when or what date would you say winter is starting and no more fall fishing?

Winter "officially" begins on Dec 22..............but as far as your question, I think it depends on what part of the country you are from. Here in Colorado, winter is a lot different than winter in South Florida.........Ask Avid what winter is like in Florida but here in Colorado,fall fishing is down when the lakes freeze over...............

Hey,

We also quit down here if the lakes freeze over.

I was told not to watch the calendar but watch the water temperature.

As the cold fronts move in and the air temperature drops the water temperatures will do the same at the same ratio as the air temperatures.

However, it is important to note the water temperatures so you will have an idea of what the bass are doing and what are the best baits to throw.

Some guys throw buzzbaits constantly during the year.  I was taught to stop throwing buzzbaits when the water temperature reaches 79 degrees and lower.

So it is not the calendar that starts winter fishing; it is the water temperature that starts each season's fishing.

P.S.  I was also told that the number of hours of sunshine can have an affect on the fish, too.

So it is both the water temperature and hours of sunlight that determine how to fish your geographical area.

Ok no one else? When it get's cold. Couldn't resist.   :D

With all that said, what types of lures should be used during the colder months and what type of rigging works best.  Should I still fish for bass near structure and fallen trees?  Do I need to cast right into the middle of the lake?

Thanks guys.

Bass are still all over the lake, but deep structure is a high percentage choice. Lures may vary from region to region, but in the Mid South I fish soft plastics and jigs year around.

BM,

A few questions.

1) Do you fish from a boat?

2) Do the lakes you fish contain any submerged grass Hydrilla, Millfoil, Eel grass, pond weed etc?

The reason I ask this is because when I lived in Texas and fished during the winter. Texas gets cold too. Not up north cold but it freezes in N.Texas. Anyway, at lake Fork and other lakes I would fish shallow grassy flats with a deep creek channel near by with great success. I would fish this area with a red rattle trap. Why? Because the grass actually holds warmth in and the water temp is slightly higher there then out in the deep. Not saying there aren't fish out in deep water as there is. But I have proven to myself at least that I can catch good quality fish shallow even in 30+ degree weather. Water temps in the low 40's on rattle traps.

If your lake is sort of void of grass no worries as I have fished other non grassy lakes the same way with great results. What I look for in that case is the North side of the lake (Because in winter time cold air blows from the north going south and that cools the water in the south part of the lake faster then in the north part of the lake due to the terrain blocking some of that air) that is exposed to the sun. Go out on the sunniest blue bird day you can find in the winter time. Cloudy days have produced too but I prefer sunny days in the winter time. Fish with the same red rattle trap in the exposed sunny side of the north banks. Another lure to try is a spinnerbait. Both have produced well for me in December and January. December being the better of those 2 months.

This is sort of goes against the grain of what most say to do. But it works. I have also caught fish out in deep water in winter time. For that I suggest using a 1 ounce slab bait. Fish it on the bottom extremely slow. Experiment with it. Rip it off the bottom a few feet and let it fall down and then try barely lifting it off the bottom and let it settle back down slowly also. Slabs can be deadly in winter. Also late Fall slabs can produce bits that nothing else will. Keep that in mind.

Here in Florida it is a different game all together. That is what makes fishing so fun. It is a lifetime worth of learning.

Good luck.

To me, any water temp below 45 is winter.

Winter in Texas starts around 4:30am and ends around 8:30am, Dec 21- Feb 20. ;D

At any other time, its still summer.

A friend of mine in Houston once told me ya'll had three seasons: July, August and summer.

A friend of mine in Houston once told me ya'll had three seasons: July, August and summer.

In all actuality, there are only two seasons in Texas...

Spring football and Fall football.    8-)

George Welcome, if the lakes are freezing over where you are at, then we Northeastern people are in a serious deep freeze.

Here in Kansas it changes every 5-10 min.(old wives tale) I have seen 85 in Jan. and snow in June. Just stick your head out and if it's cold it's winter and if it's warm go fishin.

Hey,

We also quit down here if the lakes freeze over.

No need to quit George, I'd be glad to lend you my ice auger.

Roger

LAST DAY OF THE WORLD SERIES

I believe winter starts on the day I have to put the long johns on to go fishing.... that means it is colder than a brass toilet seat on a shady side of an iceberg. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

COLDER THAN A WELL DIGGERS BUTT

The Winter Solstice determines the first day of Winter. For the Northern Hemisphere it's when the Sun reaches it's most Southern point in the Southern Hemisphere. Technically that is.

After fall.

To my mind, winter begins when water temperatures drop below 50 deg F.

Of course, living in Florida I don't see much in the way of winter.

Roger