Understanding how bass behave in January

You know the old saying “what gets measured, get’s improved” 

Well, the same wisdom that comes from that saying can be applied to bass fishing in winter.

If you can understand how bass react to cold water, you can eliminate areas of water which will save time and help you go directly to the fish. 

After you find the fish you’re going to benefit from fishing this month because January offers some of the least pressured water of the year. 

First off, it's important to understand what temperature is TOO COLD to go fishing.

When water temps get in the upper 30’s you’re going to have a hard time catching bass.

Bass go into survival mode and will use some of that body fat that they’ve saved up during their fall gorging. 

Now let’s look at water temps between 45-50 degrees.

During these frigid conditions, you'll need patience and precision.

Bass become notoriously sluggish, conserving energy rather than actively hunting.

Your presentation needs to match their mood: slow, deliberate, and right in their face.

Where should you focus your efforts? While you might spot the occasional bass in shallower water, the majority retreat to deeper sanctuaries.

Look for concentrations of fish in waters exceeding 15 feet—these deeper zones offer more stable conditions and often slightly warmer temperatures that appeal to winter-weary bass.

Forget about fast-moving reaction baits during these conditions. The name of the game is slow and steady presentations that give lethargic bass plenty of time to commit to your offering.

It’s January and if you haven’t noticed, a lot of the algae that was in the lake is now dead.

Take a look and see if you can tell the difference in the color of the water?

The lake where I fish has a dark green tint to it. This means that the water is clean and clear. 

Soooooo

If you can see several feet down, that means the fish can spot things that they may not see during the summer warmer months. 

In clear water, fish are more likely to see your fishing line, especially in winter when they are more lethargic and sensitive to disturbances.

Here are 3 adjustments you can make when fishing in January. 

Use a lighter line:
A lighter, thinner line is less visible in January water. I use line that is 6-10 most of the time. This is really important if you're fishing for species like bass or trout, which are highly line-shy in clear water.

Use fluorocarbon Line:
Fluorocarbon is a great choice for clear water because it is nearly invisible underwater. Fluorocarbon also has a similar refractive index to water, meaning it blends in very well and is harder for fish to detect. It is especially useful for techniques like drop-shotting where the fish comes close to the line. 

Use a Low-Visibility Line:
If you insist on using If mono or braided line, you still have options. There is such a thing called low-visibility line. Don’t ask me how, but this line is specifically designed to blend in with clear water.