Freshwater sport fishing in Montreal, Quebec and Ontario.: Winter bass from float tube

Every March when the outer temps warm up above freezing, I try to plan my first float tube outing of the season. Most of the fishable areas around Montreal are still covered in ice, but the spot I go to has open water, due to the warm outflow of a nearby factory. The actual fishable area varies based on the level of warm water flowing in from the plant, and this year, due to reduced production, I eventually figured out that my target warmer water area, would be significantly smaller than usual.

Being that we are still in winter and that most of the area I fish is surrounded by ice, I wear thermal socks and long johns under my neoprene waders. Still, once I get into near freezing water, I'll feel the temperature drop quickly enough. In water that cold, fish get lethargic, and lures are far less productive, but being that I'm fishing from a constantly moving float tube in very shallow water, I don't have too much choice.

After spending the first couple hours casting spinners and jerkbaits at my normally productive areas, I worked my way back closer to where the warm water inflow is. Average depth there was about 2-3 feet, and with decayed weeds still present, I was left with little choice other than casting a topwater lure.

During my trip to Miami, I found an old Top Dog topwater lure while shore fishing the canal on foot. I owned one many years ago, and after my son Levi used it to catch a monster pike at Le Domaine Shannon a few years ago, I let him keep the lure. It's a walk the dog style topwater lure, about 4 inches long, with a wider mid section and loud rattle. I cleaned up the lure, and put some brand new, sticky sharp Gamakatsu hooks on it. No better time to field test it for the first time than mid winter...

Sure enough, within 10-12 casts, I saw a big wake follow the lure before hitting it. I was sure it was a pike, but to my surprise, it was a very nice sized largemouth bass. Landed the big bass, grabbed a couple quick pics, measured just over 19 inches and a couple ounces shy of 4 lbs.