Cold Front Bass Fishing

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After a Cold Front is one of the most difficult times to catch Largemouth Bass. Throughout my Bass fishing career I always dreaded fishing right after a cold front. For me this was the toughest time to fish until I recently discovered some of the habits of the after cold front fish.

About three years ago I moved into a home which sits on a lake in South Florida. Living directly on the lake has proven once that Bass change their habits when the temperature drops directly after a cold front. On warm and sunny days I have had the pleasure of watching Bass up to the 5 lb range cruising the shoreline in search of minnows and other bait fish. In fact during the middle of the day I have witnessed these fish gingerly swimming about in and around lilly pads and grass which sprinkle the shoreline. At times in they merely sit in open water almost as though they are enjoying the direct rays of the sun.

Prior to a cold front these fish become more active exploding baitfish right up against the bank. On the days following a cold front there is not a fish in sight. There is definitely an effect on the Bass. As the weather warms the process takes shape all over again. Within a two or three days of direct sunshine the same fish are back cruising the shallows looking for food as desperately as just prior to the cold front.

In addition to witnessing first hand the effects of a front in my back yard I have taken what I have discovered and utilized this information fishing on the lake as well.

Here are some tips I have discovered which will keep fish on the end of your line after a cold front:

1. Move back to deeper water. If you are fishing the bank move off the bank and fish deeper. If you are fishing an open water flat look for the closest adjacent drop off.
2. Slow down your presentation. Cold front fish are more lethargic and moving slow if they are moving at all. Slow Down!
3. Fish tighter to cover. Bass love cover. When inactive they will snuggle up to their favorite cover until the front passes.
4. Downsize your Bait. Cold bass do not want to tackle a large difficult dinner. They will however; still eat a small easy to eat prey if presented right in front of them.
5. Make several casts to the same spot, at different angles. These fish will need more coaxing than usual.
6. If fishing a drop off, mark the drop as accurately as possible. These fish will not chase your bait very far, if at all.
7. Be patient. These fish could really care less about you or your bait.

Follow these tips after a cold front and I’m positive your catch will increase.