James RickardA tip for winter fishing
February 9th 2010 19:22
It's cold and I've been snowed in the past few days so, I'm no even going to say I've been fishing. However, I have been thinking about getting out there but when it's cold like it is right now, fishing can be tough if not down right impossible.
The first thing you have to remember is that fish are cold blooded animals. That means their metabolism is going to slow down and you'll have to adjust your presentation with that in mind. Simply put—slow down your retrieve!
Since metabolism has slowed to a crawl, live bait may or may not work. One meal goes a long way if you're a fish in the winter so even though live bait may trigger strikes one day, it may not work the next. If fish are biting with live bait, stick with that as long as it works but I heartily suggest taking a few artificial lures with you. You don't have to worry about anything too fancy—maybe a jig or two, a couple tubes, a plastic worm, and a suspending jerk bait or two. Some guys suggest spinner baits for winter fishing but, I have to admit, I've never has great luck with this approach. (I'm working on it though. I've heard it in too many circles.)
The presentation I often use is one mimicking a dying minnow. Using this; you raise your rod tip from the 9 o'clock position to 12 o'clock and let it fall. After about 15 seconds I repeat this motion and take up the slack as the bait falls. A pause of about 30 seconds often works but I'm too ADHD for that!
There's a pecking order among most nature's creatures and fish are no different. It may be the "survival of the fittest scenario" but, often times, the largest fish are the ones you're going to catch. This holds true for panfish as well as big bruisers like pike. So, even if you're not catching much of anything, take solace in the fact that the next bite may be a trophy!
The first thing you have to remember is that fish are cold blooded animals. That means their metabolism is going to slow down and you'll have to adjust your presentation with that in mind. Simply put—slow down your retrieve!
Since metabolism has slowed to a crawl, live bait may or may not work. One meal goes a long way if you're a fish in the winter so even though live bait may trigger strikes one day, it may not work the next. If fish are biting with live bait, stick with that as long as it works but I heartily suggest taking a few artificial lures with you. You don't have to worry about anything too fancy—maybe a jig or two, a couple tubes, a plastic worm, and a suspending jerk bait or two. Some guys suggest spinner baits for winter fishing but, I have to admit, I've never has great luck with this approach. (I'm working on it though. I've heard it in too many circles.)
The presentation I often use is one mimicking a dying minnow. Using this; you raise your rod tip from the 9 o'clock position to 12 o'clock and let it fall. After about 15 seconds I repeat this motion and take up the slack as the bait falls. A pause of about 30 seconds often works but I'm too ADHD for that!
There's a pecking order among most nature's creatures and fish are no different. It may be the "survival of the fittest scenario" but, often times, the largest fish are the ones you're going to catch. This holds true for panfish as well as big bruisers like pike. So, even if you're not catching much of anything, take solace in the fact that the next bite may be a trophy!
Remember to take the hooks outta yer pocket before ya sit down!
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