River Fishing for Largemouth Bass - Fall to Winter Transition

River fishing is a growing section of the bass fishing world, yet not much has been written about targeting largemouth bass in rivers.  Traditionally, largemouth bass were seen as fish that you catch in reservoirs and lakes, but rivers can be some of the most productive waters around (if you can find the bass.)  So how do you target largemouth bass in a river?  Here is a detailed breakdown for catching largemouth bass in the river.

Continuing in this series from the Fall river fishing, we will now begin the transition to winter.  The Fall to Winter transition can vary widely by dates and how the fish respond, depending on the river you are fishing.  In rivers where flow is usually fairly consistent and the water temperature does not vary wildly, this time period can fished much like you would fish in the fall.  If your river flow and temperature fluctuate, finding the bass can be a little more difficult from day to day.

We will attack this Fall to Winter transition and break it down a little different than we have other articles in this series.  We will put all the info into one article, and talk location and presentation at the same time, but break it down by consistent temperature rivers and rapidly changing temperature rivers .  Here is my strategy for targeting Largemouth Bass in the river during the Fall to Winter transition:

Changing temps can mean tough fishing, but big rewards

Consistent Temperature Rivers

As I mentioned earlier, many rivers keep a fairly consistent water temperature.  These could be spring fed, or rivers in locations with fairly consistent weather patters.  For the most part, target bass in rivers like these the same as you would target the bass during the fall.  The way you would approach fishing these rivers depends on the amount of water in the river.  Finding fish in these situations depends on the water flow.  The only real change comes with cold front conditions.

If you had a Summer and Fall with heavy rain, and the water levels are high or rising, target bass in the backs of tributaries, if there are any on your stretch of river.  If there aren't any, find bends in the river and fish the shallower, slower current side of the flow.  Newly flooded areas with terrestrial grasses can hold baitfish, and can also be great locations to target bass.  Basically, bass will still be chasing baitfish during this time of year, just like they did in the fall.  Find the baitfish, find the bass.

If the water levels are low or dropping, spend your casts focusing on areas in the main river.  As water levels drop in rivers, bass will tend to move out of smaller tributaries and will chase baitfish in areas of the main river that contain plenty of cover.  If there is any grass in the river still, fish these areas hard with shad and minnow imitation lures.  Stay out of the faster current and focus on stretches of river with slower flow and ample cover.

However, in any flow situation, a strong cold front can effect the bass, even in rivers that maintain a relatively constant temperature.  A strong cold-front will begin to push these bass into a winter pattern.  The change in barometric pressure can send the bass into a feeding frenzy right before the front comes in.  During the pre-frontal conditions, cover as much water as possible until you catch a couple fish in one location.  Lipless crankbaits, such as a Rat-L-Trap in a shad pattern, can catch countless fish in these situations.  Fish them quickly, and erratically, over the top of grass, in tributaries, or heck...any area that looks "fishy."

Post frontal conditions can be a little tougher though.  The barometric pressure change and the drop in temperature can push the bass out of their fall feeding grounds and begin to move them to their winter locations.  Even if the temperature of the main river does not change much, the shallower and slower moving creeks that feed the river can see a quick drop in water temperature.  After a strong front comes through, move out of the tributaries and focus on areas of the main lakes.  Fish the mouths of these tributaries first.  If there is a ledge or drop off, just out from the mouth of a creek, slowly drag a jig or a Texas rigged soft plastic down this.  Post-front, during the Fall to Winter transition, you should focus on areas of the main river with heavy cover (laydowns and stumps are great) that also have quick access to relatively deep water.

Rapidly Changing Temperature Rivers

Many rivers will begin to notice a sizable or rapid drop in water temperature during the Fall to Winter transition.  Often times this comes right after a strong front, and can make finding bass a little more difficult.  As the temperature drops, the bass will move out of their fall hunting locations and into their winter grounds.

As the water temperature drops, start looking for bass to be on the move to deeper water with a more consistent temperature.  At first, they will begin to position themselves on the first noticeable depth change out from their fall hunting locations.  If there is no significant depth change, look for areas of the river with heavy cover, just out from tributaries.  Also, look for bass around bends in the river.  Don't fish the shallow areas as you did in the fall, instead, focus on moving a little deeper.  Slowly fish a crankbait, maintaining constant contact with the bottom, or drag and hop a jig from shallow to deep, until you find the depth that the fish are holding. Stay in that zone!

In rivers with temperature fluctuations, what presentations you fish will be governed by the conditions.  Pre-frontal conditions (with steady air and water temperatures) will provide you with an opportunity to pick off a few active bass.  Fish similar to what you did in the fall, just move to deeper and deeper water, as the transition period moves on.

In post frontal conditions, bass will stick tight to cover.  You have two options, and each body of water's fish can be different.  Your first option should be to fish very fast and try to generate reaction strikes.  Fish crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and spinnerbaits, quickly and very erratically, smashing into as much cover and structure as possible.  Fish this option first, because you will find out fairly quickly if this option will work.  If you aren't getting any reaction strikes, you need to slow down.

Slow way down and fish tight to cover and structure!  Make your cast as close to cover as possible and just let your bait fall slowly along, or into, the cover.  Laydowns, stumps, drop offs, are what you should focus on.  Let you lure just sit in the heaviest cover you can find, softly bounce it once or twice, and let it sit again before you pull it out.  Then, make another few casts to that same spot.  The bass will be tight lipped, but fishing slow in heavy cover will catch you a few fish.  Often times these few fish can be monsters, so be ready!

To Wrap It Up

Let the bass dictate what and where you fish during the Fall to Winter transition.  When you stop catch bass in their fall hunting grounds, start moving deeper and toward the main river.  Start to slow your presentations down as this transition moves closer to winter.  And most importantly, pay attention to the conditions, as a change in barometric pressure, air temperature, or water temperature, can have a quick and drastic effect of bass this time of year.

Related Articles:
River Fishing for Largemouth Bass - Fall (Locations)
River Fishing for Largemouth Bass - Fall (Presentations)
Interview with Drew Gregory