Winter Patterns
 

Hi all,

I live in Western North Carolina, where the weather has been anything But
normal. It has been unseasonably warm here, and today I was going to take
the boat out, but wouldn't you know, woke up to high winds overcast skies
and a bitter cold snap in the air. Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter. I have never really fished in winter as have
had no such luck, I have always thought, winter=Deep, and I hate fishing
deep. Is this true? I like boat docks or other structures, but hate deep,
although my tackle salesman has told me that verticle jigging was the way to
go this time of year, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in
advance,
Scooter

Winter Patterns
 

Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter.

I consider this weather in the south late fall - I like crankbaits shallow
around rocks and wood cover from November thru March. As long as the water
temps stay above 45 I can catch some bass on that pattern. If it is above 50 it
is even better.

Last Sunday the water temps here in middle GA were in the upper 50s - 58 most
places I checked. I landed five bass weighing 11.67 pounds in a club
tournament, all on a Fat Free Shad in 7 feet or less. Guy that won had a 6
pounder and five at 13.42 on crankbaits, too. My partner landed four weighing
5.92 on crankbaits.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter.

I consider this weather in the south late fall - I like crankbaits shallow
around rocks and wood cover from November thru March. As long as the water
temps stay above 45 I can catch some bass on that pattern. If it is above 50 it
is even better.

Last Sunday the water temps here in middle GA were in the upper 50s - 58 most
places I checked. I landed five bass weighing 11.67 pounds in a club
tournament, all on a Fat Free Shad in 7 feet or less. Guy that won had a 6
pounder and five at 13.42 on crankbaits, too. My partner landed four weighing
5.92 on crankbaits.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

I do thank you very much for that info. I know that Bass Times articles
have highly stressed crank baits in the backs of creeks for this time of
year, (following the shad). So sad to hear about the two GA guys who lost
there life on Lake Keowee last weekend in that tournament. I plan on hitting
Hartwell on Monday morning, I will have to tie on a few crank baits. Thanks
again for the info. I do appreciate it.

Scooter




"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter.

I consider this weather in the south late fall - I like crankbaits
shallow
around rocks and wood cover from November thru March. As long as the
water
temps stay above 45 I can catch some bass on that pattern. If it is
above 50 it
is even better.

Last Sunday the water temps here in middle GA were in the upper 50s - 58
most
places I checked. I landed five bass weighing 11.67 pounds in a club
tournament, all on a Fat Free Shad in 7 feet or less. Guy that won had
a 6
pounder and five at 13.42 on crankbaits, too. My partner landed four
weighing
5.92 on crankbaits.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

I do thank you very much for that info. I know that Bass Times articles
have highly stressed crank baits in the backs of creeks for this time of
year, (following the shad). So sad to hear about the two GA guys who lost
there life on Lake Keowee last weekend in that tournament. I plan on hitting
Hartwell on Monday morning, I will have to tie on a few crank baits. Thanks
again for the info. I do appreciate it.

Scooter




"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter.

I consider this weather in the south late fall - I like crankbaits
shallow
around rocks and wood cover from November thru March. As long as the
water
temps stay above 45 I can catch some bass on that pattern. If it is
above 50 it
is even better.

Last Sunday the water temps here in middle GA were in the upper 50s - 58
most
places I checked. I landed five bass weighing 11.67 pounds in a club
tournament, all on a Fat Free Shad in 7 feet or less. Guy that won had
a 6
pounder and five at 13.42 on crankbaits, too. My partner landed four
weighing
5.92 on crankbaits.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Scott Brown wrote:
Hi all,

I live in Western North Carolina, where the weather has been anything But
normal. It has been unseasonably warm here, and today I was going to take
the boat out, but wouldn't you know, woke up to high winds overcast skies
and a bitter cold snap in the air. Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter. I have never really fished in winter as have
had no such luck, I have always thought, winter=Deep, and I hate fishing
deep. Is this true? I like boat docks or other structures, but hate deep,
although my tackle salesman has told me that verticle jigging was the way to
go this time of year, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in
advance,
Scooter



Bass in your part of the world don't actually have winter, do they?

I love late fall/winter fishing. By late fall/early winter I mean water
temps under 50 but warm enough that I don't have to cut a damned hole in
the surface to catch a fish. The bass bunch up in predictable areas now.
Some times (most times in many lakes, but much less so in others) those
places they bunch up in are deep. But in others they might only be 8 to
12 feet a lot of the time. Whatever combination of conditions offers
them the most environmental stability in any particular habitat.

Today where I was fishing, the air temp was in the low 50s and it was
cloudy and calm. The water was 39 to 41. I caught 20 bass, all on smoke
grubs fished on 1/8 and 1/4 ounce jigheads on light spinning gear. A
couple came from less than 20 feet, but most came from 28 to 34 feet.
They weren't giants, but it was a fun day. Here's the biggest one...

http://www.richz.com/fishing/images/...h-12-11-04.jpg

Winter Patterns
 

Scott Brown wrote:
Hi all,

I live in Western North Carolina, where the weather has been anything But
normal. It has been unseasonably warm here, and today I was going to take
the boat out, but wouldn't you know, woke up to high winds overcast skies
and a bitter cold snap in the air. Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter. I have never really fished in winter as have
had no such luck, I have always thought, winter=Deep, and I hate fishing
deep. Is this true? I like boat docks or other structures, but hate deep,
although my tackle salesman has told me that verticle jigging was the way to
go this time of year, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in
advance,
Scooter



Bass in your part of the world don't actually have winter, do they?

I love late fall/winter fishing. By late fall/early winter I mean water
temps under 50 but warm enough that I don't have to cut a damned hole in
the surface to catch a fish. The bass bunch up in predictable areas now.
Some times (most times in many lakes, but much less so in others) those
places they bunch up in are deep. But in others they might only be 8 to
12 feet a lot of the time. Whatever combination of conditions offers
them the most environmental stability in any particular habitat.

Today where I was fishing, the air temp was in the low 50s and it was
cloudy and calm. The water was 39 to 41. I caught 20 bass, all on smoke
grubs fished on 1/8 and 1/4 ounce jigheads on light spinning gear. A
couple came from less than 20 feet, but most came from 28 to 34 feet.
They weren't giants, but it was a fun day. Here's the biggest one...

http://www.richz.com/fishing/images/...h-12-11-04.jpg

Winter Patterns
 

That was a good looking fish,

Now I wished I had gone out on the water today instead of being lazy,
but there is always tomorow or Monday, or Tuesday or... You spoke of
predictable areas that bass bunch up, where is a good place to start
looking? Points, humps, structures? I have a decent Lowrance X-135 that I am
very fond of, but have not learned to use it to it's potential. I am not a
very knowledgable bass fisherman, in the summer, I know that I can catch
them around boat houses or docks, and do fairly well on occasions, it is
more of a hit and miss though, nothin of any consistancy. On the smoke color
jigs, did you locate the fish, and then back off of them, and cast over
them, and reel through the school or did you verticle jig? I surely would
appreciate any information you can provide, and I thank you in advance.

Scooter




"RichZ" wrote in message
...
Scott Brown wrote:
Hi all,

I live in Western North Carolina, where the weather has been
anything But
normal. It has been unseasonably warm here, and today I was going to
take
the boat out, but wouldn't you know, woke up to high winds overcast
skies
and a bitter cold snap in the air. Was wondering if any of you could
tell
me what works best in winter. I have never really fished in winter as
have
had no such luck, I have always thought, winter=Deep, and I hate
fishing
deep. Is this true? I like boat docks or other structures, but hate
deep,
although my tackle salesman has told me that verticle jigging was the
way to
go this time of year, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in
advance,
Scooter



Bass in your part of the world don't actually have winter, do they?

I love late fall/winter fishing. By late fall/early winter I mean water
temps under 50 but warm enough that I don't have to cut a damned hole in

the surface to catch a fish. The bass bunch up in predictable areas now.
Some times (most times in many lakes, but much less so in others) those
places they bunch up in are deep. But in others they might only be 8 to
12 feet a lot of the time. Whatever combination of conditions offers
them the most environmental stability in any particular habitat.

Today where I was fishing, the air temp was in the low 50s and it was
cloudy and calm. The water was 39 to 41. I caught 20 bass, all on smoke
grubs fished on 1/8 and 1/4 ounce jigheads on light spinning gear. A
couple came from less than 20 feet, but most came from 28 to 34 feet.
They weren't giants, but it was a fun day. Here's the biggest one...

http://www.richz.com/fishing/images/...h-12-11-04.jpg

Winter Patterns
 

That was a good looking fish,

Now I wished I had gone out on the water today instead of being lazy,
but there is always tomorow or Monday, or Tuesday or... You spoke of
predictable areas that bass bunch up, where is a good place to start
looking? Points, humps, structures? I have a decent Lowrance X-135 that I am
very fond of, but have not learned to use it to it's potential. I am not a
very knowledgable bass fisherman, in the summer, I know that I can catch
them around boat houses or docks, and do fairly well on occasions, it is
more of a hit and miss though, nothin of any consistancy. On the smoke color
jigs, did you locate the fish, and then back off of them, and cast over
them, and reel through the school or did you verticle jig? I surely would
appreciate any information you can provide, and I thank you in advance.

Scooter




"RichZ" wrote in message
...
Scott Brown wrote:
Hi all,

I live in Western North Carolina, where the weather has been
anything But
normal. It has been unseasonably warm here, and today I was going to
take
the boat out, but wouldn't you know, woke up to high winds overcast
skies
and a bitter cold snap in the air. Was wondering if any of you could
tell
me what works best in winter. I have never really fished in winter as
have
had no such luck, I have always thought, winter=Deep, and I hate
fishing
deep. Is this true? I like boat docks or other structures, but hate
deep,
although my tackle salesman has told me that verticle jigging was the
way to
go this time of year, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in
advance,
Scooter



Bass in your part of the world don't actually have winter, do they?

I love late fall/winter fishing. By late fall/early winter I mean water
temps under 50 but warm enough that I don't have to cut a damned hole in

the surface to catch a fish. The bass bunch up in predictable areas now.
Some times (most times in many lakes, but much less so in others) those
places they bunch up in are deep. But in others they might only be 8 to
12 feet a lot of the time. Whatever combination of conditions offers
them the most environmental stability in any particular habitat.

Today where I was fishing, the air temp was in the low 50s and it was
cloudy and calm. The water was 39 to 41. I caught 20 bass, all on smoke
grubs fished on 1/8 and 1/4 ounce jigheads on light spinning gear. A
couple came from less than 20 feet, but most came from 28 to 34 feet.
They weren't giants, but it was a fun day. Here's the biggest one...

http://www.richz.com/fishing/images/...h-12-11-04.jpg

Winter Patterns
 

highly stressed crank baits in the backs of creeks for this time of
year, (following the shad). So sad to hear about the two GA guys who lost
there life on Lake Keowee last

Had not heard about the deaths in the tournament on Keowee - have any more
info about it?

The shad have not really moved back yet here, but this cold snap may be what
they need. We were catching most of our fish on main lake points to the first
point in creeks and coves.

I did an article for Georgia Outdoor News about November bass fishing at
Hartwell. That article stressed fishing in the creeks with Shadraps and jig and
pig. The bass should be on that pattern at HArtwell now - we fished the little
creeks around the bridge in Twenty and Six mile (or Twentysix on some maps)
creek. Near Portman Shoals Marina anyway.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

highly stressed crank baits in the backs of creeks for this time of
year, (following the shad). So sad to hear about the two GA guys who lost
there life on Lake Keowee last

Had not heard about the deaths in the tournament on Keowee - have any more
info about it?

The shad have not really moved back yet here, but this cold snap may be what
they need. We were catching most of our fish on main lake points to the first
point in creeks and coves.

I did an article for Georgia Outdoor News about November bass fishing at
Hartwell. That article stressed fishing in the creeks with Shadraps and jig and
pig. The bass should be on that pattern at HArtwell now - we fished the little
creeks around the bridge in Twenty and Six mile (or Twentysix on some maps)
creek. Near Portman Shoals Marina anyway.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Thanks so much,

I am not sure if I am headed towards Hartwell or a small local lake here
in N.C., it was a private lake at one time and just went public, so I amm
not sure which one I will be hitting as I have to work at 3pm Monday. But if
I go to Hartwell, I will for sure fish the area you have recommended. As for
the deaths of the two tourney men, this is all I could muster up. Hope this
helps. (I had thought that they were both from N. Augusta, but I guess not.


GREENVILLE -- Speed and lack of visibility are thought to be factors in a
boating collision that killed two men on Lake Keowee, Pickens County
officials say.

Christopher Lee Wilson, 34, of Central, and Joshua Kaleb Merck, 24, of Six
Mile, were killed Saturday at about 2 p.m., Coroner James Mahanes said.

"One boat went over top of the other," the coroner said.





"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
highly stressed crank baits in the backs of creeks for this time of
year, (following the shad). So sad to hear about the two GA guys who
lost
there life on Lake Keowee last

Had not heard about the deaths in the tournament on Keowee - have any
more
info about it?

The shad have not really moved back yet here, but this cold snap may be
what
they need. We were catching most of our fish on main lake points to the
first
point in creeks and coves.

I did an article for Georgia Outdoor News about November bass fishing at
Hartwell. That article stressed fishing in the creeks with Shadraps and
jig and
pig. The bass should be on that pattern at HArtwell now - we fished the
little
creeks around the bridge in Twenty and Six mile (or Twentysix on some
maps)
creek. Near Portman Shoals Marina anyway.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Thanks so much,

I am not sure if I am headed towards Hartwell or a small local lake here
in N.C., it was a private lake at one time and just went public, so I amm
not sure which one I will be hitting as I have to work at 3pm Monday. But if
I go to Hartwell, I will for sure fish the area you have recommended. As for
the deaths of the two tourney men, this is all I could muster up. Hope this
helps. (I had thought that they were both from N. Augusta, but I guess not.


GREENVILLE -- Speed and lack of visibility are thought to be factors in a
boating collision that killed two men on Lake Keowee, Pickens County
officials say.

Christopher Lee Wilson, 34, of Central, and Joshua Kaleb Merck, 24, of Six
Mile, were killed Saturday at about 2 p.m., Coroner James Mahanes said.

"One boat went over top of the other," the coroner said.





"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
highly stressed crank baits in the backs of creeks for this time of
year, (following the shad). So sad to hear about the two GA guys who
lost
there life on Lake Keowee last

Had not heard about the deaths in the tournament on Keowee - have any
more
info about it?

The shad have not really moved back yet here, but this cold snap may be
what
they need. We were catching most of our fish on main lake points to the
first
point in creeks and coves.

I did an article for Georgia Outdoor News about November bass fishing at
Hartwell. That article stressed fishing in the creeks with Shadraps and
jig and
pig. The bass should be on that pattern at HArtwell now - we fished the
little
creeks around the bridge in Twenty and Six mile (or Twentysix on some
maps)
creek. Near Portman Shoals Marina anyway.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Speed and lack of visibility are thought to be factors in a
boating collision that killed two men on Lake Keowee, Pickens County
officials say.

Thanks for the info. I don't know what happened, but it always amazes me folks
will run wide open and be on the wrong side of a point or channel where
visibility is bad. If boaters would keep right when rounding points and running
channels, it would help some. Most boaters don't have any concept of the keep
right rule.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Speed and lack of visibility are thought to be factors in a
boating collision that killed two men on Lake Keowee, Pickens County
officials say.

Thanks for the info. I don't know what happened, but it always amazes me folks
will run wide open and be on the wrong side of a point or channel where
visibility is bad. If boaters would keep right when rounding points and running
channels, it would help some. Most boaters don't have any concept of the keep
right rule.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Speed and lack of visibility are thought to be factors in a
boating collision that killed two men on Lake Keowee, Pickens County
officials say.

Thanks for the info. I don't know what happened, but it always amazes me folks
will run wide open and be on the wrong side of a point or channel where
visibility is bad. If boaters would keep right when rounding points and running
channels, it would help some. Most boaters don't have any concept of the keep
right rule.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

RGarri7470 wrote:
Most boaters don't have any concept of the keep
right rule.

I have actually had boat operators scream at me for staying to the right
in a narrow channel, and tell me it was "...the other side on the water."

Winter Patterns
 

I have actually had boat operators scream at me for staying to the right
in a narrow channel, and tell me it was "...the other side on the water.

I know - I think that is because the steering wheel is on the right in boats as
opposed to the left in autos - that must confuse them. It is obvious they have
not bothered to read the regulations.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

I have actually had boat operators scream at me for staying to the right
in a narrow channel, and tell me it was "...the other side on the water.

I know - I think that is because the steering wheel is on the right in boats as
opposed to the left in autos - that must confuse them. It is obvious they have
not bothered to read the regulations.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

RGarri7470 wrote:
I think that is because the steering wheel is on the right in boats as
opposed to the left in autos

That explains it on the water. But how do you explain it with women
pushing shopping carts in supermarkets?

Winter Patterns
 

RGarri7470 wrote:
I think that is because the steering wheel is on the right in boats as
opposed to the left in autos

That explains it on the water. But how do you explain it with women
pushing shopping carts in supermarkets?

Winter Patterns
 

RGarri7470 wrote:
I think that is because the steering wheel is on the right in boats as
opposed to the left in autos

That explains it on the water. But how do you explain it with women
pushing shopping carts in supermarkets?

I never try to explain anything having to do with women!
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

"Scott Brown" wrote in message
. ..
Hi all,

I live in Western North Carolina, where the weather has been anything
But
normal. It has been unseasonably warm here, and today I was going to take
the boat out, but wouldn't you know, woke up to high winds overcast skies
and a bitter cold snap in the air. Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter. I have never really fished in winter as have
had no such luck, I have always thought, winter=Deep, and I hate fishing
deep. Is this true? I like boat docks or other structures, but hate deep,
although my tackle salesman has told me that verticle jigging was the way
to
go this time of year, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in
advance,
Scooter


Can't comment on Winter out west Scott, but I'm in Raleigh and fish Jordan,
Harris and Falls Lakes with some regularity during the cold months (no
skiers or PWCers to deal with) and some adages hold true sometimes, and
other times, they don't.

If it is a clear, chilly and low wind day, absolutely, fish deep or don't
fish at all around here. I look for the thermocline on the LCD and fish
ledges that may criss cross that warmer water in the water column. Fishing
is usually slow like this, but when you do get bit, it is normally a better
quality of fish.

The absloute BEST days to fish in cold weather around here (again, being the
Piedmont of NC and not the mountains) is to wait for dreary days, even in
light rain. Usually I like to go after a day of rain, if it is still
overcast, as it sets up what has been my best pattern to find/figure out.
The runoff is usually at or above the lake water temp, which causes warm
water pockets in coves (or anywhere runoff is apparent near a bank), and it
also stains the water up some. Mix that with overcast, and the fish will
usually move up and appear to feed regularly. My largest bass ever caught
have been in this pattern, with bright (chrome usually) rat-l-traps, in
anywhere from 1' to 10' of water. If the water isn't so stained, go to a
quieter crank bait, and one with a baitfish color if you have one (shad,
tenn shad, and bleeding shad all work good in clearer water here). I find
Rapala's line of crank baits to be good, just enough rattle, good baitfish
paint schemes, and their bills can take a beating on submerged rocks and
brush without causing them to swim funny (lakes around here have rip-rap
rock in areas where this "warm water runoff" occurs, near bridges etc).

That said, the "pros" and "guides" around here will tell you to find
dropoffs, and deep flats, and fish dark color jigs/pigs too. I've done "ok"
trying that, but you literally have to be on top of the fish to catch them
that way so the swimming bait tends to "find" more fish for me to catch.
I've caught more fish during Dec-Feb slow rolling small spinnerbaits in deep
water than I have jigging for them, but I ain't a pro so my advice is worth
exactly what you're paying for it... :-)

Good luck out there. We're going to spend Christmas and New Year's at our
cabin up there outside Valle Crucis (near Boone, Foscoe, Linville, etc).
Hoping to see some snow on the ground this year for Christmas, figured for
us flatlanders, our cabin would be the best bet. So, do you ever do any
trout fishing up that way? Our land up there abuts a legal "fishing portion"
of one of the local streams and I've toyed with the idea of learning to fly
fish sometime for those little trout up there...

Winter Patterns
 

"Scott Brown" wrote in message
. ..
Hi all,

I live in Western North Carolina, where the weather has been anything
But
normal. It has been unseasonably warm here, and today I was going to take
the boat out, but wouldn't you know, woke up to high winds overcast skies
and a bitter cold snap in the air. Was wondering if any of you could tell
me what works best in winter. I have never really fished in winter as have
had no such luck, I have always thought, winter=Deep, and I hate fishing
deep. Is this true? I like boat docks or other structures, but hate deep,
although my tackle salesman has told me that verticle jigging was the way
to
go this time of year, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in
advance,
Scooter


Can't comment on Winter out west Scott, but I'm in Raleigh and fish Jordan,
Harris and Falls Lakes with some regularity during the cold months (no
skiers or PWCers to deal with) and some adages hold true sometimes, and
other times, they don't.

If it is a clear, chilly and low wind day, absolutely, fish deep or don't
fish at all around here. I look for the thermocline on the LCD and fish
ledges that may criss cross that warmer water in the water column. Fishing
is usually slow like this, but when you do get bit, it is normally a better
quality of fish.

The absloute BEST days to fish in cold weather around here (again, being the
Piedmont of NC and not the mountains) is to wait for dreary days, even in
light rain. Usually I like to go after a day of rain, if it is still
overcast, as it sets up what has been my best pattern to find/figure out.
The runoff is usually at or above the lake water temp, which causes warm
water pockets in coves (or anywhere runoff is apparent near a bank), and it
also stains the water up some. Mix that with overcast, and the fish will
usually move up and appear to feed regularly. My largest bass ever caught
have been in this pattern, with bright (chrome usually) rat-l-traps, in
anywhere from 1' to 10' of water. If the water isn't so stained, go to a
quieter crank bait, and one with a baitfish color if you have one (shad,
tenn shad, and bleeding shad all work good in clearer water here). I find
Rapala's line of crank baits to be good, just enough rattle, good baitfish
paint schemes, and their bills can take a beating on submerged rocks and
brush without causing them to swim funny (lakes around here have rip-rap
rock in areas where this "warm water runoff" occurs, near bridges etc).

That said, the "pros" and "guides" around here will tell you to find
dropoffs, and deep flats, and fish dark color jigs/pigs too. I've done "ok"
trying that, but you literally have to be on top of the fish to catch them
that way so the swimming bait tends to "find" more fish for me to catch.
I've caught more fish during Dec-Feb slow rolling small spinnerbaits in deep
water than I have jigging for them, but I ain't a pro so my advice is worth
exactly what you're paying for it... :-)

Good luck out there. We're going to spend Christmas and New Year's at our
cabin up there outside Valle Crucis (near Boone, Foscoe, Linville, etc).
Hoping to see some snow on the ground this year for Christmas, figured for
us flatlanders, our cabin would be the best bet. So, do you ever do any
trout fishing up that way? Our land up there abuts a legal "fishing portion"
of one of the local streams and I've toyed with the idea of learning to fly
fish sometime for those little trout up there...

Winter Patterns
 

I'm in Raleigh and fish Jordan,
Harris and Falls Lakes with some regularity

Ever run into Chris Ferguson on those lakes? I visited him in the spring a
couple of years ago and had a great time fishing those lakes.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

I'm in Raleigh and fish Jordan,
Harris and Falls Lakes with some regularity

Ever run into Chris Ferguson on those lakes? I visited him in the spring a
couple of years ago and had a great time fishing those lakes.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Chris Ferguson - isn't that the long-haired poker player they call "Jesus"?

warren ;-)

"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
I'm in Raleigh and fish Jordan,
Harris and Falls Lakes with some regularity

Ever run into Chris Ferguson on those lakes? I visited him in the spring
a
couple of years ago and had a great time fishing those lakes.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Chris Ferguson - isn't that the long-haired poker player they call "Jesus"?

warren ;-)

"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
I'm in Raleigh and fish Jordan,
Harris and Falls Lakes with some regularity

Ever run into Chris Ferguson on those lakes? I visited him in the spring
a
couple of years ago and had a great time fishing those lakes.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Chris Ferguson - isn't that the long-haired poker player they call "Jesus"?

warren ;-)


maybe, but the one in North Carolina is a tech at a necular power plant and
loves to bass fish. He used the name Lipjerker on my forum.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

Chris Ferguson - isn't that the long-haired poker player they call "Jesus"?

warren ;-)


maybe, but the one in North Carolina is a tech at a necular power plant and
loves to bass fish. He used the name Lipjerker on my forum.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
I'm in Raleigh and fish Jordan,
Harris and Falls Lakes with some regularity

Ever run into Chris Ferguson on those lakes? I visited him in the spring
a
couple of years ago and had a great time fishing those lakes.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

I've run into a fella named Chris on Harris a couple of times, never got a
last name though. Does he work at Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant by chance?
This is the plant that Harris Res/Lake is the cooling body for, would make
sense that he'd fish it. Jordan is much larger than Harris (Harris = 4500
acres, Jordan = 13000+ acres) and has some big'uns in it (including a small
populus of striped and hybrids) but it stays SO busy during the warm months,
and the fish over there, for me, are hard to find when it's cold. The guides
around here tell you to fish certain spots (rip rap South of Hwy 64 bridge
where the channel falls out of the shallow flats, the old railroad tracks
where they are in 20' of water, etc) and I've never done much there, at all,
when they were supposed to be there during the cold months.

It (Jordan) and Falls Lake are "supposedly" the next state record largemouth
hotspots as both lakes' records to this point are just ounces shy of the
state record, which *supposedly* came from a private farm pond near the
foothills of NC. Of course without any of the Florida strain up here, our
records will never be impressive to deep southerners or West Coasters...ours
is currently at 14-15, so 15 lbs would be a new record. I thought my 10-2
was in contention for the Harris record for a few days, found out later that
it was over 12 lb too.

When you're like me and don't tourney fish, citations and records are about
the only "goals" we can have outside of just some good quality time on the
water, away from the office. The good news is, if you have some fleece, good
rainwear, and a strong will, you can bass fish in NC (aside from the
mountains), year round. Other guys around here are getting their stuff
winterized right about now, I just changed the plugs and am ready to get
going in earnest! lol A lot less surface traffic, a lot less fishing
pressure, and winter fishing around here is supreme outside of the chilly
temps and finding the sluggish bass in 40ºish water...

Winter Patterns
 

"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
I'm in Raleigh and fish Jordan,
Harris and Falls Lakes with some regularity

Ever run into Chris Ferguson on those lakes? I visited him in the spring
a
couple of years ago and had a great time fishing those lakes.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

I've run into a fella named Chris on Harris a couple of times, never got a
last name though. Does he work at Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant by chance?
This is the plant that Harris Res/Lake is the cooling body for, would make
sense that he'd fish it. Jordan is much larger than Harris (Harris = 4500
acres, Jordan = 13000+ acres) and has some big'uns in it (including a small
populus of striped and hybrids) but it stays SO busy during the warm months,
and the fish over there, for me, are hard to find when it's cold. The guides
around here tell you to fish certain spots (rip rap South of Hwy 64 bridge
where the channel falls out of the shallow flats, the old railroad tracks
where they are in 20' of water, etc) and I've never done much there, at all,
when they were supposed to be there during the cold months.

It (Jordan) and Falls Lake are "supposedly" the next state record largemouth
hotspots as both lakes' records to this point are just ounces shy of the
state record, which *supposedly* came from a private farm pond near the
foothills of NC. Of course without any of the Florida strain up here, our
records will never be impressive to deep southerners or West Coasters...ours
is currently at 14-15, so 15 lbs would be a new record. I thought my 10-2
was in contention for the Harris record for a few days, found out later that
it was over 12 lb too.

When you're like me and don't tourney fish, citations and records are about
the only "goals" we can have outside of just some good quality time on the
water, away from the office. The good news is, if you have some fleece, good
rainwear, and a strong will, you can bass fish in NC (aside from the
mountains), year round. Other guys around here are getting their stuff
winterized right about now, I just changed the plugs and am ready to get
going in earnest! lol A lot less surface traffic, a lot less fishing
pressure, and winter fishing around here is supreme outside of the chilly
temps and finding the sluggish bass in 40ºish water...

Winter Patterns
 

"Scott Brown" wrote in message
...
Thank you fo r everyting Simracer.

I used to fish for trout all the time on the Davidson River before I
went in debt and bought the boat. Would never throw a fly though. I would
use an ultra lite rod and reel, and either throw a cheese work, or Panther
Martin (delayed Harvest) Have caught many trout in the streams around
here.
The only problem is you find a decent hole where you can pull one or two
fish out of, and you have got to practically spend the night there the
night
before to make sure you have the spot the next morning. There is an art
all
of it's own to learning how to throw a fly rod, and there are places on
the
Davidson, where it is restricted to fly fishing only and all catch and
release. I know there has got to be some huge fish up in that section.
Have
fun, and let us know how you do.


Yes, the body in question for me is the Watauga River. Our log home abuts an
"Undesignated" section, and rightly so, it's not very populated by fish. But
we're within a very short distance of both a "Delayed Harvest" section
(South of the 194 bridge in Valle Crucis) and a "Wild Trout Water" section
(runs parallel to/South of 105 near Foscoe) of the same river, so I've been
brushing up on the rules for each type of section and am thinking about
hiring a guide for the first try this coming year to get going right the
first time. There is a guide place located right there near Seven Devils
that has been hounding me to go out with them, and this may just be the year
I do it. There is also a nice fly fishing outfitter located there at the
base of Grandfather Mountain (Linville) that appears to have any equipment I
would need since I am no fly tier, should I ever get into it in earnest.

Thanks for the advice on camping at a spot. You're not the first person to
say that very same thing about popular places on the waterways up there.
That's another reason I thought I'd give a local guide a shot first, I
figure they have A places, B places, and C places to take their clients
during the season. Plus he can get me to casting like I almost know what I'm
doing too. ;-)

Winter Patterns
 

I've run into a fella named Chris on Harris a couple of times, never got a
last name though. Does he work at Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant


That's probably him - was he fishing out of a Ranger?
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

I've run into a fella named Chris on Harris a couple of times, never got a
last name though. Does he work at Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant


That's probably him - was he fishing out of a Ranger?
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Winter Patterns
 

My favorite winter pattern is going up north to my cottage, sitting in
the living room with a hot cup of coffee and the fire going and watching
a dozen guys freezing their butts off out on the lake through the
picture window. Aahhh can't wait.