Winter fishing is in full swing now which means it is slow and sloppy in many places.

Visit the bait shops instead. Many are getting in all their gear they ordered over the winter for spring. Here’s a hint: You can sometimes get a nice deal when those stores are loaded to the gills this time of year. It never hurts to ask. I’ve been seeing a lot of online prices nearly match stores, when the shipping is added. You might be surprised the deals you can find locally this time of year.

Most shops open are stocking bloodworms right now. Some are keeping off hours due to slow days and, of course, hunting seasons.

Some are still trying to catch a deer. We have three-foot snow drifts out here — it would be a good place to drop a doe tail jig and bring one in. Sorry, I just want to fish.

I’ve not seen most of our usual deer. I think many have been harvested. It will be interesting to watch over the summer and see who become the alpha bucks.

We’ve been making gear for days by the woodstove, between bouts in the snow. We have 14 inches around the house and woods. With the huge drifts, it is like being a kid again. Then again, I never grew up. The car hood lost its paint two days ago.

The surf has been quiet, except skates and dogfish this time of year, if you are lucky. That’s sad when you can’t even catch a skate.

The Point blitz is on Feb. 28, the last day it is open for the year. That really brings out the surf anglers for one last hurrah, weather not pending.

It is a tradition for many to say goodbye for the summer, and then wish we could fish that area all year. You can fish it in a boat, just stay off the beach.
There isn’t much else to tell you all. It is a typical winter.

Check your gear. Look at your rod guides, especially the saltwater guides. You can check for cracks and nicks with a cottonball. Wipe it along the inside of the guide. If any cotton strands catch, you might have a crack or the beginning of one. Those cracks catch your line and cut it or wear it down, and it eventually snaps. If you had any mystery snap-offs mid-line last year, that is one culprit to check. Not those I wrapped my line around the end of my rod launch casts. That cast fail has a very distinguished sound.

Now is the time to get the guide fixed for next season. With more people fishing, there could be a backup at local rod folks. If you are handy or crafty, check out YouTube. It isn’t hard to change a guide, it just takes some basic skill and could be a fun project for winter.