Last winter was my first attempt at cold weather fishing. My son and I had a blast and caught some great fish. I never thought I’d be bass fishing during the rut but it happened multiple times. Much better quality fish and they were easier to pattern. We took a break from the fresh water to kill some salty critters and when we came back (during the summer) it was tough. We’d fish all afternoon and catch a couple. I often caught myself wanting some wintertime fishing. I’m excited and torn every weekend now. I really need 4 day weekends to give the fish and deer the attention they need.

I feel ya. Summertime is a little different. With the exception of first and last light, if you want to catch numbers of bass in the summer, you’ve got to get offshore and fish deep structure and ledges to catch numbers of fish. 10” worms, flutter spoons and deep diving cranks. Those fish you catch from Dec to Feb will be the heaviest and in the best shape they will be in all year. If it’s warm in late Jan and early Feb, I’ll generally be in the boat rather than the tree stand. If it’s pushing 70 degrees, I’m not deer hunting. I also agree we have to work too much. I think we should work three 10s and be off 4 days a week. I can assure you my fish and deer do not get the attention they deserve.

You do know that You are the boss, correct?

Winter time fishing was one reason I quit deer hunting. Last fall I bought my son and I both an ice fishing suit and now fishing in very cold temps is pleasant. I wish I had bought one years ago. An upside to them is that they serve as a flotation suit. My clumsy butt is going to fall in one day, maybe it'll be in the summer, but now I don't worry about it so much in the winter. The suits are totally windproof too.

Yes but....I put far more expectations on myself than anyone could ever put on me. I’m hoping to bring on another guy next year that will hopefully free me up a little more.

Add in the crazy gov't regulation that now surrounds deer hunting and that's why I've quit. I love fishing and it's easier to go do and makes the home life better as my wife loves to go with me or if she can't, she likes the fact that I'm home every night.

Between right now and Christmas, I could go deer hunting every day and never see a good buck. I can go fishing any day of the week right now through Christmas and wear them out. I'll deer hunt for a month or so this year. The rest of the time, I'll be catching fish.

what depths and lures are good in winter months? thanks

Same. I'd rather be chilly and catch fish than put up with the silly chit about deer.

Black with blue tail 4 inch dead ringer or small speed craw fished slow is hard to beat.

Don't bass fish much. I like to catch fish too much.

What suit you got? I'm interested

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Arctic Armor. I bought my son a Stryker Ice suit because of the added flexibility of having a removable outer shell, making it more of a 3 season suit, but it weighs much more than my suit.

Where'd you get it? Looks pricey at $200 for a jacket and another $200 for the bibs. I need a new set as the Game Hide that I wear is getting old and while it's water resistant, it certainly isn't water proof. If someone would invent a set of gloves that would allow me to thumb my bait casting reel, they'd be a millionaire and national hero.