[VIDEO] Cold Front Hack for Catching Shallow Bass

Cold fronts can make bass fishing tricky, but Casey Scanlon shows how a buzzbait can shine when temperatures drop and bass push shallow around docks. With water temps in the upper 50s, Scanlon targets pressured fish that move from deep docks to the shaded banks behind them to feed on shad. His approach is deliberate—casting around dock cables, under shade lines, and behind support posts where bass hide.

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How to Fish Buzzbaits Around Docks

Scanlon keeps his buzzbait setup simple, focusing on control and casting accuracy. He prefers gear that allows for long, accurate casts and strong hooksets when fishing around cables or dock posts. A reliable buzzbait with a solid clacking sound creates the right commotion to pull bass from cover, especially when paired with a soft plastic trailer for added profile.

Targeting Shade and Structure

Shade plays a huge role in Scanlon’s dock buzzbait pattern. Even on calm, sunny days, bass gravitate to dark areas where they can ambush shad. He focuses on docks that cast heavy shadows, especially those with cables and crossbeams that create small pockets of cover. By paying attention to wind, sun angle, and dock orientation, Scanlon pinpoints where active fish are likely to set up. He also looks for added structure like brush, rock, or dock supports that give bass another place to hide. These small details often separate one productive dock from the next and help him stay on a consistent bite throughout the day.

Cold Front Strategy and Boat Control

Scanlon emphasizes that boat control is critical in these tight areas. Moving quietly and maintaining a good casting angle allows for precision and cleaner retrieves. He balances covering water quickly while staying quiet enough to avoid spooking fish. Making multiple casts to high-percentage spots and keeping a low profile helps draw strikes from fish tucked deep behind cables and structure.

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