Coldish water bass fishing

[kiteman]

i live in north texas, last week for the first time we went to the 30-50s weather and have stayed there and got a lot of rain.  i tried to fish yesterday, it was about 54 and sunny but pretty windy.  my go-to place where i have literally never not caught less than 4 fish on any outing, i didn't even get a bite.  i read up on bass and that they dive deep when the water gets cold and their metabolism gets slower so even if they see food they aren't necessarily tempted to eat it.  makes sense, but i didn't think it was THAT cold yet.  what do you guys think, pretty typical and difficult to fish in the winter?  also i usually can see fish in this lake in the spots i fish the water is so clear, and i couldn't even see any.

[Oldfart9999]

Define cold water. It's in the 40s here, if you can find weeds still alive donwsize, slow down and fish for them.
Rodney

[kiteman]

I couldn't tell you what the water temp is.  Like i mentioned, the last week has been between 35-55, with a lot of rain.  the weeks before that it was 55-65 with no rain, so i'm not sure how the temperature of the water is affected by that weather pattern.  if i had to guess, i would say it's probably no warmer than 55 degrees, and probably a lot more likely to be colder than 50 degrees (since water is generally colder than the ambient temperature outside).  but that's a total guess.

[flowerjohn]

i live in north texas, last week for the first time we went to the 30-50s weather and have stayed there and got a lot of rain.  i tried to fish yesterday, it was about 54 and sunny but pretty windy.  my go-to place where i have literally never not caught less than 4 fish on any outing, i didn't even get a bite.  i read up on bass and that they dive deep when the water gets cold and their metabolism gets slower so even if they see food they aren't necessarily tempted to eat it.  makes sense, but i didn't think it was THAT cold yet.  what do you guys think, pretty typical and difficult to fish in the winter?  also i usually can see fish in this lake in the spots i fish the water is so clear, and i couldn't even see any.

What kind of presentations did you try kiteman?

[Princeton_Man]

Around here the surface temp of the water is around 50-55. Bass have moved back up and fattening up for Winter. Jigs, shakyheads (with plastic craws) along shorelines and and cranks are working in the coves. 

[kiteman]

thanks for the responses guys.

i only fish banks, and i fish in what you would probably call a big pond.  you could ski there but you would stop quickly, heh.

i fished again today and nothing.  no bites, but i saw a few bass.  is this breeding season?  i don't have any idea what winter'ish weather does for bass fishing.

regardless, i tried so many baits and had no luck at all.  the last time i fished here (not today or yesterday) was two weeks ago, and i caught a 4lb and a 3lb on the 1st and 2nd cast.  so maybe i am spoiled...

[Dreamchaser]

I fish ponds too but in North California. I find fish are sometimes are harder to find after rain due to muddier water/lower visibility.

For temps to matter, it needs to drop significantly and be stable for 3-4 days before its meaningful. Small drops or unstable changes of temp makes bass finicky.

Per earlier, water temp is what matters. I've tried tying and throwing a kitchen thermometer into water. 

Sometimes fish may have just moved or not in biting mood for whatever reasons.

[Oldfart9999]

i only fish banks, and i fish in what you would probably call a big pond.  you could ski there but you would stop quickly, heh.

Can picture it.
You might try a jerk bait or a fluke, from the bank I would favor the fluke, let it sink a bit them start working it back slowly. You might want to try weighted hooks, several different weights and count it down to different depths until you get fish or have covered the water column. Smaller worms or craws, maybe tubes or small creatures, watermelon, green pumpkin, or one of the brown or brown orange color tied Texas or on a shakey head worked slowly and at times dead sticked may work for you. You should try to make long casts also.
Rodney

[Ryanfishing]

Water shouldn't be too cold. Fishing after a cold front can be tough and that may have something to do with it but you should still be able to catch them. I'm in Colorado and we currently have ice which has ended my open water season but I was out a few weeks ago in a kayak (probably not the best idea  ) with water at 37° and was catching fish. It was slow but they still were biting. I had success with a 1/2 ounce lipless (when the water was warmer about 45) and a 1/4 ounce lipless at the end. Also caught some on dropshot and tube jigs but lipless was the most consistant bite. I would try to find the deepest part in the lake that you can access and start there. Make long casts out and work your bait slowly. With the lipless I was reeling it just fast enough to keep it vibrating. Be patient and it'll pay off!!