This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, we’re joined by longtime Lake Eufaula angler Steve “Graz” Graziano for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked windows of the year for trophy bass: the dead of winter. Graz explains why December through February consistently produce the biggest fish in the lake, breaking down how large female bass feed heavily during this period as they begin staging for the spawn. He emphasizes the importance of getting on the water early, noting that many of his double-digit bass—including fish over 10 and 12 pounds—came in the morning hours when most anglers were still at home waiting on warmer temperatures.

Graz walks listeners through how he approaches winter bass fishing, focusing on creek mouths, ditches, hard bottoms, and areas close to deep water where big fish can slide up to feed and quickly retreat. He explains how water temperature in the low-to-mid 50s can trigger aggressive feeding behavior, why changing lake conditions like rising water or stained runoff matter, and how electronics—especially side scan and modern sonar—have changed the way anglers locate and target trophy-class fish. From jigs and Carolina rigs to crankbaits, tail spinners, and jigging spoons, Graz shares the specific presentations he relies on to entice pressured, cold-water bass.

He closes with a reminder that winter fishing is more predictable than most anglers realize, especially for those willing to put in the time and trust patterns built over years on the water. With fewer boats, stable conditions, and bass actively feeding, Graz believes the winter months offer the best chance of the year to connect with the fish of a lifetime.

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