Winter lures

[RogerR]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by timojohn &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">skoty, these guys are either leaving out lots of important points/details about each of these recommended presentations in winter b/c they don't know them or they are doing it on purpose for you to learn for yourself or something like that......Maybe it's a secret...idk
I would not expect to be successful with any of these suggestions unless you are familiar with how they apply to winter fishing.
skeet22 left some details out of his recommendation but I'm guessing that one was on purpose! ;)</td></tr></table>

You got to excuse us, we aren't used to talking about fishing. Especially tips and techniques on an open forum.

Welcome to the site Cory.

Oh By the way, a few of us on here can tell you don't work.

[jeff210]

At least get your post count up first

[Thefisherman64]

Are we gonna have to start another board, "Louisiana fishing and techniques"

[jeff210]

No. There may not be enough people with techniques. I got one. Chunk and wind!

[Skeet22]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Thefisherman64 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Are we gonna have to start another board, "Louisiana fishing and techniques"

</td></tr></table>

Sounds like a great idea to me!

[lakebouef5]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by timojohn &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">skoty, these guys are either leaving out lots of important points/details about each of these recommended presentations in winter b/c they don't know them or they are doing it on purpose for you to learn for yourself or something like that......Maybe it's a secret...idk
I would not expect to be successful with any of these suggestions unless you are familiar with how they apply to winter fishing.
skeet22 left some details out of his recommendation but I'm guessing that one was on purpose! ;)</td></tr></table>

All i did was answer his post about winter baits. I prefer to drop shot in very difficult winter conditions... it is what works for me. Some people that have fished with me like this, and some people can't stand the technique.... Ive developed confidence in the tech. over the years. But, no matter what lure or technique you are wanting to try, you must be fishing around fish to have any success. If you want to try drop shotting and experiment, try in an area where you had some success the past week when the weather and water was warmer and the bass were more active. At least you have some confidence that the area should be holding a few bass. It's never a good idea to try a new technique in an area you have not fished in two or three years and you may not have confidence after trying it for 10 or 15 minutes without a bite. I use many techniques, and would prefer catching bass on topwater, but my main goal when I go fishing is to catch bass.... so I try anything and everything that comes down the pike, and try to become proficient at it. Winter just happens to be my favorite time to bass fish here.... even more than spring and spawning time.

[skoty422]

Ok. Sounds to me like too many of y'all have trouble catching fish and when you finally find something that works well ....... It's a big secret. I'm not a great fisherman by any means just bought my first boat. There's a lot to learn. Sorry people greed just isn't Part of my character. I've learned that if I'm not catching in the back of the Boat but the person in the front is, even though we using the exact same lure and I'm watching to mimic their moves, it's still the all around technique that is catching the fish. I'm just looking for a good place to start. And thanks for tips guys.

[Skeet22]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by lakebouef5 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

All i did was answer his post about winter baits. I prefer to drop shot in very difficult winter conditions... it is what works for me. Some people that have fished with me like this, and some people can't stand the technique.... Ive developed confidence in the tech. over the years. But, no matter what lure or technique you are wanting to try, you must be fishing around fish to have any success. If you want to try drop shotting and experiment, try in an area where you had some success the past week when the weather and water was warmer and the bass were more active. At least you have some confidence that the area should be holding a few bass. It's never a good idea to try a new technique in an area you have not fished in two or three years and you may not have confidence after trying it for 10 or 15 minutes without a bite. I use many techniques, and would prefer catching bass on topwater, but my main goal when I go fishing is to catch bass.... so I try anything and everything that comes down the pike, and try to become proficient at it. Winter just happens to be my favorite time to bass fish here.... even more than spring and spawning time. </td></tr></table>

Have you found the theory to be true that dirty water retains heat better than clean water? Most of my coldwater sucess has been in dirty water on reactions baits like traps or punching any remaining cover.

[skoty422]

Thanks Steven. That's all I'm lOoking for any ways. Even if you told me exactly how and where you are catching it doesn't mean I will. More than likely will not!

[Skeet22]

If you do choose to fish cold clean water where visibility is not a factor something subtle and bottom related like a drop shot, shaky head, light jig or tx rig would be the way to go fished very slow. This would be in water 50 or below usually.

[skoty422]

Thanks Doug I already own a few because of my good success on the blk/blue speed craw

[skoty422]

Ok skeet. Thanks. I will try all those ideas until I find some that prove to be productive for me.

[lakebouef5]

I try and take temps of the water I'm fishing throughout the day and fish the slightly warmer water. In this Delta area around here, we do not have much deep water for bass to find a better comfort zone...it's all fairly shallow. I've found bayous and bays where the water was clear, and it was the warmer water. I've also fished in bayous and bays where the water was dirty and it was the warmer water. I do not get to hung up on the axiom that dirty water retains heat better than clear water. I do feel that very shallow water of any color warms faster than deeper water. In the winter, I try and fish bayous or bays where the wind is blowing from the back of them out towards a larger bayou or lake...rather than fishing an area where the wind is blowing into the smaller bayou or bay from larger water bodies. The water coming from main bayous and lakes are going to be colder water, and the water coming out the back of shallow marsh areas is going to be warmer water.

[RonnieF]

If it's cold remember to slow down slower than slow and always be ready for that bite. Whether you're fishing soft plastics or a jig, you may go a while without a bite, but when it does bite you can't be day dreaming about shooting that squirrel in the tree.
If you're shivvering, you may not feel the bite, so dress warm.
Then again, a few days of warm weather may make them a little more active and hit a spinnerbait.
Suspending jerk baits work well at times too. Brown/gold/orange works for me, especially during the pre-spawn. This bait, you CAN look at the squirrles or ducks between jerks. Sometimes 5-10 second pauses, or longer. Be ready to set the hook after a pause when you go jerk because it might be in the fishes mouth.


Good luck,
Ronnie

[Skeet22]

I think water depth, location to the north winds, and how long or if the sun has been out plays into the dirty vs clear water temp deal. If you can find two peices of water with the same depth blocked from the wind etc but one is dirty and one is clear you will see a bigger difference in temp between the two with the dirty water being warmer.

The variables is what makes Bass Fishing such a challenge and also addicting. For me anyways..

[lakebouef5]

that's why it;s best to take temps in any area you try and reduce some of the variables....it;s all like trying to put a puzzle together.

[Skeet22]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by lakebouef5 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">that's why it;s best to take temps in any area you try and reduce some of the variables....it;s all like trying to put a puzzle together.</td></tr></table>

This is true. I take note of the temp everywhere I go.

I have other theories on dirty water also like the fact that when the fish has less visibilty they tend to hang tight to cover or wood which sets up perfectly for a reaction strike for a trap,chatterbait,punching etc.

The fact is though you have to try it all and just figure out what pattern will work for you that particular day bc sometimes what you think should be happening just may not be the case.

Good discussion anyhow.

[Skeet22]

The board may crash with all this fishing talk!

[DLAB]

I might be ass backwards, BUT, Ive caught fish in 38 degree air temps on top water! This changed my whole thinking on the GO SLOW, GO DEEP theory during cold weather. One March on a local lake took 2nd in a big tournament BURNING a 3/8 oz Spinnerbait, Slow Rolled a 1/2 all morning, tossed a jig, shakey head ect... Time was getting short, air temp never broke 38, started burning it like they where schooling in Sept, and it was on! That experience taught me that you never KNOW whats right or wrong. Like Rock said, Confidence in a technique means alot.

[Skeet22]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by DLAB &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I might be ass backwards, BUT, Ive caught fish in 38 degree air temps on top water! This changed my whole thinking on the GO SLOW, GO DEEP theory during cold weather. One March on a local lake took 2nd in a big tournament BURNING a 3/8 oz Spinnerbait, Slow Rolled a 1/2 all morning, tossed a jig, shakey head ect... Time was getting short, air temp never broke 38, started burning it like they where schooling in Sept, and it was on! That experience taught me that you never KNOW whats right or wrong. Like Rock said, Confidence in a technique means alot. </td></tr></table>

Thats why I mentioned the fish dont read the same books we do. You have to figure them out each time out but it helps to start in the right neighborhood.