Winter 2019
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…flip grass near riprap: On low tide, Reese works the outside edges, while incoming water sees him adjusting to the inner sections.
In either case, he’ll use half a five-inch Senko as his jig trailer for modes profile that’s just right for crawling along the bottom. No hopping, just an ambling pace that’s easy to spot and easy to catch.
Remember, winter bass are lethargic; so, you have to make it easy for them to catch your bait.
…move up with the water: It may be tempting to stay with those low-tide areas and assume the fish will become more comfortable — and therefore more active — as tide rises. But, Reese notes that bass will generally prefer drawing closer to the rocks or shallow mud that absorbed the sun’s rays during low tide.
Look for nature’s space heaters and you’ll do okay.
“Now, you’ll be on the other side of the vegetation where you’re closer to the rocks,” Reese said. “To me, that’s a better tide to fish, as opposed to be on the outer edge.”
DON’T …
…hesitate to use reaction baits:
“I’ll throw a squarebill crankbait or a spinnerbait with big blades — No. 6-7 or even 8s — that allows you to slow roll it,” Reese said. “A lot it has to do with water clarity because generally the winter water isn’t always clear, usually it has a stain to it, so you have to work something a little bit slower.
“If everything’s right on a warm winter day when the tides are good, you can catch them on a topwater. I’ve heard of guys catching frog fish, buzzbait fish
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