Do not let cold weather deter you from fishing

What should you do on a cold, windy and rainy (with intermittent sleet) weekend day? Go fishing! It sure beats staying home and doing chores. However, everyone I called steadfastly refused to join me (they must like doing chores).

While filling up the skiff at the Kangaroo, several people inquired about my sanity. Others shook their heads in disbelief. It was colder and windier than I had originally thought. For a few seconds, doubt entered my mind. Of course, common sense is not my strong suit and I drove on to the boat landing. Upon my arrival, doubt once again began to creep in. The rain had intensified (and it was bitterly cold) but I launched the skiff anyway. Idling away from the boat landing, the water temperature gauge read 47 degrees. It was dead low tide. My hope was that the incoming tide would bring slightly warmer water into the creeks and trigger the Trout to feed.

Using the depth sounder, I looked for Trout holding in the deepest (and warmest) part of the creek. A good number were showing (on the bottom) in 15 feet of water so I dropped a Trout Trick right on top of them. While jigging the lure, I foul hooked a Trout. This often happens when the fish are cold and inactive. I made a note of the location and went on in search of more Trout. I found a couple of more places (like the first) and foul hooked a Trout in each spot (but got no bites). So I knew where the Trout were but could not get them to eat the Trout Trick.

As the incoming tide intensified, the water temperature rose to 48 degrees. Knowing the fish were cold and unwilling to chase a lure, I switched to a Z-Man StreakZ 3.75 and a Trout Eye 7/16th ounce jig. A quick snap and long pause retrieve produced steady action. The bite was extremely light. A few times, I did not feel the strike but a fish was there on the next snap of the retrieve.

The forecast this week is calling for more cold weather. Do not let this deter you from fishing. By dressing appropriately and downsizing your lures you can (comfortably) catch fish in the dead of winter. If you go, don’t forget to wear a life jacket and leave a float plan.

Contact Captain Greg Peralta at captgregp@gmail.com or call (843) 224-0099.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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