December is month of transition for bass

Bass fishing in December? Sure. Over the years I've learned that about the only time you can't catch bass is when you don't try.

First, let's look at the general seasonal pattern for December: Where are the bass and why? December is a month of transition for our bass. At the beginning of the month they will be driven by the need to feed heavily before the truly cold water settles in. As the days pass and the water cools, bass will shift into a neutral, energy-conservation mode where their activity is minimal. You can expect water temperatures at the beginning of the month to be in the mid-50s and fall to the low 40s by the month's end. The key to locating bass in both of these situations is understanding the behavior of the bass's primary prey -- shad.

Baitfish behavior is a whole other topic, so we'll simplify it to what we need to know now. In the fall, baitfish gather in great numbers or pods in the backs of creeks and coves in lakes and tributary creeks in rivers. As winter approaches, they move to deeper, more stable main lake areas in at least 10 feet of water usually 15 to 25 in our lakes.

Now let's look at how to intersect and catch December bass.

When the bass have pushed or followed the shad very shallow up onto the flats, I'll throw either the Lit Hustler spinnerbait or a Bandit Footloose crankbait. Both work very well in water under 3 feet deep. Be sure to bump and contact the cover on your retrieve to take advantage of possible reaction bites. If the bass and shad are deeper, perhaps where the flat intersects with a ditch, I'll use a Bandit 100 series crankbait. This bait runs about 4 feet deep and is super for working through laydowns and roots on the flats. In fact, it covers about 70 percent of my crankbait needs this time of year.

If the bass have begun to move off the flats and toward their wintering areas, they will stop on points, small bluffs and deeper channel swings on their way. These places offer deeper water and opportunities for bass ambush pods of shad migrating to deeper main lake areas. I use a Bandit 200 series crankbait for this job. This bait runs about 8 to 10 feet deep and quickly covers this deeper strike zone. Once again, be sure to contact any wood or rock cover in these locations. Bass instinctively attack vulnerable-looking prey.

Finally, as I mentioned earlier, I never pass up heavy cover like logjams, brush, docks or laydown logs. For this job I use a 3/8-ounce Eakin's Finesse Flip'n Jig from Jewel and pair it with an Eakin's Craw. I use standard Black Blue Flake for most of my jig work but also like green pumpkin. These colors cover most water conditions in our area. This jig has a smaller profile but the weight I need to work the bait efficiently.

When fishing cover after a cold front or when fishing for pressured bass -- it seems like these conditions almost always happen during a tournament or on the weekends -- I use a Southern Pro Pitching Tube. This bait has a subtle fall that really works well when the fishing gets tough. It works great in cover or open water it is also a good tool to use in an area after you fish through with spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs. It's also a good tool to use if you are fishing behind someone in the back of the boat. I use a 3/0 wide gap hook and usually a 3/16- or 1/4-ounce sinker for this size tube. My color of choice in the fall is usually white followed by green pumpkin.

Using the above location generalities, tackle and techniques, you can catch bass in December. In fact, some of my best bass fishing has been in December. Just use the above information as a start. Then stop by your local tackle store to get the most current information.

Just a reminder: The water is starting to get cold, so be safe, and practice catch and release. And above all, enjoy your time outdoors.

David Bortner is a promotional angler and tournament fisherman.