During the winter, bass tend to stay close to cover for several reasons. Cover provides them with protection from predators and allows them to ambush their prey more effectively. In the videos, various types of cover are mentioned, such as laydowns, rock structures, humps, roadbeds, pond dams, and current breaks.
In ponds and lakes, bass will often position themselves near laydowns or areas where laydowns come closest to deep water. They may also be found near rock structures, humps, roadbeds, or pond dams. These structures create ledges where bass can move up to feed and then suspend for the rest of the day. Look for areas where these structures are present and fish them using techniques like dragging a Carolina rig or bumping a wiggle wart.
In rivers, bass will seek out areas off of current seams or out of the current altogether. They prefer to live close to the current but not directly in it year-round. Look for areas like ox bows, which are little arms of the river that have been cut off and provide dead slack water. These areas offer depth and allow bass to escape the current.
When there is no cover available, such as in a flat man-made pond, bass may pull to the shore and seek cover there. They may also sit with their bellies in the mud on the bottom in the lowest point if the bottom is just mud.
It's important to note that bass will also be near areas where baitfish are present. They follow the baitfish as a food source. So, if you can locate areas where baitfish are concentrated, you're likely to find bass nearby.
In summary, bass tend to stay close to cover during the winter for protection and to ambush their prey. Look for areas with laydowns, rock structures, humps, roadbeds, pond dams, or current breaks. Also, pay attention to areas where baitfish are present. Remember, the specific locations and types of cover can vary depending on the body of water, so it's always a good idea to observe and adapt your fishing strategy accordingly.