If you’re a dedicated angler, there’s no reason you can’t be out fishing all year round. Even the hot sun or icy cold shouldn’t be a problem if you prepare for them. The fish are still there, though you may have to adopt different strategies or target different species. Here are four angler favorites by season.
Catch Bass in Spring
Most bass are caught before the end of May. This is spawning time, when the bass move to shallow water. You can catch them more easily because they’re much more likely to spot your lure or bait. Look for shallow water near deep water, such as creek mouths, steep banks, cuts, and break lines. Work a crankbait along the deeper side when the weather is cool and the shallow side when it warms up.
Target Trout During Summer
Trout are active in summer, but unfortunately so are other fishermen. To increase your odds, try fishing early in the morning and later in the evening when the trout are more likely to feed, and the summer boaters, swimmers, and others who frighten the fish are at home. If you’re fishing during the day, find the thermocline, or thin layer between warm upper waters and colder deep water. Raise and lower your bait, and when you find the depth where fish are biting, stick to it.
Hook Catfish in Fall
For catfish, try fishing rocky bottoms or inclines. That’s where favorite prey like crawdads and baitfish hide out. This is especially the case with riprap, a reference to large rocks that are placed along river banks to help reduce erosion, and often left around construction. All you need is a #4 to #6 hook with a live crawdad or a chunk of your favorite bait and let it sink down to the rocks. Tighten up the line and give it a twitch now and then.
Jig for Crappie in Winter
Crappie are less active in the cold weather, but still feed eagerly given the chance. They tend to gather in schools once water temperatures drop into the 50s. Crappie prefer cover such as slabs, docks, or brush piles. If you’re ice-fishing, use a vertical jig. Otherwise, cast at an angle and work your lure around any cover where crappie might be hiding. It could take a long day of fishing to find the sweet spots, so be sure to dress warmly. Even in the balmier days of early or late winter, at least wear a long-sleeve performance shirt, like those from Over Under Clothing, made for outdoorsmen.
With winter fishing, it’s important to choose the right location. If you’re ice fishing, for example, it’s important to go somewhere that is well-known for the stability in the ice. After all, you don’t want to end up in a situation where you end up in the water. That could very well lead to hypothermic problems. As you go out on the ice, pay attention to the sound of the ice underneath your feet. It may sound obvious, but if you hear cracking (which is a different sound than crunching) don’t continue out onto the ice. Don’t let yourself take that risk.
If fishing is something you really enjoy, there’s no reason to limit yourself to mild weather. Some popular game fish will be biting no matter what season it is.
