As the title says - how cold does it have to get before you stop fishing? I'm curious what your experience is fishing in colder weather, and if you think it's worthwhile.
I'm guessing most will change tactics in winter, but I've heard of folk catching on fishmeal in freezing temps too.
I have to say, I'm a fair weather fisherman myself. As soon as it gets chilly I pack up the rods and wait for spring! Am I maybe missing a trick?
I'm guessing most will change tactics in winter, but I've heard of folk catching on fishmeal in freezing temps too.
I have to say, I'm a fair weather fisherman myself. As soon as it gets chilly I pack up the rods and wait for spring! Am I maybe missing a trick?
In reply to Post #1
I fish right through, but it's not so much about the catching, as much the peace and quiet and the adventure. I've been out in as low as -6 when I was younger. If you put a hot water bottle down your bag and keep your feet warm, the rest of your body seems to follow suit and it's lovely!
I fish right through, but it's not so much about the catching, as much the peace and quiet and the adventure. I've been out in as low as -6 when I was younger. If you put a hot water bottle down your bag and keep your feet warm, the rest of your body seems to follow suit and it's lovely!
In reply to Post #1
no rules, do what your happy with, I try and fish through the winter , but its not compulsory and I do like going to the odd muppet water for a bend
no rules, do what your happy with, I try and fish through the winter , but its not compulsory and I do like going to the odd muppet water for a bend
I generally don't bother fishing for the carp when temp is lower than 10 degrees
They are hard enough to catch when conditions are spot on for me. I just fish for whatever species the weather suits best. This time of the year it's pike, perch, chub or roach - too many choices
They are hard enough to catch when conditions are spot on for me. I just fish for whatever species the weather suits best. This time of the year it's pike, perch, chub or roach - too many choices
I only stop if there's a lid on the pond!
In reply to Post #2
Me too. Out now and have forgotten the bloody hot water bottle.
Me too. Out now and have forgotten the bloody hot water bottle.
I love winter fishing. But just because I hate people.
Cold is never an issue if you are prepaired, lovely calm cripsy frosty mornings are glorious. I do find cold wind and rain to get very tiring and miserable though.
Cold is never an issue if you are prepaired, lovely calm cripsy frosty mornings are glorious. I do find cold wind and rain to get very tiring and miserable though.
I fish till it freezes over and start again when it thaws out. Usually though I stop about a week or two before Xmas just to be sociable and go away and start again week after New Year providing it is not frozen over. During the "closed" period, I hit the beaches for some Cod bashing.
But, I do wonder why I fish through the Winter months now.
But, I do wonder why I fish through the Winter months now.
back in the day the man that showed the carping world that you could catch carp in the harshest of winter conditions was Fred Wilton & Gerry Savage
in think it was 1967 ? after a baiting campaign with a PYM based HNV bait they arrived at Sutton in a snow storm to find the lake had frozen over they broke the ice and soon caught this fish and showed provided a regular amount of bait was going in the fish would indeed continue to feed right thru the winter
HOWEVER !!!
it was also found if food wasnt readily available thru the lower temps in winter .....(nobody baiting and fishing) then the fish would stop feeding and go into a torpid state until the warmer weather and food became readily available
so basically if you want to be successful winter fishing fish a place that gets fished a lot OR bait regularly so the fish continue to feed
in think it was 1967 ? after a baiting campaign with a PYM based HNV bait they arrived at Sutton in a snow storm to find the lake had frozen over they broke the ice and soon caught this fish and showed provided a regular amount of bait was going in the fish would indeed continue to feed right thru the winter
HOWEVER !!!
it was also found if food wasnt readily available thru the lower temps in winter .....(nobody baiting and fishing) then the fish would stop feeding and go into a torpid state until the warmer weather and food became readily available
so basically if you want to be successful winter fishing fish a place that gets fished a lot OR bait regularly so the fish continue to feed
In reply to Post #10
I dont, i fish as much as i can throughout the year, and even if im on a stillwater that freezers, i will move to the river and fish there. Its in my blood.
I dont, i fish as much as i can throughout the year, and even if im on a stillwater that freezers, i will move to the river and fish there. Its in my blood.
I still go as much as I can..
Yesterday a lovely common,my latest,I just looked for cloudy water in this flooded mine,bingo..!
I noticed them swimming around in a large posse,not all the carp though, some lone individuals amongst the small groups,,I found the 'window',this is around 4pm,I note all the small silvers become very active,...only at that time ,not in the main part of the day..
I have had some of my best sessions in colder months,not always either from high stock lakes..
As long as you keep warm,got a good shelter,nice food n drink,should a good experience, I only mainly do long days,..if not carping the big still water silvers or perch..,I also take my binos,do a bit of wildlife obs as well
Nb,Mr Savage used to have that winter picture on his wall,either at Bolingy ,or in his passage at the bungalow..can't remember zackly
Yesterday a lovely common,my latest,I just looked for cloudy water in this flooded mine,bingo..!
I noticed them swimming around in a large posse,not all the carp though, some lone individuals amongst the small groups,,I found the 'window',this is around 4pm,I note all the small silvers become very active,...only at that time ,not in the main part of the day..
I have had some of my best sessions in colder months,not always either from high stock lakes..
As long as you keep warm,got a good shelter,nice food n drink,should a good experience, I only mainly do long days,..if not carping the big still water silvers or perch..,I also take my binos,do a bit of wildlife obs as well
Nb,Mr Savage used to have that winter picture on his wall,either at Bolingy ,or in his passage at the bungalow..can't remember zackly
I always fish throughout the winter, it's my favorite time of the year to be on the bank.
As every years, bar the last due to this bloody virus, I have began the chasing of the Carps in the lake I fish. I love this searching, to find where they are is almost as good as catch them.
I've a couple of great memories of winter campaign, one is when I caught the biggest common I had after a winter without a single carp. Two weeks before I had it, I have seen a really big carp leap out of the water just in front of me, not far from where I was fishing. The week later I heard a carp crashing the water few ours after dark and after another week, after a blank night with strong winds like gale and a drizzling rain, when I had just put the coffee on to make breakfast I had a take and after a good fight in a cold February morning I caught it, a beautiful common in his winter shape and color.
My pb at the time and the second biggest carp I was lucky to catch.
I think is better to save you from the other memory LOL
As every years, bar the last due to this bloody virus, I have began the chasing of the Carps in the lake I fish. I love this searching, to find where they are is almost as good as catch them.
I've a couple of great memories of winter campaign, one is when I caught the biggest common I had after a winter without a single carp. Two weeks before I had it, I have seen a really big carp leap out of the water just in front of me, not far from where I was fishing. The week later I heard a carp crashing the water few ours after dark and after another week, after a blank night with strong winds like gale and a drizzling rain, when I had just put the coffee on to make breakfast I had a take and after a good fight in a cold February morning I caught it, a beautiful common in his winter shape and color.
My pb at the time and the second biggest carp I was lucky to catch.
I think is better to save you from the other memory LOL
In reply to Post #1
I'm a bit of a fair weather angler and I take my hat off to you hard core blokes.
For the last 8 years bringing up three kids single handed just getting out has been a luxury, if I had no kids no bird and a less demanding job then I'd probably fish every weekend, plus bank holidays and spend all of my annual leave on the bank.
This year my last session was the end of September and I won't be out again until next March. Now my daughter can be legally left unsupervised overnight I am hoping to get out more and hopefully fish October and November.
I'm a bit of a fair weather angler and I take my hat off to you hard core blokes.
For the last 8 years bringing up three kids single handed just getting out has been a luxury, if I had no kids no bird and a less demanding job then I'd probably fish every weekend, plus bank holidays and spend all of my annual leave on the bank.
This year my last session was the end of September and I won't be out again until next March. Now my daughter can be legally left unsupervised overnight I am hoping to get out more and hopefully fish October and November.
In reply to Post #14
Fair play mate. I doubt you'll look back in years to come and regret the fishing you couldn't do, but you would sure as hell regret not seeing your kids grow up if it was the other way round.
Fair play mate. I doubt you'll look back in years to come and regret the fishing you couldn't do, but you would sure as hell regret not seeing your kids grow up if it was the other way round.
I don't stop I go right through the winter, it's my favourite time of the year I actually enjoy the colder weather and quieter banks, A lot less people in the winter so I prefer it plus I can get a head start in the spring when they are at very good weights
The temperature is never an issue just a decent bag, a hot water bottle and a good winter suit is all you need
The temperature is never an issue just a decent bag, a hot water bottle and a good winter suit is all you need
Did my 1st night for ages this Monday. Only me and one other on, although its rarely got more than 4 on even during the warmer months! I blanked,and not heard anything from the other lad. Although it looked a tad bleak,it was refreshing to be out at night again. What got me was being TOO HOT in the bag... think it was something like 10 deg at midnight!!! Happy to fish when brolly/shelter gets frosty and water bottle 'lumpy'. Decent food,drinks,clothing etc and its good to go...A small hot water bottle is rather nice though 
In reply to Post #17
Go all year , just use the right kit and you should be fine..... froze over on me last Friday night. Not done that for years 😂😂
Go all year , just use the right kit and you should be fine..... froze over on me last Friday night. Not done that for years 😂😂
I know it's not cold yet but went to start on a new syndicate yesterday just for a 6 hour day session, the bloody carp were tail walking in the middle a jumping in front of the snags. I even had a run, inexplicably I missed it.
In reply to Post #1
I personally don't fish from the end of October until maybe end of March or beginning of April. To me fishing is a hobby to enjoy not endure, and before you ask yes I have done it when younger, yes I do have the right gear, but what I don't enjoy is being in 14 hours of darkness. Granted it hasn't got cold yet but it will and the two together is a no from me. I also ride a bike for pleasure, that to gets put away for the winter, unless dry and mild. As above, to me a hobby is something to enjoy doing and these are the times I enjoy them 😁
I personally don't fish from the end of October until maybe end of March or beginning of April. To me fishing is a hobby to enjoy not endure, and before you ask yes I have done it when younger, yes I do have the right gear, but what I don't enjoy is being in 14 hours of darkness. Granted it hasn't got cold yet but it will and the two together is a no from me. I also ride a bike for pleasure, that to gets put away for the winter, unless dry and mild. As above, to me a hobby is something to enjoy doing and these are the times I enjoy them 😁
I fish all the way through, pike, carp, chub, perch or roach. What I fish for tends to depend on my days off.
If I get two days off together I usually do the day and night for carp, if just one it will be for one of the other species.
Roach and chub will usually be a river trip somewhere, whereas pike I will go on a stillwater, but that has to be planned as I am terrible at getting my backside into gear after a late finish at work, 11pm is usual. Roach and chub I don't have to be up early.
Carpwise I have the gear to be warm and dry and the long night I can read or watch downloads in the bivvy.
I have been known to finish work, drive home, pick up the gear and set up in the dark for 2 nights.
If I get two days off together I usually do the day and night for carp, if just one it will be for one of the other species.
Roach and chub will usually be a river trip somewhere, whereas pike I will go on a stillwater, but that has to be planned as I am terrible at getting my backside into gear after a late finish at work, 11pm is usual. Roach and chub I don't have to be up early.
Carpwise I have the gear to be warm and dry and the long night I can read or watch downloads in the bivvy.
I have been known to finish work, drive home, pick up the gear and set up in the dark for 2 nights.
In reply to Post #21
Also usually fish the better months, can cope with the cold better now than I did 20 years ago. Sadly due to a couple of reasons it's just not feasible for me to get time at the minute but can honestly say I'd go now if i could at the drop of a hat, that pi $$ed off with not going out due to the work my wife and I do and covid I'd just go now with bbq, couple of bottles of red wine and I'd totally love it.
Also usually fish the better months, can cope with the cold better now than I did 20 years ago. Sadly due to a couple of reasons it's just not feasible for me to get time at the minute but can honestly say I'd go now if i could at the drop of a hat, that pi $$ed off with not going out due to the work my wife and I do and covid I'd just go now with bbq, couple of bottles of red wine and I'd totally love it.
In reply to Post #1
Love the winter and go as often as possible. I caught a carp at Marlborough pools on a night when the temps dipped to minus 12 with the lake freezing around us one January. I lost another that night too. If you don't like the cold then stay at home and catch up on everything else in life. Lots of fun to be had in winter. Last week we caught carp and the water temp was 4 degrees!!! It can be done as long as the water is floppy!
Love the winter and go as often as possible. I caught a carp at Marlborough pools on a night when the temps dipped to minus 12 with the lake freezing around us one January. I lost another that night too. If you don't like the cold then stay at home and catch up on everything else in life. Lots of fun to be had in winter. Last week we caught carp and the water temp was 4 degrees!!! It can be done as long as the water is floppy!
In reply to Post #23
Totally agree - was going to do a few nights this coming week, but with clear skies, easterlies and the pressure being 1040+ mb, I might give it a miss......
Totally agree - was going to do a few nights this coming week, but with clear skies, easterlies and the pressure being 1040+ mb, I might give it a miss......
In reply to Post #24
High pressure and clear skies is some of my favorite winter conditions
High pressure and clear skies is some of my favorite winter conditions
In reply to Post #25
me2
me2
In reply to Post #25
Yes if the venue suits those conditions. One lake I fish will only have fish in a third of the swims in those conditions. Great if you can get in the right swim. If you can't you might as well go home.
Yes if the venue suits those conditions. One lake I fish will only have fish in a third of the swims in those conditions. Great if you can get in the right swim. If you can't you might as well go home.
In reply to Post #27
Are your lakes 1/3rd full in the depths of winter?!
Are your lakes 1/3rd full in the depths of winter?!
I did 24 hours from 2pm yesterday. Only one on the lake
In reply to Post #28
The same applies in the Autumn and the lake is full so you cannot move swims. Unless someone leaves.
Perhaps that's why we now have a rule of a maximum of 72 hrs on tben 24 hrs off. Instead of cutting back on members, and profit they are cutting back on fishing time on the bank..
The same applies in the Autumn and the lake is full so you cannot move swims. Unless someone leaves.
Perhaps that's why we now have a rule of a maximum of 72 hrs on tben 24 hrs off. Instead of cutting back on members, and profit they are cutting back on fishing time on the bank..
Did 4 nights last week on a lake with 75 swims. Three other anglers at most till Friday morning when 3 more arrived. Why wouldn't you go?
In reply to Post #31
so true
so true
In reply to Post #1
I've broken the ice and caught, so basically, if you really want to have a bash, it doesn't matter how cold it is.
I've broken the ice and caught, so basically, if you really want to have a bash, it doesn't matter how cold it is.
In reply to Post #1
Yep, my son went today and asked if I wanted to come! My days of freezing my boilies off are over! I won't go fishing overnight unless it's at least 10c.
Yep, my son went today and asked if I wanted to come! My days of freezing my boilies off are over! I won't go fishing overnight unless it's at least 10c.
In reply to Post #1
Your missing out.
I only fish days and as long as I've got some warm clothes and a flask of tea I like to get out there, only local so if it gets really bad I go home.
Not sure I could handle the nights!
Your missing out.
I only fish days and as long as I've got some warm clothes and a flask of tea I like to get out there, only local so if it gets really bad I go home.
Not sure I could handle the nights!
It's pretty chilly tonight. Missed all that mild weather with work, but I'll be out through whatever in winter
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