How to Try and Avoid Winter Depression and Crappie Fishing Withdrawal Symptoms

[Shiner]

Where I live in Northern Central Missouri it gets cold and sometimes Winter jumps up on me sooner than I like it too. However, I am a seasonal-based person and I do prefer the Midwest and its seasonal approach to passing life's time span. Now, I am a Licensed Therapist by trade and do work part-time in the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons as a fishing guide at Truman Lake. So, I do approach most aspects of my life from a psychological perspective, especially crappie fishing. I've tried living in California where there is not a significant amount of seasonal change. I couldn't take it. I moved back to Missouri due to a lack of seasonal change and a lack of space in California. I know that many anglers have a great deal of success crappie fishing through the Winter months as I have had myself. As far as I'm concerned it's just to cold I mean its for me its just not enjoyable even when I think it is. Over the years I have became pretty creative in finding ways to overcome Crappie fishing withdrawal symptoms and seasonal depression, which I believe can be related to:

A lack of crappie fishing
Knowing that it is going to be awhile before I go crappie fishing
Long-periods of being stuck in the house
Holidays that I cant afford if I am going to further invest in my crappie fishing
My wife constantly on my case because I'm probably depressed because I can't go crappie fishing
Spending extra time with my mother-in-law because I'm stuck in the house
Snow piling up on my driveway
The economy

I'm sure you can agree the list goes on-and-on and-on.......

This typical pattern of seasonal change has caused me to find several things that I can do to overcome the symptoms in order to enjoy my time-off from crappie fishing in the off months, and often leaves me feeling rejuvenated in the Spring time. I think it is important to take time-off at least for me so that I can keep a youthful interest in crappie fishing and maintain a high level of commitment to the sport. And let's face the crappie need a break too. These are things I usually have to do to maintain my happiness and motivation through the Winter so that I can continue to destroy Crappie in the seasonal months.

Go through all of my tackle and organize
Replace needed items
Thoroughly clean my boat and gear
Perform routine maintenance on boat, motor, trailer
Determine what will need to be updated for next year
Maintain a saving account strictly for my fishing expenses
Shoot my bow
Obtain necessary items for bow season
Bow hunt at least every weekend
Prepare for gun season
Take a week off and gun hunt
Return to bow hunting after gun season and camp at least twice for the weekend bow hunts
February rest and gradually prepare for the Crappie season

March soon comes and its time to enjoy Crappie fishing again as much as possible until next Fall. Hopefully this helps it has proven to be a pretty good plan for me over the years. Enjoy your freedom and the Winter months. I will check back in soon....

[Spoonminnow]

Regardless the time of year when I can't be fishing, I read this forum and talk about fishing to fellow anglers. New ideas and discoveries keep the hobby fresh even though catching panfish is a no brainer most of the year. Winter in NY is definitely a challenge when hard water and the cold is a factor. If cabin fever is bad enough, I'll dig out my ice fishing gear. Other than that, I do pretty much do what you mentioned except I make and design my own soft plastic baits as well as sell them. This keeps me from buying overpriced stuff when boredom brings the credit card out and I have a source of income to pay for fishing related equipment.

Doing routine work on reels such as oiling, greasing and putting new line on is always productive and appreciated once the season starts. I switch rod and reel combos to see which cast lures the best and test them by casting in the driveway. (Let the neighbors look if they have nothing better to do!)


Being retired, I know what you mean about the cold, even when I wasn't retired. Standing over a hole when the chill factor is -10 is no fun, but catching fish from that hole makes it all worth it!

Frank

[bee]

Its simple here in maine. Just go fishing. Its only a couple weeks during the freeze up when things get slow. The crappie don,t know the difference. Get out and get them.

[bwomack_29]

ive never heard of off months in crappie fishing, lol

[justinp61]

I crappie fish all winter then start turkey hunting in April and do little fishing again until late October or early November. The only time I won't go is if it's windy, the cold isn't bad but the wind gets to me. Our lakes don't freeze over very often, even if they do it usually doesn't last long and the crappie will bite all winter.

[Crestliner08]

Last year we were very fortunate in that hard water didn't last very long, being as it was a very mild winter. I can only for the same this year!

[crappielimits]

ive never heard of off months in crappie fishing, lol

I agree, if not crappie fishing then another species. I hit crappie primarily from Sept. to Jan., but will go yearround. I hit hybrids/stripers from the end of Dec. to Mar. I hit Speckled trout and redfish from March through summer. Also bream bed fish and still occassionally bass fish in summer. I have patterned all these species yearround, but this is the best bites in my area for each. I am very blessed to be in God's country where I chase a wide range of species. Forgot I also deer hunt some during winter. If its cold where more clothes and get a heater.

[ChrisCarter]

I downloaded a fishing game on to my phone. Its doesn't compare to the real thing, but it stops the shaky hands and passes the time. I'm being sarcastic about the shaky hands.

[rocket rich]

Fishing is better in the fall winter and early spring. Not many people out sking or boating

[jeepguyjames]

Shooting at the local indoor range helps me cope for the month or so we have ice.......if theres soft water im fishing despite the cold