Post Frontal Bass Strategies
After the front passes through and for a few days after, conditions will remain poor for up to a few days – and the longevity of it can vary.
The high pressure that follows behind cold fronts contributes to lethargic fish that won't move as far or anywhere up the water column towards near the surface. The impact from cold fronts is most drastic and negative to smallmouth bass. This pressure change affects smallmouth swim bladders the most, and keeps them pinned down towards the bottom where they will be reluctant to chase moving baits.
Anywhere I fish, I expect bass to move off from the areas they were at prior, reposition themselves, and hold tighter to the habitat or structure they are using.
Post-Front Smallmouths
If smallmouths were caught from a specific area or piece of structure prior to the front, the expectation now is they didn’t retreat too far away. They’ve sought out the protection from nearby cover, or sanctuary from deep structure, waiting for the front to pass through.
Weed fisheries are easiest to target, as smallmouths seek refuge along the edges and atop coontail beds. Probing through the edges with jig worms and ned rigs




















