Weld's Largemouth Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 Hey there! So lately I have had the feeling the winter is pretty much over up here in New York. We already had our peak snow storms and now the weather has been 45-55 degrees lately. It seems quite early and maybe the temps will drop again, but i am hopeful for the alternative. I've got all new gear and lures ready to go; now I just need there to be fish to catch. The ponds I usually fish were probably frozen around 2 weeks ago, but only lightly. The water temperature has probably warmed to the low 40's or mid 40's based off the fact that they had been frozen, but we have received lots of warm rainy days and thunderstorms as if it were March or April, so it may have warmed significantly. Prior to the New Year, I had been fishing at least twice a week at multiple spots, trying all types of lures: flipping jigs, rattletraps, deep divers, jerkbaits, crank baits, senkos and I have worked them respective to the bass’s slow metabolism. During these daily winter fishing trips from November to Late December I caught nothing. After Christmas Break hit I gave up winter fishing, and since then I haven’t gone. The last time I caught a bass was late October and the bass then were slamming! They were feeding heavy for the “cold” winter. This winter hasn’t been that cold, however, as it feels like we have reached our coldest days with a snow storm around New Year’s Eve, and temps dropped to mid to high single digits. All of the snow quickly melted as lots of warmer rain came pouring down in the following days. In late December I actually attempted some bait, I was so desperate to catch something and I normally only use lures/ live frogs , and I still caught nothing. I was looking at future temperature predictions and it’s only uphill with few dips in temperature from here on. I know March is probably the best time to start back up for pre-spawn but I can’t wait any longer. I’ve tried multitudes of hobbies to help distract me from my fishing addiction but its hasn’t ceased my pain. I’ve bought new gear, put fresh line on reels, spied on birds, scavenged google earth for ponds and underwater structure, worked out, ran winter track, watched people catching lots of nice Florida bass on YouTube, studied weather predictions to plan my first day back in action and did school work. I hope this winter is pretty much over Thanks for reading! Thoughts are much appreciated! Quote
wnybassman Posted January 13, 2014 Posted January 13, 2014 You're new to New York, aren't you? lol 9 Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted January 13, 2014 Author Posted January 13, 2014 You're new to New York, aren't you? lol No haha, this is just my first winter since fishing for Largemouth Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 13, 2014 Super User Posted January 13, 2014 In late December I actually attempted some bait, I was so desperate to catch something and I normally only use lures/ live frogs , and I still caught nothing. Just an FYI....artificials only for bass after Dec. 1 and before 3rd Saturday in June. I usually get the boat on the water end of March early April. Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted January 13, 2014 Author Posted January 13, 2014 Just an FYI....artificials only for bass after Dec. 1 and before 3rd Saturday in June. I usually get the boat on the water end of March early April. So you can't use artificials in the late summer or fall, is that what you're saying? I've caught plenty of of fish in those times, some of the best fish Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 13, 2014 Super User Posted January 13, 2014 No, that isn't what I said. See the general regulations for NY: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31421.html You can use artificial baits year round for bass. It's artificial baits only during the catch and release season, Dec. 1 through the 1st Saturday in June (when bass season opens). 1 Quote
Super User Nitrofreak Posted January 13, 2014 Super User Posted January 13, 2014 Winter time fishing is a time that tests you patience , what works well for me may not work for you but I have a river here in Va. last winter the surface temp was 34.6 , but with a current , slow falling baits or countdown baits were not possible , blade baits like silver buddies and small spoons , hair jigs work really great in winter , if you have any of those give them a shot , if you have little to no current countdown baits are very effective as well , placement of these baits are critical and you must watch your line with the utmost attention as the bait falls through the water column cause bass will rarely move when the water is really cold and they will just slurp it in . 1 Quote
Pete-K Posted January 14, 2014 Posted January 14, 2014 Think your on the right track. Only 15 more weeks there and your fishing. Now for us here in West Tn on PIckwick lake. Its on like Donkey kong in a few weeks for sure. Good luck and hope this fishing season it the best one ever. Pete 1 Quote
wisconsin heat Posted January 14, 2014 Posted January 14, 2014 Bass fishing starts May 4th in Wisconsin( I gotta get outta this state). Last year we got a snow storm the night before opening day. On May 5th I caught my first bass of the year standing in 15 inches of snow. Winter is FAR from over. Quote
Nashua Nev Posted January 14, 2014 Posted January 14, 2014 we had a fantastic day to spend on the water up here in NH last Sunday. Quote
BuffaloBass716 Posted January 14, 2014 Posted January 14, 2014 Middle of January and its the end of winter? Winter is around half over with and February is one of the coldest months in NY Just keep an eye out for the water temp, once it starts increasing to allow the bass to become more active, then its time to fish! Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted January 14, 2014 Super User Posted January 14, 2014 .Winter over in Jan??? I just got my ice fishing gear out yesterday......thanks!! I needed a good laugh today. 4 Quote
RF813 Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 The warm weather we're experiencing isn't the norm. Hunker down a bit longer. I suppose you don't remember the april fool's storm oh so many years ago? Quote
Mike2841 Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 This made me think of game of thrones. Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted January 16, 2014 Super User Posted January 16, 2014 I feel your pain, but in the mean time my skis are ready and some of my reels are off to Mike @ DWT for upgrading. I got out on my motorcycle Tuesday when it was really nice out, but I'm in New England, so like NY - wait a bit and it'll be Winter again. Until Spring, we've got Bass Resource! Quote
Pete-K Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 Man I feel your pain on the east coast. Used to run up there every week hauling Candy that schools sold for fund raisers in the 80's. Never did like the cold winter weather. But loved it the rest of the year. But would not swap The Tn river and Pickwick lake for it all. Monday here around 50 degrees and I'm going to a small lake to catch the state record large mouth. This one below was 17 lbs 4 or 5 years ago. And have not heard anyone catching it yet. Should be 20 lbs or more now. Pete Quote
bmac31 Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 O how I wish the OP was correct Im not a winter person at all. Ive cleaned my clubs and reorganized my tackle twice each so far, ive also worked on a spring/summer itinerary for golf amd fishing and had a visitor two from the bait monkey.lol. good luck imtill the prespwan. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted January 21, 2014 Super User Posted January 21, 2014 Hey there! So lately I have had the feeling the winter is pretty much over up here in New York. Still think winter is pretty much over? 3 Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted January 22, 2014 Author Posted January 22, 2014 Still think winter is pretty much over? wah Quote
bmac31 Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 So here in CT we got about 9 inches and its still coming down. Says its gonna be around 11 degrees at noon. Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted January 24, 2014 Author Posted January 24, 2014 So here in CT we got about 9 inches and its still coming down. Says its gonna be around 11 degrees at noon. we got the snow too ago and its still here and cold... Quote
wnybassman Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 Got up above 10º today. Spring is here!!! lol 1 Quote
bmac31 Posted January 25, 2014 Posted January 25, 2014 Next year im planing a winter trip to texas or Alabama to get my fix. Quote
Super User Munkin Posted February 6, 2014 Super User Posted February 6, 2014 Ice storm today and we lost power for several hours. That groundhog needs to be shot! Allen 1 Quote
AQUA VELVA Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Winter here in northern lower MI can test your sanity if you are not into winter sports, which, Im not. All I can think about is the coming bass season and what it might be like. Have already gone through and cleaned all of my equipment. The fishing catalogs that keep coming only make the wait worse but at least I get to look at all the cool stuff I probably don't need or can't afford. Just read the other day that MI has the most snow cover of any state. Guess the up-side might be full lakes this spring.Gotta go, just got another catalog! Quote
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