Am I the only one who likes winter fishing? 2024
EGbassing reply :
Anybody else here like fishing in the winter? Not many people would agree with me on this, but I think it's more fun than fishing in the summer. I keep hand warmers in my tackle box and just wear several layers and I love it. Am I the only one? ????
MrFrost reply :
I'm guessing your winter is better than my winter, lol. Around here it's called ice fishing, lol.
ratherbfishin1 reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 3:51 AM, EGbassing said:Anybody else here like fishing in the winter? Not many people would agree with me on this, but I think it's more fun than fishing in the summer. I keep hand warmers in my tackle box and just wear several layers and I love it. Am I the only one? ????
Where I live they call it ice fishing... and I enjoy it, but not as much as fishing in the summer. Anyways, I'm always envious of the people who can fish year round (Not ice fishing). I always start off strong ice fishing and then end up missing normal bass fishing after like a week.
BassNJake reply :
I dont mind winter fishing but I prefer the warmer weather.
Once the temp drops into the low 50's I give up chasing the largies for the smallies
Some years I can get on the smallmouth pretty good all follow them all winter and into the spawn
Other years it seems as if I'm trying to chase them down all winter with only a few catches here and there
EGbassing reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:05 AM, MrFrost said:I'm guessing your winter is better than my winter, lol. Around here it's called ice fishing, lol.
Eh, it gets down colder than you'd think here. It was -6 degrees one night last year.
Russ E reply :
winter fishing can be boom or bust here.
it seems the nastier the weather, the better the fishing is on the one power plant lake I fish.
the one caveat is, they have to be generating electricity.
the cold water lakes often get ice on them. usually not thick enough to safely ice fish.
the main problem I have with winter fishing is, as I have aged, my hands can't tolerate the cold for long.
my arthritis starts acting up and my hands get sore and stiff.
cold weather is a good reminder, that you are not young anymore.
MrFrost reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:20 AM, EGbassing said:Eh, it gets down colder than you'd think here. It was -6 degrees one night last year.
That is definitly colder than I thought it got down there, but the fact that you can remember the one time it was below zero overnight means you have better winters than me, lol. The minute I can move south, I am out of the midwest, lol.
I have thought about ice fishing, but I need to try it before fully committing.
On 11/7/2018 at 4:21 AM, Russ E said:the main problem I have with winter fishing is, as I have aged, my hands can't tolerate the cold for long.
my arthritis starts acting up and my hands get sore and stiff.
cold weather is a good reminder, that you are not young anymore.
This was my first summer fishing, and also my first fall living with RA in my hands, and when the temps here dropped to the low 50's, I experienced just how hard it is to try tieing on a different lure or setup. Took me an emberassingly long time to make a simple lure switch. Trying to tie a knot I've tied probably hundreds of times in the last few months, took me enough tries that I actually had to take a break from trying for five minutes before being able to complete it.
I will have to keep those hand warmers handy and see if they provide much relief.
EGbassing reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:21 AM, Russ E said:winter fishing can be boom or bust here.
it seems the nastier the weather, the better the fishing is on the one power plant lake I fish.
the one caveat is, they have to be generating electricity.
the cold water lakes often get ice on them. usually not thick enough to safely ice fish.
the main problem I have with winter fishing is, as I have aged, my hands can't tolerate the cold for long.
my arthritis starts acting up and my hands get sore and stiff.
cold weather is a good reminder, that you are not young anymore.
Trust me, you'd love hand warmers. My hands get cold easily too but not with those hand warmers. They're awesome.
reb67 reply :
BassWhole! reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:20 AM, EGbassing said:Eh, it gets down colder than you'd think here. It was -6 degrees one night last year.
| Month | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35.5°F | 57.6°F |
| Feb | 38.6°F | 62.4°F |
Historical averages for Montgomery. What you call winter, I call spring and fall, so yeah, I enjoy it. You haven't enjoyed winter fishing, until you've done it in Costa Rica, burrrrrrrrr!
RichF reply :
My dad and I fish late fall (usually thru November) in northern NY. That time is usually colder than most southern winters. It's my absolute favorite time to fish. Pretty much have all the lakes to ourselves when it's raining/snowing and 38 degrees???? You stay warm by catching a boatload of fish all day!
NYWayfarer reply :
I am not a fan of ice fishing and that's the winter fishing available around these parts.
I do enjoy fishing in the month before hard water hits. I am generally the only person fishing in the areas I frequent. Very peaceful. The occasional hiker or dog walker will pass by and ask me if they are still biting.
BassWhole! reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:51 AM, RichF said:My dad and I fish late fall (usually thru November) in northern NY. That time is usually colder than most southern winters. It's my absolute favorite time to fish. Pretty much have all the lakes to ourselves when it's raining/snowing and 38 degrees???? You stay warm by catching a boatload of fish all day!
I'm going to make an effort to spend more time up there in that transition period early and late in the season. I really like it up there, just wish the winters weren't so cold, I'd get a place up there.
Russ E reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:42 AM, EGbassing said:Trust me, you'd love hand warmers. My hands get cold easily too but not with those hand warmers. They're awesome.
i have fishing gloves with hand warmer pouches that help.
can't cast without exposing my thumb or forefinger. depends on if I am using a baitcaster or spinning rod.
those are the two fingers I can't keep warm.
GReb reply :
Depends on the wind. If it’s blowing hard on a cold day I’m not going outside.
Spankey reply :
Stream fish for trout soon up until the last day February. Pick up for awhile in March. I’ll see Mr. Bronzeback or Mr. Greenjeans in April.
fishballer06 reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:20 AM, EGbassing said:Eh, it gets down colder than you'd think here. It was -6 degrees one night last year.
One night huh? They call that January and February here.
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:21 AM, Russ E said:the main problem I have with winter fishing is, as I have aged, my hands can't tolerate the cold for long.
my arthritis starts acting up and my hands get sore and stiff.
cold weather is a good reminder, that you are not young anymore.
There's one advantage to being old, come spring and summer, we can go fishing any day we want. (As long as the pension checks come in.)
Mobasser reply :
I'll fish until our lakes freeze over. In Missouri, that can vary, but usually until December. I try and stay warm the best I can
TnRiver46 reply :
You're not the only one, I much prefer winter fishing to any other season. Mainly because most of the fish I catch in winter are bigger. Another reason it is fun is because all my buddies think you have to fish for trout when it's cold. I can take them bass fishing and surprise them Everytime. They have short memories hahaha. Also I have most weekends off once it gets good and cold
tander reply :
As long as the wind is not blowing too hard, I will fish all winter. I actually catch more in winter than the middle of the summer.
Tennessee Boy reply :
Love winter fishing if the temp is above 40 degrees or so. A mild day (say 60 degrees) in the middle of winter is the best time of the year to be on the water.
flyfisher reply :
I wouldn't say I prefer it but I don't mind it. It rarely gets cold enough here in central VA that likes ice over to the point I can't fish but it does happen every couple of years. I do catch some bigger fish during the winter though. I also chase trout i note small streams and spring creeks when I don't feel like going out on a lake or river somewhere.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
I like winter fishing, hate being cold. There lies the problem.
South Ga I fish year round, I actually enjoy fall and winter the best despite the cold, most guys hunt around here, and fortunately for me, I don't. So I enjoy fresh unfished water more frequently. Plus the cold keeps most Sissy's off the water so again more fishable water.
So I vote Yes, I do enjoy winter bass fishing ????
Scott F reply :
So how cold is cold to you?
J.Vincent reply :
Oddly enough I absolutely despise Michigan winters; but when there is open water and it's between 32 and 40 degrees outside; I will fish on occasion....it's really survivalist fishing and the very thing which often turns a boy into a man ! : )
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 6:18 AM, Scott F said:So how cold is cold to you?
When my reel and rod guides get ice caught in them.
@J.Vincent good read!!
ratherbfishin1 reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 6:32 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:When my reel and rod guides get ice caught in them.
Like this? It was -15 and I realized very quickly it was a dumb idea to go fishing without a shelter and heater...
btw sorry for the blurry pic, my hands were too cold to hold the camera steady
EGbassing reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 6:18 AM, Scott F said:So how cold is cold to you?
I'd say anything under 50 is cold. Anything under 30 is really cold.
soflabasser reply :
Yes I enjoy fishing winters in South Florida and would do ice fishing if I lived in the land of hard water.
A-Jay reply :
I love winter fishing . . . in Mexico.
A-Jay
Log Catcher reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:43 AM, reb67 said:
We are still real men. We have enough brain cells still working that tell us putting on several layers, using hand warmers and gloves for fishing is not fun. I am already done for the year and have started winterizing my boat. If you want to freeze your petunias off go right ahead.
Russ E reply :
Growing up in eastern Iowa, I would get a kick out of the guys that will not fish when it gets around freezing, but will stand out in 10 below zero weather trying to call in a coyote.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 6:55 AM, EGbassing said:I'd say anything under 50 is cold. Anything under 30 is really cold.
I fish a lot of days it doesn't make it to 30 for a high lol. I stay home if it gets to 50 during the winter. The fishing is always terrible and there will be 50 or more boats on both power plant lakes.
I fish during the week, add in cold temps and I enjoy a lot of solitude on the water in the winter, it's great. Doesn't hurt that I almost always catch my biggest bass of the year during the winter months either.
RichF reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:55 AM, reason said:I'm going to make an effort to spend more time up there in that transition period early and late in the season. I really like it up there, just wish the winters weren't so cold, I'd get a place up there.
My folks are still up there but I think they've had it with the brutal winters. They've been extra harsh the last few years. I'd move back up there in second, if I could. The fishing is THAT good!
Gundog reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 6:18 AM, Scott F said:So how cold is cold to you?
Cold is when you go outside and your nose hairs freeze. Really cold is when your nose hairs freeze just thinking about going outside.
Catt reply :
On my birthday, 30° overcast, dragging jigs a mile offshore!
soflabasser reply :
I fished in 25-29 degree weather with +30 mph winds last year and would do it again for sure if it means I catch another fish on my bucket list. Would like to catch lake trout while ice fishing and that will be something I plan on doing in a future vacation. Fishing while its cold is nothing compared to long distance running in +90 degree heat and +80% humidity.
Oregon Native reply :
As I've mentioned before...love the winter. It's getting tougher with the hands protesting but the Nitrite gloves are helping along with large handwarmers. Even back warmers come into play sometimes and they are also amazing. Something about the empty boat ramps...quiet waters...eagles flying over....deer sneaking through the woods and fields....squirrels chewing you out for disturbing there peace and the list goes on. Ahhhhhhhh.....it's amazing...truly a gift from above.
Now if I had to hear ice cracking just to walk out on a lake I would be terrified....I'll give you all a moment of silence in respect of what you have to endure.
Tight lines all....
TnRiver46 reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 8:18 PM, Oregon Native said:As I've mentioned before...love the winter. It's getting tougher with the hands protesting but the Nitrite gloves are helping along with large handwarmers. Even back warmers come into play sometimes and they are also amazing. Something about the empty boat ramps...quiet waters...eagles flying over....deer sneaking through the woods and fields....squirrels chewing you out for disturbing there peace and the list goes on. Ahhhhhhhh.....it's amazing...truly a gift from above.
Now if I had to hear ice cracking just to walk out on a lake I would be terrified....I'll give you all a moment of silence in respect of what you have to endure.
Tight lines all....
Believe it or not I’ve seen Douglas frozen all the way across 4-5 times at the interstate bridge. And people driving 4 wheelers on the ice once
Oregon Native reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 8:24 PM, TnRiver46 said:Believe it or not I’ve seen Douglas frozen all the way across 4-5 times at the interstate bridge. And people driving 4 wheelers on the ice once
Ouch.....
Now a couple or so years ago there was a lot of ice on the Hill in the back coves....and I remember pulling A-rigs off the ice and getting slammed by the bass....was crazy. Also remember that year getting stuck in the snow pulling my boat down to Point 19 in the morning...driving out was ok.
Hook2Jaw reply :
South Georgian, so I don't have to worry about any ice fishing. The coldest I've ever been while out was after a drive to Savannah one morning to fish inshore, it was 35 degrees...which ain't nothing, I'm fine.
The problem was it was also raining. I froze my butt off that morning for one very worth it speckled trout.
I love fishing, my personal comfort comes second.
Preytorien reply :
Yes
Its all ice here usually sometime in December, and thaw out is sometime in March
I’m no ice fisherman so yes, you like winter fishing more than I do
the reel ess reply :
I don't exactly love winter fishing. But I get cabin fever after a couple weeks of cold weather. I'll start looking in the forecast for the next day of full sun and temps in the 50's. You can catch your biggest fish of the year in February around here. That might mean you're fishing for one bite in a whole day, but it usually won't be a dink. And you finally get outside for a few hours. Also, you don't need to rise with the chickens to winter fish.
Ratherbfishing reply :
If the wind is calm and, especially if it's sunny, I can fish at about any temp but if it's windy, I'd much rather ice fish than fish open water. A cold wind coming off an open lake will shiver me timbers.
WRB reply :
Living in a state that has a very deverse climate from warm Mediterranean coastal, hot deserts, high alitutde mountain ranges finding places to fish is easy from frozen lakes to 90 degree warm water within a few hours drive along with hundreds of miles of ocean coastal fishing. We bass fish year around.
Tom
Hawkeye21 reply :
The lakes will be froze over around me but I don't care to ice fish. I prefer open water and the only open water around me are streams. The winter time is when I go trout fishing. I love it during the winter. Not many people go that time of year so I usually have the entire stream to myself. In most cases the trout haven't had any pressure for well over a week.
Since I'm walking the stream I stay warm so the cold isn't an issue other than ice on the rod tip. The coldest I fished in was 10 degrees. If I'm out of the wind and it's sunny it makes for a beautiful day out in the country.
BassNJake reply :
What I have noticed about winter fishing is that anytime there is a warm up in temp, it's because a front blew it in and there will be wind on those warmer winter days more often than not.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 11/8/2018 at 3:55 AM, BassNJake said:What I have noticed about winter fishing is that anytime there is a warm up in temp, it's because a front blew it in and there will be wind on those warmer winter days more often than not.
But where you live its typically a "warm southwesterly" haha
Troy85 reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 6:18 AM, Scott F said:So how cold is cold to you?
Probably a lot warmer than what you consider cold! ???? For me anything below 50 is cold, 50-65 is chilly.
I don't mind fishing in winter. I can get very tough though, especially when stiff post frontal North winds blow all the water out of the marsh and muddy everything up.
Tennessee Boy reply :
There are many factors that determine what feels cold when fishing in the winter. I've found that if the fish are really bitting it feels about 20 degrees warmer. 
Sam reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 3:51 AM, EGbassing said:Anybody else here like fishing in the winter? Not many people would agree with me on this, but I think it's more fun than fishing in the summer. I keep hand warmers in my tackle box and just wear several layers and I love it. Am I the only one? ????
Yes.
Bankbeater reply :
If the wind is blowing then I am staying home. If the water is not frozen over and I have a day off then I will be out on the water. This is the time of year I like to drive a couple of hours south to catch smallies out of the small rivers.
geo g reply :
In south Florida its my fav time to fish. Heat and humidity drops. Dry season starts. Water levels start to drop, fish concentrate, catch rates go up. With our Florida strain bass, after a hard cold front you will have to wait a few day until our bass adjust. Very sensitive to sudden water temp changes.
NCbassraider reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 3:51 AM, EGbassing said:Anybody else here like fishing in the winter? Not many people would agree with me on this, but I think it's more fun than fishing in the summer. I keep hand warmers in my tackle box and just wear several layers and I love it. Am I the only one? ????
I agree, I love winter fishing. Of course being in NC, we have similar winters which are quite mild but I wear gloves and stay out for hours. To me, there is nothing better than the jerk bait bite and I fish jerk baits and Ned rigs almost exclusively all winter. My lake has monster crappie that attach jerk baits in the winter, so you never know what will be on the end of the line in the winter. Here is a 7lb LMB last winter and a 2 lb 8 oz crappie. Both on jerkbaits.
geo g reply :
That's a monster slab!????
Swbass15 reply :
I enjoy fishing in the winter as well. It’s usually slower than the summer for me, but we are pretty far south in the southwest and get a lot of migratory birds so if the fishing sucks there is plenty of wildlife to watch with little for disturbance
Ksam1234 reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 3:51 AM, EGbassing said:Anybody else here like fishing in the winter? Not many people would agree with me on this, but I think it's more fun than fishing in the summer. I keep hand warmers in my tackle box and just wear several layers and I love it. Am I the only one? ????
It’s supposed to be 28 degrees Saturday and Sunday in western NY so no ! I hate winter
EGbassing reply :
On 11/9/2018 at 11:54 AM, Ksam1234 said:It’s supposed to be 28 degrees Saturday and Sunday in western NY so no ! I hate winter
It'll be 39 for the high in a few days. I'll probably be throwing a jerkbait.
The Bassman reply :
On 11/8/2018 at 12:38 AM, Preytorien said:Yes
Its all ice here usually sometime in December, and thaw out is sometime in March
I’m no ice fisherman so yes, you like winter fishing more than I do
We were in and out of ice last winter even with sub-zero weather in Jan. I was fishing two days before Christmas and at the end of Jan. @Team9nine is always posting pics of nice bass in cold weather. He's right here in central IN. Give it a shot. Fish the sunny side of HOA lakes mid afternoon if you can get out.
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 4:20 AM, EGbassing said:Eh, it gets down colder than you'd think here. It was -6 degrees one night last year.
One night does not a "winter" make. Let us know when Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick ice over.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 11/9/2018 at 7:25 PM, Fishing Rhino said:One night does not a "winter" make. Let us know when Guntersville, Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick ice over.
The coves do! Parts of the channel probably would too if the water wasn't moving so fast
BoatSquirrel reply :
A few years back, Greg Hackney wrote an article on BASS that has proven deadly for me. Once the water temps fall below 45, the fish will pour off the banks into the first deep holes in creeks and pile up. Break out the spoons, silver buddies, drop shots, and go to wacking on em. And yes, pack the hand warmers!
Arcs&sparks reply :
Cold? It’s 85 degrees in there with the door open. While your all bumming about the hard water I’ll be in my tax and rent free cabin on the water smackin fish all night long. I like open water better but my boat doesn’t have a bed and a kitchen sink ????
N Florida Mike reply :
I love winter fishing. Its the only time of the year I dont sweat !!! Most of the time anyway.????
LionHeart reply :
Winter fishing to me means catching less fish, subtle bites and the fish don't put up much fight. Oh yeah, and it's cold. No, I don't like winter fishing.... but I still do it.
Arlo Smithereen reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 11:56 AM, soflabasser said:Fishing while its cold is nothing compared to long distance running in +90 degree heat and +80% humidity.
Hey, we've got Capt. Obvious over here!
LonnieP reply :
As long as the winds not blowing and the lakes not frozen I’ll be on the water. One good thing about winter fishing is less traffic on the water, no pleasure boaters or jet skis.
bowhunter63 reply :
Float and fly for Smallmouth in the rivers,Love it.
soflabasser reply :
I fished in mid 80 degree weather today and it was nice. I see on the news that many northern states are in the bitter cold winter now. Would be nice to ice fish for a couple days but would not be nice to live in a place with leafless trees and grey skies for a big portion of the year.
On 11/10/2018 at 2:26 PM, Arcs&sparks said:Cold? It’s 85 degrees in there with the door open. While your all bumming about the hard water I’ll be in my tax and rent free cabin on the water smackin fish all night long. I like open water better but my boat doesn’t have a bed and a kitchen sink ????
Looks fun. Did you catch any lake trout, muskie, pike, or walleye?
Arcs&sparks reply :
On 11/11/2018 at 12:11 PM, soflabasser said:Looks fun. Did you catch any lake trout, muskie, pike, or walleye?
No walleye here, pike and musky only exist here in few waters due to introductions.
I go to the lake in the photo for the convenience, but lots of rainbows, landlocked Atlantic salmon, burbot, put-and-take brookies and a sparse lake trout population, and bass of course.
The Bassman reply :
On 11/11/2018 at 12:22 AM, LionHeart said:Winter fishing to me means catching less fish, subtle bites and the fish don't put up much fight. Oh yeah, and it's cold. No, I don't like winter fishing.... but I still do it.
I couldn't have said it better except some days I get on them pretty good.
Brad Reid reply :
Favorite times? A summer-like day in the winter (unseasonably warm) and a winter-like day in the summer (unseasonably cool). In north and east Texas, we get more of the former, less of the latter. Ah! But such great breaks from the monotony when they come along!
I was the only kayak on the water yesterday on Lake Athens in Texas at around 40 degrees air temps when I launched mid-morning. I prefer to use a 4" Keitech Shad Impact (no paddle tail on this one), rigged weedless, toss it into the pads and weeds, let it just sink in the holes and around edges . . . and sit there; and, when I do move it, just small jerks (it is a soft jerk bait) to emulate the "injured look" to attract bass.
I use this technique a lot across all seasons. Range: For cold days, if the fish want something moving very slowly all the way to fast retrieves, if they are perky, this presentation covers a variety of presentation styles and speeds. It can get you a "Senko" bite; it can get more of a "crankbait" bite, too. Covers a lot of the water column, too, top to bottom.
They wanted it slow yesterday. I never got off the soft jerk bait. If I had needed to, I'd have likely tied on a wacky rigged worm for a slow fall through the water column.
*** Yep! Chuckles and laughs from northern anglers with me describing 40 degrees as cold temp fishing. Ya'll would be looking around in your chest of drawers for which bathing trunks to wear on such days. Ha! Brad
gimruis reply :
If I lived down south and was able to bass fish year round, I would. At least most of the year. I aint moving there anytime soon for that though, so I'm stuck with an off-season until next spring in MN. Ice fishing? Nope. Did it a few times and it wouldn't bother me if I never went again.
KDW96 reply :
I like it. I just dress like im going deer huntin.
soflabasser reply :
On 11/11/2018 at 8:59 PM, Arcs&sparks said:No walleye here, pike and musky only exist here in few waters due to introductions.
I go to the lake in the photo for the convenience, but lots of rainbows, landlocked Atlantic salmon, burbot, put-and-take brookies and a sparse lake trout population, and bass of course.
Nice catches.
Raul reply :
Winter ?
Ahhh, you mean that time of the year when it's 75°F outside ......
BigSkyBasser reply :
We have a warm springs that stays around a comfy 60 degrees all year around and happens to have a small school of resident bass in it.
We'll go there when even the rivers are full of ice chunks and unfishable to get our fix.
NEABass91 reply :
I like to slow down and focus to really work for bites in the winter. Hard to beat a Mustad 3/16 stand up jig with a trick worm when the temps drop.
Koz reply :
Most winter days here are in the 40's and low 50's, windy, cloudy, and damp. It's definitely not the worst weather, but being acclimated to the south it feels miserable. And year after year the fishing in November, December, and part of January is terrible.
The bait fish and the bass move off to deeper parts of the lagoons out of reach of casting from the bank. But by the last week of January it's game on and it seems like every other cast brings in 3 pounders. I can't wait for that to start up again.
That being said, I'll probably go out and fish a few hours each weekend. My goal for 2018 was to catch one over 7 pounds but the best I have managed is 6.8 pounds. Maybe I'll get lucky before the year ends.
Glaucus reply :
I personally hate the cold weather. I can be found fishing a little ways into November, depending on the year, and maybe a couple of times in December, again depending on the year, but after that I'm done until spring. Ice fishing isn't for me, and fishing a decently warm December day to grind out a bass or two isn't my definition of pure enjoyment the way warm weather fishing is pure enjoyment. Other than the fact that I don't like the cold and that ice fishing can be dangerous, drilling a hole and dropping a line isn't for me. I like to cast and work my lures. So meh.
My wife and I are planning to move out of Illinois very, very soon. Maybe in a year or two. Other than work and economics, our top choices on where to go will come down to the fishing. On one hand, going south we can fish year round. On the other hand, places you can fish year round don't have Smallies. Happy medium might be Tennessee or some such place where we can fish later than we do now, and start the season earlier than we do now, and that has the Smallies as well.
FishDewd reply :
I don't fish for bass after November and will continue holding off until march-april when the spawn is about over. Since I'm stuck on the bank, I am limited in what areas are fishable since they all pull out into water I can't reach this time of year. No sense freezing to death for a bite I know isn't there.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 11/7/2018 at 3:51 AM, EGbassing said:Anybody else here like fishing in the winter? Not many people would agree with me on this, but I think it's more fun than fishing in the summer. I keep hand warmers in my tackle box and just wear several layers and I love it. Am I the only one? ????
Yes! Fascinated by it. Which is good bc my catch rates fall off, esp in Mid-Winter. I keep track of my waters and follow ice-up and ice-out. In between, when I get safe ice (~4") I'm out shooting video under the ice.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 12/13/2018 at 12:12 AM, Glaucus said:I personally hate the cold weather. I can be found fishing a little ways into November, depending on the year, and maybe a couple of times in December, again depending on the year, but after that I'm done until spring. Ice fishing isn't for me, and fishing a decently warm December day to grind out a bass or two isn't my definition of pure enjoyment the way warm weather fishing is pure enjoyment. Other than the fact that I don't like the cold and that ice fishing can be dangerous, drilling a hole and dropping a line isn't for me. I like to cast and work my lures. So meh.
My wife and I are planning to move out of Illinois very, very soon. Maybe in a year or two. Other than work and economics, our top choices on where to go will come down to the fishing. On one hand, going south we can fish year round. On the other hand, places you can fish year round don't have Smallies. Happy medium might be Tennessee or some such place where we can fish later than we do now, and start the season earlier than we do now, and that has the Smallies as well.
You can fish year round in Tennessee. Or at least I have ever since I got a driver's license. I catch way more and bigger bass in winter than I do any summer. Spring and Summer fishing is amatuer hour around here, most can't figure out how to launch the boat
BoatSquirrel reply :
On 12/13/2018 at 4:43 AM, TnRiver46 said:You can fish year round in Tennessee. Or at least I have ever since I got a driver's license. I catch way more and bigger bass in winter than I do any summer. Spring and Summer fishing is amatuer hour around here, most can't figure out how to launch the boat
Agree, TN River! Half the joy of winter fishing is having the lake to yourself, or at least without all of the water skier morons.
Cold water tends to bunch fish up so when you find them, it can be great!
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