they are predicting a cold winter this year. What do you predict will be the start of the good fishing for blues? Thanksgiving?

October is a favorite time for me.

For the really big ones I go with January and February.

February is considered to be the "Big Blue" month by many. And 2020 is Leap Year, so there will be an extra day. They had an article within the past 10 or 15 years in our local newspaper here in B/CS (Aggieland) also sharing they seemed to think it as well.

I recall once on Lake Livingston early in October (I think 2002), we set one of my "Planter" trotlines in 30+ feet of water at the Chalk Bluffs below where White Rock Creek feeds in. YellowCat territory. However, thermocline was very active, killed most (actually all of it) bait. And I made the mistake of wearing my cap backwards, enough to get a very nasty sunburn on my forehead. September 2019 is still looking to be very hot. October is very iffy, as to just where the marbles (dice) will fall.

However, I have found that it can run from late November (around T-Day) into early March. I am currently mapping out 2020 for my Catfish Calendar. And I must say for those who are limited to hit the water on the weekends only, luck may be riding with you in January & February 2020.

Hang on a second ...

OK, looking at those first two months of 2020, here's an super early glimpse of those weekends, as to BC days (BlueCat):
January 2020---
4/5 (Sat/Sun)
11/12 (Sat/Sun)
25 (Sat) (26/Sun is BFT)

February 2020---
(31)/1/2 ((Fri)/Sat/Sun)
8 (Sat) (9/Sun is BFT)
22 (Sat (23/Sun is BFT)
28/29 (Fri/Sat)