Let’s face it, Ohio winters are not the most inviting for fishing. Many of the lakes are drawn down to winter pool, too. Even if you like ice fishing, the lakes often don’t freeze thick enough to be safe. As a fair weather bass angler myself, I have had to find ways to stay in touch with fishing to fill the late November to late March void. Here are the top five ways I like to keep myself on top of my fishing game in the winter.
1. Merry Fishmas! Make a list and check it twice…
At the end of the season, my very favorite activity is taking all of the rods and boxes out of the boat. I grab a pen & pad and start my wish list of needs and wants for next season. Lures I used and abused all year. The ones I threw the ALL the time and beat the colors off off, bent the wires off of, lost the blades from, etc. New lures on the market I would like to try. Accessories like extra spinner blades, hooks, scent, pliers, and marker bouys.
I will also clean and take inventory of my apparel. Wet, hot and cold weather apparel are key to keeping comfortable and safe in the ever changing Ohio weather. I save a few of these items to add to my own wish list of gifts, too!
Many tackle shops and local brands offer holiday discounts and end of year closeout pricing, so its a GREAT time to restock and save some money in the process. I love being able to shop at and support local Ohio fishing industry small businesses like https://OhioProLure.com, https://www.fishermanscentral.com/, and https://2kjigs.com/. Stuff someone’s stocking with a season full of fishing gear that will keep them smiling all year!
2. Boat Shows & Fishing Expos
January – March is Boat Show and Fishing Expo season! I love attending them to check out the new boats, tackle, clubs and tournament schedules. As a tournament director, I also enjoy setting up at shows and expos advertising our male/female bass trail. Its a great way to meet new people who have a common interest as well as a way to keep up with new ideas and industry trends. Plus… plain and simple, there are LOTS of folks who love to talk fishing! Fish tales – memories of the big ones and first ones are the best way to keep your fishing juices flowing. If you prefer a less crowded setting, many boat dealerships like Vic’s Sports Center honor show pricing in their shops.
3. Pitch Perfect
Regardless of my efforts, I sometime just HAVE to have my hands on my fishing rods. So I pick up my favorite flipping and pitching rod, tie a plug on the end and make a game of pitching into a bucket, bowl or corner of the room. Just keeping my hands on and working the reel keeps the muscle memory of the motion. Oh yeah, and it make a great cat toy, too! I wish I could catch fish as easily as I can catch cats with the plug.
4. Plan Ahead
What are your favorite fishing holes you want to hit next year? Do you want to book a charter or guided fishing trip, or plan a fishing vacation? One of my favorite things to do is to try to plan the lakes we will visit in Ohio each month of the season. I love exploring new lakes and try to pick one in each of the five regions of Ohio that we have not been to before or for a while. I use the maps listed on our pages to plan our route, launch and strategy for the visit. I also review any blog posts or notes I took if I choose a lake we have been to before. I try to visit in a different season or fish a different part of the lake when possible.
5. Watch The Pros
There are SO MANY fishing channels and shows now! I can’t keep up, but there are always a few cold, snowy days spent on the couch watching MLF, The Fishing Edge, or a couple other of my favorites. It often leaves me longing for a day on the water, but I learn a lot from the pros and experts. I have applied knot tying techniques, lure customizing tricks and seasonal fishing strategies that really worked for me. Who says binge-watching is bad for you? Don’t forget online, too! Many pros use social media like Facebook pages and You Tube channels to market their sponsors and themselves. That is a rabbit hole of information that is WAY too easy to get lost in! But if you are reading this blog, you already know that, right?
I hope these tips help keep you in touch with fishing, too. Ohio winters can be a long cold spell without those relaxing hours by the lake with a rod in you hand. If I made you think about your next trip, your best catch last season, or what you might want to add to your holiday wish list, my job here is done! Well, almost. I guess I should tell you to stay tuned for more tips, tackle reviews and fish tales right here on GoFishOhio.com. We are your number one resource for Ohio fishing information. And the BEST WAY I have to keep in touch with my love for fishing all year ’round.
