Seems to be pretty true, at least to my 'newbie' knowledge - fish feed just prior to sunrise in the spring, summer and fall months. But, what about the colder months....winter?
I don't think they feed that early then...but, that's just my opinion.
What do ya'll think ...
Appreciate the feedback
God Bless
Lee

My belief is that active feeding periods (and therefore non-active feeding periods) can be influenced by relative water temperature for a particular body of water or location on that body of water. Remember, water temperature is not equalized over an entire body of water, so the influence can be localized for where a particular group of fish may be located.

Just because it's winter doesn't mean bass won't bite at first light. If we've had a mild weather period and the water temperature is moderate, they may be inclined to feed in morning just as readily as in other seasons.

But, if the water is colder (relatively, to the bass) they may not be as inclined to feed actively as their prey is often not active (hidden, not moving). Warming trends, be it from morning to afternoon on a sunny but cool day, or after a front's effect has dissipated, can be a factor in triggering an active feeding period - all other factors assumed equal.

Early am til about 9 is often my best bite of the day-even in winter. That goes against much of what I have read but it happens too many days to be just coincidence. For me anyway.

I've caught some big fish up shallow in the winter at sunrise, personally I don't think we get cold enough in Texas to bother the big fish much

In reference to this post:
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/11250497/Finding_The_Best_-_Shallow_Wat

Once you have found these three best spots bass will use them year round. Catching really slows down in the Winter months because they feed differently because of all the Winter time conditions. Cold water, fronts rolling through, cloudy mornings, sunny days and dying vegetation all play a part in how they feed and the aggressiveness that they are feeding.

I have found they use the same areas during the Winter. It doesn't change. Fishing just becomes tougher because of changing conditions. They do not want to move as far or as fast if possible. When there is an antiquate food source on the deeper second drop where they live, say 15 ft. suspended in the last brush on that flat; they will feed there and stay as comfortable as possible. Only a few may move up in the shallows that day and burn the energy to feed; but they will feed non the less somewhere in that area.

Bass function in 40 degree water very well and I have caught many good fish with ice forming on the shore while pitching a jig up shallow. They sit in ambush points for longer periods of time as not to expend the energy of moving around and chasing. You will find that you have to fish very, very slowly and pick the cover apart. Bass are being very particular about the bites they are taking and waiting for the right pray to come by. They are also more zeroed in on the pray they are feeding on during the winter, which make it more difficult in presenting a artificial lure to them. Many Crappie fisherman have caught many a big bass during this time of year, presenting them with the real thing.

Speaking of the real thing. Slow down and use baits that produce all the right senses to the Bass. Sight - Sound - Vibration - Smell. They are a lot harder to fool during the Winter months.

When i was guiding if a client ask for a trophy bass,we would be
at my big bass spot one hour (before dawn). one morning i caught
a 9 lber and a 1O lber in three cast water temp 47 degrees. 4'deep.

Catching fish isn't easy most of the time. Best to be there early year round.

Ok, got it. Thanks for the feedback shipmates !
God Bless
Lee

Fished a tourney one winter day soon as the sun came up we had 2 bites only fish caught during the whole tournament.that being said.we'd of been better off at home watching TV

Bass like the advantage that low light gives them. Year round the first hour or so of the day is good.

I wait til the sun is up and shining before I start in the winter usually. Especially if the water is below 55-60 degrees. And whenever it's an option, I try to start on the west side of where I'm fishing, on rock that's in direct sunlight. Those areas have almost always been good to me in the winter.

On Jan 25, 1975 I won a high school tourney at Ray Hubbard with a 7.7 pound bass. She was in 5' of water. Got her on a jig right at day break.

That is not a giant by today's standards but in '75 it made the Dallas Morning News.

Wow! You were in highschool in 1975?.......never mind, I just remembered that I was too! We have all caught bass at various times of the day. Often times very consistently. That's what keeps us out on the water all day but no time period consistently beats the dawn. Summer, spring, fall and even winter(IMO).

Well, went today, Arlington water temp was 54 degrees BUT, it was so muddy....there 1 hour before sun up.....no bites at all let alone nothing even in the boat.
Still unsure about the colder water temps...but the dang mud is making it awful...
Good luck
God Bless
Lee

Cold muddy water has by far been the most challenging for me to fish