January, depending on mild weather stripers can be caught in shallow water, pulling boards with gizzard shad can give you some excitement you will not forget.
If the weather gets really cold, say single digits, at night and 30's during the day then the fish and bait are going deep and fishing can get tough. But deep fish are sometimes the most rewarding.
Down rods, with small baits(alewives), spoons, and other jigs are the way to go.
Smith MTN. Lake is great this time of year if its a mild winter, Boone lake as well.
