How do you?

[Bassboy15]

How do you stay busy during the offseason of fishing? I know some places don't have a bad fishing time but we get snow and all that "good" stuff. Just wondering what I can do to stay close with fishing, but not be outside.

[jeremyt]

I just started bass fishing this year, but have saltwater fished my whole life.  During the offseason, I would tie king mackerel rigs, replace my line, re organize the tackle boxes, and find some killer deals on tackle. You can also take this time to look back on the year and what you did to produce fish and start making your game plans for the next.

[ejtaylor822]

Hey, file mob.  Sorry for your dilema.  We do not get a lot of snow - wish we did - but we just don't here in Central NC.  So, can pretty much fish, maybe not catch, most of the year.

However, when I have times that I want to fish but can't becuase of weather, I usually read about fishing.  Collect bass/fishing books and put them away for just such an occasion.  I DVR a lot of fishing shows as well so I can at least watch someone fish when I want to myself, but can't.  I have also been known to stand in areas/rooms with high ceilings, or sit, and practice pitching and flipping into an old oil drain pan I got - its ideal - can get them at Wal-Mart for a $1.

Have you thought about fly fishing?  Have been doing it for years but don't tie my own.  Want to start doing that as part of an "off-season" activity.

Anyway, some of my thoughts.  Hope you can find a good way to "fish" when you can't go outside.

Take care,

Eddie

[L-Train]

I have always wanted to make some of my own spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and jigs.  There is something to do in the off season that will keep you thinking about fishing.

[BASS fisherman]

Although I live in Pa and the lakes do freeze over, the rivers don't freeze over until the water temps hit the mid 20's. I like to hit the rivers around here and see what I can get. Usually I don't get a single bite, but I equate it to a non-smoker needing to chew gum due to an oral fixation. Just getting out there and going through the motions helps to make it a little easier. Plus fishing during a snow storm is as great as fishing on a hot beautiful day.

Just becareful, falling in extremely cold water can kill. Wearing a lifejacket while winter fishing in a boat is a must, and using the buddy system while walking the shore is a safer way to go.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Go crazy

Winter is something I love to love to hate.  It gives you a chance to recharge your batteries (your personal ones so to speak) so that by the time spring rolls around you are REALLY ready to get after it.  To tell you the truth, if I could fish all year round I would probably get burnt out.  I usually get burnt out mid summer about every other year or so.  I hit it hard this spring, so I got kind of burnt out durning the post spawn blues.  I haven't been out in a little over a month and a half.  The break was good.  As soon as the 100* weather is gone .... I am going fishing!!!!!!

[flechero]

Winter time means lots of rodbuilding when weather is bad... and power plant lake fishing when the weather is good!!

Almost all of you guys (especially those up north with longer winters) could learn how to build a rod and make yourself one or more in the off season. Depending on your level of patience, woodworking and finish skills, you could make something from "ugly but functional" up to a real work of art. There is a lot of free info out there and some real talented builders willing to share info with anyone interested in the craft.

It beats dreaming about fishing and a well designed rod will improve your catch as well as the enjoyment level...  

[Raul]

How do you stay busy during the offseason of fishing? I know some places don't have a bad fishing time but we get snow and all that "good" stuff. Just wondering what I can do to stay close with fishing, but not be outside.

Down here in the south we hunt, not because fishing isn 't good, it 's just because it 's the only time of the year we can shoot a wild animal with permission and not having to worry of getting a hefty fine.  

[squid]

I just sit and veg out.....and I think..."smallies...smallies.....smallies"

[the captain]

Put on an extra layer or 2 of clothes and go Ice fishing that'll keep your mind on fishin it on't keep you inside but it's still fishin, I am from central PA so I know what Ice fishin can be like although it gets a lot colder up north.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Winter time means lots of rodbuilding when weather is bad... and power plant lake fishing when the weather is good!!

Almost all of you guys (especially those up north with longer winters) could learn how to build a rod and make yourself one or more in the off season. Depending on your level of patience, woodworking and finish skills, you could make something from "ugly but functional" up to a real work of art. There is a lot of free info out there and some real talented builders willing to share info with anyone interested in the craft.

It beats dreaming about fishing and a well designed rod will improve your catch as well as the enjoyment level...

Ohh yes ...... that's what I will be doing this winter.  Alpster sent me all essentials to get started (thanks again ) and I feel kind of guilty I haven't started one yet.  I was hoping to have a couple done by the end of summer but it seems like I have been short on time and money this summer ..... and not too many rainy days :

[bassboy1]

Fishing has an off season?  Whoulda thunk it?   ;D

I can't imagine what it would be like not fishing for that period of time (well yes I can, I had from about August of 05 until about october of 06, and got to fish only about twice.  Then, from october, my rods never saw water until mid february of this year.  I tell ya, being a broke teenager who can't afford rod building stuff, and is just a tad to young to go fiddle around in the shop (I just wanna build - I don't care what) or go work on one of our boat projects, IT SUCKS.  These days, I get to go about once a month.  It has basically screwed my dream of starting some of the smaller jon boat tourneys in '08 like I had originally planned.  I tell ya, you can spend years reading on sites like this, and not learn $hit about fishing, it takes on the water time.  In my down time, I read on this site, and my 7 other forums.  

[michbass]

I just sit and veg out.....and I think..."smallies...smallies.....smallies"

I second that. Don't like the cold to much so ice fishing is out and sometimes in Michigan the ice barely gets good enough to do that. I sleep and drink more too, dream of spring.

[llPa1nll]

Well here in NH the ice gets thick, usually pretty fast too. I have been known to use my boat as an Ice breaker and plow through ice as thick as 1/2in. When the ice does get thick I am not a big fan of Ice Fishing. I take the time to reorganize my tackle, give the reels a thorough cleaning and lube, give the trailer and boat a once over and build it its home for its winter sleep. There are always the fishing and hunting shows to go too. Other than that its wait till mid March and hope for a quick and warm thaw. This year I didnt get out until the first week in April.

[Catt]

Move south  

Some days I'll duck hunt in the morning & fish in the afternoon  8-)

[burleytog]

11/1-2/1 I hunt or watch too much TV.

[=Matt 5.0=]

I absolutely HATE winter. You would be hard pressed to find someone who hates New England winters as much as myself. Wish we could afford to move back to Florida...when the doldrums hit, I veg out with some SOCOM, or whatever...