A Year Round Trophy Fishery
When it comes to winter in Canada the term ‘open water’ does not pop up in many discussions. Depending on the year I’ve been ice fishing as early as the end of October in Northern Alberta. Cold November and December nights make ice fast through out the country as well as some of the Northern states. Throughout my childhood year after year my brother and I couldn’t wait for dad to say its time to go ice fishing.
The past few winters I’ve spent a lot of time on Vancouver Island. It has been a significant learning curve trying to figure out all the fishing options available. Between the ocean, lakes and rivers it would take a life time to cover everything it has to offer.
THE SEASONS
Coho Salmon river fishing is usually done at the end of November and many anglers switch their target species to the steelhead or trout.
The “Diamond in the Rough” is something everyone overlooks, the always entertaining smallmouth. The reason I call it the diamond in rough is its an extremely challenging winter fish if conquered offers enormous reward.
Most of our local lakes are small and see their share of pressure throughout the spring summer and fall. But as soon as the fall to winter transition comes into play 80 plus percent of the bass fishermen are done for the season.
PATIENCE IS THE KEY
It takes whitetail hunting patience to keep yourself motivated for this kind of fishing but its worth every minute when you set the hook into one of these bronze footballs. I’ve spent a lot of hours targeting trophy fish of many different species growing up with my dad as my mentor. It is one of my most valuable assets, allowing for success in the fishing and hunting world.
I’ll never complain about the extra room on the water, some of the most relaxing style of fishing I’ve done. Some lakes allow gas engines and some are electric only. Either way you can get away with a small boat on most days.
DRESS WARM!
I fish out of my Pisces Predator Pontoon kick boat. It’s a lot like your normal trout pontoon kick boat but its under 30 pounds and super easy to pack. Its set up to carry a lot of gear which works well for me because I usually bring everything but the kitchen sink. The nice part about the kick boat is your only in the water halfway up your shins. Even when the water is at or just above freezing, I can last quite a few hours with a few layers of long johns and wader socks inside my hip waders. No matter if your in a tube, pontoon, kayak or boat its super important to make sure you got all the essential gear to ensure your warm. The majority of the time you’re using a super slow method of fishing so its very easy to get cold when your not casting and reeling every few minutes. Well lets breakdown the information gathered from the past few winters that have had us put together an effective program for winter Smallmouth.
SLOW AND EASY IS THE KEY
The first mistake that’s made when it comes to winter bass is moving your baits to erratic and fast. I know its crazy to think how it may have been just months ago that you were chucking big baits and retrieving them with explosive strikes. I tell myself daily before I even go out slow down slow things down but be ready.
Its a hard mindset to get into but to be successful and consistent and the number one starting point to the winter smallmouth approach. During winter months their metabolism slows down to almost a dead stop.
They spend a lot of their time way out deep in their wintering holes during low light and when the shallow water is cold. I do not go out past 25 feet of water for a few reasons.
FAVOURITE SPOTS
The rocky areas adjacent to shorelines and steep holes is by far my most productive areas. My choice would be to fish sunny days only this time of year. The sun penetration heats up the shoreline water enough to bring on bass activity. Between work and overcast rainy island weather I often don’t get to chose when I go. But I have used that as a positive and learnt some colour preferences and tactics to support the overcast bite. As a rule of thumb, the lake I’m fishing is clear water so I try to keep the duller darker natural baits for most of the fishing unless the suns out then I will use some flash and brighter colours.
Finding these rocky areas near deep wintering holes is critical ambush spot. Often a waiting game I’m always paying close attention to my electronics to make sure I’m ready and understanding if the fish are into my setup.
Underwater humps are another crucial area as they often come up to the side that the sun is hitting. Its never a bad option to pitch and retrieve shoreline if there’s a lot of sun hours that day that heats up the water more then usual.
The nice part of being alone on a boat or tube in BC is your allowed to run two rods at once. I decided to run a hair jig on a dead stick and my second rod a drop shot.
Kalin’s Marabou Jigs are by far my most consistent bait. As for drop shot baits, I like to use baitfish patterns in the 3- 4 inch range.
Line is crucial for all of these setups whether your using a tube, Ned, hair jig or drop shot I believe you should have a braid mainline and a Fluro leader. You need that braid for sensitivity and the Fluor leader is crucial for it being virtually invisible.
While patience is needed for winter smallies the rewards are worth it!