Where waters don't freeze, bass metabolism is low and feeding is reduced. But the dense aggregations mean that a few fish often are active enough to bite, even at water temperatures below 40F, and good catches can be made. While smallmouths favor bluff areas, sharp drop-offs, or rocky crevices, largemouths often gather along deep creek channel ledges or deep timbered areas. Versatile spotted bass may hold among rock or wood, or off deep structure like main-lake points.

It's appropriate to note here that anglers who target bass in water deeper than 30 feet may find releasing their fish impossible, due to gas expansion in the air bladder, eyes, and other organs. This problem intensifies with each second a fish is held out of water or in a livewell. In extremely deep water, releasing bass can be considered wanton waste. In this regard, largemouths are most sensitive, followed by smallmouths, then spotted bass.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Understanding the In-Fisherman Calendar is one basis for learning the movement and activity patterns of bass. The calendar serves as a reference, a logical basis to discuss what's happening in the fish's world. Understanding that fish species progress through distinct periods of activity that vary only in their time of onset and duration from year to year based on weather conditions allows anglers to make valid predictions about bass location and appropriate presentations.

Intricacies of presentation have become a focus for bass fishing -- worm colors, crankbait diving depth, rattling lures, precision pitching, weight selection, and the like. Without a basic understanding of the seasons in the fish's world, this array of possibilities becomes baffling and then frustrating. Focus first on the nature of the beast, then presentation options will fall more clearly into place.