I have grown to really love cold-water fishing and the tranquility it provides to virtually have the river (and fish) to yourself. I have caught smallmouth with water temperatures down into the 30’s but I prefer the New River to be between 39 and 45 degrees. February and March, and sometimes into April, are excellent times of the year to chase big smallies as they are typically grouped up and willing to bite if you find them and probe them hard enough. My bait of choice is my 1/4oz “Ungulator” rabbit hair jig that I designed and tied to match the cold water forage that New River smallies will fight over; mad toms. I like to target winter areas that have some depth, good rock or log structure on the bottom, and attract food. I will use the jig to “dissect” the bottom very deliberately, using a rod-lift to slowly drag and stop the jig as needed. I love to feel the jig fall off a rock as smallies will many times hit the jig on a free-fall off cover. Hits, or “tinks” as I call them, can be subtle or jolting but don’t take any chances and set the hook on any “feel goods” by reeling all the slack of the line before a cross the eyes hook set. Make sure to use extreme caution while fishing during the winter months and always wear a PFD and let someone know where you are at all times.