Setting the Hook with Jack Frost
By Chris Jenkins

I am sure that fishing is the last thing on most peoples mind in the month of December. Notice I said most people and I don’t consider myself to be like most people. To say that I like to fish is a huge understatement and if I think I can set the hook on something, count me in. Make no bones about it, there are bass to be caught in the winter months and some big ones at that..

As with any season though, you have to assess the situation and have a game plan. The bass’ metabolism has slowed dramatically and the digestive process takes much longer under the present conditions. In fact, bass cease to grow when the water temperature drops below fifty degrees. The good news is that they will still eat, but less frequently and prefer smaller meals.

Knowing that, I am going to present them with an easy meal to catch and an easy meal to digest. A Carolina rigged Berkley 4” Gulp sinking minnow, 3” Gulp Fry, or the 6” Gulp Float minnow are prime examples. The bites can be very subtle and far a few between at times but once they latch onto a Gulp product there as good as hooked. The Yum Craw Papi, Wooly Bug, Wooly Hawgcraw, and Yum Dinger are also baits that have proven effective for me time and time again. When you have a high pressure system parked over you and blue bird skies beaming down, these baits along with tubes and grubs will be your best bet. I know when I set out on any given winter day I may get skunked so I keep my expectations down to earth. I also know that I have caught some real heavy weights when most people are snuggled up under their electric blanket as well. So what better lure to target a behemoth with than a jig I say? A ¾ ounce Stanley Platinum jig will be tied on before I leave the house and I will couple it with a pork trailer which stays more pliable than plastic in cold water. Lastly, I have to mention a Lake Fork 6” Ring Fry. I can’t explain it but this simple piece of plastic attracts some healthy fish in extreme conditions whether it is August or January.

Location, location, location! I have covered a few lures that I rely on; now let’s look at where to target these fish. I always get a chuckle of the fisherman that run the bank chasing little fish all summer. The reason I bring it up is because if you can’t fish deep you are missing the boat. I recommend you look for the steepest bank on the lake in the summer and the winter. These are big bass magnets on any body of water during these times and you need to familiarize yourself with them. Bass will gang up on walls, creek channels, and drop offs, especially if there is some form of cover associated with that structure. I am on red alert when I probe a deep brush pile or tree because I know that I in a high probability area and need to react quickly in order to winch a fish out to avoid disaster. Steep or sharp dropping points are another spot that can really attract fish this time of year and need to milked thoroughly. In fact any prime location needs gone over with a fine toothed comb by making multiple casts with different lures. Rock walls and rip rap hold heat and can often times provide a reaction strike with a crankbait or slow rolled spinnerbait. Debris often gathers near any dam and should not be overlooked when you’re on the water this winter.

The early bird does not always get the worm during winter months and most times I am the only fishing fool out there. I do however try to fish on a falling barometer and prior to any kind of frontal passage. I remember several years back racing out to fish prior to a snow storm. I stayed out too long and just about had to get my truck towed off of some private property that I was not welcome on. All in the name of fishing, just one more cast,and one more Big Bass!!

Lonnie Stanley just informed me of a great web site for the younguns to visit and post pictures. Getting the leaders of tomorrow involved now is vital.

There will be random drawings for kids that offer free fishing and hunting trips as well as prizes. It cost nothing but the rewards are priceless. www.bluegilling.com www.spikebuck.com

It is going to be a long winter so keep those emails coming. If we can’t fish at least we can talk about it. Email me at sowbelly.hunter@yahoo.com