Winter is coming...

[dgkasper58]

What are you doing this off season for you northern guys?

 

I am changing out several treble to a "red" version and cleaning reels.  May also work on the kayak set up a bit.  

 

Justs looking for ideas.

 

TIA

[gim]

I usually go through all my reels and inspect them.  Then in March I re-spool the ones that I need to.  Last winter I brought a bunch in to get fully disassembled, cleaned, and lubricated that needed it.

 

There's lots to do in the winter in the north.  Bass fishing isn't one of those though.  Just part of living here and having an "off season."

 

I play in a racquetball league and an adult men's ice hockey league.  Its not only fun, but its also good exercise.  A lot of people ice fish, cross country ski, or snowmobile up here.

[MN Fisher]

I've got a couple things to do to the F-9 - Installing a jack-plate is the big one

 

Otherwise, reel maintenance is about it.

 

Winter is when I concentrate on my other main hobby - scale model building.

[roadwarrior]

This is our winter and will probably last six weeks or so. 

PRIME TIME starts around the 1st of February.

 

                                          

[A-Jay]

I work on myself.

I work with my own & foster dogs.

I work on my tackle as needed.

None of it's really work.

A-Jay

 

[Jar11591]

Lot of maintenance. The reels that need minor servicing I will do myself. The reels that need a full service will be sent to DVT. 
I have to repair the seat on my boat. Trolling motor needs some minor TLC as well. 

I’ll probably get a couple new rods and reels over the winter as well. I usually like to start out a new season with a new technique specific combo or two. Adding to the collection really helps me get through the winter. 
 

I’ve started messing around with making some baits from balsa wood, and will start making some soft plastics as well. I’ve wanted to do it the last several winters but finally got started 
 

And like every winter I’ll be reading a ton, studying contour maps, scouting new water bodies, and checking the forecast everyday as if the northeast NY winter will somehow miraculously end early this year. 

[volzfan59]

I don't live in the north, but I don't fish December through mid February. Like @MN Fisher, I do reel maintenance, tackle organization, boat maintenance. I am going to add a compartment for life jackets and miscellaneous stuff in my jon boat.

[Mobasser]

I'm in Missouri. I'll organize my tackle, probably more than I need to. Clean and lube my reels also.                          Last year I restored an old French made Mithcell 308 reel. I've since picked up a model 300 to fix up also. It's fun, and I just take my time on them.                                    Then, patiently await springtime. It seems like it takes forever to get here.

[Will Ketchum]

11 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I'm in Missouri. I'll organize my tackle, probably more than I need to. Clean and lube my reels also.                          Last year I restored an old French made Mithcell 308 reel. I've since picked up a model 300 to fix up also. It's fun, and I just take my time on them.                                    Then, patiently await springtime. It seems like it takes forever to get here.

I have Mitchel 308 and use it regularly.

[LrgmouthShad]

After attending college in NY, I promised myself that I would never seek out any opportunity to live up North again. If it happens, it happens, but not if I have anything to say about it.

 

I had a few moments of desperation in the middle of winter where I fished in this lone puddle. Not to catch, but just to toss a line. 
 

Y’all that live way up North and like to fish as much as I do, respect to you. 

 

 

 

I will say though, I cope a lot better with not fishing than I used to. Still love to, but I’ve diversified a lot and also committed to work

[Susky River Rat]

If we get ice I’ll be on the hard water. If not I’ll try to get on the water if I can. Other wise I’ll just find stupid stuff to keep myself busy. I do try to work as much overtime as I can sign up for as well. Once the weather breaks though I won’t be signing up. 

[DitchPanda]

Winter for me includes:

Going thru and reorganizing tackle-cleaning, greasing, oiling, fixing and modifying 

Ordering what I need for spring- this year its been all crappie and catfish gear

Cooking- I cook all year but especially alot in winter which is good because the past year I've been trying to eat healthier and cleaner

Ice fishing- went yesterday and caught a pile of 10-11.5 inch crappie

Work- cover lots of vacation days and holidays to rack up extra PTO and cash to fund those ice out excursions

First and foremost I spend lots of time with my Lady since we are both busier with extra curricular things in the fair weather season

Last but not least- Cry. Alot until ice out...hard water fishing just isn't the same for me.

[Bluebasser86]

I found a promising lead on some affordable replacement trebles if anyone else wants to give them a try with me. 

https://barlowstackle.com/victory-30101-bn-treble-hooks-sizes-8-2/

 

I've been using the Victory hooks on several different kinds of jigs and jigheads and been very happy with them. If you like to replace trebles during the cold weather months like I do, these might make it a bit more affordable if you're willing to give them a try. 

[Bankbeater]

Reel maintenance, wire tie skirts as needed, sharpen or replace hooks, and organize tackle. If that doesn’t keep me busy there is always work and the never ending honey do list. 

[Susky River Rat]

18 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

Reel maintenance, wire tie skirts as needed, sharpen or replace hooks, and organize tackle. If that doesn’t keep me busy there is always work and the never ending honey do list. 

Looks like you’ll be busy with the tackle lol

[Nelson Delaney]

Steelhead 

[Bird]

Reel maintenance has been completed.

The weather won't allow fishing for this ole man, we got ice.

Cutting wood and watching football is as entertaining as it gets right now.

[BTSyndrome]

13 hours ago, gimruis said:

I play in a an adult men's ice hockey league.  Its not only fun, but its also good exercise.

I really want to ask at what age you started? I bet a friend I could be as good as him in a year @ the age of 40, (he's been playing for 20+years)... a year later I'm on his team....haha

I'm 4 years in and could even play up a division, but I couldn't do that to the first team that gave me a chance. I hit every ice time I can get, since I'm an overachiever.  Like everyone else, I wish I could have got involved way earlier in life. Hockey life among a team is completely diff. than any other sport.

 

 

 

[islandbass]

To do this winter:

 

Fishing Wise

* make a jerk bait or crankbait out of balsa still haven’t decided. 

* learn how to make spinnerbaits and experiment with different color skirts. 
* make a “spook” type lure. I already have the steel balls. ?

* try to catch my first winter (true winter) bass, large or smallmouth. Clock’s ticking down to winter’s official start. 
 

 On-Fishing

* continue to get fit on my new (for me, bought used) road bike that I just about finished all the maintenance (tuning shifting, adjusting derailleurs,) and only brakes left to do. Already started interval training on my rollers (using it, it’s like running. You stop, you go nowhere, and probably fall over and it makes you focus on balance and form. 3 days so far and my goal is to get to the aerobic fitness level I had in my 20s

* find a father/daughter project

* find a father/son project

* get back into playing musical instruments again. 

* working out at the gym and also trying out racquetball. I’m solo with both and let me say playing racquetball solo is a freaking workout.  ??

 

@gimruis: I might be asking you for some racquet ball advice. Interestingly enough, I just bought a gearbox gb-125 just before coming to BR tonight to replace the practically 20 year old racquet that I’ve been using that I found in the garage. I also learned of a group of adults that play and I’m going to check it out soon.  

[gim]

9 hours ago, BTSyndrome said:

I really want to ask at what age you started?

I started when I was in squirts.  I want to say that was in maybe 4th grade.  Played until I was a freshman in HS on an organized youth team and then quit that.  Was very small for my age, wasn't very good, and kept getting hurt.  Continued to play it outside in the winter, in college rec/intramurals, and in adult men's league.  I was also a referee for many years.  So maybe a grand total of about 25 years now?

 

I didn't get good at it until I actually started watching it with regularity either.  For some reason I didn't really watch much of it when I was a kid.  When I started watching it as I got older, I started to see the strategy and flow of the game.  Plus I hit a massive growth spurt at the end of HS and in my early college days, so I got bigger and faster lol.

 

I'd get my butt whooped if I played in a checking league now because I mostly skate with my head down.  The leagues I play in do not allow checking.  In real hockey you have to play with your head up, otherwise you'll get run over.

 

The thing that people don't realize is that you first have to be a decent skater before you can be a decent hockey player.  You could stick handle in a phone booth, but if you can't skate well, that doesn't mean anything.  Its two fold and one comes before the other.

 

[throttleplate]

This winter i am recovering from a november shoulder reconstruction surgery. I had a tenodesis of my longhead biceps, that means taking the biceps from where it attaches on top of the labrum and reattach it to my humerus, arm bone.

 

Cleaned up my torn labrum which now isnt being torn more because the biceps tendon that attaches to it was cut and reattached as mentioned.

Stitched my rotator cuff supraspinatis tear back together, removed some bone spurs from under my acromium, cut abnormal bone growth from my AC Joint.

Been doing therapy for 2 weeks now. This was my 3rd operation on this right shoulder, surgeon told me he saved me from having a shoulder replacement. This is why i switch my handle on my reel from right to left every hour or so. I havnt and wont be shoveling or blowing snow this winter ?. Merry x-mas.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

5 minutes ago, throttleplate said:

This winter i am recovering from a november shoulder reconstruction surgery. I had a tenodesis of my longhead biceps, that means taking the biceps from where it attaches on top of the labrum and reattach it to my humerus, arm bone.

 

Cleaned up my torn labrum which now isnt being torn more because the biceps tendon that attaches to it was cut and reattached as mentioned.

Stitched my rotator cuff supraspinatis tear back together, removed some bone spurs from under my acromium, cut abnormal bone growth from my AC Joint.

Been doing therapy for 2 weeks now. This was my 3rd operation on this right shoulder, surgeon told me he saved me from having a shoulder replacement. This is why i switch my handle on my reel from right to left every hour or so. I havnt and wont be shoveling or blowing snow this winter ?. Merry x-mas.

From all I hear about even the most basic of shoulder surgeries, that sounds like a real nightmare.

 

Former SEAL Devgru operator was on a podcast I was listening to.....basically described the same injuries and amount of surgeries you posted above, but on both shoulders.   

 

Crazy stuff, I hear PT is the key, get well soon brother!  

[TnRiver46]

On 12/15/2022 at 12:03 PM, LrgmouthShad said:

 I cope a lot better with not fishing than I used to. 

[The Bassman]

18 minutes ago, throttleplate said:

This winter i am recovering from a november shoulder reconstruction surgery. I had a tenodesis of my longhead biceps, that means taking the biceps from where it attaches on top of the labrum and reattach it to my humerus, arm bone.

 

Cleaned up my torn labrum which now isnt being torn more because the biceps tendon that attaches to it was cut and reattached as mentioned.

Stitched my rotator cuff supraspinatis tear back together, removed some bone spurs from under my acromium, cut abnormal bone growth from my AC Joint.

Been doing therapy for 2 weeks now. This was my 3rd operation on this right shoulder, surgeon told me he saved me from having a shoulder replacement. This is why i switch my handle on my reel from right to left every hour or so. I havnt and wont be shoveling or blowing snow this winter ?. Merry x-mas.

Best of luck. This totally dwarfs  the knee replacement recovery that I'm experiencing now. Get well so you can show us more of those tailrace catches next spring.

[Blue Raider Bob]

On 12/15/2022 at 10:57 AM, Will Ketchum said:

I have Mitchel 308 and use it regularly.

Me too!

Winter time is mostly farm chores such as hauling round bales to horses and goats and fixing things. It's dark by the time I get home from work so after supper its 30 min. in the home gym. Saturdays its farm work all day and Sundays I spend on the river with the Lord if the weather is willing. If the weather is not willing, then it's more farm work....which is not really work at all....I love it! Then it's waiting for spring and the White Bass run at Nickajack dam and the explosion of little goat kids all over the place at once!