I have been getting skunked the last 3 times I've been out. I was reading on here that the bluegills have gone deeper. So I was wondering which fish stay closer to the shore during the winter? Or, if I should give up fishing until the spring. I mostly fish lewisville lake and sometimes grapevine.

Don't feel bad I been skunked, too. I mostly fish local ponds but I got skunked at the lake on Saturday fishing for catfish. I took the kids out today and got nothing. Its definitly tougher this time of year, just got to find em on the right day.

I don't feel bad, I am just pretty green. I only started fishing a few months ago and I get skunked every so often but never twice in a row. I notice there aren't as many people fishing now and thought maybe the season was over. I will try Grapevine tomorrow and then maybe some ponds. Thanks.

Fishing large bodies of water from the bank during the winter can definitely be frustrating. As the shallows approach 50deg F, the shad will be looking for warmer water=creeks and deeps. If you know of a lake with a warm water discharge (power plant) fishing that outflow can be great.

You mentioned that you fish Lake Lewisville. In general, the northern part of lakes will be warmer (get more sunshine). Take look at a map of Lake Lewsville and bank fish around creeks in the northern parts (Example: Pilot Knolls Park)

You need to throw for bait early or during day at night when it gets cold the go deep.

Winter time is blue season bigger bait bigger hooks. Start snelling hooks and carp is good bait some people use chicken brest soaked in dead red heard it works

I've been getting skunked on Texas rigs the past 3 times out. Switched to a silver rattle trap reeling slow and got 5 in about 45 minutes.

Bass won't be in the shallows too often when its real cold out like it has been. I've been having to find them a bit deeper when bank fishing.

Main things I'm throwing when its this cold (in no particular order):

1) Suspending jerkbait (pointer 78)
2) Drop shot with a 4.5" or 6" roboworm
3) Shakey head with trick worm or roboworm
4) 5/16oz finesse jig with a zoom ultravibe speed craw
5) 3/8oz jig with rage craw/lobster

I'm working everything quite a bit slower and ALWAYS watching line.

Good luck!

P.S. If you're bank fishing grapevine and limited to two rods I'm bringing shakey head and jerkbait only.

Big key in winter fishing also true in summer for them bigger fish.
Wel so I think LOL
LL has a barge not to bad for crappie fishing in the winter just saying.

Don't forget the ponds that have been stocked with trout.

Cold front has been in Central Texas for a week. I've gone out 6 times and have been skunked 5.

Only success came last night slow rolling a 1/2oz Rat-L-Trap. It was red craw, but I seriously doubt it makes a difference at night. Caught three around a pound each.

Had the exact same result the night before the cold front: 3 fish hitting the same 1/2oz Rat-L-Trap.

Picked up a Pointer 78 yesterday morning. Hope to give it a try later today.

Big water can be hard to fish because they can go deep to warmer water. Try the creeks to lewisville and Grapevine or fish ponds. In ponds they may not have deep water to retreat too and you haver better luck. I also find I have better luck in the afternoon when the sun has had time to warm things a bit.

Fished a local pond in central texas today with the kids. We tried nightcrawlers about 1' down from the bobber with no luck... Took the bobber off and started catching blue gill left and right. not sure why they were hugging the bottom, maybe its warmer water down there, but it seemed to work for us.

Even in the ponds they are looking for deeper water. The deepest part is most likely going to hold more fish. I've been exploiting that pattern the last few times I've gone out and at least have caught some. About 2 weeks ago a found a channel and it produced about 7 small ones all under a pound, but still caught 7. I went out the past friday and was able to caught 5. 3 small bass, 1 that was just over a pound and the 5th being almost 3 pounds. I had to fish slow to get them to bite and all fish were caught after 3pm.

I was catching bluegills at lake lewisville yesterday at 25 ft. right on bottom.