Try this with your swimbait presentation, and get ready for the fish to move as they hit the spring, here’s what to look for cold water fishing. Winter fishing, ice out and prespawn tips, especially when you have clear waters.
KVD shows you what to look for and where you’ll find the bass any time of year, all season in any location or winter climate.
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Lew’s Custom Lite spinning reel : https://bassproshops.vzck.net/5g74Y9
Lew’s / KVD fishing rods: https://bassproshops.vzck.net/LXZ94o
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Swimbait often rave about the effectiveness of baits like the Raid Swimmer. However, in the northern regions, we tend to use these baits a bit differently than in other areas.
When fishing with the Raid Swimmer, I focus on keeping it near the bottom. It’s an effective technique for catching fish in these areas because that’s where most of their forage lives.
Whether it’s perch, crawfish, or other bottom-dwelling creatures, this is the primary food source for many fish species in the north. I simply scoot the bait along the bottom, slow-hopping it as I go.
The action creates subtle disturbances in the mud and sand, mimicking the movement of prey. This strategy works especially well early in the spring when the water is still cold, and most fish are close to the bottom, feeding on local forage.
Spring Fishing in Northern Waters
The early season can be incredibly rewarding if you know how to fish the right way. For instance, I had a great day recently, fishing for just a couple of hours. Even with limited time on the water, I caught plenty of fish, mostly solid keepers, but a few reached up to three pounds.
It felt amazing to be out there early in the season. But honestly, the best fishing is still to come. As the water temperature rises into the mid-40s and reaches the upper 40s by March, that’s when the fish begin moving out of their wintering areas.
The bass start patrolling the flats, and that’s when the action picks up. In late March, I turn to lures like the Thunder Cricket and Redeye Shad.
These baits are dynamite for catching fish as they start to leave the basins and roam the shallower waters. This is when the spring fishing truly gets exciting up here in the North.
Testing New Gear: The Custom Light 200 Series Shallow Spool Reel
As an angler who loves trying out new baits and fishing products, I recently tested a custom light 200 series shallow spool reel. The concept behind a shallow spool is simple: you don’t need to load as much line onto the reel to achieve optimal cutability.
But what impressed me the most was how well it managed the line. I spooled it with 8 lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader, and it handled the line beautifully. With the shallower spool, the line just comes off and goes on perfectly every time, without any issues like wind knots or tangles.
For bass fishing, where you’re unlikely to have a fish strip 100 yards of line off your reel, this shallow spool is a game-changer. It not only saves you line but also improves the overall experience, as the reel manages the line so much better. I was super impressed with how well it performed during my trip.
FAQs
Where to Find Bass in Winter – Cold Water Fishing Tips with Kevin VanDam
How to fish a jerkbait in every season? Jerkbait Fishing with Kevin VanDam
Where did the painted-blade spinnerbait go? Zona asks KVD for the real fishing answer
