Should I even try this winter? 2024
NCthompson reply :
should a guy like me who cant catch bass in the spring or summer even try going out and catching something this winter? I live in jacksonville,nc and i swear it seems there only catfish, gar, and bowfin the places I fish. With there not being many bass I guess, and the cold weather is it even worth my time to try and catch a bass this winter like years past or just wait till spring
maxke01 reply :
Fishing is never a waist of time. Try a new location or learn to be patient (may not be your problem but was mine for the longest time)
guest reply :
Most pro's will tell you that finding the bass is alot harder than catching them.
Definitely fish for them in the winter.
I have caught bass through the ice, so they absolutely will bite in cold water.
Who knows? you may discover the secret winter lair of the mother of all bass's 8-)
fishnaddiction reply :
i would try to fish a few times tis winter that way you know for the future about how that bite is in the winter i fish all over the place where i live and some of the fisheries are useless in the winter and then some are great at times in the winter it nevers hurts to try
Cigarlover 1 reply :
The state record for Mass is 15lbs 8oz and it was taken through the ice. We have 6 inches of ice on the lakes and I'll be out there this winter.
It is a lot harder to get bass to bite in the winter but if you patient and find them some really good size bass can be caught during the cold months.
paul. reply :
i'd say absolutely give it a shot. you can learn something from every trip, good or bad, if you pay attention to what is going on around you. if your best efforts fail to produce, i'd say go out there and dedicate your time to learning a new technique or more than one, even if it's something that may not be very productive this time of year. that way you have it when the time for it comes. if your fishin' spots are not producing for you at other times too, it would be a good idea to also spend this time looking for new water. google earth and maps.live.com are good tools for scanning the area around you without wasting a ton of gas. you might just have some great honey holes a lot closer than you think. 
roadwarrior reply :
Quoteshould a guy like me who cant catch bass in the spring or summer even try going out and catching something this winter? I live in jacksonville,nc and i swear it seems there only catfish, gar, and bowfin the places I fish. With there not being many bass I guess, and the cold weather is it even worth my time to try and catch a bass this winter like years past or just wait till spring
No, wait until spring. If you haven't been catching bass, you're not going to start now. Let's think about where you fish and how you fish; changes you should make and target the things you should be looking for in a couple of months. When nicer weather rolls around, then you will take a different approach and do much better.
BTW, There are plenty of bass around Jacksonville and some of them are HUGE!
rfrazier reply :
Winter is definitely giving me trouble. Back from college and can't get anything to bite on a lake I was killing over the summer. >
jdw174 reply :
Absolutely fish in cold weather. Go during the warmer part of the day rather than early. Use a jig or crankbait a LOT. Keep in mind you're most likely fishing for maybe 3-4 bites, but those bites can be BIG this time of year. If your lake has a winter drawdown this is a good time to go and see some of the cover that's been under water during the spring/summer.
Painter Dude reply :
I KNOW I CAN!
I KNOW I CAN!
I KNOW I CAN!
I KNOW I CAN!
Keep positive and keep tryin
Sam reply :
May I suggest you put your time and energy into organizing your tackle, cleaning your equipment, reading a few books by the pros and watch some DVDs or videos on different baits, techniques and types of water this winter as opposed to going out and trying your luck and getting frustrated during the winter months?
You may also want to go to your favorite bookstore and look for bass magazines that discuss fishing during the winter and follow their suggestions if you do want to venture out on the water.
I understand that this is probably not what you want to hear, but believe me, it is a lot of fun to read and study your opponent and how to attract and catch him and then make plans for the spring and purchase the tackle you will be using.
Regarding cold water fishing, if you have a boat you may still want to give it a try but don't think you are going out and catch one on every cast. Only Basspro48 can do that!
Bass, and other acquatic animals, do eat during the winter months. However, since their metabolism is very slow it can take 14 days to digest a large bluegill. Shorter time periods for smaller fish to be digested, but still a lot longer than during the spring, summer and fall.
So once the bass grab a baitfish they are not going to be that active nor looking for another meal until they digest the baitfish they captured.
The bass are staging in the water column so you will need your sonar to try to locate them. Once you locate them you will have to fish for them very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, slow.
Did I say fish for them s-l-o-w?
Of course, the water temperature will guide on how fast or slow to fish, but in the winter, think slow.
This means to throw out your bait and retrieve it slow or just let the plastics sit there, jiggling them a few times every 60 seconds. Believe me, this can drive you nuts.
Of course you can catch bass and bluegills, etc. so if you still want to venture out please do so. Just don't be frustrated if you do not get any bites. Until you can read about winter fishing or speak to some local tackle shop employees or other bass fishermen in your area and get some tips you may not be fishing your area correctly and therefore you will get upset when you get skunked.
Living in North Carolina I would think you would watch basketball all winter and get ready for the spring thaw. ;D
If you do go out, please let us know how you do.
Good luck.
T-rig reply :
You might not catch many but it is very satisfying when you do.
tallydude reply :
ABSOLUTELY you should fish. I look at every opportunity to fish as an opportunity to refine my techinque and improve my skills. I'm a little better every time I go out. You may not notice it, but if you keep going out you will be too. Eventually you will figure them out.
Besides, one of the best things about living in Florida is rubbing it in everone else's nose that we get to fish the winter 8-)!
Popeye reply :
"No. Try not. Do! Or do not. There is no TRY!" - YODA. And may the Fish Force be with you!!
farmpond1 reply :
If you want to venture out, dress warmly/comfortably. Otherwise, you're likely to never want to repeat the experience again. Plus it's difficult to concentrate when you are shivering.
Dress in layers and wear a good windbreaker. And good luck young grasshopper.
A_Glenn_2 reply :
winter fishing beats sitting in front of the tube or watching porn on the internet 
Bankbeater reply :
If you haven't done it yet read the articles on winter fishing on this site.
T-rig reply :
Quotewinter fishing beats sitting in front of the tube or watching porn on the internet
You pervert! ;D ;D
guest reply :
QuoteI KNOW I CAN!I KNOW I CAN!
I KNOW I CAN!
I KNOW I CAN!
Keep positive and keep tryin
Awwwww. The little engine that could.
rondef reply :
Fishing i the winter is tough and it can be very frustrating. I went from catching multiple LMBs each time I went out to only getting an occasional strike, my catch rates have plumeted. For that reason I have packed up my gear and I have entered study mode. I am reading about bass to become a better fisherman, I just don't like sitting out in the cold for an occasional fish. It may be satisfying for some but not for me. I like the days when I am catching multiple LMBs much better. I will be starting back up again at the end of March, just in time for some local tournament fishing.
jeremyt reply :
Yes you can catch fish in the winter, I have recently been fishing with a amueter that lives in the area. If you are not comfortable using jigs and other slow presentations ( I am not I don't have the patience) throw cranks and jerk baits, but fish them as slow as possible. This is the advice I was given from a guy who knows the area well. I will be fishing the river this winter and if you ever want to go just pm me and give me your number I will give you a call.
Catt reply :
On most bodies of water in winter we're looking at a vertical situation as far as cover types go. To explain: Bass usually move deeper during the winter months. On some lakes that may mean they pull into creek channel for the winter.
On other lakes, where everything is pretty well shoreline-related, they might move to steeper banks, 45-degree banks or bluffs, which are the areas where they're probably going to spend the winter.
One thing you can just about bet on is that wintertime bass are going to be close to deep water. I'm not saying you can't catch them shallow because if you get a few nice days during the winter some of the fish will move up. They may also get on shallow targets next to deep water.
Keep deep water and a slow retrieve in mind, and you'll be a little better off during winter months.
S I G M A reply :
at least you can fish in the winter...
Tokyo Tony reply :
QuoteYou might not catch many but it is very satisfying when you do.
I agree - catching a nice bass, or even a dink for that matter, is wayyy more satisfying when it's really cold out and you know they're not too willing to bite.
Hookemdown. reply :
To quote LBH:
Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right!
ejtaylor822 reply :
Yes - depending. I am right up the road from you in Chapel Hill. They still bite in the winter around here - just not as hard or frequent - gotta work for it and be extra patient - that's the depending part - gotta have the patience to fish extra slow. If think you are going too slow, slow it down even more. I like craw bugs drug across the bottom on a 3/8 or 1/2 oz roundball jig head.
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