy type lures won't work, the bass often want a smaller offering, especially in very clear water.

Short hops with little or no added action can be all that is needed to entice a strike for selectively feeding bass. This also keeps the lure in the strike zone longer. When bass are feeding on small baitfish these are great lures for casting right on top without worry of spooking the bass.

These are just a few of my proven favorites for this exceptional Wintertime technique of enticing bass with topwater lures. There are many other lure choices when fishing for bass on top during Winter. Many of which you may discover by trying different styles, sizes, color choices or noise making attributes.

WHEN?
When do you catch these bass ? During Winter in Alabama there are days when the temperatures are in the 50's and 60's for a week or more sometimes even warmer. This is always followed by a rainy front that peaks the day and night temperatures to the fullest. When this front approaches, the barometer falls down to 29 usually just below 30. As the barometer again begins to rise and light rain or drizzle sets in, is when these bass are triggered to feed and you need to be on the water.

Other times exist such as during an extended front lasting for days. When a front immediately follows another front, or on cloudy days with little or no rain, with mild temperatures and good conditions. Early or late in the day are also good times for the bigger bass to feed on top. Fog can extend an otherwise high pressure morning into a top water bonanza. Even moon fazes increase your chances of getting a BIG bass bite during Winter. My records show (as during the rest of the year) that either side of a full or totally dark moon are best.

The best answer is whenever you can be there. Many weekend anglers are fortunate to hit a front just right and seldom do many working anglers have consecutive outings of just loading the boat. But if you can pick your days to go fishing timing is everything. So when the weatherman predicts rain a few days away and you have been fortunate enough to get a few days of sunshine, start planing a Wintertime topwater fishing trip.

WHERE?
This is the one you've all been waiting for. I have an area that is a sure fire winner on any lake where waters can warm. But first let me say that anything is possible. I have caught BIG Wintertime spotted bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and striped bass, parallel casting a Zara Spook on rock bluffs while sitting in fifty feet of water.

I've called-up huge largemouth's in a three foot chop, in low 50 degree water along dam and bridge rip-rap (man made rocks) with loud chuggers. Buzzed-up lake and river bass of all species in swift, running water-below dams and in the backs of swift feeder creeks. I've caught my share of bass on topwater lures, but often there are still times when I'm still surprised with the end results and I've been doing this for over thirty years!

So, let me say throw out the book! Try these techniques and a few of your own and enjoy the thrill of hitting that feeding frenzy of wintertime hogs coming up to feed in shallow water. It could be weeks before it takes place again and the conditions are just right.

Oh yeah, I mentioned a sure fire honey hole for success. Flats. Why, you may ask? They heat up the fastest when bathed in constant sunshine. Flats, whether they are main lake flats or up in some major creek all have one thing in common, they maintain warm water through a series of mild days and nights. Flats also get slightly stained when water is generated, stirring up the lakes bottom.

This can be a very important factor, especially during drought conditions with little rain to stain the water, creating clear, shallow water conditions. Some flats are midways to the back ends of major feeder creeks. Others are huge, main-lake flats with scattered cover and usually out of the current. This means a refuge for baitfish escaping the swift current and the bass are always quick to follow.

On the other hand torrential wintertime rains can have an angler searching for clear water conditions. Big, bowl-shaped pockets, especially those with no feeder creeks, remain the clearest, longer, when lakes muddy up from winter rains. These cuts or pockets with stumps, rocks or a dark bottom have an added bonus, for all this cover and bottom composition helps retain and hold heat while attracting roaming schools of baitfish and bass.

With a few days of slow, steady warming water from a few days of steady rain, some feeder creek flats will have a mild increase in current flow. Plus incoming edibles and a light stain to the water for bass traveling in security. This stained water will in turn heat up faster than clearer water and soon clear, creating some fantastic fishing right before another severe cold front moves in.

WARM WATER DISCHARGE FROM WATER TREATMENT OR STEAM PLANTS - Warm-water discharges around water treatment or steam plants, can be excellent places to find these topwater bass during the dead of winter, especially when its really cold. Water temperatures of 70 degrees or more can exist around these discharge areas and even along banks as far as one-half a mile below these cold weather bass magnets. This can be when main lake water temperatures hover in the mid-to-upper 40's, the toughest time to fish with any lure. I've caught bass while it was snowing around these type of areas during the dead of winter, while fishing on cold 20 degree mornings with topwater lures.

Spring-fed creeks can have water temperatures as high as 10 degrees warmer than surrounding main lake areas during the coldest days of Winter. When these unseasonably warm waters are mixed-in with warm rain waters, these often gin-clear backwaters get even warmer and slightly stained, creating shallow water feeding and inducing feeding among resident bass for days.

Keep one thing in mind-this is fun fishing. (If you call standing in a pouring down rain catching five bass weighing over 20 pounds fun!) December, January and February are slow times for bass tournaments and besides these are not dependable tournament tactics. (Although I have won a few wintertime tournaments and taken Big Bass of the day with as many as 20 topwater strikes) There are many other lures, tactics, color combinations, lure modifications and even rod and reel choices to consider for each situation. To many to go into depth describing, so a little experimenting on the part of the angler, must be employed.

TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT - To really be successful at this tactic of, "Fishing for Bass on Top During Winter", requires paying close attention to many variables, besides knowing which lures to choose and where to fish them. Remember, to sharpen or replace old hooks, always use strong, dependable monofilament (at least 20 pound test) or one of today's many brands of braided lines, choice tackle, rods, reels and other quality fishing-related equipment. This goes for a Big, long-handled, wide hoop, hook-proof, rubber coated *net.

*This is of most importance. A good, dependable netman to handle these BIG Bass, when you finally do get it alongside the boat. This is where many BIG bass are often lost. Always lead the bass into the awaiting net, never allow the netman to jab or stab at the bass with the net. Submerge the net up to the handle, and allow the angler to lead the played-out bass into the net.

Also keep in mind that, Big lures mean Big bass and above all, "confidence and persistence pays" when attempting to fool a few BIG bass bites on top. Its worth a hundred casts to a potentially known Big Bass hideout, just to see one monster bass explode on a well-maneuvered topwater lure. Especially during the dead of Winter, when fishing is generally slower anyway.

Self-satisfaction is achieved, when the action you impart into these endless array of topwater lures, provokes the strike of a lifetime and often the bass of lifetime. Many BIG bass are fooled during the dead of winter. For regardless of the conditions they must eat.

Practice CPR (catch, photo and release) this Winter, so these huge bass, full of roe, can spawn and thrill another angler, as he or she discovers the joy of catching bass on topwater lures during Winter.

When you see the rewards of your efforts don't bother telling anyone. They won't believe you anyway. Just the thought of catching a bass on a topwater lure in Winter? Sure, imagine that. See you on the water! Reed, The Spook Man...

Good Fishin'