Stained Water | Winter | Water Temperature <50 Degrees | Sunny and Windy Conditions

The Challenges

The fish are moving slow: Visibility is now in your favor since there is wind. Those big fish eyes are less likely to detect flaws in your bait. However, many challenges remain. The water temperature is less than 50°. They will not chase your bait or waste energy in cold water without the certainty of reward. You have to get their attention in low visibility. Sound and vibration are your friends now, but in proportion. A shad in water less than 50 degrees will not go screaming by. A crawfish is not going to be moving with speed or creating a great amount of chatter. Fish and forage are both cold and slow.

The Bite in Winter: The bite will be subtle. You will only feel their mouth close on the bait. One little thump is all the indication you will get. Set the hook. For weedless baits, set the hook hard. Otherwise, the weedguard will do its job and prevent you from snagging the inside of the fish’s mouth! Hook ups are less of a problem with crankbaits, but I typically reserve these for fishing over boulders. Braided line is your friend here because it is the most sensitive. Be prepared for frustration. Winter bite is hard to detect. Besides, your hands are cold and numb!

The Gear: You have a choice of spinning gear or power gear.
Choose the one you like the most. 

Spinning gear for long casts
Rod: 7’6″ to 8′ medium/light or light power. I’m using a 7’6″ St Croix Eyecon medium-light power, extra fast rod. It is a walleye rod that works great for casting light lures.

Reel: Use a quality 2500 size spinning reel. I’m using a Shimano Vanford 2500HG.

Line: 4lb or 6lb test line. I’m using 6lb Berkley FireLine in the crystal color, with a 6lb Sunline FC Sniper fluorocarbon leader. 6 feet of leader. I use a double uni knot to join lines because it is the easiest for me to tie, it casts great, and it is strong.

Casting gear for larger bait profiles and up close targets
Rod: 6’6″ to 7’2″ medium power, fast/extra fast action casting rod. I’m using a 6’8” medium power, extra fast St Croix Mojo Bass casting rod (this set up will also cast to other bank).

Reel: Medium sized (150 yard line capacity) quality baitcasting reel. I’m using a Shimano Curado DC 150.

Line: 12lb Berkeley Big Game works fine and is affordable. My river is heavily pressured. The fish have seen a lot of bait and line. I use 15lb P-Line Floroclear. This more expensive line is less visible and gives me an edge. I have never cared for braid on a baitcaster, but lots of folks use it.

The Bait

Chatterbait: 3/8 oz. Or blade bait. This is essentially a noisy swimjig. Pair it with a craw trailer. Use dark colors in muddy water and add a splash of red. Try bluegill colors if no bites on the dark color. Try a white Chatterbait with a white grub trailer. Whatever works. Regardless you will get the attention of fish with this vibrating bait. It sinks fast and stays deep. Reel it in as slow as you can while maintaining the chatter.

Jigs: Downsized Arkie style or structure jig with a downsized craw trailer. Use a jig with a rattle or insert a rattle into the trailer. This simulates crawfish clicking and will help the fish find your bait. Try black/blue and green pumpkin colors, with glitter in sunny conditions and a splash of red muddy water. Big meals are hard for fish to digest in cold water. Give them something small and easy to eat. Something they don’t have to work too much for. Work it super slow with long pauses.

Swimbait: Bring out the paddle tails. 4″ ZMan PaddlerZ in a brighter color for visibility. Houdini has a little red and sparkle. Electric chicken is bold. Try chartreuse. These have enough tail thumb to get noticed without seeming unnatural. Pair these with a finesse jighead and reel it back slow and steady. Go as deep as possible.

Crankbait: 3/8 oz Bomber Flat A in a shad pattern. Try a splash of chartreuse or red in muddy water. This is a flat sided crankbait. It has an subtle wobble to mimic cold and slow baitfish in cold water. It also rattles. You will get their attention. This is a shallow crankbait and is perfect for shallow rivers and streams. Work the deep and the edge of transitions with this crank. Reel slow.

The Technique

They can still hear you splashing and thrashing. They can still smell you. But it is less important to cast long distances because they cannot see you as well. Try short casts, then longer casts. Test how big the spook zone is.

Put the bait where they are. The coldest water is generally on top, and fish will hold in the deepest crevice of the deepest water. Go deep. If the water is truly muddy, the fish may move to shallow cover near deep pools and hold tight to it. Try throwing to cover as well.