What water temp do you switch to winter mode?

[clemsondds]

Is there a certain water temp where you switch from faster moving baits to slower moving (jerkbait, blade bait, jig...)?  

[GreenPig]

47

[mcipinkie]

I am not a believer in water temps as shown on your units.  I have three on my boat.  They all read differently.  Today, my stern units read 50 and 51 most of the time.  My bow unit read 48 to 49.  Yes, I could make them all read the same, but I really don't care.

 

I utilize my units to tell me relative temps:  It's colder on the main lake than in the creeks, or vice versa.  North side versus south side, etc.  Exact temps are useless.  There is no ice on lake so I know it's not that cold.

 

The water temp here in Missouri is transitioning from early fall to late fall or early winter.  Heck, I knew that without a gauge.  I'm throwing lures appropriate for that transition.  Wiggle Warts, Jerk Baits, Jigs, Drop Shot, Ned Rig, A-rig.   More dependent on weather conditions than temperature.

 

I have a friend, and sometimes tournament partner, that swears he won't throw a jig (prefers plastic) until the water is 55 or below.  I give him a major dose when one depth finder says it's 55 and another says 57. 

 

The point I'm trying to make is that you can't make fishing an "if - then" flow chart.  You have to use some general knowledge of the seasonable patterns and let your equipment help you. 

[clemsondds]

Thank you! Yeh, sorry...poor wording on my part.  I meant, what's the temp range, or other criteria, that causes you to transition to more slow moving baits? 

[NoShoes]

6 hours ago, mcipinkie said:

I am not a believer in water temps as shown on your units.  I have three on my boat.  They all read differently.  Today, my stern units read 50 and 51 most of the time.  My bow unit read 48 to 49.  Yes, I could make them all read the same, but I really don't care.

 

I utilize my units to tell me relative temps:  It's colder on the main lake than in the creeks, or vice versa.  North side versus south side, etc.  Exact temps are useless.  There is no ice on lake so I know it's not that cold.

 

The water temp here in Missouri is transitioning from early fall to late fall or early winter.  Heck, I knew that without a gauge.  I'm throwing lures appropriate for that transition.  Wiggle Warts, Jerk Baits, Jigs, Drop Shot, Ned Rig, A-rig.   More dependent on weather conditions than temperature.

 

I have a friend, and sometimes tournament partner, that swears he won't throw a jig (prefers plastic) until the water is 55 or below.  I give him a major dose when one depth finder says it's 55 and another says 57. 

 

The point I'm trying to make is that you can't make fishing an "if - then" flow chart.  You have to use some general knowledge of the seasonable patterns and let your equipment help you. 

Bow is usually colder because it’s on your trolling motor, couple feet into the water compared to your transom. 

[clemsondds]

thanks! good info! 

[DitchPanda]

Usually I would say mid to high 40s...but last week I was out water temps around 40 and had fish busting on shad.

[Team9nine]

Anything under 50 deg. Not an absolute, and I might check a couple other bites out, but I always am rigged for slower in those conditions.

[Catt]

15 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Is there a certain water temp where you switch from faster moving baits to slower moving (jerkbait, blade bait, jig...)?  

 

Nahh ?

 

I throw both year round, ya gotta play the hand your dealt.

 

That changes daily

[scaleface]

I still throw cranks and spinnerbaits with the temps in the 40's . Did it just last week . Surface temp 47 and caught over twenty largemouths on a spinnerbait . I tried jigs and Texas rigs , they didnt get bit . Some days though ,  bottom bouncing lures work . Its unpredictable . I dont fish much when the temps drops into the 30's .

[Bankbeater]

15 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Thank you! Yeh, sorry...poor wording on my part.  I meant, what's the temp range, or other criteria, that causes you to transition to more slow moving baits? 

Sometimes on water that sees a lot of fishing pressure dead sticking is the way to go no matter what the temp is.

[MassYak85]

I haven't pushed the limits of my season until the past few years, but low 40s seems to be the end of the "Fall Feed" but it depends on weather trends. Water was 44 today and crushed them on a tail spinner. They were near their winter spots but were pushing shallower still feeding pretty heavily. Once we get a couple weeks away from ice skimming the lakes I usually switch to more bottom techniques like finesse jigs, or hopping a blade bait. 

[ChrisD46]

In Georgia I'd say when water temps dip below 55 F. 

[Mr. Aquarium]

Under 50 Here  in Ma. But I night fish with topwaters until 45 ish. 

[Bluebasser86]

I've caught good fish on squarebills in 38* water and big spinnerbait fish in 40* water. I slow down when the fish tell me to.

[OnthePotomac]

On the tidal Potomac it is generally 40-50 degrees.