Winter Fishing

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, Norm's the only guy I know that thinks far enough out of the box to try topwaters in water below 40 degrees, but he actually catches fish on them. Of course, it helps that he has forgotten more about finding and catching smallies in all seasons than most of us will ever learn. I will say, Norm, that I suspect it's partly a function of the waters you fish, which as I understand it are murky and fairly shallow even in the winter, so there are more fish "within reach" of topwaters than on the Ozark streams we fish. But maybe I'm wrong...but I'd still fill pretty silly trying topwaters in January on the Meramec.

[Justin Spencer]

since most of the canoe rentals are closed.

Look me up I usually need the money in the wintertime, if you got the money honey I got the time! Ramen noodles get pretty old by March.

[Smalliebigs]

most definitely, trophy smallie time.

how many of you fish topwaters in the middle of winter?

I do, slow and suttle all winter long.

[Mitch f]

I do, slow and suttle all winter long.

I take it you have had success or you wouldn't keep doing it, Do you usually catch the big ones in winter using topwater?

[zipstick]

Fellows, if we don't get some rain, you're going to have to be very, very skilled to catch them this winter. I imagine I'll be spending more time on flat water this winter than on rivers if this dry weather holds up. We already have 8 feet of vis in the streams now with very low water. Take that water temp down to the low 40's, and it will be a much tougher bite than it was in '08 and '09. (even on topwaters)

[Mitch f]

Fellows, if we don't get some rain, you're going to have to be very, very skilled to catch them this winter. I imagine I'll be spending more time on flat water this winter than on rivers if this dry weather holds up. We already have 8 feet of vis in the streams now with very low water. Take that water temp down to the low 40's, and it will be a much tougher bite than it was in '08 and '09. (even on topwaters)

That's a bad combination for catching smallies...low and clear, great if you're a gigger

[Smalliebigs]

I take it you have had success or you wouldn't keep doing it, Do you usually catch the big ones in winter using topwater?

nope, the biggest come on an Arkie, foxnfeather jig I add a little to, kinda what you and Nick fish.I agree with Nick...where's the rain??? I took my 17 ft /oldtown SS with a 5 hp on it and hit ground several times between Shady beach up to the state park in Sullivan on the Meramec.We caught some nice fish but the big dawgs were not in their holes yet.One thing I do like about these water conditions on the Meramec..is you can see everything when it's this low and clear, it's awsome!!!!

[taxidermist]

Back when I duck hunted Bull Shoals I always took my fishing rod. Its amazing that largemouth will bust top waters int he middle of the decoys.

We fish White River all winter long, wifes rules for her are 40F by 10am and sunny. Me I go everytime I get a chance as long as the launch ramp is not iced over.

[Bman]

Fellows, if we don't get some rain, you're going to have to be very, very skilled to catch them this winter. I imagine I'll be spending more time on flat water this winter than on rivers if this dry weather holds up. We already have 8 feet of vis in the streams now with very low water. Take that water temp down to the low 40's, and it will be a much tougher bite than it was in '08 and '09. (even on topwaters)

I hate to hear that, especially since it comes from the winter Smallie guru.

[Norm M]

Al,

Thank you, for the kind words.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is a function of that type of flow. It actually all got started after a couple of drought years the bottom was carpeted with algal type growths and fishing anything on the bottom was impossible. The fish couldn't see the bottom let alone forage there, thus they were all feeding up.

I've been continuing to fish topwaters all winter since and have found that even in my flow it doesn't work everywhere. It isn't a high percentage type of fishing to be sure but it is an option.

It works best in areas where shad are present and surprisingly days in which the winds are pushing whitecaps upstream can be the best.

I wasn't advocating everyone rush out and try it, just wondering if folks in other parts of the country had any experiences with it.