Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Perhaps Santa left you some fishing gear that you can put to use this year. Due to low and crystal-clear water conditions, and the cold and windy days, a lot of anglers were kept off the water in December. You’ve heard me say it before, you’ll catch your bigger bass during the winter months. If you are planning a winter trip, check the weather and dress accordingly.
What to expect in January? Water conditions will remain low and clear, and water temperatures will hover from the upper 30’s to the low 40’s. With that being said, bass will be in their wintering holes in the slower current. That will be the deepest part of the river you are fishing.
I would start fishing the bottom by dragging jigs with a chunk trailer, or by hopping them off the bottom. Small three-inch grubs on a flat head work well in these areas. That’s not to say that bass won’t go shallow, they will with a three-day warm-up. Target these fish with a jerk bait. Silver is a good color to start with.
I have been fishing the Shenandoah River for many years and I can tell you there’s a lot of bass that live their life in 5’-6’ of water and they are catchable in the winter. You just have to fish very slowly. So, when cabin fever sets in and your tired of seeing bass going across the TV screen, dress warm and head to the river. Who knows you might find what you are missing.
Good luck, be safe, and watch out for each other on the water. And make sure you wear that life jacket during the winter months.
With the New Year there will be resolutions made which probably won’t last a month. Maybe you have plans to go on a trip, or do something new, or maybe go fishing for the first time. But what about God’s plans for us?
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “…For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope…”
My prayer is that you’ll come to know the Lord this New Year through his word, the bible, and prayer, and that you would come to know the plan and future that God has for you. This is a very corrupt world we live in, but God is above all. Without his help it would be hard to go on. How comforting to know that the Lord knows our hearts and has plans for us. God longs to give you a rich and satisfying life.
God bless you all!
Mike
