cold weather options

[Kana]

I bank fish and look to continue fishing through the winter to lean more.  in japan its now between 40-50 degrees, adding winds occassionally of 20 MPH.  i usually fish pre dawn (sunrise at 6:30 ish) till about 2 or 3 pm water temps are mid 60's in the area i frequent, water is stained, topography:  river setting with hard rock patches, rip rap, light structure, healthy weed growth at about 6 feet and deeper. deepest section being about 12-16 feet at best guess. enviornmental management has recently cut and cleared large amounts of weeds close to shore accessible areas, and clear cut some timber areas on the bank as well.  the areas i fish in particular are "closed inlets" that resemble linked ponds fed by the main river, only connected with 3 canals about 15 feet wide and 2-8 feet deep.  most are choked with winter veggies but still allows the level to rise and recced.  in fall i was hammering them with vibration baits, ratl traps and cranks.  in the last 2 weeks we have seen winter conditions set in and activity turned off.  i have fished finesse jigs with some luck, but i am looking for advice on new tactics.  i have changed colors, profiles and retrieve patterns but have had little sucess.  i have been looking at c-rigs, and slowing down my topwater game.  beyond that im clueless as this will be the first year i will fish entirely through the winter. i have read the articals that have suggested that i still can use the same tactics year round but to slow down, way down.  the area sees tons of anglers, most often baits are wacky rigs, t-rigs, spinnerbaits and down-sized plastics.  i have tried these tactics as well but the fish have just seen them too many times to get any action on.  i would truly welcome any ideas.  

[roadwarrior]

During the winter I do NOT downsize. In still water, <12', I fish Fat Ika and  6" Senkos weightless. Deeper and/or moving water, Kreature, Kut-Tail and big tubes all T-rigged with a bead, unpegged. Other soft plastic options I would consider are grubs and Hula Grubs.

This winter I am going to focus on jigs with trailers and a drop shot rig using a big tube on structure in deep water. I have already started this program and although I have only caught a few bass at my ponds, they have all been 5 lbs or better. I'm fishing mostly 1/2 oz jigs with GYCB crawdad trailers and the Micro Munch Tackle El Gordo tube.

One more observation: I have submitted posts on this forum stating that I am not a big fan of attractants, but lately I have been using up an old tube of MegaStrike and all my fish have been caught using this attractant. Hmm?

[Chris]

Yeah Beef up your crankbaits and jigs. In the winter the baitfish will be the largest this time of the year. Break the rules and grab the 12" worms and the big baits your scared to use during the year.

A) the bait fish are running big

the fish want a big slow meal

C) everyone is throwing small so you will be giving them something different.

D) the potential of getting a big bite

E) dirty water fish can hear your bait

F) fish it off the wall different (speed it up, dead stick it, something different)

G)Scent in winter its a good thing

H) rattles ( let the bait sit and just rattle it in one spot)

I) fish a spinnerbait like a worm let it fall to the bottom and sweep it up and let it fall back.

J) Let the spinnerbait hang in the weeds and rip it out and cause a reaction strike. (same with a trap)

K) Break the rules fish shallow on any hard cover or structure.

L) break the rules throw a buzzbait

[Guest avid]

I'm having very good results using jerk baits.  My home lake is pretty low and will probably drop further.  It is deeply stained. visibility only about 2 1/2 feet.  Gold is the current go-to color with an orange belly. Rattles are a must.  Sharp jerks to get the rattles chattering and the bait flashing are drawing the best strikes.  It's outfishing everything right now including jigs and senko's

[Tatakai]

konichi wa genki desu ka.  Nice to see someone in Japan on the board here.  I am new here basically.  I was in Japan last year and wish I was back there.  I was in warabi while I was there.  Got to fish the canal once while I was there.  Good luck and I am envious of you.  Enjoy your time there, I know I would be.

Tatakai