February fishing can be frustrating, with cold snaps slowing the migration to the spawning grounds. But even that doesn't have to end your fishing success: Simply revert to some of the tactics and locations that figured in your fishing earlier in the month.

Another trick to use on Tobesofkee bass in the first few days after a cold snap: Use a Slider head with a small worm on 6-pound line. The bass are balky, but put this small bait right in front of their noses, and they can't resist. The strikes will be gentle, though, so the smaller line is needed in order to feel the take of the bait.

Whether the next thing up's a warming trend or a cold snap, another thing to look for that can improve your chances at Tobesofkee is water stained slightly more than that in the main lake.

LAKE JULIETTE
About 15 minutes north of Macon in Monroe County on U.S. 23, this 3,600-acre lake built by the Georgia Power Company opened in 1981, its purpose being to provide water for the cooling towers at the Plant Scherer coal-burning electric plant. But it's also a marvelously placid fishing haven, because other than the power plant, no development is present; instead, the Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area surrounds the lake.

Though only a few miles from Lake Tobesofkee, Lake Juliette is completely different in terms of its nature as a fishing venue. Personal watercraft are prohibited, and a horsepower limit on boat motors is in effect, so anglers don't have to worry about speeding boats or skiers. But as the lake was built by impounding tiny Rum Creek, not nearly as much food is carried into it, and, Les Ager noted, its overall fish population is two or three times less dense than Tobesofkee's.

But that doesn't mean that no worthwhile fishing is to be had. In addition to its snappy action for largemouths, Juliette also offers striped bass, bream and catfish angling. On the other hand, the terrain around the lake is rugged and rolling, so much more variation in depths is seen, which can suggest that the effect of warming trends is slower to be seen here than at Tobesofkee.

If it's really cold in early February, try jigging spoons 30 to 50 feet deep in the creek channels or dropoffs; be on the lookout for spots with some structure.

Once the weather warms a little, the bass move to points falling off into deeper water. Fish 15 to 20 feet deep with deep-diving crankbaits such as a Poe 400. Chartreuse is usually one of the most favored colors.

As the water begins to warm more toward the end of the month, the bass move up the points to depths of 10 or 15 feet. Switch then to spinnerbaits in chartreuse, white or a combination of the two, and fish them as slowly as you can and still keep the blades spinning.