Keith Lusher 03.26.25
When a uncommon February snowstorm blanketed Southeast Louisiana, most anglers stayed huddled by the hearth. However for Jason Pittman of Covington, these bone-chilling situations offered a possibility to place one in all bass fishing’s best strategies to work – the Alabama Rig.
“It doesn’t get chilly typically right here in South Louisiana, however when it does, I like to seek out these deep holes the place I do know the bass will likely be grouped,” Pittman mentioned. With water temperatures plummeting to 43 levels within the Tchefuncte River, his strategy proved lethal efficient, producing a ton of bass in simply two hours.
Pittman is an expert bass fisherman who lives in Covington, LA. I had an opportunity to make a visit with him in an try to choose his mind and watch how he makes use of his A-Rig to catch winter bass.
For these fishing alongside the Gulf Coast in February, listed here are just a few suggestions that can hopefully aid you catch these cold-water toads.
1. Mild Heads for Shallow Waters
In contrast to the deep reservoirs up north the place the Alabama Rig first made its mark, our Louisiana waters hardly ever attain 30 ft. “The water simply doesn’t get deep sufficient round right here to make use of heavy jigheads,” Pittman defined. “In 20 ft of water or much less, I often use 1/16-ounce heads with strong hooks.” This lighter strategy permits the rig to remain within the strike zone longer with out always dragging backside.
2. The Proper Instruments for the Commerce
Once you’re throwing what quantities to a small baitfish get together on the finish of your line, correct gear turns into essential. Pittman depends on a 7.3′ heavy rod paired with a KastKing MegaJaws baitcasting reel spooled with 20-pound Covert Fluorocarbon line. This mix gives sufficient spine to deal with the rig’s weight whereas sustaining the sensitivity wanted to detect these delicate winter bites.
3. Discovering the Candy Spots
In southern river methods, success typically comes all the way down to discovering the deepest gap within the river. Do some analysis forward of time in an effort to discover the deepest sections of the river. The deepest holes will more than likely be discovered close to bends within the river or the place deeper channels meet shallow flats. On this journey, Pittman’s success got here from positioning his boat alongside the shoreline and making lengthy casts towards the river’s middle, the place pre-spawn bass typically stage earlier than shifting into the canals and creeks.
4. The Chilly Water Crawl
When water temperatures drop into the 40s, gradual and regular wins the race. “They have been grouped up fairly good down there,” Pittman notes, however getting them to chunk required a methodical strategy. Let the rig pendulum all the way down to the correct depth, then retrieve simply quick sufficient to maintain the swimbaits kicking. These torpid winter bass aren’t trying to chase, however they will’t resist what seems to be a simple meal passing proper by their faces.
5. Match the River Hatch
Whereas the normal A-rig setup requires 5 similar baits, don’t be afraid to combine it up. Whereas Pittman’s success got here on 5 white 4-inch swimbaits, our waters typically maintain a number of bait species without delay. Contemplate operating barely smaller baits on the outer arms with a bigger swimbait down the center, mimicking a pod of bait fish defending their bigger cousin.
Whether or not you’re fishing the Tchefuncte, Pearl, or every other Louisiana river system, the A-rig has confirmed itself as a cold-weather producer. Simply keep in mind – when these uncommon winter chilly fronts push by means of and drop the water temperature into the 40s, that’s when this system actually shines. As Pittman says with a realizing smile, “That A-Rig fools them each time.”
