Winter, Feels Almost Over; When Is It Time To Start Again?! 2024
Weld's Largemouth reply :
Hey there!
So lately I have had the feeling the winter is pretty much over up here in New York. We already had our peak snow storms and now the weather has been 45-55 degrees lately. It seems quite early and maybe the temps will drop again, but i am hopeful for the alternative. I've got all new gear and lures ready to go; now I just need there to be fish to catch. The ponds I usually fish were probably frozen around 2 weeks ago, but only lightly. The water temperature has probably warmed to the low 40's or mid 40's based off the fact that they had been frozen, but we have received lots of warm rainy days and thunderstorms as if it were March or April, so it may have warmed significantly. Prior to the New Year, I had been fishing at least twice a week at multiple spots, trying all types of lures: flipping jigs, rattletraps, deep divers, jerkbaits, crank baits, senkos and I have worked them respective to the bass’s slow metabolism. During these daily winter fishing trips from November to Late December I caught nothing. After Christmas Break hit I gave up winter fishing, and since then I haven’t gone. The last time I caught a bass was late October and the bass then were slamming! They were feeding heavy for the “cold” winter. This winter hasn’t been that cold, however, as it feels like we have reached our coldest days with a snow storm around New Year’s Eve, and temps dropped to mid to high single digits. All of the snow quickly melted as lots of warmer rain came pouring down in the following days. In late December I actually attempted some bait, I was so desperate to catch something and I normally only use lures/ live frogs 
, and I still caught nothing. I was looking at future temperature predictions and it’s only uphill with few dips in temperature from here on. I know March is probably the best time to start back up for pre-spawn but I can’t wait any longer. I’ve tried multitudes of hobbies to help distract me from my fishing addiction but its hasn’t ceased my pain. I’ve bought new gear, put fresh line on reels, spied on birds, scavenged google earth for ponds and underwater structure, worked out, ran winter track, watched people catching lots of nice Florida bass on YouTube, studied weather predictions to plan my first day back in action and did school work. I hope this winter is pretty much over 
Thanks for reading! Thoughts are much appreciated!
wnybassman reply :
You're new to New York, aren't you? lol
Weld's Largemouth reply :
You're new to New York, aren't you? lol
No haha, this is just my first winter since fishing for Largemouth
J Francho reply :
Quote
In late December I actually attempted some bait, I was so desperate to catch something and I normally only use lures/ live frogs
, and I still caught nothing.
Just an FYI....artificials only for bass after Dec. 1 and before 3rd Saturday in June. I usually get the boat on the water end of March early April.
Weld's Largemouth reply :
On 1/14/2014 at 4:55 AM, J Francho said:Just an FYI....artificials only for bass after Dec. 1 and before 3rd Saturday in June. I usually get the boat on the water end of March early April.
So you can't use artificials in the late summer or fall, is that what you're saying? I've caught plenty of of fish in those times, some of the best fish
J Francho reply :
No, that isn't what I said. See the general regulations for NY: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31421.html
You can use artificial baits year round for bass. It's artificial baits only during the catch and release season, Dec. 1 through the 1st Saturday in June (when bass season opens).
Nitrofreak reply :
Winter time fishing is a time that tests you patience , what works well for me may not work for you but I have a river here in Va. last winter the surface temp was 34.6 , but with a current , slow falling baits or countdown baits were not possible , blade baits like silver buddies and small spoons , hair jigs work really great in winter , if you have any of those give them a shot , if you have little to no current countdown baits are very effective as well , placement of these baits are critical and you must watch your line with the utmost attention as the bait falls through the water column cause bass will rarely move when the water is really cold and they will just slurp it in .
Pete-K reply :
Think your on the right track. Only 15 more weeks there and your fishing. Now for us here in West Tn on PIckwick lake. Its on like Donkey kong in a few weeks for sure. Good luck and hope this fishing season it the best one ever.
Pete
wisconsin heat reply :
Bass fishing starts May 4th in Wisconsin( I gotta get outta this state). Last year we got a snow storm the night before opening day. On May 5th I caught my first bass of the year standing in 15 inches of snow. Winter is FAR from over.
Nashua Nev reply :
we had a fantastic day to spend on the water up here in NH last Sunday.
BuffaloBass716 reply :
Middle of January and its the end of winter? Winter is around half over with and February is one of the coldest months in NY 
Just keep an eye out for the water temp, once it starts increasing to allow the bass to become more active, then its time to fish!
ww2farmer reply :
.Winter over in Jan??? I just got my ice fishing gear out yesterday......thanks!! I needed a good laugh today.
RF813 reply :
The warm weather we're experiencing isn't the norm. Hunker down a bit longer. I suppose you don't remember the april fool's storm oh so many years ago?
Mike2841 reply :
This made me think of game of thrones.
DogBone_384 reply :
I feel your pain, but in the mean time my skis are ready and some of my reels are off to Mike @ DWT for upgrading. I got out on my motorcycle Tuesday when it was really nice out, but I'm in New England, so like NY - wait a bit and it'll be Winter again.
Until Spring, we've got Bass Resource!
Pete-K reply :
Man I feel your pain on the east coast. Used to run up there every week hauling Candy that schools sold for fund raisers in the 80's. Never did like the cold winter weather. But loved it the rest of the year.
But would not swap The Tn river and Pickwick lake for it all. Monday here around 50 degrees and I'm going to a small lake to catch the state record large mouth. This one below was 17 lbs 4 or 5 years ago. And have not heard anyone catching it yet. Should be 20 lbs or more now.
Pete
bmac31 reply :
O how I wish the OP was correct
Im not a winter person at all. Ive cleaned my clubs and reorganized my tackle twice each so far, ive also worked on a spring/summer itinerary for golf amd fishing and had a visitor two from the bait monkey.lol. good luck imtill the prespwan.
Scott F reply :
On 1/14/2014 at 4:27 AM, Weld said:Hey there!
So lately I have had the feeling the winter is pretty much over up here in New York.
Still think winter is pretty much over?
Weld's Largemouth reply :
On 1/22/2014 at 7:43 AM, Scott F said:Still think winter is pretty much over?
wah 
bmac31 reply :
So here in CT we got about 9 inches and its still coming down. Says its gonna be around 11 degrees at noon.
Weld's Largemouth reply :
On 1/22/2014 at 5:12 PM, bmac31 said:So here in CT we got about 9 inches and its still coming down. Says its gonna be around 11 degrees at noon.
we got the snow too ago and its still here and cold...
wnybassman reply :
Got up above 10º today. Spring is here!!! lol
bmac31 reply :
Next year im planing a winter trip to texas or Alabama to get my fix.
Munkin reply :
Ice storm today and we lost power for several hours. That groundhog needs to be shot!
Allen
AQUA VELVA reply :
Winter here in northern lower MI can test your sanity if you are not into winter sports, which, Im not. All I can think about is the coming bass season and what it might be like. Have already gone through and cleaned all of my equipment. The fishing catalogs that keep coming only make the wait worse but at least I get to look at all the cool stuff I probably don't need or can't afford. Just read the other day that MI has the most snow cover of any state. Guess the up-side might be full lakes this spring.Gotta go, just got another catalog!
tommiller76 reply :
You fish any time there is open water despite the water temp. The key is changing your presentation, key are cold and slow so fish accordingly. Jigs, plastics, and suspending jerk baits are just a few baits that work best this time of year. Just a tip if you decide to go out before the water reaches the mid to high 50's is fish slow and when you think you are fishing slow fish slower. Oh and be a line watcher, bite will be light and more often than not they are seen as opposed to felt.
Good luck and be safe...
Weld's Largemouth reply :
On 3/26/2014 at 7:06 PM, tommiller76 said:You fish any time there is open water despite the water temp. The key is changing your presentation, key are cold and slow so fish accordingly. Jigs, plastics, and suspending jerk baits are just a few baits that work best this time of year. Just a tip if you decide to go out before the water reaches the mid to high 50's is fish slow and when you think you are fishing slow fish slower. Oh and be a line watcher, bite will be light and more often than not they are seen as opposed to felt.
Good luck and be safe...
yea, my ponds must unfroze past week, i've been fishing them and ive got some bass, no huge ones though, yet
MVPastva reply :
Usually in the winter or early spring, I go for stocked pond bass.. hah.. Not too much going on in the rivers with a winter we just had in OH. If you have a boat, get out there and work the banks with jigs, spinner baits, rooster tails, or 5" Yamamoto Green Pumpkin plastics. Works great for me!! But on the other hand, I had a good laugh when you said you were gonna get out in January.
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