What Do You Do?

[Bassfisherman94]

January is winding down and I am wondering what many of you do to catch fish throughout February. I know there's not much change in weather patterns for most, it's generally on the chilly side and windy, but when February starts, are there different baits and locations that you begin to use and fish? Or is February very similar to that of January when it comes down to baits and locations to fish? I am in the SouthEast and I've never done much wintertime fishing.

 

Thanks!

[Darren.]

I haven't done much fishing at all this winter. But in the past few years, I would, on occasion, use the canoe or kayak, but the wind can be killer. Caught some really nice bass including a sweet 5 pounder last winter. Fished TX and wacky rigged, lighter line, smaller worms, and SLOW.

 

I've also done dock and shoreline fishing targeting fallen trees, dock pilings, etc. Most success has been off docks and that for crappie, yellow perch, white bass and the occasional largemouth.

 

Yeah, jigs, too as gripnrip said.

Edited January 29, 2013 by DarrenM

[gripnrip]

Slow.  Slow. Slow.  As far as southeast.  Man that's a pretty broad spectrum!  lol  

 

Jigs

Spinner bait/chatter bait

Shad Raps and thin sided square bills

Shaky heads

Scroungers

[roadwarrior]

They are killin' 'em on Pickwick using jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits and The Rig.

It took 26 lbs to win a recent tournament. I know of two 8s and an 11+ caught

weekend before last during the flooding. Point is, ya got get out there if you

expect to catch bass. 

[Bigbarge50]

Think this is like the first three rules of business .......location, location, location.  

 

Most of the lakes in Northern VA are hard now (ice).  Getting out on the river is really the only option but you have had to be doing it in some snow and teen temperatures lately.  

 

I am sure down in FL were I spent Christmas, it might be about spawn time.....

 

So it really depends on where you are.  

[DINK WHISPERER]

Absolutely all about location. Been catching huge spawners here n FL since Dec......

[BenB54]

Think this is like the first three rules of business .......location, location, location.  

 

Most of the lakes in Northern VA are hard now (ice).  Getting out on the river is really the only option but you have had to be doing it in some snow and teen temperatures lately.  

 

I am sure down in FL were I spent Christmas, it might be about spawn time.....

 

So it really depends on where you are.  

X2

 

We've had such a mild winter in Texas (west and central) water temps never got below low 50's on the lakes I mainly fish. I've been catching a lot of fat bellied fish, the spawn is right around the corner for us.

[Nitrofreak]

Think this is like the first three rules of business .......location, location, location.   

 

No better way to say it than that !!

 

It really does not matter what time of year it is, if your not on the fish, your not catching the fish.

 

Same rules apply to winter fishing as they do in summer fishing, granted, the fish are more active in the summer but no matter what you do you have to be where they are, bright sunny days, I am looking for shade and deep water no matter the temp, the only thing the temp does is dictate my speed.

 

Febuary is no different that January other than the fact that I know March is knocking on the door, I am getting geared up for the up and coming fishing season, Febuary is a month I will generally take my boat out and start looking for those deep fish and start tracking their movement as the spawning season gets ever so much closer here in Va. I am blessed in the fact that we have a nuke plant not far from me and I can fish all winter long, it's a time that I will use to get aquainted with her structure and note the changes from the previous years, and yes to do a little fishing as well.

 

My favorite baits are the jig and pig and the jerk bait, but I will not limit my self to just those two baits, lots of finesse baits are used this time of year for the really lethargic fish when you have to hold your bait in front of them for an extended period of time.

 

There is not a day that I get that is not windy anymore it seems, windy days have to be used to your advantage, in my opinion it gets easier to find fish, I know where to cast when I am fishing a boat dock or anything for that matter, I am looking for the calmest water I can find, this also is true for heavy boat traffic, I am looking for areas with the best cover and structure that the fish will use during the lakes most heavy boat traffic, finding fish during times such as these will help you to be able to track their movements to some degree and that can be used to your advantage.

 

Febuary is generally colder than January but the good thing is the days start to get longer, spring is just around the corner and so is the start of a brand new fishing season, Febuary is the best time to get youself in gear and prepair for putting yourself in the best position possible, on the fish.

 

Good luck and be safe !!!

[LgMouthGambler]

Slow swimming lizards, pitching creatures, shallow cranks.