Many people dock their boat during the winter months due to chilly temperatures, cold water, and the gloominess of overcast skies. But have you ever considered that the minimal boat traffic and cooler temperatures may reward you with a great catch during the months of December, January and February?

The southern lakes fare well during these winter months. Cloudy areas can quickly turn into sunny hot spots waiting for you to sit in the boat and relax! Bass can be found where the water does not have extreme conditions changing rapidly; they tend to group together and look for deeper water during this time of year. That does not make them impossible to catch, though – look for stable water and keep an eye out for the warmer parts of the lakes.

The good thing about traveling the Alabama Bass Trail is you can always find a local who knows the waters and can give you some hints on where to launch the boat and find the fish! If you’re considering a road trip to hunt down the perfect spot, it’s not a problem because the time between lakes is usually just a couple hours. With many of the lakes being a day trip away, now is the time to map out your mini winter trip and enjoy the mild weather as you hunt for the greatest catch of the year.

Has this inspired you to keep searching for that trophy-worthy bass this winter?

It’s time to get out and enjoy all Alabama has to offer!