Cold Weather Tactics: Where, When, & How To Locate Fish
- By: Wyatt Parcel
- on
Winter is coming.
With the weather bringing in more cold fronts, what are some cold weather fishing tactics?
In this video, we break down how we approach fishing when the colder weather comes through in the fall and winter.
In this new tea time, you’ll learn:
- The best tips for cold weather saltwater fishing
- Best lures for cold weather fishing
- How to fish with the conditions
- And much more!!!
Check it out below!
Cold Weather Tactics [VIDEO]
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Equipment Mentioned:
We covered a ton of information so here’s a timestamped version:
- 0:50 – Justin’s top 3 tips for cold weather saltwater fishing
- 2:42 – Wyatt’s top 3 tips for cold weather saltwater fishing
- 3:37 – Fishing the bottom
- 6:54 – Universal wintertime lure
- 7:40 – Downsizing your presentation
- 8:36 – Power Prawn Jr. versatility
- 10:15 – Crustacean presentations in wintertime
- 11:40 – Wind protection (Planning around the wind)
- 15:14 – Casting with the wind
- 16:19 – Is it more important to account for the wind or current when casting?
- 19:39 – Slowing down in the winter
- 20:44 – Reeling speeds
- 22:01 – MirrOlure Suspending Twitchbaits
- 25:46 – Altering the Paul Brown Corky Twitchbait
- 26:46 – Staying in the strike zone as long as possible
- 27:19 – Outgoing tides and creek mouths
- 31:34 – Tide swings and water levels in winter
- 32:10 – Negative tides
- 33:09 – Deep holes and cuts
- 37:51 – Fishing is a math equation
Conclusion
The onset of fall and winter bring cold weather and different fish behavior patterns that can be an obstacle for anglers.
This doesn’t mean you won’t catch fish, but rather you need to shift your thinking a bit and change up your preparation for the colder seasons.
Be sure to take into account the conditions around you and reflect back on this tea time when out on the water this winter!
Have any questions about fishing in colder weather?
Let us know down in the comments!
And if you know an angler who wants to learn more about fishing in fall and winter, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I’ve been taught to use bigger baits in the winter because the fish are lethargic and don’t want to expend a lot of energy on a small meal. Interesting that Justin uses smaller baits.
Very much enjoyed this. Thanks.
Glad to hear it was helpful for you Douglas! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the insights gentlemen! Large tide swings, negative tides, deep holes & cuts; etc…these are my waters here in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Very helpful discussion and presentation, much appreciated.
You’ve got some phenomenal fishing in the months to come Angelo!! Best of luck in the lowcountry!
Awesome stuff fellas! I think you both gave us all different angles to look at during the cold weather months. Tips and techniques much appreciated. Good job guys🎣💪
Absolutely Stan! Thanks so much for watching sir! Stay warm and tight lines!
Great tips guys! Justin you said to downsize your bait. I thought as we transition to colder months we need to increase the size of the bait. Is the smaller baits for the colder temps of winter and the larger size baits for the cooling temps of the fall? Thanks for all the info you guys put out, I have leaned more in the three weeks I’ve been an insider than the three years I was trying to figure it out on my own!
Good question, Jaxson. During the Fall Months, which we characterize as that time period between the Blazing Heat of Summer and the initial “Cooling Off” period of only a few weeks (generally 6-8 weeks), the largest variety of Baitfish tend to be present out on the flats and in the bays. It’s when we experience those larger Cold Fronts that can drop the water temperatures down in the mid-60’s and below that these larger Baitfish disappear, and all that remains are the smaller mullet/mud minnows/crustaceans/marine worms. It’s at that point it would serve to your benefit to imitate the type of baitfish forage that’s available to these predators during that transition. This is why it is important to downsize as the water gets Cold through December, January and February (generally speaking).
great discussion guys. Justin I live in Sebastian and I’ve never fished the Mosquito Lagoon however I’ve done some shrimping in the Haulover Canal. I’d like to fish it this winter any tips would greatly appreciated thank you tight lines.
Hey Michael! I’ll actually be doing some Haulover Canal Tips later on this winter. The Bull Reds will really start showing up more as this water temperature cools down, and I’ll be focusing the majority of my efforts around that main Bridge since the majority of the shrimp will cling to the pilings seeking refuge. The bite gets even better at Night 🙂
Excellent discussion … including a new never heard before $5 word…
Justin’s got a book full of them!!! Honestly, they’re my favorite part of any podcast he’s a guest on, haha!
How about bucktail jigs for bottom fishing?
Bucktails can definitely work great for those flounder moving out though channnel creeks and inlets/passes!