Frigid Success

By Monty McGuffin

 

 

    Lake Jocassee, Keowee and Hartwell, each an excellent fishery with huge fish populations and multiple species for local anglers to cash in on. Each is different from the other in many respects. However, when the mercury dips, all three have one thing in common; they don’t give up their fishes easily during the coldest period of the year. 

 

 

  When the water temperature of area lakes dip to the lower fifties and into the forties, catching fish becomes a difficult task, even for those with advanced skill. January through February is the toughest two months of the year for putting fish in the boat. The debate as to “WHY” is endless, but from my experience of over a span of forty plus years of fishing these lakes, I have discovered one simple technique that catches fish in “Frigid Temperatures”.

 

  First, let’s remember that fish are cold blooded creatures. If they are in forty five degree water then their body temperatures is forty five degrees. Think about it like this, if you have ever had to work on something outside in near freezing weather, it doesn’t take long before parts of your body start slowing down. Your hands and fingers get to where you can barely use them. Well, a fish’s metabolism does the same thing, they slow down.

 

  In the fish’s world if energy is not being expended, then food is needed in a very limited amount. Through years of observation both from above and below the surface of the water, I have witnessed that sometimes fish will seem almost frozen, suspended in the water, literally no movement at all. At this stage they are almost impossible to catch.

 

  Eventually the fish will get hungry and eat. A larger meal may not be the norm this time of the year. Question, “How many times have you heard about an angler catching a big fish on a tiny lure?” It happens a lot during this time of year.

 

 Tiny lures, jigs of 1/8 ounce to ¼ ounce in weight are the lure of choice. This is a lure that moves slowly through the water and when used correctly can be kept in the strike zone almost indefinitely.  Jigs are available in a multitude of colors. Plastic trailers, silicone skirts and my favorite, “Hair”, placed over the hook shank gives these tiny lures the appeal to make a cold fish want to eat.

 

  A popular technique for fishing a tiny jig is to place the jig a specific distance below a float and cast the rig to the targeted area. Twitching the rod slightly during a very slow retrieve will impart an irresistible action to the jig. With this method you can control the depth of the lure and you can also keep your lure in the strike zone for a very long period of time. You can also fish the jig very slowly along the bottom, stopping occasionally and twitching the jig to arouse the fish. The lead jig is the simplest and easiest lure to fish.

 

  A key note for the angler, “Keep it simple”. Let the jig do the work. Often the angler tries to impart too much action while fishing a jig. This is considered a lure with a very “suttle” action and usually just a slow retrieve is all that’s needed to draw the strike. Use small jigs and most importantly, “Be Patient”.

 

  Get a hand full of jigs, test the weather and the water at your favorite fish’n hole and you just might discover you like fishing jigs in frigid temperatures.

December 31, 2009   Posted in: Articles

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