45-49 degree water

When the water drops below 50 degrees, what are you guys throwing and where?

Jerkbaits and jigs will be a mainstay through the winter for me. A little drop shotting as well. But for the most part, two rods are about all I'll need for a day.

Mostly throwing back some http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/embeer.gif http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/embeer.gif http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/embeer.gif . Downsized hair jigs as well as jerkbaits.

3 rods for me in cold water Jerkbait,Jig and a Wiggle Wart

I've always wondered, since craws are dormant during the winter, how a jig is effective? Is it just that the fish see an easy meal and take advantage of it or what?

I see you are in Shiloh so we are on about the same region...In regards to sub-50 degree water, it really depends on what the typical lowest temp the lake experiences each year-and can depend on whether you are rising (spring) or falling (fall). If you get ice, 45-49 is a pretty good warm up in the spring. Anyway, don't fall into the trap of thinking this is ultra cold. Bass will eat a blade well in this water temp. If you are fishing the power plant lakes over by you, a lipless crankbait is hard to beat. Of course, the jig and jerkbait are stand-bys...If you have rocks and crawfish, wiggle warts are a good choice. Bottom line, if you are close to home (this region that gets far colder than 45 deg. water), dont think that this is freezing-cold water. The fish will chase baits under the right conditions...

Depends on if there are smallies or not.....My local lakes, that temp I target smallies and they chase cranks all day long.

Otherwise, jerkbaits and jigs do well. Also throw a senko/dinger. Seems to work well for me.

Thanks for the replies fellas. Steve, what you say makes a lot of sense, I guess it's all relative to the body of water. I do fish the power plant lakes, they even got down right cold last year. Hopefully they keep the plants running this year and wont have to see those temps in the 30's.

Spoon, fish-head spin, jig, jerkbait....maybe a pearl jr fluke on a drop shot....
We go deeper because the spots we chase go deeper, so 25' is a starting point down to 50'+.

If they are schooling on structure then its hard to beat a spoon or silver buddy fished slooooow