Cracking the Cold Water Pattern | Winter Kayak Fishing in Ohio

Cracking the Cold Water Pattern | Winter Kayak Fishing in Ohio

Winter river fishing isn’t about covering water — it’s about slowing down and figuring out where the fish actually want to be. In this episode, I fish a stretch of river I’ve spent a lot of time on in the summer, but never really tried in the winter, focusing on edges, drop-offs, and calm water where bass might slide up and feed.

Filmed in early 2026, just weeks into the new year, with water temps sitting around 41°F, I start to put a cold-water pattern together and end up getting on some really nice smallmouth, including a couple solid 17+ inch fish in a spot that doesn’t look like much at first glance.

Cold hands, wet socks, fading daylight, and some big head shakes — this is real winter kayak fishing. Nothing fancy, just slowing down, paying attention, and letting the river tell you where the fish are.
If you’re trying to learn where bass go in cold water, how to fish winter river drop-offs, or how to adjust when conditions don’t look great, this episode should help.

🎣 Winter Kayak Fishing Ohio Rivers
🎣 Cold Water Smallmouth Bass Fishing
🎣 River Kayak Fishing in Winter
🎣 BFS & Slow Winter Presentations

Thanks for watching — Episode 3 is on the way.

Tim

Waterproof Backpacks 👇
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#smallmouthbass #winterfishing #riverfishing