Hey All,
By now most of you have seen the big girl I caught at the Delta last Saturday (2-6-16). But in case you didn't here she is again:
During the winter time bass fishing everywhere can be extremely slow. This fish was one of two bites for a whole day of fishing. Yet, the winter tends to also produce bigger fish.
At the Delta in particular, water temp and water color are vitally important. In the mid to late winter bass tend to be most active in areas with warmer and clearer water (clearer is relative, basically anything that is not pure mud!). Below are some key areas:
Key Areas
Note that these areas are dead end sloughs, and areas that are protected from the main river current. These areas will TYPICALLY be warmer and more clear than others. Also, they are protected regions that can be used as spawning grounds in the spring.
The Baits
In the winter, you can't go wrong fishing slow. But there is the potential of a reaction bite as well. Here are the top baits:
Slow Moving Baits
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| The Jig is good for sparse weeds and rocks. It can be slowly worked on the bottom |
Punch Rigs, as seen in this video, are a good alternative to a jig. This is especially true in heavy weed growth. *Note how the hook stands out with pressure. This is because of a snell knot (research this on the web if you want to know more).
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| The Drop Shot can be effective as well. Yet with the weed growth and structure many anglers use larger line and casting gear to toss out their baits. |
Reaction Baits
The reaction baits are vast, but the staple reaction baits that can work when fish are on the chew include:
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| Jerkbait (great slow moving action) |
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| These are chatterbaits. They are a bladed jig that can work very well |
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| Lipless Crankbaits. These are fast moving, but may trigger an unwilling bass to react and destroy your bait |
If you are patient and spend some time on the water, your efforts will pay off. Here are some more DELTA BASS!!! (both caught this winter)
