What would you look for?

[cbcs1987]

Well me n the lady are headin out in the morning for a day of fishin. Deer seasons over and were gonna give fishin in the cold a try. We ain't got nothin but a 10 ft. Jon boat, but it floats as good as the rest of em. We dont have a depth finder either. I've never fished this time of year. So with that said, what kind of area should we look to fish in the mornin and what would you recommend throwin? We'll be fishin the little river in rockford in case any locals are readin...
I'm thinkin maybe jig or a slow rebel craw on some bluffs.

 

[birddoginQ]

I would head down river near the alcoa highway bridge and fish the big channel bends and the bluffs just upstream from the bridge. The docks should also have a few fish and maybe a few crappie holding on those steep banks. The jig and pig or a crankbait will do.

 

[bowriter]

Not having a depth finder is serious handicap in cold weather. I have no experience with the area you are fishing but if you know where there are serious depth breaks, as in 5-20 feet, 20-40 feet, etc. That's a start. If it is a bright sunny day, later in the day, look at some 3-10 feet of water on muddy or chunk rock bank.