Preparing for Winter

If there is one thing that is certain about Texas weather, it’s that there are basically two seasons, summer and winter. I know that spring and fall conditions can sometimes be beyond perfect but those days always seem to be few and far between. By now though, the temperatures are dropping and you can start to see the beginning stages of what to expect over the next few months.

The scenes from the marsh this time of year always seem to awe me; they remind me of a Drinkard or Dearman painting. The marsh grass is changing from deep green to light brown and the sounds of geese honking and ducks buzzing overhead is a constant occurrence. Along with that, the screams of gulls fighting over one last shrimp dinner can be heard from across the lake. The last few shrimp are migrating to the Gulf and every fish and bird are trying their best to stop them from making it to their winter home in the gulf. The preparation for winter has begun!

Every living creature in the outdoors knows that winter is upon us and fish are no different. Their patterns will begin to shift and become a little more predictable as the days get shorter and colder. One thing that is predictable is what their diet is going to consist of for the next few months. It won’t be long until nearly all the shrimp and shad have migrated out and this leaves only a few crabs and mostly mullet to fill their hungry bellies. So knowing where to find mullet is a key factor that can really help an angler on where to locate fish.

Another aspect of the winter transition is that fish will slowly start to move toward deeper water. As always, if the weather gets suddenly cold, they will begin to seek refuge in channels and deeper cuts. As it warms up during the day, they will move onto the flats to feed and soak up the warmth of the sun.  

Along with the fish, I too am preparing for the coming winter. It is time to start changing some of my lures around and having a new line-up when I go out. One of the lures I change first is my topwater. It will still work at times but I don’t find it near as consistently productive as the warmer months. I will usually swap it for a Corky Fat Boy, a perfect cold day bait that works equally well for trout, reds, and even occasional flounder. Another lure that I strategically tie on during winter is the Z-Man Chatterbait. This lure is productive during the summer as well but I have come to really enjoy using it during winter. I feel that with the cooler temperatures, the immense vibration that is created will wake a redfish up from any slumber. I also like to add a matching color Chickenboy Bubba Clucker as a trailer to lend extra appeal.

This is also a good time to get your winter gear prepared for the colder days ahead. I always make a point to check my waders before deciding to make a wade trip somewhere. I have been carrying them in the boat and before heading back to the ramp I put them on and jump in the water for a few minutes to check for leaks. There is nothing worse than planning a fishing trip and having a wet leg or foot all day; it’s much easier to take care of that problem before it occurs. On top of that, I like to dig out the rest of my cold weather gear such as gloves, beanie, and thermals. I’ve been guilty of assuming that I left my gloves in a certain jacket pocket and somehow end up finding only one, and a numb hand all day.

Wintertime is only a few weeks away and we should all remember that fishing isn’t the only activity on outdoor enthusiasts minds; we will soon be sharing the marsh with the duck hunters. I know there is mixed feelings about it but they only will have it for a few short months. For the most part, they will be out of there by 9:00 or 10:00am and then you will have it all to yourself again. It is best just to steer clear and let them have it for the morning; there are plenty of other areas to fish.

Without a doubt this is a great time of year to be on the water – if not one of the absolute best. The fish know what is coming in the next few months and they are eating everything in sight. A meal doesn’t get passed up which makes for fun days on the water. As it gets cooler I hope that you all have safe days on the water and are able to get out and enjoy what this fantastic season has to offer.