The Sixth Sense

[Bonefish]

How well you detect a “winter bite” may depend upon your “sixth sense.” When the water is cold and the fish are lethargic, may be the only way you know a fish has picked up you lure is your “sixth sense.” You may sense “something is just not right” or you “lose contact” with the lure or the lure/line is not “where it should be.” When this happens you should set the hook.

When fishing in cold water, you must slow down the presentation, maybe even down to a simple jiggle. So slow it may be tormenting. So how do you deal with a tormenting retrieve mentally? Do you pack up and go home to a warm fire or do you find a way to entice that one big bite like AndyG is looking for. This is where the love of fishing and finding the patience to bring that quality fish into the boat comes into play. You have to work on keeping your interest and confidence high. No one does this better than Elwood. He always does the right things with the right equipment and stays with the program. This kind of dedication is what puts more and bigger fish in the boat.

Sometimes fish will be aggressive while other times they can pick up your lure without a hit they have it in their mouth. So how do you go about hooking up with these cold-water difficult-to-detect bites? One is to use only a “gentle shaking” or “gentle jiggle” without any distance recovered. This may be SLOW and PAINFUL to you, but this is what it may take to entice that one big fish to bite. A sudden disruption in the jiggle or a slight “thump” may be the only way you know. And again, it may only be that “sixth sense” kicking in to set the hook without any physical indication.

One last consideration to help you slow your presentation down is to keep your rod tip high and jiggle the lure with your wrist only. When keeping your rod tip high, it limits the movement of the lure. Allow the lure to only move when it becomes unstuck after whatever pressure it takes while jiggling to release it, and then start the process over again. Do not be afraid to “pause” the juggle for various lengths of time…the slower the bite the long the pause. You must keep your eyes glued for any movement of your line.

Remember, you are not totally “left out in the cold” so to speak when you winter fish. You have your graph and your past knowledge that fish are or have visited the spot you picked to fish that day. Also buy the very best cold-weather gear possible to keep you warm. If you are warm, you can concentrate on fishing and not how cold your body is, and your confidence will stay high.

[first2fish]

Thanks for the winter advice--i just started fishing in winter last year and never considered a lot of pointers that you brought up. Jc

[Embrey]

i think theres too much ice now for me to get any more winter bites...

[first2fish]

Oh i forgot. I have found out that in winter or even fall when temps are dropping i use attractants and have more fish than without them. I was fishing last winter with a freind and i was using attractant and he was not. We were both using the same plastic lure. I caught 3 bass after applying it. He said i dont use attractants they are too messy ! Well he finally decided to use some and guess what.....he started catching bass too. I have had this happen more than once so i beleive in using them more during winter than spring or summer.

[Bonefish]

Good point. I think most will agree that in winter attractants do help. Thanks for the reminder. I also think the mornings and midafternoons to dark are the best times in the winter. You could take a break from 11 to 2 get some hot food and drinks in you and that can sustain your concentration and enjoyment while on the water.

[kygorski]

What you say about slight movement is correct, but sixth sense is something that comes with age. When its that miserable, WHY?I came here from the frozen north, so we had ice fishing to keep us happy. With the spring bobber you couls almost feel a fish breath on your lure or bait, plus a locater in your hole helped.But in open water like we have now, its only a matter of a few days before a warm up comes along. There comes a time when you have to consider that you may be putting your self and family in a difficult predicament,its dangerous to fish in some instances. Warm bulky clothes, warm boots and an icy boat carpet can be a disaster. Will a PFD keep you afloat with the added weight? I went through the macho fishing bit, and sometimes wonder why I'm still alive, went through ice twice caught in two tornados, driving in a white out. What I never thought about was someone else.That was pointed out to me one day, when we were going to salmon fishing, What happens to US if something happens to you?I'm at the age where I want to fish, not need to fish. Patience is a virtue, warm days are coming.

[Bonefish]

I can see your point, and I am sure most of us do not think about the negitives while we are fishing in the winter. However, I don't think the fear of falling out of a boat into 45 degree water will deter winter fishing for those who prepare, who don't mind the cold and wear equipment to keep them afloat and warm until they are off the water. I think the key here is...be prepared. I have been overboard in 45 degree water and made it out alive, but it was because of a ladder and floatation device that put me back into the boat. Winter fishing is not for eveyone, but for those that do, we must be prepared and safe.

[kygorski]

I wish I could practrise what I preach sometimes. I fish a lot in the winter here, and its open water, I have my doubts about my PFD keeping me alive and afloat in 45degree water too long. Frankly there are times when I ask myself what I'm doing out here. But next week will find me out on the water a couple of times.