Late Winter Rainbows

[jflood]

I have experienced success in the shallows during early ice but have not been successful in the shallows lately. What DOW should I fish for bows at this time of year. Are they gettin sluggish before they spawn I have tried, icicles, power bait, nightcrawlers, & wax worms. With no success lately. Any suggestions

[iceintheveins]

Late ice trout can be finicky or they can be just as active as first ice trout. Pretty much concentrate on 7 - 20 feet of water with 15 feet being prime. They will be anywhere in the water column. The best all around baits are small spoons like stingers or swedish pimples tipped with a small piece of nightcrawler. Ratsos and shrimpos tipped with a single waxworm are good for when your getting them to look but not take.

[PondPro]

yupp.

[Jim111]

How early are you getting there? This time of year, I seldom get rainbows after about 8:30-9:00 AM and usually they hit MUCH earlier, then they bug out to deeper water. We use VERY small baits too, like a one-inch or less piece of worm or crawler. We are fishing almost on shore too, in small coves, no deeper than maybe 10 feet and sometimes much less.  -Jim

[jflood]

setting up in the dark at 5 am, in 5-15 fow, with icicles and nightcrawlers. I got skunked yesterday and last Saturday any other suggestions

[Jim111]

My suggestion is to fish very small baits and just under the ice a few feet, five feet tops. Try different baits too, like a single salmon egg, tiny piece of raw shrimp, small piece of soft cheese, small piece of worm hooked just once, etc. Also, no weight at all and light mono or flouro leaders and small hooks too. This works for me, whether on wild rainbows or stocked fish. Works on browns, brookies and rainbows alike. Keep noise and movement above ice to a minimum too. Don't keep cutting holes or driving ATVs or snow machines after daybreak. I also try to time my trips to day before a strom or day OF a storm and days with light winds and no full moon or near it even.
GOOD LUCK!  -Jim

[jflood]

what is your theory on the full moon 

[deadsmelthead]

I think they feed all night because of the more intense moonlight, I think it gives them an advatage over the prey and they use all night long and don't bite worth a crap during the day

[jflood]

hmmmmm, i went out last week, it wasn't quite full moon but it sure was bright. guess what, i didn't catch a thing

[Sax_]

Try by any creeks or streams coming into the body of water they are going to be spawning soon , and they will start to move toward current . Also I would try a worm and marshmallow (my all time favorite bow bait ) or some small minnows . hope you find em good luck 

[iceintheveins]

The bite is definately best right around sunup till about 9:00 am. Sometimes the evening or even the night bite is good too.

[Jim111]

I have no idea just what it is that causes the full moon period to make trout fishing suck so bad, but it sure is the case for us, and no matter what time of year too, but it seems especially noticeable in the wintertime. I wish I knew why,...like the day after a big storm? Same deal, and we even call it "day after the storm syndrome" and never even bother going anymore after a big winter strom.  -Jim

[bigredonice]

I would fish near incoming creeks and streams for late ice bows.  I have had some great days fishing in the open water at the mouths of small creeks for staging bows while there was still fishable ice on the water body.

[jflood]

Bigred,
Thanks for the advice. I have heard from others that the stream brings in oxygen into the iced waters.  I have also read that bows seem to be very sensitive to the dissolved oxygen levels. With the weather being so messed up this winter warm, cold, and the  rain I don't have the guts to go anywhere near a stream.  I am fearful of going through.  With this wonderful cold snap we been having I plan on being a little more ambitious this weekend.
Bigred, If memory serves me correct your a Renns. county guy. If your interested in bows this weekend send me a PM. I might give Grafton a try.

[iceintheveins]

I would fish near incoming creeks and streams for late ice bows.  I have had some great days fishing in the open water at the mouths of small creeks for staging bows while there was still fishable ice on the water body.

Yep thats an excellent tactic.

[Jim111]

Odd? The past week or so, we've been getting the rainbows near the OUTLET stream on the lake where we have been getting them. Go figure? Maybe it's just that anywhere there's any "current" in the place to be?  -Jim

[jflood]

Jim,
The lake I fish is pretty locked up. There is very tiny little stream than doesn't amount to more than a trickle. There is next to nothing when it comes to current. I keep trying