Tips-Spoon Fishin for Winter Bass

There is one winter bass bait that does not get as much use as the jig but when used in the right place at the right time, it can be very effective. This bait is the jigging spoon. The jigging spoon is one of the oldest fishing baits that is in any anglers tackle box. The spoon has been around for a long time and comes in two different styles. The casting spoon and the jigging spoon. The casting spoon is cupped and when retrieved it will lay down on its side and will work in a side to side action. This is mostly a shallow water spring and early summer bait. And the jigging spoon is a deep water bait that is mostly used in the dead of summer or in the dead of winter. The reason for this is because during these two times of the year the bass will hold on deeper water cover and will school . In the heat of summer the surface temps reach levels that stress the bass , and the hot water has a very low oxygen level. So the bass will move to the cooler deeper water where the temps and oxygen levels are more suitable. Then in the coldest part of the winter the surface temps will dip into the 40's and some of the bass will move to the warmer deeper water to hold till spring. This makes the spoon a top choice during either of these times. There are some key things to remember when using the jigging spoon. One thing to keep in mind is that the jigging spoon is a deep water bait. And you may be fishing in anywhere from 12 feet to over 50 feet of water depending on the depth of the lake and the cover.And the cover you will be fishing is very important at this time of year look for mostly main lake cover. This is when a good fish finder is a must. The biggest key to a good spot is to watch your fish finder screen for large schools of bait fish bunched up in a tight school. At this time of year the bait fish schools will hold on the same type of main lake deep water structure as the bass. So look for the bait fish schools on the screen. This is where you will want to fish. In the cold winter water a large number of the bait fish will die and then fall down through the school. And the bass will stay below the schools and pick off the dying bait fish. This is true for the large mouth and the small mouth bass as well as the KY bass. With this in mind you want to make your presentation of your spoon look like a dying bait fish for the best results. First locate the bait fist and determine how deep the school is. And try to fish a little below the school to look like a dying bait fish. Look for deeper areas like points, bluffs, humps or channel edges. These are all good winter holding areas.You will want to use a long rod that has a lot of back bone and that has a fairly stiff tip to help in setting the hook. Use clear or fluorocarbon style line in 8 to 12 pound test. One thing that you always want to do is to tie your line on to the split ring on the bait and not directly to the spoon. This will allow the bait to move around and work properly. And the split ring will keep the line from twisting. When you are on the spot you want to fish , make your cast and let the bait fall on slack line till it reaches the bottom or the depth you want to fish. Watch the line for any type of twitch or jerk and reel down and set the hook hard. Start your retrieve with a slow steady pumping, up and down action watching for any line movement or a odd feel like a drag or the line getting heavy. If you see or feel this set the hook hard. You can fish the bait a long time in the same area. Like I said before the bass will school at this time of year so the chance of catching several bass on the same number cast is very possible. Fish slow and be safe. If you would like to reach me you can at gabbysfishingfever@yahoo.com