Winter

In reservoirs and natural lakes, most of the bass population will be on the main body of water, as opposed to tributary arms. They will be relating strongly to vertical and fast sloping structure: rock bluffs, river channel dropoffs, standing timber, 45-degree rock or earthen banks, or standing timber. These are all places where they can make a major depth change by moving up or down: In cold water, bass are lethargic, and won't swim long distances to change depths. In clear lakes, bass often suspend in the water column rather than hold tight to cover.

Water clarity is a major determinant of bass depth in winter. In clear lakes, bass can go extremely deep — 50 to 60 feet is not uncommon. In muddy lakes with dirty water, they'll be much shallower.

Since bass are sluggish, using a slow presentation usually works best. In any season, using search lures to find active bass helps an angler zero in. In winter, baits that draw strikes without moving fast are the ticket. Suspending jerkbaits are favorite winter lure the pros use, if the water clarity is sufficient to use them (these lures don't work as well in very stained water). The fact that you can fish these lures in the same place for long periods of time makes them extremely deadly on suspending bass. Leadhead grubs also work great now; they probe vertical and fast sloping structure efficiently. The same goes for jigs, metal blade baits and spoons. a crankbait may work in the upper end of the winter temperature spectrum.

While searching out likely bass holding areas, Fishing parallel to the structure is the best plan; this keeps your lure deeper in the water column longer.

This generalized winter pattern applies to natural lakes and all reservoirs, but in rivers, it's important to fish areas with no current. A big hole in the river bottom, where current washes overhead, is a good spot for smallmouth. Largemouth like backwater areas with some depth to them, like close to a marina.

Bass begin moving from their deep winter haunts toward their eventual spawning areas. Fish the same type of vertical areas now as in winter, but they should be close to a flat area, because bass like to spawn on flat places in protected water. If you have been fishing bluffs in winter, now target the ends of the bluffs, close to some shallower water.

Northern banks are very important now because they're warmer than other areas on the lake. Avoid places hit by cold north winds.

Once the water hits 50 degrees, bass are definitely in a prespawn mode. Migration routes are important now in lakes and reservoirs. Bass will follow ditches, depth contours, tapering points and fallen trees on sloping banks toward shallower water.

If there's some stain to the water, a deep running crawfish pattern crankbait rooted along the bottom is strong now; bass feed heavily on crawfish emerging from hibernation during the late winter/early spring transition period. A slow rolled spinnerbait also works well. For combing large expanses of water,  a lipless rattling crankbait like the Strike King Red Eye Shad works well. Continue to use a suspending jerkbait in clear water. Bass relate to cover such as stumps strongly now, especially in murky lakes; a jig-and-pig rules here.

Pick up your pace considerably as the water hits around 52 degrees, and run down the bank while quickly throwing a Red Eye Shad or spinnerbait, then pause to pitch a jig when you come to a submerged log or brushpile.