FS Digest

Is it true that you have to switch to bottom sticking and extremely slow moving baits in the winter and that paddle tail swim baits should not be used for river smallmouth?

I really like my paddle tails, and find them extremely easy to use and cover a lot of water. You hear a lot of people say smallmouth will not really “chase” moving baits this time of year, and that you must work the bottom very slowly using a ned type bait to get bit. How accurate is this?

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by GillyDZ1

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, generally you have to slow your presentation in the winter time because the fish have much slower everything and are just not interested in fast moving targets. Just Sayin....RJS

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I have caught smallmouth in winter months on very large deep water lakes trolling paddle tail swim baits in 40 to 60 foot depths. My personal preference is a flicker shad over a soft plastic. When casting, it is usually back to agonizingly slow worked Texas rigged worms. Note: I said "I have caught" That is not an endorsement for winter bass fishing around here. The truth be told I rarely target bass in the winter. When I can get out, I usually go after hold over rainbows with wooly buggers. Right now, mother nature and I are arguing over what "temperate climate " means. Snowing like crazy, 50 plus mph wind gusts and 12 degrees making for below 0 wind chill.

Papa Bear JD Loc: Interlochen, Michigan

Mother Nature really is a Bipolar bi**h, Huh?

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I rarely fish winter anymore. Old bones take a long time to thaw
On the past I did well on deep structure vertical fishing tube baits.
Very slow going. But rewards can be gig once you dial em in

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

Um, in winter time I have used chatterbaits, lipless crankbaits, squarebills , paddles , and hard and soft jerkbaits. I guess it would depend on where you live/ fish. I fish southeast Texas lakes mainly , like Sam Rayburn, Toledo bend, sometimes lake Livingston....My 2cents...

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I think the statement bass won’t chase a bait in cold water is a myth. If they won’t chase a bait , they would starve .
However , consider the bait that’s being chased is most likely slower moving than in warmer water.
Case in point, the jerkbait produces in cold water.
The jerk and slash gets their attention . Then the long pause of a suspending bait gives the fish a chance to move at its own pace to eat it.

Winter is relative. If you are in Florida or Texas conditions are far different than if you are in Wisconsin or Michigan.

Like I mentioned before. Here in Ohio and lakes in Kentucky and Tennessee in winter , a dead slow presentation of a tube bait in deep structure gets the job done , but it’s agonizingly slow going.