3 Ways to Get Fish to Bite During the Winter

Fish can turn particularly persnickety during this time of the year. Cooler water temps slow their metabolisms and they feed less as they slowly move into their lethargic winter pattern.

While many folks will have you believe the season is over, rest assured–you can still coax hesitant fish into eating. Here are some time-tested tips:

1. Go small. Downsizing baits can lead to more strikes. Biologists have hypothesized a fish’s perception that a smaller bait fish is an easier meal than a larger one.

2. Go slim. Tight-lipped fish are more line-shy than aggressive fish. They tend to give a bait a better once over before biting. If you regularly fish 17-pound test, drop back to 12. If 12-pound is the norm, substitute 8.

3. Go stealth. Chilly water calls for clear lines. While braid is a modern day miracle, it hinders when the bite is small. Substitute less visible lines like monofilament or fluorocarbon.