I have to admit that I am not always the most patient angler in the world. I like to fish fast and cover a lot of water with a variety of baits. It isn’t uncommon for me to have eight to ten rods on the deck with different baits for different situations and types of cover that I may encounter throughout the day.
This approach can be very productive, with a nice tally at the end of the day, but not so often this time of year. Unless there is a sustained warming trend that drastically increases water temps, slow and methodical will be of utmost importance.
In southeastern North Carolina we are having a fairly normal winter with water temps in the 40’s presenting typical conditions. February normally presents similar circumstances, with the fish (whether you are targeting bass, stripers or crappie) still firmly entrenched in their winter patterns. Don’t try to cover too much water, pick an area or two that you are confident in and slowly work proven coldwater baits. Jigs, grubs, suspending jerkbaits and slow reeled crankbaits are all good choices. Experiment with different depth ranges and retrieves with these baits to determine the mood of the fish. The bite is usually best in the afternoon after the sun has a chance to warm the water, a degree or two can make a difference. Pay attention to your electronics, the presence of baitfish will confirm that you are in a productive area.
I also like to downsize my line to 6- to 12-pound test Berkley Trilene 100% flourocarbon and smaller baits than I would use in warmer water. Research has proven that a fish’s eyesight improves in cold water so natural finishes can tip the scales in your favor. Medium- to medium-light action rods will also increase the chance of landing fish once hooked since the bite is often subtle. Lighter actions are more forgiving when a fish is lightly hooked, helping prevent the fish from throwing the bait. Lastly, using a reel with a lower gear ratio will help you keep retrieve speeds down.
If you want to change the pace and speed things up a little, Sutton Lake will have warmer waters to ply depending on generation schedules. Since the plant has converted from coal to natural gas, it is my understanding that less cooling will be required, therefore the average water temperatures may be a little lower than in the past. Expect to find catfish in the deeper holes with bass, bream and crappie on the flats and near channel drops. Wherever you give ‘em a try this month, the key word is patience.
