The weather has a significant effect on the game fish and when cold fronts roll in it can shut down all the action. When cold fronts make their way into the area they can bring high winds, high barometers and frigid temperatures. Yet with all this to deal with bass stripers and crappie can still be caught. The best way to beat cold front conditions is to use live bait and down size artificial lures. All game fish have a hard time resisting live bait any time of the year. But during cold fronts, live bait is a way to beat the slow fishing days. Find the warmest water in any creek and the fish are going to be more active than the fish in the colder waters of the lake. Always avoid cold muddy water as all game fish go dormant.

To fish with live bait look for live night crawlers, small shiners and small shad to work. When the game fish get cold they are not likely to chase a bait very far. Presentations are the key and using a quality Lowrance depth finder get on or over the fish and drop these baits right on their nose. There is nothing wrong with dropping some extra scent even on live bait.

For artificial lures, get small. Small mini tube jigs from the Bass Pro Shops like the small tubes look too small for a big fish. But try a small 1/16th ounce lead head and a small tube bait on ultra light tackle and doodle these baits right to the fish. Adding some extra scent to these baits is easy by squeezing the bait and dropping the scent onto the hole in the hollow tube. Let go of the bait and the scent will be pulled inside. Use ultra light 4 pound test line and a light spinning outfit. Look on old creek channels, old docks and even bridge pilings to hold the fish. Try using small live baits and tiny artificial baits and the fish will still bite, just be patient.