winter fishing in NORCAL

mtfree · Post by **mtfree** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:48 pm

I'm looking for some help and tips on winter bass fishing. I hit the local greater Bay Area ponds and lakes, but ever since the weather has taken a turn I have not been even getting a bump.

Any info would be wonderful.

yjjustforme · Post by **yjjustforme** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:16 am

Drag a senko or tube. Or toss suspending jerkbaits.

Gary Dobyns · Post by **Gary Dobyns** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:45 pm

Tough to not write a book on this one. Best quick advice is go to spotted bass lakes, they'll eat.

Larry Hemphill · Post by **Larry Hemphill** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:11 pm

Gary is right - spotted bass are usually fairly active during the winter. Stick with low elevation lakes as they don't get quite as cold. Berryessa is a good example. Oroville is another. Try to go on cloudy days as they tend to provide a warmer air mass (and darker) than a sunny, cold front day - especially if there is a north wind. Small Robo and Berkley worms work well as do small jigs. Good luck!

ash · Post by **ash** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 6:32 am

im one of the twisted ones who enjoy winter time fishing - it gets tough and i like that as this time of year you can come across some large fish and they dont go very far ( so i dont have to refind these bitches, just catch em) I prefer areas that have rock and a good deep creek channel nearby, like a few wags of the tail and they are in 30-35ft and cozy suspending - add some trees or brush in that hole and it has become a honey hole.

Believe it or not winter bass eat and my experience has been first morning or late afternoon (like summer time) I dont know why these girls prowl when the air is the coldest, perhaps light conditions so they dont have to use as much energy. But first thing in the AM-

1.) MS Slammer - Man this slammer gets em every December
2.) Staycee - Pop Pop Pop PAUSE eat a sandwich POP catch fish
3.) Jig - TNT Wadda Football head in 3/4oz jig in Black purple or brown purple tipped with a yamamoto hula grub -
4.) Hand warmers and whiskey - things that keep you warm and reflective -

I personally like Comanche, Berry, and Orroville for winter time games -

yjjustforme · Post by **yjjustforme** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:33 am

Just do what i do and give up bass fishing for the year and focus on stripers and sturgeon!!!!! Way better than dragging a jig for 8 hours.
Take your pick, no brainer to me