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

[The Bassman]

I've extended my season to 12 months the past few years. Some of that can be attributed to a warmer pattern with shorter periods of ice cover (in central IN) but mostly to a different attitude on my part. The fishing can be quite good. At times the bite is more dependable than it is in the warmer months. Yes, it can get uncomfortable but I really enjoy the solitude. Also it's a lot of fun showing fish pics with snow cover around.

[frogflogger]

Here in the hills i'll take Dec. and Jan. unless the lake freezes - and if the water gets cold enough it's float n fly time!

[Ohioguy25]

3 hours ago, The Bassman said:

I've extended my season to 12 months the past few years. Some of that can be attributed to a warmer pattern with shorter periods of ice cover (in central IN) but mostly to a different attitude on my part. The fishing can be quite good. At times the bite is more dependable than it is in the warmer months. Yes, it can get uncomfortable but I really enjoy the solitude. Also it's a lot of fun showing fish pics with snow cover around.

It really is amazing how nice it is when no one else is out

[GetFishorDieTryin]

at the air temp is.  The water temp is far more consistent.  This past winter was really mild for the most part.  The water did lock up for 5 or 6 days in January, so I just fished creeks and spillways.  Im always amazed how a few hours of sun exposure will cause a hatch. 

Other then a few really good days in Dec and Jan , Febuary as a whole was excellent for numbers and size.  March was colder then Feb, but by the 2nd week in march the fish were schooling and the chatterbait was wreckn em. 

Ned rigs are great, but they take a lot of time to use.  I really like tight lining a 3" EasyShiner on a 3/64 or 1/16 head, it covers water faster and the fish respond to it nearly as well.  A DS is a really efficient way to fish as well.  Standard ned heads have a great hook up ratio, but snag so often. A DS allows you to target a specific depth especially if your fishing vertical, like bridge pilings.  The other advantage is you can give the bait action while keeping it in the same spot.  The rigs can be a pain in the ass as far as twists and rigging itself.  I prefer the standard split/drop Gami in 1, 2, and 4, it sticks em in the roof of the mouth, hookup ratio is nearly 100% and its an inline hook so as long as your bait is rigged straight line twists wont be a major issue.  Swivel shot style hooks can make life a bit easier as far line twists and shortening rigging time.  I think standard hooks have a better presentation but the best swivel shot hook Ive found is the Trokar Helix.  Great hookups, really sharp, inline hook, and good eye angle, the only downside being rolled points can be hard to fix.

 

[king fisher]

If you want to catch bass in the winter, come fish Mexico.  Big bass hitting top water all winter long, including some less famous lakes that never get fished for bass. Local commercial fishermen consider bass illegal trash fish. I don't know who does the illegal plants, but I'm sure glad they do. A friend just told me of another lake I didn't know had bass in it.  He is an offshore charter captain, and wasn't too impressed with the 12 pound bass he caught.  Thought it looked like a good sized bait fish.  When he showed me the picture I almost had a heart attack, especially when he told me where he caught it.  The only day bass fishing in his whole life, and he catches a 12 pounder.  I plan on giving that lake a try as soon as I have time.  Nothing against ice fishing.  I spent many winters in Alaska catching dinner through the ice, but shorts, sandals, cold beer and big bass isn't a bad way to spend a winter. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

15 hours ago, The Bassman said:

Also it's a lot of fun showing fish pics with snow cover around.

The pics where the fish has more color and contrast then the rest of the photo are the best.

[islandbass]

On 10/15/2020 at 7:24 PM, 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. 

No doubt. As a shore angler, I concede that I have never caught a bass in the winter. It doesn’t help that most of the lakes in my area close on October 31. Can you believe that?!!! Once in a blue moon, I’ll go to a lake open year round fishing in the freezing cold know full well it’s a near zero chance to catch anything and the times it’s so cold and I’m feeling miserable   I wonder why a left a warm bed and wife to bear both the cold and a skunk.