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Catching massive fish within the lifeless of winter isn’t often straightforward. I don’t actually care the place you reside. Florida Keys, you say? Positive, it’s a lot hotter there in February, but it surely’s nonetheless winter, which implies it’s typically windy and tough. Gulf Coast? Identical downside. There are many bull redfish there for the taking, however in my expertise in the event you e book three days of fishing, you’ll be fortunate to get out for one. A few of you, after all, have the means to journey to far-flung heat locations in winter, however many people—myself included—don’t.
Nonetheless, in the event you stay within the northern half of the nation, there’s no want to hold up the freshwater gear. There are many choices for large fish between Christmas and spring. If it’s real trophies you need this time of yr, these three species provide the perfect odds. Not solely do they keep peak weight in winter, buyt in some instances they’re simpler to catch now than throughout tank prime season.
Lake Trout
Prime Locations: Niagara River, New York (open water), Lake Granby, Colorado (ice fishing)
Within the summertime when each ski boat and jet ski is ripping throughout the water, catching massive lake trout could be a chore. These fish desire chilly water, which implies throughout the hotter months they’re hanging out in the course of lakes and reservoirs at severe depths. Catching them typically requires trolling with downriggers simply to get lures in entrance of their faces. However come winter, that every one adjustments.
As water temperatures drop, lake trout will transition to shallower water. In actual fact, the largest one I ever caught via the ice—a 44-incher—was hooked in solely 3 ft of water. After I seemed down within the gap, I may see the rocks on the underside. Our information defined that this shallow space was the place all of the small rainbow trout within the lake frolicked, and that there was a steep drop-off not far-off. The heaviest lakers, he defined, would shoot up from the depths, snatch a trout within the shallows and retreat. He was proper. The fish we hooked on this location had been big, they usually almost dumped our spools after slamming 9-inch soft-plastic jigs.
Open-water alternatives are fewer and farther between in winter all through the lake trout’s northern vary, however there are a number of to be discovered. Notably, the Niagara River in New York and a handful of different tributaries across the Nice Lakes expertise winter lake trout runs. These fish enter in fall to spawn however many winter over as a result of there are regular meals sources. Something from swimbaits to egg flies to crankbaits can rating these fish, and there’s no cooler means—at the least, for my part—to catch a giant laker than watching it slam a lure 4 ft off the financial institution whereas your ft are planted on terra firma.
Learn Subsequent: Finest Lake Trout Lures
Blue Catfish
Prime Vacation spot: James River, Virginia
Catfishing is synonymous with summer time. You camp out on the financial institution with a cooler, maybe a radio, and luxuriate in a July night ready for rods to begin bucking. The three most focused species on this nation are channel cats, flatheads, and blue cats. However whereas the primary two will be tough to catch as soon as it will get actually chilly, the heaviest blues typically come within the lifeless of winter.
Devoted blue cat fishermen are inclined to desire the chilly season to the summer time months. Whereas the weather would possibly make a day much less comfy, the fish turn into extra predictable when the mercury drops. They’ll gravitate to deep holes and depressions inside shallow flats, and whereas they’ll transfer round minimally, they’ll feed closely. As a result of meals sources turn into much less out there in winter, in the event you drop a contemporary piece of lower shad in entrance of a laid-up blue cat, it doubtless gained’t go on the meal. Whether or not you have got entry to a ship or not, this winter sample and conduct could make it simpler so that you can rating a fish weighing 50 kilos or extra.
Learn Subsequent: What Do Catfish Eat?
The trick is having electronics or a paper chart that exhibits you the underside contour of the lake or river you’re fishing. This turns into important in winter, particularly from the financial institution, as a result of location is all the things. Ideally, you’ll have a milk run of spots to hit inside shut proximity, as bites often come quick once you land a bait in entrance of the fish. Search for areas with channel edges or sharp drop-offs inside casting vary. Likewise, don’t be afraid to focus on areas the place holes or depressions with as little as 5 ft of water are surrounded by a foot of water or much less.
Muskies
Prime Vacation spot: New River, Virginia/West Virginia
Let’s get one factor straight: Muskies aren’t any simpler to catch within the lifeless of winter than they’re at different occasions of yr. You may pinpoint their location inside a transferring water system way more simply proper now, which is a significant benefit. However that doesn’t imply they’ll be desperate to chew. What it does imply is that your lures, baits, and flies could have a stronger probability of touchdown in entrance of their faces.
Whereas muskie seasons shut in lots of elements of the North, southern states like Virginia and Tennessee stay open and turn into sizzling winter areas since their climates aren’t as frigid as different elements of the nation. Waters in these areas additionally don’t ice over. However like many fish, muskies decelerate considerably in chilly water. They’re not as prone to journey far or burn quite a lot of vitality to chase down your providing. The sport largely consists of focusing on eddies and any smooth spots throughout the river the place there’s little to no present.
Learn Subsequent: West Virginia Angler Catches (and Releases) File Muskie from Shore
One of the best analogy I ever heard for muskie fishing within the winter went like this: When you put a bath of cheese balls subsequent to somebody and stated, “assist your self,” they could or could not seize a handful. However in the event you yell, “assume quick” and throw a single cheese ball at their face, they’ll most likely attempt to catch it of their mouth. With that in thoughts, success within the winter muskie sport is commonly about making numerous casts till you get in entrance of the appropriate face. Once you do, the fish will positively hammer that lure or bait.
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