I took some time off for a few years, but the first thing I noticed was LOTS of new bass fishermen, and many fishing out of numerous $70k boats pounding the bank with everything they have seen on YouTube and read in Bassmaster magazine. Pressure is a huge problem these days. With that said, bass stay shallow year around and eat the same thing they always have. Just not as often this time of year...

Caught 14 LMB last Sunday in about 5 hours. 1 other boat on the lake.. it was great!

I love winter fishing. no crowds and the fat girls chew.

There is a lack of people around for sure!

Agreed 100%. Besides, I don't pickup a rod up in the winter... Duck hunting is all I care about this time of year

I am so glad to see someone else say this.

I like winter fishing the best because my average tournament finishes in Dec, Jan, Feb are very high compared to the rest of the year. I catch the same amount of fish per trip in each month. Everybody else just seems to suck a little bit more in the winter.

Went out yesterday morning for a little bit. Only one at the ramp at 8am, air temp 31, water temp 49. Caught 5 in 3 hours, smallest was just over 2# and biggest was 4.15#. Was well worth the trip.

I don't like the cold any more but I seem to do better then.

A few years ago, I was working on a magazine article and a biologist explained this: bigger fish have more hormones, which makes them behave differently. The urge to spawn begins way earlier than you would think and the need to feed all year is also higher. That's why you catch bigger fish in winter.

Since the water hit the mid 50’s Ive been wrecking them. Last weekend was the first sign of it slowing down, temps where I was fishing were in the upper 40’s, almost hit 50 by days end. First time water temp dips into the 40’s it tends to get tough.

Usually, we don’t really hit winter until January 15th to Valentine’s Day.

This has been a really interesting thread to me as I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's opinion on fishing this time of year...

Winter, up through March is the best for big girls. If you think you are fishing slow, fish slower. If you find a location where they are congregating to spawn, they will be there next year too. We only fish a couple of lakes. Have fished them for over 20 years. Would say that being on the same water multiple times a week helps as you learn where they are and where they aren't under different conditions. You are only wearing out your equipment when you fish where they aren't. Big lures, bigger fish. And, the fewer folks on the lake the better, Quiet is good. Watch the birds, God's fish finders.

We are 75 now. Getting too old to fish as often as we should. Fair weather fishermen now. No rain, no wind, no temps under 50 and none over 85. Can't take it. Love blue bird sky's and lakes like glass. Week days only now, no weekend fishing. Have fished a number of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days in the past though. Not as many fish, but quality can be good.

Good luck.

Always seems to be feast or famine for me with famine taking the lions share of the outings. My first PW DD was caught December 8th of last year. I've had some incredible numbers days in the winter when I've found them schooled up. Most of my worst days have also been in the winter though. The only flat out skunk I can remember in the last decade occurred in winter.