Distance and depth can lead to more bass fishing success when fishing clear cold water in the winter and early prespawn.
During an early winter trip to Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake, I watched Aaron Martens grow increasingly frustrated with pods of spotted bass that were blowing up on shad in the mouths of deep creeks. The frequent boils seemed to imply an easy feeding deal, but the fish remained out of reach for even a heaving cast.
Sneaking into range can be easier said than often done in deep, clear, highland reservoirs.
“They’ll hear you coming and move,” Martens lamented. “That’s why it can be so hard when the fish are actively feeding; they won’t stay in one place long enough.”
