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My brothers and dad have organized a last minute fishing safari. We are meeting in Saint George and planning to fish Sand Hollow, then Panguitch, then to Arizona to hit Alamo.
I literally don't know anything about fishing for bass in the winter, other than I catch him to the ice at Mantua.
We have some small craft and plenty of gear between us, but limited sonar, but I don't know what techniques to use. I assume they'll be deep?
I'll take any tips you've got so we can have a successful trip.
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When I still had my winter home in St. Geo I used to fish Sand Hollow a couple of times a week. I just used the same tackle that you would use any other time of the year. I mainly used jigs and fished them the same way as any other place. Just cast out and bump them along the bottom on your retrieve. Most times you're going to bring in salad because a strike feels almost the same way. I remember the first bass I ever caught. I thought I had a snag but then the snag started to move. Have fun.
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They could be very shallow this time of year. I had a great bass day yesterday in northern Utah in 48-50* water and many were within 3' of shore in 2-3 FOW. I caught nearly 3 dozen fishing nearly as fast as I do in summer. If it were me, I'd concentrate on rocky areas, but wood can also hold bass, in less than 15 FOW. Jerkbaits that dive from 4' to 12', crankbaits that dive up to 16', spinnerbait, dropshot, Ned rigs, swimjig, swimbait,and football jigs are some of my best options as the water cools. Bass can be a little tough to find right now, but when you find them it can be incredible. Good luck!
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Sand Hollow has weedy growth on the bottom in a lot of areas. That's why a drop shot works so well there. I set two feet between sinker and hook. Also look for shallow rocky places on the north end, where the sun can warm things best. The north dike should be good.
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Contact Greg Giacomaza at His Way Guide Service. He guides on all the St. George area lakes and can give you the latest info. He hangs out at Sprotsmans Warehouse in St. George. One thing I know is that DWR is encouraging people to fish Gunlock for Crappie, they are up to 2lbs and PLENTY of them!!!
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I noticed you didn't mention exactly when you'll be coming down here to fish, but mentioned "winter fishing", so I assume DEC/JAN? I've fished SH almost weekly for the last 15 yrs we've lived here in Hurricane, but do slow down as the water temps drop below 50 degrees. I was out there Sunday morning, water temps were at 54, down 8 degrees from the prior weekend. The bite has slowed down some with that temp drop, but still plenty of fish to be had. We caught fish anywhere from working the dams with spinnerbaits, to the usual bouncing swimbaits along the bottom in 20-30' of water along the grass beds. As the water temps go down, so must you slow down your presentations. I'll even use spinnerbaits in the dead of winter with low 40 degree water temps, but just barely move it along the bottom above the grass...when you think you're going slow enough, go slower. Good luck!
