I play college football, so it's difficult to get on the lake as much as I would like. So I was wondering where would bass be during the winter months? I've been taught that they are all deep in the water, yet I see people catch them on shallow jerk baits as well. I'm gonna see what works this winter, but it would be nice to have an idea of where to look for the fish.

There may be some who disagree, but I always fish the same spots and areas that fish were in back when it was warm. I just fish much slower and use smaller lures. If an area has good cover, it very well could hold fish year round.

Just try to think like a fish, pay attention to the water temps. The colder the water, I'd say below 55 degrees look for structure that they may hang around to "stay out of the wind". Have you ever got in in the water when it is cold, if you sit in one spot long enough you start to feel comfortable and if someone drops a beer in front of you... you'd probly drink it right? I think above 55 you can start moving a little faster, and so on...

This is just my opinion and I don't get all butt hurt if someone disagree with me. Good luck on the water and knockem' dead on the field!

Starting now with the cold front that is approaching, I would be looking for coves that run East and West. The North wind will have trouble moving what little bit of warm water there is out of there. Every warming trend try your best to get on the water and fish the North bank of those coves near the back where it narrows down. If cover is available back there they will be right on the bank during these warmer days. Down size your baits and fish extremely slow. The suspending jerk bait that you mentioned will work even in heavy cover. Just jerk it down beside the cover and let it sit. Use soft plastics with a floating tail like the Grande Rattle Snake so there is some movement while the bait is at rest. Finesse Jigs with living rubber skirts heavily scented in Crayfish will also produce as the rubber skirt strands keep moving as the bait sits. I always have a small spinner bait tied on and paying attention to any tiny bait fish flickers in the shallows. This time of year just one flicker on the surface means a Bass is feeding and will take a small spinner bait.

Hope this helps.
Donald

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks

Rocks and rip rap kimosabe. Colding trend sometimes gives me the Lock jaw. So go to squaw

I always end up fishing a crig and fb jig 95% of the time and drag them both very slow. I usually fish the same areas that are productive in the summer months just alot slower. On the crig a really long leader tends to be more productive for me the colder it get the longer leader I use. Like others have said east/west creeks and rock tend to be the most productive. I also like anywhere with concrete or tires in the water.

Depends on the lake, the weather, the food, etc. There is not a one size fits all answer to this question.