It may seem like every bass in the lake comes down with a case of lockjaw during the passage of a cold front, it doesn't mean you can't catch fish.
A few bass will always remain active; it's just a matter of finding them and getting them to bite. Here are a few tips that will help you coax some of these fish into biting.
Go Slow
Rarely will you get a bass to chase a fast-moving lure during a cold front. Instead, slowly drag or deadstick a plastic bait, stall a suspending stickbait, or when all else fails, switch to a slip float/live bait combo. Rather than make the fish work, dangle your offering in front of their faces.
Small Is Better
Smaller lures and light line on a spinning rig is the choice for finicky bass. Go to 6- or 8-pound mono and a plastic tube instead of a bulky jig on 20-pound line. Finesse fish during a cold front, because oversize line or lures will turn bass off.
Top Spots
This is not the time to explore. Stick to your best spots, though you may have to fish deeper and tighter to cover.
Look For The Thick Stuff
Bass hang very tight to cover during and after the passage of a front, often hiding in the thickest weed available. You have to get right in front of them to get them to bite. Also, try fishing deeper water adjacent to where the fish were before the front, and keep your presentation subtle.
Inside Turns
Inside turns along a breakline or weedline are good sheltering spots to look for non-aggressive cold-front bass. Forget points and other structure bass use when they're feeding. Probe their comfort zones.
Keep On The Move
If you don't find active fish after 15 minutes, move on. It increases your odds of locating active bass.