Winter fishing can be a 'chill' experience

In the winter, some days are so cold that I think about not fishing. Sunday was one of those days. While drinking my first cup of coffee, I checked the current weather conditions. The actual temperature was 26 degrees and the wind chill factor made it feel like 19 degrees. It was cold but in my estimation, fishable. So I bundled up and went outside to prep the skiff. It was covered in a thick layer of frost. Ice had frozen the boat plug to the deck. By the time I freed the plug from the ice, my fingers were frozen. For a brief moment, doubt crept into my mind. Undeterred, I headed off to the boat landing. On the way, neighbors shook their heads in disbelief. When I launched the skiff, it was so cold that I began shaking my head as well.

The ride to my first fishing spot was bone chilling cold. Upon arrival at the shallow flat, I felt sure death from hypothermia was just moments away. However, a large school of Redfish off in the distance put all thoughts of freezing aside. With hands so cold they could barely grip the rod, I made a simply awful lure presentation that sent Redfish scurrying everywhere. Thoughts of hypothermia once again entered my mind. As I pondered my eminent demise, a single Redfish swam into casting range. This time the lure (a Z-Man StreakZ 3.75 on a sixteenth ounce flutter hook) landed a few feet in front of the approaching fish. The lure slowly undulated to the bottom and the fish ate it. Hypothermia became a distant memory.

Fishing in the winter can be a chilly endeavor. However, anglers that dress appropriately for the elements can enjoy some of the best fishing of the year.