Name:	Ahluring Angler -	Reply
Subject:	Winter tactics
Date:	12/28/2011 8:17:47 AM

    The week before Christmas my oldest son Brad and his two sons John (14) & Jake (11) spent some extended time at Grandpa & grandma’s house in Still waters for some winter time fishing. The weather was not cooperative with wind and rain being predominant during their 3 day stay but we managed a good string of bass. First morning we searched for stripers in the mid lake area but was chased off with the rain. Later that day and the rest of the week we decided to focus on the Blue Creek area and spotted bass. We boated over 30 fish with the largest spotted bass @ 3 lbs. Two 1 gallon bags of filets are headed to Louisiana to be shared with family and friends. 

    Winter time fishing can be a challenge with changing weather patterns of wind, rain and cold temperatures. Usually shaky head worm fishing is our predominant pattern but the wind kept us from that strategy. A good search pattern for fish when they are scatted this time of year is trolling with crank. Trolling drop offs, deep rock banks, creek channels and under water humps proved to be the ticket. When you find the bait, the fish are not far behind.  Any type of boat can be utilized, pontoon, aluminum, bass type or center consoles. A good fish finder and navionics contour chip and vital to finding the proper spots and marking fish.

The crank baits that were the most productive were #5 Strike King in the Sexy Shad color. We also caught fish on 300 series Bandit bait in shad color. Another color that is usually productive this time of year is a crawfish pattern.  When fish are located we used vertical jigging over bait balls and pods of fish to catch some decent fish. A 1 oz. homemade flutter and shad vertical spoon produced multiple fish. Other chrome vertical spoons work very effective if you don’t have a mold and can customize your baits. When you find the fish, mark the location with a marker buoys and position the boat over the bait or school and drop the bait the desired depth. Fish usually will hit the bait on the drop so is a line watcher. Many times just holding the spoon with a dead stick tactic will also produce strikes. When you feel the slight thump, set the hook and begin reeling. Spotted bass will come up quickly; stripers will dig deep so a light drag is required.  Most all fish were suspended in 30-50 foot depths.

Take the opportunity to take a child fishing