Bank fishing super tough in winter

[mixel]

Went fishing yesterday and was reminded just how nearly impossible it is to bank fish most of the Central California lakes in the winter. Conditions seemed good too. Sunny then got overcast pre-storm with low pressure moving in. Moon was lighting up the clouds nicely after sunset and it was beautiful like a movie scene. Water was perfectly calm.

 

Tried throwing mostly Texas rigged 5" worms with no weight for subtle effect, in bright colors, and casting as far as I could where I knew there were some significant drops but nada a bite to be had. Water was stained with visibility about 1'. Hiked about 2 miles trying to cover as much water as I could. However, along the east bank was a ton of logs, branches, and wood piled up from the creek washouts from all the rain we've had which made a lot of sections impossible to fish because it was so thick. Seems like a great set up if the fish were higher, but they always seem to be about 25-40' deep in the middle of winter which is a bit frustrating for this bank fisherman. Might have to invest in a kayak. I did find a boat anchor though and carried it all the way back to my vehicle.

[Bluebasser86]

I think the bright colors might have been your mistake. Everything I hear about California is clear water and heavy fishing pressure, which points straight towards natural colors to me.

[Oklahoma Mike]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I think the bright colors might have been your mistake. Everything I hear about California is clear water and heavy fishing pressure, which points straight towards natural colors to me.

 

He said visibility was only about one foot. In that case I would be throwing darker colors like black/blue, green pumpkin, junebug etc.  

 

It can be hard to accept getting skunked. Last week we had a nice 3 or 4 days of good steady weather here and temps in the 50s. I thought the conditions would be good for a little winter fishing. Went out for an hour the evening before and had good success. Next day I spent 6 hours on the water and couldn't buy a bite, despite throwing everything I could think of at them. I hated to give up and go home empty handed, but you know when you are whooped. Some days it just isn't on.

[Bluebasser86]

2 hours ago, Oklahoma Mike said:

 

He said visibility was only about one foot. In that case I would be throwing darker colors like black/blue, green pumpkin, junebug etc.  

 

It can be hard to accept getting skunked. Last week we had a nice 3 or 4 days of good steady weather here and temps in the 50s. I thought the conditions would be good for a little winter fishing. Went out for an hour the evening before and had good success. Next day I spent 6 hours on the water and couldn't buy a bite, despite throwing everything I could think of at them. I hated to give up and go home empty handed, but you know when you are whooped. Some days it just isn't on.

Missed that. I agree then with the darker colors and something with a bigger profile than a worm. Fish generally hold tight to the bottom and cover in stained water. Cold, dirty water is about as tough as it gets.

[scaleface]

How cold is the water in Central California ?How much pressure is  the pond your fishing getting ? 

[BrackishBassin]

I'm having the same issue here in MD. Just don't think the fish are holding in areas where I can get casts to them. Decided to work on some lures I started making this summer and just wait for spring to roll around. 

[burrows]

3 hours ago, scaleface said:

How cold is the water in Central California ?How much pressure is  the pond your fishing getting ? 

I'm in California and my guess for the water temps are probably ranging from 40s to 50s depending where your at and if it's snowing or raining the rain has been warming up the water and melting away a lot of snow most lakes don't ever freeze over completely enuf to safely walk on unless you're in higher elevations, most lakes central California probably gets thin layers of ice on the water sometimes  but never frozen over I don't think? 

[mixel]

Water temp for that lake was 50. Air temp was also 50. I did try throwing watermelon and pumpkin seed colors which is are the number 1 worm color around these parts, but switched to brights because the water was super stained and murky. Eastman is not like the lakes in norcal such as Shasta, New Melones, etc. that have much clearer water. A good clean day at Eastman about 4' visibility max. There are two rivers which feed the lake nearly all of it's water which comes from much higher elevations snow levels, and both of those rivers dump into Eastman at nearly the same spot. Eastman and it's nearby sister lake Hensley never freeze over. Much to low in elevation at the foothill base of the Sierras. Very little fishing pressure in the winter.

[everythingthatswims]

I would throw a moving bait, I tend to lean towards moving baits in colder water, you can pretty much use any moving bait in 50 degree water. I would lean towards a chartreuse spinnerbait with Colorado blades or a black and blue chatter bait in that water clarity. Some fish will be shallow in that clarity, the shallower water will be warm.

[KDW96]

Try the tried&true : jig &pig.  Fish it REALLY SLOW.

[fishwizzard]

On 1/8/2017 at 8:33 AM, BrackishBassin said:

I'm having the same issue here in MD. Just don't think the fish are holding in areas where I can get casts to them. Decided to work on some lures I started making this summer and just wait for spring to roll around. 

 

I have gotten the occasional fish on the warmer days fishing whatever shallow and warm spots I can find on the larger bodies of water.  It looks like this Thursday and Friday might be decent temperature wise.  

[mixel]

Thanks for the suggestions. We've had a ton of rain these last few days with some rivers reach flood stage and a fresh heavy snow pack. We are now 126% snow pack compared to average, which is a huge turn-around for us given our 5yr+ drought. Several rivers in Norcal have overflowed their banks. More rain coming today. Water is going to be very stained for the coming weeks and possibly months. There are a lot of logs, branches, foliage and debris being washed into the lakes which gathers up along the banks. So thick you can't even punch a heavy jig through it without hanging up.

 

For the super stained muddy water, you think I should stick with brights or go dark jig and pig? Will try some spinnerbait too with some Colorado blades to really disrupt the water. I don't see how the fish can see anything in this stained water. lol

[everythingthatswims]

2 hours ago, mixel said:

Thanks for the suggestions. We've had a ton of rain these last few days with some rivers reach flood stage and a fresh heavy snow pack. We are now 126% snow pack compared to average, which is a huge turn-around for us given our 5yr+ drought. Several rivers in Norcal have overflowed their banks. More rain coming today. Water is going to be very stained for the coming weeks and possibly months. There are a lot of logs, branches, foliage and debris being washed into the lakes which gathers up along the banks. So thick you can't even punch a heavy jig through it without hanging up.

 

For the super stained muddy water, you think I should stick with brights or go dark jig and pig? Will try some spinnerbait too with some Colorado blades to really disrupt the water. I don't see how the fish can see anything in this stained water. lol

They don't see it, they feel it!

[mixel]

Ok thanks for the help. I'm going to go back this weekend if the second wave of storms break enough to fish. We have more rain coming! Based on y'all recommendations I will try 

• Jig and Pig - dark colored football with trailer and fished really slow and bounce off rock piles
• Spinnnerbait - dark colored and swap out Willow for large Colorado blade for more disruption
• Buzzbait - dark colored and chartruese

Most likely I'll be one of the few fisherman on the entire lake. 

[Oklahoma Mike]

17 minutes ago, mixel said:

Ok thanks for the help. I'm going to go back this weekend if the second wave of storms break enough to fish. We have more rain coming! Based on y'all recommendations I will try 

• Jig and Pig - dark colored football with trailer and fished really slow and bounce off rock piles
• Spinnnerbait - dark colored and swap out Willow for large Colorado blade for more disruption
• Buzzbait - dark colored and chartruese

Most likely I'll be one of the few fisherman on the entire lake. 

 

You'll likely be wasting your time with a buzzbait right now. Perhaps you meant to say chatterbait?

 

As to your comment up above... Fish can see a lot better than you might think, even in stained water like you're describing. The darker colors will be easier for them to find because they will silhouette better against whatever ambient light there is and have more contrast. Bass can also detect sounds via the inner ear (although there is some debate as to how well they can actually hear, but that is probably a whole 'nother thread). But more importantly, as everythingthatswims mentioned above, bass can feel vibrations via a system of sensory organs called lateral lines that allow them to detect and home in on prey, and this will help them locate your bait. This is why a cahtterbait can be a good option.

[mixel]

I did mean to say chatterbait. I have a dark colored one and will buy another one or two before this weekend. Thanks for the additional info. There is hope for me yet to catch some bass this winter! I'm optimistic and will keep trying. 

[primetime]

I would try a Grub 3-4" on a darter head with a weight to match the depth. I also like to use a 4" Sluggo on a darter head when it is cold, or a Road runner 1/16-1/4 with the Maribou typically used for Crappie.

 

maybe add a rattle or maybe use a Tube or simply a bead in between a soft bait. Rattle traps can work all year long as well. Finesse tactics can work but fish are often suspended or right near cover really tight and may need multiple angles. You can catch them on a Jig all year long, same with a worm but it can be tough to get them to strike. It takes patience but sometimes you get lucky and can find a group of fish grouped together, if you catch one, odds are you are in a good spot and can maybe fish it with a shad rap or another moving bait. 

 

I like to fish the Rage Menace on a split shot rig all year round as well. Colors I would try contrasting dark colors or firetails with chart. I usually stick with black/Blue in stained water, black red, or black/chart, red shad, or go solid black. Winter can be tough and some days nothing works, just how it goes.

[BrackishBassin]

9 hours ago, Bunnielab said:

 

I have gotten the occasional fish on the warmer days fishing whatever shallow and warm spots I can find on the larger bodies of water.  It looks like this Thursday and Friday might be decent temperature wise.  

 

Tried that. I think the one body of water is just too big for me to cover. Big chance of missing them. It's 7 miles around the outside of the lake. That being said, I plan to try the rip rap near the dam next time I go out. Double whammy with the deep water there I should be able to get to and warmer temps due to the rocks soaking up the sun. Just going to take a hike to get there, so I might only have 1 rod with me. Don't want to lug 3 that far. 

 

The other one is a 'pond', but only 10' at its deepest point and pretty large surface area wise. I haven't been able to get anything to bite there...not even the crappie. I know they're there. Got my PB out of that pond this summer. 

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, BrackishBassin said:

 

Tried that. I think the one body of water is just too big for me to cover. Big chance of missing them. It's 7 miles around the outside of the lake. That being said, I plan to try the rip rap near the dam next time I go out. Double whammy with the deep water there I should be able to get to and warmer temps due to the rocks soaking up the sun. Just going to take a hike to get there, so I might only have 1 rod with me. Don't want to lug 3 that far. 

 

 

I think I know the lake you're talking about, I've hiked the trail there and at the attatched state forest a bunch of times, but only have limited fishing experience in the lake.   The riprap area was one of the only spots that really produced for me, but it's brutal out there in any kind of sun.    I keep meaning to drag my kayak down there or at least find a nice cloudy day to dedicate to it from the bank.   I haven't read a lot of positive fishing reports about that spot, but I also never see people fishing anywhere other than the small area between the parking lot and the dam, so that's a heck of a lot of unpressured shoreline just waiting out there.   

 

I fish couple spots in the Northern part of Southern Maryland, and if you shoot me a PM I'll dump whatever I know on you.  

[BrackishBassin]

On January 10, 2017 at 8:46 PM, Bunnielab said:

 

I think I know the lake you're talking about, I've hiked the trail there and at the attatched state forest a bunch of times, but only have limited fishing experience in the lake.   The riprap area was one of the only spots that really produced for me, but it's brutal out there in any kind of sun.    I keep meaning to drag my kayak down there or at least find a nice cloudy day to dedicate to it from the bank.   I haven't read a lot of positive fishing reports about that spot, but I also never see people fishing anywhere other than the small area between the parking lot and the dam, so that's a heck of a lot of unpressured shoreline just waiting out there.   

 

I fish couple spots in the Northern part of Southern Maryland, and if you shoot me a PM I'll dump whatever I know on you.  

 

Based on what you're describing you know exactly the lake I'm talking about. I live close by, so it's a frequent stop for me. I think you're right. The opposite side of the lake could be very productive, especially that submerged forest. If you're ever planning on heading down this way again, shoot me a PM. If I can manage to make it out of the house, I'd join you. Can show you what's worked for me so far and see what's worked for you. I think a kayak would work amazingly well there, if you picked a day with minimal wind. I've actually had my paddleboard out there a few times and it can be pretty brutal when it's blowing. Actually been toying with the idea of trying to fish off the paddleboard. I know guys do it down south, but I've never tried it. 

 

It's supposed to be a trophy bass lake, but I haven't heard about anything crazy coming out of it in quite some time. A friend of mine's dad has fished it weekly for going on 20 years and I think the biggest he's seen was right around 5 pounds, possibly a little larger. 

 

Would love to learn about some new spots. Always up to try out some new water.

[mixel]

Drove back up to the lake today. WOW! The amount of water it has gained in the last week is pretty shocking. I could not believe how high it was. Probably only the 3rd time in my life I've seen it this high. Everywhere I walked last week was completely submerged. Tons more wood debris from the creek washed into the lake and completely covered some coves towards the southeast end of the lake. Really think stuff. Water clarity was down to about 4-6". Some real nasty stuff.

 

The real surprise came as I was walking along and working the bank. I nearly stepped on a baby rattlesnake! It was about 2' long and it rattled and hissed at me. It was about 1" from the water and it looked ticked. After 10+ years of low lake levels, I figure a ton of rattlers got flushed from their holes when the water rose so quickly and to a really high level. Though I was surprised to see it because the air temp was 45d with overcast skies and the usual snake bites occur in spring and summer. If you're from this area, be careful!

 

12" of rain in a week and the mountains got up to 12' of snow! California is back baby! I think this spring might be all time fishing conditions. Time to stock up on some lures for spring time.

[burrows]

All the rain has made a lot of flooded water to come into the lakes making it for some merky conditions but California is not in the clear yet but we sure are in a way better place now than we were  and that's great news. 60% of our state is still in the red zone some very severe. a lot of the dried up fisheries lost a lot of fish over the years some lakes and ponds were completely drained. 

       It does look good right now though and that is extremely refreshing.

[PatrickKnight]

Keep in mind this is speaking from a fisherman in the Midwest but I would try a black hair jig fished as slow as you possibly can. As far as a trailer I would use something with very little action but would still add a bit of bulk to the profile as well as something that would slow the fall down.