Reel in the Big Ones: A Guide to Winter Bass Fishing Across the States

Hey there, this is Artificial Lure with your weekly dose of bass buzz from across the States. Quiet Please, let’s get into it.

Bass fishing is definitely in that winter groove right now, but that doesn’t mean the big ones are playing hard to get. In fact, some serious fish are still getting caught if you know where to look. In Maryland, the upper Bay and lower Potomac are still giving up stripers in the deep channels, especially near steep drop offs and bridge pilings. Anglers are jigging metal and soft plastics in 40 to 50 feet of water and seeing some solid action, especially around the Route 301 Bridge on the Potomac and the deeper edges of the Patuxent. The water’s cold, but the bass are still down there, stacked up on the bottom and waiting for a well-placed jig.

Over in Texas, the record books are still fresh. Just this past June, Owen Harmon hauled in a 14.25 pound largemouth at O.H. Ivie Lake, and that fish is now the lake’s all tackle record. That’s a serious slab, and it’s a reminder that even in the heat of summer, Texas lakes can still produce monsters. Right now, lakes like Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, and Fork are all in that late fall to early winter pattern where bass are moving deep, and the smart money is on slow presentations around points, humps, and deep brush.

Out in California, the bass are hugging cover and structure. Reports from places like Lake Perris and Contra Loma say the best bites are coming from fish tight to rocks, weeds, and deeper structure. Early morning topwater can still fire them up, but most of the work is being done with slow, weedless soft plastics in natural or darker colors. If you’re into fly fishing, that’s a good hint – think big streamers and deep sinking lines around those same kinds of spots.

In Ohio, West Branch Reservoir is still a powerhouse for big game. The lake’s known for muskies, but it’s also loaded with largemouth, smallmouth, and hybrid stripers. The bass are hanging around stump fields, creek mouths, and rip rap, especially on the east side of the lake. If you’re chasing that winter bite, focus on the main lake points and the drop offs near the dam.

Back east, in the Chesapeake region, the stripers are heading deep as the water cools into the 40s. Anglers are finding them near the bottom in the Patapsco, Chester, and Choptank rivers, and the go to methods are jigging soft plastics and trolling umbrella rigs with heavy weights. Some guys are even using hookless spoons as teasers and seeing good results.

And if you’re into tournaments, the pro scene is heating up. Major League Fishing just announced the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit is now up to 140 pros, with only 10 spots left before the field is full. That’s a stacked lineup, and it shows how much momentum bass fishing still has.

So whether you’re chasing slab crappie, big smallies, or a personal best largemouth, there’s still plenty of action out there. Just dress warm, stay safe, and keep your eyes on the depth finder.

Thanks for tuning in. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me, Artificial Lure, check out Quiet Please Dot A I. Come back next week for more.

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