Jim Reaneau - bass fishing article

There have been many articles written on cold fronts and how they affect fishing. The first cold fronts that hit in the early fall start cooling the water temp down. This usually gets the fish in a feeding mode. These fronts are usually mild and don’t drop the air temp much. The bait fish will start moving back into the backs of the creeks as the water cools. The bass will follow them and you will see schooling activity. This is a very exciting time of the year for the fisherman. As the fronts start to get stronger the fishing will change as they hit. The stronger the front the tougher the bite will get. If a very cold front hits and the temperature in the air and water drops drastically the fishing can suffer considerably.

Fall fishing can be exciting when the fronts start cooling the water. The fish will start schooling. These fish can be caught with almost any lure you choose. The lipless crank bait, spinner baits, small crank baits. The first cold fronts after the summer heat waves trigger all wildlife to get active. That is why it is better to use a very active bait. The bass are in a very active state and anything moving by at an erratic pace will get their attention. As the cold fronts get stronger and colder the fish will become less active as the front passes. The fish will become active with the approach of a cold front in the winter and then get very lethargic as the front pass.

When the winter starts to approach and you can fish before a front hits. This is a prime time to catch a very large fish or a lot of fish. The barometric pressures will start to change and this will affect the fish and their feeding activities. The fish will react to the fronts by feeding until they pass and then become inactive. The barometric pressure usually becomes very high after the front passes. You have heard of the old saying, the fish have lock jaw. This usually happens after a very cold front hits and the sun comes out. When the front passes and you are planning a fishing trip, try to wait two or three days after the passing as the fish will start to get back into their routines. If you can’t wait, as in my business, you will need to change your fishing tactics. Lighter line and smaller lures. The fish will move into tighter cover and stay till the front has gone by.

The fisherman who is a good flipper or pitcher will usually out fish everyone else at this time. When the front passes get out a small jig or worm and pitch into thick brush. If timber is your main structure work in close to the bases of the trees. The best tip at this time is “SLOW DOWN”. You may have to pitch a jig or worm many times to the same area to draw a strike. When the fish are this tight you will almost have to hit them on the head to get their attention. Many pros will count the number of pitches to a bush or tree before getting a strike. This may set the stage for a pattern. If you get bite after six pitches then try this approach on the next bush or tree. There are times you can set a pattern on what size of bush or tree to work on and eliminate the rest of the trees. The fish may be against the structure or off the side. This is why it is so important to hit all sides of a tree or bush.

If rock is your structure the fish may suspend over or on the base of them. Ledges and points are a good area to look at during this time. The main key is to work tight to the cover and work it slowly. You wont usually catch many fish when they are in this mode. But you may catch the fish of a life time. Sometimes the fish will get out on the very deep humps and a jigging spoon will catch them. I have found fish suspended over deep humps after fronts. Sometimes just hopping a spoon will catch these fish. Sometimes you have to hold the spoon very still and natural line twist will cause the spoon to turn and this will draw a strike. Slow rolling big spinner baits over the humps is another good pattern.

Remember, SLOW, SLOW, and Really SLOW is the answer to catching fish after the passing of the cold fronts.