Summer to Winter Transition
Article: November, 2000

This
month's article will cover the transition from summer to winter. During this
time of year everyone is thinking about Deer hunting and Thanksgiving. Bass
fishing is far from their thought. People ask all the time can you fish year
round. Here in the great state of Texas we have it pretty easy on the
weather compared to other states. Our bass will eat year round. The water
doesn’t get cold enough to freeze and fishing can get pretty good in the
cold months. The presentation of the different lures you fish may change. As
the cold fronts start moving in the surface waters will drop in temperature
but the water down 3 or 4 feet will still be warm till some really big
fronts come in. Run off from cold rains will drop the temp quickly. Some
times this is a good time to get out as the rich oxygen filled water coming
in will trigger a bite in the shallow water. As we have had no rain to speak
of the new water will bring in forage also. As the water really cools down
the fish will start to move out into the really deep water. I have caught
fish in 48 foot of water in the winter. On the other hand I have caught them
shallow in 6 to 8 inches of water during the same time. Don’t forget bass
are cold blooded and can stand some pretty brutal temperatures.
I
like to fish a jigging spoon and slow rolling a big spinner bait over the
humps during this time of year. The jig and craw worm are another good
choice fished around creeks and standing timber. Learning to read your
electronics is another plus this time of year. Look for the bait fish and
you should find some fish around them. Don’t forget one of the state records
was caught in November from Lake Fork.
Thanks and Good Fishing,
Jim
Fishing Tip
by EX Lake Fork Guide Jim
Reaneau