[VIDEO] Cold Water Bass Cannot Resist This

Cold mornings, clear water and roaming shad set the stage for an exciting late-winter bass bite. In this video, David Walker breaks down how bass position around shad in cold water and why winter conditions can actually lead to some of the best action of the season.

Featured Product

• PLASTIC – Z-Man Graph ShadZ (3/16 & 1/4 oz.): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• ROD – G. Loomis GLX Spinning Rod 7’5″ Medium Heavy: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
• ROD – G. Loomis NRX Spinning Rod 7’6″ Medium Light: Buy at FishUSA
• REEL – Shimano Stradic FM Spinning Reel 3000 Size: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• BRAIDED LINE – Sunline Braid (10 lb): Shop Sunline at Bass Pro Shops
• FLUOROCARBON – Sunline FC Sniper Fluorocarbon (7 lb): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA

Shad Drive Everything in Cold Water

As overnight lows dip into the 20s, shad become the key factor. During late winter, baitfish often rise high in the water column once the sun appears. As a result, bass follow closely beneath them. Walker explains that when shad move shallow or suspend near the surface, bass use that surface as a tool to trap and ambush bait.

Matching Forage in Clear, Cold Water

Clear water changes everything. Because fish get a long look at the bait, Walker relies on translucent shad patterns that blend naturally. He explains why subtle color choices work best when visibility is high and skies stay bright. He also adjusts jig head weights to match conditions. A slightly heavier head helps reach fish faster when wind picks up, yet still keeps the presentation natural. Small adjustments like this often trigger immediate bites during winter.

Boat Setup

• FISH FINDER (Console): Lowrance HDS-12 PRO: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• FISH FINDER (Bow): Lowrance HDS-16 PRO: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• TROLLING MOTOR – Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• OUTBOARD – Mercury Pro XS 250hp: Check out at Mercury
• BOAT – Ranger Z520R: Check out at Ranger