So I've always fished but in my 27 years of life I've never fished in the winter. I still would like to take the jon boat out to Cali and Braunig on mild winter days to do a little fishing for reds, cats, bass etc. Is there anything different I need to do in the winter than in the spring? Fish deeper maybe? Or should I just stick to hunting until spring comes

Go fish! Winter time is a great time to be on the water especially on a power plant lake like you are talking about.

during the winter months i have had my best luck fishing the crappie wall there on cali. best thing is to rig up a deep sea reel with some strong braid and float a balloon with a fat tilapia or sunfish down the channel, only prob is you have to go on a day that wind is at your back. I personally use a penn 4o with 660yds of 150lb powerpro, usually float the bait about 400 yards down where i can just barely see the balloon, have caught many fish over 30" fishing this method in the winter. let me know when your going out next, i'll take my boat and meet you out there give you a few inside tips.