How to Fish Cold Fronts
by Ken Sturdivant
Southern Fishing Schools Inc.
The weather has a significant effect
on the game fish and when cold fronts roll in it can shut down all
the action. When cold fronts make their way into the area they can bring
high
winds, high barometers and frigid temperatures. Yet with all this to
deal with bass stripers and crappie can still be caught. The best way
to beat
cold front conditions is to use live bait and down size artificial
lures. All game fish have a hard time resisting live bait any time of
the year.
But during cold fronts, live bait is a way to beat the slow fishing
days. Find the warmest water in any creek and the fish are going to be
more active
than the fish in the colder waters of the lake. Always avoid cold muddy
water as all game fish go dormant.
To fish with live bait look for
live night crawlers, small shiners and small shad to work. When the
game fish
get cold they are not likely to chase a bait very far. Presentations
are the key and using a quality Lowrance depth finder get on or over
the fish
and drop these baits right on their nose. There is nothing wrong
with dropping some extra scent even on live bait.
For artificial lures,
get
small. Small
mini tube jigs from the Bass Pro Shops like the small tubes look
too small for a big fish. But try a small 1/16th ounce lead head and
a small
tube
bait on ultra light tackle and doodle these baits right to the
fish. Adding some extra scent to these baits is easy by squeezing the
bait
and dropping
the scent onto the hole in the hollow tube. Let go of the bait
and the scent will be pulled inside. Use ultra light 4 pound test line
and a light
spinning outfit. Look on old creek channels, old docks and even
bridge
pilings to hold the fish. Try using small live baits and tiny artificial
baits and the fish will still bite, just be patient.
