It was a tough day and cold enough that ice formed in our rod guides that morning. When you reel your line in, it brings in a little bit of water with it. That water collects in the guides and drips off, unless the air temperature is in the 20’s. We had to dip our rods in the water to melt the ice until about 9:00 AM.

Most folks had about the same luck I did. I threw a crankbait, jig and pig and a spinnerbait all day, making hundreds of casts. At about 8:30 my lure got heavy and I thought I had hung a stick, then a bass came to the top. He was so sluggish in the 50 degree water he did not even fight. Weighing 1.19 pounds, it was good for 5th place.

While we were fishing Berry’s Boat Dock was having a team tournament there. About 35 teams fished and it took 16 pounds to win and 13 pounds to place 4th and draw a check. Results like those make me think I don’t know what I am doing! How do those guys catch so many fish on the same lake I am fishing and I can catch only one?

Fish do bite in the cold water. Sinclair is a good place to try since the steam plant discharge warms the water and the fish are a little more active there than at other area lakes. I have heard the bass are biting pretty good at Jackson, and crappie often feed good this time of year on all our area lakes.

Dress warmly and wear a life jacket, and you will be OK. I never put on my insulated boots last Sunday since my feet were comfortable in tennis shoes. I was wearing insulated underwear and a suit of cold weather gear the cut the wind. A stocking cap as well as a hood from my jacket made all the difference. Remember to keep your head and neck warm with a stocking cap and hood and you will stay much more comfortable.

Wear the life jacket because if you fall in with all those clothes and boots on and you will not be on top of the water long. In water that cold, even if you can hold on to the boat or dock you will lose muscle control quickly. Be safe, keep a life jacket on all the time you are fishing this time of year.