Strike Gold During the Winter Draw Downs

Imagine how excited you would be as a prospector looking for gold after a force of nature wiped away all the top soil and sediment leaving only shiny nuggets of gold laying on top of the bed rock. As a bass fishing fanatic, I get just as excited during the winter months as many reservoirs and lakes draw down their water to the lowest levels of the year. While most anglers are sitting inside watching post season football or college hoops, I set out to strike gold looking for hidden pieces of structure and cover bass may utilize the following year.
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When I venture out looking for hidden gems like the stumps shown above during low water conditions,I make sure that I always bring plenty of paper and a good camera along.Many times in the past when I have located great structure during the winter draw downs, I have eagerly returned in the spring to see if any bass are relating to the area. To my disappointment, it has been very difficult to locate what I had discovered months earlier.A lot of the cover and structure found during the winter draw down is out of the water making it difficult to get good gps coordinates. I now take several pictures at multiple angles and write down every detail from bottom composition to proximity to channels, drop offs etc.I want to make sure I do not leave a single detail out.More than likely it will be several months or longer before I return to fish these areas. When the water rises 10 feet or more the lake will take on a whole different look and feel. By having pictures and fantastic notes, finding the structure again is not nearly as difficult.

Growing up in an athletic family I was told more than once that if I wasn't practicing or doing something to get better, then my competition was. I believe bass fishing is no different. The other day I got a call from a friend of mine who told me he was out fishing and that he had trouble navigating this particular lake because the water level was down over seven feet. The next day I was on the water camera and notebook in hand. I was able to take pictures and notes of almost twenty new places on that particular body of water that had great structure. Stumps like the ones found on secondary points above just scream five pounder next year!

During the winter months when water levels draw down to the lowest point of the year it is going to be cold, windy, and some days just down right miserable on the water. When most weekend anglers are at home drinking hot chocolate and coffee you'll find me searching for hidden nuggets of gold on the lake bottom. Hopefully this winter you can strike gold on your home waters and cash-in come tourney time next season!

Posted on Mon, February 20, 2012 by Tim Hawley filed under

11 comments (Add your own)

1. Rizky wrote:: Jarek, thank you for visiting my site and your commnet. Maybe you should show this video to your girlfriend so she always will keep sharing your passion for fishing. LOLI'll definitely will check for the funny Rapala commercial on YouTube. Thanks for letting me know about it.
Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 8:21 AM
2. Jorgeluis wrote:: Hi, With the recent close out pniricg most dealers are offering on the z axis, I'm wanting to buy either used or new z axis 6wt 9 or 9'6 4 piece 690 or 691 or 696 or 697 what do you have and what prices?
Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 9:10 AM
3. Golu wrote:: Kari - Shorts would have been a better idea, but, rlaely wasn't expecting to find a "Perch" waiting for me like that. Yea, the wallet got wet.:)
Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 12:15 PM
4. Lexus wrote:: The guy across the road from me sells them from his house. He must put an ad in the local paper, or maybe fiishng club newsletters. You'll get a better price than you will on ebay.
Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 3:31 PM
5. Rishi wrote:: In the colder pre-spawn warets, I have had success with texas rigged plastic worms. You can't go wrong with jig n pigs, natural color tubes, hair jigs, and creature baits. Fish them slowly. Also, Rapala husky jerks and X-Raps have caught me some fish. They suspend when the retrieve is stopped and stay in the strike zone longer for lethargic fish. The fish are still slowed as they have come out of their winter lull. With these, I would use a jerk, jerk, pause retrieve with very light jerks and twitches of your rod. Also, I would allow a pause of about a minute to a minute and a half. If this doesn't produce, experiment with your retrieve and length of pauses until you find what the fish want. Now in the spawn itself, the water has usually warmed up by then, so your retrieves can be quicker and more aggressive. Anything that imitates crayfish is good and if you can find heavy cover, I would suggest a weedless texas-rigged worm, as bass like to find cover for bedding to protect their eggs. If you can get the lure right by the bed, these bass will aggressively attack it. If you catch a bass this time of the year, release it as quickly as possible. The longer its out of the water, the longer bluegills have to raid the nest. That's why we aren't allowed to keep fish until mid-June here. Hope this helps and tight lines!
Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 3:41 PM
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Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 8:44 PM
7. Boy wrote:: While this is a very open question, I have aawyls been a subscriber to the spinnerbait during the spring. 1/2 oz. white spinner bait with double gold colorado blades. Fish slowly in staging areas and in shallow coves. I have caught some big bass in the spring this way. Other good spring baits include Rogues, jig n pig combos, shakey head worms, and when it warms up a bit, don't forget the basic Rapala Floating Minnow. While its still cool though, stay slow and mythodical, making sure you cover water thoroughly.
Sat, May 12, 2012 @ 4:55 AM
8. Budan wrote:: Go get a good variety (color and size) of worms, like robo worms. Get a few mid sized spnnreis in a few different colors, like white, green, black, and maybe a mix. And Senko's, same thing. Learn how to tie a good knot Learn how to set up a Texas Rig and set up a drop shot. Also look up a little technique for both rigs. Last think learn how to set your hooks up weedless!
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