Winter bassin'

[Ocktane]

Anyone been doing any winter bass fishing? Having any luck? I may try out American for some chilly bronzeback fishing. Any winter tips out on that water would be appreciated. If anyone wants to PM some spots to try that would also be more than welcome, haha! I figure I've been striking out on the rivers so much, might as well pull the boat out and take her for a spin or two. Tight lines all!

[basser90]

Hey Ocktane, I've been getting out about every 2 or 3 weeks for bass. Been going to Washington. I've mostly been doing camera work so I can tell you they are there. On the catching part of the deal it's been tough, but I have been narrowing it down a bit. The fish I'm finding are deep, off major points, off lake drop offs. I'm not real big on fishing 50' + but that may be what it takes fo you to get bit. A couple weeks ago I marked some nice fish on a Monday in 35' - 45' or so, went back Saturday morning to the same spots and couldn't get bit? Went back out the next week with a camera and the fish were like 15' deeper? The bite is tough to feel and you'll most likely need flouro and heavy weight to hook up. I've been launching out of Kenmore and running up lake, sometimes fishing all the way to So. Mercer Island looking for fish.

[rockjiggr]

I got my very first ever winter smallie at American yesterday. Fishing is very slow and very deep- 50-70'. Got a 2# fish on a drop shot worm on a mid lake hump. Another guy also got one about the same size in the same area. Its a lite bite and you pretty much just feel the weight rather than a tap so I recommend that you watch your rod tip vigilantly. I watched the Lake Washington winter bass fishing video before I went out and got some tips. Well worth the time to watch.

Octane, I will pm you and clue you in on a couple of my spots.

[G-Man]

I haven't been targeting the bass in Lake Washington, but have been catching them while fishing for cutts. What basser90 described seems to hold true as the fish I've picked up were all right on the bottom off of structure in waters between 35' and 70'. As I'm trolling at a fairly good clip, 1.5 to 2.0mph, the take is quite a bit more noticeable. Lately my white UV mini hoochies have been getting the most attention on Washington.

[Mike Carey]

G-man, I noticed your reports with the bass as a by-catch. Pretty good incidental catching! I was amazed to see that winter bass video has over 10,000 views, holy cow!

[basser90]

Hey Mike, Happy New Year. There will be 10,001 when I'm done with it. Gonna try and get the boat out this week.

[rockjiggr]

Got out to American again today. Got 2 nice smallies on drop shot. One bit on a green worm, the other hit a piece of perch flesh I had rigged for the perch that were biting pretty well today. Both fish came from around 50-65'. Slow going but nice fish. Both were about 2 1/2#. Not many folks out there today and the water was like glass all day long.

[BassDood]

Great job rockjiggr!

[f1sh1nf00l]

One thing to remember, especially about American, is that those fish you locate in deep water stuck to structure, are going to be the least likely fish to bite. The key on American, like most lakes, is to find the baitfish. Bass will move up to feed in the winter, just not as frequently, and not as aggressively as the warmer months. If you find a school of baitfish, spend some time graphing it, and sooner or later you will notice big arches mixed in. I know some people dont feel comfortable bass fishing in deep open water, but when you lock into one of these patterns, it makes you forget about all of those hours you spent searching in the cold. It really does help to have some good electronics this time of year, and know how to use them. The fish on American seem to move constantly, so you have to plan on doing some searching right off the bat. And I mean searching for bait. Once you find the bait, then it's a matter of when those fish will try to feed. Winter can be one of the best times of year for learning. Spend the time getting more in tune with the lake structure and bathymetry, with your boats equipment, with your fishing tackle, and with your presentation. If you can avoid getting frustrated this time of year, and really pay attention to what the fish are telling you, you will make big strides in your angling abilities.
So, don't get hung up on "spots", most of the fish on structure this time of year are not eating. Search for the "living water", where the circle of life is taking place.
Feel free to pm me if you would like to chat more about American, or fishin', or whatever.

[The HAWG HUNTER]

With this kind of weather I will start this week end.