Hey guys I've searched the internet to find a way

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armandlotter

New member
Hey guys I've searched the internet to find a way to fish in the winter and have received mixed reactions some people asy fish deep where the water temp is more stable where others have said fish the shallows where the water is warmer. Is there anyone out there that can answer this question aswell as which lures work better in winter as well as how to rig it. Thanx
 
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OvaR8ed

Sealiner
Winter Bassing is frustrating...

The fish are lazy and sluggish on account of the water being so cold. The general rule is fish deep and slow (Texas Rig), and even then your chances are small. You also pick up the odd bass in shallow bays at first light (Usually on big top-water baits).
 
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OvaR8ed

Sealiner
This is why it sucks in winter:

The water is cold and the fish's metabolism is slow because of it. This means they don't have to eat much (but they still have to eat). They are hard wired to consume only the necessary calories to survive the winter without burning too much energy in the process. They won't put up extended chases after anything that looks too fast, simply because of the risk of spending too much energy at the chance of failure.

Too make it worth it's while it helps to put on bigger baits like lizzards, frogs, mice and even baby birds. Try give it a big helpless bait that it will see as easy calories...

The Deep and Slow rule only works if you're at it all day... Eventually you will bounce that little worm right past its nose and the bass will have no choice but to inhale the bait.

Every now and then a lone bass will get extremely hungry and it will go out for a bite. Most probable place where this will happen is in the shallows and during poor light conditions (So get up early, real early). Work small bays with a big slow helpless floater. If a bay doesn't produce in 10 casts, move on... Eventually you'll find that one desparate fish...

Good luck and post reports!
 
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HennieS

Senior Member
Armand
The question you asking is a very big question with more than one answer! I see you are from Natal, meaning that you will more than likely fish fairly deep dams the likes of Albert Falls and Inanda. In Gauteng we do not have many deep dams, in fact I only know about one. My view of winter fishing is as follows:

Know the venue that you will be fishing! This past winter I have caught 2kg+ fish in 2 foot of water and I have caught 2kg+ in 20 foot of water. The trick is to find the fish and then understand what the fish will be doing in that depth of water. One thing is for sure, the fish will relate to deeper water in some fashion. I have written an article on this forum about fishing channels and drop-offs that is a very good strategy to follow if you fish deep dams like AF or Inanda.

If you are fishing shallower dams then be assured that the fish will be VERY tight to the structure and they will be close to channels or a bit deeper water. If I say tight to structure I mean you sometimes have to make +- 5 casts to same structure before you will get a strike. Fishing slow and being patient is key in winter. Slow again is relative, my slow and your slow will be very different. It is important to feel the structure, if you are fishing plastics, you must feel every bump on the bottom then you fishing slow!

People also recommend bigger baits in winter, I don't agree with that! All I do is change colour, I change to darker colours Junebug, Black ext. I use exactly the same lures just in darker colours. The darker colour creates a bigger profile under water! I fish a lot of carolina, mojo, weightless and texas rigs in winter time, that is usually determined by the type of structure I will be fishing. A spinner bait and crank bait might generate a re-action strike in winter. I find that crank baits are very good at season changing times when you go from summer to winter or winter to summer is usually you best time for crank baits.

Good Luck and NEVER give up!
:wfish
 
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DieterW

Senior Member
You could always do it like this guy if the fish don't want to bite...

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=85164&forum_id=68&jump_to=1163531#p1163531
 
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EmjaySmit

New member
In Natal the water in general is a bit water than in the Highveld and a lot of the central Provinces...In winter I will fish slow period...the fish will tell you how slow, I usually have three winter baits at hand on every outing...Rattle Trap, Jig and a mojo or texas rig...feel the water with these search baits, slowing down more and more after every few casts till the fish tell you what they want...
 
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sandgrain

New member
hi friends, does any one have info on Lesitgobo dam in Botswana? Accom or camping and how the Bass fishing is these days.We are looking at a pos trip end of Aug. anny sugestions:ifishin
 
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jmgravenor

Sealiner
Go register to Bassfishing.co.za
They will help you with everything you would like to know!
Very helpful bunch of guys.
 
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