You actually have to fish to catch them.

Oh trust me I have I just suck (first time winter fishing) and I probably just fish too fast

Oh trust me I have I just suck (first time winter fishing) and I probably just fish too fast

What lures have you been throwing? Normal lake or power plant lake?

What lures have you been throwing? Normal lake or power plant lake?

I tried la cygne once (engine broke so didn't fish much) but I have mainly tried normal lakes and I've been throwing jigs, spinnerbaits, anything to try to see what the fish bite but I've tried to focus on jerkbaits but I'm new to them

if its 20+ then the restraunt might be better. we could still do it here but that's when it starts to get crowded at 20+. it be me plus 3

Add me plus one! I may need a ride!! Freaking axle seal is killing me!!!! 

What time are you guyz thinking? I would like to make an appearance. Probably would be able to make it up from Lawrence around 7.

Think it's at 7 buddy. Hope you can make it!

Snuck out and fished Lenexa from shore today for an hour. Got three dinks all on a strike king jerkbait. Felt good to catch a few but was hoping for at least some size. Tried a finesse jig for awhile but no bites.

JayhawkKU, jerkbaits are the deal for me when the water gets cold, and I have a hard time trying anything else. Keep at it.

Can't make the Thursday night deal but sounds fun.

Snuck out and fished Lenexa from shore today for an hour. Got three dinks all on a strike king jerkbait. Felt good to catch a few but was hoping for at least some size. Tried a finesse jig for awhile but no bites.

JayhawkKU, jerkbaits are the deal for me when the water gets cold, and I have a hard time trying anything else. Keep at it.

Wow I fish lenexa a lot and haven't caught anything but I've barely thrown jerks their

Can't make the Thursday night deal but sounds fun.

I haven't caught squat on a jerkbait in over a month.

I tried la cygne once (engine broke so didn't fish much) but I have mainly tried normal lakes and I've been throwing jigs, spinnerbaits, anything to try to see what the fish bite but I've tried to focus on jerkbaits but I'm new to them

This is my first winter fishing too and my numbers of fish are definitely down, but the jerk bait has been able to pretty consistently put a few in the boat for me.

This is my first winter fishing too and my numbers of fish are definitely down, but the jerk bait has been able to pretty consistently put a few in the boat for me.

Ya it looks like I'll have to try those more

What time are you guyz thinking? I would like to make an appearance. Probably would be able to make it up from Lawrence around 7.

I got the room reserved for 7PM on Thursday to make it a little easier for guys that have to work, or are coming from longer distances.

 

how do you guys do it? I haven't caught a dam fish since November.

Fish are cold blooded, so they move slowly in cold water and they don't have to eat as often. Your bait has to almost sit right on their noses to get them to bite most days. I mainly rely on a jerkbait like others have said. I have to physically count out my pauses to keep myself from fishing too fast when it's cold. I usually start out counting 5 one thousands until the water gets in the low 40's, then I'll start at 10 one thousands, all the way to 30 if that's what it takes. The hard part is having the confidence and patience to wait that long. I have to be sure I'm in the right area to wait that long. Also, you're bait is imitating another cold blooded creature, so it should move slowly and subtly. Short, soft twitches or even short, straight pulls are the key at times. If you can't get the feel for a jerkbait, get a flat sided crankbait, preferably wooden and silent but plastic works also. Find one that is either suspending or a very slow floater or add weight to one to get it to do one of those. Crank it very slowly with lots of pauses, 2 or 3 slow rotations of the reel handle and stop. Wiggle Warts also work very well in the cold water, some great Youtube videos on how to fish them in very cold water. I like to drag a finesse jig or shakyhead also, the hard part is often the amount of leaves and debris on the bottom of our lakes this time of year, makes it almost impossible to fish one properly.

 

Add me plus one! I may need a ride!! Freaking axle seal is killing me!!!! 

If you need a lift let me know, I'll be off so I can come pick you up and drop you off. 

 

This is my first winter fishing too and my numbers of fish are definitely down, but the jerk bait has been able to pretty consistently put a few in the boat for me.

Are you doing any good at Blue Springs? I've thought about trying Jacomo or Prairie Lee but unsure of how the bite is at any of those lakes in the cold weather months. 

I got the room reserved for 7PM on Thursday to make it a little easier for guys that have to work, or are coming from longer distances.

 

Fish are cold blooded, so they move slowly in cold water and they don't have to eat as often. Your bait has to almost sit right on their noses to get them to bite most days. I mainly rely on a jerkbait like others have said. I have to physically count out my pauses to keep myself from fishing too fast when it's cold. I usually start out counting 5 one thousands until the water gets in the low 40's, then I'll start at 10 one thousands, all the way to 30 if that's what it takes. The hard part is having the confidence and patience to wait that long. I have to be sure I'm in the right area to wait that long. Also, you're bait is imitating another cold blooded creature, so it should move slowly and subtly. Short, soft twitches or even short, straight pulls are the key at times. If you can't get the feel for a jerkbait, get a flat sided crankbait, preferably wooden and silent but plastic works also. Find one that is either suspending or a very slow floater or add weight to one to get it to do one of those. Crank it very slowly with lots of pauses, 2 or 3 slow rotations of the reel handle and stop. Wiggle Warts also work very well in the cold water, some great Youtube videos on how to fish them in very cold water. I like to drag a finesse jig or shakyhead also, the hard part is often the amount of leaves and debris on the bottom of our lakes this time of year, makes it almost impossible to fish one properly.

 

If you need a lift let me know, I'll be off so I can come pick you up and drop you off. 

 

Are you doing any good at Blue Springs? I've thought about trying Jacomo or Prairie Lee but unsure of how the bite is at any of those lakes in the cold weather months. 

We've mainly been fishing Prairie Lee. We tried blue springs a few times in November and got like one bite in 3 trips. I've heard from quite a few guys that Praire Lee is a good jerk bait lake; I've seen more nice bass boats there in the winter than I do in the summer. Numbers are down but average size is up, even for my brother and I, who haven't ever fished winter before.

I have only fished Prairie Lee once and we did pretty decent but average size was not great. It did seem to have the right makeup to have a pretty decent bite when it's cold out (fairly clear water, steep drops). Plus the small size makes locating fish much easier (in theory anyways). I guess I should have given it a try, looking at the extended forecast, it'll probably be frozen over before long

Add me plus one! I may need a ride!! Freaking axle seal is killing me!!!! 

I won't be able to make it (business development meeting in a duck blind that night) or I'd give you a ride.  Sounds like you need the whole axle assembly.

Count me in with possibly a plus one.  

Add me plus one! I may need a ride!! Freaking axle seal is killing me!!!! 

I can give you a ride but since I live near you if you'd like.

Count me in with possibly a plus one.  

I can give you a ride but since I live near you if you'd like.

 

 

I won't be able to make it (business development meeting in a duck blind that night) or I'd give you a ride.  Sounds like you need the whole axle assembly.

 

 

I have only fished Prairie Lee once and we did pretty decent but average size was not great. It did seem to have the right makeup to have a pretty decent bite when it's cold out (fairly clear water, steep drops). Plus the small size makes locating fish much easier (in theory anyways). I guess I should have given it a try, looking at the extended forecast, it'll probably be frozen over before long

Thanks!!! I spent two hours Saturday replacing the seal and bearings only to notice the POS leaking again Sunday after noon, I will grab a ride if not fixed by then from Sizzle or Doc since they are the closest to my house, Adam yes maybe but i hope not!! Thats another $175

Ill try and swing by Thursday for una cerveza

So do we have a head count for Thursday? Some real interesting text coming out of the Dotte this afternoon!!  

I'm in and can bring the boxing gloves if needed?

Not sure who is bringing their families and everything but right now I think 15-20. I said 30 when I reserved it in case a bunch showed up.

4 of us will be there

im out

im out

Good thing we didn't plan it at your house!

I'll be there dudez! Looking forward to seeing you guys and talking shop. Been a minute.

 

Also, along those same lines...looks like I'll finally have some time to come up for air after Christmas, and will be taking a much needed break from 12/30 through 1/5. Just picked up the rig from US Boatworks in KCK today, and am looking forward to getting back on the water as soon as freaking possible and running the hell out of this new motor. So after we've all gotten our holiday stuff out of the way, let's make some plans. Open seat for any and all of those days.

Caught what is likely my last fish of the year not from a power plant lake yesterday (the way La Cygne has been fishing it might still be my last fish of the year  ). One of my secret ponds in the middle of the woods. I was hoping it wasn't effected too bad by the rain but it was pretty stained and killed my hopes of getting a jerkbait bite.