winter night fishing

[Samsonian]

Is it possible to catch bass deep in the winter at night using a drop shot rig?

[phisher_d]

Anything's possible.

Generally at night I like to use lures that give of a little more vibration or noise than a dropshot rig, but I've never nightfished in the winter. brrrr

[5bass]

I cant speak much about winter night fishing but a dropshot wouldnt be my first bait of choice........and unless I lived in Florida,you wouldnt catch me anywhere near the lake at night during winter.No way.

[Samsonian]

It does get cold. By the time I get off work and get on the lake I've got about one hour of day light this time of the year to fish. One nice thing is the hot water discharge produces water temps in the 60s. Maybe I should throw a buzzbait or rattle trap.

[5bass]

Okay.....water in the 60's huh?YOU DOG!!

Yeah,I'd throw something that will make a little noise or at least a big spinnerbait that moves some water and I'd do it all on main channel points when they are pumping water.

[Hula_King]

Oh, I'm sure you could possiblely catch a fish or two if you lived down in the southern states where it's still warm. I view a dropshot rig as a bait that a fish has to see in order to bite. Add to the fact that a fish's strike zone is extremely small in the winter, I would go with a bait that causes vibrations when it's dark IMHO. I've had my best fishing in the winter in late morning and into the early afternoon, but as I've learned with bass, anything is possible.

[phisher_d]

Yeah traps and buzzbaits would be higher on my list than a dropshot rig, especially with your water being so warm.  I'd also try a black jitterbug and a black spinnerbait.  There are lots of spinnerbaits made for night fishing.  Get one with the biggest blade(s) possible.  I like a single colorado.  Put a trailer hook on the spinnerbait and buzzbait and use a steady retrieve no matter what lure you're using.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I'd be more concerened about the temp above the water.  I have a power plant lake here that still has temps near 60's, but no way would I sit out there with weather in the teens. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[Samsonian]

Thanks five fish . I'm thinking now along the lines of a big spinner with a big colorado blade. The warm water is nice . When the wind blows off the water it can warm you up. Theres a big light at the discharge and i've been killing the crappie just to fill up the freezer. But I need a big Bass!

[5bass]

Thanks five fish . I'm thinking now along the lines of a big spinner with a big colorado blade. The warm water is nice . When the wind blows off the water it can warm you up. Theres a big light at the discharge and i've been killing the crappie just to fill up the freezer. But I need a big Bass!

What are you waiting on?Put 10 dozen layers of clothes on and get to it! ;D

[Fishie]

I have done it before on the Drop at night  but I don't know if it would be best?

[Rattletrap]

Slow rolling a Big Single Colorado blade Spinnerbait(Gold Blade/Black Skirt) is a great idea. A black skirt works best at night. Working a 1 oz Chrome/Blue back Rattletrap off the bottom. Pop it off the bottom and let sink back down. A Jigging spoon can be used the same way. Deep channel points and in those water discharge areas.  

[K_Mac]

I've had some success night fishing early in the spring with water temps in upper 40's to lower 50's and air temps in the 40's, but always on a jig, worm or spinnerbait. I like to fish a spinnerbait like rattletrap fishes his trap-pop it up a foot or so and let it flutter down. Good luck!

[Guest avid]

I fished for a few hours after dark today.  The bite was pretty steady throughout the day and evening.  The fish are definitly running bigger.  I didn't catch anything less than two pounds and several 4 lbers with one just topping 5.  Funny but jigs/worms/senkos wouldn't get bit at all.  Everything had to be moving.  I had fun going through the tackle box.  I would get a fish on one lure and change it up right away.  It was great.  I caught em on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, frogs, and poppers.  All the after dark fish were caught on a buzzbait.  Everyday should be like this  8-)

[Hookhead]

Any houses for sale next door Avid?  

[Rattlinrogue]

Even though I live in the deep South,It's so cold at night that the game warden would be waiting for you with a strait-jacket if you went fishing at night.

[Guest avid]

Any houses for sale next door Avid?

This was one of the best days I have in the past year.  It was the exception, not the normal day.  Unlike much of the country I find that water temp is not the big factor down here in SE Florida.  The bass are in an early pre spawn stage and the big mommas are feeding very actively as they start producing eggs.  The wind is a key factor.  On dead calm days (rare) the bite is off, but give me 8 to 10 mph winds and a slightly overcast sky and I start twitching with anticipation.  

I didn't intend to hijack the thread.  The point I was making earlier was that drop shotting was not the technique of choice.  faster moving baits seemed to be the ticket on that day.