Winter tactics

[Kevin Jopp]

With winter just around the corner I am trying to learn how to fish the colder water conditions that winter brings. I moved from FL to NC just three years ago and still seem to struggle when winter sets in. What are some of your techniques for fishing rivers when the cold is knocking on your door. Thanks and all input is appreciated.

Kevin

[Mike Adams]

I just started this last year on a recommendation from a close friend. Try a hair jig (pic below) with the lightest possible weight to hold bottom. 8# line on a spinning rod and a PORK trailer. It appears much more lifelike in colder water than a rubber jig with a platic trailer. I use spinning gear for this.



Here is the link from Bass Pro

http://www.basspro.com/servlet...rowse

[herbertrhudy]

biggest thing for me in Winter is to slooooooow down(believe me its hard to do)but it seems I always do better after several hours of beating my arm/shoulders to death and my body(not my brain) slows me down

[20_lb_sack]

When I was in Florida fishing rivers a lot, I think I did my best fishing the points downstream from the creek mouths with a DD-22, during the colder periods. Now it's coming up on jiggin spoon time around here.

[Kevin Jopp]

Thanks for the advice. I will have to look at those hair jigs. natural colors work best for you or the standard summer time colors work just as well.

I don't think I would be able to use the DD22 around here with the water being only 8 feet on average. However I will take your advice on fishing the points downstream from the creek mouths.

Thanks again

Kevin

[BigCheese]

I fish a river all winter long and all I primarily use is a Rapala SRJ-5 or a SRJ-7 in shad and red craw, a 1/2 oz. to 3/4 oz. Jig in Some type of Brown Color or Black and Blue. We have some grass that doesn't die in cold weather and I flip it from time to time also. Mainly it's the Jig and a tight wobbling crank-bait.

[Sacto John]

Just like everyone else said S L O W down. When I fish rivers in cold water I try to get out of the current as well.

[Mike Adams]

I personally only use Black (water around hear is stained 90% of the time), If I fish really clear water I use Brown. Also as was said ealier SLOW Down and fish in areas with very little to no current.