Most late fall days start with frosty boat covers and slippery boat ramps. And while they often end with sunny skies and warm temperatures, anglers and bass sense winter’s impending arrival. That typically sends both toward deeper water, where bass hide out until warm spring days arrive. But don’t bail on shallow water so quickly. You can find a strong bite there until late into the year on many waters.

Bass — largemouth and smallmouth — will stay in shallow water until its temperature falls into the mid-40s as long as cover and baitfish hold out. While a few may remain after that point, that temperature seems to be the tipping point, when there isn’t enough to warrant your efforts. Until then, even daily weather changes won’t move them, other than pushing them closer and into available cover when it’s sunny and loosening them up when its overcast or wind ripples the surface.

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