Winter Time Bass Fishing (Do you know why bass do this?)

[@jerrydrazer1328]

I remember my 1st Bass Fishing Institute at Indiana State as a grade schooler attending. March late 70’s. The simulator/bass tank was outside, mile high skies with “skim ice” on it. All the bass were in pods of 5-6 with their bellies so locked on the bottom they were bulging. Seen underwater film of smallmouths doing the same thing. Very odd. Yet quite intriguing. Raises more questions than answers.

[@andrewtucker1314]

I would guess that it's the first time the upper column of water was colder than the bottom. That's a pretty quick change. But hey, maybe they just wanted to be there 😂.

[@badisbassin]

I seen this same thing on Lake Gaston a couple weeks ago, right after a cold front they went to the bottom and stayed for a day or 2 then they started getting back up roaming around. It was hundreds of fish in this school/area caught the heck out of them off the bottom and roaming

[@block8959]

I live in New Jersey and went fishing yesterday and the water temperature was 39 degrees the bass weren’t biting but I could see crappie chasing the bait just not committing.

[@tomhoward3186]

The barometric pressure in South Central Texas was the highest it's been since mid March. Same with SE Texas. I believe that was the key to your seeing the bass hugging the bottom even in 58 degree water.

[@rickyroy5200]

Like you said, water temperature was in the 70s, and after this cold rain dropped to 59 degrees. They just shut down to get acclimated to the new temperature. Who knows, I've caught fish in really cold water in the morning and around noon time just shut down. You would think when the sun comes out, they would bite better, but no, just confuses me. Really like your videos. Keep them rolling.

[@DavidRoyal-y9o]

Yeap had that happen before. I tell u what tho right before a front comes I mean like when it's even raining and stuff cloudy and windy nasty stuff u know. They can bite really good the big ones too. I mean a lot of people know that. It's just do u wanna be out on the water when it's like that. I don't play with lightning tho. But yeah everyday can be different for sure

[@peepochill]

This is exactly what it is. Fish experience something cold Cold shock when the water temp rapidly drops. It takes a while for them to acclimate.

[@joeyorr9554]

Small 1/8 oz underspin jig works great when they are on bottom like that. Try dead sticking; straight down. My theory is they just sit down there and wait on small shad to flutter to the bottom. Bites are extremely subtle. Also, I've seen hell-diving water turkeys get them going when they aren't biting very good but you know they are down there. If there are turkeys around in trees or something, I'll pull back and let them move in and stir things up for a while. For me, this technique seems to work best from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your efforts with the videos. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@rdunstanfishing8624]

Thank you for sharing these details as I get sucked into looking for fish a lot of times and forget they could be pinned on the bottom. Then I’m scratching my hey later not recognizing what I missed.

[@LifeLevi]

Todd. I had a high school tournament this Saturday at lake Hartwell. The lows had been around 45. The week before the tournament the low temp drop to mid to low 20s. Same conditions. High skies no wind. We went to were we found fish in practice and didn’t see any. I dropped a jigging spoon down and as soon as it hit 3 or 4 came up off the bottom. We caught them pretty well but we would’ve never seen them unless they came up. Maybe it’s the sudden temp drop???

[@tmcghee333]

I caught them on the bottom in 35ft on a big swimbait after I couldn’t get them to bite anything else. One of the bigger fish I caught had a giant gizzard down her throat. I think they’re on the bottom after gizzards this time of year.

[@lagoguide6330]

Enjoy your take on observations with Livescope and just fishing... Same thing, Two weeks ago smashing them on LBJ, Travis with some good best 5 fish days on Topwater, Vibejig, Swimjig.. Then last two coldfronts around Turkey day, SWTP in mid 60's and regular bite comes to a halt. Bottom finesse bait and slow caught fish but nothing like the previous weeks. However some biggs +5 lbs in inches of water near docks. Bait suspended at 15-20 FOW.. SMH.. But the Chess game is why we love fishing.

[@fishncoach8699]

Same thing happened two weeks ago to me and it wasn't even cold. Had been catching really good schooling fish, went back to days later and they were all glued to the bottom, everything I saw. Then about mid day fish started showing up. I'd catch them and they would turn up in the live well telling where they had been

[@brettmchaney]

To add to my last comment when a cold front passes and surface temps drop. That colder water sinks. Bass are comfortable when water temps are stable. So now that those temps are not stable they drop to the deepest water available in the area. Also you have bright sunny days after a cold front which also contributes to bass dropping deeper. Hope this helps Todd.

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

The sunny days I've found that most of the fish on Livescope actually do the opposite and rise off the bottom.

[@DanielBoone337]

I think they just drop to the bottom because that's where the most stable or warmer water temps are in proximity to them... but it is interesting as far as how many times I've probably left a huge school of fish after catching only 1 and the others just wasn't biting... Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!!

[@sonar5676]

Keep it up Mr. Todd.. Let's go Table Rock!

[@mikebowen71]

Todd, Great video really enjoyed it. Lots of good info. Thanks

[@DerrickMorgan-r9x]

Just a thought, with the water cooling off so quickly, they might be hanging on the bottom because it’s warmer.

[@F.Ronnie]

Thanks Todd.

[@chrisr1321]

Boat flipping bass with the crappie set up🔥🔥

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Wait till you see what I catch on my crappie set up in a couple of days.

[@chrisr1321]

@ you savage! Can’t wait!

[@mikeharris130]

I should have mentioned this earlier, but I love your T/H hoodie.

[@weshunter1796]

It could have just been that the water was warmer on the bottom. I've always wanted to see vertical water temperature profiles at various times of the year. It seems like when the air is colder than the water, surface temps will drop first and slowly radiate downward. It would be interesting to see temperatures at all depths to see how fast this happened and how big a difference there is. I know when ice fishing that the warmest water is near the bottom because water does this weird thing and flips from warmer water being less dense to cooler water being less dense a few degrees above freezing. I know your water temps weren't close to cold enough for that, but maybe something similar happens as cold air temps radiate deeper.

[@petecook1611]

It bothered me sat blanked first time ever in a tx!!

[@bigdawg580]

Theory, fish semi-hibernate after sharp or large temperature fluctuations. It takes some time for them to acclimate to the changes. The surface temp dropped drastically and the most stable water temp was the bottom.

[@Teamjonesbassfishingandfamily]

Loved the video as usual bro. Can you do a crappie video, I really don't crappie fish but I would like to start. Thanks

[@rdunstanfishing8624]

The other day you were talking electronics and stated somethings. In this video I noticed the NBT marine unit. If possible can you elaborate what you have learned with that vice just going with a 16” Garmin unit? I’m currently looking at making a purchase but would love to hear your feedback. Thank you in advance.

[@DavidDickson-w6d]

I think the bottom is just a little warmer

[@jswartz1999]

How about an A-rig for this situation? Secondly, Have you listed your crappie setup on any videos? Rod reel line jig and trailer. I Broke down and did livescope Black Friday deal so going start with the crappie rig

[@Kctfishn]

Post frontal - jig. Post frontal plus temp drop before the bugs hibernate- Drag a jig

[@brettmchaney]

So fish are cold blooded animals so as you know their body temp is the same as the water temp. After a cold front and a temp change the water isn’t stable. However the deeper you go the more stable the water temp. So fish will stay in the most stable water available or the deepest water available

[@thomasroach3965]

Why no red eye shad ?

[@steveparker7240]

It went from early fall to winter in a week, I think the water below the surface is way colder than the surface temp reflects. They are confused. I know I am. I caught a bunch cranking fast in trees and a few in 30' pulling a spoon very slowly. But a lot fewer bites than a few days before. Just weird behavior.

[@rcp8287]

Did you move or get a shop built?

[@chrismalas8747]

You always said ole whiskey didn’t wanna eat or would act weird when water quality got bad maybe something is up with water 58 degrees is warm

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Nah, it’s been good it was something to do with water change

[@chrismalas8747]

Next time smell one’s breath maybe stink like crawdads lol kidding but good video pretty sweet looking at them seeing what’s up

[@DennisMorgan-ls8sc]

I thought Randy Bank Beater Blaukat would have answered by now.....

[@chrismalas8747]

Oh boy I can only imagine those comments he’s crazy poor guy taking years off his life worrying about Livescope lol

[@donkimmel9375]

Next time bring a flutter spoon or a Hopkins spoon and see if they react to that when there deep.

[@hammertimefishing1763]

Caught em Sunday with mud on their bellies.

[@johndynneson662]

I’d. Say. Colder the water. Metabolism. Slows. Digestion slows. All living creatures are kinda the same Food. Sex. Safety Those fish. Just roosting When it’s time too feed then it’s go time. Seen this for years fishing through the ice. With electronics. Shallower the fishing holding got really cold 🥶. Push them to the bottom. (( and yes even through the ice )) water temps can change just enough. Little bit of a warm spell. There going. Up off the bottom. In-Fisherman magazine did study’s on. Big Muskie when radio tracking was developed. Studied a fish. When it was feed up. It just sat at it roosting spot. When it was go time. They couldn’t hardly keep up with it out looking for food. When had its fill. Back too where it sits Fish are fish. Animals are animals. They all live in different environments.

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@tlbhemi7173]

Looks like a swim bait rod

[@johndynneson662]

I’d. Say. Colder the water. Metabolism. Slows. Digestion slows. All living creatures are kinda the same Food. Sex. Safety Those fish. Just roosting When it’s time too feed then it’s go time. Seen this for years fishing through the ice. With electronics. Shallower the fishing holding got really cold 🥶. Push them to the bottom. (( and yes even through the ice )) water temps can change just enough. Little bit of a warm spell. There going. Up off the bottom. In-Fisherman magazine did study’s on. Big Muskie when radio tracking was developed. Studied a fish. When it was feed up. It just sat at it roosting spot. When it was go time. They couldn’t hardly keep up with it out looking for food. When had its fill. Back too where it sits Fish are fish. Animals are animals. They all live in different environments. Just forget to say. They all share same habits

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

Trust me at 58 degrees their metabolism didn't slow, they go crazy when it hits 55 down here

[@johndynneson662]

@ in the Fall time. But I’m saying when they have feed up. I experience the same thing. Fall time.

[@russellstroman4767]

Crappie will get on bottom at fork in 40 ft

[@BrandonX444X]

So many people listen to all these wanna be anglers. It’s every 3 vids someone talking about the “Top 5 baits”. Folks the dudes Over at Tactical Bassin will prove to you how they catch fish. And those dudes have a large following for a reason. Tim and Matt are absolute Hammers!

[@danielowens5853]

They are the hammers of the wannabe's...

[@BrandonX444X]

@ And how is that? Those dudes make way more money than 80% of pros. And for good reasoning. Why do you think Bill Dance gave up as a pro and started doing TV?

[@nickbrueggeman3413]

Water 59 degrees.... That ain't winter time fishing haha

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

I know thats what's crazy

[@jt-qy7zx]

i think they were having a confrence on the bottom about this guy todd how won,t leave them alone🤔

[@toddcastledinefishing5924]

You won the comment section

[@rdunstanfishing8624]

The other day you were talking electronics and stated somethings. In this video I noticed the NBT marine unit. If possible can you elaborate what you have learned with that vice just going with a 16” Garmin unit? I’m currently looking at making a purchase but would love to hear your feedback. Thank you in advance.