Shawn I have found reaction baits work best in colder water. jerkbaits, , crankbaits and chatterbaits. The bass get very lethargic as water drops from the low 50's into the 40's they need to be 'triggered" into biting and fast erratic moving baits are key. Sure you can catch them slowing down with smaller soft plastics but you cover more water more quicly with reaction baits and that helps you find the fish more quickly. I find that on my favorite ponds I can catch bass all over the place in spring summer and fall but in late fall, winter and early spring the bass are confined to small areas. Find them and you can have some of the best action numbers wise of the year.
Shawn I have found reaction baits work best in colder water. jerkbaits, , crankbaits and chatterbaits. The bass get very lethargic as water drops from the low 50's into the 40's they need to be 'triggered" into biting and fast erratic moving baits are key. Sure you can catch them slowing down with smaller soft plastics but you cover more water more quicly with reaction baits and that helps you find the fish more quickly. I find that on my favorite ponds I can catch bass all over the place in spring summer and fall but in late fall, winter and early spring the bass are confined to small areas. Find them and you can have some of the best action numbers wise of the year.
Some ponds just fish better than others in the cold weather. I find the shallow, bog type ponds to be much better than the larger, deeper ponds. Also, the bass tend to school up as the water gets colder. If you find one chances are you will get a few