Winter Bass Fishing On Bull Shoals And Norfork

[BrianS]

Now that it is late Fall/Winter on both Norfork and Bull Shoals Lakes it's great for bass fishing. Due to the very clear waters one must use lighter lines with a more finesse approach to do good. I use either 8 nor 10 lb test P-Line in the green color for everything I do.

This time of year there are alot of bass on what we call bluff ends and bluff transitions. A bluff end is of course the end of a bluff which makes a well defined point. A transition is where a near verticle bluff changes to about a 45 degree angle chunk rock or pea gravel change. When studying a topo lake map you will notice that most transitions occur when the old river channel switches to the opposite side of the lake.

On windy and or cloudy days there will also be a good crankbait bite in pockets or coves. Most of these fish will be smallmouth bass and will be the good ones! They are usually in pockets or coves on a "swing bank". Each day is different therefore it is neccessary to fish each of the swings from end to end in order to establish the pattern for the day. Once the pattern is established one can almost call each place where a fish will bite. I have caught some real good smallmouth this time of year doing this. Due to the clear water on our lakes one needs to use the more natural colors in a crayfish pattern. I usually use Storm Wiggle Warts as does about everyone else.

On the post front days where there is little wind and bluebird skies one is better off to fish the bluff ends and transitions. When fishing these places jigs, tubes and grubs are the best. The past 2 weeks the fish have been from 10-30 ft deep on these types of places. This will usually be good from late November to mid January. When the water temps gets in the 50'sF its at its best. I fish the tubes with 8 lb line on spinning tackle. Usually a 1/4 oz leadhead with a 3/0 hook is the best. I use an assortmant of jigs from 1/2 to 3/4 oz with a plastic craw as a trailer. I typically fish the jigs on 10 lb test and baitcast equipment.

If you ever visit any of the Southern Ozarks lakes this time of year you can generally be in for some good days of fishing as long as you use the finnesse approach. Dont use over 10 lb test line! Keep these geral patterns in mind and you will be able to catch alot of fish.

Good Fishing!

Brian

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[troutgnat]

Brian,

Outstanding information here! I am not a pro by any means but knew of alot of your techniques but humbly bow my head to having once again learned alot. Any one new to the game should take this info for gold!............D

[BrianS]

Thanks Trout. Some around here probably dont like me giving out that kind of info LOL

I dont mind though.

[abbfish]

Thanks for the info. I hope to get back down there in February. I got skunked the last time I went in the winter.