Winter Fishing Tips
Written: 2/07/2019
Author: SWalker
Site: www.hooksnsinkers.com
Author: SWalker
Site: www.hooksnsinkers.com
Fishing in winter months can be difficult and frustrating. In this article, we will give you some basic tips and pointers to help you turn a slow winter into a hot winter.
If you are like me than waiting out the long winter months just isn't an option. I mean come on....who can go 4 months without fishing? Well the problem is that you can cast out and wait all day and not get a single nibble. The fish is around you just have to understand what is going on in the ocean and the fish to know how to catch them.
Water Temperature
The first thing you have to really understand is that when the water temps drop in NJ most fish move south. You probably already knew that right? There was a key word in there "most." Some fish actually hang around during the cold winter months and just dominate the seas. There is very few predators and very few fisherman so they just thrive in the NJ waters. A few examples would be Black Sea Bass and Perch. Both species will enjoy an icy NJ winter.
Even though these fish thrive in cold waters, their bodies still goes through a change. Their bodies begin to slow down, their heart rate goes down and they start to require less oxygen. So with this in mind we have to change our tactics in the cold. You have to slow down lures by a lot. The best method is using a wounded fish method. Reel slowly stop and tug on your line a bit to give the lure a jerking action. This will give the fish time to catch up to the lure. You also want to use flavor like Gulp or hot sauce. The flavoring will help the fish spend more time with your lure and give you more time to set the hook.
Early Blues
Bluefish will often arrive or leave a location prior to the baits arriving or leaving. Early Blues tend to be large but very skinny. The key to catching early blues is to also arrive before the bait. Fishing during the late winter or early spring could land you a nice bluefish...but it is all in the timing and being aware of your enviroment. You have to know how and when the bait starts to run in your area. Once it starts getting a bit warmer waters usually above 50 degrees you will start to see the bait start to run. Its key to get after those early blues right away. You have only a week maybe two to take advantage of very very hungry fish with a very limited food source. When the early blues arrive, they will hit just about anything you cast out there. Get those bunker chunks ready or even a medium speed lure or spoon of choice and get casting for 'em.
Ocean Landscape
The ocean landscape in NJ also goes through a change. First warm water tends to sink while the cold water rises. During winter months you want to be using low rigs. You want that cut bait to sit on the bottom because the fish are near the bottom trying to keep warm. Same goes with lures, you want those lures to be dragging that bottom nice and slowly. Another change the ocean goes through is what is often refered to as flat beaches in NJ. You will not find as many troughs across the beaches. Find the troughs and you will find the fish. Knowing how to read a beach is a must for winter fishing the jersey shores. If you do not know how or feel a little weak on the subject check out NJ Extreme Fishing menu and click Beach Readings.
If you are like me than waiting out the long winter months just isn't an option. I mean come on....who can go 4 months without fishing? Well the problem is that you can cast out and wait all day and not get a single nibble. The fish is around you just have to understand what is going on in the ocean and the fish to know how to catch them.
Water Temperature
The first thing you have to really understand is that when the water temps drop in NJ most fish move south. You probably already knew that right? There was a key word in there "most." Some fish actually hang around during the cold winter months and just dominate the seas. There is very few predators and very few fisherman so they just thrive in the NJ waters. A few examples would be Black Sea Bass and Perch. Both species will enjoy an icy NJ winter.
Even though these fish thrive in cold waters, their bodies still goes through a change. Their bodies begin to slow down, their heart rate goes down and they start to require less oxygen. So with this in mind we have to change our tactics in the cold. You have to slow down lures by a lot. The best method is using a wounded fish method. Reel slowly stop and tug on your line a bit to give the lure a jerking action. This will give the fish time to catch up to the lure. You also want to use flavor like Gulp or hot sauce. The flavoring will help the fish spend more time with your lure and give you more time to set the hook.
Early Blues
Bluefish will often arrive or leave a location prior to the baits arriving or leaving. Early Blues tend to be large but very skinny. The key to catching early blues is to also arrive before the bait. Fishing during the late winter or early spring could land you a nice bluefish...but it is all in the timing and being aware of your enviroment. You have to know how and when the bait starts to run in your area. Once it starts getting a bit warmer waters usually above 50 degrees you will start to see the bait start to run. Its key to get after those early blues right away. You have only a week maybe two to take advantage of very very hungry fish with a very limited food source. When the early blues arrive, they will hit just about anything you cast out there. Get those bunker chunks ready or even a medium speed lure or spoon of choice and get casting for 'em.
Ocean Landscape
The ocean landscape in NJ also goes through a change. First warm water tends to sink while the cold water rises. During winter months you want to be using low rigs. You want that cut bait to sit on the bottom because the fish are near the bottom trying to keep warm. Same goes with lures, you want those lures to be dragging that bottom nice and slowly. Another change the ocean goes through is what is often refered to as flat beaches in NJ. You will not find as many troughs across the beaches. Find the troughs and you will find the fish. Knowing how to read a beach is a must for winter fishing the jersey shores. If you do not know how or feel a little weak on the subject check out NJ Extreme Fishing menu and click Beach Readings.
