This has been a cold winter so far

[BoatGuy]

I remember reading a long time ago, cold winter means more sand eels. I have no idea if that’s true. Any baitfish affected?
What will....if anything.....do for the fishing in the spring??

 

[Leprechaun]

Yes, I’ve alway heard that as well. Going on 50 years, now that I think about it. Is it true? Maybe.

 

[flounderbound]

They also said that a cold winter meant a good spring flounder season . HaHa

 

[OVERBORED]

Had the best winter cod fishing when it was coldest. I also remember catching flounder in the snow in February at the Shinny canal...............about 40-50 years ago!

 

[longcast]

Had the best winter cod fishing when it was coldest. I also remember catching flounder in the snow in February at the Shinny canal...............about 40-50 years ago!

And along the banks of the Quogue Canal...........................Boy do I miss my father............

 

[OVERBORED]

And along the banks of the Quogue Canal...........................Boy do I miss my father............

Yeah......great memories.

 

[BoatGuy]

Yes, I’ve alway heard that as well. Going on 50 years, now that I think about it. Is it true? Maybe.

Is that a definite maybe?

 

[Roccus7]

Had the best winter cod fishing when it was coldest. I also remember catching flounder in the snow in February at the Shinny canal...............about 40-50 years ago!

And along the banks of the Quogue Canal...........................Boy do I miss my father............

Rember having to clear ice from my guides while fishing, and catching, at those places…

 

[captmike28]

Rember having to clear ice from my guides while fishing, and catching, at those places…

Clearing ice from our guides was the least of our late winter problems.

I have made many a late Dec or even early Jan Tog trip, with Lep before the seasons started closing earlier in Dec.

Never could get used to the sound of the ice crunching against the hull of his trusty Shamrock while leaving the canal for open water! But, man the Tog fishing was sure good in those days.

 

[OVERBORED]

Then there were those times when the weather forecast was wrong. But like you said Mike, when fishing is good sometimes you take a chance!

 

[CELLFISH]

DEADLIEST CATCH type of fisherman… cell…

 

[Matts]

Sometimes it gets cold while the tog are still biting and you miss having a cabin ....

 

[Matts]

A buddy suggested that when it does get cold when your boat is still in the water, keep the lower unit down, in the water.
His reasoning was that you were not going to get much marine growth that time of year. However, if there were any water in your lower unit after you tilted the motor up, it would freeze if out of the water, would be more protected if left in the water.
Thoughts?

 

[Avenger]

A buddy suggested that when it does get cold when your boat is still in the water, keep the lower unit down, in the water.
His reasoning was that you were not going to get much marine growth that time of year. However, if there were any water in your lower unit after you tilted the motor up, it would freeze if out of the water, would be more protected if left in the water.
Thoughts?

Could be either, but have you noticed how many small holes are in a lower unit, and how water comes out of them when you tilt it?

My belief is that the engineers thought of that.