7 Cold Weather Fishing Tips
Nov 29, 2022
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Do you love fishing and wish it were easier in cold weather? Even though fishing in cold weather can be difficult, plenty of people do it on a regular basis with success.
It’s not impossible, and successes aren’t just luck. You just need to know how to make it work in the areas you choose to fish. However, catching fish is just part of the equation – you also need to be concerned with your safety.
Cold weather fishing is different in different areas, but once you learn the ropes it isn’t so hard. If you’re just learning how to catch fish in cold weather, pick up some last-minute fishing gear from Angler’s World and head out to your favorite winter fishing hole with the following tips in mind.
1. Layer up warm
First and foremost, it’s important to layer up your clothing to make sure you stay warm and dry out on the water. Nobody ever plans on getting soaked with water on a fishing trip, but it happens, and if it happens in cold weather, it will be unpleasant and can even be life-threatening. You’ll lose heat 25 times faster when you’re wet compared to when you’re dry.
However, layering up will only keep you warm – it won’t help you if you get wet, like if you fall into the water.
2. Be prepared to get dry
If you fall into cold water, you’re going to lose your ability to move your muscles to a large degree. The clothes you’re wearing will become like heavy weights and you will need a multi-step plan to get out of the water and get dry.
The first thing you’ll need is a ladder. There’s just no other way to get back into a boat if you fall out into the cold water. Even the most fit people struggle to get back into a boat after falling overboard into freezing water.
Once you get back into the boat, you’ll need a full set of dry clothes and a towel to dry off before changing into your dry clothes. This should include a warm beanie for your head.
3. Carry rock salt in your truck
In cold weather, everything can turn icy and slippery fast, including the ramp. It’s easy to slide down a ramp in cold weather, but you won’t find it easy to get back up that ramp. This is where rock salt will come in handy. You’ll need to sprinkle it across the ramp to get enough traction to get back up.
4. Have paddles available
In cold weather, it’s more important than ever to have paddles just in case your motor dies and you need to get back to shore. You never know what will happen. You might hit something with your motor or you might run out of gas. In cold weather, you can’t risk waiting to be seen and rescued by another boater.
5. Maintain your gear for cold weather fishing
In cold weather, your reels will end up with stiff bearings and oil and grease will thicken. It’s important to maintain your reels well ahead of time so you don’t end up out on the lake without the ability to fish.
It’s equally important to maintain your line because accumulated water will freeze and the line won’t be able to pass through the eyelet. This can leave you with tangles. It’s best to use line conditioner to ensure your line stays smooth.
6. Figure out where to find your fish
Once you have your safety and well-being covered, it’s time to think about your game plan for catching fish. It’s true that freshwater fish group up when it’s cold, but you need to know where and how to find them. The best time to fish is right before a cold front passes; that’s when fish tend to feed. Once the cold front has passed, it’s too late. However, you’ll also want to keep your fishing times between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to get the most bites.
7. Use smaller lures
In the cold water, fish don’t have a high metabolism so they’re going to go after smaller bait. You’ll get more bites by using two-to-three-inch lures. However, you’ll get the best results with live bait.
Enjoy yourself even when it’s cold
Most importantly, make your cold weather fishing trip fun. Bring a friend or two and spend time getting to know each other while your fish. Get some snacks, some drinks, and just enjoy your time on the water. The fish you catch will taste even better when you get back to a warm home to fry them up.
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