Lake Texoma Striper Fishing Blog

December – February  

During the cold winter months when the water temperature is in the 40’s and 50’s, the striper’s metabolism slows down a bit. They are less aggressive and they do not eat as often as they do in the warmer months. Look for stripers to be deep when it is cold and shallower when it is warm. The birds can be very helpful during this time of year to point out feeding fish. Look for birds that are hitting the water and drift into them. A lot of fish will move into the mouth of the rivers and up the creeks. Also search outside of marinas that are holding large schools of shad.

            Once you’ve found the birds or a good school of fish, arm yourself with a ¾ - 1 ½ oz. sassy shad with a 4-5” glow, pearl, or chartreuse body. If that doesn’t work then try a ½ -1 oz. bucktail jig. The striper will want a very slow retrieve in the cold water. If you have a decent wind then you might not want to reel at all, just let it fall to the bottom and hold it letting the wind do the work for you, when using this technique, set the hook on every little bump, you will miss a lot but you will catch fish. If you have shad, anchoring out on structure works year round. Gizzard shad will live better in the cold water but threadies will work if that all you can find. 

            This is a good time of year to catch big fish.  10lb fish are common this time of year.  This is also a good time for catfish.  Book a winter trip if you want to catfish or to catch big striper.

 

Your Lake Texoma Fishing Guide,

Brian Prichard