2012.02.20
In search of yellow perch and other winter fishing targets
I haven’t written a post in a few days, in part because Friday I was out all day fishing, then went straight to work in the office until after midnight.
Then I just took the weekend off, other than a few comments to that last post on Sunday hunting.
This week I’m working on a piece on winter fishing. I did something a few weeks ago on winter bass fishing tournaments, but this will be on the various species available to anglers during the colder months, as well as some techniques for catching them.
This was the only yellow perch my buddy Tom Maynard and I managed to scare up on Friday from Claytor Lake. We did get a few walleyes, however, which we really had to work for.
We’re eating them tonight, and they will be tasty.
I’ll be chewing on something else for a while. On the way back to the ramp my boat’s engine died. One second it was running like a top, the next it was buzzing to a stop. It didn’t take me too long to figure out the problem: out of gas. Tom, being a fishing guide who likes things in order, had sent me an email a few days earlier with a long checklist of things. They ranged from having enough lifejackets to making sure my fishing license was valid. One item was to make sure I had enough gas. “You didn’t even read it, did you?” he asked. “Of course I read it,” I replied. “I just didn’t heed your advice.” Tom said the only reason he sent all that to me was “I have done all of those things myself.”
Fortunately we had only about 2 miles back to the ramp so were able to get in on the trolling motor.
Another one for the “This happened to me while boating” file.
Anyway, back to fishing. What are some other fish you all like to target this time of year? Favorite spots? Tactics? I’m not looking for any super secrets, just basic info.
Thanks in advance.
My kayak has NEVER run out of gas. A Snickers bar and a bottle of Gatoraid is WAY cheaper than a gallon of 93 octane that we used to pour into the old bass boat.
Comment by John Hopkins — February 20, 2012 @ 3:59 pm
On Saturday, after I received an order from Bass Pro and another from Cabalas, I took my boat out on SML to look for stripers. I have never had much luck catching them, but thought I must persevere, driven by a new optimism after finally killing my first turkey just 3 weeks ago. I hadn’t had my Ranger out since September, so I spent some time running it at home with the garden hose hookup. I also filled it up before heading out on the water, LOL. I didn’t manage to get on the water until almost 4 in the afternoon.
My new strategy is to watch and learn and talk to anyone who is willing to throw me a tip or two. I was fortunate enough to speak with some nice fellows who had just returned from a successful trip. They caught 4 stripers (all released) and about 40 crappie (also released). I asked why they didn’t at least keep some of the crappie. Their answer, ‘didn’t have a cooler and freezer is full anyway’. They showed me some cell phone pics of some slab crappies they caught. For the stripers, they advised me to just watch for the birds and also the other boats. They also gave me some advice on a jigging technique (I had told them I just received some Hopkins Shorty spoons for jigging.) They also gave me one of their lures (homemade, but similar to a fluke). Really nice guys, hope to run into them again.
I also spoke with some very nice men returning from a successful goose hunt. They had their fishing tackle and their shotguns. Again, we had a nice conversation and I was invited to an upcoming wild game dinner!
I did finally get out on the water and watched my sonar for bait and stripers. I quickly lost one of my jigs in the trees that I thought was a school of stripers. I later saw another guy who was throwing on a point catch a small striper.
When it was getting close to dark, while heading back to Moorman’s, I noticed a flock of diving gulls. I immediately stopped and fished under them. I am certain this time I was seeing stripers on the finder, but no hits for me. I made it back after dark (good thing those running lights still work). I didn’t catch anything, but I still had a great afternoon and feel satisfied that I at least learned a thing or two.
Comment by Ranger217 — February 20, 2012 @ 4:00 pm
Whaaa!!
Mark you didn’t have your BoatUS Card?
Honestly I can’t wait till it warm up to do some float Tube fish at Claytor Lake. My problem is those insistent idiots that try to create wakes to “see what happens”. It sad that the majority of anyone group find great exultation in the suffering or the mishap of a person in the name of pleasure.
Enjoying a prank is completely different from causing injury or death of a person is senseless. When these mishaps happen those involved should be receive the maximum fines, restitution, and imprisonment the law allows.
It may not help the injured, but it definitely sends a strong message.
You should include a story on boating etiquette and the responsibility of a person that captains a water craft and or flotation device used for fishing.
Comment by The Amatuer — February 21, 2012 @ 9:19 am
Some years back I used to go trout fishing at this time of year when the temperature was in the 50′s or better – not always the case Dec-Feb but we’ve had lots of those days this winter. There were far fewer crowds than during spring and while I didn’t always catch fish, I did well enough often enough to feel like it was worthwhile. I’d use ultralight spinning tackle with spinner flies or tiny mepps spinners, or else fly rod with wooly buggers, nymphs or streamers.
Comment by Karl — February 21, 2012 @ 10:15 am
Brookies on the bluelines are always hungry above 40 degrees. Especially if the sun gets to the stream. Light fly rod and nymphing. Small Black Elk Hair Caddis if the stoneflies start coming off. Chucking streamers and woolys with the heavier rod in the big streams trying to get the big ones off the bottom. Low pressure…people and blood.
Comment by Doug — February 21, 2012 @ 7:58 pm
I noticed your request for winter fishing stories in today’s Roanoke Times. I thought I’d connect you to my son, Noah, who is a grad student at VT and an officer in the NRV chapter of Trout Unlimited. Here’s a link to his website/blog. He often posts photos of what he’s been catching in the area. Check it out!
http://nrvtu.wordpress.com/category/fishing-reports/
Comment by Gloria Schoenholtz — February 22, 2012 @ 1:14 pm