Is there any point to going fishing tomorrow?

[Luke Barnes]

Before anyone says it, no I'm not whining and yes some people have different lives, backgrounds, experiences, so before casting judgement, I know I know.

 

Yesterday was a high of 70, today high of 65, tomorrow high of 32 and low of 25. With a cold front like that coming in is it even worth trying to fish? It's been nice for a while and the one time I get to fish in the past three weeks happens to be when we have snow on the forecast after a huge drop in temp. I'm guessing the bass will be lock jawed. I thought about going catfishing but I don't know crap about cats if they bite in the cold after a big swing. Im still learning about bass, I dont have room in my brain for another species.

[TnRiver46]

You better go!! I’ll be out there. The only guarantee is that if you don’t go, you’ll never know and you won’t catch anything. Even if the bass have lockjaw, you can catch a big un. I caught a big smallie last weekend in 20 something degree weather and they definitely had lockjaw, my buddy in the boat didn’t catch any. Two people two fish in 6 hours 

[flyfisher]

Winter isn't about quantity but it is always about quality.  I know going out when it is cold I am not going to get man bites but the ones I do get are always good ones.  I have also found that cold fronts don't impact the fishing as much in the winter as in other times of year.  

[Kirtley Howe]

Since it is going to be -4 F here, with winds up to 20 mph, and up to 7 inches of snow over the next few days, I think I will pass on fishing. Oh....only very thin ice on the river and local ponds, so ice fishing is pretty much out of the question.

[TnRiver46]

18 minutes ago, Kirt Howe said:

Since it is going to be -4 F here, with winds up to 20 mph, and up to 7 inches of snow over the next few days, I think I will pass on fishing. Oh....only very thin ice on the river and local ponds, so ice fishing is pretty much out of the question.

[mcipinkie]

It would beat the heck out of not going fishing.  14 here tomorrow with snow.  Guess I'll be a candy and miss this one.

[GreenPig]

Yes

[txchaser]

It is going to take some time for the water to cool off.

[Luke Barnes]

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

You better go!! I’ll be out there. The only guarantee is that if you don’t go, you’ll never know and you won’t catch anything. Even if the bass have lockjaw, you can catch a big un. I caught a big smallie last weekend in 20 something degree weather and they definitely had lockjaw, my buddy in the boat didn’t catch any. Two people two fish in 6 hours 

If I may ask, what was the lure that got the bites? I rarely spend time outside so it would be nice to actually use my cold weather stuff and would be a good time to play with the split shot rig. But man it would be so easy to stay home and inside. I'm sometimes a bit of a home body and that doesn't bode well for as little time I get to go fishing. 

[ATA]

I am exactly facing same thing here but I always go even for couple hours and try my luck to catch my first bass go 2022. Tomorrow I am going too and stay night fishing as well. Anyways if I catch ill report, I am so exited to catch me 2022 bass

[islandbass]

If you have to ask . . . Lol. 
 

Honestly, I’m been vascillating on this exact question. I’d probably have a better chance to catch trout at the pond I have in mind. May we both choose to go. ?

[TnRiver46]

3 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

If I may ask, what was the lure that got the bites? I rarely spend time outside so it would be nice to actually use my cold weather stuff and would be a good time to play with the split shot rig. But man it would be so easy to stay home and inside. I'm sometimes a bit of a home body and that doesn't bode well for as little time I get to go fishing. 

Damiki Armor shad on a jig head 

 

im the polar opposite of a home body, I only sleep and make coffee here  haha

[T-Billy]

30 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

im the polar opposite of a home body, I only sleep and make coffee here  haha

10-4!!! Ain't no adventure at home. Well..... Depending on the wife's mood that is.

[Choporoz]

4 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

But man it would be so easy to stay home and inside. 

You have answered your original question.

[Luke Barnes]

Yeah I'm not going today but i think I'll go tomorrow. Way less wind and a little warmer. Wife gave me the go ahead to go walk around BPS and spend my gift card so that's cool too. 

[cyclops2]

Spending is more fun than sitting.

[Luke Barnes]

But serious question. This is the coldest its been in northeast oklahoma all year. Do you think it will shut the fish down or will I just have to be really methodical with something like a drop shot?

[T-Billy]

10 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

But serious question. This is the coldest its been in northeast oklahoma all year. Do you think it will shut the fish down or will I just have to be really methodical with something like a drop shot?

Only way to find out is go. Sometimes they surprise you. I smashed the LM on a red-eye shad in 2-5 feet of 43 degree water a couple years ago. Leading edge of a November cold front, wind blowing around 10-15. I struggled all that morning pitching to sheltered wood, where I thought they'd be. They were ganged up on shallow windblown rip rap.

 Getting tips from knowledgeable folks is good, but there's no substitute for experience. Get out there.

[the reel ess]

In my experience the fish in deeper water are not as susceptible to pressure swings. And the water down there doesn't warm or cool very quickly. So, in terms of getting some bites, I'd say yes. But then I don't go fishing in 30 degree weather very often. I may never do it again. LOL

 

Oh yeah, big crappie will bite in deep, cold water.

[WRB]

It’s tomorrow now did you go?

I believe you have a storm system in your area moving east. Storms have wind and wind, cold rain/snow with 30 degree temp drop doesn’t sound like fun to me. Been there done that.

Tom

[cyclops2]

I am fishing in short sleeves and 28 F.

Watching T V.

[Sphynx]

I know that I will be going tomorrow, only reason I haven't been going through the last couple of days is because my spots require the sure-footed abilities of a mountain goat to get to, and it's dark by the time I get off work, sleeping in the teens-low twenties with a broken leg/ankle until someone comes along sounds like an experience a much younger man than I would find humorous eventually but I'm too old for that mess these days, if you go and figure out how to get bit in a cold front you'll have paid for your time well, if you go and find out what doesn't work, you'll have also been well compensated for the trip.

[gim]

14 hours ago, Kirt Howe said:

Since it is going to be -4 F here, with winds up to 20 mph, and up to 7 inches of snow over the next few days, I think I will pass on fishing. Oh....only very thin ice on the river and local ponds, so ice fishing is pretty much out of the question.

It’s a balmy 4 degrees here but at least the sun is out. Fresh coating of 3 inch snow too that I just snow blowed.

 

Theres about a foot of ice on the lakes now but no force on this earth is going to get me out there.

[Finessegenics]

Get out there!!! Dress warm and be safe and you’ll forget about the bad fishing (if it happens to be so). The bass do shut down in colder weather in my experience. Low and slow is the name of the game. Cats on the other hand, I’ve had amazing days when the water is in the low 40s. They seem to be less affected but I imagine since they are cold blooded, their metabolism will be slower too. Give it a shot
 

I’m going ice fishing tomorrow for the first time in years and it’ll be -10. I’ll post a report if it goes well  

[The Bassman]

Cold bright windy days after a front have brought me some of my best winter fishing. Comfort and lure control are my main obstacles (other than being iced in now. But that's another conversation).