Winter struggle.

[Mr. Aquarium]

Been getting out and getting fish. Been a struggle though. Water temps low 40s.  Saw 41-43 yesterday. The only thing I can get fish on is a tube no mater what pond I fish.  Nothing else is working. No blade bait fish hair jigs. I really suck at jerkbaits. All tube fish SLLLLOOWWWW drag on bottom. 
I did get some topwater fish Friday night, surprisingly. 

Im scratching my head.    What else should I add to my arsenal. Hopefully catch more or bigger  fish.
I just got a boat, fish finder and a truck so I’m trying to learn more about the winter game. NO MORE SHORE OR KAYAK! NO MORE FISHING BLIND! 
 

[DogBone_384]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

I really suck at jerkbaits.

Make some time to fish with @Saltysmalljaws down the Cape.  Jake's a J-B guru.  He taught me some of his tricks and now I'm pretty good with them.

[Mr. Aquarium]

1 minute ago, DogBone_384 said:

Make some time to fish with @Saltysmalljaws down the Cape.  Jake's a J-B guru.  He taught me some of his tricks and now I'm pretty good with them.

Yea I definitely will have to get out with him

[TnRiver46]

Spoons

[T-Billy]

Jig, T-Rig Beaver, small Keitech Fat or Rage Swimmer.

[Bankbeater]

If the bass are hitting tubes on the bottom then I'd be casting a jig and craw, or a Texas rig.

[Mr. Aquarium]

Just now, Bankbeater said:

If the bass are hitting tubes on the bottom then I'd be casting a jig and craw, or a Texas rig.

That’s what I’m thinking as well! 

[NorthernBasser]

 

Wanna hear about my winter struggle? I have ice forming on my lakes!! 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

 

Wanna hear about my winter struggle? I have ice forming on my lakes!!

Running behind over there, pal - we already got ice-houses going up.

[MickD]

Neds and Ocho's

[DitchPanda]

I'm in the same boat as @MN Fisher...we are completely shut locked in ice. If I'm gonna fish anything now its gonna be vertically jigged thru an auger hole for at least a few more months.

[NorthernBasser]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Running behind over there, pal - we already got ice-houses going up.

My northern WI friends do. I'm more towards the southern end. A few lakes have a thin layer of ice on them.

[MN Fisher]

10 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

My northern WI friends do. I'm more towards the southern end. A few lakes have a thin layer of ice on them.

That explains it - we're a bit north of Green Bay here.

[Catt]

21 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

The only thing I can get fish on is a tube no mater what pond I fish.  Nothing else is working

 

I'm a dumb old Cajun but I would feed em tubes till they puking em up!

[Mr. Aquarium]

12 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

I'm in the same boat as @MN Fisher...we are completely shut locked in ice. If I'm gonna fish anything now its gonna be vertically jigged thru an auger hole for at least a few more months.

I’m on the coast of MA, if we get ice it’s a very short season. The weather is to much of a rollercoaster. 30 today 45 tomorrow kinda deal.  Most years I will be able to fish open water all winter. Used to do pretty good on blades 

[DitchPanda]

9 minutes ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

I’m on the coast of MA, if we get ice it’s a very short season. The weather is to much of a rollercoaster. 30 today 45 tomorrow kinda deal.  Most years I will be able to fish open water all winter. Used to do pretty good on blades 

I used to enjoy ice fishing almost as much as open water but the past 5 years that enjoyment has dropped off. This year I haven't even checked my auger blades or charged my fish finder and its almost christmas. Don't care what kind of clothing or gear I have there is nothing fun about being out in -30 windchill.

[Mr. Aquarium]

2 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

I used to enjoy ice fishing almost as much as open water but the past 5 years that enjoyment has dropped off. This year I haven't even checked my auger blades or charged my fish finder and its almost christmas. Don't care what kind of clothing or gear I have there is nothing fun about being out in -30 windchill.

-30 wow!!! That’s insane!  I don’t even think my auger runs. No need to use it much anymore. Kayak gets more use then the auger in winter.    Last year I got out twice on 5 inches of ice for a week. I was ice fishing one day open water the next day.  Both times getting fish to!. 

[DitchPanda]

57 minutes ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

-30 wow!!! That’s insane!  I don’t even think my auger runs. No need to use it much anymore. Kayak gets more use then the auger in winter.    Last year I got out twice on 5 inches of ice for a week. I was ice fishing one day open water the next day.  Both times getting fish to!. 

Last winter during that epic cold snap we actually had a few nights the wind chill was around -50.

[Mr. Aquarium]

Just now, DitchPanda said:

Last winter during that epic cold snap we actually had a few nights the wind chill was around -50.

Wow I’ll take the 25 degree it was this morning over that any day! I actually thought about fishing today but  ehh it’s only 33 haha ? 

[river-rat]

 

I agree with CATT. Stick with the tube until it quits producing. Never change a winner.

[TnRiver46]

@Mr. Aquarium, get some damiki armor shad in 3 inch and put them on a jighead. I tried it for the first time this winter and it’s caught fish every time. Zoom tiny fluke also works but sinks a little faster so use lighter head with it 

 

oh yes and gulp minnow is similar, used it for years in the cold 

[Catt]

If anything get better at fishing tubes!

 

Change the rate of fall, make em spiral on the fall, make em fall quick. 

[Glenn]

Since they want something dragged slowly on the bottom, you can also try threading a 5" white grub onto a 1/2oz bare football jig.  Also try finesse jigs, and don't shy away from hair jigs dragged on the bottom too.

 

Good luck!

[the reel ess]

7 hours ago, Catt said:

 

I'm a dumb old Cajun but I would feed em tubes till they puking em up!

Exactly what I was thinking. The only things that have worked for me lately are jigs, T rigged craw and blade bait. I got one on a gold spinnerbait slow rolled. But our water rarely gets that cold, and never gets hard.

[Mr. Aquarium]

3 hours ago, Glenn said:

Since they want something dragged slowly on the bottom, you can also try threading a 5" white grub onto a 1/2oz bare football jig.  Also try finesse jigs, and don't shy away from hair jigs dragged on the bottom too.

 

Good luck!

Yea I’ve been fishing hair jigs as well on bottom.  Nothin yet.   
 

next time I head out I’m going to try more soft plastics on jig heads, jigs and a t rig.