My 4-pound bass in the snow

Since the forecast called for 34 degrees and snow, I knew there was a chance that these fish were going to head to the deepest part of the lake.

I actually watched this lake be built 15 years ago, so I knew exactly where this hole was and headed straight there. 

I started casting across the deep hole, which was approximately 15-feet deep in a lake that averages 7 feet, working my black-and-blue jig across it. 

My technique?

BARELY reel the jig across the bottom. No bouncing, no fast movements—just a slow, gentle retrieve.

It’s the same kind of retrieve I’ve had the most success with on previous wintertime trips.

I did this for 20 minutes and I have to admit, it was torture!

Then it happened. My line stopped and ran to the left.

I pointed my pole to the water, reeled up the slack, and set the hook on a solid fish!

My heart started beating hard and I kept repeating, “NO WAY . . . NO WAY . . . NO WAY,” all the way until the fish was in the shallow water.

Then all heck broke loose!

The fish made a run under an overhanging shrub. The line tangled on one of the branches and I watched as the fish was only 6 feet away, swimming sideways on the surface.

I couldn’t shake the line loose.

My angler’s instinct took over and I leaped into the water and went for the lip! After I had a grip on the fish's mouth, I turned back and headed to the bank with what I considered a trophy.

It was only a 4-pound bass, but in these conditions, this really meant something to me.