Skip to main content

How to Fish for Bass After a Cold Front

Florida seldom sees deep chills, but even ordinary cold fronts have a big impact on our bass fishing.

How to Fish for Bass After a Cold Front

Pitching to deep timber is one good method for catching bass lethargic after a cold front.

Florida largemouth bass are famous for chasin' and chewin' right before a cold front, but when the front passes, ushering in those high-pressure “bluebird” skies, the bite slows down. Way down.

Living in a mostly mild-to-warm environment, Florida bass simply never become accustomed to significant weather changes. They grow bigger, for sure, but they aren't as tolerant of cold snaps.

If you have to fish after a front, here are some tips:

angler holding bass with finesse jig in its mouth

>First, realize you're probably fishing for only a handful of bites all day. Make every cast count and focus on disciplined presentations. No lazy winding.

>Understand that your playing field has shrunk considerably. Even if the temperature drop is not dramatic, cloudless, post-front skies bring intense sunlight that pushes fish farther under weed mats and docks and tucks them tighter to laydowns, cypress trees and stumps.

bass with finesse jig in its mouth

>Fish small: Try a finesse jig with a short, bristly skirt and diminutive trailer. Or fish a shaky head with a slender finesse worm. The Ned Rig, a mushroom-style jighead and 3-inch stick worm, is another good cold-weather rig. These make easy and attractive targets for sulking bass. But don't get too caught up in the tiny baits. A full-size jig with a subtle chunk-style trailer represents a bigger meal that a bass might find more favorable. (Notably, a heavier jig provides better target accuracy.)

fisherman holding bass caught in cold water

>Make it easy for the fish. Focus on those target-oriented presentations rather than the water-covering techniques (topwaters, swimbaits, etc) you'd use at other times. On the other hand, slow-rolling a big spinnerbait near the bottom or bumping a swim jig along a laydown could convince a fish to make his one-and-done move for the day.

>Reconnaissance is critical between late fall and early spring. Know your waters. Spend time in your favorite areas graphing for submerged wood, deep grass beds, springs and other attractive features. Check local docks for additional debris nearby. Identifying places bass will likely hold during post-frontal conditions makes you more efficient, enabling you to focus on patient presentations.

close up of bass caught after cold front

>Post-frontal conditions take the edge off that legendary Florida largemouth attitude. They get lethargic. You can get away with using lighter line, which usually translates into more bites. Use this to your advantage. FS

Florida Sportsman Magazine November 2018




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

How to Buy and Rig a River Fishing Kayak

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Power or Paddle? Bonafide PWR129

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

It's a Skiff, It's a Kayak: Bonafide SKF117

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Hobie Mirage Lynx to the Next Level

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight Packed with Features

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Extend Your Range in the Salt Marsh

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Florida's Capital Fishing

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 FULLY RIGGED Fishing Machine

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Mounting Forward-Facing Sonar on A Kayak: Mounts, Scanning Applications and More!

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

On The Water with Old Town: Bass Fishing at PRIVATE GEORGIA LAKE

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

DECKED-OUT Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 Complete WALK-THROUGH

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Dreambuild: Old Town ePDL Gets Rigged to the Hilt

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Florida Sportsman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use