If You was a fish?

[jahollis2]

I fish a shallow lake, less than 17 foot deep. During the spring i have caught some good fish there so i know the slabs are there. My question is this, during the winter with water temps around 45 degrees, where will the fish be at? Would i look in the channel and fish close to the bottom? Or would they be around the wood cover and i would just slow down my bait presentation? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

[bugman]

I would try both until i found the pattern to catch em and when you think you've slowed down slow down some more they won't chase too far in the winter.....don't forget to look at some shallow water as long as theres deep water nearby,we had 38 degree water temp and caught fish in 6'-8' fow last week but the old river channel was close by.

[jahollis2]

Some one else mush have an idea?

[kingkrappie]

I'd fish deep and slow, with small baits or minnows

[keith29]

i agree with bugman and king crappie. in the winter months here u dont see anyone fishing shallow. we all spider rig with small minnows, extremly slow. sometimes we sit still for a bit then pull up anchor and drift back and sit some more. i think the key in winter is slow and small presentations. i usually do try to fish through the stumps. reelfoot is full of stumps and u are hung up all the time, most the time its worth the hang ups. we usually fish on the bottom or 1 to 2 foot from the bottom, if we catch 2 fish at the same depth then we put all lines to that depth.

[jahollis2]

This lake is a small oxbow off the bayou macon. Most of the lakes around here are shallow. I know the fish don't go south for the winter! :D i just have been wondering what to try!

[must buy my fish]

I've been fishing the same,cuttoffs of the mason this year. I have fished 3-9 ft deep in as deep of water i can get. I haven't been in 2 weeks but plan to go this weekend possibly.

[crappiencali]

I agree with Bugs too. Also, you might want to look for deep pockets and pitches on flats that are close to the channel too.