Southern fisheries offer the chance to shake off the effects of cabin fever and chase big fish. States like Kentucky, Tennessee and the southern portions of Missouri and Illinois usually offer open water all year long, including the chance at monster muskies with little to no fishing pressure. From the middle of winter into early spring, male muskies are typically thick and healthy. But the females are even bigger, fat with eggs, and the heaviest they will be all year long.

Low-pressure season

Muskies might never see a lure for weeks or more at a time at this time of year. So, when you put yours in front of them, there’s an increased likelihood it will elicit a response in the form of a follow or strike. Southern winters are often mild; we’re talking t-shirt weather. During mild periods, or anytime southern fisheries see warmer weather with lots of sunshine, water temperatures will rise quickly as muskies put the feed bag on, producing red-hot wintertime action. Trophy-class muskies are highly susceptible at this time, with warming waters, low boat traffic and minimal fishing pressure. Yes, even on beautiful warm southern winter days, you’re unlikely to see many anglers, as most winterize and store their boats and gear during this season. This presents a unique opportunity for wintertime anglers.

Top presentations

Casting, trolling and jigging presentations can all produce at this time, but casting usually reigns supreme. Since milder winters have become the norm, muskies are likely to invade the shallows much earlier than normal. Until then, trolling covers open water efficiently with tight-wiggling crankbaits and minnow plugs, and long-arm, safety-pin-style multi blade spinnerbaits like the School N Shad. With 3, 4 or 5 willow leaf blades, silicone rubber skirts and shad-style swimbait trailers, they mimic schools of baitfish much like the Alabama rigs that have become so popular in bass fishing circles—a downsized version of the old umbrella rig for striper fishing in saltwater. Spinnerbaits are easier to cast and or troll and don’t damage fish like multi-lure rigs can.

Winter trolling mimics methods for walleyes more than those for muskies and pike, but with bigger baits. When large schools of baitfish are located with big predators around them, jigging can produce with lures like a Rattlin’ Scale spoon, a single-blade spinnerbait like the Hatchet Spin, or jig & plastic.

With warmer waters, casting is most effective most of the time now, especially when ‘skis are holding in and around cover. Southern muskies are more likely to utilize rock and wood cover than weeds in winter and early spring. Large beds of dead and decaying vegetation pull oxygen out of the water, making areas with little grass more attractive. Boulders, ledges, riprap, timber, stumps and brush hold fish.

Slow-rolling counter-rotating-bladed spinnerbaits like the Hatchet Shad is a deadly tactic. Wide-swinging, glider-style jerkbaits can also be effective with a casting presentation. Lipless crankbaits and short-lipped minnow plugs shine at this time of year as well. It never hurts to bump the cover, either. Banging the nose of a lure into a rock or tree can trigger awe-inspiring strikes!

Special considerations

In winter and sometimes also in early spring, you’re likely to never see another soul, especially during the week, and this can be a dangerous time. Make sure your boat, trolling motor and outboard are all serviced and working well—something even more critical in the cold.

Phones are great, and should be carried on every trip, but they break, the batteries die, especially in cold weather. They get accidentally stepped on, or dropped in the water, and on remote sections of many waters, they don’t get a signal at all. Even on some of the less-remote waters with homes and marinas, many still have wilderness areas. In addition to a first aid kit and other required safety equipment, keep plenty of extra warm clothes, insulated boots, and a rainsuit on board, despite the forecast, along with food, water and a flashlight. We never launch a boat in winter without a good survival kit. It’s probably the most important thing to pack.

Get out there

The only mistake is not taking the time to get out into God’s great outdoors to experience the wonder and magnificence of the natural world, and the amazing creatures that call it home, like the muskie. In this fast-paced and often hectic world, we can draw on these experiences in the wild, with wild creatures. It can be like the air in our lungs or the fuel in our tanks, restoration for the human heart. Don’t let life pass you by. You can kick that case of cabin fever by chasing your favorite fish on southern waters this winter.

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