Winter Fishing, Store The Boat Or Brave The Cold

[ABit]

I am in South Texas so first off, our winters aren't brutally long or cold like some.  The humidity cuts straight to the bone but overall, it isn't that bad.  However, growing up, we never really went fishing during the winter and now that I have a nice boat, I'd like to maximize the opportunities.  So the question at hand is if it's even worth the gas, time, lures, and lack of sleep to hit the water during the winter?  So many people talk about storing their boats for the winter that I have a tear roll down my face when I think about not using my boat for an entire season.  

 

What are your experiences or preferences when it comes to winter?

[flyfisher]

i fish from a kayak so i am not making some 50mph runs or anything but i have learnt to real enjoy the cold weather.  While i rarely catch a lot of fish, the ones i do catch are pretty good.  Two years ago my largest (length) fish of the year was caught on January 1st in mid 30 degree water.

 

I am looking forward to getting out there this year with my new fish finder and really take the time to learn the lake without vegetation in the way.

[Montanaro]

Catching bass when others don't even leave the house is highly satisfying. If you wish to maximise success hit a power plant lake or go during or immediately after a warm rain and fish the feeder creeks.

[Bankbeater]

As long as the wind isn't blowing too bad and the water hasn't frozen I will be out fishing. I don't catch many fish in the winter, but I am usually the only one on the lake.

[bassguytom]

I fish up until the lakes are frozen and then drill through and fish. With no ice on the lake I would fish right through. It's rare but does happen on occasion that we have a mild winter and do not have any ice. It's fun learning how to catch fish in different seasons. We use completely different lures and techniques in the winter so it's a nice change.

[Dtree11]

 The humidity cuts straight to the bone but overall, it isn't that bad. 

 

I live Michigan. Our winters cut straight to my dead grandmothers bones. (Horrible attempt at a joke.) My point is that, if I had your opportunities for winter fishing, I would fish year-round.

[Jd_Phillips_Fishin]

Norman is really good in the winter time, and you have the lake pretty much to yourself. So I fish through the cold months. As for the tough runs, invest in a good mask and wear lots of layers.  

[Dogmatic]

Texas really? Fish year round! Post pics too, so you make us up here jealous as we stare at the hard water for most of the winter.

[ABit]

I live Michigan. Our winters cut straight to my dead grandmothers bones. (Horrible attempt at a joke.) My point is that, if I had your opportunities for winter fishing, I would fish year-round.

I thought it was funny, haha

 

Thanks for the input you guys.  That will keep me from feeling stupid when I am the only one on the lake! 

[ABit]

Texas really? Fish year round! Post pics too, so you make us up here jealous as we stare at the hard water for most of the winter.

 

Wilco! 

[PourMyOwn]

I fish until Ice, then store my boat and grab my auger. It's totally worth it.

[Catt]

Winter = Jigs

[Fishing Rhino]

Winter = hibernation.

 

I do all of the renovations on our house.  Replace a door, I do it.  Remove carpet and put in hardwood flooring, I do it.  Need to replace a lighting fixture or outlet, I do it.  Install built in wall ovens, I do it.

 

I do it from November - March.  From April - October, when fishing needs to be done, I do it.

[Senko lover]

Winter = Jigs

 

I live with jigs in the winter as well, great cold water technique.

[Catch 22]

Winter ? what is this winter you speak of

 

I live for cool/cold weather fishing. Not great bags,but its mine aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhahhahaha=all mine

[everythingthatswims]

If you get 3 or more days of stable weather around here, winter fishing can be great 

[Snakehead Whisperer]

If the river's not iced over, I take my boat out all year.

 

Being the only person on the water is awesome, but also makes it more dangerous. Be sure to wear a PFD at all times, and keep your phone/radio someplace where it'll stay dry if you go in. Also keep a change of warm clothes in the boat in a waterproof container. The lack of other boats on the water is a dream come true, but it also makes the chances of being rescued by another boater pretty slim in the winter. So do whatever it takes to maximize your chances of survival if the worst should happen. A working (dry) phone or VHF radio can mean the difference between life or death in an emergency. Not trying to be a buzzkill, just trying to be realistic. Get all of your safety gear in order and go fishing! 

 

I'm not always targeting bass, though. I do a lot of walleye and crappie fishing in the colder months. When there is a warming trend I can catch smallies in shallow water that's in the 30's. Stable weather, as mentioned above, and the bite is pretty good for almost any species. Any place where there is a warm water discharge will be a hot spot, no pun intended.  

 

edit: Also exercise caution at the ramp if the air temp is below freezing. They can get pretty slippery when covered in ice.

[HoosierHawgs]

Depends on how much you like fishing

[Catt]

Winter time bass fishing

Think Vertical

Think Deep

Think Bottom

Think Slow

[roadwarrior]

Winter time bass fishing

Think Vertical

Think Deep

Think Bottom

Think Slow

 

Around here it's all about brown fish. The smallmouth are on fire!

[ABit]

You all are great!  I'll be showing this to my wife so she doesn't try to have me committed when I start loading the boat this winter. Haha

 

Winter time bass fishing

Think Vertical
Think Deep
Think Bottom
Think Slow

 

I like this.  I'll certainly keep that in mind!

 

 

If the river's not iced over, I take my boat out all year.

 

Being the only person on the water is awesome, but also makes it more dangerous. Be sure to wear a PFD at all times, and keep your phone/radio someplace where it'll stay dry if you go in. Also keep a change of warm clothes in the boat in a waterproof container. The lack of other boats on the water is a dream come true, but it also makes the chances of being rescued by another boater pretty slim in the winter. So do whatever it takes to maximize your chances of survival if the worst should happen. A working (dry) phone or VHF radio can mean the difference between life or death in an emergency. Not trying to be a buzzkill, just trying to be realistic. Get all of your safety gear in order and go fishing! 

 

I'm not always targeting bass, though. I do a lot of walleye and crappie fishing in the colder months. When there is a warming trend I can catch smallies in shallow water that's in the 30's. Stable weather, as mentioned above, and the bite is pretty good for almost any species. Any place where there is a warm water discharge will be a hot spot, no pun intended.  

 

edit: Also exercise caution at the ramp if the air temp is below freezing. They can get pretty slippery when covered in ice.

 

Great points!  I will be applying all of the above!

[buzzed bait]

Norman is really good in the winter time, and you have the lake pretty much to yourself. So I fish through the cold months. As for the tough runs, invest in a good mask and wear lots of layers.  

 

fished plenty of cold weather on lake norman from the kayak, it's better than during summer with all the pleasure boaters.  

oddly enough, everytime i fished mountain island lake in cold weather it would be somewhat crowded.  of course a lot of that is duck boats flying around, but still plenty of guys fishing there in cold weather.

BUT if i lived in texas, no doubt it would be year round for me there as well (i'm still fishing year round here in GA)

[WIGuide]

Texas actually has a winter? Haha I guess i forget that to some what you guys have down there is considered a cold season. The last few winters up here in northern WI we've had weeks straight where the high temps didn't get above 0*. I always fish as late into the year as possible, and if I lived down there I have no doubt I'd fish straight through.  I believe I have a tee shirt that answers your question the best though. It states, "To fish...or not to fish... what a stupid question" 

[ABit]

Texas actually has a winter? Haha I guess i forget that to some what you guys have down there is considered a cold season. The last few winters up here in northern WI we've had weeks straight where the high temps didn't get above 0*. I always fish as late into the year as possible, and if I lived down there I have no doubt I'd fish straight through.  I believe I have a tee shirt that answers your question the best though. It states, "To fish...or not to fish... what a stupid question" 

 

Haha, I think that does sum it up.  I was stationed in Mannheim, Germany and truly discovered cold winters.  However, I still end up with long johns and a double layered coat when it drops below 80....

[lo n slo]

If you get 3 or more days of stable weather around here, winter fishing can be great

Smart man