To catch largemouth bass in different water temperatures, you should use differing fishing techniques depending on the temperature.

In cold water (below 50°F or 10°C) you should generally use a slow retrieve, use small lures or baits, and target deeper areas with weeds, logs, or other cover. Try lures that create a reaction strike, such as a crankbait, swimbait, jerkbait, or jig. Focus on deeper areas with structure, such as points, drop-offs, and ledges. Try pauses with the bait. You can also try slowly crawling your bait along the bottom.

To catch bass in ice fishing conditions with water below 32°F, use a short, fast action, light power rod and a dedicated ice fishing line. Jigging is the most popular method, so try using a standard ice fishing jig or some form of split-tail jig in a neutral color. You’ll also need an ice auger. When jigging, try to mimic the color of the baitfish the bass are feeding on. Finally, focus on areas near vegetation, hard rocky bottoms, and vertical structures like stumps. Check out hydrographic maps to get an idea of the water depth maps.

In warm water (above 70°F or 21°C) you should use a faster retrieve, use bigger lures or baits, and target areas with structure such as rocks, stumps, or vegetation, such as lily pads, reeds, and weeds. It is also essential to adjust the weight and size of your baits and lures depending on the current. Topwater lures, such as buzzbaits, frogs, and poppers, can be very effective at warmer temperatures. To imitate baitfish, you can also try using faster baits like swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits.

Soft plastics are always a good option, as they can be fished slowly along the bottom in all temperatures. Using deep-diving crankbaits or jigs, you can target bass in deeper water at all temperatures.