This is all great stuff guys. thanks. Honestly, there is some knowledge that would've taken me a couple of winters to figure out. Awesome.

Felt like I was enlightened

What about using a top water in the colder months?

Good info on this one

Two words come to mind. Power Plant!

Tried topwater the other day and didn't have much luck but my buddy had a real small popper that did alright.

This time of year especially on stormy overcast days until the water actually gets cold has been some of my favorite times of year to fish a buzzbait early and then spinnerbait unless I am on lakes like Cedar Creek and Cypress Springs which have a ton of docks. Main lake docks with jig has always been a good technique into the winter time.

If you search through the archives of old BASSMASTER stuff you can read about Gary Klein winning am event on Lake Havasu (I think) on a Lunker Lure buzzbait in 48 degree water. I have personally caught bass, really well I might add on Fork in 52 degree water on a buzzbait. It was late in the afternoon and the bass suspended up near the surface on a Feb day. We had been getting bit on a spinnerbait in Dale Creek.

My lure actually spooked a couple nice fish as it hit the water near them. I remembered Klein talking about catching them on a buzzbait in conditions like that so I thought, What the heck. I tied on a white 1/2 Lunker Lure and it was On Like Donkey Kong for the next hour. And they weren't just gingerly taking it either! They were eating it!

Just speaking about Fishing after dark only. Winter months are hands down my most productive with numbers and quality. For years 20 of my 27 yrs on Fork I believed that my night fishing I enjoy so much was a summertime gig you know big moon ,spinnerbaits,buzzbaits,and big craws was at its peak time. However trying not to sound like a plug for my little service(unavoidable) I realized that Nov-Even Feb are my most productive not only with quality but numbers as well. Swimbaits and cranks dominate with the welcomed jig Fish, since I cant put my Jig down. You my friend are possibly missing out on some action by shutting things down for a while. These months are the ones I look forward to all year.

These are the months that separate the keyboard anglers from the outboard anglers.

Well said MIke (as I sit here typing from my sofa)

Wow! A buzz bait is the last lure I would've thought of. I figured I'd need to stay slow moving. Good to know. thanks

A lot of really good advice given above. Personally I think the fall fishing the best all year. The fish are feeding up and 30-40 fish days are not uncommon once you pattern them. AND finding the pattern is the secret. This time of year the shad will move up the creeks and into the pockets off of the main lake and the bass are following them. There is a difference between Fall and winter on the water. I let the water temp decide for me.

IF it is cooler than 50 deg. I fish winter patterns- Slow moving baits near drop-offs or rip-rap banks. If the water is above 50 deg. and if no front has passed for 3 or 4 days I will fish the flats near creek bends in the pockets off of the lake. Use your electronics to find the shad. If a front is approaching go shallow use search baits (rattletrap, spinnerbait, swim jig) and cover water. A lot of really big fish will be shallow and feeding. IF the front has just passed fishing is going to be shutdown. You can either stay home and watch tv or this is a GREAT time to learn how to use your electronics.

12-2 on Febr. 9, 11-4 on March 4, about 30' from one another. 8.5" worm on one, 3/8 oz. PB &J jig on the other. The 12-2 was caught when it was 40 degrees and a 15-20 mph wind out of the North. Nuff said!!