Just for a bit of discussion and not for the 'find the fish / use this bait, try zigs' type of advice (please). last week I was on a day session, it was horribly cold, about 12 acres but usually you can find some kind of sign of a fish, but despite 2 of us fishing opposite ends of the lake nada, not even a liner.
Whilst not surprising given there hadn't been a fish out for a few days and many doing 48 hours it made me really scrape the bottom of the barrel when trying to get some confidence - so in no particular order (some are silly obvious) anyone have any to add or mad thoughts (like some of mine are).
Fish showing, bubbling, muddling, cleaned spots all the obvious etc.
Margins and islands typical gotta be there spots given conditions
Teeth of the wind, back of the wind.
Old spots where you've caught from (especially in same conditions)
Similar depths to previous captures in the same conditions
The area of the lake that 'heats' up first by the sun
Slack water (Dunno why, but I love anything without the chop when I'm struggling)
Where the ducks are (fuzzy logic)
Where I can see any fish activity (the random perch shoal)
That 6th sense i will try that (very occasional success)
Rotating recasts - every 30 mins on 2 rods
Seen someone else catch from there!
and yes I move swims regularly - it was just last week, I actually moved twice, for the sake of moving and because I just couldn't draw inspiration from anywhere....
Whilst not surprising given there hadn't been a fish out for a few days and many doing 48 hours it made me really scrape the bottom of the barrel when trying to get some confidence - so in no particular order (some are silly obvious) anyone have any to add or mad thoughts (like some of mine are).
Fish showing, bubbling, muddling, cleaned spots all the obvious etc.
Margins and islands typical gotta be there spots given conditions
Teeth of the wind, back of the wind.
Old spots where you've caught from (especially in same conditions)
Similar depths to previous captures in the same conditions
The area of the lake that 'heats' up first by the sun
Slack water (Dunno why, but I love anything without the chop when I'm struggling)
Where the ducks are (fuzzy logic)
Where I can see any fish activity (the random perch shoal)
That 6th sense i will try that (very occasional success)
Rotating recasts - every 30 mins on 2 rods
Seen someone else catch from there!
and yes I move swims regularly - it was just last week, I actually moved twice, for the sake of moving and because I just couldn't draw inspiration from anywhere....
In reply to Post #1
I know you've mentioned it briefly, but I remember hearing Scott Lloyd talking about watching the birdlife etc, and showing swans hissing at / spooking off from carp, and the same for some coots etc. Definitely watching them is always interesting
I know you've mentioned it briefly, but I remember hearing Scott Lloyd talking about watching the birdlife etc, and showing swans hissing at / spooking off from carp, and the same for some coots etc. Definitely watching them is always interesting
Northeast corner, gets the sun and no cold winds.
Watch where the seagulls gather of an evening, often on top of fish. 😉
Watch where the seagulls gather of an evening, often on top of fish. 😉
In reply to Post #1
Some waters, no matter what, the fish hole up in particular areas, snags, by rushes, weed, near natural food or drop-offs or gravel bars.
Knowing the water in winter can be a case of going to that area every trip.
Some waters, no matter what, the fish hole up in particular areas, snags, by rushes, weed, near natural food or drop-offs or gravel bars.
Knowing the water in winter can be a case of going to that area every trip.
In reply to Post #1
I've lost count of the winter fish I've caught from water barely deep enough to cover their backs, day and night.
I've lost count of the winter fish I've caught from water barely deep enough to cover their backs, day and night.
I've done well so far this winter, fishing in heavy silt, like really thick silt.
At this time of the year, it's one of the few places left which holds plenty of natural food (bloodworm and stuff) and the fish will regularly feed in those areas, even when it's very cold in the middle of January.
Only last week, in 20 feet of water I was bringing back my rig with bloodworm entangled around the hook and lead clip. I also caught 3 carp from there and someone else had a mirror just under 50lb from the same spot.
I also tend to find, that lakes which are busy in winter generally continue to produce. With bait, disturbance, spods, leads - it keeps them on the move, so they use more energy and need to feed more, especially the larger fish.
At this time of the year, it's one of the few places left which holds plenty of natural food (bloodworm and stuff) and the fish will regularly feed in those areas, even when it's very cold in the middle of January.
Only last week, in 20 feet of water I was bringing back my rig with bloodworm entangled around the hook and lead clip. I also caught 3 carp from there and someone else had a mirror just under 50lb from the same spot.
I also tend to find, that lakes which are busy in winter generally continue to produce. With bait, disturbance, spods, leads - it keeps them on the move, so they use more energy and need to feed more, especially the larger fish.
Wish I could get amongst the carp on my syndicate no ones caught a single carp since mid October
The lake as less 100 carp in 58 acres everyone seems to be fishing the open water so next week I'm going to target the North End of the lake fishing the snags
One can only try
The lake as less 100 carp in 58 acres everyone seems to be fishing the open water so next week I'm going to target the North End of the lake fishing the snags
One can only try
I love this and thanks all - proper advice when you are smashing your head against the winter brick wall
In reply to Post #8
You and me both.
I know pretty much where the carp are located, 115 carp in 45 acres, nearly all sat in the slightly deeper west end, but they are hardly reliant on anglers baits, so headbanging time it is.
Choice, pile in loads of bitty food items, chopped boilies, well soaked Vitalin and chopped worm or keep trying a bright pop-up to provoke a take or both.
You and me both.
I know pretty much where the carp are located, 115 carp in 45 acres, nearly all sat in the slightly deeper west end, but they are hardly reliant on anglers baits, so headbanging time it is.
Choice, pile in loads of bitty food items, chopped boilies, well soaked Vitalin and chopped worm or keep trying a bright pop-up to provoke a take or both.
In reply to Post #7
The first place to look would be in any cover.
Trees and snags, tall phragmites reed beds that they can get deep inside (nightmare stuff), and remaining weed beds, etc.
The first place to look would be in any cover.
Trees and snags, tall phragmites reed beds that they can get deep inside (nightmare stuff), and remaining weed beds, etc.
In reply to Post #1
Anywhere where water comes into the lake, the Golden ticket being underwater springs, no matter how small.
Anywhere where water comes into the lake, the Golden ticket being underwater springs, no matter how small.
First thing I would look at is past history, does it produce in the cold and what is classed as a good result and that's your target, if it has not got form expect some long cold days and nights. Like already mentioned, people expect that if they have a boilie in the water the carp will eat it!
Fish habits vary and some waters they do switch off, I have caught them early season when nothing has come out over the cooler months covered in leeches from areas where they have been laid up or spending a lot of their time
Cold weather bait is everything (same as the rest of the year for me) and people just go through the same old routines. If you do not have a bait that is established then for me you are fishing for a bite and the simple answer is. If you caught one carp would you be happy and I guess the answer is yes. Digestibility is everything for me, a bag of low oil or high quality beatine pellets for example, my choice, has caught me more fish in such circumstances than anything else, soon dissolve just leaving your hookbait. Couple this with a soft quality hookbait or a single of choice and you are not far off the mark, you could even try more natural stuff, unlike these mongs just mindlessly filling it in
Problem though, be aware of the silver fish population because they will wipe everything out so if you think you are fishing a nice pile of pellets with your hookbait you ain't!!! Better with a small stringer in this case or soaked half boilies for example, list is endless
I will go back to the obvious though (not for the sheep). If a carp does not want to eat your boilie it will not, so THINK about it
Fish habits vary and some waters they do switch off, I have caught them early season when nothing has come out over the cooler months covered in leeches from areas where they have been laid up or spending a lot of their time
Cold weather bait is everything (same as the rest of the year for me) and people just go through the same old routines. If you do not have a bait that is established then for me you are fishing for a bite and the simple answer is. If you caught one carp would you be happy and I guess the answer is yes. Digestibility is everything for me, a bag of low oil or high quality beatine pellets for example, my choice, has caught me more fish in such circumstances than anything else, soon dissolve just leaving your hookbait. Couple this with a soft quality hookbait or a single of choice and you are not far off the mark, you could even try more natural stuff, unlike these mongs just mindlessly filling it in
Problem though, be aware of the silver fish population because they will wipe everything out so if you think you are fishing a nice pile of pellets with your hookbait you ain't!!! Better with a small stringer in this case or soaked half boilies for example, list is endless
I will go back to the obvious though (not for the sheep). If a carp does not want to eat your boilie it will not, so THINK about it
In reply to Post #12
Was just about to say... most people fish singles in winter because of their pva bag approach when silver fish eats everything.
Was just about to say... most people fish singles in winter because of their pva bag approach when silver fish eats everything.
In reply to Post #1
Lots of good advice here
I'd add trying zigs on those warmer days when they might be up in the middle layers and my go to winter bait when all else fails.. a chunk of bread using its natural buoyancy to pop up from the bottom
Lots of good advice here
I'd add trying zigs on those warmer days when they might be up in the middle layers and my go to winter bait when all else fails.. a chunk of bread using its natural buoyancy to pop up from the bottom
In reply to Post #12
I used to fish a local water quite regularly for a number of years, we knew where the fish holed up in the winter, the middle of 3 arms (imagine a capital E in reverse).
Some weeks you could catch on boilies, yet other weeks sweetcorn was the bait to catch. Even single high attract boilie you had to chop and change. Some weeks it was Dynamite Green Zing, or Pineapple N-Butyric, even Scopex or Monster Crab.
Over one winter between Christmas and New year I did a week session. For 2 days I caught on high attract pop-ups, then on the 3rd the fish switched onto my food bait that I had been feeding gradually since arriving, (snowman topped with Garlic Spice pop-ups).
I used to fish a local water quite regularly for a number of years, we knew where the fish holed up in the winter, the middle of 3 arms (imagine a capital E in reverse).
Some weeks you could catch on boilies, yet other weeks sweetcorn was the bait to catch. Even single high attract boilie you had to chop and change. Some weeks it was Dynamite Green Zing, or Pineapple N-Butyric, even Scopex or Monster Crab.
Over one winter between Christmas and New year I did a week session. For 2 days I caught on high attract pop-ups, then on the 3rd the fish switched onto my food bait that I had been feeding gradually since arriving, (snowman topped with Garlic Spice pop-ups).
In reply to Post #12
I have stopped using pva bags in the winter, back to three bait stringers
I don't want excessive silver fish activity around the hook bait while waiting for a carp.
I have stopped using pva bags in the winter, back to three bait stringers
I don't want excessive silver fish activity around the hook bait while waiting for a carp.
In reply to Post #16
Nobody uses stringers anymore
Nobody uses stringers anymore
In reply to Post #17
Is it because so many rigs these days are full of metalwork and people think anything added effects the rigs abilities?
Is it because so many rigs these days are full of metalwork and people think anything added effects the rigs abilities?
In reply to Post #16
Or 3 or 4 baits on the hair when fishing stringers
Or 3 or 4 baits on the hair when fishing stringers
In reply to Post #18
It's a fashion thing.
Stringers are not the fashion set-up, whereas bags or stick mix meshes are...
It's a fashion thing.
Stringers are not the fashion set-up, whereas bags or stick mix meshes are...
In reply to Post #20
Most can't think for themselves, that's the real reason
Most can't think for themselves, that's the real reason
In reply to Post #18
It was a joke hence the I was telling him to keep it quiet as I don't see many using them these days and I have alot of confidence using them
It was a joke hence the
I was telling him to keep it quiet as I don't see many using them these days and I have alot of confidence using them
In reply to Post #21
Sadly that is the truth!
Magazine or media article followed to the letter...
God help them if their is a typo.
Sadly that is the truth!
Magazine or media article followed to the letter...
God help them if their is a typo.
I honestly think, the golden rule to winter fishing is knowing when to go and when to stay at home, because there is absolutely a time when it's just best to stay indoors.
If it's been minus 2 or minus 3 for days or a week, your chances of catching are so low I honestly think it's a complete waste of time. You do get outliers, where somebody will turn up and somehow manage to catch, but for 99.9% of the time, it is a complete waste of time.
If on the otherhand, there's been a good few days or a week where the temps have gotten to double figures, chances can increase hugely and I think it's well worth a shot.
I think when it gets really cold and the water temps get close to freezing, due to the fish being cold-blooded, they just slow right down become lethargic and barely move. They can spend long periods sat in silty areas of the lake, or near any old or decaying weedbeds - not doing anything at all, or days at a time.
I think you need to be an opportunist, go when the conditions favour success - otherwise you'll end up sat in a freezing bivvy blanking, no matter what rigs/bait/whatever you're fishing.
If it's been minus 2 or minus 3 for days or a week, your chances of catching are so low I honestly think it's a complete waste of time. You do get outliers, where somebody will turn up and somehow manage to catch, but for 99.9% of the time, it is a complete waste of time.
If on the otherhand, there's been a good few days or a week where the temps have gotten to double figures, chances can increase hugely and I think it's well worth a shot.
I think when it gets really cold and the water temps get close to freezing, due to the fish being cold-blooded, they just slow right down become lethargic and barely move. They can spend long periods sat in silty areas of the lake, or near any old or decaying weedbeds - not doing anything at all, or days at a time.
I think you need to be an opportunist, go when the conditions favour success - otherwise you'll end up sat in a freezing bivvy blanking, no matter what rigs/bait/whatever you're fishing.
In reply to Post #24
To be honest I'd prefer to be sat in a bivvy even when it's cold than at home. I'm an outdoor person.
I've been on the bank just after a thaw when the lake was cold, but the strong current coming into the lagoon from the river and other lagoon moved the fish. 4 fish over that was worth it. Every fish came on the same rod, the middle and right hand rod just metres away produced nothing.
26, 20, 26 and a 17lb. The 17 was the best looking as well, definitely photographed.
I'd walked around the lake before setting up, and thought I saw a roll or boil from the fish. Whether I convinced myself that it was a fish, or it was I set up on it.
I wasn't sure as the inflow was coming in so hard. A 3oz lead wouldn't hold bottom in the main body of the lagoon.
I always think in winter, at some point, every day, at least one fish is going to have a feed, its just getting the right bait to that fish.
Don't forget, that in winter most of the time, the bottom of the lake is 4⁰C. Warmer or colder water is not so dense.
Saying that, no point going right now the lake has frozen over since Friday.
To be honest I'd prefer to be sat in a bivvy even when it's cold than at home. I'm an outdoor person.
I've been on the bank just after a thaw when the lake was cold, but the strong current coming into the lagoon from the river and other lagoon moved the fish. 4 fish over that was worth it. Every fish came on the same rod, the middle and right hand rod just metres away produced nothing.
26, 20, 26 and a 17lb. The 17 was the best looking as well, definitely photographed.
I'd walked around the lake before setting up, and thought I saw a roll or boil from the fish. Whether I convinced myself that it was a fish, or it was I set up on it.
I wasn't sure as the inflow was coming in so hard. A 3oz lead wouldn't hold bottom in the main body of the lagoon.
I always think in winter, at some point, every day, at least one fish is going to have a feed, its just getting the right bait to that fish.
Don't forget, that in winter most of the time, the bottom of the lake is 4⁰C. Warmer or colder water is not so dense.
Saying that, no point going right now the lake has frozen over since Friday.
In reply to Post #24
Depends if you care about blanking or just like going fishing. It was -4 packing up this morning on a blank but I'd rather that than not go.
Depends if you care about blanking or just like going fishing. It was -4 packing up this morning on a blank but I'd rather that than not go.
I'd have to agree with the top two comments. A few sessions lately I've known catching is very unlikely, however I enjoy my evening during the week with time to myself to not go. I only tend not to go for the night if local lakes are lidded but I can usually find one somewhere to spend time on
In reply to Post #24
I honestly think, the golden rule to winter fishing is knowing when to go and when to stay at home, because there is absolutely a time when it's just best to stay indoors
Same here, all year round for me, couldn't fish for a worst species
All about being there at the right time unless you are happy being there all the time. The windows of opportunity can be small
I honestly think, the golden rule to winter fishing is knowing when to go and when to stay at home, because there is absolutely a time when it's just best to stay indoors
Same here, all year round for me, couldn't fish for a worst species
All about being there at the right time unless you are happy being there all the time. The windows of opportunity can be small
Yeah I don't really like sitting behind rods just for the sake of it, I can't physically fish if I don't have fish in front of me, or I know I'm not in with a chance of catching - I move or pack up and go home, if that's the case. 
I understand though, some people do like to just be out fishing for the enjoyment of being there, and that's as valid reason as any.
I understand though, some people do like to just be out fishing for the enjoyment of being there, and that's as valid reason as any.
In reply to Post #24
Agree with Tim - fish to conditions / changes in the weather window; life is too short to sit freezing in a bivvy when a short sesh on a river can scratch the same itch.
Only good thing about winter and lids is trying to visit your regular water just as it starts to thaw . . .amazing to see where the warm spots are (areas in the ice that melt first) and logging them for future use . . .some are in completely unexpected places!
Agree with Tim - fish to conditions / changes in the weather window; life is too short to sit freezing in a bivvy when a short sesh on a river can scratch the same itch.
Only good thing about winter and lids is trying to visit your regular water just as it starts to thaw . . .amazing to see where the warm spots are (areas in the ice that melt first) and logging them for future use . . .some are in completely unexpected places!
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