COLD WEATHER FISHING OPTIONS...PANFISH AND MORE!

[Jim Gronaw]

OKAY GUYS, I KNOW IT'S GONNA BE A LONG, COLD WINTER, AND NOT ALL OF US ARE GOING TO BE ON THE HARDWATER.

So... with that in mind, let's hear what you all plan to do, nationwide, to get the fix you need to put some fish in the boat, on the bank or in the pan. John Sheehan digs pickerel, some do blue cats. Tell us...FROM BLUEGILLS TO PERCH TO CARP...

WHAT'S YOUR FISHING GAMEPLAN LIKELY TO LOOK LIKE?

[Adam Rink]

The sooner I can get some venison in the freezer, the more time I'll have for fishing this winter. I'll utilize open water for as long as I can going after bluegills and maybe some bass, and if this winter is going to be as cold as they say it is, I hope to do as much ice fishing as I can. I'd like to get over to Mosquito Lake in Northeastern Ohio, a friend of ours went out there several times last year and got into some nice crappies so that would be something new and fun. I'll probably try a little steelhead fishing when I go home for winter break as well. When back back at school in Southern Ohio, i'll do some more brown trout fishing at Clear Creek, hoping to get into some bigger fish.

Good luck to everyone this winter, stay safe.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow.

[John Sheehan]

STEELHEAD!! YES! And Happy Thanksgiving Adam!

[Jim Gronaw]

Almost hit Mosquito last spring with local crappie ace Ken Smith when I was up at Pymatuning last year. Didn't quite happen, but he and another guy in camp plowed the crappie with a lot of 12 to 13 inch fish. I hear this is a great, multi-species fishery for Ohio.

Good Luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Allen Morgan]

Trout and Crappie here, maybe some Blue Cats.  From the bank, floating fishing platforms, and maybe from my kayak.

[John Sheehan]

Sounds great Allen!

[Tony Livingston]

My best tip for cold water fishing? Think small. And not just on your baits, although that is important. I'm talking small waters...if you don't get ice cover, and you're limited to bank fishing, then in my opinion your best shot at catching fish will be in small ponds and lakes.

If you're stuck with a large BOW, pay attention to smaller coves and bays, especially those that get the most sunlight. Bonus points if they have a dark bottom, as that may add a degree or two.

I think winter fishing is about strategy, and optimization. You want to do everything possible to tip the odds in your favor, and number one on my list is to fish small waters.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Great tips, Tony.
Thank you.

[John Sheehan]

Good advice Tony ! Any advice on Rivers or creeks?

[Jim Gronaw]

John...if you have any hot-water discharges at your area then that might be a good option.

[John Sheehan]

sure would be ,but don't .(unless I haven't looked hard enough) Seen your successes here at bbg and have read about that Jim.

[Allen Morgan]

I didn't think of that!  Got a major one about an hour away.  When they're generating during a strong cold snap, all sorts of big predators will be in the heated discharge channel.

I usually make at least one trip over there during the winter.  Don't catch much, as I can't time the generation schedule and weather....

[Jim Gronaw]

Tony...my first choice/local options will be right in line with your thinking, provided we do not get ice cover. Worst thing for us in the Mason Dixon area is that we often have skim-ice most of the winter, making it impossible to fish.

Happy Thanksgiving!