Cold Front Fishing

[moloch16]

I plan to do some Thanksgiving fishing this weekend.  Take a look at the weather though   >

http://www.wral.com/weather

I'll be going Friday or Saturday right after a stiff cold front.  The weather has been unseasonably warm (65-70) and will take a nose dive into the 50s right before I go.  Any hints on how to proceed?  Do you think the fish will all go deep and stop biting?

Water temp I'm guessing is 60-70 degrees (It's been a couple of weeks since I went fishing so don't know for sure).  I drove by the lake last weekend and most people on the lake were still fishing shallow.

Oh and I'm going to my home lake Shearon-Harris in North Carolina.

[foul hooked]

Standard convention says to down size your baits and slow way down.

My experience says to just get out and enjoy your day. Tough fishing is tough fishing.  I'd rather fish than hang around the house doing busy work.

[Tokyo Tony]

HA!  Stiff cold front, nose dive to the 50s.  It snowed all morning here in CT  :'(

Have fun, and I'm jealous.  Fish slowly.

[frogtog]

Fished Harris Sunday. Water temp was 54 and the air temp was 38. the first hour of fishing I caught 3 over 5 which I had to throw back and ended up with

4 measly fish for the tournament that weighed a little over five pounds. So you should be ok for this weekend. We are going to have a tournament on the Roanoke River Friday if you would like to come. I get tired of beating the same old guys all the time. Just joking.

[Jig Man]

I don't change anything because of a front.  This time of the year I am fishing tubes and craw jigs.  I just expect the fish to be a little tighter to cover not any deeper.  Most of the time they won't chase a bait.  It must be right in their dinner bucket.

[Tin]

Because of the blue bird skies and temps in the low 50's definatley slow down and throw little baits. If there are docks on the lake, I would concentrate on them with a jig, finesse worm, or a stickbait.

[Catt]

I totally disagree with the small bait theory: Feed efficiently = Maximize food intake and minimize energy output

I would throw a Texas Rigged Craw Worm in the 6 variety & a 3/8 oz Jig-N-Craw & I would throw these around any available wood near creek channels.

I would also wait & go Saturday because if you click on Saturday it shows warmer temperatures during mid-day plus the cloud cover will hold the temperature in. the frontal conditions appear to be coming in Thursday night therefore Friday will be the first day of the front with Saturday being the second & Sunday starting a warming trend.

[bass109]

Catt, crankbaits would even work now in texas, fishing in fall is way different in texas then in the northeast. In texas the season is  going to an extended fall period, which becomes better in certain aspects. I would suggest for you guys in northeast to go after a different species of fish. If you guys live by a stocked trout lake,reservior,ect.  I remember fishing in New york and catching a 2 lb rainbow trout late November. Trout season seems to be over in the North but this is the time when lunker trout come out of the depths and can be found in less then 3 ft of water. well good luck and god bless.

[fishfordollars]

Slow down but I would not downsize at all. You are going to have to hit them on the head to get bit. They will have a small strike zone. throw a larger worm or lizard, and slow it way down. The longer you leave it in their face the better. Spray your plastics and crankbaits with an attractant and if you have a choice try to fish a day later.

[Catt]

Yesterday I gave my plan for attacking this lake under these conditions; this morning I did a little more detailed research and this is what a local guide has to say about Shearon Harris during late fall and winter fishing.

Check it out  

http://www.carolinaoutdoors.net/WinterHarrisstory.html

[moloch16]

Thanks for that link Catt that will help a lot!