Winter: Jiggin' Spoons

Jigging spoons make a great presentation for winter bass suspended against deep-water vertical structure such as ledges, channel walls, pilings, and standing timber. Rig a medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting outfit with 12-pound line and tie on a jigging spoon that imitates the local baitfish. When you're working open water, cast away from the boat and let the lure drop all the way to the bottom. When you're in structure that might hang you up, like timber, let the lure drop free-spool to the bottom. Work the lure right up against your target structure, lifting your rod tip to swim the lure up, and dropping the tip to let it flutter down again. Watch your line carefully. Bass will usually hit while the lure is falling.

Winter: Draggin' Jigs

In cold water, bass slow way down and become very lethargic. One of the best winter patterns is to go deep and work slowly with a jig-n-pig outfit. Look for vertical structures: ledges, dock pilings, weedlines, and standing timber. Fish will move up and down against these structures to feed or to find the most comfortable temperatures.

In cold water, bass are usually holding at the bottom of the structure, and to get their attention, you'll have to drop your lure right in front of them. Use a stiff baitcasting outfit rigged with 12 to 15 pound line and tie on a jig-n-pig. Position your boat parallel to the structure you're going to fish. Work the jig very slowly on the bottom. Drag it. Crawl it. Let it sit there for several seconds at a time. Strikes might be pretty light, so keep an eye on your line for twitches.

Winter: Warm Inlets

Not all lakes offer this pattern, but when you can find a warm-water inlet in the wintertime, it's very likely you'll also find some great bass fishing. Look for culverts and small creek in-flows that might be carrying in rainwater or run-off from flood flats outside the lake. This water is usually much warmer than the stuff that's been sitting in the lake all winter, and bass will flock to these inlets to hold in the more comfortable currents. Position your boat just within casting distance of the in-flow. Rig a heavy-action baitcasting outfit with 15 pound line, and tie on a jig-n-pig. Cast all the way to the mouth of the in-flow and retrieve with the current. Use the jig to feel out bottom structure. Bass will be holding tight to the best structure in the warmest current.