February 2019 Fishing Forecast
by Ray Merckx – Sports Writer for Sentinel of Gloucester County Newspaper
Published in Print Edition Week of 1/31/2019
The rollercoaster of winter temperatures will be hitting our area again this week. The first week of February we start off with highs in the mid 20s. I’m hoping this will be our last cold snap for the season and temperatures will rise but you never know. January was hit or miss when it came to having a chance to get in some fishing. The last time I was on my boat, was the day the double doink happened in Chicago. Since then, I’ve been fishing from the land in spots where I can find open water and like other anglers, I’m having very little success. This month seems to be starting off the same way with the frigid temperatures.
Weather predictions look promising for the middle of the month with temperatures predicted to be near 50 degrees by Valentine’s day. But as we know, weather conditions can change. If the temperatures stay above the 45 degree mark during the day and night time temperatures hover around the freezing mark, it will make for less ice on lakes and hopefully it will be a good thawing process. Once this happens, more fish species will become active.
If you can get out to fish, focus on trying to catch Pickerel, Perch or Crappie. These three species are the most active. A really hungry bass may bite, but don’t usually become active until the end of the month. So to save yourself frustration while fishing in cold weather, just try and catch a pickerel or perch. You wont be disappointed because catching something is always better than nothing. Stick with small crappie jigs, rooster tails or spoons and if you can get live bait, use it. A worm and a bobber can sometimes produce a catch in cold weather.
The one plus side about the month of February is that it is a short month with only 28 days. And we have seen temperatures reach 60 degrees by end of the month. If you’re like me, you’re praying for a warm up so you can get back to bass fishing. That warmer spring weather is eventually coming.