Wateree’s winter bass

Warming trends wake up Lake Wateree’s bass

While many bass anglers look forward to hitting the water in March, Dearal Rodgers said February is prime time for catching bass on Lake Wateree.

“In February, we can have some frigid weather, but the fishing can be great. We always have a string of days that are slightly warmer than the previous few days, and that’s a great time to target bass this month,” he said.

Rodgers said he’s seen bass bite like mad when the water temperature is 48 degrees, when most anglers think that’s too cold.

“It’s really relative to what the water temperature has been leading up to that day,” he said. “If it was 45 degrees for a few days in a row, then a warming trend bumps it to 48, that will turn the bass on big time.”

This month, Rodgers mainly uses four lures: a ChatterBait, Rat-L-Trap, Shad Rap and a spinnerbait.

“In areas with grass, I’m throwing a ChatterBait or a spinnerbait. They go through weeds easily, and attract plenty of bass,” he said. “Some areas on Wateree have a bit of grass year-round, and bass will lurk around it.”

He said that’s especially true if some submerged rocks and deep water are close by.

When the conditions are brutally cold, he opts for the Shad Rap.

“I’m not sure why, but fish seem to bite it better than a Rat-L-Trap when it’s really cold.”

And on fairer weather days, the Rat-L-Trap is his top choice. He uses a high-speed reel when casting this lure.

“It’s pretty easy for most people to hook a bass on a Rat-L-Trap, but many of those same anglers lose a good number of those fish. Bass just have a knack for throwing these lures if you’re not reeling them fast enough,” he said.

Rodgers spends most of his time this month on the lower section of the lake, between Beaver Creek and the dam. And his favorite areas have submerged rocks near deep water.

“Submerged rock piles really attract the bass. They like to hang out around them, especially the ones a little off the bank. They like being able to quickly move between shallow water and deep water, and the rocks give them ambush points as well as hiding spots,” he said.

The most ideal spot, Rodgers said, is an area that has a rock wall, surface grass, docks, and deep holes with submerged rocks nearby.

“When all that stuff comes together, you’ll be hard pressed to not find bass all around it,” he said. “And they don’t want to waste energy chasing small meals, so now is the time to upsize your lures.”