You fish any time there is open water despite the water temp. The key is changing your presentation, key are cold and slow so fish accordingly. Jigs, plastics, and suspending jerk baits are just a few baits that work best this time of year. Just a tip if you decide to go out before the water reaches the mid to high 50's is fish slow and when you think you are fishing slow fish slower. Oh and be a line watcher, bite will be light and more often than not they are seen as opposed to felt.

Good luck and be safe...

You fish any time there is open water despite the water temp. The key is changing your presentation, key are cold and slow so fish accordingly. Jigs, plastics, and suspending jerk baits are just a few baits that work best this time of year. Just a tip if you decide to go out before the water reaches the mid to high 50's is fish slow and when you think you are fishing slow fish slower. Oh and be a line watcher, bite will be light and more often than not they are seen as opposed to felt.

Good luck and be safe...

yea, my ponds must unfroze past week, i've been fishing them and ive got some bass, no huge ones though, yet

Usually in the winter or early spring, I go for stocked pond bass.. hah.. Not too much going on in the rivers with a winter we just had in OH. If you have a boat, get out there and work the banks with jigs, spinner baits, rooster tails, or 5" Yamamoto Green Pumpkin plastics. Works great for me!! But on the other hand, I had a good laugh when you said you were gonna get out in January.