It's Always A Little Sad

[Mobasser]

Even though weve got some more time to fish this season, it's always a little sad when things start to wind down.                                         I'll wake up one of these mornings, and the lakes will be frozen over.                                  And, it always seems like winter takes forever to finish. It's a bummer.                        Anyone else agree?.

[TnRiver46]

I’m on the opposite schedule, it’s about to get really really good from thanksgiving til valentines. Only hinderance is extended periods of darkness 

[casts_by_fly]

yes, kinda.  I went last Wednesday for one last Hurrah and I think I'm done for the year.  I know I could fish through most of the winter here, but the temps are dropping and the fish are slowing down.  Its funny how high 50's water temp in the fall isn't as exciting as high 50's in the spring.  And with bowhunting starting up, you have to pick and choose where to spend your time.  

[J Francho]

It's only heating up here, just not for bass, but for steelhead, browns, and salmon. I can usually fish all winter. 

[Jar11591]

Yep. Days are shorter, frost on the lawn in the mornings. Still great opportunities to catch fish, especially quality, but the season is definitely winding down. Another 5-6 weeks, and I’ll be stripping the line off my reels and sending them into DVT. Always sad. Hopefully we have thaw by April 1st. 

[A-Jay]

I know what's ahead of me.

No trip to Mexico this year might make it seems a little longer.

No time to waste though, I'm headed to the lake right now.

Fishing Hard right up to the bitter end.

Need to go down swinging and a few fatties would surely be welcome. 

And right now every lake has Views on Views . . . . .

A-Jay

[gim]

I am going to try and go once or twice more, but water temps are 58 degrees here and once they drop below 50, it becomes significantly tougher.  If they stay at 50 or above, I'll fish right up until deer season in early November.  Once hunting season starts, then I'm done fishing regardless until next spring.  I don't necessarily get sad about it.  Its more of a bittersweet thing for me because when fishing season ends, hunting season starts.  Next week looks like an extended period of colder temps so the end may be in sight.

[galyonj]

11 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’m on the opposite schedule, it’s about to get really really good from thanksgiving til valentines. Only hinderance is extended periods of darkness 

 

The best part about this time of year is that you can watch the number of casuals drop. The jet skis and party boats get packed up, and we almost get the water to ourselves.

[gim]

Just now, galyonj said:

The jet skis and party boats get packed up, and we almost get the water to ourselves.

That occurs here around Labor Day.  Other than the occasional pontoon slowly meandering around the lake for a cruise, I haven't seen any wake boats, jet skis, tubers, etc since about mid September.

[TnRiver46]

1 minute ago, galyonj said:

 

The best part about this time of year is that you can watch the number of casuals drop. The jet skis and party boats get packed up, and we almost get the water to ourselves.

“And the peasants rejoiced “

[scaleface]

Its a real bummer for me right now . Equipment failure  has me grounded .

[NorthernBasser]

Sad is an understatement. I don't hunt or ice fish, so it's usually a looong winter for me. There's really nothing I enjoy more than fishing.

 

I'll still get out a handful of times, but I know winter is coming. I can't imagine living somewhere where I can fish year-round. I envy the hell out of you guys. 

[Darth-Baiter]

My winters are easy.  my only problem is loosening my PFD straps to fit over my hoodie and down vest.  and I tend to stay in very small lakes and close to shore.  

 

I have done bigger lakes but I wear my dry suit, and that isn't very comfortable.  

[Tennessee Boy]

I love fishing in the winter.  The problem here is it’s to dark to fish after work and with the increase in cold and rainy weather, fewer weekends are fishable.   
 

Until now!  I just retired and that changes everything about winter fishing.  I can’t wait.

 

[Msl819]

20 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Sad is an understatement. I don't hunt or ice fish, so it's usually a looong winter for me. There's really nothing I enjoy more than fishing.

 

I'll still get out a handful of times, but I know winter is coming. I can't imagine living somewhere where I can fish year-round. I envy the hell out of you guys. 

The problem with living in a place where you can fish year round is usually the summer is almost unbearable. It gets cold in the winter,  butt the cold won’t stay long. Summer can last from May-October some years.

[GreenPig]

Bouf to get good here in Ga.You guys are lucky y'all get a break. ?  #ineverstop  

[Fishing_Rod]

Good Day!

The weather here in Southern Arizona lately has a definite fall feel to it. We are grateful for the recent rains. The local lake, just slightly over 100 acres, is still at full pool. So angling, catching, along all the newly flooded areas has been so fun. Yes, the cooler temperatures has shifted the number of folks on the water down a few notches. Also the pace of those on the water has slowed down too. Good to see more folks enjoying the paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks. Much less wake and more peaceful too.

 

Yes, very fortunate here to enjoy year round angling. Although we do have bouts of tough weather with the high winds associated to the low pressure systems moving across. It sure makes for some interesting casting! The main threat is the lightning. Example was this past holiday weekend. I was out enjoying the morning on the water taunting fish. I had checked the weather forecast prior to departure. It did mention storms likely at about 2pm. Yup, 1:45 pm just as I was casting and catching like a madman. BABOOM! This little cloud formed and turned dark in the last fifteen minutes, it generated a massive lighting bolt.

 

For those of you old enough to remember the opening scene to the original Hawaii Five O where you see the fellas in the ocean canoes paddling with great vigor. Yes, me in my kayak seeking safe harbor. Oh and the catching was sooo good too! Not good enough to be put in danger. There will be another opportunity, hopefully soon to go taunt fish while the fall fun is going on.

 

I've lived in much colder areas before. I am grateful to be here comfortably in the high desert. Cheers!

[NorthernBasser]

34 minutes ago, Msl819 said:

The problem with living in a place where you can fish year round is usually the summer is almost unbearable. It gets cold in the winter,  butt the cold won’t stay long. Summer can last from May-October some years.

True. I hear of guys in TX fishing til noon and then getting off the lake because it'll get that hot. Still, I'd rather fish all year round. Lol.

[gim]

48 minutes ago, Msl819 said:

summer is almost unbearable

We get a few of those days here too in the north but they usually don't last for more than a day or two, unlike down south when it occurs for months on end.

[Aaron_H]

.......Winter?

 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

June and July are the only months really "unbearable" here in central Alabama, and for somebody who loves night Bassin, it's a perfect marriage.    

 

I find it much easier to locate and catch more quality Bass in a session during these two months at night.    My best 5 during a session for these months could be 20lbs, whereas the rest of the year it's closer to 10-15lbs 

 

Ultimately the real prize for dealing with the heat is being able to fish February, and March when you have the best shot at catching DD fish here in the south.  

[Bluebasser86]

I hate the cold, but I love the part where the casual anglers and the recreational boats pack it in for the winter. 

[PhishLI]

If the water is still soft, and my guides aren't icing up, I'm going when possible.

 

January 12th. 3 degrees a few days earlier and skim ice.

 

[the reel ess]

I had a good winter last year. I don't think I got skunked all winter. I even caught a bass on a Whopper Plopper in February. I caught most of my fish with a blade bait. I also caught decent amount of crappie on it. It was pretty mild and I had a good number of Saturdays with full sun and little to no wind. But you can't count on that. When all else fails, I watch YouTube videos and shop for tackle online.

[T-Billy]

I'll fish right up till ice over or very close to it. It's big fish season. I have several nice bucks on the wall, a 6+ smallie, but not a LM or Musky. The plan is to whack a couple big does here in the next couple weeks, get meat in the freezer, then fish hard until the water's hard. Hopefully that won't be until late Dec.

 I don't really mind a couple months off. I use the time for gear maintenance, and lure making. The time off also gets me fired up for spring.