The time has come to slow your roll. If you are able to adapt, you can still catch fish. A lot of people stow their fishing equipment and either hunt or watch football. That, to me, means fewer lines in the water. In order to adapt, you must understand that just because the “Fall Feast” has dwindled, the fish do not hibernate for the winter. In fact, I have caught some really fat fish in November. The three keys to sticking a pig are location, presentation, and a pocket full of patience.

Let me start with location. I like to focus my attention on deep water. How deep? In a lake or reservoir with thirty plus feet, I will start at about 10 feet and gradually work deeper. The shallower fish are usually a little more aggressive. This time of the year, I cannot stress enough the importance of a depth finder. My hummingbird is getting more stares than a talking goat. If the body of water is 30 feet or less, what I look for is a drop off. If you were smart enough to tie brush piles to a cinderblock and sink them in strategic locations, like this, then you have a head start. Creek channels are prime real estate, and regardless of the depth of a lake, a 45-degree wall will hold bass all year long. The reason for this is a bass has to expend little energy to change depth in order to find food or a comfort zone. Deep wood is a bass magnet this time of the year and it should be worked slowly and thoroughly.

Main lake points play an important role now. Sharper dropping points rather than slow, tapering points are better producers. Before employing my presentation, I have to consider that the bass’ metabolism has slowed greatly. The need to feed is less and the willingness to expend a lot of energy has decreased. That leaves two choices. The first is a quick reaction strike that occurs in a small strike zone, the second, a slow methodical approach. Number one is not necessarily my first choice. Rather, I like to molest every nook and cranny of a laydown with a half-ounce Stanley jig and pork trailer. Try hopping it down steep slopes and points or rip rap along the dam wall. If you feel this lunker lure is too large, downsize to a Zoom craw or Berkley’s new three inch Sabertail Bug. Only after I have completely explored the cover or structure, do I try to force a reaction strike with a Bomber crank bait, suspending long A, or a slow rolled spinner bait. If the water temperature is above 50 degrees, deflecting lures off of cover can be an extremely effective technique to catch lethargic bass.

On the subject of patience, set reasonable goals and keep your expectations real. These are prime day dreaming conditions, and bites are far and few between. But you need to pay attention and watch your line. The bite will be soft and sometimes it will just feel mushy on the end of your line. Wake up!! Set that hook dream Weaver. The sensitivity of a good braided line like Berkley’s new Fireline Crystal, or Vanish fluorocarbon will help you detect subtle strikes.

I love bass fishing, but I can’t tell you how to catch fish with a jig. Experience is the best teacher. But once you are comfortable, and confident with a jig, you will consider it a “Go to lure” Try to avoid fishing with lures you are not confident with. If you don’t think it will work, why tie the knot? I mentally visualize what my jig or soft plastic is doing while I am using it. And a crankbait, I have never seen a Bream, or a baitfish swim from one side of the lake to the other side non-stop. Rather, they stop and go, dodge and dart. That is how I want my crank, or jerk bait to look. Paying a little attention to detail can go a long way.

Now let’s switch gears and forget about downsizing, concentration, and location.

I want to remind you of the rod doubling, drag burning, Blue Cat Bonanza that is going on at the James River all winter long. These big blue brutes do not seem to loose their appetites!! Last winter I went out with my friend, and guide, Chris Eberwien on a few occasions. He has never let me down when it comes to locating, and landing cats over fifty pounds. Everywhere he fishes on the river, people pull up to say hi, and casually mark his spots on their G.P.S. I thought Chris was on some kind of medication when he told me about this trickery, until I saw it happen over, and over. It is no secret that he is a force to be reckoned with on the James River. Once again, this winter I will put my six-ounce ST. Croix up against the sixty pound Beast!

Questions or comments can be set to me at chris_jenkins_250@yahoo.com