I was on the water yesterday for a few hours in frigid drizzle. Water temps were down as low as 48.7 degrees. When surface temps finally dip into the 40s this time of year, I often make the switch from swimbaits to other lures, mainly jigs. I'm going to try to stick it out with swimbaits tomorrow, though.

Anyone found any successful adjustments you can make to get bit on swimbaits in cold water like this?

Generic Live Trout Softbait became my go to December / January bait for a few years. The original one, with the single joint. It just seemed like fish really went after that lure in cold, clear water conditions. Can't get them any more.

I think it was Jan of 2007, we had a big arctic storm come through and the temps really dropped. I think I had only caught a couple of fish in November and December so I didn't have high hopes for this trip. Getting to the lake my temp gauge in my truck said it was 18 degrees outside. We launch and head out to the first spot. When we get to the first spot I noticed on the first cast that the water was freezing to the line, as the line was going through the level wind it was making shaved ice. A couple of times the level wind had so much ice in it, it would be hard to reel so I would have to clean it out.....very cold. I don't remember what the water temp was that day but i'm sure it was in the 40's. I think I caught 6-7 swimbait fish that day and missed several others. I ended up winning our little club tournament with about 25lbs. Another thing that really surprised me that day was seeing several trout get chased in the ice cold water.

I guess if you are there when they want to bite it doesn't matter how cold it is.

Jake J

http://calfishing.com/gallery/v/members/jakej/