| Weather has a very profound effect upon bass | | | | evening! |
| fishing. This can be the seasonal changes from spring | | | | When thinking of water temperature you should |
| through fall then through winter to spring again or in | | | | avoid the common mistake of many fishermen when |
| the day to day variations in temperature, cloud cover | | | | they consider only the surface temperature. Bottom |
| and barometric pressure as well as the temperature | | | | and mid depth temperatures are more important in |
| changes between periods of daylight and darkness. | | | | determining where bass might be found than is the |
| This article will look at the role temperature changes | | | | temperature on the surface. As stated before, the |
| will play in your success as a bass fisherman. | | | | ideal comfort level for bass is water between the |
| As winter turns to spring and the water temperature | | | | temperatures of 65 degrees to 75 degrees. A hand |
| begins to go up, the activity of bass will begin to | | | | held unit that permits you to lower a temperature |
| increase also. As the water reaches the 50 degree | | | | probe can be very helpful when trying to determine |
| range bass will begin to be found along the edges of | | | | the depth were bass might be found. As the |
| channels in the 10 to 15 foot range. As the water | | | | seasonal temperatures change the surface |
| temperature approaches 60 degrees Bass will move | | | | temperature the depth of the ideal comfort level will |
| from the deeper regions of the lake where wintering | | | | change. |
| occurs and begin to gather along the drop offs near | | | | When fall and winter temperatures lower the water |
| the more shallow 3 to 5 foot depths where spawning | | | | temperature an interesting phenomena occurs as the |
| will occur. As the temperature reaches the low 60's | | | | water temperature approaches 40 degrees. Water |
| the males will prepare the nesting areas. The majority | | | | has its maximum density at a temperature of 39.6 |
| of the spawning season will occur when the weather | | | | degrees. When it reaches this temperature it begins |
| has warmed the water temperatures to 65 degrees. | | | | to sink. This sinking of the denser water will displace |
| Spawning will continue for several weeks until the | | | | the water below. This "turning" of the water will |
| water temperature begins to reach the low 70's.As | | | | cause the depths at which bass will be located to |
| the water temperature begins to move into the 70's | | | | change. Once again a drop probe will be the best |
| the bass begin to move back along the deeper | | | | way to locate the depth where you should expect |
| channel ledges. | | | | to find bass. When Bass are unable to locate water in |
| As spring moves into summer you should keep in | | | | their favorite temperature range (65 to 75 degrees) |
| mind that the ideal comfort zone for bass is a water | | | | they will move to the layer of water closest to that |
| temperature of 65 degrees to 75 degrees. When | | | | temperature. As the air temperature drops from fall |
| fishing, look for structure and cover areas which lie in | | | | through winter the depth of this preferred layer will |
| this temperature range to find the greatest | | | | change. |
| concentration of bass. During the summer water | | | | You should also keep in mind that as the |
| temperatures will also determine at what time during | | | | temperature drops the level of activity for the bass |
| the day or night bass will be most active. When | | | | will be reduced due to his slowed metabolism. This |
| water temperature is in the low 70's 60% of the | | | | means that you should allow a bit more time for a |
| bass activity will occur during the day. However, as | | | | response to the bait you present. |
| the water temperature enters the low 80's the | | | | By remembering that temperature is the most |
| daytime activity will drop to near 30% with 70% of | | | | important factor in determining where bass will be |
| activity taking place at night. As summer heats up | | | | found and their level of activity you will be able to |
| you will have more reason to fish in the cool of the | | | | make you fishing adventures much more rewarding. |