Winter 2026
D
uring the
coldest winter
months of the year, we find ourselves
rigging rods, hooking up the
boat, and getting ready to
fish in some seriously chilly
conditions. But for good
reason. The fishing can be
exceptional if you know
where to go and when to be
there. As we make sure we
are properly prepared and
appropriately dressed, we
begin to think about how
these colder temperatures
affect the bite. Where are
the fish going to be, and
why are they going to be
there? Light, or lack thereof,
is going to be our primary
focus—as it is every other
season. Are they going to
favor light, sunny banks or
cold, dark creek channels
and cuts?
First, we must understand a little bit more about the fish. Being cold- blooded creatures, their metabolism changes based on the water temperature, and this will dictate their activity level. Another important factor to consider is that bass feed best when the time is right— not just when we are tossing artificial lures at them. Over the years, I have come to understand that they feed when the opportunity is most conducive, and all the factors combined are what dictate this behavior.
LIGHT WATER
It is often said that fish prefer to be in sunny areas during the colder months of the year. This can be true; however, it is not always. We must think about why this
would be true. I believe that
if the water temperature
is the same in light (sunny)
water as it is in dark (shady)
water, then the bass would
prefer to use the darker
water to hide and ambush.
However, here is where the
light water comes into play.
It is not only the sunlight; it
is the warmth that it brings.
The rocks absorb heat, and
the surface temperature
begins to rise. This is where
timing is crucial. If you fish
an area that has just gotten
sun, the warming effect has
not taken place, making this
area not the optimal fishing
time. However, once the
accumulated heat of a few
hours sets in, the warming
effect kicks in, making this a
more favorable time to fish
this location. Remember,
the bass will adjust, and
their metabolism will
increase in warmer waters.
This will also help them digest more quickly and, in turn, feed more.
When bass are up in shallow water “sunning themselves,” they have most likely just finished feeding or capturing one big meal. They are intentionally speeding up their metabolism to digest their meal quicker.
DARK WATER
As previously stated, a dark area in the cold months can be more productive than a light one. The main reason is “black bass” are dark in nature. These areas void of light allow them to stalk, hide, and feed more efficiently without being seen. Again, timing is very important, and we must determine when and why we are targeting the darker areas.
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