Collectively, Kansas farm ponds also represent some outstanding bass fishing opportunities. If you have access to some, or can get fishing permission, do so by all means. Fish them early and often. The first lake I ever caught more than one 5-pounder from was a Johnson County pothole owned by my late friend Ralph Schlagel. Fishing ponds with him was a true joy, something I’ll always cherish.

All of that is well and good, you say. But this is February. How in the world am I going to catch good bass anywhere other than the hot-water lakes when it’s so danged cold?

Remember two things as you plan your outings this month. First and most important -- regardless of the temperature -- bass still have to eat. Second, even the slightest of temperature changes can trigger bass into action.

“There is no doubt that a difference of as little as one or two degrees can have a big effect on bass,” Austin said. “We know, too, that smaller impoundments tend to warm more quickly because of their relative size (when compared to large reservoirs like El Dorado).

“It’s not unusual for temperature to begin moderating in February, especially in the southern half of the state where most of the better bass lakes are found,” Austin said. “If you see an early high-pressure move in with bright, sunny days and average or higher temperatures, you can expect to be able to catch some bass, especially on the smaller impoundments because they’ll warm more quickly.”

Austin noted that paying particular attention to rocky shorelines and riprap on February outings can be especially effective. “Those rocks will absorb radiant heat from the sun and warm up fairly quickly,” he said. “Bass are usually in a deeper water pattern in February, but they’ll move up if the water warms, which it often does in these rocky areas.”

So you know where to go for bass action in Kansas -- not only this month but throughout 2008. And you know that on the two hot-water lakes, La Cygne and Coffee County, an approach that mimics your fishing in April or May -- using crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged worms -- will be effective.

But what should you be using, and where should you be fishing, on the lakes that must warm “naturally” this month? “I suspect that everyone has heard that old rule of thumb that says slow is best when the water is cold,” Austin said. “I believe that’s true on our bass lakes in February, and that’s the approach I’d recommend.”

Here I’ll describe four rigs in particular that always prove very effective for me on Kansas bass lakes this early in the year. And three of them are really good ways to fish in lighter spinning tackle, which can provide you with an advantage this time of year.

Remember two things as you plan your outings this month. First and most important -- regardless of the temperature -- bass still have to eat. Second, even the slightest of temperature changes can trigger bass into action.

Bass aren’t generally going to be holding in the kind of thick, tangly cover that can fray lines and cause breaks at the worst of times -- as when you’ve hooked a 7-pounder. They’re going to be using structure in more open water, which gives you the chance to use spinning gear with 8- or 10-pound line. Rigs like that are generally more sensitive than traditional baitcasting bass rigs, and largemouths in February often are light strikers. The extra feel of a light- or medium-action spinning rig will help you feel more strikes and hook more bass.