Fishing for Bass from Shore in Winter

When the water temperatures drop in winter, bass become less active and more lethargic. This makes bass a little harder to catch from shore at this time of year. 

Targeting the right cover and structure however, can help you find and catch more bass during the colder months as long as there is open water available in your area. 

Here are some of the best types of cover and structure to focus on when winter bank fishing for bass:

Wood Near the Bank - Submerged trees, stumps, branches, and laydowns provide excellent winter habitat for bass. The wood absorbs heat from the sunlight during the day, which attracts baitfish. This naturally draws in bass looking for an easy meal. Focus on fishing around wood cover in warmer, sunny areas of the lake.

Docks - Docks provide shade and protection for bass in winter. Look for docks in deeper water, as bass will move a little deeper when the water gets colder. Pitch jigs, creature baits, and grubs around and under the docks. The pilings and posts also serve as ambush points for bass.

Rocky Banks - Rocky banks and riprap absorb heat and provide hiding spots for bass. Target any rocks, boulders, and rubble along banks with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and rattling lipless crankbaits that imitate crawfish. The bass will tuck in tight to structure to stay warm.

Points - Points and tapering ledges are bass magnets year-round. In winter, focus on inside turns or points that are wind-blown. The wave action churns up the warmer water and micro-organisms from below, attracting baitfish and bass. Fish the points thoroughly with crankbaits, blade baits, drop shots and jigs.

Weed Edges - Even in winter, some weeds will remain. Look for edges of weeds or plants left over from warmer months. Bass will gravitate to the remaining vegetation for cover. Working jigs, lipless crankbaits and soft plastics along the weed lines can pay off. Slow rolling spinnerbaits around weed patches can also trigger strikes.

Take a few minutes and watch as the guys from Tactical Bassin' provide some great "on the water" insight in identifying winter bank fishing locations...

Targeting productive winter bass cover and structure from shore simply requires patience. Move slowly, make repeated casts, and cover water until you locate where the bass are hunkering down during the colder months. 

Though there will be days when the skunk wins out, you can find and catch bass even when fishing from shore in winter. Beats just sitting around on the sofa or playing with your tackle collection in my book!