It’s such a relief to me that I’ve realized I can fish March-November now, winter is no longer an eternity!

[Ohioguy25]

I’ve had some of my best fishing these last few weeks, thanks to the advice of the people here not to pack up my gear as soon as it got too cold to swim. In fact, I enjoy it more as there is virtually no one out and I have the river to myself! During peak season a canoe livery uses the same stretch I float and it’s insanely busy even during the week, it’s really annoying. I need to find a less trafficked section for the warmer months.

 

Anyway, yeah I used to dread fall and winter as it seemed like I’d have to wait forever to get back out there, but now that I know it’s just 3-4 months I have to stick it out gets me pumped! For those who don’t fish year round in the temperate regions, how early do you start fishing? 

[Manly Studson]

If the spring rain isn’t incessant, I fish for bass in April. Otherwise I’ll start in May. I’ll fish for crappie and trout in March, but they are not the most successful outings. I sometimes visit in-laws in the Deep South in December. I can catch bass on top water frogs around Christmas.

[TriStateBassin106]

Not even bro, no ice = Fishing, We had a 55 degree streak in Mid January and I was catching them deadsticking ned trds and finesse jigs, one of the best things about now and until April is nobody is on the water, if you're like me who fishes smaller bodies of water from the bank all the annoying bobber kids who catch bluegills and the karens who feed the ducks are long gone from summertime. 

 

when I was little and in my teen years (Early 20s now) I used to hold this very stupid belief that my fishing began on the opening day for trout and ended on labor day.... I've had a great fall so far chasing them. if anything my September was waaay better than august. October fishing has been fair so far. 

4 minutes ago, Manly Studson said:

If the spring rain isn’t incessant, I fish for bass in April. Otherwise I’ll start in May. I’ll fish for crappie and trout in March, but they are not the most successful outings. I sometimes visit in-laws in the Deep South in December. I can catch bass on top water frogs around Christmas.

I usually don't catch my first quality bass until April or Early May, this year I hope I can get something bigger than half a lb in the winter months.

[Ohioguy25]

5 minutes ago, Manly Studson said:

If the spring rain isn’t incessant, I fish for bass in April. Otherwise I’ll start in May. I’ll fish for crappie and trout in March, but they are not the most successful outings. I sometimes visit in-laws in the Deep South in December. I can catch bass on top water frogs around Christmas.

You can’t catch bass before April?

[Manly Studson]

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

You can’t catch bass before April?

No.

[Ohioguy25]

8 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

Not even bro, no ice = Fishing, We had a 55 degree streak in Mid January and I was catching them deadsticking ned trds and finesse jigs, one of the best things about now and until April is nobody is on the water, if you're like me who fishes smaller bodies of water from the bank all the annoying bobber kids who catch bluegills and the karens who feed the ducks are long gone from summertime. 

 

when I was little and in my teen years (Early 20s now) I used to hold this very stupid belief that my fishing began on the opening day for trout and ended on labor day.... I've had a great fall so far chasing them. if anything my September was waaay better than august. October fishing has been fair so far. 

I usually don't catch my first quality bass until April or Early May, this year I hope I can get something bigger than half a lb in the winter months.

Yes, can’t stand the annoying people that crowd all of the prime fishing spots and have no respect for fishermen. One family was so loud and obnoxious I finally said something, it was a weekday literally all by myself fishing this riffle off a rocky beach and this Karen and her 3 kids come waltzing up and the kids proceeded to jump, splash, kick and throw giant rocks in the water right where I was fishing.  I finally asked if they could play a little bit down from where I was, unbelievable.

[TriStateBassin106]

Just now, Manly Studson said:

No.

I don't know how the temps are over in Indiana that time of year but here in New Jersey the prespawn bite can be really good, if the ice is gone by early march expect the largies to hit traditional early spring baits once the temps reach above 55 degrees, smallmouth in the creeks around here also become aggressive. 

[Ohioguy25]

11 minutes ago, Manly Studson said:

No.

Have you tried live bait?

[Manly Studson]

4 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

I don't know how the temps are over in Indiana that time of year but here in New Jersey the prespawn bite can be really good

It’s not for lack of trying. I just  get skunked more often than not in March. I’ve concluded that my season in my waters are best spent on crappie and trout at that time.

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Have you tried live bait?

No, actually—at least not that early in the season. Good suggestion.

[soflabasser]

Plenty of northern rivers remain open during the Winter so you should be able to fish. Powerplant lakes are another place to fish.

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, Manly Studson said:

It’s not for lack of trying. I just  get skunked more often than not in March. I’ve concluded that my season in my waters are best spent on crappie and trout at that time.

No, actually—at least not that early in the season. Good suggestion.

Yeah I’m certain it would work, supposedly they’ll hit live year round in the right conditions

[Bird]

I fish year around here In VA but regardless what anyone says, Jan and Feb are very slow and skunks are expected. 

Still better than sitting at home. 

[soflabasser]

15 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Yes, can’t stand the annoying people that crowd all of the prime fishing spots and have no respect for fishermen. One family was so loud and obnoxious I finally said something, it was a weekday literally all by myself fishing this riffle off a rocky beach and this Karen and her 3 kids come waltzing up and the kids proceeded to jump, splash, kick and throw giant rocks in the water right where I was fishing.  I finally asked if they could play a little bit down from where I was, unbelievable.

I have seen more people fishing now than I have seen in the +20 years I have fished. Many of those people are very rude and like to follow the ''bent rod pattern'' if they see you catch a fish. Let's hope fishing is a fad for those people and things return to normal next year.

[Manly Studson]

2 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

Powerplant lakes are another place to fish.

I know a spot where there is a warm water discharge from a water treatment facility, and you can catch fish in the snow. It’s near the interstate—not peaceful at all—but it works when you’re desperate for tight lines.

[soflabasser]

3 minutes ago, Bird said:

I fish year around here In VA but regardless what anyone says, Jan and Feb are very slow and skunks are expected. 

Still better than sitting at home. 

I rather go fishing than stay home and I am sure most of us here feel that way.

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

I have seen more people fishing now than I have seen in the +20 years I have fished. Many of those people are very rude and like to follow the ''bent rod pattern'' if they see you catch a fish. Let's hope fishing is a fad for those people and things return to normal next year.

What do you mean they like to follow the bent rod pattern?

[soflabasser]

2 minutes ago, Manly Studson said:

I know a spot where there is a warm water discharge from a water treatment facility, and you can catch fish in the snow. It’s near the interstate—not peaceful at all—but it works when you’re desperate for tight lines.

There are a couple places I fish that are next to busy roads. It is not very peaceful but on a good day I can catch over 100 fish all on artificials. To me that is much better than staying at home.

[Ohioguy25]

9 minutes ago, Bird said:

I fish year around here In VA but regardless what anyone says, Jan and Feb are very slow and skunks are expected. 

Still better than sitting at home. 

Even on live bait?

[soflabasser]

4 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What do you mean they like to follow the bent rod pattern?

Following the ''bent rod pattern'' describes people that purposely get close to you since they see you catching fish. It is a very rude thing to do since most people like to fish in peace. For example I enjoy fishing with my Wife and do not like when some random desperate fisherman gets too close to us since they see us catching fish. We often leave when one of these people approach us since we have plenty of other locations we can fish in peace. Like the saying goes two is a party and three is a crowd.

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

Following the ''bent rod pattern'' describes people that purposely get close to you since they see you catching fish. It is a very rude thing to do since most people like to fish in peace. For example I enjoy fishing with my Wife and do not like when some random desperate fisherman gets too close to us since they see us catching fish. We often leave when one of these people approach us since we have plenty of other locations we can fish in peace. Like the saying goes two is a party and three is a crowd.

Oh yeah that’s ridiculously rude I would say something, esp now w covid you can say back up buddy! But yeah, terrible fishing etiquette. I don’t even like fishing w friends for this reason.

[TriStateBassin106]

1 minute ago, soflabasser said:

Following the ''bent rod pattern'' describes people that purposely get close to you since they see you catching fish. It is a very rude thing to do since most people like to fish in peace. For example I enjoy fishing with my Wife and do not like when some random desperate fisherman gets too close to us since they see us catching fish. We often leave when one of these people approach us since we have plenty of other locations we can fish in peace.

it's actually pretty stupid to follow that pattern, fishing a spot after somebody worked it is just a huge waste of time, imagine wanting another anglers sloppy seconds. 

 

[soflabasser]

7 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Oh yeah that’s ridiculously rude I would say something, esp now w covid you can say back up buddy! But yeah, terrible fishing etiquette. I don’t even like fishing w friends for this reason.

I think it is obvious to leave a man and his Wife alone when they are fishing but some people are very desperate, disrespectful, and greedy when it comes to fishing. I do enjoy teaching children how to fish but could care less for a grown man old enough to be my father bothering me and my Wife while we fish. 

6 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

it's actually pretty stupid to follow that pattern, fishing a spot after somebody worked it is just a huge waste of time, imagine wanting another anglers sloppy seconds. 

 

Those who know how to fish have no need to follow the bent rod pattern and they can find their own fish. Besides I find it much more rewarding when I catch my own fish by my own effort.

[TriStateBassin106]

3 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

I think it is obvious to leave a man and his Wife alone when they are fishing but some people are very desperate, disrespectful, and greedy when it comes to fishing. I do enjoy teaching children how to fish but could care less for a grown man old enough to be my father bothering me and my Wife while we fish. 

Those who know how to fish have no need to follow the bent rod pattern and they can find their own fish.

I target high percentage areas from the bank if other anglers are around or not, most of the time they're either going after bluegill or if they're targeting bass they'll throw the completely wrong bait for the situation, I've seen people throw deep divers with weights and rubber worms with bobbers in 5 feet deep water, saves me fish lol.   

[soflabasser]

5 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

I target high percentage areas from the bank if other anglers are around or not, most of the time they're either going after bluegill or if they're targeting bass they'll throw the completely wrong bait for the situation, I've seen people throw deep divers with weights and rubber worms with bobbers in 5 feet deep water, saves me fish lol.   

We all started knowing nothing about fishing and working are way up. What I do not like are those fishermen with little to no respect for others. I feel that knowing how to respect other fisherman and respecting the resource should should be the first thing everyone learns before going fishing. Too many of these ignorant fishermen also throw trash all over the floor.

[DitchPanda]

Winter here for me means ice fishing. I like it but much prefer open water. The hard part for us is we never know what length of winter we are in store for.  We also get some nasty bitter cold some years...I'm talking like a week straight of -30 to -40 wind chill.A few years back we had ice 2 weeks before Thanksgiving up until the 2nd week of April. That's 5 months of lock down. Last year we didn't get ice until December and it was gone by the first part of March...only 3 months. Those are the winters I pray for.