The Nasty, Rainy, Snowy Days, of winter
I realize that most anglers prefer the warmer winter days; as I do too it certainly is more comfortable. The problem is if your after a trophy size bass, the nasty cold, rainy, snowy day in the mid of winter is generally when you’re going to find that trophy bass. That old saying a great day on the water is not always the best day for weather can be very true. I have found most of my biggest fish have come on the worst winter day of the year. In fact the lake record caught in 1991 was in February on cold rainy half snow winter day on Guntersville.
The down side is, it’s hard to stay focused and to sense or feel the bottom and continually work the proper depths and structure is difficult in the cold. The elements fight against you, your hands are cold, it’s hard to feel a bite and most of the time the bites are few making the day long and boring. I find that knowledge in this case is your best friend, know what to expect, dress for the tough elements, bring some of those $.50 hand warmers and put one in each pocket to keep feeling in your hands.
Don’t waste time, fish where the big fish should be in this type of weather, in my opinion this is extended off the long deeper points, or creeks used as highways by bass to ambush bait. I find that in a bad cold winter day the bigger fish extend themselves off under water points from the first break extending down to 20 feet or more of water. The reason being is there is generally still grass near the shallow top and stumps and this is where the bait gathers off these deeper points. This is all ideal locations for that big trophy bass and with some patience and hard fishing you just might find it.
Lastly fish big fish baits like jerk baits or jigs, work them slowly and make very precise casts to structure or down road beds. Use your Lowrance structure scan to find the structure where the big fish have the best chance to hide. Work those pieces of structure very thoroughly; make several casts so you cover every angle. You generally do not get hard nasty hits in cold weather so you may not feel big bites you’ll just feel a twitch or heavy rod tip, make a good hook set because it could be the fish you have been waiting for!
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
Call: 256 759 2270
Captain Mike Gerry