Winter bass fishing can be unpredictable, but Joey Cifuentes has cracked the code using a minnow-style bait and forward-facing sonar. In this video, he demonstrates how to locate and catch bass in cold water conditions. With water temperatures at 41 degrees, fish can be scattered, but Cifuentes reveals how to pinpoint them and trigger strikes with precise presentations.
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FINDING WINTER BASS WITH FORWARD-FACING SONAR
During the colder months, bass follow baitfish, often roaming near creek mouths and along flatter banks. Cifuentes scans with forward-facing sonar to locate suspended fish and balls of shad. Instead of sticking to deeper water, he finds many fish surprisingly shallow, cruising just five feet below the surface.
The key is adjusting presentations based on water clarity. Fish rely more on movement than sight in stained water, making bait placement crucial. Cifuentes stresses the importance of casting beyond the fish and leading them naturally—rather than dropping a bait directly on their heads.
THE PERFECT SETUP FOR SHAKING A MINNOW
Cifuentes relies on a finesse setup to effectively work his minnow bait:
• Rod: 7-foot medium-light Fenwick World Class spinning rod
• Reel: Abu Garcia Xenon LTX (6.3:1 gear ratio)
• Line: 6-pound Berkley Fluorocarbon with Berkley Forward Braid
• Bait: Berkley Drip Minnow on a custom jighead
The combination of a soft rod tip and a slower gear ratio helps him maintain precise control over the bait. The Berkley Forward Braid allows for long casts while sinking faster, helping him keep his bait in the strike zone.
ADJUSTING FOR FINICKY BASS
When bass are hesitant to commit, downsizing the bait can make all the difference. Cifuentes switches from a 4-inch minnow to a 3-inch version, immediately triggering more bites. Keeping the bait above a bass's head and shaking it slightly mimics a struggling minnow and triggers strikes.
Throughout the video, Cifuentes demonstrates how subtle changes in jig head weight, retrieve speed, and casting angle can turn a slow day into a successful outing.
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