kuhn topwater
As winter bears down, the weather becomes less predictable. Persistent days of howling winds muddle the shallows making finding and catching fish nearly impossible. When conditions turn breezy, and the water clarity churns, changing tactics can turn rough water into smooth sailing.
As shallow flats turn choppy, fish migrate to deeper water less affected by wind. As such, fish the nearshore depth changes first, moving incrementally deeper until you find biting fish.
Throwing noisy top waters are great “search baits” for covering large expanses water. Walking baits, like Zara Spooks excel here. Chugging baits skitter-popped on a quick cadence will also dredge fish up from murky waters.
Use the wind to make drifts, resisting the temptation to use the trolling motor. Research shows fish rely more on their sense of vibration as water clarity diminishes. The unfamiliar hum of electric motors repel fish, pushing them beyond casting distance.
