Some of the best days I have had were in December when I was scared I would fall on the ice that was collecting on the deck while I was cranking for smallmouth.Last year BradT and i were catching bass at Norris in December. On that day the bottom of the boat turned white 2 times to the point you could not see the red carpet. keep this in mind. December is still fall transition at Norris. Once the smallies start to suspend in the winter I dont know. I do know that right now a cloudy day is a plus and with the warm rain that is coming tommorrow I would be looking for main channel washes and mud lines. Fish2win